Feb 19

Table of Content
Economics
DIPP rechristened to include internal trade 05
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi 06
[pib] Ladakh now connected to National Grid 07
At rst, Kerala sets up drug price monitor 08
[pib] Gems and Jewellery Domestic Council 09
Centre may relax angel tax norms for start-ups, sets up panel 10
Government submits resolution plan for IL&FS 11
PM Kisan scheme: Aadhaar optional for rst installment; compulsory from second one 12
[pib] Labour Ministry noti es rules to allow employment of Women in Mines 12
[pib] Categorization of Farmers 13
Ujjwala scheme takes India to second rank in LPG imports 14
[pib] National Cow Commission 15
[pib] National Gas Grid 16
[pib] International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 16
Cabinet nod to setting up Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund 18
Unregulated deposit schemes to be banned 18
[pib] Abolition of Income-Tax Ombudsman and Indirect Tax Ombudsman 19
Startups to be listed for angel tax exemption 20
2nd phase of River Information System 21
Sela Pass Tunnel Project 22
All Medical equipment noti ed as drugs 23
[pib] National Productivity Week 23
[pib] Use of Space Technology in Agriculture Sector 24
Government to continue credit linked capital subsidy scheme 25
[pib] Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS) Portal 26
Andhra to adopt district cooling in govt. buildings 26
Mariculture is as important for India as agriculture 27
Policy bias against Rainfed agriculture 29
[pib] GeM Start-up Runway and SWAYATT Initiative 30
[pib] KUSUM Scheme 31
National Policy on Electronics 2019 32
Page 1
[pib] Second edition of States’ Ranking on Startup Initiatives 33
Women’s Livelihood Bonds 34
Labour Bureau les MUDRA job report 35
Report ags growing threat of monoculture in crop production 36
Used Cooking oil as aviation fuel 37
Draft e-commerce policy: Keeping our data safe and secure 38
Offshore Wind: The sleeping giant has been stirred 39
Banks may set repo rate as benchmark for lending 41
AP gets new railway zone called ‘South Coast Railway’ 42
Enviro & Biodiversity

How will global warming affect El Niño in the 21st Century? 44
What’s causing extreme cold in US Midwest 45
Emission levels rising faster in Indian cities than in China 46
A third of Hindu Kush Himalaya glaciers will melt by 2100 47
National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018 48
[pib] Management of Ground Water 50
Centre announces mascot for COP-13 on conservation of migratory species 51
Asiatic Lion Conservation Project 52
[pib] India-Norway Ocean Dialogue 53
99.82% projects in forests got nod 54
Scientists discover massive mountains under Earth’s crust 55
106 coastal sites picked for conservation 56
Explained: Tree cover, forest cover – How are the two different? 56
Governance
New panel for welfare of nomadic communities 59
Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana 59
Nilavembu Kudineer 60
[pib] Shehri Samridhi Utsav 61
Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor 61
Explained: The Dard Aryans of Ladakh: who are this tribe, what are their concerns? 62
Govt. grants divisional status to Ladakh 64
Government introduces Bill on northeast 65
Diversion of Nirbhaya Fund 66
[pib] Reconstitution of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) 66
Page 2
[pib] Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP) 67
[pib] Constitutional and Legislative Measures to Protect and Safeguard Land Rights of STs 67
[pib] e-AUSHADHI Portal 68
[pib] National Policy for Domestic Workers (draft) 69
[pib] National Commission for Safai Karmacharis 70
Centre to revamp minimum support for minor forest produce 71
Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans fat hazard 72
WHO issues new international standard for music devices 73
[pib] National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India 74
[pib] Operation Digital Board 75
[pib] HOPE Portal 77
WHO prescribes ‘aerobics 150’ to stay t 78
Arjuna Tree 79
International Relations
China refuses to budge, says India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG 81
UNSC adopts resolution to extend sanctions against Central African Region 82
[pib] Exercise Cutlass Express 2019 82
U.S. may end zero-tariffs for India 83
Macedonia to become NATO’s 30th member 84
World Government Summit 85
Explained: What is MFN status, how can India hurt Pak by withdrawing it 86
[pib] Government liberalizes the e-Visa regime 88
Argentina becomes 72nd country to sign solar agreement 88
[pib] Indus Waters Treaty 1960 : Present Status of Development in India 89
Explained: Why is China shielding the Jaish-e-Mohammad? 90
Afghanistan launches new export route to India through Iran 91
Explained: Decoding the OIC’s invite to ‘Guest of Honour’ India 92
[pib] Exercise Sampriti – 2019 94
ICJ rejects UK’s claim of sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago 94
Polity
Explained: The President’s address to both Houses of Parliament 96
New panel for welfare of nomadic communities 97
Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana 97
Nilavembu Kudineer 98
Page 3
[pib] Shekatkar Committee Recommendations 99
[pib] Shehri Samridhi Utsav 99
Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor 100
Explained: The Dard Aryans of Ladakh: who are this tribe, what are their concerns? 100
Supreme Court may curb advocates from speaking on cases 102
Govt. grants divisional status to Ladakh 102
Government introduces Bill on northeast 103
Diversion of Nirbhaya Fund 104
[pib] Reconstitution of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) 105
[pib] Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP) 105
[pib] Constitutional and Legislative Measures to Protect and Safeguard Land Rights of STs 106
Government introduces bill in Rajya Sabha to amend Cinematograph Act 107
Bill to counter exploitation by NRI spouses 108
[pib] e-AUSHADHI Portal 108
[pib] National Policy for Domestic Workers (draft) 109
[pib] National Commission for Safai Karmacharis 110
Centre to revamp minimum support for minor forest produce 111
Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans fat hazard 112
[pib] Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM- SYM) 113
Parliament passes law removing leprosy as ground for divorce 114
Minimum wage: what it is, how it is xed 115
Explained: Effect on Bills when Parliament adjourns sine die 116
WHO issues new international standard for music devices 118
India’s city compost policy needs overhauling 118
Why only bureaucrats on information panels, asks SC 119
[pib] Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) 121
Explained: The lowdown on National Security Act 122
Govt issues guidelines to set up EV charging stations 123
Criticism without incitement to violence isn’t sedition 124
Rajasthan gears up for social accountability Bill 125
[pib] National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India 126
[pib] Development and Welfare Board for De-noti ed, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities
127
[pib] Operation Digital Board 128
[pib] HOPE Portal 129
Page 4
WHO prescribes ‘aerobics 150’ to stay t 130
SC eviction order likely to impact 1.89 mn forest families 131
Indelible ink’s new challenger: invisible ink 132
Study blames Indian inheritance law reforms for spike in female foeticide 133
Arjuna Tree 135
India to have own DNS for safe browsing 136
[pib] All India Citizens Survey of Police Services 136
[pib] 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit 137
Ayushman Bharat will not cover cataract ops, dialysis and normal deliveries 137
EVM is ‘information’ under RTI Act 139
Explained: PRC Issue 140
[pib] Yuva Sahakar Scheme 141
[pib] SHREYAS Scheme 142
Science Tech Art Culture

International conference on 8th century sage held to mark 50 years of India-Bhutan ties 144
[pib] 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav 144
Stupa-hopping in Sarnath 145
[pib] India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 launched successfully 146
NASA’s Opportunity Rover 147
[pib] Guru Ravidas 148
[pib] Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) 148
India successfully test- res Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile 149
[pib] India’s rst indigenous semiconductor chips for 4G/LTE and 5G NR modems 149
Trivia
Periodic Table completes 150 years 150
Economics
DIPP rechristened to include internal trade
F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 1 9 | T H E H I ND U
Page 5
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Indian Polity | Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: DPIIT
Mains level: Mandate of the restructured DPIIT
News
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
1. The government has noti ed changing the name of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) to the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and has enhanced its role.
2. These are in addition to the previous responsibilities of the erstwhile DIPP relating to general industrial policy,
administration of the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951, industrial management, productivity in
industry, and matters related to e-commerce.
About DIPP
1. DIPP was established in the year 1995, and was reconstituted in the year 2000 with the merger of Department of
Industrial Development.
2. The department functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
3. It is responsible for formulation and implementation of promotional and developmental measures for growth of the
industrial sector, keeping in view the national priorities and socio-economic objectives.
4. While individual Administrative Ministries look after the production, distribution, development and planning aspects of
speci c industries allocated to them, DIPP is responsible for the overall industrial policy.
5. It is also responsible for facilitating and increasing the foreign direct investment (FDI) ows to the country.
6. It is currently working to frame a new industrial policy, to be the third such policy in India since its independence in
1947.
Four new responsibilities added
The noti cation has also included four new categories of responsibilities the renamed body will be in charge of,
including:
Promotion of internal trade (including retail trade)

Welfare of traders and their employees
Matters relating to facilitating Ease of Doing Business
Matters relating to start-ups
Industrial Sector Updates – Industrial Policy, Ease of Doing Business, etc.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi

F EB R U AR Y 2 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Page 6
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices
Prelims level: PM-KISAN
Mains level: PM-KISAN and its mandate
News
To provide an assured income support to the small and marginal farmers, the Government is launching the Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN).
1. Under this programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares, will be provided
direct income support at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year.
2. This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of bene ciary farmers, in three equal
installments of Rs. 2,000 each.
3. This programme will be funded by Government of India.
4. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to bene t from this.
5. The programme would be made effective from 1st December 2018 and the rst installment for the period upto 31st
March 2019 would be paid during this year itself.
6. It will entail an annual expenditure of Rs.75, 000 crore.
Expected Outcome
1. It would not only provide assured supplemental income to the most vulnerable farmer families, but would also meet
their emergent needs especially before the harvest season.
2. It would pave the way for the farmers to earn and live a respectable living.
Agricultural Marketing Reforms – eNAM, Model APMC Act, Eco Survey Reco, etc.
[pib] Ladakh now connected to National Grid

F EB R U AR Y 4, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
Prelims level: About the transmission line
Mains level: Electri cation in the remotest areas
News
Page 7
The PM has dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the Nation.
Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission Line
1. Built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters, this approx. 335 km long transmission line has been constructed by
POWERGRID.
2. In this project has Gas Insulated Sub-stations built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh will help to ensure 24×7 quality
power in all weather conditions.
3. Funding provisions have been in the ratio of 95:05 (95% Govt. of India share and 5% J&K state share).
Bene ts to the region
1. The implementation of this project was aimed to supply power to the people of Ladakh in harsh winters and
evacuation of surplus power of Kargil & Leh Hydel stations of NHPC in summers.
2. This will not only help evacuate power in summers, but will also supply power to the region in winters when
temperatures dip and hydro electricity generation do not match up.
3. With quality electricity available at reasonable rates, hospitality industry in Ladakh will get a boost, as their reliance on
diesel sets will reduce.
4. This will also attract tourists looking for affordable stay in all weathers.
J&K – The issues around the state
At rst, Kerala sets up drug price monitor

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Issues relating to development & management of Social Sector/Services relating
to Health, Education, Human Resources
From the UPSC perspective, the following things are important:
Prelims level: PMRU and its mandate
Mains level: Need for an effective Pharma price monitoring agency
News
Kerala has become the rst State to set up a price monitoring and research unit (PMRU) to track violation of prices
of essential drugs and medical devices under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO).
The move comes more than ve years after the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) proposed such a
system for the States and the Union Territories.
Price Monitoring and Research Unit (PMRU)
1. A society had been registered to get Central assistance for the functioning of the unit.
2. The State Health Secretary would be the Chairman of the society and the Drugs Controller would be its member
secretary.
3. Its members include a State government representative, representatives of private pharmaceutical companies, and
those from consumer rights protection fora.
4. The society would also have an executive committee headed by the Drugs Controller.
Terms of reference
The new watchdog will offer technical help to the State Drug Controllers and the NPPA to:
Monitor noti ed prices of medicines

Detect violation of the provisions of the DPCO
Look at price compliance
Collect test samples of medicines, and
Collect and compile market-based data of scheduled as well as non-scheduled formulations.
Page 8
Why such move?
1. Pharma companies have been accused of overcharging prices of drugs in the scheduled category xed by the DPCO
and those outside its ambit too.
2. The suggestion to set up PMRUs was made against the backdrop of the lack of a eld-level link between the NPPA
and the State Drugs Controllers and State Drug Inspectors to monitor drug prices.
3. The unit is expected to help the State Drugs Control wing, which is hit by severe staff shortage, and regulate drug
prices more effectively.
4. There is also a plan to collect data on the prices of surgical devices and stents in the market.
Expected Outcomes
1. The NPPA had xed the prices of around 1,000 drugs and the unit would track if buyers were being overcharged.
2. It would also check if pharma companies were hiking the prices of non-scheduled drugs by more than 10% a year.
3. It will check if there is any shortage of essential medicines.
Pharma Sector – Drug Pricing, NPPA, FDC, Generics, etc.
[pib] Gems and Jewellery Domestic Council

F EB R U AR Y 5, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their
effects on industrial growth
Prelims level: National Committee for Gems and Jewellery
Mains level: The importance of gems and jewellery industry in India’s external trade
News
National Committee for Gems and Jewellery
1. An Ad-hoc National Committee for Gems and Jewellery consisting 14 Members representing various associations of
Gems and Jewellery Sector has been constituted.
2. It is set to draft Memorandum and Article of Association and other Rules/Bye-laws of the Domestic Council.
3. The Government is supporting the process of setting up of Domestic Council for Gems and Jewellery, to encourage
and boost domestic gems and jewellery sector.
4. It is envisaged that the domestic industry would be bene ted from such a representative body which would be the
forum for highlighting the issues and concerns of the industry that require redressal through policy measures.
Promoting Gems and Jewellery industries
Further, with a view to strengthen the National Committee for Gems and Jewellery in the country, the Government
has taken a number of steps such as:
Establishment of Special Noti ed Zone (SNZ);

Setting up of Common Facility Centres for gem and jewellery sector;
Announcement of separate ITC HS Code for lab-grown diamonds;
Providing nancial assistance for participation in international fairs,
Organizing buyer-seller meets,
Creation of export related infrastructure, etc.
Gems and Jewellery industries in India
1. India is one of the largest exporters of Gems and Jewellery.

2. The industry plays a vital role in the Indian economy for its role as a major contributor to the total foreign exchange
reserves of the country.
Page 9
3. The overall net exports of Gems and Jewellery includes -cut and polished diamonds, gold jewellery and silver
jewellery, gold coins and medallions.
4. US, Hong Kong and UAE are the major exporters, who accounted for 75% of the total gems and jewellery exports
from India during 2016-17.
5. Other big importers of Indian jewellery include Russia, Singapore, Latin America and China.
Centre may relax angel tax norms for start-ups, sets up panel
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy
Prelims level: Angel Tax
Mains level: Interventions required by the government to diversify India’s startup’s nancing
News
The government has decided to set up a ve-member working committee to look into the angel tax issue and come
up with guidelines in one week.
What is angel tax?
1. The ‘angel tax’, as it is commonly called, is a tax on the excess capital raised by an unlisted company through the issue
of shares over and above the fair market value of those shares.
2. This excess capital is treated as income and taxed accordingly.
3. It most commonly affects start-ups and the angel investors who back them.
Who is an Angel Investor?
1. An angel investor is an af uent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for
convertible debt or ownership equity.
2. It is also known as a business angel, informal investor, angel funder, private investor, or seed investor.
Problems with Angel tax
1. There is no de nitive or objective way to measure the ‘fair market value’ of a startup.
2. Investors pay a premium for the idea and the business potential at the angel funding stage.
3. However, tax of cials seem to be assessing the value of the startups based on their net asset value at one point.
4. Several startups say that they nd it dif cult to justify the higher valuation to tax of cials.
5. In a noti cation in May, 2018, the CBDT had exempted angel investors from the Angel Tax clause subject to
ful llment of certain terms and conditions, as speci ed by the DIPP (now DPIIT).
Proposed reforms
1. Earlier, start-ups whose aggregate amount of paid-up share capital and share premium after the proposed issue of
share does not exceed ₹10 crore are eligible for exemption from the tax.
2. Of cials representing the government agreed to raise this limit to ₹25 crore.
3. They also agreed to amend the de nition of a start-up to include companies that have been in operation for up to 10
years rather than the previous limit of seven years.
4. The noti cation had said that the angel investor should have led IT returns of at least ₹50 lakh for the year
preceding the year in which the investment was made and have a net worth of ₹2 crore.
5. This would be modi ed to be ₹25 lakh and ₹1 crore, respectively.
Scrapping Angel Tax is not possible
1. The government is concerned about how to differentiate genuine start-ups from companies set up for money-
laundering purposes.
Page 10
2. The angel tax could not be scrapped as money laundering is a major problem.
3. There was a network of 200 shell companies and they have been under control since 2012, so it cannot be scrapped.
4. However, concessions are under consideration with the size of the start-up, the duration of its operation, and the
income of the angel investor.
Tax Reforms
Government submits resolution plan for IL&FS

F E B R U A R Y 5 , 2 0 1 9 | C U S TOM
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Mobilization of resources
Prelims level: IL&FS crisis
Mains level: Too big to fail institutions and their risk of failing
News
The government has submitted the debt resolution plan for crisis-hit IL&FS to the NCLAT and also suggested the
name of retired Supreme Court judge Justice D K Jain to supervise the entire process.
What is IL&FS Crisis?
1. The IL&FS Ltd is an infrastructure nance company registered with the Reserve Bank of India as a ‘Systemically
Important Non-Deposit Accepting Core Investment Company’, with over Rs.1,15,000 crore of assets and Rs. 91,000
crore of debt.
2. IL&FS defaulted on a few payments and failed to service its commercial papers (CP) on the due date—which means
the company has run out of cash or it is facing a liquidity crunch.
3. The company piled up too much debt to be paid back in the short-term while revenues from its assets is skewed
towards the longer term.
The Resolution Plan
1. The entire resolution process would be based on the principles enunciated in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
2. Under the plan, the government has categorised IL&FS group companies into green, amber and red based on their
respective nancial positions.
3. The corporate affairs ministry has xed September 30, 2018 as the cut-off date for entertaining the claims submitted
by the lenders.
4. During the conduct of the resolution process, payments will be permitted only to maintain and preserve the going
concern status of the companies of the IL&FS group.
Declaring a bidder
1. Upon receipt of the recommendations, a successful bidder would be declared, who will deposit the earnest money.
2. Upon declaration of the bidder, documentation of the sale will be completed and the forwarded to National Company
Law Tribunal for the nal approval.
3. According to the af davit led before the NCLAT, the classi cation of the IL&FS group companies is “based on a 12-
month cash ow based solvency test”.
3 Categories
1. Companies falling in the green categories are the entities, which will continue to meet their payment obligation.
2. While companies falling in the amber category are those who are not able to meet their obligations but can meet only
operational payment obligations to senior secured nancial creditors.
3. Amber category entities “are permitted to make only payments necessary to maintain and preserve the going
concern”.
Page 11
4. Companies falling in the red category are the entities which can not meet their payment obligations towards even
senior secured nancial creditors.
5. These companies would be permitted to make payment necessary to maintain and preserve the going concern
status.
Asset Monetization Plan
1. The distribution of the sale proceeds would be in accordance with the waterfall mechanism speci ed under section
53 of the IBC.
2. Under Section 53 of IBC, senior secured creditors loans are cleared rst and any surplus that remains thereafter is
given to unsecured or subordinated creditors and thereafter to the equity owners.
For detailed reading on IL&FS crisis , navigate to the page:
[Burning Issue] IL&FS Crisis
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
PM Kisan scheme: Aadhaar optional for rst installment; compulsory from

second one
F E B R U A R Y 6, 2 0 1 9 | T H E H I ND U
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices
Prelims level: PM-KISAN
Mains level: PM-KISAN and its mandate
News
Farmers who wish to avail themselves of bene ts under PM-KISAN must have Aadhaar identi cation to get the
money from the second installment, which would be paid by July 2019.
However, this would not be compulsory for the rst installment expected to be disbursed by March 31.
1. Under this programme, vulnerable landholding farmer families, having cultivable land upto 2 hectares, will be provided
direct income support at the rate of Rs. 6,000 per year.
2. This income support will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of bene ciary farmers, in three equal
installments of Rs. 2,000 each.
3. Around 12 crore small and marginal farmer families are expected to bene t from this.
Aadhar will be mandatory
1. States have been told to prepare a database of bene ciaries — small and marginal landholder farmer families in all
villages — including whether they belong to SC/ST, bank account, mobile and Aadhaar details.
2. For transfer of the rst installment, Aadhaar number shall be collected wherever available.
3. An alternate list of identi cation documents has also been provided, as options.
4. However, for transfer of subsequent installments, Aadhaar number shall have to be compulsorily captured.
Land records
1. States have also been told to update their land records, as that would serve as the basis for determination of
landholding for bene ciaries.
2. However, the secretary also said that the cut-off date for determination of ownership of land (as per land records)
under the scheme was already over; the cut-off date was February 1, 2019.
Page 12
3. Changes thereafter in land records shall not be considered for eligibility of the bene t to the new land holder for next
5 years.
4. Transfer of ownership on account of succession would, however, be allowed.
Role of States
1. States would be given a maximum of 0.25% of funds transferred to bene ciaries in the rst instalment to pay for their
administrative expenses in the implementation of the scheme.
2. That amount would drop to 0.125% for all further installments.
[pib] Labour Ministry noti es rules to allow employment of Women in Mines

F E B R U A R Y 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Development & Employment
Prelims level: Mines Act, 1952 and newly added norms
Mains level: Equality of opportunity for Women
News
The Central Government has exempted the women employed in any mine above ground and in any mine below
ground from the provisions of section 46 of the Mines Act, 1952, subject to following conditions.
In the case of women employed in any mine above ground
The owner of a mine may deploy women between the hours of 7 pm and 6 am in the mine above ground including
opencast workings;
the deployment of women shall be after obtaining the written consent of the concerned woman employee;
the women so deployed shall be provided with adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety,
security and health;
the deployment of women shall be subject to the framing and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures on
the basis of the guidelines issued in this regard by the Chief Inspector of Mines from time to time;
the deployment of women shall be in a group of not less than three in a shift.
In the case of women employed in any mine below ground
The owner of a mine may deploy women between the hours of 6 am and 7 pm in technical, supervisory and
managerial work where continuous presence may not be required;
the deployment of women shall be after obtaining the written consent of the concerned woman employee;
the women so deployed shall be provided with adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety,
security and health;
the deployment of women shall be subject to the framing and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures on
the basis of the guidelines issued in this regard by the Chief Inspector of Mines from time to time;
the deployment of women shall be in a group of not less than three.
Why such move?
1. The Mines Act, 1952, restricted the employment of women in underground mines and also in opencast or
aboveground workings of the mine during night hours between 7PM and 6AM.
2. Several women employees groups, industry and students has enrolled with various institutions pursuing mining
engineering courses at degree and diploma levels.
3. They have been representing to the government at different forum that women should be provided equal
employment opportunity for working in mines.
Page 13
Coal and Mining Sector
[pib] Categorization of Farmers

F E B R U A R Y 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | Land reforms in India
Prelims level: Land holding categorization in India
Mains level: Improving the condition of Small and Marginal farmers
News
Operational Land Holding in India
In Agriculture Census 2015-16, the operational holdings are categorised in ve size classes as follows:-
S. No. Category Size-Class
1. Marginal Below 1.00 hectare
1. Small 1.00-2.00 hectare
1. Semi- Medium 2.00-4.00 hectare
1. Medium 4.00-10.00 hectare
1. Large 10.00 hectare and above
The operational holdings are also classi ed in three social groups, viz., Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and
Others.
The average size holdings is highest in Nagaland (5.06 ha) followed by Punjab (3.62 ha).
Countrywide the average size is 1.08 ha.
It has been observed that Small farms are more ef cient, especially in cultivating labour-intensive crops or tending
livestock, but land holdings are too small to generate suf cient household income.
Refer this image for State-wise average size of operational holdings in the country:
Press Information Bureau
Land Reforms
Ujjwala scheme takes India to second rank in LPG imports

F E B R U A R Y 7 , 2 0 1 9 | T H E I ND I A N E X P R E S S
Note4students
Page 14
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Prelims level: WLPGA, Asia LPG Summit
Mains level: PMUY , its prospects and challenges.
News
Status report of PMUY
1. The PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has so far provided over 6.31 crore free LPG connections since its launch, and now the
target has been upped to 8 crore connections by March 2020.
2. This has helped the country achieve LPG coverage of close to 90 per cent, but this has also led to a rapid increase in
LPG imports, said Petroleum Ministry at Asia LPG Summit.
Rise in LPG Imports
1. With estimated imports of above 12 million metric tonnes in the nancial year 2018-19, India stands as world’s second
largest importer of LPG, after China.
2. LPG consumption is expected to grow to 30.3 million tonnes by 2025 and 40.6 million tonnes by 2040
3. With only kerosene and LPG have subsidized categories, and LPG being the growing segment, government’s subsidy
burden can increase especially in case of higher global oil prices.
About Asia LPG Summit
The summit is organized by the World LPG Association (WLPGA) in along with major Indian public-sector oil
companies (OMCs) Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, and Bharat Petroleum.
World LPG Association
1. Based out of Paris, the WLPGA is the voice of the global LPG Industry representing the full LPG value chain.
2. The Association was established in 1987 and granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic
and Social Council in 1989.
3. The primary goal of the Association is to add value to the sector by driving premium demand for LPG, while also
promoting Compliance to good business and safety practices.
4. The WLPGA brings together over 200 private and public companies operating in more than 125 countries involved in
one, several or all activities of the industry.
5. It develops long-term partnerships with international organisations; and implements projects on local and global
scales.
Oil and Gas Sector – HELP, Open Acreage Policy, etc.
[pib] National Cow Commission

F EB R U AR Y 7 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | Economics of animal-rearing
Prelims level: Mandate of the National Cow Commission
Mains level: Various issues associated with animal rearing and role of animals in the agricultural sector in India
News
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for establishment of National Cow Commission (Rashtriya Kamdhenu
Aayog) for Conservation protection and development of cows and their progeny.
Page 15
Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog
1. The commission will work in collaboration with other government institutions working on research in the elds such
as breeding and rearing of cows, organic manure and biogas.
2. The commission will be tasked with providing a framework for cow conservation and development programmes.
3. The setting up of Aayog will lead to conservation, protection and development of cattle population in the country
including development and conservation of indigenous breeds.
4. It will result in increased growth of livestock sector which is more inclusive, bene tting women, and small and
marginal farmers.
Impact
The creation of this Aayog will provide the policy framework and direction to the cow conservation and development
programmes in the country and for ensuring proper implementation of laws with respect to the welfare of cows.
Animal Husbandry, Dairy & Fisheries Sector – Pashudhan Sanjivani, E- Pashudhan Haat, etc
[pib] National Gas Grid

F EB R U AR Y 7 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: National Gas Grid
Mains level: Ensuring clean fuel across the country
News
The Government has envisaged to develop the National Gas Grid and has informed about the operational status.
National Gas Grid
At present about 16,788 Km natural gas pipeline is operational and about 14,239 Km gas pipelines are being
developed to increase the availability of natural gas across the country.
These pipelines have been authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and are at various
stages of execution viz. Pre-Project activities/laying/testing/commissioning etc.
Aims and Objective
To remove regional imbalance within the country with regard to access of natural gas and provide clean and green
fuel throughout the country.
To connect gas sources to major demand centres and ensure availability of gas to consumers in various sectors.
Development of City Gas Distribution Networks in various cities for supply of CNG and PNG.
Oil and Gas Sector – HELP, Open Acreage Policy, etc.
[pib] International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019

F EB R U AR Y 7 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and
issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Prelims level: IFSC Authority Bill
Page 16
Mains level: Terms of reference of the IFSC Authority
News
The Union Cabinet has approved establishment of a uni ed authority for regulating all nancial services in
International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India through International Financial Services Centres Authority
Bill, 2019.
The rst IFSC in India has been set up at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
What is an IFSC?
1. An IFSC enables bringing back the nancial services and transactions that are currently carried out in offshore
nancial centers by Indian corporate entities.
2. They offer business and regulatory environment that is comparable to other leading international nancial centers in
the world like London and Singapore.
Why regulate IFSCs?
1. Currently, the banking, capital markets and insurance sectors in IFSC are regulated by multiple regulators, i.e. RBI,
SEBI and IRDAI.
2. The dynamic nature of business in the IFSCs necessitates a high degree of inter-regulatory coordination.
3. It requires regular clari cations and frequent amendments in the existing regulations governing nancial activities in
IFSCs.
4. The development of nancial services and products in IFSCs would require focussed and dedicated regulatory
interventions.
5. It provides world class regulatory environment to nancial market participants.
6. Further, this would also be essential from an ease of doing business perspective.
Bene ts
1. The establishment of a uni ed nancial regulator for IFSCs will result in providing world-class regulatory environment
to market participants from an ease of doing business perspective.
2. This will provide a stimulus for further development of IFSCs in India and enable bringing back of nancial services
and transactions that are currently carried out in offshore nancial centres to India.
3. This would also generate signi cant employment in the IFSCs in particular as well as nancial sector in India as a
whole.
Features of IFSC Authority Bill, 2019
Management of the Authority
The Authority shall consist of a Chairperson, one Member each to be nominated by the RBI, the Securities
Exchange Board of India SEBI, the IRDAI and the PFRDA.
Two members are to be dominated by the Central Government and two other whole-time or full-time or part-time
members.
Functions
The Authority shall regulate all such nancial services, nancial products and FIs in an IFSC which has already been
permitted by the Financial Sector Regulators for IFSCs.
The Authority shall also regulate such other nancial products, nancial services or FIs as may be noti ed by the
Central Government from time to time.
It may also recommend to the Central Government such other nancial products, nancial services and nancial
institutions which may be permitted in the IFSCs.
Powers
All powers exercisable by the respective nancial sector regulatory (viz. RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA etc.) under the
respective Acts shall be solely exercised by the Authority in the IFSCs.
This is so far as the regulation of nancial products, nancial services and FIs that are permitted in the IFSC are
concerned.
Page 17
Grants by the Central Govt
The Central Govt. may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Authority
grants of such sums of money as the Central Government may think t for being utilized for the purposes of the
Authority.
Transactions in foreign currency
The transactions of nancial services in the IFSCs shall be done in the foreign currency as speci ed by the Authority
in consultation with the Central Govt.
Services Sector
Cabinet nod to setting up Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund

F E B R U A R Y 8, 2 0 1 9 | T H E I ND I A N E X P R E S S
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture| Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related
constraints
Prelims level: AMIF
Mains level: Expected outcomes from the AMIF
News
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs Chaired gave its approval for the creation of Agri-Market
Infrastructure Fund (AMIF).
Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF)
1. AMIF is a corpus of Rs. 2000 crore to be created with NABARD for development and up-gradation of agricultural
marketing infrastructure in Gramin Agricultural Markets and Regulated Wholesale Markets.
2. It will provide the State/UT Governments subsidized loan for their proposal for developing marketing infrastructure in
585 Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and 10,000 Grameen Agricultural Markets (GrAMs).
3. States may also access AMIF for innovative integrated market infrastructure projects including Hub and Spoke mode
and in PPP mode.
4. In these GrAMs, physical and basic infrastructure will be strengthened using MGNREGA and other Government
Schemes.
5. The Scheme being demand driven, its progress is subject to the demands from the States and proposals received
from them.
Unregulated deposit schemes to be banned

Note4students
Prelims level: Particulars of the Bill, Ponzi Schemes,
Mains level: The new bill seeks to protect investors from rising instances of scams
Page 18
News
The Union Cabinet has approved the of cial amendments to an Act that classi es any deposit scheme not
registered with the government as an offence and bans it.
The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill 2018 was introduced in Parliament on July 18, 2018 and was
referred to the standing committee.
Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018
1. The Bill contains a substantive banning clause which bans deposit takers from promoting, operating, issuing
advertisements or accepting deposits in any unregulated deposit scheme.
2. The amendment bill aims to effectively tackle the menace of illicit deposit-taking activities, and prevent such
schemes from duping poor and gullible people of their hard-earned savings.
3. The principle is that the bill would make the activities an offence ex-ante rather than the existing legislative-cum-
regulatory framework which only comes into effect ex-post with considerable time lags.
4. It bans deposit takers from promoting, operating, issuing advertisements or accepting deposits in any unregulated
scheme.
Provisions of the Bill
1. The Bill has adequate provisions for disgorgement or repayment of deposits in cases where such schemes
nonetheless manage to raise deposits illegally.
2. The Bill provides for attachment of properties/assets by the competent authority, and subsequent realization of
assets for repayment to depositors.
3. The Bill provides for “severe punishment and heavy pecuniary nes” to act as a deterrent.
4. The penalties could involve jail term as well as the sale of the offenders’ assets to pay back the defrauded party within
set timelines.
De nition of Deposit Takers
Deposit Takers include all possible entities (including individuals) receiving or soliciting deposits, except speci c
entities such as those incorporated by legislation.
Types of Offences
The Bill creates three different types of offences:
Running of unregulated deposit schemes,

Fraudulent default in regulated deposit schemes, and
Wrongful inducement in relation to unregulated deposit schemes.
Capital Markets: Challenges and Developments
[pib] Abolition of Income-Tax Ombudsman and Indirect Tax Ombudsman

F E B R U A R Y 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance| Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance-
applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential
Prelims level: Of ce of the IT Ombudsman and its mandate
Mains level: India’s rising middle class and its impact on tax collections
News
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM has approved the proposal for Abolition of Institution of Income-Tax Ombudsman
and Indirect Tax Ombudsman.
Page 19
Who is Income Tax Ombudsman?
1. It is an Independent body comprises of former tax of cials or Indian Revenue Service Of cials formed by the
Government, empowered to address and settle tax payer’s grievances.
2. The Ombudsman is governed by, and has to comply with the Income Tax Ombudsman Guidelines, 2006.
3. At present, the Government has set-up Tax Ombudsman at 12 cities namely New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai,
Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Chandigarh, Pune, Kochi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Bhopal.
Why such move?
1. The Institution of Income-Tax Ombudsman was created in the year 2003 to deal with grievances of public related to
settlement of complaints relating to Income Tax.
2. However, the Institution of Ombudsman failed to achieve its objectives.
3. It was observed that institution of new complaints have in turn fallen to single digits.
4. Also, tax payers started preferring alternate methods of grievance redressal like CPGRAMS (Centralized Public
Grievance Redress and Monitoring System), Aaykar Seva Kendras etc.
Tax Reforms
Startups to be listed for angel tax exemption

