December 2023

People with disability GS Paper II-Governance Prelims "Youtube: DNA 5.12.2023" About the article
● 3rd Dec, is observed as international annual day for persons with disability. ● Objective- To
promote rights and wellbeing of the persons with disability. Global Disability Statistics ● Globally,
1.3 billion people live with disabilities, with 80% in developing countries and 70% residing in rural
areas. Disability- definition ● As per the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (UN CRPD) “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical,
mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder
their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”. ● It includes physical
impairment, sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, mental illness.

Pompe Disease GS Paper II-Governance Prelims "Youtube: DNA 9.12.2023" Pompe Disease ● It is
a rare and progressive genetic disorder in which a complex sugar called glycogen builds up in the
lysosomes. How glycogen builds up in the lysosomes? ● Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder
caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). ● This enzyme is crucial for
breaking down glycogen into glucose within the lysosomes of cells.

Prelims Practice Question Q1. With reference to the “Indra Sawhney Case”, which of the following
elements was declared as Basic feature/structure of Indian Constitution? 1. Rule of Law. 2.
Supremacy of the Constitution. 3. Welfare state. Select the correct answer using the code given
below: a. 1 only b. 1 and 2 only c. 2 and 3 only d. 1, 2 and 3

Special Status to statesAsymmetric Federalism GS Paper II- Indian Polity Prelims "Youtube: DNA
15.12.2023" Federal and Unitary Political systems There are two kinds of political setups
depending on division of power between the central government and the provincial/state
government- 1. Federal Government ● Constitution/People are supreme. ● The powers of
government are divided between the centre and the State units. ● India, US are examples of it. 2.
Unitary Government ● All the powers of government are vested in the central government. ●
Example-UK. There are Provincial governments in UK but they work on directions of the central
government.

Types of Federalism Depending upon the relations between the states and Centre Federalism can
be classified into two parts- 1. Cooperative Federalism ● The cooperative federalism involves the
Centre and States governments cooperating with each other for the overall development of the
nation/public interest. ● Examples of Cooperative FederalismInter-state council, Zonal Council etc
2. Competitive Federalism ● The competitive federalism involves the competition amongst the
states for ensuring good governance and economic benefits. ● Examples-SDG Index, State Health
Index, School Education Quality Index etc

Asymmetric Federalism ● The term asymmetrical federalism refers to a flexible type of union of
states which allows the government to cut different deals with different states in special matters
pertaining to them. Example of Asymmetric Federalism 1. Concept of special category states
(Covered in the newspaper analysis of 28th November 2023-1st topic). 2. Special status to states
as per constitutional provisions

Viksit Bharat Sankalp and Kashi Tamil Sangamam GS Paper II-Governance Prelims "Youtube: DNA
18.12.2023" Current news? ● PM Modi is in Varanasi to participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp
Yatra events, and inaugurate the second edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Viksit Bharat
Sankalp Yatra ● The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is a government initiative being undertaken across
the country, to raise awareness about and track the implementation of flagship central schemes,
such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Surkasha Bima, PM SVANidhi, etc. It has four aims:
1. “reach out to the vulnerable who are eligible under various schemes but have not availed benefit
so far; 2. dissemination of information and generating awareness about schemes; 3. interaction
with beneficiaries of government schemes through their personal stories/ experience sharing; 4.
and enrolment of potential beneficiaries through details ascertained during the Yatra.”

Kashi Tamil Sangamam ● Starting last year, the Kashi Tamil Sangamam is aimed at celebrating
the many aspects of the historical and civilisational connection between India’s North and South. ●
The overarching objective of this peopleto-people connect programme is to revive the living bonds
between Kashi and Tamil Nadu — two important centres of learning and culture in ancient India. ●
Seminars, discussions, lectures, etc. will be organised on subjects like literature, ancient texts,
philosophy, spirituality, music, dance, drama, etc., along with “modern innovations, business
exchanges, EdTech and other nextgeneration technologies.”

Unlike the Speaker, however, the Rajya Sabha Chairman does not have the power to suspend a
Member.

