November Month UPSC magazine in English Free PDF

Index: Topper’s Talk

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International Relations 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13)

USA Grants Waiver on Iran’s Oil China Pakistan Bus Service East Asia and ASEAN Summit 2018 Bhutan Elections – India Relations India – Kosovo Controversy Asia Bibi Case of Pakistan Soft State – Sobriquet for India USA Birthright Citizenship Issue World’s First Blue Bond Brexit Deal and Implications U.K. – Spain Gibraltar Issue The Moscow Format FCTC Framework on Tobacco

7 8 9 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22

Science and Technology 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7)

HysIS Satellite ISRO and NASA Balck Hole INS Arihant –Nuclear Triad Martian Moon Phobos Antioxidants and Body Kepler Space Telescope ISRO GSAT – 29 Satellite

23 24 26 28 29 30 31

8) 9) 10) 11)

Misuse of Kisan Credit Card Rupay vs Mastercard Issue 12 MSME Initiatives ATM’s May Close Down

57 59 60 62

Geography and Environment: 1) Koalas Face extinction in Australia 2) Living Planet Report 2018 by WWF 3) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood 4) Maharashtra Drought 2018 5) Australia Drought Impact 6) Rapid Ocean Warming 7) India’s Wildlife Crime Control 8) Ozone Layer Recovery 9) Stubble Burning in India 10) Green Crackers 11) Link between Life on Earth & its movement of continents 12) Earth’s Interior Is Dragging its Underground Water 13) Rise in Typhoons’ Frequency 14) Flamingoes Visit Hope Island 15) North Sentinel Island India

64 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

Polity 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

About the CBI Reforms CBI vs States Private Member Bill Maharashtra Electoral Reforms Kartarpur Corridor

32 33 34 36 37

Spice of the Month

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38 39 41 42 44 45 46 47 49

1) Definition of the Month 2) Examples of the Month A. Polity B. Society Human Development C. Economy D. IR, Defense & Security E. Geography, Environment F. Science & Technology G. Ethics H. Data of the Month I. Quotes of the Month

82 82 82 83 84 86 86 88 88 89 90

50 51

Prelims Capsules

91

52

Mains Practice Questions

99

53

Solutions to the Prelims

100

Governance and Social Issues 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

Gurjarat Migrant Exodus Internal Migration in India Economic Conditions of Muslim Polio & Its Eradication Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria Combat Anti-Ageing Pneumonia-Diarrhea Progress Report Maratha Reservation Allied & Healthcare Profession Bill

Economy 1) Ease of Doing Business-India

2) Service Sector Boom India & Plights 3) Inland Waterways in India 4) Unsecured Loans in Banking Sector 5) RBI, Govt. wants 3.6 Lakh Crore 6) Section 7 of the RBI Act 7) Rising Prices of Pulse

54 55 56

TOPPER’S TALK INTRODUCTION Congratulations from the Study IQ Team for your exceptional achievement. We are ecstatic that your efforts have been rewarded in a grand way.

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Let us kick start by asking when did you decide to prepare for India's toughest exam?

While I was working with Samsung Research India in 2015, I felt the urge of joining Civil Services. It was then that I decided to prepare for the same.

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Was it your childhood fascination and dream to be an officer?

It was not exactly a childhood fascination, but I was indeed inclined towards government jobs since long.

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How did you react when you saw your name in the toppers list?

My Friend Prakash Chandra Shukla, me and my brother were together while we started searching for my name in the list. My reaction was one of disbelief in the beginning. The rank was way above what I had expected for myself. We shouted at the TOP of our voices. We hugged each other. We thanked God. And then the spate of never-ending calls began.

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Could you tell us something about yourself, your background like your family, school, college, work, etc.

I come from a middle-class family based in Saharsa, Bihar. I have done B.Tech in Computer

Science and Engineering from IIT BHU, Varanasi.

I worked at Samsung R&D Bangalore as a Software Engineer from August 2015 till January 2016. After leaving Samsung, I started the Civil Services Preparation. Meanwhile, I qualified UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant 2016 with AIR 1.

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What according to you makes civil services such a trending exam with the youth despite the proliferation of lucrative private sector jobs?

Getting an identity early in life to build upon later was my motivation behind becoming a civil servant. I come from a middle-class family. I had limited aspirations to begin with. I was initially happy with the job of a Software Engineer in Samsung Research India, Bangalore.

Though it was a well-paying job, there was a struggle for identity. We had 5k employees working in a building. I was one among them. I wanted things to get better and a little more challenging. I wanted things to be a lot more happening. I could not wait for 20 30 years to assume larger responsibility. I thought Civil Services is one career option that provides us the leverage of administering a district at a tender age of 25 which is unparalleled. That was the prime motivation for joining Civil Services.

About the strategy •

How was your typical day while you were preparing for the exams?

I would wake up at 8 am. Meditation was a part of my daily routine. I read the newspaper The Hindu regularly. Then I would devote the remaining time to General Studies and Mathematics Optional. A balance has to be maintained in studying GS and Optional.

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What was your method and style of preparation? What was your methodology of preparing notes as note making is an extremely crucial step in preparation?

Limited study material and more of revisions and mock tests was my style of preparation. I made short notes for the topics mentioned in the syllabus and revised them multiple times. I refrained from making notes of standard textbooks like Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum's book for Modern History etc.

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We saw numerous candidates complain about the GS paper being tougher especially in the past two years, what do you suggest to the aspirants preparing for Prelim-2019? How should they prepare for the GS paper?

First finish the standard text materials. Then cover the Current Affairs from 2 or more sources. For Prelims, solving more and more mock test papers holds the key. It is important to keep one's eyes and ears open. Surfing the net helps in increasing awareness.

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Completing the paper on time especially the comprehension portion become a tough job for many aspirants this year, kindly provide some words of wisdom on tacking the speed and managing time to the aspirants.

Practice more and more mock tests. Attempt the tests in exam like conditions.

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Mains I was confident with answer writing in terms of structure, language etc. I gave 8 Full length Tests.

That’s all. I had Math’s optional. I strictly followed the timelines of Test Series.

Bottom line: There is no rule of thumb with regards to number of Test Series. Some write less, some more. Just know your need and prepare accordingly.

Do you think that the mock tests are necessary for success?

Prelims In 2015 I did not solve Pre-test papers at all. I failed by 11 marks. In 2016 I solved only 4 or 5 test papers of Insights Test series. I failed Pre-by 7 marks. In 2017 I solved the entire papers of various Test Series. I cleared Prelims with a margin of 15 marks.

Bottom Line: The more the better.

Mains ● How did you prepare for the paper on essay?

I did not enroll in any Essay Test Series. I just wrote 5–6 essays on my own, self-evaluated.

Learnt some quotes. Read some topper's essays. ●

Which two essays did you write during your exam? I wrote essays on: Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.

Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.

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What do you think about the FIXED SPACE answer sheet? How was your experience with the fixed space answer sheet?

There is always enough space for every answer. In engineering optional and Mathematics, there is indeed a risk of running out the fixed space in case of miscalculations, but it can be managed with sufficient practice. ●

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How did you prepare for General Studies Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4?

I covered the topics mentioned in the syllabus word by word. I made short notes for them, added current affairs elements from time to time. In all the subjects, revision is the key. ●

Could you suggest the apt answer writing strategy for mains?

Do you suggest writing in bullets or in paragraphs? How should we approach questions which ask us to 'examine, discuss, comment, elucidate.

It is advisable to write in bullets as it makes the life of examiner easy. I never tried to bother too much about the suggestive keywords. I always tried to answer both sides of an issue and a suitable conclusion. ●

Writing more number of answers at one go is key to building endurance. The focus should be on completing the set of 20 questions with reasonable content of decent quality. Always remember that there is nothing like an ideal answer.

Do you think proper 'introduction- body and conclusion' format works better? Many students shared that due to the paucity of time they just penned down the points they could recollect rather than following the method.

What would you advice to the aspirants?

Yes. If one has time, a candidate MUST follow the intro, body and conclusion format.

Mains Optional Subject ●

What was your optional subject and why did you select the same?

My optional subject was Mathematics. I had genuine interest and a background in the subject, hence I went with Math’s.

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What all factors an aspirant must consider while selecting for an optional?

The factors to be considered include interest in the subject, background in graduation, length of the syllabus, time required for completion, guidance and resources available, and overlap with General Studies etc.

Could you share the resource list for your optional?

I used the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMS) classes, study material and test series. I did not solve standard books.

Would you advise solving 10 years papers for the optional?

Yes, it is advisable as it worked for me.

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Can one simply rely on books and notes to prepare for this optional or do you also advice the aspirants to leverage the internet?

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Optional with dynamic syllabus unlike Mathematics require the use of the internet.

• How many months did you take to learn and finish the core optional syllabus?

Mathematics optional is lengthy and requires a year of preparation.

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Did you make self-notes for revision of the optional? If yes then in which format did you make the notes- electronic or handwritten?

Yes, I prepared formulae sheets for every chapter and made notes of conceptual questions.

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Did you draw diagram in any paper for instance in GS 1 Geography? Did you draw

them with a pen or a pencil? Did you use a ruler to draw lines in the diagram?

Yes, I made diagrams whenever it was suitable. I used pens to draw them. Ruler was not used by me anywhere.

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Did you use highlighters or markers or sketch pens while scripting your answers?

I simply underlined to highlight important parts of my answer.

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Did you write the answers in blue or black pen?

I used Blue Pilot V5 gel pen.

Interview •

What was your approach during the interview?

How did you prepare for the interview?

I prepared a list of probable questions from my DAF, wrote answers for them and practiced them. I covered important topics like hobbies, home state, current affairs, graduation subject and optional subject etc.

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Did you attend any mock interviews? Where the mock interviews similar or different from the official interview? Do you recommend mock interviews to the aspirants?

Yes. The mock interviews were similar in many aspects. I would recommend giving 4-6 mock interviews.

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How did you make powerful first impressions on the panel? What did you wear for the interview?

I tried to greet the members with respect and tried to maintain positivity and cheerfulness throughout.

I wore a navy blue suit, a sky blue shirt and a blue tie.

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Who was the Chairman of your interview board?

Prof P.K.Joshi • How long did the interview last?

30-35 minutes.

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What all questions did the panel ask you and what was your response to the questions asked? Did you encounter any unpleasant moment during the interview? Please narrate your entire interview.

I was anxiously waiting at the Central Hall. The ring belled. I was escorted by a peon into the interview hall. After entering the hall, I wished the Chairman first, followed by the lady member and then the other 3 members together.

Date and Time of Interview: Forenoon 28th Feb 2018. I was the 3rd candidate out of 6.

Chairman (Dr. P.K. Joshi) Question 1 : After appreciating 100 marks in Mathematics in Xth Board, the Chairman Sir asked “How many marks did you get in Mathematics Class XII?” Answer : Sir, 96.

Question 2 : Which force have you been allotted through CAPF? Answer : Sir, I have been allotted Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

Question 3 : Being the topper of CAPF, you could have got any force, why did you opt for Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)? Any particular reason?

Answer : Sir, SSB is tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. I come from Bihar which shares a long border with Nepal.

Since I am aware about the local conditions there, I chose SSB. Further Sir, my mother tongue is Maithili which is also spoken in good numbers in Nepal, hence I can engage with them better.

Question 4 : When we have BSF as a border guarding force, why need SSB? Answer : Sir, BSF is tasked with guarding the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh border. The geographical conditions of Indo-Pakistan border is quite different from the Indo- Nepal border or Indo-Bhutan border. In the Indo-Pakistan case, the

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border is sealed while India shares a porous border with Nepal and Bhutan. Also Sir, there was a Bhatnagar Committee report that recommended for One Border Once Force concept accordingly we have separate forces for each borders.

Question 5 : Suppose you are posted as a DM in a village school and asked to address students of Class VIII- XII, what would you speak about for promoting Mathematics which students don't like?

Answer : Firstly, I would tell them about the contributions of Indian Mathematicians and motivate them that they can bring similar or even better laurels for our nation. Secondly, I would tell them about the scope of Mathematics as a career option in future. Finally, I would tell them about the applications of Mathematics in day-to-day life.

Question 6 : Use the pen and paper to solve this question. Math’s Question 1: If a laborer earns Rs. 75 on 1 day and Rs. 95 on the next, what would be the average wage? st

Answer : (After calculating on pen and paper), Rs. 85 Sir. Question 7 : Why is the answer not 50 kmph?

Answer : Sir, the acceleration is not constant in this case, the bus changes direction, hence we cannot take arithmetic mean of the two velocities.

Question 8 : What was the type of mean you used here?

Answer : I answered, “May I take a guess Sir? I am not sure.” He said, “Please”. I said “Harmonic Mean”. He nodded to my relief.

Question 9 : When was IT BHU made IIT BHU? What difference has it made?

Answer : It was in the year 2012. I was asked, “Are you sure?” I replied, “Yes Sir”. Then I added that IIT tag has brought the institute to the global stage. After getting recognition as an IIT, the funding from the Centre has also undergone a change.

Member 1 (Lady member) Question 1 : What is Munger famous for? (Came as a shocker for me because I am from Saharsa, Bihar) Answer : Madam, the soil of Munger is called Kharwa mitti, because it is rich in Potassium Nitrate or gunpowder and hence widely used for making guns. That is the reason we have gun culture in Munger. After being asked to continue, I added that Munger also has a famous Yoga University.

liquor in the state etc. The state government has also provided up to 50% reservation for women in Panchayats.