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy
Prelims level: Angel Tax
Mains level: Interventions required by the government to diversify India’s startup’s nancing
News
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
has agreed to compile a list of startups eligible for angel tax exemption, based on their audited nancial statements
and income tax returns of the previous year.
Why such move?
1. Angel tax is imposed on the excess share capital raised by an unlisted rm, over and above the fair market value of its
shares.
2. This tax usually impacts startups and the angel investments they attract.
3. While aimed at curbing money-laundering, the angel tax has also resulted in a large number of genuine startups
receiving notices from the IT Department.
Criteria for Exemption
1. The government has decided to raise the maximum time limit below which a rm would be deemed eligible for angel
tax exemption to 10 years from the earlier seven.
2. Further, the paid-up share capital threshold below which startups would be eligible for an exemption has been set at
₹25 crore.
3. In cases where the investment exceeds ₹25 crore, the rms would be eligible for exemption if the angel investors
can prove a net worth of ₹2 crore or more in the previous nancial year.
4. For investments below ₹25 crore, no questions would be asked.
Documentation
1. Startups would have to furnish three types of documents in order to be registered with the government:
Audited nancials for the previous year,
Page 20
IT returns for the previous year, and
A self-certi ed declaration.
2. The declaration is to certify that the rm does not have ownership or investments nor plans to deploy the angel
investment in real estate holdings of any kind and assets, including premium cars of value above ₹10 lakh, gold and
art, diamonds, precious metals or jewellery etc.
3. The declaration has to also acknowledge that if the company possesses any of these items, then the exemption
granted from Section 56(2)(viib) would be revoked with retrospective effect.
Tax Reforms
2nd phase of River Information System

F E B R U A R Y 9, 2 0 1 9 | B U S I NE S S S TA N
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways etc.
Prelims level: NW-1, Jal Vikas Marg Project, RIS, Hilsa Fish
Mains level: Enhancing cargo transport with the help of Inland Waterways
News
To boost cargo movement on Ganga, Union Transport Minister has inaugurated the second phase of river
information system (RIS) between Farakka and Patna.
River Information System (RIS)
1. RIS is a combination of tracking and meteorological equipment with specialized software designed to optimize traf c
and transport processes in inland navigation.
2. The system enables swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and shore (base stations) through advance
and real-time exchange of information so as to ensure navigation safety in inland waterways.
3. It also provides virtual navigational aids to guide the vessel during navigation.
4. It will help in crisis management and enhanced inland navigation safety by preventing ship-to-ship collisions, ship-
bridge collisions, groundings etc.
Implementation of Phase II
1. The project is aimed at boosting the movement of cargo and shery development in river Ganga.
2. Under phase II, ve base stations – Manihari, Bhagalpur, Munger, Barh and Hatidah and one control station have been
made at Patna.
3. IWAI is implementing the project in three phases on NW-1.
4. The inauguration of 2nd phase of RIS will enhance swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and base
stations on shore through advance and real-time exchange of information.
Other phases of RIS
1. Earlier, in 2016, the rst phase of RIS – 545 km on Haldia- Farakka stretch was commissioned.
2. Work on third, 356 kms Patna-Varanasi stretch is currently in progress.
Hilsa Fish
1. Hilsa has a history of migrating to Allahabad in the Ganga river system from Bangladesh.
2. Though it’s a saltwater sh, it migrates to sweet waters of the Ganges from the Bay of Bengal.
3. It travels upstream of the river during the mating seasons and returns to its natural abode after spawning.
A passage for Hilsa Fish
Page 21
1. Fish pass/Fish way is a structure on or around arti cial and natural barriers (such as dams, locks and waterfalls) to
facilitate natural sh migration.
2. Most shways enable sh to pass around the barriers by swimming into the waters on the other side.
3. Under Jal Marg Vikas Pariyojana, a sh pass has been envisaged for the free movement of Hilsa at Farakka Navigation
Lock.
4. After the construction of Farakka Navigation Lock in 1976, movement of Hilsa, which once reached up to Prayagraj
also, was restricted up to Farakka only.
5. Based on research and breeding season of Hilsa Fish, the operation of navigational lock will be regulated to facilitate
Hilsa movement from Hoogly-Bhagirathi-River system to the upstream in river Ganga and vice-versa.
Inland Waterways
Sela Pass Tunnel Project

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 , 2 0 1 9 | L I V E M I NT
Note4Students
Prelims Level: About the project
Mains Level: Infrastructure project in the north-east
News
In a key move aimed at improving all weather connectivity and enabling the swift movement of Indian troops to
Arunachal Pradesh bordering China, PM laid the foundation stone for the Sela Tunnel Project.
Sela Pass Tunnel Project
1. The tunnel covers a total distance of 12.04 kms which consist of two tunnels of 1790 metres and 475 meters.
2. It is being built at an estimated cost of ₹687 crores by the Border Roads Organisation.
3. It aims to provide all weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh — an area claimed entirely by China — and
other forward areas.
4. Once built it will cut travel time to Tawang by at least an hour for Indian troops stationed in adjoining Assam’s Tezpur
town — the headquarters of the Indian army’s IV Corps.
Strategic Importance
1. The lack of motorable roads and rail connections in India’s northeast and Arunachal Pradesh in particular were seen as
distinct disadvantages for India vis a vis China in the region.
2. Analysts had been warning of China building infrastructure including access roads right up to the Indian border that
would give it a strategic advantage in any con ict with India.
3. Once completed this would result in all weather connectivity to Tawang and forward areas and reduction in more than
one hour of travelling time from Tezpur to Tawang.
Page 22
North-East India – Security and Developmental Issues
All Medical equipment noti ed as drugs

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 , 2 0 1 9 | T H E T I M E S OF I ND I A
Note4Students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Prelims level: Not Much
Mains level: Regulating medical and diagnostics devices & services
News
All implantable medical devices, CT scan, MRI equipment, de brillators, dialysis machine, PET equipment, X-ray
machine and bone marrow cell separator have been noti ed as drugs with effect from April 1, 2020.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is the national medical device regulator for its sale and
use.
Why such move?
1. A majority of medical devices are unregulated in India.

2. These eight medical equipments have been noti ed as ‘drugs’ under Section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,
1940.
3. This move is important for patient’s safety as with this noti cation, all implantable and diagnostic devices will come
under the regulatory framework.
4. This will regulate medical and diagnostics devices in the country.
5. It will create a new regulatory marketing approval system and the government can keep a tab on importers as well as
manufacturers.
Criticisms
Pharma Sector – Drug Pricing, NPPA, FDC, Generics, etc.
[pib] National Productivity Week

F EB R U AR Y 13, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources
Prelims level: Circular Economy, NPC
Page 23
Mains level: Read the attached story
News
National Productivity Council (NPC) is celebrating its 61st Foundation Day on 12th February with the theme “Circular
Economy for Productivity & Sustainability”.
NPC observes foundation day as Productivity Day and the National Productivity Week.
Circular Economy
1. A circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimising waste and making the most of resources.
2. This regenerative approach is in contrast to the traditional linear economy, which has a ‘take, make, dispose’ model of
production.
3. In a circular system resource input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and
narrowing energy and material loops.
4. This can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing,
recycling, and upcycling.
5. The circular economy follows the principle of preservation and enhancement of natural capital by controlling nite
stocks and balancing renewable resource ows.
Why circular economy?
1. Circular economy has the potential to increase productivity and create jobs, whilst reducing carbon emissions and
preserving valuable raw materials.
2. It works by extending product life span through improved design and servicing and relocating waste from the end of
the supply chain to the beginning – in effect, using resources more ef ciently by using them over and over.
3. The challenge lies in building circular economy knowledge and capacity.
About National Productivity Council
1. National Productivity Council (NPC) is an autonomous registered society under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce &
Industry.
2. It is national level organization to promote productivity culture in India.
3. Established by the Ministry of Industry, Government of India in 1958, it is an autonomous, multipartite, non-pro t
organization with equal representation from employers’ & workers’ organizations and Government.
4. NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an Inter Governmental Body, of
which the Government of India is a founder member.
[pib] Use of Space Technology in Agriculture Sector

F EB R U AR Y 13, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | E-technology in the aid of farmers
Prelims level: Various initiatives mentioned in the newscard
Mains level: Various technological measures for enhancing farm productivity
News
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has been pro-active in using the space technology in agricultural
sector. Take a look of various initiative in the aid of farmers:
Various institutional measures
Page 24
1. The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare established a Centre, called Mahalanobis National
Crop Forecast Centre, in 2012.
2. It works for operationalization of the space technology developed in the Indian Space Research Organization, for crop
production forecasting.
3. The Soil and Land Use Survey of India uses satellite data for soil resources mapping.
Use of Space Technology
The Department is using space technology for its various programmes/ areas, such as:
Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land-based Observations (FASAL) project
Coordinated programme on Horticulture Assessment and Management using geoiNformatics (CHAMAN) project
National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS),
Rice-Fallow Area Mapping and intensi cation, geo tagging of infrastructure and assets created under Rashtriya
Krishi Vikas Yojana,
Crop Insurance
1. The space technology helps getting fast and unbiased information about the crop situation in the country.
2. It provides digital data, which is amenable to various analysis. Because of its synoptic view, it provides images of the
whole country in a very short duration.
3. Hence, this data can be used for various programmes, which need information on crop type, crop area estimates, crop
condition, crop damages, crop growth etc.
KISAN Project
1. The Department has launched KISAN [C(K)rop Insurance using Space technology And geoiNformatcs] project during
October 2015.
2. The project envisaged use of high-resolution remote sensing data for optimum crop cutting experiment planning and
improving yield estimation.
3. Under this project, pilot studies were conducted in 4 districts of 4 States viz. Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra and
Madhya Pradesh.
4. The study provided many useful inputs [for smart sampling, yield estimation, optimum number of Crop Cutting
Experiments (CCEs) etc.
5. These were used to de ne Standard Operating Procedures for use of satellite data in the revised guidelines of
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY).
ISRO Missions and Discoveries
Government to continue credit linked capital subsidy scheme

F E B R U A R Y 1 5 , 2 0 1 9 | B U S I NE S S S TA N
Note4Students
Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy | Planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Prelims level: Various initiatives for supporting MSME Sector
Mains level: Facilitating MSMEs in India
News
The Central government will continue the “Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Upgradation Scheme” for
micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) beyond the 12th Plan period for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-
20.
CCLS for Technology
Page 25
1. The objective of the Scheme is to facilitate technology up-gradation in MSEs by providing an upfront capital subsidy
of 15 per cent (on institutional nance of upto Rs 1 crore availed by them).
2. This is provided for induction of well-established and improved technology in the speci ed 51 sub-sectors/products
approved.
3. The major objective is to upgrade their plant & machinery with state-of-the-art technology, with or without expansion.
4. The Scheme is a demand driven one without any upper limit on overall annual spending on the subsidy disbursal.
Nature of assistance
The revised scheme aims at facilitating technology up-gradation by providing 15% up front capital subsidy to MSEs,
including tiny, khadi, village and coir industrial units, on institutional nance availed by them.
[pib] Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS) Portal

F E B R U A R Y 1 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways etc.
Prelims level: LADIS Portal
Mains level: Enhancing transport with the help of Inland Waterways
News
Moving a step ahead towards ensuring optimum use of National Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of
India (IWAI) launched a new portal LADIS – Least Available Depth Information System.
Least Available Depth Information System Portal
1. IWAI has designed LADIS to facilitate the day to day operations of inland vessels plying on National Waterways and to
avoid any hindrance in service and operation.
2. It will enhance credibility and ef ciency of information sharing to achieve seamless operations on National
Waterways, besides pre-empting problems that may occur during movement of vessels.
3. LADIS will ensure that real-time data on least available depths is disseminated for ship/barge and cargo owners so
that they can undertake transportation on NWs in a more planned way.
4. The portal being hosted on IWAI’s website iwai.nic.in has been developed in-house.
5. Initially LAD information will be available for NW-1, NW-2, Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route and NW-3, along with the
date of survey.
Utility of the Portal
1. An assured depth of waterway is required for seamless movement of vessels.

2. If real time information is made available regarding LADs in stretches of various NWs, it will help transporters by
guiding them on the suitability of time of movement.
Inland Waterways
Andhra to adopt district cooling in govt. buildings

F E B R U A R Y 1 8, 2 0 1 9 | B U S I NE S S S TA N
Page 26
Note4students
Prelims level: District Cooling
Mains level: Optimization of energy use for govt. buildings
News
AP govt. is going to lay the foundation stone of India’s biggest district cooling system in Amaravati.
District cooling was rst set up in India at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT).
The rst phase of this system, with a capacity of 10,000 RTs, has been operational since April 2015.
What is District Cooling?
1. District cooling means the centralized production and distribution of cooling energy.
2. Chilled water is delivered via an underground insulated pipeline to of ce, industrial and residential buildings to cool
the indoor air of the buildings within a district.
3. Specially designed units in each building then use this water to lower the temperature of air passing through the
building’s air conditioning system.
4. The output of one cooling plant is enough to meet the cooling-energy demand of dozens of buildings.
5. District cooling can be run on electricity or natural gas, and can use either regular water or seawater.
Details of the AP Project
1. UAE-based company has entered into a 30-year concession with Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development
Authority (APCRDA) to build, own, operate and transfer India’s rst district cooling system in Amaravati.
2. The agreement is for a contracted cooling capacity of 20,000 refrigeration tons (RTs).
3. The district cooling system will cater to the state’s assembly, high court, secretariat and other government buildings
currently being constructed, for which cooling services will start in early 2021.
4. Touted as a highly ef cient, cost-effective form of air conditioning, district cooling uses only 50 per cent of primary
energy consumption for cooling urban buildings thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Promoting Science and Technology – Missions,Policies & Schemes
Mariculture is as important for India as agriculture

F E B R U A R Y 1 8, 2 0 1 9 | T H E H I ND U
Page 27
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | Food Security
Prelims level: Mariculture, various edible seaweeds, Photorespiration, Project RIPE
Mains level: In light of declining land crop productivity, the newscard emphasizes the feasibility of Seaweeds as an
alternative food
News
Food Security at stake
1. About 37% of the area of the entire world is agricultural land, a third of which (about 11%) is used for crops.
2. And as the population of the world rises to 9.7 billion people in 30 years, the land available for crops will reduce.
3. Thus, there is an immediate need to try and improve the ef ciency of food production.
4. Experts predict that agricultural yield must increase by 50% between now and 2050.
5. How to do this is the question facing agricultural scientists across the world.
What can be done to increase Productivity?

I. Engineered Photosynthesis under Project RIPE
1. One way of increasing productivity one such attempt is through the project RIPE (Realizing Increased Photosynthetic
Ef ciency).
2. It has shown in the model plant tobacco where the scientists could “engineer photosynthesis” by increasing the
expression of three genes involved in processing light.
3. This increases the tobacco yield by 20%. The team is trying to do the same genetic engineering method in other
plants.
4. One such plant is cassava (also called sago or sabudana) whose roots are carbohydrate-rich is eaten as staple food in
parts of Andhra, Kerala and the hilly areas of Assam.
II. Reducing Photorespiration
1. Another way that scientists are trying is to reduce what is called photorespiration in plants.
2. Here the energy and oxygen produced in the ‘light reaction’ of photosynthesis is drained by the plant to make
“wasteful” products in the ‘dark reaction’.
3. It consumes carbohydrates and other food material, particularly when the plant’s leaves close in order to reduce water
loss by evaporation.
4. If we can nd ways to reduce this photorespiration, edible food yields can go up.
Hurdles
1. Many of these research attempts involve the introduction of external genes and gene products into food crops.
2. These are opposed by group of people who do not want genetic engineering and genetically modi ed plants.
3. This is a curious situation where science nds ways to deal with genes so as to improve yields while sociology
opposes it based on worries about safety.
Page 28
4. A viable solution needs to be found, failing which food production may not increase all to feed the ever growing
population of the world.
Alternatives
Mariculture: A Feasible Option
1. The most ef cient use of photosynthesis is actually not by land plants but by micro and macro algae, such as
seaweeds.
2. These are the champions, contributing to about 50% of all photosynthesis in the world.
3. Many of them, notably those with dark green, red and brown colour, are edible.
4. They are low-calorie and nutrient-dense food items and eaten by people in most parts of South East Asia.
Include seaweeds in our diet
1. Seaweeds are rich sources of vitamins A and C, and minerals such as Ca, Mg, Zn, Se and Fe.
2. They also have a high level of vegetable proteins and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
3. Best of all, they are vegetarian, indeed vegan, and do not have any shy smell, thus good and acceptable.
Seaweeds in India
1. About 844 seaweed species are reported from India, a country with a coast line of 7,500 km.
2. While we have 63% of our land area for crop agriculture, we should not forget this vast coastal area, much of which
breeds seaweeds.
3. The Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) at Bhavnagar, Gujarat has done pioneering work
in the area.
4. The seaweeds found in plenty, Ulva, Pyropia, Porphyra and Kappaphycus are edible and that it will be good to cultivate
them in large scale, as is done in countries like Japan.
5. Of the 306 seaweeds in the Gulf of Mannar, 252 are edible.
Way Forward
1. India should embark on Mariculture as vigorously as Agriculture, given its 7,500 km-long coastal line.
2. Further, it does not require pesticides, fertilizers and water for irrigation, which is an added advantage.
3. We may “break in” through the use of seaweeds as pizza seasoning, in spice sachets, so that people get used to
them.
Food Processing Industry: Issues and Developments
Policy bias against Rainfed agriculture

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture | Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage
Mains level: Rainfed agriculture in India
News
Rainfed Agriculture Atlas
1. A new rainfed agriculture atlas has been released this week to map the agro biodiversity and socio-economic
conditions prevailing in areas.
2. The Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture Network (RRAN) has published the atlas.
3. It has laid out the stark differences in government policy and expenditure.
4. It also attempts to document the policy biases that are making farming unviable for many in these areas.
Page 29
Rainfed Agriculture in India
1. Three out of ve farmers in India grow their crops using rainwater, instead of irrigation.
2. Even though rainfed agriculture contributes to 60 per cent of the value of agriculture GDP of India, there is a clear-cut
bias towards irrigated areas.
3. However, per hectare government investment into their lands may be 20 times lower.
4. Government procurement of the crops is a fraction of major irrigated land crops, and many of the agship schemes
are not tailored to bene t them.
Their importance
1. Rain-fed areas account for 89 per cent of millets production, 88 per cent of pulses, 73 per cent of cotton, 69 per cent
of oilseeds and 40 per cent rice production in the country.
2. Besides, they support 64 per cent of cattle, 74 per cent of sheep and 78 per cent of goat population in the country.
3. About 61 per cent of India’s farmers rely on rain-fed agriculture and 55 per cent of the gross cropped area is under
rain-fed farming.
Due negligence on Rainfed Farmers
1. There has been negligence toward rainfed areas which is leading to lower incomes for farmers in these areas.
2. Farmers in rainfed areas are receiving 40% less of their income from agriculture in comparison to those in irrigated
areas.
3. Lands irrigated through big dams and canal networks get a per hectare investment of ₹5 lakh.
4. Watershed management spending in rainfed lands is only ₹18,000-25,000 and the difference in yield is not
proportionate to the difference in investment.
Procurement bias
1. When it comes to procurement, over the decade between 2001-02 and 2011-12, the government spent ₹5.4 lakh
crore on wheat and rice.
2. Coarse cereals, which are grown in rainfed areas, only had ₹3,200 crore worth of procurement in the same period.
Schemes are often un t
1. Flagship government schemes, such as seed and fertiliser subsidies and soil health cards, are designed for irrigated
areas and simply extended to rainfed farmers without taking their needs into consideration.
2. For example, many hybrid seeds noti ed by the government scheme need plenty of water, fertiliser and pesticides to
give high yields and are thus not useful to most rainfed farmers.
3. Commercial fertilizers will simply burn out the soil without suf cient water.
4. The government has no system to channelize indigenous seeds or subsidize organic manure in the same way.
Way Forward
1. A more balanced approach is needed, to give rainfed farmers the same research and technology focus, and
production support that their counterparts in irrigation areas have received over the last few decades.
2. In the long run, cash incentives and income support like the PM-KISAN scheme announced in the budget earlier this
month were better than extensive procurement.
Irrigation In India – PMKSY, AIBP, Watershed Management, Neeranchan, etc.
[pib] GeM Start-up Runway and SWAYATT Initiative

F EB R U AR Y 2 0 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Page 30
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Polity | Ministries & Departments of the Government
Prelims level: GeM, SWAYATT, StartUp Runway
Mains level: Bene ts of centralised procurement in online mode
News
GeM Start-up Runway
1. Launched on 19th February 2019, “StartUp Runway” is a unique concept initiated by GeM to promote
entrepreneurship through innovation.
2. This program is an opportunity for Startups to reach out to the Government Buyers by offering products and services
that are unique in concept, design, process and functionality.
3. DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) certi ed Startups are invited to offer their
products/services for procurement on GeM.
4. It seeks to support technology development, research and innovation by ensuring a conducive policy environment for
industrial diversi cation and value addition to commodities.
5. It aligns with Government’s philosophy to turn Job-seekers into job-creators.
SWAYATT Initiative
1. It is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on Government e
Marketplace (GeM).
2. This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government e-
Marketplace the national procurement portal.
Back2Basics
Government e-Marketplace
1. GeM is a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various
Government Departments / Organizations / PSUs.
2. GeM aims to enhance transparency, ef ciency and speed in public procurement.
3. It provides the tools of e-bidding, reverse e-auction and demand aggregation to facilitate the government users
achieve the best value for their money.
4. The purchases through GeM by Government users have been authorized and made mandatory by Ministry of Finance
by adding a new Rule No. 149 in the General Financial Rules, 2017.
Digital India Initiatives
[pib] KUSUM Scheme

F EB R U AR Y 2 0 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Page 31
Prelims level: Particulars of the KUSUM
Mains level: Possible bene ts and outcomes of the scheme discussed in the newscard.
News
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved launch of Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan
Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme with the objective of providing nancial and water security to farmers.
KUSUM Scheme
1. The scheme would provide extra income to farmers, by giving them an option to sell additional power to the grid
through solar power projects set up on their barren lands.
2. It was announced in the Union Budget 2018-19.
Component of KUSUM Scheme
The proposed scheme consists of three components:
Component-A
Renewable power plants of capacity 500 KW to 2 MW will be setup by individual farmers/ cooperatives/panchayats
/farmer producer organisations (FPO) on their barren or cultivable lands.
The power generated will be purchased by the DISCOMs at Feed in tariffs determined by respective SERC.
Component-B
Installation of 17.50 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps.

Individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP. Solar PV capacity in
kW equal to the pump capacity in HP is allowed under the scheme.
Component-C
Solarization of 10 Lakh Grid-connected Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps is included in this component,
Individual farmers will be supported to solarise pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP.
Solar PV capacity up to two times of pump capacity in kW is allowed under the scheme.
The excess available energy will be sold to DISCOM.
Expected outcomes
1. The Scheme will have substantial environmental impact in terms of savings of CO2 emissions.
2. All three components of the Scheme combined together are likely to result in saving of about 27 million tonnes of
CO2 emission per annum.
3. Further, Component-B of the Scheme on standalone solar pumps may result in saving of 1.2 billion liters of diesel per
annum and associated savings in the foreign exchange due to reduction of import of crude oil.
4. Besides increasing self-employment the proposal is likely to generate employment opportunity equivalent to 6.31
lakh job years for skilled and unskilled workers.
Solar Energy – JNNSM, Solar Cities, Solar Pumps, etc.
National Policy on Electronics 2019

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their
effects on industrial growth
Page 32
Prelims level: NPE 2019
Mains level: India’s ESDM sector
News
The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the National Policy on Electronics 2019 (NPE 2019), proposed by the Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology .
National Policy on Electronics 2019
1. The Policy envisions positioning India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing – by
encouraging and driving capabilities in the country.
2. It facilitates for developing core components, including chipsets, and creating an enabling environment for the
industry to compete globally.
3. The Policy replaces the National Policy of Electronics 2012 (NPE 2012).
Salient Features
1. Provide incentives and support for manufacturing of core electronic components

2. Provide special package of incentives for mega projects which entail huge investments, such as semiconductor
facilities display fabrication, etc.
3. Promote Industry-led R&D and innovation in all sub-sectors of electronics, including grass root level innovations and
early stage Start-ups in emerging technology
4. Provide incentives and support for signi cantly enhancing availability of skilled manpower, including re-skilling
5. Special thrust on Fabless Chip Design Industry, Medical Electronic Devices Industry, Automotive Electronics Industry
and Power Electronics for Mobility and Strategic Electronics Industry
6. Create Sovereign Patent Fund (SPF) to promote the development and acquisition of IPs in ESDM sector.
7. Promote trusted electronics value chain initiatives to improve national cyber security pro le.
Major Impact
1. The NPE 2019 when implemented will lead to formulation of several schemes, initiatives, projects, etc. for the
development of ESDM sector in the country.
2. It will enable ow of investment and technology, leading to higher value addition in the domestically manufactured
electronic products.
3. It will lead to increased electronics hardware manufacturing in the country and their export, while generating
substantial employment opportunities.
[pib] Second edition of States’ Ranking on Startup Initiatives

F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Page 33
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Development and Employment
Prelims level: States’ Start-up Ranking 2019
Mains level: Boosting the startup ecosystem in India
News
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has released second edition of Startup
Ranking for 2019.
States’ Start-up Ranking
1. The DPIIT launched this exercise to rank states and UTs on the basis of measures being taken by them to promote
startups, and added that it was consulting states for their ranking framework.
2. Erstwhile DIPP began this exercise from January, 2016.
3. The State Startup Ranking Framework is aimed at bringing to fore progress made by States/UTs for promoting
startup ecosystem.
4. The report intends to foster competitiveness and propel the states/UTs to work proactively while facilitating
states/UTs to identify learn and replicate good practices.
About 2019 Framework
1. The Ranking Framework 2019 comprises of 7 pillars and 30 action points.

2. DPIIT has prepared the framework after several rounds of consultation with State and UT Governments.
3. DPIIT also proposes to recognise States and UTs for their exemplary performance in seven pillars of the ranking
framework:
Institutional support
Simplifying regulations
Easing public procurement
Incubation support
Seed funding support
Venture funding support
Awareness and outreach related activities
Start-up Ecosystem In India
Women’s Livelihood Bonds

F E B R U A R Y 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 | T H E EC ONOM I C T I M E S
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Development & Employment
Prelims level: Women Livelihood Bond
Mains level: Promoting Women entrepreneurs
News
The World Bank, the Small Industries Development Bank (Sidbi) and the UN Women, along with 10 wealth
management rms and leading corporates has announced the launch of a new social impact bond to offer credit to
rural women entrepreneurs.
Women Livelihood Bond
Page 34
The bonds, which will have a tenure of ve years, will be launched by SIDBI with the support of World Bank and UN
Women.
The proposed bond will enable individual women entrepreneurs in sectors like food processing, agriculture,
services and small units to borrow around Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh at an annual interest rate of around 13-14 per cent
or less.
SIDBI will act as the nancial intermediary and channel funds raised to women entrepreneurs through participating
nancial intermediaries like banks, NBFCs or micro nance institutions.
Women empowerment issues: Jobs,Reservation and education
Labour Bureau les MUDRA job report

F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 9 | T H E H I ND U
Note4students
Prelims level: PMMY
Mains level: Problem of Unemployment
News
The Labour Bureau has completed its survey on employment generated by the MUDRA loan scheme, giving the
Centre a potential data tool to combat other reports showing a dismal scenario on jobs.
About MUDRA Scheme
1. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana was introduced in April 2015 as an effort to extend affordable credit to micro and
small enterprises.
2. Loans up to Rs. 10 lakh are extended to these non-corporate, non-farm enterprises by the Micro Units Development
and Re nance Agency (MUDRA) through last-mile nancial institutions.
3. So far, 15.56 crore loans worth a total of Rs. 7.23 lakh crore have been disbursed.
4. In December 2017, faced with mounting criticism on the failure to create job opportunities, the Labour Ministry had
asked the Labour Bureau to initiate the survey on jobs created through the MUDRA scheme.
NSSO survey
1. The NSSO’s ndings showed that unemployment hit a 45-year high of 6.1% in 2017-18.
2. Central government ministers and of cials have already attempted to use the MUDRA scheme’s performance to
combat criticism based on the leaked NSSO job survey report.
3. Some economists have advised caution in the interpretation of MUDRA data, especially as it relates to jobs.
Loan disbursal doesn’t ensure Job
1. Every new loan certainly doesn’t imply creation of a new job.
Page 35
2. It is improbable that these loans are being given to those who were formerly unemployed.
3. They are more likely being given to people who are moving to self employment from other jobs resulting in no new
net job creation.
4. Given that the average size of the loan disbursed under MUDRA is quite small, it is unlikely that the loan seekers are
providing a job to anyone other than themselves.
Micro nance Story of India
Report ags growing threat of monoculture in crop production

F E B R U A R Y 2 3 , 2 0 1 9 | D OW N TO E A R T H
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Agriculture| Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related
constraints
Prelims level: FAO report on Monoculture
Mains level: Monoculture: utility and impact on ecosystem
News
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has agged the growing practice of monoculture —cultivation of a
single crop at a given area in food production around the world.
FAO Report
1. FAO published its latest report The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
2. Of more than 6,000 plant species cultivated for food production, fewer than 200 contribute signi cantly to food
production globally, regionally or nationally,according to FAO’s .
3. Only 9 plant species account for almost two-thirds of total crop production.
4. These are using large quantities of external inputs such as pesticides, mineral fertilizers and fossil fuels,” the report
said.
The report lists drivers of change affecting biodiversity for food and agriculture, including:
Population growth and urbanization

Over-exploitation and over-harvesting
Changes in land and water use and management
Pests, diseases and invasive alien species
Climate change
Pollution and external inputs
Natural disasters
Markets, trade and the private sector
Various Factors
1. The rst factor contributor majorly towards monoculture as people move to cities they tend to depend more on
purchased foods, citing the example of Ecuador.
2. They often also tend to lose ties with rural areas and rural foods, and increasingly opt for processed foods rather than
fresh foods.
3. This pressures producers to continuously grow or keep only a limited range of species, breeds and varieties of crops,
livestock, trees, sh, etc.
4. Individual holdings as well as wider productive landscapes become more homogeneous in terms of their genetics and
physical structure, the report added.
Impact of Mono Cropping
Page 36
1. Such changes often affect the resilience of production systems and their role in biodiversity.
2. Private food standards adopted by supermarkets and consumers have pushed farmers towards particular varieties
and management procedures.
3. International markets particularly be restrictive for market entry effectively debar the entry into the market of minor
crops from developing countries.
4. The emphasis on meat-based diets and the use of a narrow range of major cereals (maize, wheat and rice) is growing.
5. The report predicts that the demand for standardised foods can reduce the diversity of crops and animals.
The diverse the better
1. If a single variety is widely grown, a pest or disease to which it lacks resistance can lead to a dramatic fall in
production.
2. Diversifying crop cultivation, on the other hand, reduces risk of economic shocks.
3. Integrating intercrops, hedgerows or cover crops, particularly legumes, into a system can reduce drought stress by
helping to conserve water in the soil pro le and help to replenish depleted soil fertility.
4. Also crop diversi cation including rotation and intercropping and the use of diverse forage plants in pastureland, can
reduce pest damage and weed invasions.
5. The growing exploitation of land and water sources was eating in to integrated aquaculture, which in turn was
pushing farmers towards monoculture.
The need of the hour
New supply systems

Improved public-private partnerships.
Food Processing Industry: Issues and Developments
Used Cooking oil as aviation fuel

Note4students
Prelims level: RUCO Initiative
Mains level: Harnessing edible oils for biofuel production
News
Our household used cooking oil could help y a jet in the near future.
Scientists have successfully tested the conversion of used edible oil into Bio-ATF
The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum is looking for partners to commercialise the technology.
Cooking Oil as Bio-ATF
Page 37
The Dehradun-based Indian Institute of Petroleum has successfully nished a pilot test to convert used cooking oil
into bio-aviation turbine fuel (Bio-ATF).
The used cooking oil can be blended with conventional ATF and used as aircraft fuel.
The Institute collected used cooking oil from caterers and hotels in Dehradun for the pilot, which has now set the
platform for commercial use of the technology.
The chemical composition of the used cooking oil is identical to other plant-based oils that have been converted to
Bio-ATF.
Up for a ght test
The Bio-ATF derived from used cooking oil is yet to be tested on a ight.
The pilot test has proven that it is very similar to Bio-ATF derived from Jatropha oil.
A large quantity of Bio-ATF is needed for testing on an actual ight.
On lines with RUCO
The test assumes importance as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the
Repurpose Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative to collect and convert used cooking oil into bio-fuel.
As many as 64 companies in 101 locations across the country have been identi ed for the purpose by FSSAI.
The food safety body says that by 2020, it should be possible to recover about 220 crore litres of used cooking oil
for conversion into bio-fuel.
Back2Basics
RUCO Initiative
FSSAI unveils initiative to collect, convert used cooking oil into biofuel
Biofuel Policy
Draft e-commerce policy: Keeping our data safe and secure

F E B R U A R Y 2 6, 2 0 1 9 | T H E EC ONOM I C T I M E S
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Changes in industrial policy & their effects on industrial growth
Prelims level: Analysis of Draft e-commerce policy
Mains level: The newscard provides various prospects of the draft policy in short and lucid manner
News
The DPIIT has released the draft National e-commerce Policy that sends a clear message that India and its citizens
have a sovereign right to their data.
Key Issues addressed
Data
Infrastructure development
E-commerce marketplaces
Regulatory issues
Stimulating domestic digital economy
Export promotion
Indian control over own data
Govt to be given access to source code, algorithms of AI systems Impose custom duties on electronic
transmissions to reduce revenue loss.
Page 38
Bar sharing of sensitive data of Indian users with third party entities, even with consent.
A ‘data authority to look at community data.
Local Presence of Apps and Websites
All e-commerce websites, apps available for downloading in India to have a registered business entity here.
Non-compliant e-commerce app/website to be denied access here.
Incentives for data localization
Location of the computing facilities like data centres, server farms within India.
Firms to get 3 years to comply with local data storage requirements.
Data storage facilities to get ‘infrastructure status’.
FDI in E-Commerce
FDI only in marketplace model (where multiple vendors come together under an IT based platform).
No FDI in inventory model (where inventory of goods and services is owned by e-commerce entity and is sold to the
consumers directly).
Certain E-Com Trade Rules
Curbs on Chinese ecommerce exports.