Suspension of MPs GS Paper II-Indian Polity Prelims "Youtube: DNA 19.12.2023" What is the
news? ● Thirty-three Lok Sabha members and 45 from Rajya Sabha, all belonging to the
Opposition INDIA group, were suspended the bulk of them for the remainder of the Winter Session.
● With 78 Opposition MPs suspended,this is most ever in a day. ● With this article we will try to
understand- 1. Who can suspend MPs, and for how long? 2. Can courts intervene in a matter of
suspension of MPs? What are the Rules under which the MPs can be suspended? Rules of
Procedure and Conduct of Business ● Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business have been
formulated under Article 118 of the Constitution wherein each House of Parliament is required to
make rules for regulating its procedure and conduct of business. Note - Article 122 of the
Constitution says parliamentary proceedings cannot be questioned before a court. Note- ● Article
122 of the Constitution says parliamentary proceedings cannot be questioned before a court. ●
Although courts have intervened in the procedural functioning of the legislature. ● In Ashish Shelar
vs Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (2022), the SC held that any suspension beyond the period
prescribed in the rules is unconstitutional. Suspension of MPs Lok Sabha ● Rule Number 373- The
Speaker, may direct such Member to withdraw

immediately from the House for the remainder of the day’s sitting. ● Rule Number 374-The
Speaker may suspend the unruly member for rest of the session. Rajya Sabha ● Rule Number 255-
Chairman “direct any Member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw
immediately” from the House for remainder of the day. ● Rule Number 256-the Chairman may
“name a Member who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the Council by
persistently and wilfully obstructing” business. In such a situation, the House may adopt a motion
suspending the Member from the service of the House for a period not exceeding the remainder of
the session.

Current system of appointment of CEC and EC? ● Article 324 provides for the composition of the
Election Commission of India (ECI). ● It consists of the CEC and two other ECs. ● The Constitution
provides that the appointment, service conditions of the CEC and EC will be decided by an act of
Parliament. ● Accordingly Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners
and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 was enacted. ● The existing parliamentary law provides
for their conditions of service but is silent with respect to appointments. ● Appointment is done by
the President (who acts on aid and advice of Council of Ministers). ● It raised concerns for
independence of ECI.

Anti-Defection Law ● It was passed in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution,
which added the Tenth Schedule to the Indian Constitution. ● The main intent of the law was to
combat “the evil of political defections”. ● Articles 102 (2) and 191 (2) deal with antidefection. ●
The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies respectively. ● It prescribes grounds for
the disqualification of an MLA or MP for defection. ● Before this law there was frequent change in
political parties by MPs and MLAs. This led to instability in politics.

Q1. With reference to anti-defection law in India, consider the following statements: 1. The. law
specifies that a nominated legislator cannot join any political party within six months of being
appointed to the House. 2. The law does not provide any timeframe within which the presiding
officer has to decide a defection case. Which off the statements given above is/are Correct? a. 1
only b. 2 only c. Both d. None

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 GS Paper II-Governance Prelims "Youtube: DNA 22.12.2023"
Criminal Justice System ● The Criminal Justice System (CJS) encompasses a series of
institutions, agencies, and processes established by the government to curb crime in the nation. ●
In India article 21 guarantees the right to speedy justice as a fundamental right. ● But according to
Prison Statistics 2015, out of the total 4,20,000 inmates in various jails across the country,
2,82,076 or 67.2% were undertrials prisoners reflecting gross injustice and broken criminal justice
system in India. Common thread amongst the three components of Criminal justice System is
Criminal laws. In India 3 main Criminal laws are- Indian Penal Code (1860) Criminal Procedure
Code (1974) and Evidence Act (1873). Criminal Laws Indian Penal Code (1860) ● The Indian Penal
Code (IPC) is the main document which governs all criminal acts and the punishments they ought
to be charged with. ● The objective of enacting the IPC was to provide a general and exhaustive
penal code for crime in India. ● However, there are several other penal statutes that govern various
other offences in addition to the IPC. ● For example-In animal law, a notable such statute is the
Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals Act. ● In order to be held liable under the IPC, the accused
must possess both mens rea (guilty mind) and actus reas (guilty act). ● The IPC extends to the
whole of India.