Question 2 : Do you do Yoga?

Answer : Yes, Madam.

Question 5 : How to ensure government accountability?

Answer : Madam, government can be held accountable by increasing citizen’s participation in governance. Currently, what happens is that the citizen’s participation is limited to voting during elections. This has to change. I think the social media has emerged as a tool to ensure accountability in governance.

Question 3 : What is the status of women in Bihar?

Do you think women has been empowered in your state?

Answer : Madam, there has been an improvement in the status of women in Bihar in recent years.

The state Chief Minister has taken a number of initiatives like Bicycle for Girls Scheme, Ban on

Question 4 : What is accountable governance?

Answer : Madam, It means a way of governance in which the government is responsible to the people for its policy decisions. It means that the governments can be held answerable for their arbitrary decisions.

Member 2 Question 1 : What was the project you worked upon in Samsung?

Answer : Sir, I was working on a project on Iris Authentication. I was working on a project in which we were trying to develop software that would automatically pause a video when the viewer looks away from the mobile screen. It was based on the idea of Authentication using Iris.

Answer : Sir, currently, India is spending around 0.5-0.6% of the GDP on R&D which is much lower than most of the BRICS countries.

Question 3 : What is the need of high end R&D when our basic skill needs are unmet?

Answer : Sir, high end R&D has applications at lower levels too. For example, advanced weather forecasting using Supercomputers can help in

Question 2 : What is the state of R&D in India?

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preventing crop losses. Therefore we need a two-

pronged

approach

on

R&D

Member 3 Question 1: Should we go for making strong laws to provide security to women?

Answer : Sir, I believe that it is the certainty of punishment and not its severity that deters crime.

Hence, I think strict enforcement of existing laws is more important than making laws stringent.

Question 2 : Are laws against Dowry enough?

Why are they being misused? What are recent changes in Dowry law?

Answer : Sir, there are enough laws to deal with dowry. But such laws need to be complemented by social awareness campaigns like the human chains launched by the Bihar government to spread awareness about the legal safeguards available to women. Section 498A of IPC has been misused by women under a number of circumstances due to ulterior motives. Recently, Supreme Court has held that Family Welfare Committees should be

set up at district levels that would go into the truthfulness of dowry related complaints before any police action.

Question 3: Situational Question: Suppose your domestic help comes to you and complains to you about her drunkard husband who comes from work and beats her under the influence of alcohol.

What would be your step of action?

Answer : I would talk to the employer of the husband and advise to not encourage drinking at the workplace. I would advise the employer to organize sensitization sessions at the workplace to make the employees aware about the pitfalls associated with drinking alcohol. If things do not improve, I would help the distressed woman in lodging a complaint under Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and I would take stringent actions against the erring husband.

Member 4 Question 1: What was the earlier name of BHU? Answer : I am not aware Sir. Question 2 : Who founded it?

Answer : Sir, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Ji was the founder.

Question 3 : Who gave the money for the setting up of BHU? Answer : Maharaja of Benaras, Kashi Naresh gave the money on the insistence of Malviya Ji and Annie Besant.

Question 4 : Who founded AMU and when?

Answer : Sir Syyed Ahmad Khan founded AMU. I am not sure of the year Sir. Question 5 : Don’t you think that the British sowed the seeds of division by helping the setup of a Hindu University and a Muslim university?

Answer : Sir, I agree with your assertion. But I also believe that the modern education was the need of the hour.

Question 6 : Why is Varanasi named so?

Answer : There are two rivers named Varuna and Assi that flows through the city, hence the city had been named Varanasi.

Question 7 : Why is IIT BHU not doing too good?

(Asked in Hindi) Answer : Sir, while it is true that IIT BHU has seen its rank degrade in the recently released NIRF

rankings. (Replied in Hindi). There are some issues with the infrastructure. But in terms of placements, we are neck to neck with the 5 old IITs. Question 8: Why is Kashi so famous?

Answer: Kashi is famous for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, serene ghats of Ganges etc.

Kashi since ages has been known as a place where people come during the later part of their lives to attain Moksha.

Question 9: What is 3rd Industrial Revolution, 2nd IR and 1st IR? Answer: 3rd IR is related to Internet.

The member interrupted by saying, “No, you are wrong!” I replied, “May I know the correct answer, Sir?” I was told that 3rd IR was related to Computers and not Internet. I thanked the member and added that 2nd IR was related to Electricity and 1st IR with Steam Engine.

Thereafter, I was told by the Chairman that my interview was over. I stood up, thanked the Chairman first and then thanked all the members. I left the room with mixed feelings. My Observations: I found the board to be cordial. I found the last member to be a little intimidating. I was asked no questions on hobbies. To my surprise, I was asked no question on Why IPS as the first preference! I was well prepared on how to handle those questions. I had read a lot about Police reforms, issues in policing etc. But UPSC is unpredictable at times. Results are out. I scored

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167 in interview and secured AIR 13 in Civil

Services Examination 2017.

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How can aspirants ward off distractions? As keeping the momentum becomes a challenge for most aspirants as they lack consistency.

An aspirant should stay out of social media. It is advisable to do Yoga, meditation etc to maintain concentration.

Sports and music can also be pursued.

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Would you like to share with the readers about the people who have been behind your spectacular performance like family, friends, teachers, mentors, etc.?

I would like to thank Pavan Kumar Sir who taught me GS Paper IV and Venkanna Sir who helped me in Mathematics optional. My parents and my family supported me a lot in overcoming failures. My father needs a mentioning here as he was the one who could sense that I would secure a rank in two digits.

• Did you benefit from the StudyIQ platform during your preparation for the exam?

I used to watch Current Affairs videos from the YouTube Channel of StudyIQ platform. I benefitted from the same.

Thankyou Sagar Kumar Jha AIR 13 , CSE 2017

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

(Click on the image to watch the video) USA grants India waiver on Iran’s Oil What is it About: USA has granted waiver to 8 countries, including India on Iran’s oil import. Put pause on its sanction for next 6 months.

Background to the Story: USA retreated itself from Iran’s deal which Obama Administration had proposed. The full analysis can be found here in the video.

Sanctions of USA were to put Iran in the first hand of the lists in CAATSA act (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) and to corner the Iran through world trade.

The full information is in the video of the mentioned title.

The Eights Countries: China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Japan have been top importers of Iran's oil, while Taiwan occasionally buys cargoes of Iranian crude but is not a major buyer. Turkey has been told it will temporarily be allowed to keep buying Iranian oil, its energy minister told reporters, as has Iraq, as long as it does not pay Iran in U.S. dollars.

Major Benefit: A waiver will come as a big relief to Indian Oil and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), the two largest Iranian oil consumers. The two firms together have placed an order for 1.25mt of crude from Iran in November.