Gifting route, often used by Chinese apps, websites, banned for all parcels except life-saving drugs.
Integrating Customs, RBI and India Post to improve tacking of imports through ecommerce.
Incentives & e-commerce export promotions.
Ecommerce startups may get ‘infant industry’ status raising limit for courier shipments from Rs 25,000 to boost
ecommerce export.
Regulation for E-coms
No separate regulator for ecommerce sector.

E-consumer courts to be developed.
e-Commerce: The New Boom
Offshore Wind: The sleeping giant has been stirred

Note4students
Mains level: Challenges for harnessing offshore wind energy
News
India’s offshore wind energy sector is hoping for a new lease of life with the draft offshore wind energy lease rules
Page 39
Unmet challenges
The offshore wind energy comes with expensive challenges like resource characterization, sub-sea installation,
turbine foundation and development of long transmission infrastructure.
India is ill-prepared to meet these challenges due to the lack of technological knowhow and studies to assess
resources.
The country, nevertheless, jumped on to the bandwagon with its ‘National Offshore Wind Policy’ in 2015.
And, as is the trend in India, the government set ambitious targets — a capacity of 5 GW by 2022 and 30 GW by
2030.
Progress till date
FOWIND, or the Facilitating Offshore Wind in India, is a Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)-led consortium that
hoped to bring to India its leanings from the European experience.
The preliminary assessments estimated tremendous potential along the coasts in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
It was also handed the responsibility of the rst demonstration project or the First Offshore Wind Project in India
(FOWPI).
The rst round of geotechnical, geophysical, ground investigation and metocean assessments was conducted by
national Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) and by FOWPI.
The latter led the rst Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based wind pro ling in the Gulf of Khambhat, which
began in November 2017.
What the government did
Instead in April 2018, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) released an expression of interest
(EOI) to get the lay of the land.
Despite considerable interest that the conservative EOI drew, no tender was issued.
In parallel, with the slowdown in the onshore wind industry, the excitement around offshore wind energy zzled out
very soon.
Draft Lease Rules for Offshore Wind
The MNRE in 2019 released Draft Lease Rules for Offshore Wind.
The regulations apply to leasing of offshore blocks anywhere between 100 and 500 square metres within the
exclusive economic zone off the Indian coast.
The lease for prospecting can be for up to ve years, for developers to undertake necessary assessments and
feasibility studies.
Project development activities will be allocated a 30 year lease, with a facility to extend for ve more years.
It talks about compensation to the developer in case the central government pre-emptively procures the energy
generated and also permits curtailment if issues with grid stability or security arise.
Promises of the rules
The lease rules have also included social and environmental caveats rigidly stating that the development of the farm
wind should not in any way affect the livelihood of the coastal population.
It should not lead to the deterioration of local ora and fauna.
Various loopholes
The National Offshore Wind Policy lays the onus of development of transmission infrastructure (till the sub-station
on land) on the developer.
Large investments in offshore structures and transmission facilities will result in uncompetitive high tariffs –
something Indian power procurers do not have the stomach for.
Second, there has been no mention on port augmentation and utilization for the purposes of offshore wind project
development.
Functional ports close to offshore farms are essential to reduce costs. They could also help in operation and
maintenance, repowering and decommissioning.
Neither the policy nor the regulations discuss upgrading or redesigning existing ports.
Page 40
If India is serious about offshore wind, it must set up dedicated ports. Europe, for example, has 10 such ports.
Further, there is no visibility on whether the energy procurers will even buy the electricity generated at the high
tariffs that offshore wind projects will inevitably yield.
Way Forward
There are several reasons for India to diversify to offshore wind, the primary one being the contentious nature of
land in India.
A close second is that the best wind potential sites in the country are lling up.
Further offshore wind development in India is egged on by the tremendous potential, an underutilized
manufacturing capacity and a thirst for more energy.
These worries might need to be addressed with government-backed guarantees in long-term power-purchase
agreements.
Renewable Energy – Wind, Tidal, Geothermal, etc.
Banks may set repo rate as benchmark for lending

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Mobilization of resources
Prelims level: MCLR, Repo Rate
Mains level: Role of RBI & various functions performed by it.
News
Most commercial banks in India are likely to select RBI’s repo rate as the external benchmark to decide their lending
rates, from April 1.
The repo rate is the key policy rate of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Deciding lending rates
Banks had four options from which to choose the external benchmark: the repo rate, the 91-day Treasury bill, the
182-day T-bill or any other benchmark interest rate produced by the Financial Benchmarks India Private Ltd (FBIL).
A few other banks con rmed that the repo rate is the ideal candidate for the external benchmark. At present, the
repo rate is 6.25%.
The marginal cost of fund based lending rate (MCLR) is currently the benchmark for all loan rates.
Banks typically add a spread to the MCLR while pricing loans for homes and automobiles.
Why repo?
The RBI has mandated that the spread over the benchmark rate to be decided by banks at the inception of the loan
should remain unchanged through the life of the loan.
It should remain unchanged unless the borrower’s credit assessment undergoes a substantial change and as
agreed upon in the loan contract.
If the lending rates are linked to the repo rate, any change in the repo rate will immediately impact the home and
auto loan rates, since RBI has mandated the spread to remain xed over the life of the loan.
Bene ts of Repo Rate
It will make the system more transparent since every borrower will know the xed interest rate and the spread
value decided by the bank.
It will help borrowers compare loans in a better way from different banks.
Under the new system, a bank is required to adopt a uniform external benchmark within a loan category so that
there is transparency, standardisation and ease of understanding for the borrowers.
Page 41
This would mean that same bank cannot adopt multiple benchmarks within a loan category.
Back2Basics
Repo Rate
Technically, Repo stands for ‘Repurchasing Option’.

It refers to the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the RBI in case of shortage of funds. It is one of
the main tools of RBI to keep in ation under control.
When we borrow money from the bank, they charge an interest on the principal. Basically, it is cost of credit.
Similarly, banks too can borrow money from RBI during cash crunch on which they must pay pay interest to the
Central Bank. This interest rate is repo rate.
MCLR
Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) is the minimum interest rate, below which a bank is not
permitted to lend. RBI can give authorization for the same in exceptional cases.
MCLR replaced the earlier base rate system to determine the lending rates for commercial banks.
RBI implemented it on 1 April 2016 to determine rates of interests for loans.
It is an internal reference rate for banks to decide what interest they can levy on loans.
For this, they take into account the additional or incremental cost of arranging additional rupee for a prospective
buyer.
Banking Sector Reforms
AP gets new railway zone called ‘South Coast Railway’

F E B R U A R Y 2 8, 2 0 1 9 | T H E I ND I A N E X P R E S S
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
Prelims level: South Coast Railway Zone
Mains level: Importance of Railways Infrastructure
News
Indian Railways will be making a new zone in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh named ‘South Coast Railway’.
Indian Railways’ operations are currently divided into 17 zones, which are further sub-divided into divisions, each
having a divisional headquarter. There are a total of 73 divisions at present.
South Coast Railway
As per item 8 of Schedule 13 (Infrastructure) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, Indian Railways was
required to examine establishing a new railway zone in the successor State of AP.
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The new zone named “South Coast Railway (SCoR)”, will comprise of existing Guntakal, Guntur and Vijayawada
divisions.
Waltair division shall be split into two parts.
One part of Waltair division will be incorporated in the new zone i.e. in South Coast Railway and will be merged with
the neighbouring Vijaywada division.
Remaining portion of Waltair division shall be converted into a new division with headquarter at Rayagada under East
Coast Railway (ECoR).
South Central Railway will comprise of Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Nanded divisions.
Railway Reforms
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Enviro & Biodiversity
How will global warming affect El Niño in the 21st Century?
F E B R U A R Y 1 , 2 0 1 9 | D OW N TO E A R T H
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Geography | Salient features of World’s Physical Geography
Prelims level: El Nino, La Nino and ENSO
Mains level: Impact of El-Nino
News
Context
1. El Niño is the largest climate phenomenon that occurs frequently, producing droughts, oods, wild res, dust and
snow storms, sh kill, and even elevated risks of civil con icts.
2. The theatre of action for El Niño is the tropical Paci c Ocean but its global reach costs the global community tens of
billions of dollars each time.
Why study El Nino occurrence?
1. El Niños occur every two-to-seven years, with very strong El Niño’s occurring about every 15 years.
2. How the frequency, time and strength between two events will change because of global warming remains a grand
challenge for climate models.
3. This also impacts projections of future climate since El Niños redistribute the heat gathered by the ocean between
two El Niño events to cause a mini global warming.
Measuring El Nino
1. El Niño is measured by an index that averages sea surface temperature anomalies over the central-eastern tropical
Paci c.
2. This has been an issue in nding a consensus among models as far as the El Niño response to global warming is
concerned.
3. But by using a model-speci c El Niño index to make room for the inter-model differences, the latest projection shows
that strong El Niños and extreme weather events associated.
4. The results should serve as a warning to countries on all continents that suffer from these extreme weather events
during strong El Niño events such as the ones during 1982-83, 1997-98 and 2015-16.
Major Caveats
1. The rst caveat is that the eagerly-awaited winter rain and snow storms over California did not occur over California
during the latest extreme El Niño.
2. It is thus unclear if global warming is already affecting El Niño and its remote impacts.
3. Secondly, the models used for making future projections have not stood the test of time for their depiction of El Niño
during the 20th century.
Lack of consensus
1. Some models warm the eastern tropical Paci c more than the west while others produce a faster warming in the
west.
2. Whether the east warms faster or the west has serious consequences for global warming itself since the cold
eastern Paci c soaks up a lot of heating from the atmosphere.
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3. A slower warming of the east would imply more heat uptake by the ocean and a slower global warming.
Data insuf cient
1. Available data is not suf cient to say with con dence how the tropical Paci c has responded to global warming till
now.
2. All available evidences indicates that El Niño is highly variable and its variability depends on weather noise over the
western Paci c, volcanoes, impact of phytoplankton on penetration of solar radiation into the ocean, aerosols and so
on.
3. It is unclear if the impact of global warming on El Niño can easily be extracted.
Way Forward
1. It is imperative that models be held to very stringent standards on their performance of El Niño behaviour during
historic periods for their reliability for future projections.
2. This would also be necessary for projecting other events such as droughts and oods.
3. For example, droughts over India are closely tied with El Niño and any projections of how droughts will respond to
global warming will depend on how models perform.
Assist this newscard with:
UN sees 70% chance of El Nino event this year
Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.
What’s causing extreme cold in US Midwest

Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Geography | Salient features of World’s Physical Geography
Prelims level: Polar Vortex
Mains level: Polar Vortex
News
A record-breaking cold wave has swept through the US Midwest, with 22 states hitting sub-zero temperatures.
The extreme cold has been caused by a blast of Arctic air, which in turn is a result of what is known as a “polar
vortex” event.
Polar Vortex
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1. It is described as a whirling cone of low pressure over the poles that is strongest in the winter months due to the
increased temperature contrast between the polar regions and the mid-latitudes, such as the US and Europe.
2. The counter-clockwise ow of air helps keep the colder air near the poles.
3. It spins in the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere 10-48 km above the ground and above the troposphere, where
most familiar weather patterns develop.
4. Usually, when the vortex is strongest, cold air is less-likely to plunge deep into North America or Europe.
5. In other words, it forms a wall that protects the mid-latitudes from cold Arctic air.
When does the polar vortex cause extreme cold?
1. In winter, the polar vortex sometimes becomes less stable and expands.
2. Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the vortex expands, sending cold air southward with the jet
stream.
3. This is called as the “breaking off” of a part of the vortex.
4. Normally, when the vortex is strong and healthy, it helps keep a current of air known as the jet stream traveling around
the globe in a pretty circular path.
5. This current keeps the cold air up north and the warm air down south.
6. But without that strong low-pressure system, the jet stream doesn’t have much to keep it in line. It becomes wavy
and rambling.
Is all cold weather the result of a polar vortex event?
1. Though the polar vortex is always hanging out up North, it takes pretty “unusual conditions” for it to “weaken” for it to
migrate far south.
2. Portions of Europe and Asia also experience cold surges connected to the polar vortex.
3. By itself, the only danger to humans is the magnitude of how cold temperatures will get when the polar vortex
expands, sending Arctic air southward into areas that are not typically that cold.
Emission levels rising faster in Indian cities than in China

Note4students
Page 46
Mains Paper 3: Environment | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact
assessment
Prelims level: Not much
Mains level: Problem of Vehicular Pollution in India
News
Urbanisation is accelerating greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles in India at a faster than in China says a study
that analysed the link between population density and emissions from transport, across India’s districts.
The study is to be published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Research Letters.
Vehicular emissions
1. The experience in most developed countries was that urbanisation led to a reduction in emissions.
2. More urbanisation meant shorter distances between the workplace and home and thereby, a preference for public
transport.
3. However this didn’t effectively apply to developing countries.
4. On an average, an Indian emitted about 20 kg per capita while commuting for work, with the highest (140 kg CO2) in
Gurugram district (Haryana) and the lowest (1.8 kg CO2) in Shrawasti district (UP).
Why blame New Delhi?
1. Delhi had the highest commuting emissions per capita — a factor that also contributed to its high level of pollution —
and the national capital region had 2.5 times higher commuting emissions than Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore,
and Hyderabad.
2. Delhi’s higher socio-economic status and heavy reliance on private travel modes led to higher commuting
emissions than in other megacities.
3. There were several instances of districts with similar population density but varying per capita emissions.
Indian emission exceeds China
1. In China a 1% increase in urbanisation was linked with a 0.12% increase in CO2 emissions whereas, in India, it
translated into 0.24% increase in emissions, said the study.
2. India’s CO2 emission grew by an estimated 4.6% in 2017 and its per-capita emission was about 1.8 tonnes.
3. In spite of being the 4th largest emitter, India’s per capita emissions are much lower than the world average of 4.2
tonnes.
4. But those emissions have been growing steadily, with an average growth rate over the past decade of 6%, according
to data from the Global Carbon Project.
Fuel Price hike has no impact
1. Fuel price hikes aren’t always a solution to curb emissions, the study says.
2. With a ₹1 increase in diesel price, commuting emissions decreased by 11% in some districts whereas it only fell by
about 3% in low-income districts.
3. In total, India’s transport patterns are very climate friendly, and much better than those of Europe and the United
States.
4. Some districts are mostly relying on three-wheelers for short commuting distances, while others are highly urban,
rich, and rely on cars.
5. The mean commuting distance (among commuters) is 5.9 km, with the lowest 1.3 km in Longleng district (Nagaland)
and the highest 14 km in Dharmapuri district (Tamil Nadu).
Air Pollution
A third of Hindu Kush Himalaya glaciers will melt by 2100

Page 47
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Geography | Changes in critical geographical features including water-bodies & ice-caps
Prelims level: Hindukush Range
Mains level: Impact of global warming on Himalayas
News
Two-thirds of Himalayan glaciers, the world’s “Third Pole”, could melt by 2100 if global emissions are not reduced,
scientists warned in a major new study.
Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment
1. The ‘Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment’ is released by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
2. It provides insights into changes affecting one of the greatest mountain systems in the world.
3. At least a third of the ice in the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush will melt down this century as temperatures rise,
disrupting river ows vital for growing crops from China to India.
4. And even if the “most ambitious” Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5° C is achieved, one-third of
the glaciers would go, says the report.
Findings of the report
1. Even if efforts are made to limit global warming to 1.5C by the end of the Century, the Hindu Kush Himalaya will warm
by around 1.8 ̊C, the report has found.
2. The warming will at least be 0.7 ̊C higher in the northwest Himalaya and Karakoram region.
3. The HKH will warm more than the global mean and more rapidly at higher elevations.
4. Even the most ambitious goal set by the Paris Agreement to limit global warming would lead to a 2.1 spike in
temperature in the HKH region leading to melting of one-third of the region’s glaciers.
5. It also points out that the Tibetan Plateau, Central Himalayan Range and Karakoram will warm more than the HKH
average.
About Hindu Kush-Himalaya (HKH)
1. HKH region covers 3500 kms across eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar,
Nepal and Pakistan.
2. It is the source of ten major river basins including the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus in India.
3. Two billion people are dependent on the HKH for their water needs across Asia.
4. Glaciers in the HKH region are a critical water source for some 250 million people in the mountains as well as to 1.65
billion others in the river valleys below.
National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018

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Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: Particulars of the Draft Bill
Mains level: Maintaining ecological ow of River Ganga
News
Draft Ganga Bill, 2018
1. The government has banned the construction of jetties, ports or “permanent hydraulic structures” in the Ganga,
unless permitted by the National Ganga Rejuvenation Authority, according to the proposed ‘Ganga Act’.
2. The legislation, formally called the National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018,
proposes to create a management structure that will supervise the health of the 2,500-kilometre long banks.
3. The bill declares that the Centre will take control of the management, regulation and development of Ganga as the
river is of unique importance.
4. It de nes Ganga as India’s National River.
For Maintenance of Ecological Flow
1. The Bill lays down a host of restrictions to ensure the uninterrupted, ecological ow of the river.
2. Currently, a host of dams in the upper stretches of the river lead to the river’s ow being obstructed say several
activists and researchers, and persistent campaigns notably led by the late G.D. Agrawal.
3. This led government nally recognising the need for proposed and existing hydropower projects to change their
design plans to ensure minimum ows all through the year.
Cognizable offences under the act
The Bill has listed out a list of offences marked as cognizable which includes:
construction activities causing obstruction in the river,

withdrawal of ground water for industrial or commercial consumption from the land fronting the river and its
tributaries;
commercial shing or aqua culture in the river and its tributaries;
discharging untreated or treated sewage into the river.
Preventing Unauthorized Activities
1. The proposed legislation speci es that “unauthorized” activities that cause obstruction or discontinuity of water in
the River Gang due to engineered diversion of water or stoppage of water.
2. Carrying out such activities are liable to a prison term of 3 years or nes upto ₹50 crore, or both.
3. The legislation looms even as the government is developing a National Waterways Project-1 (River Ganga) from Haldia
to Varanasi (1,390 km).
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4. The waterways project involves creating permanent and movable terminals that require dredging and frequent de-
silting to ensure that minimum river depths for the smooth movement of the vessels.
Armed Ganga Protection Corps (GPC)
1. The Armed Ganga Protection Corps (GPC) personnel will be provided by the ministry of home affairs and will be
deployed by the National Ganga Rejuvenation Authority.
2. The GPC personnel will have power to arrest those who pollute the river covering offences like obstructing the ow
of the river to commercial shing.
Section 54 : A Contentious Clause
1. Section 54 of the bill on offences by companies, states that if an offence is committed by a company, every person
who in charge of the company when the offence is committed and the company will be deemed guilty.
2. But if the in-charge is able to prove that the offence was committed without his or her knowledge or that they
exercised due diligence to prevent the offence, they will not be punished under the act.
3. This section rst strongly puts the onus of those heading operations and activities of companies that are damaging
the river.
4. But then promptly adds a protective clause by saying that action will not be taken if the offence was taken without his
or her knowledge.
Mission Clean Ganga
[pib] Management of Ground Water

F E B R U A R Y 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Geography| Distribution of key natural resources
Prelims level: CGWB, NAQUIM
Mains level: Status of dams groundwater availability in India
News
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
1. CGWB has been entrusted with the responsibilities of developing & disseminating technologies, monitoring national
policies for the scienti c and sustainable development and management of India’s ground water resources.
2. It periodically takes up various studies which include ground water management studies, exploratory drilling
programmes, monitoring ground water level and water quality through a network of ground water observation wells
etc.
3. The result collected is shared with the concerned States for taking up suitable ground water speci c interventions.
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)
1. The NAQUIM is an initiative of the Ministry of Water Resources for mapping and managing the entire aquifer systems
in the country.
2. It maintains the Hydrological Map of India.
3. It aims:
to identify and map aquifers at the micro level,

to quantify the available groundwater resources, and
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to propose plans appropriate to the scale of demand and aquifer characteristics, and institutional arrangements for
participatory management.
4. It was initiated as a part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation scheme to delineate and characterize the
aquifers to develop plans for ground water management.
5. The AQUIM project is implemented in six selected areas in different hydrogeological environs of the country as
shown below:
Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.
Centre announces mascot for COP-13 on conservation of migratory species

Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: GIB and its habitat, CMS
Mains level: Conservation of Migratory Species
News
The Centre has announced that the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) will be its mascot for the 13th Conference of Parties
(COP) of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) to be held in Gujarat in 2020.
About CMS COP-13
1. Representatives from 129 countries and eminent conservationists and international NGOs working in the eld of
wildlife conservation are expected to attend the COP-13, to be held in Gandhinagar.
2. It will provide a global platform for deliberations on the conservation and sustainable use of migratory wild animals and
their habitat.
3. The CMS COP-13 would also bring together the states through which migratory animals pass.
Why CMS COP in India?
1. India is temporary home to several migratory birds and animals.

2. India has also signed non legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes
(1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016).
3. The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird yway network, i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF).
4. CAF covers areas between the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean, and covers at least 279 populations of 182
migratory waterbird species, including 29 globally threatened species.
Back2Basics
Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
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Great Indian Bustard may be extinct soon
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
1. CMS is an international treaty concluded under aegis of UN Environment Programme (UNEP), concerned with
conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.
2. It is commonly abbreviated as Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention.
3. It aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.
4. It was signed in 1979 in Bonn (hence the name), Germany and entered into force in 1983.
5. Its headquarters are in Bonn, Germany.
6. CMS is only global and UN-based intergovernmental organization established exclusively for conservation and
management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Asiatic Lion Conservation Project

Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: Asiatic Lions and their habitat
Mains level: Conservation of Asiatic Lions
News
Three months after at least 20 lions in Gujarat succumbed to a virus, the Centre and the Gujarat government has
announced a ₹97.85 crore Asiatic Lion Conservation Project.
Asiatic Lion Conservation Project
1. The MoEFCC has launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” with an aim to protect and conserve the world’s
last ranging free population of Asiatic Lion and its associated ecosystem.
2. The project will be funded from the Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitat (CSS-DWH) with
the contributing ratio being 60:40 of Central and State share.
3. The conservation of Asiatic Lions has always been a priority of Government of India.
4. The Ministry in the past has supported Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by including it in list of 21 critically endangered species
under the species recovery component of CSS-DWH.
Provisions of the Project
1. Key aspects of the conservation project include undertaking “habitat improvement” measures, making more sources
of water available, creating a wildlife crime cell, and a task force for the Greater Gir region.
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2. Another key outcome of the project is to have a dedicated veterinary institute, “lion ambulances”, and back-up stocks
of vaccines that may be required.
3. It would also involve having in place a GPS-based tracking system, which would look at surveillance tracking, animal
and vehicle tracking.
4. There would also be an automated sensor grid that would have magnetic sensors, movement sensors and infra-red
heat sensors.
5. The Gujarat government has envisaged a ‘Greater Gir’ that includes, other than the existing Gir National Park,
sanctuaries in Girnar, Pania and Mitiyala.
Translocation: An alternate Solution?
1. The Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was identi ed to be the most suitable for reintroducing the
species, but there has been no progress on the proposal.
2. The SC in April 2013 had ordered the translocation of some lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh within six months,
but this hasn’t happened.
3. There is a committee of experts from both States examining the suitability of Madhya Pradesh as a potential lion
reserve.
4. However, they have to comply with certain guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (on
selecting suitable habitat, translocation).
Back2Basics
Asiatic Lions conservation in India
1. Asiatic lions that once ranged from Persia (Iran) to Palamau in Eastern India were almost driven to extinction by
indiscriminate hunting and habitat loss.
2. A single population of less than 50 lions persisted in the Gir forests of Gujarat by late 1890’s.
3. IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
4. With timely and stringent protection offered by the State Government and the Center Government, Asiatic lions have
increased to the current population of over 500 numbers.
5. The last census in the year 2015 showed the population of 523 Asiatic Lions in Gir Protected Area Network of
1648.79 sq. km. that includes Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary adjoining reserved
forests, Protected Forests, and Unclassed Forests.
[pib] India-Norway Ocean Dialogue

F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: India-Norway Ocean Dialogue
Mains level: Marine pollution and measures being undertaken to address it
News
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has signed a letter of Intent establishing the India-
Norway Marine Pollution Initiative together with the Norwegian ministry of Foreign Affairs.
India-Norway Ocean Dialogue
1. Earlier, the Indian and Norwegian governments agreed to work more closely on oceans by signing a MoU and
establishing the Dialogue.
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2. A joint Task Force on Blue Economy with government of cials, researchers and experts as well as private sector was
established to develop sustainable solutions within strategic areas of the blue economy, such as maritime and marine
sector in addition to energy sector.
3. Both partners will share experiences and competence, and collaborate on efforts to develop clean and healthy
oceans, sustainable use of ocean resources and growth in the blue economy.
Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.
99.82% projects in forests got nod

Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: about NBWL
Mains level: Issues related to the clearances of forest lands for industrial purpose
News
Easy or Hasty Clearance?
1. India’s apex National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for
scrutiny.
2. NBWL is the agency charged with allowing forest land in Protected Areas to be diverted for industry
3. Only ve projects were rejected since August 2014.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
1. The NBWL is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2. Theoretically, the board is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures
for conservation of wildlife in the country.
3. However, it is a very important body because it serves as apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve
projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
Functions of NBWL
1. Primary function of the Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
2. It has power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
3. No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without approval of the NBWL.
Composition
1. The NBWL, formally headed by the Prime Minister, adjudicates on industrial projects, road diversions or the like that
could encroach into Protected Areas or eco-sensitive zones of forests.
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2. The environment ministry has delegated all powers of the NBWL to a compliant Standing Committee which regularly
meets and clears projects in Protected Areas with due diligence.
3. A smaller Standing Committee of the NBWL is charged with deliberating on the merits of projects that come to it for
scrutiny.
4. The committee comprises scientists and government of cials and is chaired by Union Environment Minister.
Scientists discover massive mountains under Earth’s crust

Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Geography | Changes in critical geographical features
Prelims level: Interior of Earth
Mains level: Structure and feature of Earth’s interior
News
Scientists have discovered massive mountains in the Earth’s mantle, an advance that may change our
understanding of how the planet was formed.
Earth’s Interior is different
1. We often learn that the Earth has three layers: a crust, mantle and core, which is subdivided into an inner and outer
core.
2. While that is not wrong, it does leave out several other layers that scientists have identi ed within the Earth.
Earthquake data helps study
1. In a study published in the journal, scientists used data from an enormous earthquake in Bolivia to nd mountains and
other topography on a layer located 660 km straight down, which separates the upper and lower mantle.
2. Lacking a formal name for this layer, the researchers simply call it “the 660-km boundary.”
3. Data from earthquakes that are magnitude 7.0 or higher sends shockwaves in all directions that can travel through
the core to the other side of the planet — and back again.
The transition zone
1. The key data came from waves picked up after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake — the second-largest deep earthquake
ever recorded — that shook Bolivia in 1994.
2. The researchers examined a layer 410 km down, at the top of the mid-mantle “transition zone,” and they did not nd
similar roughness.
3. The presence of roughness on the 660-km boundary has signi cant implications for understanding how our planet
formed and evolved.
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Global Geological And Climatic Events
106 coastal sites picked for conservation

Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: About NBWL
Mains level: Wildlife conservation efforts
News
The Centre has identi ed over 100 coastal and marine sites as conservation reserves under its National Wildlife
Action Plan for 2017-2031, says a biennial report released by the government.
Highlights of the Report
1. Under the National Wildlife Action Plan for the period 2017 to 2031, the government is working towards the
conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.
2. In the last four and a half years, India has not only been able to sustain but also increase its mangrove cover at a time
when these ecosystems are disappearing at an alarming rate across the world.
India’s rich marine wealth
1. As per the report, India has rich coastal and marine wealth along the eastern and western coasts as well as the
Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
2. The coastal and marine sector is also a source of valuable sh protein not only for the growing population but also
contributes to the global food basket and in turn provides valuable foreign exchange to the country.
3. “India produced 3.8 million metric tonnes of seafood during 2017, valued at Rs 5.28 lakh million at landing centre and
Rs 8 lakh million at the retail level.
4. The sheries sector supports around 9.3 lakh active and part-time shers, one of the largest workforce of shers in
the world, the report said.
What’s special?
1. India is encouraging participation of local communities in governance by recognising the conservation reserves.
2. India is implementing measures to sustainably harness the potential of blue economy while building the climate
resilience of the ecosystems and local coastal communities.
About 3rd NWAP 2017-2031
1. Mitigation of human-wildlife con ict, coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and a focus on wildlife health are
among the key areas.
2. The draft emphasises on aspects like preservation of genetic diversity and sustainable utilization of species and
ecosystems.
3. This has a direct bearing on the country’s scienti c advancements and support to millions of rural communities.
4. The rst NWAP was adopted in 1983, while the second was adopted in 2002, which ended in 2017.
Explained: Tree cover, forest cover – How are the two different?
Page 56
Note4students
assessment
Prelims level: Difference between Tree Cover & Forest Cover
Mains level: Issues related to the clearances of forest lands
News
The Economic Survey of Delhi 2018-19, released last week, states that the capital’s forest cover has increased from
12.72% of its geographical area in 2015 to 12.97% in 2017 while its tree cover has increased from 7.48% to 7.62%.
Tree Cover & Forest Cover
The MoEFCC de nes ‘forest cover’ in India as all lands, more than one hectare in area with a tree canopy density of
more than 10%.
The ‘tree cover’ is de ned as tree patches outside recorded forest areas exclusive of forest cover and less than the
minimum mappable area of one hectare.
Trees outsides Forest
Between these two is a third measure, called ‘trees outside forest’, or TOF.
The ‘India State of Forest Report 2017’ de nes TOF as “trees existing outside the recorded forest area in the form
of block, linear & scattered size of patches”.
Since tree cover measures only non-forest patches that are less than 1 hectare, it is only a part of TOF.
Statewise cover
The India Report, as well as the Delhi Survey, cites state-wise gures, which show that Goa has the highest tree
cover as a percentage of geographical area, at 8.73%, followed by Delhi and Kerala, both at 7.62%.
Forest cover highs are in Lakshadweep (90.33%) and Mizoram (86.27%). India has 93,815 hectares, or 2.85% of its
area, under tree cover, and 7.08 lakh ha (21.54%) under forest cover.
Back2Basics
Forest Cover Classi cation
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Classi cation scheme for the purpose of Forest Cover assessment is described as follows:
Class Description
Very Dense Forest All lands with tree canopy density of 70% and above.
Moderately Dense Forest All lands with tree canopy density of 40% and more but less than 70%.
Open Forest All lands with tree canopy density of 10% and more but less than 40%.
Scrub Degraded forest lands with canopy density less than 10%.
Non-forest Lands not included in any of the above classes.
Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.
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Governance
New panel for welfare of nomadic communities
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and
betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Prelims level: Idate and Renke Commission Recommendations
Mains level: Welfare measures for the stigmatized de-noti ed and nomadic tribes
News
Panel for Nomadic Tribes
1. A committee will be set up under NITI Aayog to complete the task of identifying de-noti ed, nomadic and semi-
nomadic communities, especially as they move from place to place in search of a livelihood.
2. These communities are hard to reach, less visible, and therefore, frequently left out.
3. The committee will follow up on the work of the Renke Commission and the Idate Commission.
4. A Welfare Development Board will also be set up under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to design
and implement programmes for these hard-to-reach communities.
Why such move?
1. These communities once branded as criminals under the colonial Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, the communities were
‘denoti ed’ in 1952.
2. They continue to face stigma till this day.
3. To this end, the condition of the denoti ed, nomadic and semi-nomadic communities merits special attention.
4. The communities which have not been categorised as SC/ST/OBC do not get access to any welfare schemes.
5. The earlier commissions — Renke and Idate — had tried to identify and list these communities.
6. The major recommendations of the commissions have not been implemented till date.
Tribal Development
Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana

F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 1 9 | C U S TOM
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre &
States & the performance of these schemes
Prelims level: Pradhan Mantri Shram- Yogi Maandhan Yojana
Mains level: Pension Scheme for Unorganised sector workers
News
Page 59
1. The scheme announced in the Budget 2019 has proposed to launch the scheme for the unorganised sector workers
with monthly income upto Rs 15,000.
2. The Government will deposit equal matching share in the pension account of the worker every month.
3. It is expected that at least 10 crore labourers and workers in the unorganised sector will avail the bene t of the
scheme within next ve years making it one of the largest pension schemes of the world.
4. A sum of Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the Scheme.
5. The scheme will also be implemented from the current year.
Criteria
1. This pension yojana shall provide an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 from the age of 60 years on a monthly
contribution of a small affordable amount during their working age.
2. An unorganised sector worker joining pension yojana at the age of 29 years will have to contribute only Rs 100 per
month till the age of 60 years.
3. A worker joining the pension yojana at 18 years, will have to contribute as little as Rs 55 per month only.
Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.
Nilavembu Kudineer
Note4students
Prelims level: Nilavembu Kudineer
Mains level: Need of promoting AYUSH system of medicines
News
The Tamil Nadu government has distributed nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) concoction to treat people
infected with dengue during the outbreak.
Nilavembu kudineer: Healing Dengue and chikungunya
1. Under in vitro conditions, nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) was found to provide protection against
chikungunya virus while it was effective as a treatment during acute phase of dengue infection.
2. Dengue subtype-2, which is the most prevalent subtype in India, was used for testing the formulation.
3. There was signi cant antiviral activity of the formulation at 3% of human dose onwards.
4. Currently, there is no treatment for dengue and chikungunya.
5. The mode of action is antiviral in the case of dengue while immuno-modulatory in chikungunya infection.
About Sidhha Medicines
1. Siddha medicine is a system of traditional medicine originating in ancient Tamilakam (Tamil Nadu) in South India and
Sri Lanka.
Page 60
2. Traditionally, it is taught that the siddhars laid the foundation for this system of medication.
3. Siddhars were spiritual adepts who possessed the ashta siddhis, or the eight supernatural powers.
4. Agastyar is considered the rst siddha and the guru of all siddhars; the siddha system is believed to have been
handed over to him by Shiva.
5. Siddha is focused on “Ashtamahasiddhi,” the eight supernatural power. Those who attained or achieved these powers
are known as Siddhars.
6. There were 18 important Siddhars in olden days and they developed this system of medicine.
7. The Siddhars wrote their knowledge in palm leaf manuscripts, fragments of which were found in parts of South India.
AYUSH – Indian Medicine System
[pib] Shehri Samridhi Utsav

F E B R U A R Y 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Social Issues | Urbanization – problems and remedies
Prelims level: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana
News
Shehri Samridhi Utsav
1. Shehri Samridhi Utsav (SSU) is a pan- India initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
2. It aims to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), to
the most vulnerable.
3. It further aims to showcase its initiatives and facilitate access of Self-Help Group (SHG) members to the other
government schemes.
Events under SSU
1. Shehri Samridhi Utsav began with a series of rallies led by women’s’ SHGs, across the length and breadth of the
country.
2. These rallies spread awareness about DAY-NULM in urban poor communities.
3. Through the Utsav, SHG members across cities are being linked to national government schemes.
Navigate to the page to read minutes of DAY-NULM:
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana
Urban Transformation – Smart Cities, AMRUT, etc.
Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor

F E B R U A R Y 8, 2 0 1 9 | T H E EC ONOM I C T I M E S
Page 61
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-

governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential
Prelims level: Zero Fatality Corridor
Mains level: Steps for curbing fatalities in road accidents in India
News
The Delhi state govt has launched the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ (ZFC) to assess the cause for crashes on the stretch in
the Capital.
Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC)
1. ZFC is to be run in partnership with SaveLIFE Foundation, a leading road safety non-pro t organization.
2. The initiative is aimed at bringing down injuries and deaths due to road crashes.
3. It is in line with Delhi government’s plan of action to reduce fatalities due to road crashes by 30 per cent by 2020.
4. Through the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ pilot project the aim is to reduce the fatalities to near zero levels on this particular
stretch.
5. After evaluating the impact of the initiative, the model will be replicated in other parts of the city.
Why such move?
1. As many as 1690 people were killed, and 6086 people were injured in 6515 road crashes in 2018, according to Delhi
traf c police.
2. The ZFC model of the non-pro t is known for reducing road crash deaths by 30% on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
3. It reduces deaths through a 360-degree intervention, road engineering, police enforcement, rapid emergency care
and road-user engagement.
Road and Highway Safety – National Road Safety Policy, Good Samaritans, etc.
Explained: The Dard Aryans of Ladakh: who are this tribe, what are their
concerns?
Page 62
Note4students
betterment of the vulnerable sections
Prelims level: Dard Aryan Tribe
Mains level: Issue of extinction of PVTGs in India
Context
1. ‘Dard Aryan’ is not among the list of noti ed Schedule Tribes, clari ed the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
2. The Ministry has not formally received any charter of demands from the concerned State Government for seeking
nancial help for preservation of their cultural heritage.
Who are the Dard Aryans?
1. Some 200 km from Leh are the villages of Dha, Hanu, Garkone and Darchik on both sides of the Indus River, inhabited
by the Buddhist Dard Tribes.
2. The villages are together called the “Aryan valley”.
3. The community now numbers about 4,000.
4. The word ‘Dard’ is derived from a Sanskrit word, ‘Daradas’, which means people who live on hillsides.
5. People of this region are culturally and linguistically different from those in other parts of Ladakh.
6. There is a line of thought that the “Aryans of Ladakh” or the “Brokpas” might have descended from soldiers in
Alexander’s army who had come to the region over 2,000 years ago.
Tradition and Customs
1. They rear goat and sheep for milk and meat, and their festivals are based on the solar calendar.
2. Their traditions go back 5,000 years; those who still follow the original customs worship trees, rivers and mountains.
3. These tribals are mainly dependent on agriculture; the apricots grown here are considered among the best in the
world and there are 12 varieties of grapes in the region.
4. Grape-wine is very popular in the “Aryan valley”.
What Concerns these Dard Aryans?