People with blood disorder not eligible for reservation GS Paper II-Governance Prelims "Youtube:
DNA 23.12.2023" Right to Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016 ● The Right to Persons with
Disabilities Act (RPwD), 2016 provides for reservation of 4% of government jobs for people with
specific disabilities, such as total loss of vision, low vision, complete loss of hearing etc. Current
news? ● The government held that as per Section 34 of the Act, persons with 3 types of blood
disorders are not eligible for reservation in government jobs. Thalassemia ● It is a genetic blood
disorder causing abnormal haemoglobin production and anaemia Haemophilia ● It is a genetic
bleeding disorder that hinders the blood’s clotting ability. Sickle cell disease ● It is a genetic blood
disorder involving abnormal haemoglobin, causing misshapen red blood cells.

Tribunals in India GS Paper II-Indian Polity Prelims "Youtube: DNA 25.12.2023" About Tribunal ●
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added a new part to the Constitution XIV-A. ● It deals with
Tribunals. ● It consists of Article 323A dealing with administrative tribunals and Article 323B
dealing with tribunals for other matters. ● Tribunals are like Courts that focuses on resolving
disputes.
Tribunals ● The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to
the other provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder ● Members may not be from
judicial background and may not be trained in law (thus Tribunals are known as QuasiJudicial
body). ● It can follow the investigatory function as well

New NALSA chief GS Paper II-Indian Polity Prelims "Youtube: DNA 29.12.2023" Article 39A ●
Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides that State shall secure that the operation of the
legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free
legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for
securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disability. ● The
article was inserted by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976. National Legal
Service Authority (NALSA) ● NALSA has been constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act,
1987, to provide free legal services to the weaker sections of society and to organise Lok Adalats
for amicable settlement of disputes. ● Main aim-speedy disposal of cases and reducing the
burden on the judiciary. ● It is housed at the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi. ● The Chief
Justice of India is the patronin-chief of NALSA, while the second senior most judge of the
Supreme Court of India is the Executive Chairman. National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) The
free legal services include: ● Payment of court fees, process fees, and all other charges payable or
incurred in connection with any legal proceedings; ● Providing the service of lawyers in legal
proceedings; ● Obtaining and supply of certified copies of orders and other documents in legal
proceedings. ● Preparation of appeal Persons eligible for free legal services includes: ● Women
and children, Members of SC/ST, Industrial workmen, Victims of mass disasters, violence, flood,
drought, earthquake, and industrial disaster, Disabled, Persons in custody, Persons whose annual
income does not exceed Rs. 1 lakh (in the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee the limit is
Rs. 5,00,000), Victims of trafficking in human beings or beggars. Current news? ● The President
recently nominated Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as
the Executive Chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

Good Governance Day Prelims "Youtube: DNA 26.12.2023" Good Governance Day ● In 2014,
government of India announced that December 25 would be celebrated as “Good Governance
Day”. ● It is observed on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth
anniversary. ● In 2019, the government launched the Good Governance Index on this occasion. ● It
ranks states on good governance parameters.

PM JANMAN for PVTG GS Paper II-Governance Prelims "Youtube: DNA 28.12.2023" Current
development ● Recently the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya
Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN). The Scheme is aimed at providing PVTG households and
habitations with: ● basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, ●
improved access to education, health and nutrition, ● road and telecom connectivity, and
sustainable livelihood opportunities. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) ● In 1973, the
Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are less
developed among the tribal groups. ● In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as
PVTGs. ● PVTGs have some basic characteristics - they are mostly homogenous, with a small
population, relatively physically isolated, absence of written language, relatively simple technology
and a slower rate of change etc. ● Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in
Odisha. Characteristics of PVTGs: ● Population – stagnant/declining ● Technology – pre-
agricultural ● Literacy Level – extremely low ● Economy – Subsistence level Several initiatives for
tribals ● Eklavya Model Residential Schools, ● Land titles under the Forest Rights Act 2006, ●
Support to Tribal Research Institute (STRI) scheme, ● Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, ● The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 ●
Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana ● Van Dhan Scheme

International Maritime Organisation GS paper II-International Institutions Prelims "Youtube: DNA