SWIFT Financial Messaging Service: U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said Washington had told the Brussels-based SWIFT financial messaging service it was expected to disconnect all Iranian financial institutions that the United States plans to blacklist Conditions: But, as a condition of waiver, Indian oil firms will reduce their imports significantly. The U.S. has said that it is only issuing temporary waivers, and the waivers are strictly linked to the condition that countries receiving them keep cutting down their purchases from Iran.

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Basics of the Sanctions: Two sets of sanctions – First Ø Iran’s purchase of U.S. currency Ø Iran’s trade in gold and other precious metals Ø The sale to Iran of auto parts, commercial passenger aircraft, and related parts and services.

Second sets of Sanctions: Ø Start from 5th November Ø Restricts sales of oil and petrochemical products from Iran. Ø Thus any country, or company, trading with Iran without US consent after sanctions kick off risks getting cut off from the American financial system India – Iran Relations: India is a major importer of Iranian oil - of the 220.4 million metric tonnes of crude imported by India in 2017-18, more than 9% was from Iran. India had imported about 22 million tons of crude oil from Iran in 2017-18 and planned to raise that to about 30 million tonnes in 2018-19.

The Trump administration will allow eight countries to import limited amounts of Iranian oil even after US sanctions.

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) China Pakistan Bus Service via PoK What is it About:: Pakistan – China bus service launched between Kashgar (China) and Lahore (Pakistan) via Pak occupied Kashmir.

India has put its strong protest on it.

CPEC’s Role: Ø Propsed route of the bus is via much-talked China Pakistan Economic Corridor. Ø Lahore (Pakistan )and Kashgr (Taslkurgan, China) will be the end-points of the bus service. Ø Sat-Sun-Mon-Tuesday will be the departure days from Lahore while Tues-Wednes-Thurs-Friday will be the departure days from Tashkurgan. Ø Cost of the journey is 13,000 Pakistani Rupee for one way and 23,000 PKR for two ways. Ø Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and Shuja Express are the two venture partners of the bus service. Ø 5 Stopovers, 15-seater bus, crossing at Khunjerab, China and the service will require valid visa and ID card and will take 36 hours two ways. Ø Humayun Iqbal Shami – Chairman of the ChinaPakistan Economic Forum.

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NOTES :

No Assent from India: India has protested vehemently the bus service by a rationale that if the PoK is the disputed land between India and Pakistan, China is bound to talk to India in this scenario.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang defended the bus service, saying its cooperation with Pakistan and has no business with India about the territorial clamor.

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective: UPSC Prelims 2019 What Happened in November 2018?

PM’s visti to Singapore: PM recently concluded his visit to Singapore and attended the ASEAN-India Summit held on the sidelines of 33rd ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit.

ASEAN Summit, November 2018 ➢ The ASEAN Summit is a semi-annual (occurring twice a year) meeting ➢ This was 33 ASEAN Summit.

The ASEAN members are Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos.

INDIA–ASEAN ➢ On the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit, India-ASEAN Summit was also organized. ➢ As strategic partners, India and ASEAN have trade and economic relations. ➢ Trade between India and ASEAN stood at around $ 81 billion in 2017-18 and constitutes 10% of India’s total trade. Exports to ASEAN countries constitute 11% of India’s total exports. ➢ India and ASEAN have a combined population of 1.9 billion, which is a quarter of the world’s population and the combined GDP of $5 trillion. ➢ In 2017, India and ASEAN celebrated 25 years of their engagement and the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit was held on January 25th, 2018. ➢ India’s relation with ASEAN is marked by 3 C’s Culture, Commerce and Connectivity.

13th East Asia Summit ➢ India also participated in 13th East Asia Summit. ➢ The East Asia Summit (Established:2005) is a forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security, and prosperity. ➢ The members of East Asia Summit consist of the 10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos), and 8 other members- Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US.

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33rd ASEAN Summit 2nd Regional Comprehensive Partnership (RCEP) Summit

Economic

Theme: Resilient And Innovative About ASEAN ➢ The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN,established in 1967 with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).

➢ ➢

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

It is an idea of a free trade agreement for countries like ASEAN Members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and the six Asia-Pacific states(Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand).

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➢ ➢ ➢

Some countries should be united under the free trade agreement in terms of market access. Diminishing all the borders in terms of the market.

Under RCEP any country can sell its product in another country at the minimum tariff.

RCEP is a revolutionary idea and when it gets successful, there will be a positive drift in the economy for a respective country hence providing an economic stability.

NOTES :

3rd Quad Meeting(Informal Group) ➢ It is the grouping of four democracies –India, Australia, the US, and Japan. ➢ The Quad association of members who have a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region and rules-based global order. ➢ Connectivity, counterterrorism, and cyber security were the focus of the conversation at the third meeting of the ‘Quad’ countries. ➢ The US, Japan, and Australia emphasized “rules-based order” in their statements, which was missing from the Indian statement. ➢ A serious discussion took place on Sri Lanka and Maldives, both in India’s immediate neighborhood and influenced by China’s expansionism.

Why Trump Was Absent? ➢ The US president’s lack of engagement with Asian nations came just days after a trip to France for World War One commemorations at which he appeared isolated from NATO allies. ➢ As well as the summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and East Asian nations in Singapore, Trump will also skip the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Papua New Guinea.

Doubts Ø Trump attended both the ASEAN and APEC meetings in 2017, and his decision to stay away this year has raised questions about Washington’s commitment to a regional strategy to counter China. Ø Vice President Mike Pence, who represented Trump in Singapore, told the meeting that United States’ commitment to the Indo-Pacific is “steadfast and enduring.”

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective : Mains Paper 2: International Relations – Effects of policies & politics of developed and developing countries in India’s interests Bhutan ➢ Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia. ➢ Less contact with China. ➢ More connected with India. ➢ Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy( King has the power, but limited to the constitution) ➢ The government is a parliamentary democracy; the head of state is the King of Bhutan, known as the “Dragon King”. ➢ Bhutan is a member of the United Nations, SAARC, BIMSTEC and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Constitutional Monarchy ➢ A constitutional monarchy is a monarchy in which the monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution. ➢ Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the current reigning Druk Gyalpo or “Dragon King” of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Elections In Bhutan The Parliament – Chi Tshog has two Houses: ➢ National Council (Gyelyong Tshogde) Upper House. ➢ National Assembly (Tshogdu) Lower House, both with a five-year term.

About Bhutan Parliament ➢ The National Council has 25 members of which 20 are elected while five are nominated by the King; candidates contest the Council elections as independents and not as party nominees. ➢ However, elections to the National Assembly, which has 47 members are held on party lines.