I. Urbanization
1. The tribals perceive a threat to the heritage of the community owing to modernization, migration and religious
conversion.
2. Of late, the Dard men have been migrating to other parts of the region (in search of livelihood) and marrying outside
the tribe.
3. The tribe is struggling to nd a balance between modernity and traditional values.
II. Losing Identity
1. Over the last few decades, many of them have embraced Islam or Buddhism.
2. The community prohibits marriage with outsiders to keep the gene pool intact.
Page 63
III. Geographic limitations
1. Also, after the Kargil War, development work in this region has been restricted.
2. Some of the areas of the Aryan valley are out of bounds for outsiders, since it borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
IV. Lack of Education
1. There are only three high schools in their villages and very limited resources for livelihood — mainly because of the
harsh weather and dif cult terrain.
2. As such, they have no option but to migrate to cities for higher education and employment.
Addressing their Concerns

1. They have demanded that the government set up a tribal hostel and declare the “Aryan valley” a heritage village to
boost tourism.
2. But the only way to sustain them is by giving them special status and helping make them self-suf cient so that they
don’t have to migrate.
Tribal Development
Govt. grants divisional status to Ladakh

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Development processes
Prelims level: Ladakh Admin Division
Mains level: Decentralization of administrative control
News
Jammu and Kashmir Governor has granted Ladakh a divisional status, thus creating three administrative units of
Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in the State.
The Ladakh Division
1. The J&K government has approved the creation of a separate administrative and revenue division for Ladakh.
2. It will comprise Leh and Kargil districts, with headquarters at Leh.
3. Earlier, Ladakh was a part of the Kashmir division.
4. Ladakh will now get its own Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police.
5. Ladakh’s Kargil and Leh districts already have separate hill development councils for local administrative powers.
6. The move leaves the Kashmir valley geographically the smallest division at 15,948 sq. km, Jammu division at 26,293
sq. km and Ladakh, the biggest division, at 86,909 sq. km.
Why such move?
1. The remoteness and inaccessibility of the area makes it eligible for establishing a separate division.
Page 64
2. During the winter months, the entire Ladakh region remains cut-off from the rest of the country for almost six
months.
3. A section in Leh also has been demanding Union Territory status.
Government introduces Bill on northeast

Note4students
betterment of the vulnerable sections.
Prelims level: Fifth and Sixth Schedules
Mains level: Development of Tribal Areas
News
The government has introduced a Constitution Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha to increase the nancial and
executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the NE region.
The Bill is introduced in the wake of protests in the region following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill,
2019, in the Lok Sabha.
The Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019: Key Proposals
1. The Finance Commission will be mandated to recommend devolution of nancial resources to them.
2. The Autonomous Councils now depend on grants from Central ministries and the State government for speci c
projects.
3. The proposed amendments provide for elected village municipal councils, ensuring democracy at the grassroot
level.
4. The village councils will be empowered to prepare plans for economic development and social justice including
those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management,
animal husbandry, rural electri cation, small scale industries and social forestry.
5. At least one-third of the seats will be reserved for women in the village and municipal councils in the Sixth
Schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura after the amendment is approved.
6. The amendment will impact one crore tribal people in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Why in Raja Sabha?
1. A call was taken to introduce in the Rajya Sabha so that the legislation remains alive even after the House has
adjourned sine die.
2. Introducing it in the Lok Sabha would have meant that the Bill’s life is co-terminus with that of the term of the Lok
Sabha.
3. The fate of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 is uncertain as it was passed by the Lok Sabha but has to be
passed by the Rajya Sabha in the current session to become a law.
Back2Basics
Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is often referred to as a charter for autonomy of a wide magnitude, but it
has failed to decrease the tension between different stakeholders at the ground level. Elaborate. (150 W/ 10 M)
Page 65
Diversion of Nirbhaya Fund
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these scheme
Prelims level: Nirbhaya Fund
Mains level: Women Safety Issues
News
A parliamentary panel headed has taken strong exception to the utilization of the Nirbhaya Fund in the construction
of buildings, saying such allocations defeat the very purpose of the project — that of safety for women.
About Nirbhaya Fund
1. Nirbhaya Fund is an rupee 10 billion corpus announced by Government of India in its 2013 Union Budget.
2. This fund is expected to support initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and
ensuring safety of women in India.
3. Nirbhaya (fearless) was the pseudonym given to the 2012 Delhi gang rape victim to hide her actual identity.
4. The non-lapsable corpus fund was instituted following gang-grape of a girl in Delhi in 2012 which triggered a nation-
wide outrage and protests.
5. The Fund is administered by Department of Economic Affairs of the nance ministry.
6. Rs 200 crore funds has been sanctioned as one-time grant for Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) Scheme
for compensating women victims of acid attacks, rape, traf cking, etc.
Concerns
1. Sanctioning money from the Nirbhaya Fund for schemes pertaining to compensation would render it as a fund merely
for disbursal.
2. This would not have a desired impact at the ground-level in enhancing the security scenario for women.
Women Safety Issues – Marital Rape, Domestic Violence, Swadhar, Nirbhaya Fund, etc.
[pib] Reconstitution of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: ICHR
Mains level: Better governance and management of historical research
News
The Government has reconstituted the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi for a period of three
years till 2022.
Indian Council of Historical Research
1. The ICHR is an autonomous body of the HRD Ministry, which had been established by an Administrative Order of the
then Ministry of Education.
2. The body has provided nancial assistance to the historians and direction to the research scholars in their multifarious
topics of historical research through established historians and scholars of the country.
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3. ICHR disburses funds for carrying out research to Indian as well as foreign scholars on their applications for
fellowships, grants, and symposia.
Objectives
The objectives of the ICHR, as enunciated in the initial pamphlet published by the Department of Education,
Government of India in 1972 are as under:
to bring historians together and provide a forum for exchange of views between them;
to give a national direction to an objective and scienti c writing of history and to have rational presentation and
interpretation of history;
to promote, accelerate and coordinate research in history with special emphasis on areas which have not received
adequate attention so far;
to promote and coordinated a balanced distribution of research effort over different areas; and
to elicit support and recognition for historical research from all concerned and ensure the necessary dissemination
and use of results
Composition
An eminent historian nominated by the Government of India shall be Chairman of the Council;
Eighteen historians nominated by the Government of India;
A Representative of the U.G.C;
Director-General of Archaeology;
Director, National Archives;
Four persons to represent Government who shall be nominated by the Government of India and which shall include
one representative each of the Ministry of Education, the Department of Culture and the Ministry of Finance; and
Member Secretary.
Historical and Archaeological Findings in News
[pib] Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP)

F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: ICHR
News
Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme
1. Nodal Agency: Ministry of Culture

2. The scheme CHYLP aims to enrich awareness of Indian culture and heritage amongst the youth in order to promote,
understand and develop fondness for India’s rich cultural heritage, with a view to develop appropriate leadership
qualities amongst youth.
3. The focus of the programme was is on less privileged children residing in backward areas by interacting with them in
vernacular languages for their better understanding.
4. The programme was given to Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization
working under the purview of Ministry of Culture.
Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.
[pib] Constitutional and Legislative Measures to Protect and Safeguard Land

Rights of STs
F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Page 67
Note4students
Prelims level: Various Acts and their provisions
Mains level: Issue of Tribal Rights and various safeguards
News
The Scheduled Tribes (STs) have been the most marginalized, isolated and deprived population.
To protect and safeguarding the land rights and other rights of Scheduled Tribes, following constitutional and
legislative measure have been put in place:
I. Forest Rights
The Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006 to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land to
forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes.
II. Fair Compensation
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
safeguards against displacement of Scheduled Tribes.
Special provisions have been made for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under Sections 41 and 42 of the
Act, which protect their interests.
The RFCTLARR Act, 2013 also lays down procedure and manner of rehabilitation and resettlement.
III. PESA Act
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 , provides that the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the
appropriate level shall be consulted before making the acquisition of land in the Scheduled Areas.
The actual planning and implementation of the projects in the Scheduled Areas shall be coordinated at the State
Level.
IV. Fifth Schedule
Constitutional provisions under Schedule – V provide for safeguards against displacement of tribal population
because of land acquisitions etc.
The Governor of the State, having scheduled Areas, is empowered to prohibit or restrict transfer of land from tribals
and regulate the allotment of land to members of the Scheduled Tribes in such cases.
Land being a State subject, various provisions of rehabilitation and resettlement as per the RFCTLARR Act, 2013
are implemented by the concerned State Governments.
V. Legal Services
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides for legal services to members of Scheduled Tribes.
VI. Prevention of Atrocities Act
The SCs and the STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989” has been introduced to prevent the commission of
offences of atrocities.
It aims to provide for the trial of such offences and for the relief of rehabilitation of the victims of such offences and
for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Wrongfully dispossessing members of SCs and STs from their land or premises or interfering with the enjoyment of
their rights, including forest rights, over any land or premises or water or irrigation facilities or destroying the crops
or taking away the produce there from amount to atrocities and are offence.
Tribal Development
Page 68
[pib] e-AUSHADHI Portal
F EB R U AR Y 14, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
to Health etc.
Prelims level: e-Aushadhi Portal
News
e-AUSHADHI Portal
Ministry of AYUSH has launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and
Homoeopathy drugs.
The portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data
usability and increased accountability. T
In this direction, this new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug
Help Initiative. He further added that
This portal will aid the licensing authority, manufactures and consumers.
It will also provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious
drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for speci c grievances.
[pib] National Policy for Domestic Workers (draft)

F EB R U AR Y 14, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Government policies & interventions for development in various sectors & issues
arising out of their design & implementation
Prelims level: National policy for domestic workers
Mains level: Welfare measures for domestic workers
News
Draft Policy for Domestic Workers
The Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering to formulate a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in
the draft stage.
The govt. has not enacted any separate law to protect the interest of domestic workers.
Page 69
Salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers
Inclusion of Domestic Workers in the existing legislations.

Domestic workers will have the right to register as unorganized workers. Such registration will facilitate their
access to rights & bene ts.
Right to form their own associations/unions
Right to minimum wages, access to social security
Right to enhance their skills
Protection of Domestic Workers from abuse and exploitation
Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals for grievance redressal
Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of private placement agencies.
Establishment of a grievance redressal system for domestic workers.
Other Policy Measures
1. The Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted for providing social security to all unorganized
workers including domestic workers.
2. The Act provides formulation of social security schemes viz life and disability cover, health and maternity bene ts &
old age protection.
3. The State Governments are mandated under the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 to formulate
suitable welfare schemes for the unorganized sector workers.
Initiatives by states
The State Governments of AP, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerela, Odisha, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and
Tripura have included domestic workers in the schedule of Minimum Wages Act.
The matter of constitution of State Domestic Workers Board is under the jurisdiction of the State Governments.
Human Rights Issues
[pib] National Commission for Safai Karmacharis

F EB R U AR Y 14, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Polity | Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
Prelims level: NCSK
Mains level: Welfare of Safai Karmacharis
News
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK)
beyond 31.3.2019 for three years.
About NCSK
1. The NCSK is a statutory body that looks into matters concerning the Safai Karamcharis’ welfare and makes
recommendations to the government.
2. For the rst time, NCSK was constituted as a statutory body under the NCSK ACT, 1993.
3. This commission continued till February 2004, when the relevant Act expired. Thereafter, the tenure of the
commission has been extended from time to time, as a non-statutory body, the last such extension being up to 31
March 2016.
4. It is working for the welfare of both Safai Karamcharis and Manual Scavengers.
5. It is mandated to work towards the elimination of inequalities in status facilities and opportunities for Safai
Karamcharis and has an important role to ensure rehabilitation of all the identi ed manual scavengers on a time-
Page 70
bound basis.
6. Under Section 31 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, the
Commission is to perform functions namely:
To monitor the implementation of the Act;

To inquire into complaints regarding contravention of provisions of the Act; and
To advice Central and State Governments for effective implementation of the Act.
Why extend the tenure?
1. NCSK works for the welfare and upliftment of the Safai Karmacharis and persons engaged in manual scavenging in
the country.
2. The number of Manual Scavengers identi ed under the MS Act Survey as on 31.01.2019 is 14226.
3. Under the National Survey undertaken by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment at the behest of NITI Aayog is
31128.
4. Though the Government has taken many steps for the upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, the deprivation suffered
by them in socio-economic and educational terms is still far from being eliminated.
5. Further the practice of manual scavenging is still prevalent in the country and its eradication continues.
Human Rights Issues
Centre to revamp minimum support for minor forest produce

Note4students
arising out of their design & implementation.
Prelims level: MFPs and other forest products
Mains level: Issues related to forest rights
News
The Centre will frame new guidelines and extend the coverage of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for minor forest
produce (MFP) scheme, which is aimed at bene ting a majority of 10 crore tribals.
The government is also considering increasing the MSP for various MFPs by around 40 per cent.
MSP for MFP scheme
1. The MSP for MFP scheme was started in 2013 to ensure fair and remunerative prices to MFP gatherers.
2. The new system would be decentralized with district collectors holding the responsibility of implementing the
scheme.
3. Moreover, self-help groups will be formed to sell MFP in village haats and value addition centres will be set up.
4. The area of operation would be expanded to 307 districts across 27 states.
Why such scheme?
1. Tribals depend on MFP for food, fodder, shelter, medicines and cash income.
2. It provides them critical subsistence during lean seasons, particularly for primitive tribal groups such as hunter,
gatherers, and the landless.
3. In fact, according to Planning Commission data, tribals derive 20-40 per cent of their annual income from MFP.
Need for proper implementation
1. While it has been more than ve years since the scheme was launched, it has not been implemented properly.
2. Despite the MFP rights being given to tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act, many states have nationalized
MFPs like tendu, monopolising their trade, which is against the law.
Page 71
3. The allocations made under the scheme have over the years been heavily under-utilized, so much that around 90 per
cent of the funds since the inception of the plan have remained unspent.
Back2Basics
Forest Produce
1. The essential condition to be quali ed as a forest produce is that the products should be either found in or be brought
from forest.
2. Section 2(4) of the Indian Forest Act 1927 de nes only “forest-produce” and this term connotes to those products
whether found in, or brought from a forest such as
timber, charcoal, caoutchouc, catechu, wood-oil, resin, natural varnish, bark, lac, mahua owers, mahua seeds, kuth
and myrabolams,
trees and leaves, owers and fruits, and all other parts or produce of trees,
plants not being trees (including grass, creepers, reeds and moss), and all parts or produce of such plants,
wild animals and skins, tusks, horns, bones, silk, cocoons, honey and wax, and all other parts or produce of animals,
and
peat, surface soil, rock and minerals (including lime-stone, laterite, mineral oils), and all products of mines or quarries;
Minor Forest Produce
Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a subset of forest produce and got a de nition only in 2007 when the Scheduled
Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, was enacted.
Section 2(i) of the said Act de nes a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) as all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and
includes bamboo, brushwood, stumps, canes, Tusser, cocoon, honey, waxes, Lac, tendu/kendu leaves, medicinal
plants and herbs, roots, tuber and the like.
***Thus, the de nition of “minor forest produce” included bamboo and cane, thereby changing the categorization of
bamboo and cane as “trees” under the Indian Forest Act 1927.
***Now, Bamboo is taxonomically a grass now ceases to be a tree as per the ordinance promulgated by the
President in 2017.
Tribal Development
Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans fat hazard

Note4students
Prelims level: Eat Right Movement, Swastha Bharat Yatra, Heart Attack Rewind, TFA
Mains level: Read the attached story.
Page 72
News
The Kerala state Health Department has drawn up an action plan to generate public awareness on the harmful
effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) in commercially available food items.
Plan to phase out TFA
1. The plan is aimed to encourage the local food industry to meet the current statutory limits set for TFA.
2. An unhealthy diet with a high TFA content is a signi cant factor that pushes up metabolic syndrome and the burden
of its associated complications amongst Keralites.
3. The year-long action plan has speci c components on building awareness on trans fat amongst food business
operators (FBOs) and giving them scienti c sessions and training on how they can keep their food TFA-free.
4. Generating public awareness on the harmful effects of trans fat, especially among schoolchildren, is being given
special focus.
5. Clear timelines are being set as to when each of the components of the plan should be completed and when
enforcement should begin.
Focus on low Sodium content food
1. Salt being a major contributor to hypertension and stroke, the action plan also plans to address the high salt content
in processed foods, pickles, papads and condiments by encouraging manufacturers to move to low sodium options.
2. The pickle industry is in agreement that good hygienic and manufacturing practices and low sodium options can
reduce the salt content in their products.
Need for alternatives
1. The food industry is willing to ditch partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs, one of the main sources of TFA in
industrially produced food ).
2. It aims to switch to TFA-free margarine or shortening to produce baked goods.
Support for initiative
1. The department is being supported in this initiative by Vital Strategies, the nutrition wing of the World Bank, WHO,
the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
2. The State Food Safety wing will be in charge of enforcement.
3. An experts’ group has been constituted for the implementation of the guidelines on TFA and salt reduction.
Back2Basics
Trans Fats
Food Safety Standards – FSSAI, food forti cation, etc.
WHO issues new international standard for music devices

F E B R U A R Y 1 6, 2 0 1 9 | D OW N TO E A R T H
Note4students
Page 73
Prelims level: “Make Listening Safe” Initiative
News
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has issued a new
international standard for the manufacture and use of musical devices.
“Make Listening Safe” Initiative
1. The standard for safe listening devices was developed under WHO’s “Make Listening Safe” initiative by experts from
WHO and ITU.
2. It suggested that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through the following public health measures:
Sound allowance function: software that tracks the level and duration of the user’s exposure to sound as a
percentage used of a reference exposure
Personalized pro le: an individualized listening pro le, based on the user’s listening practices, which informs the
user of how safely (or not) he or she has been listening and gives cues for action based on this information
Volume limiting options: options to limit the volume, including automatic volume reduction and parental volume
control
General information: information and guidance to users on safe listening practices, both through personal audio
devices and for other leisure activities
Why such move?
1. The aim behind the move is to prevent young people from going deaf.
2. Nearly 50 per cent of people aged 12-35 years are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to
loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices.
3. Over ve per cent of the world’s population has disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children);
impacting on their quality of life.
4. The majority live in low- and middle-income countries.
5. It is estimated that by 2050, over 900 million people or 1 in every 10 people will have disabling hearing loss.
6. Hearing loss which is not addressed poses an annual global cost of $750 billion.
Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.
[pib] National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India

F EB R U AR Y 2 0 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4Students
Page 74
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services
relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Prelims level: National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India
Mains level: Menace of narcotic drugs in India
News
An addiction plague has steadily swallowed India a/c to a study conducted by the National Drug Dependence
Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
The study, named “National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India” is a rst of its kind as it gives
pan-India and state-level data.
National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India
1. The survey report, which was submitted to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on noted that 5.7
crore people in the country suffered from alcohol related problems.
2. The survey spanned all the 36 states and UTs of India and citizens between the ages of 10 to 75 responded to the
questions set in the study regarding substance abuse.
3. The intoxicant categories that were studied are as follows: alcohol, cannabis (bhang and ganja/charas), opioids (opium,
heroin and pharmaceutical opioids), cocaine, amphetamine type stimulants (ATS), sedatives, inhalants and
hallucinogens.
Magnitude of Substance use in India

I. Alcohol
1. Of the 16 crore people who consumed alcohol across the country, prevalence of alcohol consumption was 17 times
higher among men than among women.
2. More than four lakh children and 1.8 million adults needed help for inhalant abuse and dependence.
3. The male to female ratio of alcohol users in India is 17:1 and most men consume either ‘desi’ liquor (30 per cent) or
Indian Made Foreign Liquor (30 per cent).
4. A total of 5.2 per cent of the population indulge in harmful alcohol use, means that every third drinker in the country is
in dire need of medical help in curing his/her addiction.
II. Cannabis (Bhang, Ganja & Charas)
1. According to the survey, over 3.1 crore Indians (2.8%) reported to have used any cannabis product in last one year.
2. Although, the usage of Bhang use is more common than Ganja or Charas but in case of addiction, the number of
dependent users is higher for addicts of Ganja and Charas.
3. Cannabis consumption is higher than the national average in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Delhi.
4. In Punjab and Sikkim, the prevalence of cannabis use disorders is considerably higher (more than thrice) than the
national average.
III. Heroin, Opium & others
1. At the national level, Heroin is most commonly used substance followed by pharmaceutical opioids, followed by
opium (Afeem).
2. However, in case of harmful dependence, more people are dependent on Heroin than other similar drugs like Afeem.
3. Of the total 60 lakh users of Heroin and Afeem, majority of them are from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
IV. Sedatives and inhalants
1. Less than 1% or nearly 1.18 crore people use sedatives, non medical or non prescription use. However, what is more
worrying that its prevalence is high among children and adolescents.
2. At national level, there are 4.6 lakh children that need help against the harmful or dependence over inhalants.
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3. This problem of addiction of children is more prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and
Haryana.
4. Cocaine (0.10%) Amphetamine Type Stimulants (0.18%) and Hallucinogens (0.12%) are the categories with lowest
prevalence of current use in the country.
V. Addicts who inject drugs
1. According to the survey, there are 8.5 lakh people in the country who inject drugs (PWID).
2. Users of opium based drugs report high incidence of injecting drugs (heroin 46% and pharmaceutical opioids 46%), a
large number of these drug users report risky injecting practices.
3. This risky practice more prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland
[pib] Operation Digital Board

F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Prelims level: Op Digital Board
Mains level: Raising standard of teaching and learning in India
News
The Ministry of HRD launched Operation Digital Board to leverage technology in order to boost quality education in
the country.
Operation Digital Board

1. It is a revolutionary step which will make the learning as well as the teaching process interactive and popularize
ipped learning as a pedagogical approach.
2. The digital board will be introduced all over the country in government and government aided schools from class 9th
onwards as well as in higher education institutions.
3. The process will begin from the coming session of 2019 itself.
Implementation
I. In Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
UGC will be the implementing agency for ODB in HEIs.

UGC will put in place a Portal for all the public funded HEIs to log-in and opt for the scheme giving details of this
facility.
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This can be implemented as a Central scheme under a loan from HEFA.
II. In Schools
Digital / SMART board will be provided in all Government and Government – aided schools having Secondary and Sr.
Secondary classes.
Nearly 1.5 lakh Secondary / Sr. Secondary schools will be covered under the scheme in collaboration with the State
and UTs
Bene ts
1. ODB aims at converting a class room into a digital class room.
2. It will make available e-resources at any time and at any place to students.
3. It will also help in provisioning of personalized adaptive learning as well as Intelligent Tutoring by exploiting emerging
technologies like Machine Learning, AI & Data Analytics.
Other technological initiatives

1. The MHRD has launched of e-Pathshala, DIKSHA, NROER, NPTEL, E-PGpathshala SWAYAM and SWAYAM-Prabha
DTH Channels etc.
2. These have provided adequate content of high quality which can be taken to every classroom.
3. These pedagogical interventions have raised the standards of teaching, irrespective of the location of the Schools
and Colleges.
[pib] HOPE Portal

F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: Ayushman Bharat scheme, NABH, HOPE Portal
Mains level: Standardization of Healthcare facilities in India
News
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations (NABH) has revamped Entry-Level
Certi cation Process of hospitals to make it simpler, digital, faster and user-friendly.
Why NABH Certi cation?
1. HCOs and small HCOs that want to avail bene ts associated with IRDAI and Ayushman Bharat.
2. NABH accreditation provides assurance of quality and care in hospitals at par with international benchmarks.
3. NABH has designed an exhaustive healthcare standard for hospitals and healthcare providers that have been
accredited as per global standards.
HOPE Portal
1. The revamped certi cation process is driven through a new portal called HOPE – Healthcare Organizations’ Platform
for Entry-Level-Certi cation.
2. It is an online platform for smooth and secure registration which provides a self-explanatory questionnaire to be lled
by the HCO/SHCOs.
3. It ensures quality at nascent stages by enrolling a wide range of hospitals across the country including Healthcare
Organizations (HCOs).
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4. HOPE also enables them to comply with quality protocols, improve patient safety and the overall healthcare facility of
the organization.
Back2Basics
NABH
1. NABH, a constituent body of QCI, has been working to ensure reliability, ef ciency and global accreditation in Indian
healthcare sector.
2. It uses contemporary methodologies and tools, standards of patient safety and infection control.
About QCI
1. Established in 1997 Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous organization under the DPIIT, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
2. It is the Quality Apex and National Accreditation Body for accreditation and quality promotion in the country.
3. The Council was established to provide a credible, reliable mechanism for third party assessment of products,
services and processes which is accepted and recognized globally.
WHO prescribes ‘aerobics 150’ to stay t

Note4students
relating to Health
The following things are important from UPSC perspective:
Prelims Level: Aerobics 150
Mains level: WHO Guidelines for Physical Activity
News
Aerobics 150
1. Reiterating the need for physical activity to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD), the WHO has
prescribed 150 minutes of weekly physical activity.
2. It emphasized that physical inactivity is now identi ed as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.
Hazards of physical inactivity
1. The WHO warned that physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence
of NCDs and the general health of the population worldwide.
2. Physical inactivity is estimated to be the main cause for approximately 21%-25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of
diabetes and approximately 30% of ischemic heart disease burden.
3. Regular and adequate levels of physical activity in adults reduces the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, depression and the risk of falls.
WHO Guidelines on Aerobics
1. There is strong evidence to demonstrate that adults between the ages of 18 to 64 should do:
at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week
at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week, or
an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity
2. Aerobic activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration.