5.12.2023" International Maritime Organisation ● The IMO is a specialised agency of the United
Nations. ● It is responsible for regulating shipping. ● Headquartered in London, United Kingdom,
IMO currently has 175 Member States and three Associate Members. ● IMO currently lists India as
among the 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. The IMO's primary
purpose- 1. Maritime safety, 2. Environmental concerns, 3. Legal matters, 4. Technical co-
operation, 5. Maritime security and 6. The efficiency of shipping International Maritime
Organisation Governance of IMO ● IMO is governed by an assembly of members which meets
every two years. ● The Assembly is responsible for approving the work programme, voting the
budget and determining the financial arrangements of the organisation. ● It also elects the
organisation's 40member council at these meetings for the next two-year period. ● The council is
the executive organ of IMO and is responsible (under the Assembly) for supervising the work of
the organisation.

Significance of IMO 1. Global trade ● Over 80% of global trade is conducted by via shipping. 2.
Prevent maritime pollution due to shipping ● Regulate oil spill disaster, shipwreck management
etc. ● International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as well as International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). 3. Attainment of SDG ● IMO is
actively working towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the associated SDGs.
4. Promote Blue Economy Current news? ● India was re-elected to the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest tally at elections held at its Assembly in London for
the 2024-25 biennium.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) ● It is a permanent, intergovernmental

organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria. ● OPEC was founded in Baghdad in 1960. Founder
Members- Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. Currently, the Organization has a total of
14 Member Countries. Objective- To coordinate petroleum policies among member Countries, in
order to secure fair and stable prices

OPEC+ (Extension of OPEC) ● OPEC plus countries include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei,
Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan. Current news ● Saudi
Arabia and Russia, the world's two biggest oil exporters, December 7, called for all member
nations of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) to join an
agreement on output cuts. ● They stressed the importance of continuing this cooperation, and the
need for all participating countries to join to the OPEC+ agreement, in a way that serves the
interests of producers. Larger picture ● Saudi Arabia is considered as traditional ally of the US. ●
The US has put trade sanctions on Russia (CAATSA law made strict after Russia-Ukraine war). ●
Recent Saudi Arabia’s convergence with Russia may be due to the US support to Israel in ongoing
Israel-Hamas conflict. ● This may lead to failure of Abraham Accord. Impact on India ● India is the
world’s third-largest consumer of oil (The United States and China are two of the largest
consumers of oil in the world). ● India imports 85% of its oil needs. ● It is often vulnerable to
global supply and price shocks. Thus cut in supply will lead to- 1. Rise in the oil import bill-a rise in
the Current Account Deficit (CAD) ● As per Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency
(ICRA), for every $10 per barrel increase in the price of the Indian crude oil basket, the CAD could
widen by $14-$15 billion, or 0.4% of GDP. 2. Inflation 3. Weakening of Rupee