Parties Of Bhutan ➢ People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tobgay in its manifesto describes India as “our closest neighbour and friend”, and says it will ensure further engagement with New Delhi ( Pro India Party) ➢ Druk PhuensumTshogpa (DPT), of Dr Pema Gyamtsho in its manifesto, says it remains committed to

maintaining and furthering excellent bilateral relations by deepening economic ties and carrying forward the mutually beneficial cooperation. ➢ Some doubts, though, have been expressed if DPT’s vision of “sovereignty, security and selfsufficiency” is intended as a thinly veiled reference to Indian interests.

Bhutan 2018 Election Winner ➢ Centre-Left DNT, which seeks to strengthen and diversify economic ties with India, has won 30 seats in the 47-member National Assembly, the lower house of the Bhutanese parliament.

The DNT vision included boosting connectivity, the promotion of Bhutan’s culture to enhance tourism, and building of infrastructure to enhance connectivity. It also had plans to introduce childcare and maternity benefits to women to tackle the reduction in the number of childbirths in Bhutan. There was, however, no mention of foreign policy issues in the manifesto.

Bhutan Got A New Prime Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Bhutan’s newly elected Prime Minister LotayTshering, president of the Druk NyamrupTshogpa party, to congratulate him on his election win.

Importance Of Election Result For India ➢ For India, Bhutanese elections have a special significance, considering the very close relations that New Delhi shares with Thimphu, especially in the context of increased Chinese involvement and the Doklam standoff. ➢ Keeping the 79-day Doklam standoff between the Indian and Chinese armies in view, the leanings of the Bhutanese PM are crucial.

Bhutan’s expectation’s From India ➢ Ending that speculation, the PM in waiting, Lotaty Tshering, in a media interview has already stated that “Our [DNT] views are very clear on foreign policy and we believe that it cannot change every five years. ➢ Our King (Jigme Khesar NamgyelWangchuck) will be the guiding force on matters of foreign policy… And on India, we believe that BhutanIndia relationship is non-negotiable.”

Bhutan,- India Tensions Hydropower projects are critical for the Bhutanese economy, and are at the core of Bhutan’s plans for self-reliance.

As of July 2017, Bhutan’s debt to India for the three major ongoing projects: Mangdechhu, Punatsangchhu 1 and 2 is approximately Rs 12,300 Crores which accounts for

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77% of the country’s total debt, and is 87% of its GDP. While the cost of the 720 MW Mangdechhu project has nearly doubled in the past two years of construction, both Punatsangchhu 1 and 2, each of 1200 MW have trebled in cost and were delayed more than five years over the original completion schedule.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective Mains Paper 2: International Relations, Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests.

What Happened Recently? ➢ India denied a visa to Kosovo boxer Donjeta Sadiku to participate in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. ➢ After this, Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA) President wrote to the Sports Minister and the Indian Olympic Association, President, saying the visa denial “cast doubt” on India’s eligibility for hosting future international sporting events. ➢ For its part, AIBA threatened that it would reconsider India as the host for 2021 AIBA Men’s Boxing Championships.

Kosovo Boxer Donjeta Sadiku’s Photo

History Of Kosovo Ø At one time, Kosovo had been the heart of the Serbian Empire, only to be lost to the Ottomans in 1398. Ø Centuries later, in 1912, Serbia regained control of Kosovo, and by 1946, Kosovo was absorbed into the Yugoslav federation. Ø Around the 1960s, Kosovo began to assert its autonomy, being a majority-Muslim province after centuries of Ottoman rule, in a majorityChristian Federation. Ø The Yugoslav federation accepted this autonomy in the 1980s, giving Kosovo a ‘de facto selfgovernment’. ➢ But from 1998-99, Kosovo was the site of a bitter and deadly war that killed thousands, largely fought between ethnic Serbs and ethnic Albanians. ➢ In a conflict that spiralled into killings and revenge killings. ➢ NATO finally intervened against Yugoslavia, and the Kumanovo Agreement was reached in 1999 to end the war.

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Kosovo

➢ ➢

➢

In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, in a move that was summarily rejected by the Serbian government. ➢ While Serbia recognizes administration of the territory by Kosovo's elected government, it continues to claim it as its own Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija. ➢ Kosovo is a member of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Regional Cooperation Council and has applied for membership of Interpol and for observer status in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation.

International Recognition Of Kosovo As of 1 November 2018, the Republic of Kosovo has received 116 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state.

India is reluctant to lend weight to the notion that territories within a sovereign nation can secede at will.

Such an action would, India fears, open it up to legitimate charges of hypocrisy – ‘If you will accept the right of self-determination of xyz country, why not of your own Kashmiris/Khalistan is?’

What Could India Have Done To Avoid Controversy? ➢ India does not yet have a good enough reason to sideline its long-standing foreign policy principles on which it bases its interactions with other countries. ➢ India didn’t need to sacrifice hosting all future international competitions. ➢ We should (like China) have just given the boxer a visa on a piece of paper stapled to her passport.

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NOTES :

Dark green part states, the countries which recognize Kosovo as an independent.

BRICS countries do not support Kosovo as an independent.

Adhering To Its Principles ➢ For India, this is about more than just Kosovo, a tiny European nation. ➢ This is about a long- and tightly-held principle that India holds dear –that of sovereignty and respecting the territorial integrity. ➢ India does not recognize Kosovo as an independent nation, despite it having declared itself independent from Serbia in 2008. ➢ As one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement in the aftermath of World War II, India’s foreign policy follows these principles: Non-interference in other nation’s internal affairs and an expectation of noninterference in its own; mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; and peaceful coexistence.

Complications For India ➢ With a conflict-ridden Kashmir to the north, where cries of ‘azaadi’ are routinely heard, and a recurring Khalistan struggle.

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After this long furore, Supreme Court inverted the high court’s verdict. Two judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan: Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Mazhar Alam exonerated her of the charge of blasphemy on October 31, 2018. Justice Khosa recited some couplets of Holy Quran during the judgement and asserted, “tolerance is one of the root principles of Islam. You (religious hardliners) can kill me too, I am an easy target for you.”

(Click on the image above to watch the video) What is the issue of Asia Bibi?

Asia Bibi is a Christian citizen of Pakistan who was acquitted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a case of blasphemy of 2009. As a result of her acquittal, several right wing fundamentalist groups have waged commotions in Pakistan to give her a public execution.

Prelude to the Acquittal: Asia Bibi (real name – Aasia Noreen) is 47 year old farm laborer Christian in Pakistan. Three Muslim women of Asia’s locality had purportedly refused to drink water from a vessel because it was used by Christian people, Asia claimed it. A verbal row erupted between Asia and those three women and it was alleged by those three women that Asia Bibi ridiculed Prophet Muhammed. This verbal brawl gets spread in the local region, a mob in the locality circumvents her house and she was threatened by the mob. Ultimately, it led to file a complaint against her and in November 2010, a trial court sentenced her of death penalty under Section 295-C of Pakistan Penal Code.