3. For additional health bene ts, adults should increase their moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes
per week.
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4. Muscle-strengthening activities should be done involving major muscle groups on two or more days a week.
5. Children and youth aged 5-17 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to vigorous-intensity
physical activity daily.
6. Amounts of physical activity greater than 60 minutes provide additional health bene ts.
Psychological bene ts
1. Physical activity has also been associated with psychological bene ts in young people by improving their control over
symptoms of anxiety and depression.
2. The WHO noted that physical activity provides young people opportunities for self-expression, building self-
con dence, social interaction and integration.
3. It has also been suggested that physically active young people more readily adopt healthy behaviors (For example,
avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drug use) and demonstrate higher academic performance.
Arjuna Tree
Note4students
Prelims level: Arjuna Tree and its bene ts
Mains level: Not much
News
Arjuna Tree
The Arjuna is a large, buttressed tree that usually grows along river banks.
The arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna) is best known for its medicinal properties and its importance to the charismatic
grizzled giant squirrel, but it plays a special role in the river-forests of Karnataka’s Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary too.
A higher number of trees speci c to riverine habitats thrive under the canopies of old arjuna trees.
The soil under these trees’ enormous canopies is also more moist and higher in organic carbon.
This makes a case to recognize it as a keystone species — one that plays a crucial role in the landscape and
conserve large, old trees.
Why Keystone specie?
Scientists studied the plant species growing under the canopy of arjuna trees, as well as in areas without the trees.
This revealed a higher species diversity (44 species; some like the mahua tree Madhuca latifolia grew only under the
canopy of arjuna trees) under these trees.
Similar riverine areas without arjuna trees housed only 26 species.
Areas devoid of the trees also had more species that were not native to riverine stretches.
Medicinal Use
The arjuna was introduced into Ayurveda as a treatment for heart disease by Vagbhata (c. 7th century CE).
Page 79
It is used in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhages and ulcers, applied topically as a powder.
Gives out rich soil
The researchers also sampled soil properties under the trees as well as in areas without them.
This revealed that soil in areas under the canopy of the tree had higher organic carbon and moisture contents,
probably due to the presence of the large canopy.
Put together, these factors prove that the arjuna is a crucial tree in the landscape.
Page 80
International Relations
China refuses to budge, says India must sign NPT to gain entry into NSG
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s
interests
Prelims level: Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), MTCR, Australia Group
Mains level: Importance of joining NSG and other export control regimes by India
News
P5 countries have recently concluded their meetings to discuss issues related to nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-
proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
China maintains Status-quo
1. China has once again refused to dilute its stand on India’s entry into the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
2. It asserted that New Delhi must sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty to gain entry as there is no precedent for the
inclusion of non-NPT countries.
Reasons cited
1. China has been opposing India’s entry into the 48-member NSG on the ground that India is not a signatory to the NPT.
2. The other P5 members, including the US and Russia backed its case based on New Delhi’s non-proliferation record.
3. China along with P5 has decided to uphold the NPT mechanism.
Pakistan: the elephant in the room
1. China has sought to club India and Pakistan together, on the basis of both being non-signatories of the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
2. It has asked the NSG countries to adopt a “criteria-based approach” — which essentially means that either both can
get into the group or none.
3. But most of the NSG countries, including the US, France and UK, make a clear distinction between India and
Pakistan’s nuclear non-proliferation track record.
Why NSG for India?
1. The NSG is the top club of countries which controls access to technology and guards against proliferation. Its
membership is important for India to access cutting-edge high technology.
2. Pakistan has violated all norms of nuclear non-proliferation and had links with the North Korean nuclear programme.
Back2Basics
P5+1 Countries
1. The P5+1 refers to the UN Security Council’s ve permanent members (the P5); namely China, France, Russia, the
United Kingdom, and the United States; plus Germany.
2. It is a group of six world powers which, in 2006, joined together in diplomatic efforts with Iran with regard to its
nuclear program.
Nuclear Suppliers Group(NSG) Entry
Page 81
UNSC adopts resolution to extend sanctions against Central African Region
F E B R U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 9 | C U S TOM
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting
India’s interests
Prelims level: UNSC
Mains level: Issues related to the UNSC, its membership, VETO power etc.
News
The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend sanctions against the Central African
Republic (CAR) for another year.
Resolution 2454
1. Resolution 2454, adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, decides to renew the sanctions regime – an arms
embargo, travel ban and asset freeze till January 31, 2020.
2. The French-drafted resolution says the council intends to establish benchmarks by April 30 on security sector
reform, the demobilization and reintegration of combatants, and the management of weapons and ammunition.
3. It asks the panel of experts monitoring the arms embargo and sanctions against individuals, which were also
extended, to assess progress on the benchmarks by July 31.
4. It further says that the council will review the arms embargo measures by Sept. 30.
5. The panel of experts said in its latest report that it granted several exemptions to allow shipments of weapons from
France, Russia, China, the United States and Belgium for CAR’s army.
Why such move?
1. Central African Republic has been wracked by interreligious and intercommunal ghting since 2013, and violence has
intensi ed and spread in the past year.
2. Repeated cycles of violence in one of the world’s poorest nations “have pushed people’s resistance to breaking point.
3. A majority of Central African Republic’s 2.9 million people “urgently need humanitarian support.
4. Russia and the European Union have sent military advisers to train CAR’s poorly equipped army.
Back2Basics
United Nations Security Council
1. The UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of
international peace and security.
2. Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and
the authorization of military action through Security Council resolutions.
3. It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.
4. The Security Council consists of fteen members. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States
—serve as the body’s ve permanent members.
5. These permanent members can veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on the admission of
new member states or candidates for Secretary-General.
6. The Security Council also has 10 non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms. The
body’s presidency rotates monthly among its members.
[pib] Exercise Cutlass Express 2019

F E B R U A R Y 9, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Page 82
India’s interests
Prelims level: Exercise Cutlass Express 2019
Mains level: India-US strategic relations
News
INS Trikand, a front-line warship of the Indian Navy, recently participated in a multinational training exercise
‘CUTLASS EXPRESS – 19’ held from 27 Jan to 06 Feb 19.
Exercise Cutlass Express 2019
1. Cutlass Express 2019 is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and is conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa.
2. It is an exercise designed to assess and improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and
regional security in East Africa as well as information sharing, planning and operating.
3. The aim of the exercise was to improve law enforcement capacity, promote regional security and progress inter-
operability between the armed forces of the participating nations.
4. During the exercise, Naval, Coast Guard and Marine Police personnel from a number of East African countries were
jointly trained by mentors from USA, India, and Netherlands, with support of international organisations.
Role of Indian Navy
1. The Indian Navy played a signi cant role in the exercise, being involved in planning, coordination and execution.
2. Through INS Trikand, the IN provided a platform for live Visit Board Search Seizure (VBSS) drills, which proved to be
of immense training value to the participating nations.
About INS Trikand
1. INS Trikand is equipped with a versatile range of sensors and weapons enabling her to address threats in all the three
dimensions – air, surface and sub-surface.
2. It is an ideal platform for prolonged deployments, including the present one, in which she is carrying out Presence and
Surveillance missions and Anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and Western Arabian Sea.
3. The ship is a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and operates under the Flag Of cer Commanding-in-Chief,
Western Naval Command, headquartered at Mumbai.
Indian Navy Updates
U.S. may end zero-tariffs for India

Note4students
India’s interests
Prelims level: GSP, New FDI norms
News
India could lose a vital U.S. trade concession, under which it enjoys zero tariffs on $5.6 billion of exports to the
United States, amid a widening dispute over its trade and investment policies.
US sought action: GSP withdrawal
1. A move to withdraw the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) from India,
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2. India is the world’s largest bene ciary of a scheme that has been in force since the 1970s.
3. However the US plans to the strongest punitive action against India, vowing to reduce the U.S. de cit with large
economies.
What is GSP?
1. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a preferential tariff system under which developed nations extend
reduced MFN tariffs (Most Favoured Nation) or duty-free entry of certain goods into their markets, to the developing
nations.
2. The developed countries, or the countries that extend this trade preference are called donor countries, and the
bene t-receiving countries are called bene ciary countries.
3. The GSP is an exemption from the MFN principle under which the WTO members are obliged to treat all other WTO
members equally as their ‘most favoured’ trading partner-nation.
4. GSP bene ts Indian exporters indirectly through the bene ts that are gained by the importers via reduced tariffs
and/or duty-free entry.
Bone of Contention: New FDI norms in E-com
1. The trigger for the latest downturn in trade ties was India’s new rules on e-commerce that restrict the way of famous
e-com sites.
2. The business in a rapidly growing online market set to touch $200 billion by 2027 if not restricted.
3. India has courted foreign investment as part of his Make-in-India campaign to turn India into a manufacturing hub and
deliver jobs to the millions of youth.
4. Trump, for his part, has pushed for U.S. manufacturing to return home as part of his Make America Great Again
campaign.
What are the new norms?
1. At the heart of the problem is India’s view on the two e-commerce models that exist today: marketplace and
inventory.
2. India allows 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the marketplace model of e-commerce, which it de nes as
a tech platform that connects buyers and sellers.
3. India has not allowed FDI in inventory-driven models of e-commerce.
4. The inventory model, which Walmart and Amazon use in the United States, is where the goods and services are
owned by an e-commerce rm that sells directly to retail customers.
5. The restriction is aimed largely at protecting India’s vast unorganized retail sector that does not have the clout to
purchase at scale and offer big discounts.
6. It means that Amazon and Flipkart can only operate the marketplace model in India.
Why put restrictions on E-coms?
1. The e-commerce giants in India have developed complicated seller structures that helped them comply with the
inventory control rule while exercising some level of control over inventory.
2. Traders and small online sellers have accused them of violating the spirit of the law and of using the structures to
offer deep discounts, accusations they deny.
3. The new rules state that the inventory of a seller or vendor will be seen as being controlled by a marketplace if the
vendor purchases more than 25 percent of its inventory from the marketplace, or any of its group rms.
4. The rule would not allow sellers on these giant e-coms to make bulk purchases from the wholesale units of the
companies.
Foreign Policy Watch: India-United States
Macedonia to become NATO’s 30th member

Page 84
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate
Prelims level: NATO, Facts about north Macedonia
Mains level: NATO
News
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) said that its 29 members cleared the way for Macedonia to become
the alliance’s 30th member, following its historic name change.
Background
1. Macedonia has been at odds with Greece since 1991 when the former broke away from Yugoslavia.
2. For the Greeks, the name Macedonia has a powerful historical signi cance.
3. It is the name of a region within Greece, and this name harks back to the ancient kingdom once ruled by Alexander
the Great.
4. The Greeks consider this period to be one of the highest points in their history, and have accused the neighbouring
country of “cultural theft” in their choice of name.
Getting the way cleared
1. Macedonian PM agreed getting the country into the EU and NATO.

2. Consequently it reached an agreement with Greece when Greece promised to drop its objections against their entry
into the EU and the NATO.
About NATO
1. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance
between 29 North American and European countries.
2. It is based on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.
3. NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence
in response to an attack by any external party.
Back2Basics
Republic of North Macedonia
Capital: Skopje
Bordering countries: Albania, Greece, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria
Formerly part of Yugoslavia
World Government Summit

F E B R U A R Y 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 | T H E I ND I A N E X P R E S S
Page 85
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | Important International institutions, agencies & fora, their structure, mandate
Prelims level: World Govt. Summit
News
Global leaders gathered in Dubai for the World Government Summit, a forum dedicated to “shaping the future of
governments”.
World Government Summit
1. The World Government Summit is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of governments worldwide.
2. It is an annual summit held in Dubai, UAE.
3. It is a neutral, non-pro t organization at the intersection of government and innovation.
4. It functions as a knowledge exchange platform for leaders in the public and private sectors to convene and
collaborate with world-renowned experts to create a positive impact for citizens worldwide.
5. Each year, the Summit sets the agenda for the next generation of governments, focusing on how they can harness
innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.
6. The Museum of the Future is one of the famous exhibitions within the World Government Summit.
Explained: What is MFN status, how can India hurt Pak by withdrawing it
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | India & its neighborhood relations
Prelims level: MFN status, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, WTO
Mains level: India-Pakistan trade relationship
News
In a major terrorist attack, 40+ CRPF personnel were martyred in J&K’s Pulwama district when a terrorist attacked
with an explosives laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the CRPF convoy.
In response to the effect, India withdrew MFN status accorded to Pakistan.
MFN status to Pakistan
1. India granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996, a year after the formation of WTO.
2. Pakistan still hasn’t granted India with MFN status. On the other hand, it came up with a dissimilar but globally popular
Non-Discriminatory Market Access (NDMA) agreement.
Page 86
3. The reason Pakistan has chosen to adopt the NDMA with India is due to political mistrust and a history of border
con icts.
4. On November 2, 2011, the Pakistani cabinet decided formally to accord India MFN status. But that decision remains
unimplemented.
Trade between India and Pakistan
1. Bilateral trade between India and Pakistan stands at $2.61 billion.

2. The major commodities and goods in which both countries trade include cement, sugar, organic chemicals, cotton,
man-made laments, vegetables and certain fruits and tubers, mineral fuels, mineral oils, salts, earths, stone, lime, dry
fruits, steel and plastering material.
3. In FY17, India-Pakistan trade was a mere $2.29 billion, or about 0.35% of India’s overall trade.
Does MFN mean preferential treatment?
1. In literal explanation, MFN doesn’t mean preferential treatment.

2. Instead it means non-discriminatory trade that ensures that the country receiving MFN status will not be in a
disadvantageous situation compared to the granter’s other trade partners.
3. When a country receives MFN status, it is expected to raise trade barriers and decrease tariffs.
4. It is also expected to open up the market to trade in more commodities and free ow of goods.
Pros of MFN
1. MFN status is extremely gainful to developing countries.

2. The clear upsides are access to a wider market for trade goods, reduced cost of export items owing to highly reduced
tariffs and trade barriers.
3. These essentially lead to more competitive trade.
4. MFN also cuts down bureaucratic hurdles and various kinds of tariffs are set at par for all imports.
5. It then increases demands for the goods and giving a boost to the economy and export sector.
6. It also heals the negative impact caused to the economy due to trade protectionism.
Impact
1. The decision by India to withdraw MFN status to Pakistan is intended to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and squeeze
the country’s industry.
2. Even though the low volumes of trade limit the impact that such a step can have, the stoppage of input materials such
as chemicals and cotton from India will push up costs of production for the relevant Pakistani industries.
3. However, it will also give a handle to extremist elements in Pakistan to scale up the rhetoric against India.
Back2Basics
What is MFN Status?
1. Most Favoured Nation is a treatment accorded to a trade partner to ensure non-discriminatory trade between two
countries vis-a-vis other trade partners.
2. Article 1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), 1994, requires every member country of the World
Trade Organisation (WTO) to accord Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to all other member countries.
3. Under WTO rules, a member country cannot discriminate between its trade partners.
4. If a special status is granted to a trade partner, it must be extended to all members of the WTO.
Bene ts of MFN
1. MFN essentially guarantees the most favourable trade conditions between two countries.
2. These terms include the lowest possible trade tariffs, the least possible trade barriers and very crucial to trade
relations– highest import quotas.
3. The WTO rules allow discrimination in certain cases like in cases when a country signs free trade agreements in a
region.
4. In that situation, a country may grant special favours and trade concessions to a country as compared to non-member
countries of that group.
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Shortcomings
1. The main disadvantage is that the country has to give the same treatment to all other trade partners who are
members of the WTO.
2. This translates into a price war and vulnerability of the domestic industry as a result.
3. The country is not able to protect domestic industry from the cheaper imports and in this price war, some domestic
players have to face heavy losses or growth restrictions.
Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pakistan
[pib] Government liberalizes the e-Visa regime

F E B R U A R Y 1 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | India and its neighborhood- relations
Prelims level: New visa norms
Mains level: Promoting tourism through visa norms relaxation
News
Recently, government has made series of amendments in e-visa regime, liberalizing it further and making it more
tourist friendly.
The e-Tourist Visa which was introduced in Sept. 2014 with 46 countries has now been made applicable for 166
countries.
Changes in e-Tourist Visa
On e-Tourist Visa continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days in case of nationals of all countries who
are eligible for grant of e-visa except nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan.
In case of nationals of USA, UK, Canada and Japan continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days.
In all cases no registration will be required.
Changes in e-Business Visa
Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days in case of nationals of all countries who are eligible for
grant of e-visa
No registration will be required if the stay is for a period of less than 180 days.
Other changes:
e-Visa is valid for entry through 2 (two) more designated Airports (Bhubaneswar and Port Blair) raising the total
number of such airports to 28.
Attending Destination wedding under normal e-Tourist visa or Tourist visa- No separate category of Destination
Wedding Visa
Foreign nationals who fall sick during their stay in India can now avail medical treatment without converting their visa
into Medical Visa.
This would take care of sudden medical emergencies.
Visa-on-Arrival facility extended to the nationals of Republic of Korea.
Tourism Sector
Argentina becomes 72nd country to sign solar agreement

Note4students
Page 88
Mains Paper 2: IR | Important International institutions, agencies & fora, their structure, mandate
Prelims level: International Solar Alliance
Mains level: India’s initiatives for transition towards Renewable Energy
News
Argentina has become the 72nd country to sign the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Countries which have recently signed the agreement until now include India, France, Australia, UAE, UK, Japan
amongst others.
About ISA
1. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a group of 121 solar resource-rich countries with headquarters in Gurugram,
India.
2. The agreement was opened for signature during the COP22 at Marrakech on November 15, 2016.
3. The organisation aims to deploy over 1,000 gigawatt of solar energy and mobilise more than USD 1,000 billion into
solar power by 2030.
India-Argentine Relations
1. With India–Argentina trade just touching $ 3 billion in the last ten years, leaders of both sides agree to increase their
cooperation further to improve economic relations.
2. They are celebrating the 70th year of the establishment of diplomatic ties between.
3. Both agreed on cooperation in the agriculture sector, trade and investments, defence, Lithium Mining and Space.
Solar Energy – JNNSM, Solar Cities, Solar Pumps, etc.
[pib] Indus Waters Treaty 1960 : Present Status of Development in India

F EB R U AR Y 2 2 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | India & its neighborhood- relations
Prelims level: Permanent Indus Commission, Indus Water Treaty
Mains level: Rising tensions between India and Pakistan over various issues
News
Indus Waters Treaty, 1960
1. The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank
signed in Karachi in 1960.
2. According to this agreement, control over the water owing in three “eastern” rivers of India — the Beas, the Ravi and
the Sutlej was given to India
3. The control over the water owing in three “western” rivers of India — the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum was
given to Pakistan
4. The treaty allowed India to use western rivers water for limited irrigation use and unrestricted use for power
generation, domestic, industrial and non-consumptive uses such as navigation, oating of property, sh culture, etc.
while laying down precise regulations for India to build projects
5. India has also been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run of the river (RoR) projects on the Western
Rivers which, subject to speci c criteria for design and operation is unrestricted.
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Present Status of Development
1. To utilize the waters of the Eastern rivers which have been allocated to India for exclusive use, India has constructed
Bhakra Dam on Satluj, Pong and Pandoh Dam on Beas and Thein (Ranjitsagar) on Ravi.
2. These storage works, together with other works like Beas-Sutlej Link, Madhopur-Beas Link, Indira Gandhi Nahar
Project etc has helped India utilize nearly entire share (95 %) of waters of Eastern rivers.
3. However, about 2 MAF of water annually from Ravi is reported to be still owing unutilized to Pakistan below
Madhopur.
4. The three projects will help India to utilize its entire share of waters given under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960:
I. Resumption of Construction of Shahpurkandi project
It is a dam project under construction on Ravi River.
II. Construction of Ujh multipurpose project
It is a dam project under construction on Ujh , a tributary of Ravi River.
III. 2nd Ravi Beas link below Ujh
This project is being planned to tap excess water owing down to Pakistan through river Ravi, even after
construction of Thein Dam.
It aims constructing a barrage across river Ravi for diverting water through a tunnel link to Beas basin.
Explained: Why is China shielding the Jaish-e-Mohammad?

Note4students
Mains level: The newscard comprehensively discusses China’s tactics for its stance on backing terror groups
Context
Background
The Jaish-e-Mohammad has carried out multiple attacks on India over the last nearly two decades, but its leader,
Masood Azhar, eludes international sanctions.
India’s proposal to designate Azhar as a global terrorist under the 1267 regime has been blocked four times by
China, most recently in January 2017.
Beijing has refused to lift its “technical hold” on a proposal to declare Azhar a global terrorist.
Why is China so keen to shield Azhar?

1. On Azhar, China insists there isn’t enough evidence to designate him a “global terrorist”, though the rest of the P5
believes otherwise.
2. Its standard line is that it wants to “uphold the authority and validity of the 1267 Committee”.
3. The UNSC Resolution 1267 prescribes a sanctions regime against designated terrorists and terrorist groups.
4. But its real reasons range from protecting its “all weather” ally in South Asia to its business interests in the CPEC.
5. China tries making things dif cult for its Asian rival India to making a point to western powers led by the United
States.
I. Importance of CPEC
1. CPEC runs across the length of Pakistan, linking Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province to the Gwadar deep-sea port on
the Arabian Sea near Pakistan’s border with Iran.
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2. Access to the sea through Gwadar will remove the need for it to take the long route west through the Straits of
Malacca and around India.
3. The CPEC will dramatically increase its proximity to the oil shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.
4. Chinese rms have invested close to $40 billion in around 45 CPEC projects, about half of which are nearing
completion.
II. Role of Jaish in CPEC
1. International protection for ISI proxies like Jaish provides China the insurance against terrorist attacks on CPEC
infrastructure and the thousands of Chinese working on them.
2. The project has been targeted by Baloch separatists as well as the Pakistani Taliban, who have claimed to be
protesting China’s treatment of its Muslim Uyghur minority in eastern Xinjiang.
III. Insecurity despite of State Security
1. Pakistan has attempted to reassure Beijing on the security of CPEC.

2. In 2015, it established a 20,000-personnel Special Security Division drawn from the Army and paramilitary forces to
secure CPEC in addition to the local police.
3. China has had a tacit understanding with the Afghan Taliban from the days of their predecessors in the 1970s.
IV. Uighur Question
1. China subsequently in 70s made a deal with the Taliban that as long as they don’t support the Uyghurs in Xinjiang,
they won’t harm them.
2. China takes a different position because of the larger understanding it has with such organisations… as long as you
don’t disturb me, we will not penalise you.
3. If you are expanding your international base, it must not be at my expense. That’s China’s attitude.
V. Popularity in Pakistan
1. Also, China enjoys overwhelming popularity on the street in Pakistan — surveys show 88% Pakistanis view China
favorably, compared with only 33% Indians.
2. It is not in Beijing’s interest to disappoint this constituency by giving in to India’s repeated demands to list Azhar.
3. China remains conscious that relations between Pakistan and the US had been strongly impacted by the killings, rst
by al-Qaeda of American-Israeli journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002 and then, by US special forces of Osama bin Laden in
2011.
Does China’s stand have to do with India’s emergence as a competitor?

1. India is part of a short list of economic giants who have refused to participate in the BRI due to sovereignty concerns
in PoK.
2. And since China views India as a competitor, Beijing looks to tie down New Delhi to South Asia using issues like
Azhar.
Ha z Saeed vs. Masud Azhhar
1. Before Azhar, Beijing had blocked on three occasions India’s moves to designate Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Ha z Saeed
as a terrorist.
2. But in 2008, as global outrage intensi ed in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks, Beijing was forced to back
international action against Saeed.
3. But 26/11 was an extraordinary attack; it remains to be seen if India can drum up enough international support over
Pulwama to push China on Azhar.
Is there a reason for Beijing to twist?

1. Not budging on Azhar will probably not directly affect China’s bilateral ties with India.
2. But Beijing may have to contend with the abstract impact of a shift in public opinion.
3. The gains from last year’s Wuhan Summit may dwindle if public opinion turns against China.
4. This time, it is not really defensible Jaish have said they were involved.
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5. China’s image will take a beating and the Indian public will have an increasingly negative view of China leading to
boycott of its goods.
Conclusion
1. China clearly supports Pakistan on UNSC Resolution 1267 and has blocked India’s entry into the NSG by tying its bid
to Pakistan’s.
2. China seeks to needle and frustrate India.
3. Such tactics are also intended to send out a message to the US, which seeks to build a relationship with India to
contain China in the Indo-Paci c.
Foreign Policy Watch: India-China
Afghanistan launches new export route to India through Iran

Note4students
Mains Paper 2:IR| Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Prelims level: Chabahar Port
Mains level: Signi cance of Chabahar Port for India
News
Afghanistan began exports to India through the Chabahar as the landlocked, war-torn nation turns to overseas
markets to improve its economy.
Afghan Exports to India
23 trucks carrying 57 tonnes of dried fruits, textiles, carpets and mineral products were dispatched from western
Afghan city of Zaranj to Iran’s Chabahar port.
The consignment will be shipped to the Indian city of Mumbai.
The Iranian port provides easy access to the sea to Afghanistan and India has helped developed this route to allow
both countries to engage in trade bypassing Pakistan.
Afghanistan, a new trade partner
India has sent 1.1 million tonnes of wheat and 2,000 tonnes of lentils to Afghanistan through Chabahar.
Both countries established an air corridor in 2017.
Afghan exports to India stood at $740 million in 2018, making it the largest export destination.
To read more about Chabahar Port, navigate to the page:
Chah Bahar, Its signi cance and the impediments in taking it ahead
Foreign Policy Watch: India-Afghanistan
Explained: Decoding the OIC’s invite to ‘Guest of Honour’ India

Note4students
Page 92
Prelims level: OIC
Mains level: Implications of India’s invite to OIC
News
India overcame a ve-decade-old hurdle to get itself invited to Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) meet.
It is a welcome recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India and of their contribution to its pluralistic
ethos, and of India’s contribution to the Islamic world.
The meeting will be held in Abu Dhabi on March 1 and 2, for which Swaraj has been invited by Sheikh Abdullah bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of the UAE as the “Guest of Honour”.
Why the OIC matters
The OIC — formerly Organisation of Islamic Conference — is the second largest inter-governmental organisation in
the world after the UN, with a membership of 57 states in four continents.
The OIC describes itself as “the collective voice of the Muslim world”.
Its stated objective is “to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting
international peace and harmony among various people of the world”.
Membership of OIC
The OIC has reserved its membership for Muslim-majority countries.

Russia, Thailand, and couple of other small countries have Observer status.
At the 45th session in May 2018, Bangladesh, the host country, had suggested that India, where more than 10% of
the world’s Muslims live, should be given Observer status.
However Pakistan had opposed the proposal.
Why India is the Guest of Honour?

I. Improved ties with UAE, Saudi
The rst-time invitation to India to be a Guest of Honour at the Plenary, especially at a time of heightened tensions
with Pakistan is a signi cant diplomatic victory.
The invitation indicated “the desire of the enlightened leadership of the UAE to go beyond our rapidly growing close
bilateral ties and forge a true multifaceted partnership at the multilateral and international level”.
It is considered as a milestone in our comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE.
II. Hosting the Prince
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was a very special Chief Guest at the
68th Republic Day celebrations in 2017.
It was the rst time that India laid out the Republic Day red carpet for a leader who was neither a Head of State nor
Head of Government.
The invite may be an important outcome of the MBS visit, apart from being an indication of New Delhi’s improved
ties with both Saudi and the UAE, and the Gulf region as a whole.
But, it has been pro-Pak on J&K
The OIC has been generally supportive of Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir, and has issued statements criticizing the
alleged Indian activities in the state.
The 2017 session of the Council of OIC Foreign Ministers had adopted a resolution “reaf rming the unwavering
support… for the Kashmiri people in their just cause.
At the 2018 meeting in Dhaka, however, “J&K” gured in only one of the 39 resolutions adopted, that too, along
with 12 other states or regions worldwide.
Pakistan had complained about the Dhaka Declaration, and accused Bangladesh of circulating the text very late.
A new India-Pak tussle is expected
Indeed, India has excellent relations individually with almost all member nations of the OIC.
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This is a reason why it can at times afford to not take the statements issued by the group as a whole seriously.
Despite the invitation to MEA — who can be expected to bring up the terrorist attacks in India in her address — it is
important to watch what line the OIC takes on J&K in its nal declaration.
It is certain that Pakistan would be making every effort and behind-the-scenes negotiations for a statement on
Kashmir, perhaps using last year’s report of the UN Human Rights Of ce that criticized India.
[pib] Exercise Sampriti – 2019

F EB R U AR Y 2 7 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | India and its neighborhood relations
Prelims level: Ex Sampriti
Mains level: India-Bangladesh strategic relations
News
Exercise Sampriti-2019
It is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and this will be the eighth
edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.
As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh defence cooperation, the joint military exercise will be conducted at
Tangail, Bangladesh.
The exercise is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between the
Indian and Bangladesh Armies.
The exercise will involve tactical level operations in a counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment under
the UN mandate.
In addition to understanding each other in tactical level operations, emphasis will also be laid for greater cultural
understanding to strengthen military trust and cooperation between the two nations.
Indian Army Updates
ICJ rejects UK’s claim of sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | Effect of policies & politics of developed & developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora.
Prelims level: Chagos Archipelago (map based)
Mains level: Decolonization of IOR
News
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has said in an advisory opinion that Britain has an obligation to
end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago.
The Chagos Islands are home to the U.S. military base of Diego Garcia, under lease from the United Kingdom since
the 1960s.
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Ending Decolonization
The ICJ concluded that the decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed, as a result of Britain’s continued
administration of the Chagos Islands.
The continued administration of the territory by the U.K. amounted to a “wrongful act”, which was not consistent
with the right to the people of self determination.
The judges concluded that any detachment of part of a colony had to be based on the freely expressed and genuine
will of the people.
Why UK needs Chagos?
The defence facilities on the British Indian Ocean Territory help to protect people here in Britain and around the
world from terrorist threats, organised crime and piracy.
Britain says that the islands will be returned to Mauritius when they are no longer needed for defence purposes.
Why ICJ intervened?
In his statement, the judge also noted that the original agreement had not allowed for third party involvement in the
territory.
The base’s construction led to the displacement of some 1,500 people, who have been unable to return to the
islands.
1965 pact
Under an agreement struck in 1965, in return for compensation to Mauritius and shing rights, Britain has
maintained control of the islands.
It has continued to do so despite efforts by Mauritius to regain control, and UN resolutions requiring it to complete
the decolonization of Mauritius.
The ICJ held public hearings in September 2018 in the case after Britain was defeated in its attempt to halt a UNGA
resolution calling for the UN’s highest court to delivery an advisory opinion on the issue.
In June 2017, the UNGGA adopted a resolution calling on the ICJ to delivery an advisory opinion on whether the
continued administration by UK was lawful.
The UNGA win by Mauritius against the U.K., and the U.S. was seen as a major blow to Britain.
Questioning its legitimacy
The legacy of colonialism and whether the kind of agreements struck between colonial powers and their colonies in
the nal stages cannot be legitimate.
While Britain contended that Mauritius freely consented to the detachment of the archipelago, Mauritius maintained
that the choice faced was no choice at all.
The leadership of its independence movement had been forced into agreeing to the 1965 separation of the islands,
fearful that if they did not do so, independence would not be granted.
Indian Stance
India too supported Mauritius in its case, with India’s Ambassador to the Hague telling the court last year that a
historical survey of facts placed the archipelago as part of Mauritian territory.
Regarding the process of decolonization of Mauritius, it remains incomplete both technically and in substance as
long as the Chagos Archipelago continues to be under the colonial control.
Conclusion: On Advisory Opinions
The ICJ which last week heard from India and Pakistan on the contentious case of Kulbushan Jadhav, can also
deliver advisory opinions.
Unlike the Jadhav case, which is binding and non-appealable, advisory opinions are not binding, though they do carry
substantial legal weight and are mostly adhered to.
However, there have been several occasions in which they have not been: such as the 2003 advisory opinion which
obligated Israel to stop building the wall in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Indian Ocean Power Competition
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Polity
Explained: The President’s address to both Houses of Parliament
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Polity | Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
signi cant provisions & basic structure
Prelims level: Presidents Address
Mains level: Importance of Presidents Address in parliamentary democracy
News
The President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the beginning of the Budget Session every year is a
Constitutional requirement.
Presidential Address
Article 87(1) says: the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together and inform Parliament
of the causes of its summons:
At the commencement of the rst session after each general election to the House of the People and
At the commencement of the rst session of each year
Some Facts about President’s Address
1. The Address at the beginning of the rst session each year takes place at the time and date noti ed for the
commencement of the session.
2. Barring some exceptions in the early years of the Republic, it has generally taken place at 11 am.
3. The President reads the Address either in English or in Hindi.
4. After the conclusion of the Address, there is a roll of drums followed by the National Anthem.
5. Half an hour after the President has nished speaking, the two Houses assemble separately in their respective
Chambers for the transaction of formal business.
Adding exception
1. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat records one instance of the rst session of the year not commencing with the
President’s Address.
2. In 2004, when the House assembled for the rst time in the year on 30 January 2004, it was not treated as the rst
session of the year but as Part II of the 200th session of Rajya Sabha which commenced on 2 December 2003.
3. Therefore, the session did not commence with the Address by the President.
4. The President addressed both Houses of Parliament assembled together on 7 June 2004 in the 201st Session after
the general elections to the Fourteenth Lok Sabha,
First Amendment
1. Originally, the Constitution required the President to address both Houses of Parliament at the commencement of
“every session”.
2. This requirement was changed by the First Amendment to the Constitution — PM Nehru argued in Parliament that it
was too cumbersome process to have the President, complete with the entire paraphernalia that his of ce carries,
address the Houses every time.
Arguments against the every session address
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1. Replying to the debate on Clause 7 of The Constitution (First Amendment) Bill, 1951, Nehru had argued that this
involves a certain preparation outside this House which is often troublesome.
2. Members are aware that when a coach and six horses come all kinds of things have to be done for that purpose.
3. Anyhow that trouble does not fall on the House or members thereof, but on the administration of Delhi.
Importance of Presidents Address
1. The President’s speech essentially highlights the government’s policy priorities and plans for the upcoming year.
2. It highlights various development works and commitment to social justice by the government.
3. The Indian President has the power to send messages not only on legislative matters but also ‘otherwise’.
4. It is drafted by the Cabinet, and provides a broad framework of the government’s agenda and direction.
New panel for welfare of nomadic communities

Note4students
betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Prelims level: Idate and Renke Commission Recommendations
News
Panel for Nomadic Tribes
1. A committee will be set up under NITI Aayog to complete the task of identifying de-noti ed, nomadic and semi-
nomadic communities, especially as they move from place to place in search of a livelihood.
2. These communities are hard to reach, less visible, and therefore, frequently left out.
3. The committee will follow up on the work of the Renke Commission and the Idate Commission.
4. A Welfare Development Board will also be set up under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to design
and implement programmes for these hard-to-reach communities.
Why such move?
5. The earlier commissions — Renke and Idate — had tried to identify and list these communities.
6. The major recommendations of the commissions have not been implemented till date.
Tribal Development

F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 1 9 | C U S TOM
Note4students
Page 97
News
1. The scheme announced in the Budget 2019 has proposed to launch the scheme for the unorganised sector workers
with monthly income upto Rs 15,000.
2. The Government will deposit equal matching share in the pension account of the worker every month.
3. It is expected that at least 10 crore labourers and workers in the unorganised sector will avail the bene t of the
scheme within next ve years making it one of the largest pension schemes of the world.
4. A sum of Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the Scheme.
5. The scheme will also be implemented from the current year.
Criteria
1. This pension yojana shall provide an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 from the age of 60 years on a monthly
contribution of a small affordable amount during their working age.
2. An unorganised sector worker joining pension yojana at the age of 29 years will have to contribute only Rs 100 per
month till the age of 60 years.
3. A worker joining the pension yojana at 18 years, will have to contribute as little as Rs 55 per month only.
Nilavembu Kudineer
Note4students
Prelims level: Nilavembu Kudineer
News
The Tamil Nadu government has distributed nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) concoction to treat people
infected with dengue during the outbreak.
Nilavembu kudineer: Healing Dengue and chikungunya
1. Under in vitro conditions, nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) was found to provide protection against
chikungunya virus while it was effective as a treatment during acute phase of dengue infection.
2. Dengue subtype-2, which is the most prevalent subtype in India, was used for testing the formulation.
3. There was signi cant antiviral activity of the formulation at 3% of human dose onwards.
4. Currently, there is no treatment for dengue and chikungunya.
5. The mode of action is antiviral in the case of dengue while immuno-modulatory in chikungunya infection.
About Sidhha Medicines
1. Siddha medicine is a system of traditional medicine originating in ancient Tamilakam (Tamil Nadu) in South India and
Sri Lanka.
2. Traditionally, it is taught that the siddhars laid the foundation for this system of medication.
3. Siddhars were spiritual adepts who possessed the ashta siddhis, or the eight supernatural powers.
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4. Agastyar is considered the rst siddha and the guru of all siddhars; the siddha system is believed to have been
handed over to him by Shiva.
5. Siddha is focused on “Ashtamahasiddhi,” the eight supernatural power. Those who attained or achieved these powers
are known as Siddhars.
6. There were 18 important Siddhars in olden days and they developed this system of medicine.
7. The Siddhars wrote their knowledge in palm leaf manuscripts, fragments of which were found in parts of South India.
[pib] Shekatkar Committee Recommendations

F EB R U AR Y 5, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Internal Security | Various Security forces & agencies & their mandate
Prelims level: Shekatkar Committee recommendations
Mains level: Modernization of Army
News
The Committee of Experts (CoE) constituted by the Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen (Retd)
DB Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the
armed forces, submitted its report in December 2016.
The Report was taken up by the Ministry of Defence to frame key action points and roadmap for implementation.
Recommendations taken up for implementation
Optimization of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies

Restructuring of repair echelons (designated rank) in the Army
Redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots
apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms.
Better utilization of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport units.
Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.
Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.
Improving the ef ciency of the National Cadet Corps.
Indian Army Updates
[pib] Shehri Samridhi Utsav

F E B R U A R Y 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Social Issues | Urbanization – problems and remedies
Prelims level: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana
News
Shehri Samridhi Utsav
1. Shehri Samridhi Utsav (SSU) is a pan- India initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
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2. It aims to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), to
the most vulnerable.
3. It further aims to showcase its initiatives and facilitate access of Self-Help Group (SHG) members to the other
government schemes.
Events under SSU
1. Shehri Samridhi Utsav began with a series of rallies led by women’s’ SHGs, across the length and breadth of the
country.
2. These rallies spread awareness about DAY-NULM in urban poor communities.
3. Through the Utsav, SHG members across cities are being linked to national government schemes.
Navigate to the page to read minutes of DAY-NULM:
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana
Urban Transformation – Smart Cities, AMRUT, etc.
Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor

F E B R U A R Y 8, 2 0 1 9 | T H E EC ONOM I C T I M E S
Note4students

Prelims level: Zero Fatality Corridor
Mains level: Steps for curbing fatalities in road accidents in India
News
The Delhi state govt has launched the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ (ZFC) to assess the cause for crashes on the stretch in
the Capital.
Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC)
1. ZFC is to be run in partnership with SaveLIFE Foundation, a leading road safety non-pro t organization.
2. The initiative is aimed at bringing down injuries and deaths due to road crashes.
3. It is in line with Delhi government’s plan of action to reduce fatalities due to road crashes by 30 per cent by 2020.
4. Through the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ pilot project the aim is to reduce the fatalities to near zero levels on this particular
stretch.
5. After evaluating the impact of the initiative, the model will be replicated in other parts of the city.
Why such move?
1. As many as 1690 people were killed, and 6086 people were injured in 6515 road crashes in 2018, according to Delhi
traf c police.
2. The ZFC model of the non-pro t is known for reducing road crash deaths by 30% on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
3. It reduces deaths through a 360-degree intervention, road engineering, police enforcement, rapid emergency care
and road-user engagement.
Road and Highway Safety – National Road Safety Policy, Good Samaritans, etc.
Explained: The Dard Aryans of Ladakh: who are this tribe, what are their
concerns?
Page 100
Note4students
Prelims level: Dard Aryan Tribe
Mains level: Issue of extinction of PVTGs in India
Context
1. ‘Dard Aryan’ is not among the list of noti ed Schedule Tribes, clari ed the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
2. The Ministry has not formally received any charter of demands from the concerned State Government for seeking
nancial help for preservation of their cultural heritage.
Who are the Dard Aryans?
1. Some 200 km from Leh are the villages of Dha, Hanu, Garkone and Darchik on both sides of the Indus River, inhabited
by the Buddhist Dard Tribes.
2. The villages are together called the “Aryan valley”.
3. The community now numbers about 4,000.
4. The word ‘Dard’ is derived from a Sanskrit word, ‘Daradas’, which means people who live on hillsides.
5. People of this region are culturally and linguistically different from those in other parts of Ladakh.
6. There is a line of thought that the “Aryans of Ladakh” or the “Brokpas” might have descended from soldiers in
Alexander’s army who had come to the region over 2,000 years ago.
Tradition and Customs
1. They rear goat and sheep for milk and meat, and their festivals are based on the solar calendar.
2. Their traditions go back 5,000 years; those who still follow the original customs worship trees, rivers and mountains.
3. These tribals are mainly dependent on agriculture; the apricots grown here are considered among the best in the
world and there are 12 varieties of grapes in the region.
4. Grape-wine is very popular in the “Aryan valley”.
What Concerns these Dard Aryans?