Human Rights in India ● There is no separate category of rights named as human rights in India. ●
Human Rights are availed in the form of 3 rights-Fundamental rights, Legal rights, Constitutional
rights. ● Though in India we have a separate National Human Rights Commission. National
Human Rights Commission ● In pursuant to UN declaration of Human Rights 1948, India has
enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and established NHRC. ● NHRC of India is an
independent statutory body established in 1993 as per provisions of Protection of Human Rights
Act, 1993. ● It is the watchdog of human rights in the country. Structure of the National Human
Rights Commission ● The Commission consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members
(excluding ex-officio members). ● There are three are ex-officio member. ● Chairperson of The
National Commission for SCs, The National Commission for Minorities, The National Commission
for Protection of Child Rights, The National Commission for Women are ex officio member of
NHRC. ● The chairperson should be a retired chief justice of India ● Members should be a serving
or retired judge of the Supreme Court, a serving or retired chief justice of a high court. President
appoints the Chairman and members of NHRC on recommendation of high-powered committee
headed by Prime Minister, The Home Minister, The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as
other members, The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Why Rohingyas also known as ‘boat people’? GS Paper II-International Relations Prelims "Youtube:
DNA 11.12.2023" Who are Rohingyas? Rohingyas ● Rohingya are an ethnic group, largely
comprising Muslims, who predominantly live in the Western Myanmar province of Rakhine. They
speak a dialect of Bengali, as opposed to the commonly spoken Burmese language. What are the
issues faced by Rohingyas? ● Myanmar considers Rohingyas as persons who migrated to their
land during the Colonial rule. ● So, it has not granted Rohingyas full citizenship. ● According the
1982 Burmese citizenship law, a Rohingya (or any ethnic minority) is eligible for citizenship only if
he/she provides proof that his/her ancestors have lived in the country prior to 1823. ● Those who
could not show the proof of staying prior to 1823 have been declared illegal migrants. ● They are
tortured by Buddhist Myanmarese to leave Myanmar. ● They are harassed, tortured, killed, raped by
the majority. ● Thus UN said- Rohingyas are the most persecuted community in the world. Note-
Rohingya issue has been covered in detail in newspaper analysis of 18th April 2023 (1st topic)
Why Rohingyas also known as ‘boat people’? ● Rohingya people have taken to boats from
Myanmar for years to escape the genocide they are facing in Rakhine state. ● Many human
smugglers promise Rohingyas to take them to safer places illegally. ● But they take belongingness
of Rohingyas and leave them stranded in the sea. ● Some Rohingyas reach shores while other
perish in the high seas itself.

EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act GS Paper II-International Conventions Prelims "Youtube: DNA
11.12.2023" Current news? ● European Union officials have reached a provisional deal on the
world’s first comprehensive laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. ● The European
Parliament will vote on the AI Act proposals in early 2024, and the legislation is expected to take
effect in 2025. Provisions of EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act- 1. Classification of AI ● Classification
of AI tech based on the level of risk they pose. ● There are four risk categories in the Act —
unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk and minimal risk.

Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS) GS Paper II- International Relations Prelims "Youtube: DNA
16.12.2023" Shanghai Cooperation Organization ● SCO is a permanent intergovernmental
international organisation. ● It was created in 2001. ● Objective- It is a political, economic and
military organisation. It aims to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.\ ● Secretariat
is in Beijing. Membership-Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India,
Pakistan, Iran. ● India and Pakistan became members in 2017. ● Russia supported inclusion of
India, in return China insisted on inclusion of Pakistan.

India recently hosted a joint anti-terror exercise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
nations called RATS. The exercise was carried out in New Delhi with the support of the executive
committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the SCO

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) ● It is a biennial forum conceived by the Indian Navy in
2008. ● It is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the
littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion.
● IONS strength is 34 (25 members and 9 observer states). Purpose ● It is a voluntary initiative
that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian
Ocean Region. ● It provides an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant
maritime issues. Current news ● Recently the 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium
(IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC) held in Bangkok, Thailand. Highlights of the IONS 2023 Conclave
of Chiefs ● Thailand took over as the IONS Chair. ● The flag designed by India was chosen as the
official IONS Flag. ● India assumed the co-Chair position for IONS Working Groups on Maritime
Security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the upcoming cycle. ●
Republic of Korea Navy was added as the latest observer.

Irredentism Paper I-Essay GS Paper II-International Relations "Youtube: DNA 28.12.2023" Current
context ● India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is on 5 days visit to Russia. ● Focus will be
to further bilateral strategic agreements across sectors, including defence, energy and trade,
currencies, connectivity initiatives and Indian investments in far-east Russia. ● During the visit the
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made an interesting comment about the economies of the
two allies as he lauded their historical partnership. ● The Indian economy, which was half of
Russia’s in 1991, is now nearly 1.5 times bigger. ● This was not to showdown Russia but to
highlight changing global politics.

Irredentism ● Irredentism is a desire by one state to annex a territory of another state. ● This
desire can be motivated by ethnic reasons or historical reason. Other examples Irredentism- 1.
Germany under Hitler rule ● Lebensraum Policy-Meaning "living space," it was a basic principle of
Nazi foreign policy. ● Hitler believed that eastern Europe had to be conquered to create a vast
German empire for more physical space, a greater population, and new territory to supply food and
raw materials. ● This policy ultimately led to WWII and defeat of Germany.

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