After the SC’s Verdict: Several hardliners of Pakistan, including Jamat-udDawa (led by terrorist Haafez Saeed), Jamat-Ulemaae-Islam called the verdict by the supreme court as wrong and started to protest. Vandalism and uproar break out in Pakistan. Those hardliners told the supporters to kill Justice Khosa and Justice Alam and execute Asia Bibi publicly.

Dastardly Government of Pakistan: It was totally expected that Asia Bibi will leave the nation as soon as she gets free. Her husband Asiq Masih and her two daughters are already talking asylum in London and waiting for her return to them.

On 2 November 2018, the Government of Pakistan and the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party, which abetted the protests against Asia Bibi, allegedly came into an agreement to bar Asia Bibi from leaving the country. According to the agreement, the legal process will be initiated to put Asia Bibi on the Exit Control List (ECL) which prohibits any individual from leaving the nation.

In Pakistan, under the case of blasphemy, death sentence is mandatory. The Lahore High Court upheld the trial court verdict, of her death penalty in October 2014.

In the Meanwhile: Several Christian organizations and groups termed the verdict as irrational and pleaded the Pakistani government to intervene into the matter. Pope Francis also requested for the intervention of the Pakistani government.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :

In 2011, Punjab governor Salman Taseer called the decision irrational, supported Asia and invoked the court to rethink of the blasphemy law. The repercussion of his voice resulted in his assassination by his own guard Mumtaz Qadri.

Mumtaz Qadri was convicted and executed in 2016. But, he was hailed as a martyr by several fundamentalist and religious hardliners. Millions of people visited a shrine made for him near Islamabad.

Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities Affairs, was also assassinated in 2011 when he voiced his support for Asia Bibi.

Supreme Court’s Verdict:

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some strict actions over this albatross around India’s neck. For example, the naxalism has turned into a hornets’ nest in India. A population exists in India who sympathizes with the naxalism.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

Earlier in Time: There were some decision by India by Indira Gandhi in 1971, when war with Pakistan broke out and then prime minister took a stiff bat and helped in creation of Bangladesh, merged Sikkim in India in 1975 and took tooth an nails over Punjab’s separatist Khalistan movement.

What is a ‘Soft State’? A pseudonym for India!!

UPSC Relevance – GS Paper-2 What is Soft State?

The term coined by Gunnar Myrdal, in his book, ‘Asian Drama’ while comparing South Asian countries to Europe.

He propounded that South Asian countries follow the policy of Soft State. The policy of soft state professes a lenient attitude towards the ‘Social Deviance’. Example of Social Deviance can be rape, murders, crime, extortion, etc. In another word which is said that those deeds or activities is not in convergence with the social norms. So by soft state means, that kind of government doesn’t take hard decisions over rapes, crime and other social deviance while sometimes they become very indispensable.

The soft state policy weakens the capacity of the state in enforcing the rule of law. Not taking hard decisions increases the crime rate, violence, corruption, etc. Law is needed in any nation and the bodies are accountable to implement those rules and laws. ‘Rule of Law’ should always prevail over the ‘Rule of Person/Individual’.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :

Perspective of India: In India, this policy is being followed in the postindependence period. After Independence, and also especially after 1990 most of the governments ran in coalition with other parties. So, when in coalition, governments sometimes profess a lenient attitude in order to appease the alliance, which may cause the social deviance, ultimately being a Soft State.

Several international veterans aver that India is slowly turning into a Soft State because of coalition among more than 10 political parties. Myrdal said that effective governments follow the strict enforcement of laws and rules.

Internal Issues: The British introduced the rules and laws and implemented them, which suited their vested interests during the colonial era. But, even after Independence, it is seen that governments in independent India were not able to implement the rules and laws. On some grounds, people themselves are not ready to accept the ‘rules’, in fact, they want to keep on running by the existed ‘social norms’. Some warm examples can be Caste-ism, Dowry, female foeticide, or even the current Sabrimala one.

External Issues: In the scenario of terrorism, there were/are several fronts where governments need to take

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➢ Uruguay Jus Sanguinis: Indian nationality law largely follows the jus sanguinis (citizenship by right of blood) as opposed to the jus soli (citizenship by right of birth within the territory).

Children at birth may automatically be citizens if their parents have state citizenship or national identities of ethnic, cultural, or other origins.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Trump may end the Birthright citizenship in U.S.A.: American President Donald Trump has said that he would end the birthright citizenship of USA by Presidential Executive Order. This citizenship is given to those babies who are born within the territory of USA. Example- If a non-American woman is pregnant and if she goes to the USA, for any purpose, and if she delivers the baby in USA within the trip, the woman can apply for the citizenship of that new-born baby. So, Trump wants to end this provision of citizenship.

Prelude to the Provision: → 14 Constitutional Amendment is behind this law, ratified on July 9, 1868, under the presidency of Andrew Johnson. → The amendment was brought to neutralize and grant citizenship prominently to the black Americans who were slaves’ children, and also those slaves who were freed after the civil war of USA. → It states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” th

Mixture of Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis: USA, Canada, Israel, Greece, The Republic of Ireland and Germany.

India’s Rule – A child born in India must have at least one parent who is Indian citizen to be conferred citizenship.

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NOTES :

Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis: U.S. citizenship is automatically granted to any person born within and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States (known as jus soli).

Birthright citizenship also applies to children born elsewhere in the world to U.S. citizens (with certain exceptions), known as jus sanguinis.

Jus soli is a Latin term that means law of the soil. Many countries follow the system of jus soli or more commonly known as, birthright citizenship. Jus soli is a Latin term that means law of the soil. Many countries follow the system of jus soli or more commonly known as, birthright citizenship.

Countries following the system of Jus Soli: ➢ Argentina ➢ Barbados ➢ Brazil ➢ Canada ➢ Jamaica ➢ Mexico ➢ Pakistan ➢ Peru ➢ Romania ➢ United States

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➢

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective – Prelims Seychelles’ Blue Bond: The Republic of Seychelles on October 29, 2018 launched the world’s first Sovereign Blue Bond, a financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects.

About Seychelles: ➢ Seychelles is an archipelago of some islands, part of the African Continent ➢ Independence - from U.K. on June 19, 1976 ➢ Capital- Victoria ➢ Ethnicity – Creoles (93.2%) ➢ Currency – Seychellois Rupee (SCR) ➢ President – Danny Faure

The Seychelles blue bond is partially guaranteed by a USD 5 million guarantee from the World Bank (IBRD) and is further supported by a USD 5 million concessional loans from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which will partially cover interest payments for the bond. ➢ A World Bank team comprising experts from its Treasury, Legal, Environmental and Finance groups worked with investors in structuring the blue bond.

India’s Concern with the Seychelles: Seychelles has become India’s concern because of ‘Assumption Island’. Indian navy wants to set up a Sound Surveillance System over Seychelles. But Seychelles government refused the proposal as they were facing conflicts on its own land. People of the Seychelles don’t want to be in tussle between India and China.