I. Urbanization
1. The tribals perceive a threat to the heritage of the community owing to modernization, migration and religious
conversion.
2. Of late, the Dard men have been migrating to other parts of the region (in search of livelihood) and marrying outside
the tribe.
3. The tribe is struggling to nd a balance between modernity and traditional values.
II. Losing Identity
1. Over the last few decades, many of them have embraced Islam or Buddhism.
2. The community prohibits marriage with outsiders to keep the gene pool intact.
III. Geographic limitations
1. Also, after the Kargil War, development work in this region has been restricted.
2. Some of the areas of the Aryan valley are out of bounds for outsiders, since it borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
IV. Lack of Education
1. There are only three high schools in their villages and very limited resources for livelihood — mainly because of the
harsh weather and dif cult terrain.
Page 101
2. As such, they have no option but to migrate to cities for higher education and employment.
Addressing their Concerns
1. They have demanded that the government set up a tribal hostel and declare the “Aryan valley” a heritage village to
boost tourism.
2. But the only way to sustain them is by giving them special status and helping make them self-suf cient so that they
don’t have to migrate.
Tribal Development
Supreme Court may curb advocates from speaking on cases

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Polity | Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries
Mains level: Various aspects of the contempt of court
News
Contempt Charges for Public Proclamation
1. The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the possibility of imposing curbs on advocates airing their views in the
media about pending cases and the judges handling them.
2. The apex court was hearing a plea on contempt petitions led by the government and the Attorney General of India
against a famous civil rights lawyer.
3. The lawyer’s tweets willfully and deliberately” made a false statement in a case pending in court.
Freedom carries with it responsibility
1. The SC Bench agreed that though the ash of cameras and media attention may seem irresistible to some, a line
needed to be rmly drawn.
2. Observing that “freedom carries with it a responsibility”, it noted that some lawyers even used air time to attack
judges, whose code of conduct did not allow them to go public.
3. The bench also observed that some lawyers rushed to the media as soon as their petition was led.
Damage to the institution
1. It can be often sees just after a judgement is pronounced it is publicly proclaimed that it is a black day, bringing
disrepute to the institution.
2. When a matter is sub judice, the lawyers are expected to maintain expected to maintain the decorum of the court and
should avoid going public and being part of media and TV debate.
3. The attack on judicial proceedings in a brazen, willful and malicious manner would tend to shake the very foundation
of the justice delivery system.
Judiciary Institutional Issues
Govt. grants divisional status to Ladakh

Note4students
Page 102
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Development processes
Prelims level: Ladakh Admin Division
Mains level: Decentralization of administrative control
News
Jammu and Kashmir Governor has granted Ladakh a divisional status, thus creating three administrative units of
Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in the State.
The Ladakh Division
1. The J&K government has approved the creation of a separate administrative and revenue division for Ladakh.
2. It will comprise Leh and Kargil districts, with headquarters at Leh.
3. Earlier, Ladakh was a part of the Kashmir division.
4. Ladakh will now get its own Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police.
5. Ladakh’s Kargil and Leh districts already have separate hill development councils for local administrative powers.
6. The move leaves the Kashmir valley geographically the smallest division at 15,948 sq. km, Jammu division at 26,293
sq. km and Ladakh, the biggest division, at 86,909 sq. km.
Why such move?
1. The remoteness and inaccessibility of the area makes it eligible for establishing a separate division.
2. During the winter months, the entire Ladakh region remains cut-off from the rest of the country for almost six
months.
3. A section in Leh also has been demanding Union Territory status.
Government introduces Bill on northeast

Note4students
Prelims level: Fifth and Sixth Schedules
Mains level: Development of Tribal Areas
News
The government has introduced a Constitution Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha to increase the nancial and
executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the NE region.
The Bill is introduced in the wake of protests in the region following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill,
2019, in the Lok Sabha.
The Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019: Key Proposals
1. The Finance Commission will be mandated to recommend devolution of nancial resources to them.
2. The Autonomous Councils now depend on grants from Central ministries and the State government for speci c
projects.
3. The proposed amendments provide for elected village municipal councils, ensuring democracy at the grassroot
level.
Page 103
4. The village councils will be empowered to prepare plans for economic development and social justice including
those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management,
animal husbandry, rural electri cation, small scale industries and social forestry.
5. At least one-third of the seats will be reserved for women in the village and municipal councils in the Sixth
Schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura after the amendment is approved.
6. The amendment will impact one crore tribal people in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Why in Raja Sabha?
1. A call was taken to introduce in the Rajya Sabha so that the legislation remains alive even after the House has
adjourned sine die.
2. Introducing it in the Lok Sabha would have meant that the Bill’s life is co-terminus with that of the term of the Lok
Sabha.
3. The fate of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 is uncertain as it was passed by the Lok Sabha but has to be
passed by the Rajya Sabha in the current session to become a law.
Back2Basics
Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is often referred to as a charter for autonomy of a wide magnitude, but it
has failed to decrease the tension between different stakeholders at the ground level. Elaborate. (150 W/ 10 M)
Diversion of Nirbhaya Fund

Note4students
Prelims level: Nirbhaya Fund
Mains level: Women Safety Issues
News
A parliamentary panel headed has taken strong exception to the utilization of the Nirbhaya Fund in the construction
of buildings, saying such allocations defeat the very purpose of the project — that of safety for women.
About Nirbhaya Fund
1. Nirbhaya Fund is an rupee 10 billion corpus announced by Government of India in its 2013 Union Budget.
2. This fund is expected to support initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and
ensuring safety of women in India.
3. Nirbhaya (fearless) was the pseudonym given to the 2012 Delhi gang rape victim to hide her actual identity.
4. The non-lapsable corpus fund was instituted following gang-grape of a girl in Delhi in 2012 which triggered a nation-
wide outrage and protests.
5. The Fund is administered by Department of Economic Affairs of the nance ministry.
6. Rs 200 crore funds has been sanctioned as one-time grant for Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) Scheme
for compensating women victims of acid attacks, rape, traf cking, etc.
Concerns
1. Sanctioning money from the Nirbhaya Fund for schemes pertaining to compensation would render it as a fund merely
for disbursal.
Page 104
2. This would not have a desired impact at the ground-level in enhancing the security scenario for women.
[pib] Reconstitution of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: ICHR
News
The Government has reconstituted the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi for a period of three
years till 2022.
Indian Council of Historical Research
1. The ICHR is an autonomous body of the HRD Ministry, which had been established by an Administrative Order of the
then Ministry of Education.
2. The body has provided nancial assistance to the historians and direction to the research scholars in their multifarious
topics of historical research through established historians and scholars of the country.
3. ICHR disburses funds for carrying out research to Indian as well as foreign scholars on their applications for
fellowships, grants, and symposia.
Objectives
The objectives of the ICHR, as enunciated in the initial pamphlet published by the Department of Education,
Government of India in 1972 are as under:
to bring historians together and provide a forum for exchange of views between them;
to give a national direction to an objective and scienti c writing of history and to have rational presentation and
interpretation of history;
to promote, accelerate and coordinate research in history with special emphasis on areas which have not received
adequate attention so far;
to promote and coordinated a balanced distribution of research effort over different areas; and
to elicit support and recognition for historical research from all concerned and ensure the necessary dissemination
and use of results
Composition
An eminent historian nominated by the Government of India shall be Chairman of the Council;
Eighteen historians nominated by the Government of India;
A Representative of the U.G.C;
Director-General of Archaeology;
Director, National Archives;
Four persons to represent Government who shall be nominated by the Government of India and which shall include
one representative each of the Ministry of Education, the Department of Culture and the Ministry of Finance; and
Member Secretary.
Historical and Archaeological Findings in News
[pib] Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP)

F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Page 105
Prelims level: ICHR
News
Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme
1. Nodal Agency: Ministry of Culture

2. The scheme CHYLP aims to enrich awareness of Indian culture and heritage amongst the youth in order to promote,
understand and develop fondness for India’s rich cultural heritage, with a view to develop appropriate leadership
qualities amongst youth.
3. The focus of the programme was is on less privileged children residing in backward areas by interacting with them in
vernacular languages for their better understanding.
4. The programme was given to Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization
working under the purview of Ministry of Culture.
Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.
[pib] Constitutional and Legislative Measures to Protect and Safeguard Land

Rights of STs
F EB R U AR Y 12 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: Various Acts and their provisions
Mains level: Issue of Tribal Rights and various safeguards
News
The Scheduled Tribes (STs) have been the most marginalized, isolated and deprived population.
To protect and safeguarding the land rights and other rights of Scheduled Tribes, following constitutional and
legislative measure have been put in place:
I. Forest Rights
The Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006 to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land to
forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes.
II. Fair Compensation
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
safeguards against displacement of Scheduled Tribes.
Special provisions have been made for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under Sections 41 and 42 of the
Act, which protect their interests.
The RFCTLARR Act, 2013 also lays down procedure and manner of rehabilitation and resettlement.
III. PESA Act
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 , provides that the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the
appropriate level shall be consulted before making the acquisition of land in the Scheduled Areas.
The actual planning and implementation of the projects in the Scheduled Areas shall be coordinated at the State
Level.
Page 106
IV. Fifth Schedule
Constitutional provisions under Schedule – V provide for safeguards against displacement of tribal population
because of land acquisitions etc.
The Governor of the State, having scheduled Areas, is empowered to prohibit or restrict transfer of land from tribals
and regulate the allotment of land to members of the Scheduled Tribes in such cases.
Land being a State subject, various provisions of rehabilitation and resettlement as per the RFCTLARR Act, 2013
are implemented by the concerned State Governments.
V. Legal Services
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides for legal services to members of Scheduled Tribes.
VI. Prevention of Atrocities Act
The SCs and the STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989” has been introduced to prevent the commission of
offences of atrocities.
It aims to provide for the trial of such offences and for the relief of rehabilitation of the victims of such offences and
for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Wrongfully dispossessing members of SCs and STs from their land or premises or interfering with the enjoyment of
their rights, including forest rights, over any land or premises or water or irrigation facilities or destroying the crops
or taking away the produce there from amount to atrocities and are offence.
Tribal Development
Government introduces bill in Rajya Sabha to amend Cinematograph Act

Note4students
Prelims level: Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019
Mains level: Governance of broadcasts and creative industries in India
News
The union government has introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Cinematograph Act and impose strict
penalty to combat the menace of lm piracy.
Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019
1. The Bill seeks to amend provisions of Cinematograph Act, 1952, in order to tackle lm piracy by including penal
provisions for unauthorized camcording and duplication of lms
2. It aims to check piracy, particularly the release of pirated versions of lms on the internet that causes huge losses to
the lm industry and the exchequer.
Curbing Piracy
1. The bill proposes to make lm piracy offences punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and nes that may
extend to ₹10 lakh or both.
2. The proposed amendment states that any person, who without the written authorisation of the copyright owner,
uses any recording device to make or transmit a copy of a lm, or attempts to do so, or abet the making or
transmission of such a copy, will be liable for such a punishment.
Expected Outcomes
Page 107
1. The lm industry has been demanding for a long time that the government consider amendments to the law
preventing camcording and piracy.
2. The proposed amendments would increase industry revenues, boost job creation, ful l important objectives of India’s
National Intellectual Property policy.
3. It will give relief against piracy and infringing content online.
Intellectual Property Rights in India
Bill to counter exploitation by NRI spouses

Note4students
Prelims level: Particulars of the Bill
Mains level: Preventing marriage as a tool for exploitation
News
In a bid to counter growing incidents of exploitation of Indian women by NRI (Non Resident Indian) spouses,
External Affairs Ministry has introduced a Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian Bill, 2019
1. According to the new Bill, a marriage between an NRI and an Indian citizen will have to be registered within 30 days
from the date of marriage.
2. Necessary legal provisions have been created in the criminal code and the Passports Act, 1967, to initiate action
against erring NRI spouses.
3. If an NRI man fails to register his marriage within 30 days of date of marriage, his passport can be impounded or
revoked.
4. Also, it allows courts to attach properties, movable and immovable, of “proclaimed offenders” or people who fail to
appear before courts despite warrants being issued against them.
5. The bill empowers passport authorities to impound or revoke passport or travel documents of NRIs who fail to
register their marriage within 30 days of getting married.
6. The proposed law will be applicable to NRIs marrying Indian women within or even outside India, the bill states.
Impact
1. The Bill aims to prevent victimisation of Indian nationals in fraudulent marriages.

2. The Bill will create accountability and protect those who are trapped in fraudulent marriages and are abandoned by
their spouses.
3. It is expected that the Bill will serve as a deterrent for NRI spouses, who use marriages as a tool of exploitation.
Way Forward
1. The introduction of the Bill was necessitated by the Ministry due to numerous complaints received from Indian
nationals mostly women deserted or harassed by their Non-Resident Indian Spouses.
2. The Bill proposes to offer greater protection to Indian women married to NRIs and serve as a deterrent to NRIs
against harassment of their spouses.
3. This would provide much needed relief to all Indian women married to NRIs worldwide.
[pib] e-AUSHADHI Portal
Page 108
F EB R U AR Y 14, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
to Health etc.
Prelims level: e-Aushadhi Portal
News
e-AUSHADHI Portal
Ministry of AYUSH has launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and
Homoeopathy drugs.
The portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data
usability and increased accountability. T
In this direction, this new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug
Help Initiative. He further added that
This portal will aid the licensing authority, manufactures and consumers.
It will also provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious
drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for speci c grievances.
[pib] National Policy for Domestic Workers (draft)

F EB R U AR Y 14, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: National policy for domestic workers
Mains level: Welfare measures for domestic workers
News
Draft Policy for Domestic Workers
The Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering to formulate a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in
the draft stage.
The govt. has not enacted any separate law to protect the interest of domestic workers.
Salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers
Inclusion of Domestic Workers in the existing legislations.

Domestic workers will have the right to register as unorganized workers. Such registration will facilitate their
access to rights & bene ts.
Right to form their own associations/unions
Right to minimum wages, access to social security
Right to enhance their skills
Protection of Domestic Workers from abuse and exploitation
Page 109
Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals for grievance redressal
Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of private placement agencies.
Establishment of a grievance redressal system for domestic workers.
Other Policy Measures
1. The Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted for providing social security to all unorganized
workers including domestic workers.
2. The Act provides formulation of social security schemes viz life and disability cover, health and maternity bene ts &
old age protection.
3. The State Governments are mandated under the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 to formulate
suitable welfare schemes for the unorganized sector workers.
Initiatives by states
The State Governments of AP, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerela, Odisha, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and
Tripura have included domestic workers in the schedule of Minimum Wages Act.
The matter of constitution of State Domestic Workers Board is under the jurisdiction of the State Governments.
Human Rights Issues
[pib] National Commission for Safai Karmacharis

F EB R U AR Y 14, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Polity | Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
Prelims level: NCSK
Mains level: Welfare of Safai Karmacharis
News
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karmacharis (NCSK)
beyond 31.3.2019 for three years.
About NCSK
1. The NCSK is a statutory body that looks into matters concerning the Safai Karamcharis’ welfare and makes
recommendations to the government.
2. For the rst time, NCSK was constituted as a statutory body under the NCSK ACT, 1993.
3. This commission continued till February 2004, when the relevant Act expired. Thereafter, the tenure of the
commission has been extended from time to time, as a non-statutory body, the last such extension being up to 31
March 2016.
4. It is working for the welfare of both Safai Karamcharis and Manual Scavengers.
5. It is mandated to work towards the elimination of inequalities in status facilities and opportunities for Safai
Karamcharis and has an important role to ensure rehabilitation of all the identi ed manual scavengers on a time-
bound basis.
6. Under Section 31 of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, the
Commission is to perform functions namely:
To monitor the implementation of the Act;

To inquire into complaints regarding contravention of provisions of the Act; and
To advice Central and State Governments for effective implementation of the Act.
Why extend the tenure?
Page 110
1. NCSK works for the welfare and upliftment of the Safai Karmacharis and persons engaged in manual scavenging in
the country.
2. The number of Manual Scavengers identi ed under the MS Act Survey as on 31.01.2019 is 14226.
3. Under the National Survey undertaken by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment at the behest of NITI Aayog is
31128.
4. Though the Government has taken many steps for the upliftment of the Safai Karamcharis, the deprivation suffered
by them in socio-economic and educational terms is still far from being eliminated.
5. Further the practice of manual scavenging is still prevalent in the country and its eradication continues.
Human Rights Issues
Centre to revamp minimum support for minor forest produce

Note4students
arising out of their design & implementation.
Prelims level: MFPs and other forest products
Mains level: Issues related to forest rights
News
The Centre will frame new guidelines and extend the coverage of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for minor forest
produce (MFP) scheme, which is aimed at bene ting a majority of 10 crore tribals.
The government is also considering increasing the MSP for various MFPs by around 40 per cent.
MSP for MFP scheme
1. The MSP for MFP scheme was started in 2013 to ensure fair and remunerative prices to MFP gatherers.
2. The new system would be decentralized with district collectors holding the responsibility of implementing the
scheme.
3. Moreover, self-help groups will be formed to sell MFP in village haats and value addition centres will be set up.
4. The area of operation would be expanded to 307 districts across 27 states.
Why such scheme?
1. Tribals depend on MFP for food, fodder, shelter, medicines and cash income.
2. It provides them critical subsistence during lean seasons, particularly for primitive tribal groups such as hunter,
gatherers, and the landless.
3. In fact, according to Planning Commission data, tribals derive 20-40 per cent of their annual income from MFP.
Need for proper implementation
1. While it has been more than ve years since the scheme was launched, it has not been implemented properly.
2. Despite the MFP rights being given to tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act, many states have nationalized
MFPs like tendu, monopolising their trade, which is against the law.
3. The allocations made under the scheme have over the years been heavily under-utilized, so much that around 90 per
cent of the funds since the inception of the plan have remained unspent.
Back2Basics
Forest Produce
1. The essential condition to be quali ed as a forest produce is that the products should be either found in or be brought
from forest.
Page 111
2. Section 2(4) of the Indian Forest Act 1927 de nes only “forest-produce” and this term connotes to those products
whether found in, or brought from a forest such as
timber, charcoal, caoutchouc, catechu, wood-oil, resin, natural varnish, bark, lac, mahua owers, mahua seeds, kuth
and myrabolams,
trees and leaves, owers and fruits, and all other parts or produce of trees,
plants not being trees (including grass, creepers, reeds and moss), and all parts or produce of such plants,
wild animals and skins, tusks, horns, bones, silk, cocoons, honey and wax, and all other parts or produce of animals,
and
peat, surface soil, rock and minerals (including lime-stone, laterite, mineral oils), and all products of mines or quarries;
Minor Forest Produce
Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a subset of forest produce and got a de nition only in 2007 when the Scheduled
Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, was enacted.
Section 2(i) of the said Act de nes a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) as all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and
includes bamboo, brushwood, stumps, canes, Tusser, cocoon, honey, waxes, Lac, tendu/kendu leaves, medicinal
plants and herbs, roots, tuber and the like.
***Thus, the de nition of “minor forest produce” included bamboo and cane, thereby changing the categorization of
bamboo and cane as “trees” under the Indian Forest Act 1927.
***Now, Bamboo is taxonomically a grass now ceases to be a tree as per the ordinance promulgated by the
President in 2017.
Tribal Development
Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans fat hazard

Note4students
Prelims level: Eat Right Movement, Swastha Bharat Yatra, Heart Attack Rewind, TFA
Mains level: Read the attached story.
News
The Kerala state Health Department has drawn up an action plan to generate public awareness on the harmful
effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) in commercially available food items.
Plan to phase out TFA
1. The plan is aimed to encourage the local food industry to meet the current statutory limits set for TFA.
2. An unhealthy diet with a high TFA content is a signi cant factor that pushes up metabolic syndrome and the burden
of its associated complications amongst Keralites.
3. The year-long action plan has speci c components on building awareness on trans fat amongst food business
operators (FBOs) and giving them scienti c sessions and training on how they can keep their food TFA-free.
4. Generating public awareness on the harmful effects of trans fat, especially among schoolchildren, is being given
special focus.
5. Clear timelines are being set as to when each of the components of the plan should be completed and when
enforcement should begin.
Focus on low Sodium content food
Page 112
1. Salt being a major contributor to hypertension and stroke, the action plan also plans to address the high salt content
in processed foods, pickles, papads and condiments by encouraging manufacturers to move to low sodium options.
2. The pickle industry is in agreement that good hygienic and manufacturing practices and low sodium options can
reduce the salt content in their products.
Need for alternatives
1. The food industry is willing to ditch partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs, one of the main sources of TFA in
industrially produced food ).
2. It aims to switch to TFA-free margarine or shortening to produce baked goods.
Support for initiative
1. The department is being supported in this initiative by Vital Strategies, the nutrition wing of the World Bank, WHO,
the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
2. The State Food Safety wing will be in charge of enforcement.
3. An experts’ group has been constituted for the implementation of the guidelines on TFA and salt reduction.
Back2Basics
Trans Fats
Food Safety Standards – FSSAI, food forti cation, etc.
[pib] Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM- SYM)

F EB R U AR Y 15, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
News
The PM Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM)will be rolled out by the Ministry of Labour and Employment from. 15th
Feb, 2019.
PM Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM)
1. PM-SYM will be a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment and implemented
through Life Insurance Corporation of India and CSCs.
2. LIC will be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.
3. The amount collected under PM-SYM pension scheme shall be invested as per the investment pattern speci ed by
GoI.
Eligibility Criteria
1. The unorganised workers mostly engaged as home based workers, street vendors, mid-day meal workers, head
loaders, brick kiln workers, cobblers, rag pickers, domestic workers, washer men, rickshaw pullers, landless labourers,
etc. whose monthly income is Rs 15,000/ per month or less and belong to the entry age group of 18-40 years are
eligible for the scheme.
Page 113
2. They should not be covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
3. Further, he/she should not be an income tax payer.
Salient Features of PM-SYM

Pension Pay out
1. Once the bene ciary joins the scheme at the entry age of 18-40 years, the bene ciary has to contribute till 60 years
of age.
2. On attaining the age of 60 years, the subscriber will get the assured monthly pension of Rs.3000/- with bene t of
family pension, as the case may be.
Family Pension
During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse of the bene ciary shall be entitled to receive 50%
of the pension received by the bene ciary as family pension.
Family pension is applicable only to spouse.
Contribution by the Subscriber
The subscriber’s contributions to PM-SYM shall be made through ‘auto-debit’ facility from his/ her savings bank
account/ Jan- Dhan account.
The subscriber is required to contribute the prescribed contribution amount from the age of joining PM-SYM till the
age of 60 years.
Matching contribution by the Central Government
PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme on a 50:50 basis where prescribed age-speci c
contribution shall be made by the bene ciary and the matching contribution by the Central Government.
For example, if a person enters the scheme at an age of 29 years, he is required to contribute Rs 100/ – per month
till the age of 60 years.
An equal amount of Rs 100/- will be contributed by the Central Government.
Enrolment Process
The enrolment will be carried out by all the Community Service Centers (CSCs).
The subscriber will be required to have a mobile phone, savings bank account and Aadhaar number.
The eligible subscriber may visit the nearest CSCs and get enrolled for PM-SYM using Aadhaar number and savings
bank account/ Jan-Dhan account number on self-certi cation basis.
Facilitation Centres
All the branch of ces of LIC, the of ces of ESIC/EPFO and all Labour of ces of Central and State Governments will
facilitate the unorganised workers about the Scheme.
Parliament passes law removing leprosy as ground for divorce

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Mechanisms, laws, institutions & Bodies constituted for the protection &
Prelims level: Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018
Mains level: Preventing discrimination being faced by leprosy patients in the society
News
Page 114
Parliament has passed a Bill removing leprosy as a ground for divorce under ve personal laws including the Hindu
Marriage Act.
The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2018
1. The bill seeks to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce in ve personal laws – Hindu Marriage Act, Dissolution of
Muslim Marriages Act, Divorce Act (for Christians), Special Marriage Act and the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance
Act.
2. The Bill eliminates leprosy as a ground for dissolution of marriage or divorce.
3. The condition under Section 18 (2) (c) of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, that a Hindu wife is entitled to
live separately from her husband without forfeiting her claim to maintenance if the latter is suffering from a virulent
form of leprosy has been omitted.
Why such move?
1. The Law Commission in its report had recommended repeal of laws and provisions which were discriminatory against
leprosy affected people.
2. Besides, India is a signatory to a UN Resolution which calls for elimination of discrimination against persons suffering
from leprosy.
3. The proposed law follows a National Human Rights Commission recommendation a decade ago to introduce
amendments in personal laws and other statutes.
Minimum wage: what it is, how it is xed

Note4Students
Prelims level: Minimum wage determination criteria
Mains level: Minimum wages for workers
News
Central trade unions have called a nationwide strike today to protest the government’s announcement of a hike in
minimum wages for workers.
Why are the trade unions not happy?
1. The government has announced a 42% increase in minimum wages for unskilled non-agricultural workers in central
sphere.
2. Employees of the central government and allied departments and undertakings, for category ‘C’ areas from Rs 246 a
day to Rs 350 a day — or Rs 9,100 for a month of 26 working days.
3. A, B and C category areas are determined broadly on the basis of their urban/rural pro le.
4. The trade unions had demanded statutory minimum wage for all workers of not less than Rs 18,000 per month.
Who will bene t from the increase?
1. The minimum wage revision will be applicable to central government employees in its scheduled employment, in line
with the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act, 1948.
2. Currently, there are 45 scheduled employments under the central sphere, including agriculture, stone mines,
construction, non-coal mines, and loading and unloading, and around 1,679 employments of states.
How is the minimum wage determined?
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1. The norms for determining the minimum wage were recommended by the Indian Labour Conference in 1957.
2. It decided that the minimum wage should be need-based, and should ensure the minimum human needs of the
industrial worker.
3. Five norms were suggested:
Three consumption units for one earner in a standard working class family, with the earnings of women, children
and adolescents in the family being disregarded.
Net intake of 2,700 calories for an average Indian adult of moderate activity.
Per capita consumption of cloth of 18 yards per annum, which would mean for the average worker’s family of 4 a
total 72 yards.
Rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under the Subsidised Industrial Housing Scheme for low-
income groups.
Fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20 per cent of the total minimum wage.
SC Judgement
1. In 1991, the apex Court, in Raptakos & Co. Vs its workers, ruled that children’s education, medical requirement,
minimum recreation including festivals, ceremonies, provision for old age and marriage, should constitute 25%, and
be used as a guide for xing the wage.
2. These six criteria are considered by the central and state governments to x the minimum wage.
3. The minimum wages include basic and variable dearness allowance, which is revised twice a year based on Consumer
Price Index (Industrial Worker).
Why is there a disparity in minimum wages across India?
1. Based on the recommendations of the National Commission on Rural Labour in 1991, a National Floor Level Minimum
Wage was proposed in order to have a uniform wage structure across the country.
2. In 1996, the NFL Minimum Wage was xed at Rs 35 per day, which was revised in subsequent years and currently
stands at Rs 160 per day.
3. Since this Wage does not have statutory backing, it is not mandatory for states — although they are advised to x
minimum wages at not less than the National Floor Level Minimum Wage.
4. Some states such as Kerala and Delhi already have a higher minimum wage for unskilled labourers than what has
been announced by the government.
5. However, in the absence of legal backing, the lowest minimum wage drops very low.
Explained: Effect on Bills when Parliament adjourns sine die

Note4students
signi cant provisions & basic structure
Prelims level: Lapse of any Bill in Parliament
Mains level: Law making procedures in India
News
As the nal session of the 16th Lok Sabha adjourned sine die, 46 Bills, including the contentious Citizenship
(Amendment) Bill and the one on banning triple talaq, are set to lapse on 3 June when the term of the present Lok
Sabha ends.
When does a Bill lapse in Indian Parliament?
Page 116
Depending on the status of the pending legislation, and where it originated, there are certain cases in which the Bill
lapses on dissolution of Assembly.
I. Bills originated in Lok Sabha
Any Bill that originated in the Lok Sabha, but could not be passed, lapses.
A Bill originated and passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha also lapses
II. Bills originated in Rajya Sabha
The Constitution also gives MPs in Rajya Sabha the power to introduce a Bill.
Therefore a Bill that originated in Rajya Sabha and was passed by it, but remains pending in Lok Sabha also lapses.
A Bill originated in the Rajya Sabha and returned to that House by the Lok Sabha with amendments and still pending
in the Rajya Sabha on the date of the dissolution of Lok Sabha lapses.
When a Bill does not lapse

1. Not all Bills, which haven’t yet become law, lapse at the end of the Lok Sabha’s term.
2. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, but not passed by the Lok Sabha, does not lapse.
3. A Bill passed by both the Houses but pending assent of the President of India, does not lapse.
4. A Bill passed by both Houses but returned by the President of India for reconsideration of the Parliament does not
lapse.
5. Some pending Bills and all pending assurances that are to be examined by the Committee on Government
Assurances also does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Exceptions for a Joint Sitting
1. Apart from the aforementioned exceptions, another situation when a Bill does not automatically lapse with end of the
nal Parliament session is if the president calls for a joint sitting to vote on a Bill.
2. Article 108 of the Constitution states that the president may, unless the Bill has elapsed by reason of a dissolution of
the LS, summon both Houses to meet in a joint sitting for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the Bill.
3. If at the joint sitting of the two Houses, the Bill, with such amendments, if any, is passed by a majority of the total
number of members of both Houses present and voting, it shall be deemed to have been passed by both Houses.
4. However there is no provision of joint sittings on a Money Bill or a Amendment Bill.
What happens to Bills that have lapsed?
If a Bill is elapsed by virtue of one or more of the conditions explained above, it will have to be reintroduced in the
new Lok Sabha (as is or with amendments) should the new government feel the need for it.
Alternative: Promulgating an Ordinance (Art.123)
The lapse of a Bill in Parliament still does not prevent the incumbent government from issuing an Ordinance to bring
forth the legislation it intended to through the lapsed Bill.
According to the Constitution, the government of the day can bring in Ordinance if the Parliament is not in session
and if the president is convinced of the urgency of the matter that it can’t wait till the House comes in session again.
The Constitution does not explicitly bans a government nearing the end of its term from doing so.
Since the lifespan of an ordinance in six months, or till the Parliament’s next session (which in this case will be after
the election of 17th Lok Sabha) any ordinance promulgated by the current government is likely to outlive its tenure.
Noteworthy Bills lapsing with current Lok Sabha
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016
Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019
Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016
DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill
With inputs from:
Page 117
Firstpost
PRS India
WHO issues new international standard for music devices

Note4students
Prelims level: “Make Listening Safe” Initiative
News
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has issued a new
international standard for the manufacture and use of musical devices.
“Make Listening Safe” Initiative
1. The standard for safe listening devices was developed under WHO’s “Make Listening Safe” initiative by experts from
WHO and ITU.
2. It suggested that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through the following public health measures:
Sound allowance function: software that tracks the level and duration of the user’s exposure to sound as a
percentage used of a reference exposure
Personalized pro le: an individualized listening pro le, based on the user’s listening practices, which informs the
user of how safely (or not) he or she has been listening and gives cues for action based on this information
Volume limiting options: options to limit the volume, including automatic volume reduction and parental volume
control
General information: information and guidance to users on safe listening practices, both through personal audio
devices and for other leisure activities
Why such move?
1. The aim behind the move is to prevent young people from going deaf.
2. Nearly 50 per cent of people aged 12-35 years are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to
loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices.
3. Over ve per cent of the world’s population has disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children);
impacting on their quality of life.
4. The majority live in low- and middle-income countries.
5. It is estimated that by 2050, over 900 million people or 1 in every 10 people will have disabling hearing loss.
6. Hearing loss which is not addressed poses an annual global cost of $750 billion.
India’s city compost policy needs overhauling