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NOTES :

The bond raised USD 15 million from international investors. The bond demonstrates the potential for countries to harness capital markets for financing the sustainable use of marine resources. With the issuance of the Blue Bonds, Seychelles became the first nation to pioneer such a novel financing instrument.

Boom in the Tourism Industry: After the visit of Prince William onto the island nation in 2011 with wife Princess Kate, the island nation is thriving in the tourism industry. Now, the government is has proposed some plans to keep this boom intact by saving and enhancing the marine life and industry.

Companies investing in the Blue Bond: The World Bank assisted in developing the Blue Bond and helped the country in reaching out to the three investors: ➢ Calvert Impact Capital ➢ Nuveen ➢ U.S. Headquartered Prudential Financial Inc. Main Points of Blue Bond: ➢ The Blue Bond is a part of an initiative that combines public and private investment to mobilize resources for empowering local communities and businesses. ➢ Proceeds from the bond will be utilized for the expansion of marine protected areas, improved governance of priority fisheries and the development of the Seychelles’ blue economy. ➢ Proceeds from the bond will also contribute to the World Bank’s South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Program, which supports countries in the region to sustainably manage their fisheries and increase economic benefits from their fisheries sectors.

The Creation of Blue Bond:

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a) b) c)

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective : GS 2 - International relations

Financial settlement between the UK & the EU Rights of UK and EU citizens living in each other's countries UK- Republic of Ireland border issues

How The Irish Question Playing Out? ● Ireland is an island to the west of Britain and has two major regions (north and south) with distinct demographic features. ● “Protestant majority Northern Ireland” (a U.K. territory) and “Catholic majority Irish Republic” (an independent country in the south), have had serious ethnic tensions within and between them.

Why in news : ● Despite more than 2 years since the Brexit vote, Britain remains as divided as ever, over the issue of leaving the EU. About BREXIT : ● Brexit is a term used to define United Kingdom coming out of EU. In a Referendum conducted in United Kingdom, UK voted by a narrow margin in favor of Brexit. Negotiations are undergoing currently between United Kingdom and European Parliament to negotiate the terms of the exit deal.

Constitutional Provision of Brexit: ● Lisbon Treaty (Article 50) provides for exit of member countries from European Union. For any country to come out of European Union, it has to negotiate a deal with EU. The deal will provide for a settlement between EU and UK. Why the demand for Brexit ? ● Economic reasons – The primary contention was that economically, Britain loses more than what it gains. ● Immigration issues : Half of British legal migrants come from EU. There is this feeling that they have a negative impact on UK born workers. Adding credence to local fears was the fact that since 1997, 3/4th of jobs created are taken up by EU immigrants. EU’s obligation on its members to accommodate more refugees also did not find favor with UK. Especially at a time when the refugee influx in Europe is at an all-time high in light of multiple crisis in Middle East and Africa ● Sovereignty Issue : EU is a transformative idea in many senses. One of the things that it leads to is the weakening of national sovereignty. EU has been pushing for creation of an Ever Closer Union which would accord greater decision making powers to European Parliament, while, limiting the authority of British Parliament.

●

A s U.K. plans to exit EU, the Irish question has come to haunt all concerned governments as there is palpable fear that a new era of violence might start.

PRELIMS Bits : About EU : ● The European Union (EU): ● Political & Economic union of 28 states. ● Area of 4,475,757 km2 (1,728,099 sq mi) ● Estimated population - 513 million. The Developed as an internal single market through a standardized system of laws that apply in all member states in those matters, and only those matters, where members have agreed to act as one.

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NOTES :

The Process of BREXIT : Firstly, passed through Theresa may's cabinet. Then, approved by EU. And finally needs to be passed through the UK's house of commons.

The Three Main Issues Dominate The Deal :

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective: Prelims 2019 Gibraltar Ø Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Ø Not part of Spain. Ø Colony of Britain. Ø The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar at the foot of which is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 people, primarily Gibraltarians.

British Overseas Territory

Iberian Peninsula Located on the southwestern tip of the European continent, the Iberian Peninsula, includes the countries of Andorra, Portugal and Spain, and the British Crown colony of Gibraltar.

Why Is Gibraltar British? Ø It's one of 14 territories from the days of the British Empire that's still owned by the UK. Ø Spain lost Gibraltar to an Anglo-Dutch force in 1704 and officially handed it to London in 1713. Ø Spain wanted it back ever since. Ø But in two fairly recent referendums - 1968 and 2002 - the people of Gibraltar chose to remain under British rule rather than Spanish. Ø Britain is a big economy that’s why people stayed with Britain Ø Gibraltar's important strategic position - as an entrance to the Mediterranean - is one of the reasons Britain has wanted to keep hold of it.

Why Is It Important To Brexit?

Brexit: Britain getting out of the European Union. Ø The people who live in Gibraltar are British citizens, so they also got to vote in the EU referendum. Ø They voted to stay in the EU - a massive 96% chose to remain - but will be leaving with the rest of the UK. Brexit And Gibraltar

14 Overseas Territory Britain Has. Ø Anguilla. Ø Bermuda. Ø British Antarctic Territory (BAT) - ASSI has no direct responsibility in relation to BAT as the Antarctic Treaty takes precedence. Ø British Indian Ocean Territory. Ø British Virgin Islands. Ø Cayman Islands. Ø Falkland Islands. Ø Gibraltar - outside ASSI's remit due to its position within the European Union. Ø Montserrat. Ø Pitcairn Island, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands.. Ø St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Ø Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) - ASSI's responsibility in relation to the SBA is limited to the provision of advice to the Administrator. Ø South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Ø Turks and Caicos Islands Rock Of Gibraltar

Ø Ø

Shocking for Spain to see that people don’t want to leave Britain.

Spain puts its demand forward by saying that, Spain will have its hand in the decision making of the Gibraltar.

Victory For Spain? Ø Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a press conference in the immediate aftermath of the remaining 27 EU leaders giving Mrs. May’s Brexit deal the nod, that Spain has been given the upper hand with future negotiations over the Rock. Ø He said: “This puts Spain in a position of strength in negotiations with the United Kingdom over Gibraltar that we have not had until now.” Referring to Gibraltar. Ø Spain took the benefit of the Britains condition by imposing its highest authority on Gibraltar.

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Theresa May Under Pressure Ø Theresa May has been accused of betrayal after giving way to Spain’s demands over the future of Gibraltar. Ø Once the UK has left the EU, Gibraltar’s political, legal and even geographic relationship with the EU will go through Spain.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) (Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :

Moscow Format and Taliban Complete Analysis The Taliban is getting stronger in Afghanistan and how will it impact India , Pakistan and other countries.

Why is the Moscow Format So Important.