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance| Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and
Page 118
Prelims level: SBA, Policy on Promotion of City Compost
Mains level: Solid Waste Management in India
News
Background
The Swachh Bharat Mission had committed to ensuring that all organic waste produced in Indian cities is processed
into making compost by October 2019.
However it doesn’t seem likely, currently, not even 5 per cent of organic waste generated by cities is converted into
compost.
Policy on Promotion of City Compost
1. To meet the ambitious target, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers had announced a Policy on Promotion of City
Compost in February 2016.
2. It aimed to promote city compost with punch line ‘Compost Banao, Compost Apnao’.
3. But the lack of an appropriate market and ineffective implementation didn’t give this much-needed practice the
desired popularity.
Potential for city compost
1. India currently produces close to 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste every day and its biodegradable fraction ranges
between 30 per cent and 70 per cent for various Indian cities.
2. This means there is a huge potential for compositing, the most natural form of processing wet waste.
3. Uncontrolled decomposition of organic waste in dumpsites also leads to emission of potent greenhouse gases.
4. So, it is imperative that necessary actions be taken to promote appropriate disposal mechanisms for solid waste
management.
Policy Paralysis
1. The policy on promotion of city compost was rolled out to facilitate its marketing through xed MDA of Rs 1,500.
2. This subsidy was to reduce the selling price of compost for farmers.
3. It required agreements amongst municipal body, compost manufacturer and compost marketer, including fertiliser
companies.
4. But, unlike the predictions that the new nancial incentives will boost promotion and production of compost, it did not
prove to be a game-changer.
5. The high manufacturing and selling cost of the compost, questionable product quality, no direct incentive/subsidy to
farmers and lack of knowledge among other concerns, ensured city compost didn’t become a popular option for
farmers.
Other Bottlenecks
1. The money allocated for MDA subsidy in the last three years is so meager that it could not meet the requirement of
even 2 per cent of the SBM’s target.
2. In addition, the process to claim MDA is so tedious that most manufacturers and fertiliser companies have not
received any payment under it.
3. A rm producing chemical fertilizers and its dealers are unlikely to be enthusiastic about selling organic compost till
there is a legal mandate. The current policy has subsidy but no legal targets.
4. They are just “supposed to” co-market fertilisers with city compost in a way that there are 6-7 bags of urea and 1-2
bags of city compost.
Way Forward
1. To create a demand for quality compost, it is necessary to ensure that robust waste management systems are
developed in cities, with source-segregation and promotion of decentralized waste management at its heart.
2. We need a much more serious policy to scale up production and consumption of city compost.
Page 119
3. It should support other factors such as by reforms in terms of fertilizer control order norms, stringent targets for
fertilizer companies etc.
Swachh Bharat Mission
Why only bureaucrats on information panels, asks SC

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Polity | Statutory, regulatory & various quasi-judicial bodies
Prelims level: CIC, SIC
Mains level: Implementation of the RTI Act
News
The Central Information Commission (CIC) and State Information Commissions, the country’s apex bodies
entrusted to uphold the citizen’s right to information, have been bastions of government employees and their
retired counterparts.
The apex court has found that “of cial bias” in favour of bureaucrats and government employees was evident from
the very beginning of the process for their appointment.
Getting ‘Eminent Persons’ onboard
1. The court raised concerns over how government employees or retired ones had consistently been found “more
competent and more suitable” than eminent persons from other walks of life.
2. The Right to Information Act of 2005 law was enacted to ensure accountability in governance.
3. The act itself requires people from varied domains to man the Commissions.
4. The apex court directed the government to look beyond bureaucrats and appoint professionals from “all walks of life,”
including eminent persons with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service,
management, journalism as Information Commissioners.
Preventing Of cial bias
1. Parliament intended that persons of eminence in public life should be taken as Chief Information Commissioner as
well Information Commissioners.
2. Many persons who t the criteria have been applying for these posts.
3. However, a strange phenomenon which we observe is that all those persons who have been selected belong to only
one category, namely, public service, i.e., they are the government employees.
4. In fact, the selection committee, which shortlists candidates for appointment, is itself composed of government
employees.
5. Of cial bias in favour of its own class is writ large in the selection process.
Other issues with RTI Mechanism
1. The Supreme Court concluded that the entire RTI mechanism has been choked by rising pendency and growing
number of vacancies of Information Commissioners.
2. Now, the Supreme Court has, for the rst time, put the government on a deadline as far as lling vacancies in the
Commissions.
3. The court directed that the process of appointment should commence at least one or two months before the
retirement is due.
Back2Basics
Central Information Commission (CIC)
Page 120
1. The Central Information Commission (CIC) set up under the Right to Information Act is the authorized quasi judicial
body, established in 2005.
2. It acts upon complaints from those individuals who have not been able to submit information requests due to either
the of cer not having been appointed, or because the respective Of cer refused to receive the application for
information under the RTI Act.
3. The Commission includes 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and not more than 10 Information Commissioners
(IC) who are appointed by the President of India.
4. CIC and members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of—
Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha; a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated
by the Prime Minister.
RTI – CIC, RTI Backlog, etc.
[pib] Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)

F E B R U A R Y 1 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance| Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these schemes
Prelims level: DDRS
Mains level: Welfare Schemes for Divyangjans
News
For the overall empowerment of Divyangajan, a Regional Conference on Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme
(DDRS) was organized by the Dept. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment.
Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)
1. The umbrella Central Sector Scheme called the “Scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities”
was revised in 2003 and was renamed as the DDRS.
2. The approach of this Scheme is to provide nancial assistance to voluntary organizations to make available the whole
range of services necessary for rehabilitation of PwD.
3. The recommendation from the District Social Welfare Of cer and State Government is required in release of grant-in-
aid to NGOs.
4. The list of model projects which have been optimized, includes, Pre-Schools, Early Intervention and Training; Special
Schools for:
Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Hearing and Speech Disabilities
Visual Disabilities
Project for Cerebral Palsied children
Rehabilitation of Leprosy cured persons
Half Way Home for psycho-Social Rehabilitation of treated and controlled mentally ill persons
Home based Rehabilitation and Home Management etc.
Objectives of the scheme
1. To create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of persons
with disabilities.
Page 121
2. To encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the People with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act of 1995.
Impact
1. Under the scheme, every year more than 600 NGOs are provided with nancial assistance for running their projects
for the rehabilitation of PwD.
2. The NGOs being funded are catering the rehabilitative services to more than 35000 to 40000 bene ciaries every
year.
Explained: The lowdown on National Security Act

Note4students
signi cant provisions and basic structure.
From UPSC perspectives, following things are important:
Prelims level: Provisions related to preventive detention
Mains Level: Art. 22 Vs. Preventive Detention
News
Background
1. Recently a state govt. invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against three men accused of killing a cow.
2. In December last year, a Manipur journalist, who had posted an alleged offensive Facebook post on the CM, was
detained for 12 months under the NSA.
3. This and a spate of recent cases have invoked the stringent provisions of the NSA to detain citizens for questionable
offences.
4. This brought the focus back on the potential abuse of the controversial law.
National Security Act
1. The NSA empowers the Centre or a State government to detain a person to prevent him from acting in any manner
prejudicial to national security.
2. The government can also detain a person to prevent him from disrupting public order or for maintenance of supplies
and services essential to the community. T
3. The maximum period for which one may be detained is 12 months.
4. But the term can be extended if the government nds fresh evidence.
History of Preventive Detention in India
1. Preventive detention laws in India date back to early days of the colonial era when the Bengal Regulation III of 1818
was enacted.
2. It aimed to empower the government to arrest anyone for defence or maintenance of public order without giving the
person recourse to judicial proceedings.
3. A century later, the British government enacted the Rowlatt Acts of 1919 that allowed con nement of a suspect
without trial.
4. Post-independence India got its rst preventive detention rule when the government of PM Nehru enacted the
Preventive Detention Act of 1950.
How did NSA come about?
1. The NSA is a close iteration of the 1950 Act.

2. After the Preventive Detention Act expired on December 31, 1969, the then PM, Indira Gandhi, brought in the
controversial Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) in 1971 giving similar powers to the government.
Page 122
3. Though the MISA was repealed in 1977 after the successive government, led by Mrs. Gandhi, brought in the NSA.
Legal Provisions for NSA
1. In the normal course, if a person is arrested, he or she is guaranteed certain basic rights. These include the right to be
informed of the reason for the arrest.
2. Section 50 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC) mandates that the person arrested has to be informed of the
grounds of arrest, and the right to bail.
3. Sections 56 and 76 of the Cr. PC also provides that a person has to be produced before a court within 24 hours of
arrest.
Extra-Judicial nature of NSA
1. Article 22(1) of the Constitution says an arrested person cannot be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by,
a legal practitioner of his choice.
2. But none of these rights are available to a person detained under the NSA.
3. A person could be kept in the dark about the reasons for his arrest for up to ve days, and in exceptional
circumstances not later than 10 days.
4. Even when providing the grounds for arrest, the government can withhold information which it considers to be
against public interest to disclose.
5. The arrested person is also not entitled to the aid of any legal practitioner in any matter connected with the
proceedings before an advisory board, which is constituted by the government for dealing with NSA cases.
Why it matters?
1. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which collects and analyses crime data in the country, does not include
cases under the NSA in its data as no FIRs are registered.
2. Hence, no gures are available for the exact number of detentions under the NSA.
3. Experts say these cases point to the fact that governments sometimes use it as an extra-judicial power.
Way Forward
1. The NSA has been in the news for all the wrong reasons.
2. It is time to reconsider the law because in four decades of its existence.
Human Rights Issues
Govt issues guidelines to set up EV charging stations

F E B R U A R Y 1 9, 2 0 1 9 | C U S TOM
Note4students
Prelims level: Byelaws for EV charging
Mains level: Issues related to the (possible) early adoption of the EVs in India.
News
In line with the 2030 deadline of 25 percent of vehicles in India to be all-electric, the government has issued new
guidelines for strengthening the country EV infrastructure.
New Byelaws for EVs
1. The MoHUA has made amendments to the Model Building Byelaws (MBBL) 2016 and Urban Regional Development
Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines 2014, making provisions for establishing EV charging
Page 123
infrastructure.
2. The guidelines will act as a guiding document to the state governments and UTs to incorporate the norms and
standards of such vehicles in their respective building byelaws.
Charging Stations
1. It has issued a set of guidelines to set up charging stations for electric vehicles across the country, outlining ways to
build such fuelling points every 25 km.
2. For long range and heavy-duty electric vehicles, there should be at least one station on each side of the highway
every 100 kilometers.
3. The government has also advocated for charging points in residential areas.
4. It also stated a public charging station should be on both sides of the highways or roads on every 25 km.
Electric and Hybrid Cars – FAME, National Electric Mobility Mission, etc.
Criticism without incitement to violence isn’t sedition

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Security | Challenges to internal security through communication networks
Prelims level: Section 124A
Mains level: Rising seditious events and the questioned applicability of the IPC provisions
Context
De ning Sedition
1. Sedition was not a part of the original IPC that was enacted in 1860 — it was introduced in 1870, when it was said it
had been dropped from the original IPC draft by mistake.
2. Under Section 124A of the IPC, the offence of sedition is committed when any person by words or otherwise brings
or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the government
established by law.
3. Three explanations added to the provision lay down that while “disaffection” shall include disloyalty and all feelings of
enmity, comments without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, will not constitute an
offence.
4. Sedition is a cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offence under the law, entailing life imprisonment as
maximum punishment, with or without a ne.
How was this provision of the IPC used by the government of the British Raj?
1. It came in handy to silent nationalist voices and demands for freedom — the long list of India’s national heroes who
gured as accused in cases of sedition.
2. Lokmanya Tilak was sentenced to six years in jail after he was held guilty of sedition by the Privy Council for writing a
piece in his newspaper, Kesari, under the heading “The misfortune of the country”.
3. However, ‘sedition’ was interpreted differently by the Federal Court that started functioning in 1937, and the Privy
Council, which was the highest court of appeal based in London.
4. The Privy Council underscored the law laid down in Tilak’s case to hold that incitement to violence was not a
necessary precondition for constituting the crime of sedition.
5. It held that excitement of feelings of enmity to the government was suf cient to establish guilt under Section 124A.
How has the Supreme Court interpreted Section 124A since Independence?
1. In 1962, the Supreme Court dealt with an appeal by one Kedar Nath Singh from Bihar, who had been convicted and
jailed under the charge for delivering a derogatory speech.
Page 124
2. In his appeal to the top court, Singh questioned the constitutional validity of Section 124A, contending it sti ed his
right to free speech under Article 19 of the Constitution.
3. The court faced two directly con icting interpretations of Section 124A — one by the Federal Court in Niharendu
Dutt’s case; the other by the Privy Council in the Sadashiv Narayan Bhalerao case.
4. The judgments expressed contradictory views on whether the incitement to violence or a tendency to disturb public
order was a necessary ingredient of the offence under Section 124A.
Supreme Court ruling in the case
1. The court examined whether the constitutionality of Section 124A could be protected as a reasonable restriction on
the right to free speech, with particular reference to the security of the state and public order.
2. It upheld the constitutional validity of Section 124A in the IPC by holding that the purpose of the crime of sedition was
to prevent the government established by law from being subverted.
3. This is because the continued existence of the Government established by law is an essential condition of the
stability of the State.
What then is sedition?
1. The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled in the Kedar Nath case that any act that had the “effect of
subverting the Government” by violent means or create public disorder would come within the de nition of sedition.
2. The feeling of disloyalty to the Government established by law or enmity to it imports the idea of tendency to public
disorder by the use of actual violence or incitement to violence.
3. In other words, any written or spoken words, etc., which have implicit in them the idea of subverting Government by
violent means, which are compendiously included in the term ‘revolution’ is sedition, ruled the court.
What is not sedition?
1. The court ruled that disapproval of the measures of government with a view to their improvement or alteration by
lawful means is not sedition.
2. Comments, however strongly worded, expressing disapprobation of actions of the Government, without exciting
those feelings which generate the inclination to cause public disorder by acts of violence” would not attract the penal
offence.
3. The court added that “commenting in strong terms upon the measures or acts of Government, or its agencies, so as
to ameliorate the condition of the people or to secure the cancellation or alteration of those acts or measures by
lawful means is not sedition.
4. That is to say, without exciting those feelings of enmity and disloyalty which imply excitement to public disorder or the
use of violence, is not sedition.
5. A citizen has a right to say or write whatever he likes about the Government, or its measures, by way of criticism or
comment, so long as he does not incite people to violence against the Government established by law or with the
intention of creating public disorder.
Freedom of Speech – Defamation, Sedition, etc.
Rajasthan gears up for social accountability Bill

Note4students

Prelims level: Rajasthan Social Accountability Bill, 2019
Mains level: Best practices of bringing transparency and accountability in administration
News
Page 125
Rajasthan state government is all geared up to bring Rajasthan Social Accountability Bill, 2019.
The Bill would ensure accountability of public functionaries and authorities for timely delivery of goods, services and
disposal of their grievances on time.
Rajasthan Social Accountability Bill, 2019
1. The draft bill aims at ensuring provision of quality individual goods and public goods and services in a time bound
manner.
2. It says that every person/group of persons shall have the right to be mandatorily informed about the planning,
implementation and expenditure of delivery of all goods and services through a comprehensive and open architecture
for information dissemination.
Aim and Objectives
1. The draft bill aims at ensuring provision of quality individual goods and public goods and services in a time bound
manner.
2. The Bill includes provisions for citizens’ charter, public hearing, social audit and information and facilitation centres.
3. The new accountability law would incorporate the provisions of the Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act and
the Right to Hearing Act.
Time bound grievance redressal
1. Every person/group of persons shall have the right to le a grievance, obtain a dated acknowledgement receipt and
ensure the redress of such grievances as per provisions of this Act.
2. It provisions that every complainant shall have the right to participate in a block level open public hearing in the
presence of concerned of cials within 14 days of ling the grievance.
3. The complainant shall have the right to disposal of the grievance and the receipt of a written Action Taken Report
within 30 days of ling the grievance.
4. In case of not getting satisfactory response, the complainant shall have the right to appeal against the decision taken
on his/her grievance to an independent appellate authority at the District/Divisional and State Level.
Corruption Challenges – Lokpal, POCA, etc
[pib] National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India

F EB R U AR Y 2 0 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4Students
Prelims level: National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India
Mains level: Menace of narcotic drugs in India
News
An addiction plague has steadily swallowed India a/c to a study conducted by the National Drug Dependence
Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
The study, named “National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India” is a rst of its kind as it gives
pan-India and state-level data.
National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India
1. The survey report, which was submitted to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on noted that 5.7
crore people in the country suffered from alcohol related problems.
Page 126
2. The survey spanned all the 36 states and UTs of India and citizens between the ages of 10 to 75 responded to the
questions set in the study regarding substance abuse.
3. The intoxicant categories that were studied are as follows: alcohol, cannabis (bhang and ganja/charas), opioids (opium,
heroin and pharmaceutical opioids), cocaine, amphetamine type stimulants (ATS), sedatives, inhalants and
hallucinogens.
Magnitude of Substance use in India

I. Alcohol
1. Of the 16 crore people who consumed alcohol across the country, prevalence of alcohol consumption was 17 times
higher among men than among women.
2. More than four lakh children and 1.8 million adults needed help for inhalant abuse and dependence.
3. The male to female ratio of alcohol users in India is 17:1 and most men consume either ‘desi’ liquor (30 per cent) or
Indian Made Foreign Liquor (30 per cent).
4. A total of 5.2 per cent of the population indulge in harmful alcohol use, means that every third drinker in the country is
in dire need of medical help in curing his/her addiction.
II. Cannabis (Bhang, Ganja & Charas)
1. According to the survey, over 3.1 crore Indians (2.8%) reported to have used any cannabis product in last one year.
2. Although, the usage of Bhang use is more common than Ganja or Charas but in case of addiction, the number of
dependent users is higher for addicts of Ganja and Charas.
3. Cannabis consumption is higher than the national average in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Delhi.
4. In Punjab and Sikkim, the prevalence of cannabis use disorders is considerably higher (more than thrice) than the
national average.
III. Heroin, Opium & others
1. At the national level, Heroin is most commonly used substance followed by pharmaceutical opioids, followed by
opium (Afeem).
2. However, in case of harmful dependence, more people are dependent on Heroin than other similar drugs like Afeem.
3. Of the total 60 lakh users of Heroin and Afeem, majority of them are from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi,
Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
IV. Sedatives and inhalants
1. Less than 1% or nearly 1.18 crore people use sedatives, non medical or non prescription use. However, what is more
worrying that its prevalence is high among children and adolescents.
2. At national level, there are 4.6 lakh children that need help against the harmful or dependence over inhalants.
3. This problem of addiction of children is more prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and
Haryana.
4. Cocaine (0.10%) Amphetamine Type Stimulants (0.18%) and Hallucinogens (0.12%) are the categories with lowest
prevalence of current use in the country.
V. Addicts who inject drugs
1. According to the survey, there are 8.5 lakh people in the country who inject drugs (PWID).
2. Users of opium based drugs report high incidence of injecting drugs (heroin 46% and pharmaceutical opioids 46%), a
large number of these drug users report risky injecting practices.
3. This risky practice more prevalent in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland
[pib] Development and Welfare Board for De-noti ed, Nomadic and Semi-
Nomadic Communities
F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Page 127
Note4students
Prelims level: Idate and Renke Commission Recommendations, NCDNT
News
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for constitution of Development and Welfare Board for Denoti ed,
Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Communities (DNCs).
Background
5. The earlier commissions — Renke and Idate — had tried to identify and list these communities but their major
recommendations have not been implemented till date.
Welfare Board for DNTs
1. The Government has decided to set up a Development and Welfare Board under the Societies Registration Act, 1860
under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
2. While most DNTs are spread across the SC, ST and OBC categories, some DNTs are not covered in any of these.
3. These communities are hard to reach, less visible, and therefore frequently left out.
4. It has, therefore, approved the setting up of a Committee under the Chairpersonship of Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog.
5. It will complete the process of identi cation of the Denoti ed, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNCs) that
have not yet been formally classi ed.
Back2Basics
National Commission for DNTs
1. The Government in July 2014 had constituted National Commission for Denoti ed, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic
Tribes (NCDNT) for a period of three years to prepare a State-wise list of castes belonging to DNTs.
2. The Commission recommended for the setting of up a Permanent Commission for these communities.
3. Since most of the DNTs are covered in SC, ST or OBC, constitution of a Permanent Commission will not be very
effective in implementing development programmes.
4. Rather it will look at grievance redressal and will therefore be in con ict with mandate of existing commissions for
SCs, STs and OBCs.
Tribal Development
[pib] Operation Digital Board

F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Page 128
Prelims level: Op Digital Board
Mains level: Raising standard of teaching and learning in India
News
The Ministry of HRD launched Operation Digital Board to leverage technology in order to boost quality education in
the country.
Operation Digital Board

1. It is a revolutionary step which will make the learning as well as the teaching process interactive and popularize
ipped learning as a pedagogical approach.
2. The digital board will be introduced all over the country in government and government aided schools from class 9th
onwards as well as in higher education institutions.
3. The process will begin from the coming session of 2019 itself.
Implementation
I. In Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
UGC will be the implementing agency for ODB in HEIs.

UGC will put in place a Portal for all the public funded HEIs to log-in and opt for the scheme giving details of this
facility.
This can be implemented as a Central scheme under a loan from HEFA.
II. In Schools
Digital / SMART board will be provided in all Government and Government – aided schools having Secondary and Sr.
Secondary classes.
Nearly 1.5 lakh Secondary / Sr. Secondary schools will be covered under the scheme in collaboration with the State
and UTs
Bene ts
1. ODB aims at converting a class room into a digital class room.
2. It will make available e-resources at any time and at any place to students.
3. It will also help in provisioning of personalized adaptive learning as well as Intelligent Tutoring by exploiting emerging
technologies like Machine Learning, AI & Data Analytics.
Other technological initiatives

1. The MHRD has launched of e-Pathshala, DIKSHA, NROER, NPTEL, E-PGpathshala SWAYAM and SWAYAM-Prabha
DTH Channels etc.
2. These have provided adequate content of high quality which can be taken to every classroom.
3. These pedagogical interventions have raised the standards of teaching, irrespective of the location of the Schools
and Colleges.
[pib] HOPE Portal

F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Page 129
Prelims level: Ayushman Bharat scheme, NABH, HOPE Portal
Mains level: Standardization of Healthcare facilities in India
News
National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations (NABH) has revamped Entry-Level
Certi cation Process of hospitals to make it simpler, digital, faster and user-friendly.
Why NABH Certi cation?
1. HCOs and small HCOs that want to avail bene ts associated with IRDAI and Ayushman Bharat.
2. NABH accreditation provides assurance of quality and care in hospitals at par with international benchmarks.
3. NABH has designed an exhaustive healthcare standard for hospitals and healthcare providers that have been
accredited as per global standards.
HOPE Portal
1. The revamped certi cation process is driven through a new portal called HOPE – Healthcare Organizations’ Platform
for Entry-Level-Certi cation.
2. It is an online platform for smooth and secure registration which provides a self-explanatory questionnaire to be lled
by the HCO/SHCOs.
3. It ensures quality at nascent stages by enrolling a wide range of hospitals across the country including Healthcare
Organizations (HCOs).
4. HOPE also enables them to comply with quality protocols, improve patient safety and the overall healthcare facility of
the organization.
Back2Basics
NABH
1. NABH, a constituent body of QCI, has been working to ensure reliability, ef ciency and global accreditation in Indian
healthcare sector.
2. It uses contemporary methodologies and tools, standards of patient safety and infection control.
About QCI
1. Established in 1997 Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous organization under the DPIIT, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry.
2. It is the Quality Apex and National Accreditation Body for accreditation and quality promotion in the country.
3. The Council was established to provide a credible, reliable mechanism for third party assessment of products,
services and processes which is accepted and recognized globally.
WHO prescribes ‘aerobics 150’ to stay t

Note4students
relating to Health
The following things are important from UPSC perspective:
Prelims Level: Aerobics 150
Mains level: WHO Guidelines for Physical Activity
News
Aerobics 150
Page 130
1. Reiterating the need for physical activity to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD), the WHO has
prescribed 150 minutes of weekly physical activity.
2. It emphasized that physical inactivity is now identi ed as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.
Hazards of physical inactivity
1. The WHO warned that physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence
of NCDs and the general health of the population worldwide.
2. Physical inactivity is estimated to be the main cause for approximately 21%-25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of
diabetes and approximately 30% of ischemic heart disease burden.
3. Regular and adequate levels of physical activity in adults reduces the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, depression and the risk of falls.
WHO Guidelines on Aerobics
1. There is strong evidence to demonstrate that adults between the ages of 18 to 64 should do:
at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week
at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week, or
an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity
2. Aerobic activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration.

3. For additional health bene ts, adults should increase their moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to 300 minutes
per week.
4. Muscle-strengthening activities should be done involving major muscle groups on two or more days a week.
5. Children and youth aged 5-17 years should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to vigorous-intensity
physical activity daily.
6. Amounts of physical activity greater than 60 minutes provide additional health bene ts.
Psychological bene ts
1. Physical activity has also been associated with psychological bene ts in young people by improving their control over
symptoms of anxiety and depression.
2. The WHO noted that physical activity provides young people opportunities for self-expression, building self-
con dence, social interaction and integration.
3. It has also been suggested that physically active young people more readily adopt healthy behaviors (For example,
avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drug use) and demonstrate higher academic performance.
SC eviction order likely to impact 1.89 mn forest families

Note4students
Prelims level: Forest Rights Act (FRA)
Mains level: Issue over forest dwelling rights
News
SC orders Expulsion
The Supreme Court has ordered time-bound expulsion of all those families whose claims under the Forest Rights
Act had been rejected by the authorities.
Page 131
The country-wide data on 1.89 million households comes from the November 2018 report compiled by the Union
tribal affairs ministry.
This is the total number of claims to forest lands that have been rejected under the Forest Rights Act across all 35
states and union territories.
Problems of OTFDs
1. One of the major limitations of the FRA is the differentiated eligibility of ST and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(OTFDs) claimants.
2. This is compounded by the ambiguity in the wording of the Act that has disadvantaged the latter severely.
3. OTFDs are required to prove continuous residence or dependence in the areas being claimed for three generations
(75 years).
4. This dates back to a period when most of these areas were under princely states or zamindars, with no survey or land
demarcation, and no government records.
5. Thus, these equally deserving communities are unable to produce documentary evidence to support their claims.
Explained: Forest Rights Act (FRA)
1. The legislation was passed in December 2006 by the UPA govt.

2. It concerns the rights of forest-dwelling communities to land and other resources, denied to them over decades as a
result of the continuance of colonial forest laws in India.
3. The Act grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities, partially correcting the
injustice caused by the colonial forest laws.
4. Eligibility to get rights under the Act is con ned to those who “primarily reside in forests” and who depend on forests
and forest land for a livelihood.
5. Further, either the claimant must be a member of the Scheduled Tribes scheduled in that area or must have been
residing in the forest for 75 years.
Various rights entitled
1. Title Rights – Ownership to land that is cultivated by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares;
ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family, meaning that no new lands are
granted.
2. Use Rights – To minor forest produce (also including ownership), to grazing areas, to pastoralist routes, etc.
3. Relief and Development Rights – To rehabilitation in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement; and to basic
amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.
4. Forest Management Rights – To protect forests and wildlife.
Agencies Involved
1. The Act provides that the gram sabha, or village assembly, will initially pass a resolution recommending whose rights
to which resources should be recognised.
2. This resolution is then screened and approved at the level of the sub-division (or taluka) and subsequently at the
district level.
3. The screening committees consist of three government of cials (Forest, Revenue and Tribal Welfare departments)
and three elected members of the local body at that level. These committees also hear appeals.
Tribal Development
Indelible ink’s new challenger: invisible ink

Note4students
Prelims level: Indelible and Invisible ink- Chemical composition
Mains level: Not Much
Page 132
News
The Delhi-based National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the creator of indelible ink, has a new concern that, when
applied on the nger, it doesn’t leave a trace.
It merely glows a bright orange when a low-intensity beam of ultraviolet light is shone on it.
Indelible Ink in India

1. The ink was rst used during India’s third General Elections in 1962. Indelible ink has been used in every General
Election since
2. At the time, the country’s election commission was having a tough time dealing with identity theft, as they soon
discovered that there were duplicate or fake votes.
Chemical Composition
1. Indelible ink is made of a chemical compound called silver nitrate.

2. When applied to the skin and exposed to ultraviolet light, it leaves a mark that is almost impossible to wash off.
3. The stain is so strong, in fact, it is only removed when the external skin cells are replaced
4. When put on the skin, silver nitrate reacts with the salt present on it to form silver chloride.
5. Silver chloride is not soluble in water, and clings to the skin. It cannot be washed off with soap and water.
Issues with it
1. The indelible ink was formulated as a deterrent against voting twice.

2. But strangely enough, voters in some countries found the stained nger rather unseemly.
3. In India, we are proud to display our voter’s ink, but apparently in some countries people don’t want to display such a
mark.
Invisible Ink
1. The NPL prepared the ‘invisible ink’ as part of a pilot project mooted by the Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd. (MVPL)
2. It is a transparent liquid as an organic-inorganic mixture that was biodegradable and could be washed off in 48 hours.
3. It works on the well-known principle of uorescence — certain materials emit a characteristic glow when exposed to
ultraviolet light.
4. The NPL ink, however, glows only when exposed to a narrow band of frequencies of ultraviolet (UV) light.
5. The NPL’s invisible ink experiment is linked to a larger project of creating security inks that could be used to make
bank notes and documents, such as passports, more secure.
Electoral Reforms In India
Study blames Indian inheritance law reforms for spike in female foeticide
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Social Issues | Population & associated issues
Mains level: Impact of legislative reforms on sex-ratio in India
News
India’s discriminatory and anti-women inheritance laws appear to have failed to mitigate society’s long-held
preference for sons, according to a new study.
The ndings are supported by the Economic Survey 2017-18, which found an estimated 63 million women–roughly
the population of the UK is ‘missing’ in India.
About the Study
Page 133
1. The study was conducted by researchers at King’s College University, New York University and the University of
Essex, and published in the Journal of Development Economics.
2. It used data from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (1991-92, 1998-9 and 2005-6) and the Rural
Economic and Demographic Survey (REDS) 2006.
Son-biased fertility stopping behaviour
1. Instead of change of law between 1970 to 1990 has inadvertently led to increased female foeticide and higher female
infant-mortality rates, nds the 2018 study.
2. It analysed that families desires for a second child if the rst child was a girl.
3. The study nds that girls born after legal reforms were 2-3 % more likely to die before reaching their rst birthday,
and 9 % more likely to have a younger sibling if the rstborn child was a girl.
4. The researchers studied families living in ve “early-reformer” states-Kerala, AP, TN, Maharashtra and Karnataka-
which amended the Hindu Succession Act, 1956.
5. These states allowed equal inheritance rights for women and men, at different dates between 1970 and 1990.
Hindu Succession Act, 1956
1. Under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, only sons had a direct right to ancestral property, excluding daughters from
inheritance claims where the father did not leave a will.
2. From the 1970s onwards, changes in inheritance legislation sought to empower women by strengthening their
nancial and social position and reducing dependence on male relatives.
3. The traditional preference for sons was also supposed to lessen, because daughters, backed by possession of the
family home, would be able to offer parents security in old age.
4. Equally, this was expected to eradicate the dowry system, a key contributing factor to the perception of a daughter as
a nancial burden.
Son-preference entrenched, women remain dispossessed
1. Instead, the reforms appear to have had “unintended” effects leading to the “elimination of girls”, as social norms that
organise family structures and alliances have not kept pace with changes to the law, the study nds.
2. Awarding inheritance rights to women makes parents more averse to having a daughter rather than a son,” the study
says.
3. This is because families fear that the cost of having a girl increases because property inherited by women risks falling
into the control of her in-laws.
Why women remain dispossessed?
1. Changes to inheritance law are therefore not likely to improve women’s income, since it’s unlikely the woman would
get to control that new asset -which has now been acquired by her marital family.
2. There also remains a strong incentive for parents to continue rewarding a son who works on and develops a family’s
land, thus contributing to the family’s “wealth creation” and security for both parties later in life.
3. Parents perceive the risk of upsetting a son by dispossessing him of the entire property as too high, one that could
impact on the quality of their future care.
4. Parents would want to avoid splitting up the property, making it less productive, since the only way of sharing
between siblings is by selling the property and distributing the proceeds.
Contemporary trends
1. The proportion of women inheriting property “did not increase signi cantly following the reform,” the study says.
2. Although laws now allow women to make legal claims to property, very few make such a move, which is perceived as
anti-social and rebellious.
3. The family is a close knit-system, girls don’t want to go against parents and brothers and ght for property if they are
denied it.
4. The entire dowry system says that the daughters have already been given a share of the money, so they’re not
entitled to the property.
Status Quo on Son Preference
Page 134
1. Up to 77% of Indian parents expect to live with their sons in old age, following a ‘Patrilocal’ system where sons remain
in the family home after marriage while daughters leave to join their in-laws.
2. As per this system, by remaining in and working on the ancestral land, plus caring for parents in old age, the son is
usually ‘rewarded’ by inheriting the entire property after the parents’ death.
3. Legal reforms mandating that parents must now share equal portions of the ancestral property with both sons and
daughters appear to have not changed this dynamic.
4. Son preference remains the status quo, suggesting that patriarchal traditions exert a stronger force on parents than
legislation correcting historical gender biases.
Way Forward
1. We need a multi-prong effort focused on empowerment, education and targeted social welfare schemes that work at
various levels in society for adult women.
2. Though the legislative reform is perceived as a property issue, it’s not really — there’s a deeply ingrained internalised
bias in favour of the male child which needs to be addressed.
Arjuna Tree
Note4students
Prelims level: Arjuna Tree and its bene ts
Mains level: Not much
News
Arjuna Tree
The Arjuna is a large, buttressed tree that usually grows along river banks.
The arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna) is best known for its medicinal properties and its importance to the charismatic
grizzled giant squirrel, but it plays a special role in the river-forests of Karnataka’s Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary too.
A higher number of trees speci c to riverine habitats thrive under the canopies of old arjuna trees.
The soil under these trees’ enormous canopies is also more moist and higher in organic carbon.
This makes a case to recognize it as a keystone species — one that plays a crucial role in the landscape and
conserve large, old trees.
Why Keystone specie?
Scientists studied the plant species growing under the canopy of arjuna trees, as well as in areas without the trees.
This revealed a higher species diversity (44 species; some like the mahua tree Madhuca latifolia grew only under the
canopy of arjuna trees) under these trees.
Similar riverine areas without arjuna trees housed only 26 species.
Areas devoid of the trees also had more species that were not native to riverine stretches.
Medicinal Use
The arjuna was introduced into Ayurveda as a treatment for heart disease by Vagbhata (c. 7th century CE).
It is used in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhages and ulcers, applied topically as a powder.
Gives out rich soil
The researchers also sampled soil properties under the trees as well as in areas without them.
This revealed that soil in areas under the canopy of the tree had higher organic carbon and moisture contents,
probably due to the presence of the large canopy.
Put together, these factors prove that the arjuna is a crucial tree in the landscape.
Page 135
India to have own DNS for safe browsing
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Security| Basics of cyber security
Prelims level: DNS
Mains level: Data Localization and its implications
News
The government will soon roll out a public Domain Name Server, or DNS, for India aimed at providing a faster and
more secure browsing experience for Internet users in the country, while ensuring that citizens’ data is stored
locally.
What is DNS?
A DNS is a like a phonebook for the Internet.

Humans access information online through domain names, like abcd.com or pqrs.co.in etc.
Web browsers interact through Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
DNS translates domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load Internet resources.
Indian DNS
The roll-out will be executed by the National Informatics Centre – the technology arm of the government.
NIC is already using the public DNS within the government network.
The users are not mandated to shift to India public DNS. A user is free to choose any DNS.
The government’s public DNS, Indian users’ data would be stored within the country, thereby creating a move for
Data Localization.
Utility of Indian DNS
The main aim of bringing our own public DNS is to ensure availability, particularly for smaller Interest Service
Providers (ISPs) who don’t have credible DNS.
Bigger ones usually have their own DNS..
There are other open DNS servers, including Google Public DNS.
The government’s DNS would prevent users from visiting malicious websites.
If the government wants to block a website, there is a mechanism in place.
The Govt can send a list to the ISPs for reasons such as child porn or fake news, and they have to comply with the
order.
Cyber Security – CERTs, Policy, etc
[pib] All India Citizens Survey of Police Services

F EB R U AR Y 2 5, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Internal Security | Various Security forces & agencies & their mandate
Prelims level: Details of the Survey
Page 136
Mains level: Policing Reforms
News
All India Citizens Survey of Police Services
A globally accepted way to assess the impact or outcomes of such endeavors is through a holistic analysis of
services rendered to the public, through public perception surveys conducted by professional and independent
agencies.
Such surveys are globally tested tools for improving service delivery in policing and enhancing public satisfaction.
With the above aim and to further strengthen the good governance practices in the working of police, Ministry of
Home Affairs has commissioned the Bureau of Police Research and Development to conduct this pan-India survey.
The survey will be conducted through the National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi.
Aims and Objectives
To understand public perceptions about Police

Gauge the level of non-reporting of crimes or incidents to Police
The position on ground relating to crime reporting & recording
Timeliness and quality of police response and action, and
To assess citizens’ perception and experience about women and children’s safety
Conduct of the Survey
The survey will commence in March, 2019 and cover a representative sample of 1.2 lakh households spread over
173 districts across the country.
It will be based on the National Sample Survey framework.
All States and UTs would be included in this survey and will be completed in 9 months.
Expected Outcomes
The outcome of the survey is expected to bring out useful suggestions for stakeholders in formulating and
implementing appropriate policy responses.
It will imbibe changes in the functioning of police at the cutting edge and for improve crime prevention and
investigation.
It will cater to transformation in community policing, improvement in the access to the justice and increased/
appropriate resource allocation for police in a systematic manner.
Police Reforms – SC directives, NPC, other committees reports
[pib] 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit

F E B R U A R Y 2 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
From UPSC perspective, the followaing things are important:
Prelims level: About the summit
Mains level: Need of HER in India
News
Union Health Ministry has inaugurated the ‘4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit’ in New Delhi.
4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit
Page 137
The global intergovernmental meeting on digital health is hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in
collaboration with WHO and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP).
The Conclave discussed the implication of digital health interventions to health services accessibility, quality and
affordability and explores ways of leveraging digital health technologies to strengthen the healthcare delivery
systems globally.
Electronic Health Record (EHR) in India
India has embraced digital health to achieve the targets of UHC.

A “National Resource Centre for EHR Standards” has also been set up in order to augment facilitation for adoption
of the noti ed EHR Standards.
Indian government has noti ed health informatics standards and approved Metadata & Data Standards for enabling
seamless exchange of information across care providers.
It aims to make these systems interoperable and to build electronic health records of citizens.
India took the world stage at the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland by successfully introducing
and unanimous adoption of Resolution on Digital Health.
About GDHP
The Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) is an international collaboration of governments, government agencies
and multinational organisations.
It is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based
digital technologies.
Governments are making signi cant investments to harness the power of technology and foster innovation and
public-private partnerships that support high quality, sustainable health and care for all.
The GDHP facilitates global collaboration and co-operation in the implementation of digital health services.
Ayushman Bharat will not cover cataract ops, dialysis and normal deliveries
Note4students
Prelims level: Ayushman Bharat Programme
Mains level: Everything about Ayushman Bharat Programme
News
The National Health Authority (NHA) is planning to remove procedures covered under existing national programmes
from the list of packages approved for reimbursement under PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat).
Certain procedures like cataract surgeries, dialysis and normal deliveries will not be covered by the agship health
scheme.
Avoiding Duplication
Procedures or diseases for which there is already an existing national programme, do not need to be covered under
AB packages.
Diseases for which there are existing national programmes and for which treatment is reimbursed under PMJAY for
speci ed rates include tuberculosis, chronic kidney disease (dialysis), leprosy, malaria, HIV-AIDS and mental health
disorders.
For many diseases like malaria, where surgeries are not established protocol for treatment, PMJAY approves a daily
hospitalization cost of Rs 2,000.
Page 138
I. Cataract
Cataract surgeries have topped the list of claims submitted under PMJAY.
In the rst three months of PMJAY until Nov 2018 — 6,900 claims had been submitted for cataract surgeries.
However they are done for free under the National Blindness Control Programme (NBCP).
II. Normal Delivery
The NHA is planning to leave out normal deliveries from the ambit of PMJAY.
There are a host of national programmes for mother and child health, high-risk deliveries will continue to be
covered.
III. Dialysis
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme was rolled out in 2016 under which dialysis is already provided free
of cost.
Bringing Implants under AB-NHPM
The NHA is also in talks with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) to negotiate special rates for
implants or other devices that are used under PMJAY to further bring down costs.
EVM is ‘information’ under RTI Act

Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Polity | Statutory, regulatory & various quasi-judicial bodies
Prelims level: CIC, SIC
Mains level: Issues surrounding EVMs
News
An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is “information” under the Right to Information Act, the Central Information
Commission has ruled.
De ning Information
The CIC noted that the de nition of information under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act includes “any material in any form,
including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks,
contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form.
What CIC Ruled?
The Chief Information Commissioner ruled that the EVM which is available with the respondent [ECI] in a material
form and also as samples is an information under the RTI Act.
The Commission was hearing the appeal of an RTI applicant who had asked the Election Commission for an EVM
but was denied.
The models/samples of EVM are available with the ECI, but the same are only kept for training purpose by the ECI,
and not saleable to the general public.
Why such ruling?
EVMs have been in the spotlight recently as several Opposition leaders have raised doubts about the credibility of
the machines.
They have also demanded that the ECI cross-check 50% of results with voter-veri able paper audit trails (VVPAT) in
the upcoming Lok Sabha poll.
Page 139
Certain Exemptions
The information was exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act as the software installed in the
machines is an intellectual property of a third party.
The disclosure would harm the competitive position of the third party concerned.
The CIC noted this fresh argument, but did not rule on it.
Instead, he directed the ECI to le an appropriate response to the appellant, as it had erroneously denied the
information sought, using Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, which does not deal with grounds for exemption.
Back2Basics
Central Information Commission (CIC)
1. The Central Information Commission (CIC) set up under the Right to Information Act is the authorized quasi judicial
body, established in 2005.
2. It acts upon complaints from those individuals who have not been able to submit information requests due to either
the of cer not having been appointed, or because the respective Of cer refused to receive the application for
information under the RTI Act.
3. The Commission includes 1 Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and not more than 10 Information Commissioners
(IC) who are appointed by the President of India.
4. CIC and members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of—
Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha; a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated
by the Prime Minister.
RTI – CIC, RTI Backlog, etc.
Explained: PRC Issue

Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Social Issues | Population & associated issues
Prelims level: PRC, Various tribes mentioned
Mains level: Row over PRC
News
Background
Violence erupted in the state over Arunachal Pradesh government’s proposal to grant permanent resident
certi cate (PRC) to six non-tribal communities.
The state government announced it was considering issuing PRC to six non-Arunachal Scheduled Tribes (APSTs)
communities.
There is resentment among several community-based groups and organisations who feel the rights and interests of
indigenous people will be compromised.
Permanent Resident Certi cate
Permanent resident certi cate is a legal document issued to Indian citizens that serves as evidence of residence
and is required to be submitted as residential proof for of cial purpose.
It is a domicile certi cate otherwise called as Permanent Residence Certi cate (PRC) to the residents of the state
who stayed therein over a period.
Those citizens who are not currently residing in the state but are sure of permanently staying therein can also apply
for it.
Page 140
Besides the permanent residence certi cate, the State also offers Temporary Residence Certi cate (TRC) for those
who reside in the State on a temporary basis.
It enables the citizens to avail various policies and claims made in their particular state.
Communities under Proposal
The government in the state is considering issuing the certi cate to the six non-APSTs communities living in
Namsai and Changlang districts and to the Gorkhas living in Vijaynagar.
Amongst those communities are Deoris, Sonowal Kacharis, Morans, Adivasis and Mishings.
Most of these communities are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in neighbouring Assam.
Who gets PRC in Arunachal Pradesh?
Communities listed as Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (APST) have been given PRC status.
This is because they are considered the original natives of the state.
Several other communities have been demanding the status to get domicile-linked bene ts.
These non-APST communities say that while their names are on land records, they do not get “pattas” (ownership
documents).
What is the main bone of contention?
The non-APST communities have a sizeable population in neighbouring Assam and enjoy domicile-linked rights in
that state.
Many of these communities are recognised as STs in Assam, while Morans and Adivasis come under the Other
Backward Classes category in Assam.
They say that they should have the same rights in Arunachal Pradesh; the APST communities are opposed to this.
Why do APST communities not want other communities to get PRC?
APST communities say that giving other communities PRC will dilute the Bengal Eastern Frontier (Regulation) Act
1873, which says that all non-residents and visitors to Arunachal Pradesh must get a permit to travel to the state
and stay there.
The APST communities say that allowing residency to other communities will lead to many non-tribals entering the
state.
Citizenship and Related Issues
[pib] Yuva Sahakar Scheme

F E B R U A R Y 2 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: Governance | Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
Prelims level: Particulars of the Scheme
Mains level: Promoting cooperatives business venture
News
Yuva Sahakar-Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme
1. To cater to the needs and aspirations of the youth, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has
come up with a youth-friendly this scheme for attracting them to cooperative business ventures.
2. The newly launched scheme would encourage cooperatives to venture into new and innovative areas.
3. The scheme will be linked to Rs 1000 crore ‘Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund (CSIF)’ created by the NCDC.
Funding
Page 141
The funding for the project will be up to 80% of the project cost for these special categories as against 70% for
others.
The scheme envisages 2% less than the applicable rate of interest on term loan for the project cost up to Rs 3 crore
including 2 years moratorium on payment of principal.
Eligibility
It would have more incentives for cooperatives of North Eastern region, Aspirational Districts and cooperatives with
women or SC or ST or PwD members.
All types of cooperatives in operation for at least one year are eligible.
Back2Basics
NCDC
1. Nodal Agency: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

2. The NCDC has the unique distinction of being the sole statutory organisation functioning as an apex nancial and
developmental institution exclusively devoted to cooperative sector.
3. It supports cooperatives in diverse elds apart from agriculture and allied sectors.
4. It is an ISO 9001:2015 compliant organisation and has a distinctive edge of competitive nancing.
Innovation Ecosystem in India
[pib] SHREYAS Scheme

F E B R U A R Y 2 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Economy | Development & employment
Prelims level: Shreyas Scheme
Mains level: Skill Education in India
News
The Ministry of HRD has launched the Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS)
for providing industry apprenticeship opportunities.
SHREYAS Scheme
It is a programme conceived for students in degree courses, primarily non-technical, with a view to introduce
employable skills into their learning, promote apprenticeship and also amalgamate employment facilitating.
SHREYAS portal will enable educational institutions and industry to log in and provide their respective demand and
supply of apprenticeship.
The matching of students with apprenticeship avenues will take place as per pre-speci ed eligibility criteria.
Objectives of the Scheme
To improve employability of students by introducing employment relevance into the learning process of the higher
education system
To forge a close functional link between education and industry/service sectors on a sustainable basis
To provide skills which are in demand, to the students in a dynamic manner
To establish an ‘earn while you learn’ system into higher education
To help business/industry in securing good quality manpower
To link student community with employment facilitating efforts of the Government
Operation of the Scheme
Page 142
The primary scheme will be operated in conjunction with National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) which
provides for placing of apprentices upto 10% of the total work force in every business/industry.
The scheme will be implemented by the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) , initially the Banking Finance Insurance
Services (BFSI), Retail, Health care, Telecom, Logistics, Media, Management services, ITeS and Apparel.
Financing
Under the NAPS scheme, Central Government shares 25% of the stipend per month subject to a maximum of
Rs.1500 p.m during the period of the apprenticeship.
Apart from that, an amount upto Rs.7500 will be met towards basic training cost, where needed.
Implementation
1st Track: Add-on apprenticeship
The students who are currently completing the degree programme would be invited to choose a job role of their
choice from a selected list of apprenticeship job roles given by the Sector Skill Councils of the MoSDE.
At the end of the apprenticeship period, there would be a test conducted by the Sector Skill Council concerned and
successful students would get skills certi cate in addition to their degree certi cate.
2nd track: Embedded Apprenticeship
Under this approach, the existing B.Voc programmes would be restructured into B.A (Professional), B.Sc
(Professional) or B.Com (Professional) courses – which would include a mandatory apprenticeship ranging from 6 to
10 months depending on the requirement of the skill.
During the apprenticeship period, the student would get a monthly stipend of about Rs. 6,000 per month by the
industry, 25% of which would be reimbursed under the NAPS programme.
3rd Track: Linking National Career Service with Colleges
Under this, the National Career Service (NCS) portal of Ministry of Labour& Employment would be linked with the
Higher Education institutions.
As of now, more than 9,000 employers have posted requirement of more than 2 lakh vacancies, for which the
students can get considered.
Skilling India – Skill India Mission,PMKVY, NSDC, etc.
Page 143
Science Tech Art Culture
International conference on 8th century sage held to mark 50 years of India-
Bhutan ties
F E B R U A R Y 2 , 2 0 1 9 | B U S I NE S S S TA N
Note4students
Mains Paper 2: IR | India & its neighborhood- relations.
Prelims level: Guru Padmasambhava, Thangka Paintings
Mains level: India-Bhutan cultural relations
News
About the Conference
Celebrating 50-years of formalization of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan, a two-day international
conference on 8th century Himalayan sage Guru Padmasambhava was held in New Delhi.
The conference, organised by the Centre for Escalation of Peace (CEP) and titled ‘Life and Legacy of Guru
Padmasambhava’, was held.
Guru Padmasambhava
1. Guru Padmasambhava was born in India and has visited Bhutan two times.
2. He spent a large amount of his time in Nalanda there and then he travelled across the Himalayas.
3. He is known as the second Buddha because he brought Buddhism in Bhutan and other Himalayan countries.
4. There is an image or painting of the guru in every Bhutanese home or temple.
5. Thangka paintings, sculptures and photographs portrayed the life and teachings of the Guru.
(Note: Thangka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala)
History- Important places, persons in news
[pib] 20th Bharat Rang Mahotsav

F EB R U AR Y 4, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Prelims level: Bharat Rang Mahotsav
News
Bharat Rang Mahotsav
1. The 20th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the international theatre festival of India, one of the prominent
training institutions in the world was recently held.
2. It is organized by National School of Drama (NSD).
Page 144
3. The 20th BRM comes with 111 national and international acts in its basket that includes folk and other traditional
theatre forms, invitee plays, and productions by the students of the National School of Drama.
4. BRM has evolved to international scope, hosting theatre groups from around the world, and is now the largest theatre
festival of Asia.
5. The National School of Drama (NSD) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
Stupa-hopping in Sarnath
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture | All syllabus
Prelims level: Sarnath Stupa and associated stories
Mains level: Signi cance of Buddhism
News
Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath
1. Dhamek Stupa is a massive stupa located at Sarnath, 13 km away from Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.
2. It was built in 500 CE to replace an earlier structure commissioned by Ashoka in 249 BCE, along with several other
monuments, to commemorate the Buddha’s activities in this location.
3. While visiting Sarnath in 640 CE, Xuanzang recorded that the colony had over 1,500 priests and the main stupa was
nearly 300 feet (91 m) high.
4. In its current shape, the stupa is a solid cylinder of bricks and stone reaching a height of 43.6 meters and having a
diameter of 28 meters.
5. The basement seems to have survived from Ashoka’s structure: the stone facing is chiseled and displays delicate
oral carvings of Gupta origin.
6. The wall is covered with exquisitely carved gures of humans and birds, as well as inscriptions in the Brāhmī script.
Importance of Sarnath
1. The Dhamek Stupa is said to mark the spot Rishipattana, where Buddha gave the rst sermon to his rst ve Brahmin
disciples after attaining enlightenment, “revealing his Eightfold Path leading to nirvana”.
2. In several of the ancient sources the site of the rst sermon is mentioned to have been at a ″Mriga-dayaa-vanam″ or a
sanctuary for animals.
Stories associated with Sarnath

1. From Bodh Gaya, Buddha went to the Deer Park (Mrigadava) in Sarnath, where the ve monks who had been with him
during his ascetic phase were staying.
2. It was there that he gave his rst sermon, an event known as the Dharma Chakra Pravarttana, or turning of the wheel
of law.
3. In ancient times, this place was known by many names — Rishipatana, Mrigadava and Mrigadaya.
4. The word Sarnath comes from a corruption of the name Saranganatha (lord of deer).
The rst Sermon
1. In his rst sermon to the ve companions, Buddha spoke of the Four Noble Truths and the eightfold path that frees
people from suffering.
2. He said that there are two ways of life: one is to indulge in all the pleasures of the world and the other is to deny
oneself these pleasures.
3. The middle path is the way to achieve nirvana, he said.
Page 145
Foundation of Sangha
1. It is in Sarnath that Buddha laid the foundation of his sangha, or organisation of monks.
2. He had 60 disciples whom he sent to different parts of the country to spread his teachings.
3. He also established an order of female monks, which was joined by his wife.
Excavation in Colonial Period
1. The beautiful stupas and monasteries in Sarnath were excavated under Sir Alexander Cunningham.
2. He excavated the Dhamekh, Dharmarajika, and Chaukhandi stupas along with a monastery and temple between 1834
and 36.
3. Many excavations followed these, the most famous among them being the 1904-05 excavation by Friedrich Oscar
Oertel of the Ashoka Pillar, including the Lion Capital.
National Emblem of India
1. On top of the Ashokan pillar in Sarnath was the the Lion Capital and the Dharmachakra, but the Lion Capital is now
housed in Sarnath museum, while the pillar remains where it was originally.
2. The Lion Capital was adopted as the national emblem of India in 1950.
Survived several invasions
1. After Ashoka, the other rulers who added to Sarnath’s glory were the Kushans, the Guptas and Harshavardhana.
2. Under the Guptas, the Dharmekh stupa was encased with stone-carved oral designs.
3. Sarnath suffered from the Huna invasions, but Harshavardhana later restored some of the earlier buildings.
4. Sarnath also suffered when it was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni. Mahipala, the Pala king, restored the monuments.
Cultural Signi cance
1. Architect James Fergusson remarks that the sculptured band on the central part of the Dhamek stupa, which has
geometric patterns of great intricacy similar to the mosques in Delhi and Ajmer.
2. The calligraphy on the screen of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, built by Qutbuddin Aibak in the Qutub complex in Delhi,
does bear resemblance to the stupa.
[pib] India’s communication satellite GSAT-31 launched successfully

F E B R U A R Y 6, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Awareness in the elds of IT, Space, Computers, robotics etc.
Prelims level: Particulars of the GSAT-31
Mains level: Importance of the mission
News
India’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-31 was successfully launched from the Spaceport in French Guiana.
The launch vehicle Ariane 5 VA-247 lifted off from Kourou Launch Base, French Guiana carrying India’s GSAT-31
and Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 satellites.
GSAT-31
1. It was launched in an elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee (nearest point to Earth) of 250 km and
an apogee (farthest point to Earth) of 35,850 km, inclined at an angle of 3.0 degree to the equator.
2. With a lift-off mass of 2536 kg, GSAT-31 will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.
3. The satellite will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites.
Page 146
4. GSAT-31 will provide DTH Television Services, connectivity to VSATs for ATM, Stock-exchange, Digital Satellite News
Gathering (DSNG) and e-governance applications.
5. The satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications.
6. It is the India’s 40th communication satellite which is con gured on ISRO’s enhanced ‘I-2K Bus’, utilising the
maximum “bus capabilities” of this type.
ISRO Missions and Discoveries
NASA’s Opportunity Rover

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Awareness in the elds of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-
technology, bio-technology
Prelims level: Opportunity and Spirit Rovers
Mains level: Space missions and their objectives
News
NASA has announced the end of the Opportunity rover’s mission.
Opportunity rolled out on to the Martian surface in 2004, 20 days after its twin, Spirit, had landed on the other side
of the Red Planet.
Over the next 14 years, it got successes that made it one of the most overachieving explorer robots ever built.
Spirit and Opportunity Rovers
1. Spirit and Opportunity were identical, golf-cart-sized, solar-powered rovers.

2. Spirit landed at Gusev Crater; Opportunity followed, landing on the opposite side of Mars at Meridiani Planum.
3. Contact with Spirit was lost in March 2010, and the mission was declared over in May, 2011.
4. Opportunity worked on Mars for over 14 years, longer than any other robot. Both rovers were originally supposed to
have only 90-day missions.
5. Opportunity travelled 45.16 km on the surface of Mars, more than any other rover.
6. Its equipment have been compromised by the storm, which struck while the rover was at a site called Perseverance
Valley.
Finding Water
1. Haematite-rich small spherules, concretions nicknamed “blueberries” as photographed by Opportunity provided

evidence of a watery ancient environment.
2. Foremost among Spirit and Opportunity’s many science discoveries: Mars was likely wetter and warmer in the past.
3. These conditions could have served as a cradle for life on Mars at a time when life rst emerged on Earth.
4. Opportunity was the rst rover to identify and characterize sedimentary rocks on a planet other than Earth.
5. Opportunity found white veins of gypsum, a sign of water that travelled through underground fractures.
6. It also discovered clay minerals that formed in neutral-pH water.
Importance of the mission
1. For over 14 years, Opportunity encountered challenges that called for skill and innovation to overcome.
2. It drove in reverse, negotiated loose surfaces, sand traps, and slopes as steep as 31 degrees.
3. The rover demonstrated reliable Mars-Earth communication.
4. Curiosity and the upcoming Mars 2020 rovers is build upon their lessons.
Page 147
International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries
[pib] Guru Ravidas

F EB R U AR Y 2 1, 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 1: Indian History| All Syllabus
Prelims level: Guru Ravidas and associated facts
Mains level: Bhakti Movement in medieval India
News
Guru Ravidas Jayanti
Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, which is the full moon day in the Hindu calendar month of
Magha.
People celebrate this day by reading the holy book Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji.
Some devotees also take a holy bath in Ganga to celebrate this anniversary.
Who was Guru Ravidas?
1. While the exact year of his birth is not known, it is believed that the mystic saint was born in 1377 C.E.
2. Although there have been no concrete details, the saint was said to have been born in the village of Seer
Goverdhanpur which is located near Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.
3. His birthplace has now been named Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan and has become a major place of pilgrimage for
the followers of Guru Ravidas.
4. He belonged to a (so called) untouchable caste and suffered a lot of atrocities as a result.
5. However the saint chose to focus on spiritual pursuits and also penned several devotional songs which made a huge
impact in the Bhakti movement during the 14th to 16th century CE.
Teachings of Guru Ravidas
1. Guru Ravidas spoke against the caste divisions and spoke of removing them to promote unity.
2. The Adi Granth of Sikhs, in addition to the Panchvani are the two of the oldest documented sources of the literary
works of Guru Ravidas.
3. His teachings resonated with the people, leading to a religion being born called the Ravidassia religion, or Ravidassia
Dharam based on his teachings.
4. He taught about the omnipresence of God and said that a human soul is a particle of God and hence Ravidas rejected
the idea that people considered lower caste cannot meet God.
5. He said in his teachings that the only way to meet God was to free the mind from the duality.
With inputs from:
Financial Express
[pib] Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG)

F EB R U AR Y 2 2 , 2 0 19 | P IB
Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Indigenization of technology & developing new technology
Page 148
Prelims level: Working of the AWG
Mains level: Utility of the AWG in light of depleting water resources
News
A Navratna PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has unveiled the Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG).
It can be used to provide drinking water in community centres and public places.
Atmospheric Water Generator
1. The AWG is being manufactured by BEL in collaboration with CSIR-IICT and MAITHRI, a start-up company based in
Hyderabad.
2. It employs a novel technology to extract water from the humidity present in the atmosphere and purify it.
3. It uses heat exchange for condensing the atmospheric moisture to produce pure, safe and clean potable water.
4. It comes with a Mineralization Unit, which is used to add minerals which are required to make the water potable.
5. The AWG is con gurable in static and mobile (vehicular) versions and is available in 30 litres/day, 100 litres/day, 500
litres/day and 1,000 litres/day capacities.
Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology
India successfully test- res Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile

Note4students
Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Indigenization of technology & developing new technology
Prelims level: QRSAM and its speci cation
Mains level: Developing missile arsenal
News
India has successfully test- red two indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM) from
a test range off the Odisha coast.
The trials were conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from Launch Complex
3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
About QRSAM
This missile has been developed to replace the ‘Akash’ missile defence system, and has 360-degree coverage, light
weight, high mobility and shorter second reaction time as compared to ‘Akash’.
It also uses solid fuel propellant and has a stated range of strike range of 25-30 km with capability of hitting multiple
targets.
It is capable of hitting the low ying objects.
It successfully demonstrated the robust Control, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structural performance and high
manoeuvering capabilities thus proving the design con guration.
Radars, Electro Optical Systems, Telemetry and other stations have tracked the Missiles and monitored through the
entire ights.
Indian Missile Program Updates
[pib] India’s rst indigenous semiconductor chips for 4G/LTE and 5G NR

modems
F E B R U A R Y 2 8, 2 0 1 9 | P I B
Page 149
Note4students
Prelims level: Semiconductor chips mentioned in the newscard
News
A Bengaluru based company SIGNALCHIP has fabricated high performance and cost-ef cient semiconductor chips.
These would enable high-speed wireless communication.
Four chips designed by SIGNALCHIP
1. SCBM3412: a single chip 4G/LTE modem including the baseband and transceiver sections in a single device
2. SCBM3404: a single chip 4X4 LTE baseband modem
3. SCRF3402: a 2X2 transceiver for LTE
4. SCRF4502: a 2X2 transceiver for 5G NR standards
Speci cations
The RF sections cover all LTE/5G-NR bands upto 6 GHz.

These chips also support positioning using India’s own satellite navigation system, NAVIC.
The combined multi-standard system-on-chip (SoC) can serve as a base station chipset for a wide range of form
factors from low-cost indoor small cells to high performance base stations.
Through the IPs created for devices, the company now has the potential to design products for multiple related
elds.
Importance
Currently, in India, all devices and infrastructure, whether imported or domestically manufactured, use imported
silicon chips.
Silicon chip design is a very challenging activity requiring high-cost R&D, deep knowhow and mastery of multiple
complex domains.
Hence, this technology is not available in most countries.
Impact
Data Security is the paramount concern in the World today and India cannot remain secure in terms of data, unless it
manufactures its own chips.
India is just breaking into the elite club of the world and this will have huge implications for India’s data security and
data sovereignty, besides the positive economic implications.
At present only 8 companies and a few countries can design and build semiconductor chips.
Page 150
Trivia
Periodic Table completes 150 years
F E B R U A R Y 1 , 2 0 1 9 | C U S TOM
Note4students
Prelims level: Basic knowledge of the Periodic Table
News
The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements was launched on January 29, 2019, at the
headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.
The UNESCO stated that the events and activities will be held throughout the year in order to mark 150 years of the
formation of the periodic table.
Dmitri Mendeleev was the man who published the periodic table for the rst time in 1869.
The modern Periodic Table
1. The periodic table is an arrangement of all the elements known to man in accordance with their increasing atomic
number and recurring chemical properties.
2. They are assorted in a tabular arrangement wherein a row is a period and a column is a group.
3. Until 1863, the world was aware of only 56 known elements.
4. The rate of scienti c progress was such that every year, a new element was being discovered.
5. It was during this time that Mendeleev came up with the idea of the Periodic Table.
6. He published the Periodic Table in his book– The Relation between the Properties and Atomic Weights of the
Elements.
7. Mendeleev said that he arrived at the idea in his dream, where he saw all chemical elements falling into place on a
table according to their chemical properties.
8. Mendeleev had found a de nitive pattern following which, each element could be placed according to their atomic
weight.
9. He had also predicted the qualities of the ‘missing’ (yet to be discovered) elements and gave them Sanskrit names.
Its Evolution
1. The noble gases including helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar), krypton (Kr), xenon (Xe), and radon (Rn) were added to
the table between 1895 and 1901.
2. Likewise, additions have been made to the periodic table as new elements have been discovered in the last hundred
years
3. In 1914, English physicist Henry Gwyn-Jeffries Moseley found out that each atomic nucleus can be assigned a
number, according to the number of protons in that atom.
4. This changed the way the periodic table worked. The table was redesigned according to the atomic number of
elements rather than their atomic weight
5. Rare-earth elements, including the elements in the Lanthanide series, were included in the atomic table in the late
19th century.
About the UNESCO event
Page 151
1. The year 2019 was declared as the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT 2019) at the
74th Plenary Meeting.
2. The event will highlight the importance of periodic table in various science disciplines.
3. Scientists and representatives of the private sector will came together for the event.
Aim of the International Year of Periodic Table of Chemical Elements
1. The fundamental motto of IYPT 2019 is to recognize the importance of periodic table of chemical elements as one of
the most important and in uential achievements in modern science.
2. The periodic table re ects the essence of all basic science disciplines like- physics, biology and chemistry.
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Table of Content

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi 06

[pib] Ladakh now connected to National Grid 07

At rst, Kerala sets up drug price monitor 08

[pib] Gems and Jewellery Domestic Council 09

Government submits resolution plan for IL&FS 11

[pib] Labour Ministry noti es rules to allow employment of Women in Mines 12

[pib] Categorization of Farmers 13

Ujjwala scheme takes India to second rank in LPG imports 14

[pib] National Cow Commission 15

[pib] National Gas Grid 16

[pib] International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 16

Cabinet nod to setting up Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund 18

Unregulated deposit schemes to be banned 18

[pib] Abolition of Income-Tax Ombudsman and Indirect Tax Ombudsman 19

Startups to be listed for angel tax exemption 20

2nd phase of River Information System 21

Sela Pass Tunnel Project 22

All Medical equipment noti ed as drugs 23

[pib] National Productivity Week 23

[pib] Use of Space Technology in Agriculture Sector 24

Government to continue credit linked capital subsidy scheme 25

[pib] Least Available Depth Information System (LADIS) Portal 26

Andhra to adopt district cooling in govt. buildings 26

Mariculture is as important for India as agriculture 27

Policy bias against Rainfed agriculture 29

[pib] GeM Start-up Runway and SWAYATT Initiative 30

[pib] KUSUM Scheme 31

National Policy on Electronics 2019 32

Women’s Livelihood Bonds 34

Labour Bureau les MUDRA job report 35

Report ags growing threat of monoculture in crop production 36

Used Cooking oil as aviation fuel 37

Draft e-commerce policy: Keeping our data safe and secure 38

Offshore Wind: The sleeping giant has been stirred 39

Banks may set repo rate as benchmark for lending 41

AP gets new railway zone called ‘South Coast Railway’ 42

Enviro & Biodiversity

What’s causing extreme cold in US Midwest 45

Emission levels rising faster in Indian cities than in China 46

A third of Hindu Kush Himalaya glaciers will melt by 2100 47

National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018 48

[pib] Management of Ground Water 50

Centre announces mascot for COP-13 on conservation of migratory species 51

Asiatic Lion Conservation Project 52

[pib] India-Norway Ocean Dialogue 53

99.82% projects in forests got nod 54

Scientists discover massive mountains under Earth’s crust 55

106 coastal sites picked for conservation 56

Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana 59

[pib] Shehri Samridhi Utsav 61

Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor 61

Govt. grants divisional status to Ladakh 64

Government introduces Bill on northeast 65

Diversion of Nirbhaya Fund 66

[pib] Reconstitution of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) 66

[pib] e-AUSHADHI Portal 68

[pib] National Policy for Domestic Workers (draft) 69

[pib] National Commission for Safai Karmacharis 70

Centre to revamp minimum support for minor forest produce 71

Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans fat hazard 72

WHO issues new international standard for music devices 73

[pib] National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India 74