UPSC Perspective GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbor; International Relations Why In news: Ø Two former senior diplomats will attend talks(meeting) on the Afghanistan peace process to be held in Russia. Ø The talks, known as the “Moscow format” will include a “high-level” delegation from the Taliban as well as a delegation of Afghanistan’s “High Peace Council”, along with representatives of 12 countries. Ø This is the first time an Indian delegation has been present at the table with the Taliban representatives based in Doha. Ø US and Pakistan to send their representatives too.

Russian Federation Ø Afghanistan is on the western side of India. Ø Afghanistan is landlocked in a unique way by countries which are a good source of natural resources. Ø If India wants oil from Turkmenistan, then it has to pass through Afghanistan, Pakistan cause pipeline will be laid that way.

Afghanistan Ø Many great emperors (like Britain, USSR) found Afghanistan very attractive for various purposes and its geographical place. Ø Special name is given to Afghanistan: The Graveyard Of Empires. Ø Afghanistan is good for geopolitical boosting. Ø Every empire got failed in Afghanistan. Ø Many emperors tried to establish their power in Afghanistan. Ø When USSR started invasion of Pakistan , Afghanistan thought their number is next Invasion Of Afghanistan Ø U.S.S.R in Afghanistan – The Soviet–Afghan War lasted over nine years, from December 1979 to February 1989. Ø The USSR lost in this war. Ø Afghanistan was a graveyard for the USSR.

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Ø Ø

For ten years The USSR worked hard to establish themselves but failed.

The USSR has land borders with Afghanistan.

The Taliban Ø The United States invasion of Afghanistan occurred after the September 11 attacks in late 2001, supported by close US allies. Ø The conflict is also known as the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Ø Its public aims were to dismantle al-Qaeda, and to deny it a safe base of operations in Afghanistan by removing the Taliban from power. Ø When USSR came to Afghanistan, then USA helped the Taliban. Ø USA provided funding for the various terrorist group. Ø USA financially supported the groups like the Taliban , they fought with the USSR and lead the Taliban.

From 2001 to 2018 USA has thrown bombs at Afghanistan but nothing happened.

2018 – Who Controls Afghanistan

Dark color part shows the severe effect of The Taliban.

Growing of the Taliban is not good for other nearby countries.

What To Do Next?

The U.S is running out of options.

Ø

12 participants – China, Pakistan, Iran, India, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, Russia and U.S + Representatives of Taliban.

India And Taliban Ø India sent two former diplomats as “nonofficial” participants at the recent “Moscow format” multilateral meeting that included Taliban delegates. Ø The Indian government-nominated representatives sharing the table with a Taliban delegation for the first time are notable. Ø India Participated in this Moscow Meeting unofficially that is India can make a u turn whenever the Taliban gets suppressed in the coming time.

India’s Representatives: Amar Sinha and TCA Raghavan as its representatives.

While Mr. Sinha was ambassador to Kabul (2013-2016), Mr. Raghavan has held senior posts in the Ministry of External Affairs dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan and was High Commissioner to Islamabad (2013-2015) and is currently the Director General of the governmentrun Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) think-tank based in Delhi.

What Was India’s Traditional Position? Ø India was among the countries that had refused to recognize the Taliban regime of 1996-2001. Ø India watched Taliban’s growth with concern, assessing early that it was being driven by Pakistan’s army and the ISI. Ø We can’t ignore the Taliban.

Russia’s Great Game? Ø Russia’s ambition to re-assert itself in the southern part of Central Asia and Afghanistan in particular. Ø The Taliban also benefited from the conference: for the first time its representatives participated in a forum organized by a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

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NOTES : Severe bombing in last 2 years.

There is no effect on the Taliban, it’s effect is increasing day by day.

Moscow Format 2018 Ø Moscow Format – 2nd meeting initiated by Russia on the issue of Taliban in Afghanistan.

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC PERSPECTIVE : For Prelims Facts Related To WHO And WHO –FCTC and important For GS Paper 3 And GS Paper 2 For Mains.

Supply chain control measures to be adopted by the parties viz. licensing of manufacture of tobacco products and machinery for manufacturing of tobacco products, due diligence to be kept by those engaged in production, record keeping.

NOTE • The protocol lists out offenses, enforcement measures such as seizures and disposal of seized products.

• It calls for international cooperation in information sharing, maintaining confidentiality, training, technical assistance, and cooperation in scientific and technical and technological matters.

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of WHO, Indian Cabinet approves accession to the Protocol: (Scan the QR code to watch the video) The Cabinet has given approval for India to accede to the Protocol under WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to eliminate unlawful trade in tobacco products.

India said it will also be the part of this protocol.

WHO (World Health Organization) • Specialized agency of united nations.

• Related to public health.

• Established on 7 April 1998 headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

NOTES :

ABOUT THIS TREATY • The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the world’s first modernday global public health treaty.

• It is also the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).

• The treaty entered into force in February 2005.

It was signed by 168 of the 192 WHO member states.

VERY IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL TREATY : The FCTC provides an internationally coordinated response to combating the tobacco epidemic and sets out specific steps for governments addressing tobacco use, including: • Adopting tax and price measures to reduce tobacco consumption (putting tax on tobacco, which consumed in large amount which will directly result in less tobacco consumption) • Banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship • Creating smoke-free work and public spaces • Putting prominent health warnings on tobacco packages • Combating illicit trade in tobacco products One of the key tobacco supply reduction strategies contained in Article 15 of WHO FCTC envisages elimination of all forms of illicit trade and tobacco products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing through Solution :

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective : GS3 - science & technology Why in news ?

• ISRO launched rocket PSLV-C43 carrying India’s earth observation satellite Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and 30 co-passenger satellites from Sriharikota on November 29.

• The co-passengers of HySIS include one micro and 29 nano satellites from eight different countries. Ø • • •

•

About HySIS : HysIS is ISRO's first full-scale working satellite with Hyper-spectral imaging capability.

The satellite have been projected into a polar synchronous orbit.

The space agency tested hyperspectral imaging technology in April 2008, a small 83-kg demonstration microsatellite called IMS-1 (Indian Mini Satellite-1) was launched as a secondary passenger with Cartosat-2A. In October, 2008, it put a HySI or Hyperspectral Imager on the Chandrayaan-1 and used it to scan Moon's surface for minerals.

Significance of HySIS • The primary goal of HySIS is to study the Earth’s surface in visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

• Hyperspectral imaging satellite can see in 55 spectral or colour bands from 630 km above ground.

• ‘Hyspex’ imaging allows distinct identification of objects, materials or processes on Earth by reading the spectrum for each pixel of a scene from space.

• It can be highly useful in marking out a suspect object or person and separate it from the background. This could aid in detecting transborder or other stealthy movements.

• It can be used for a range of activities from monitoring the atmospheric activity and climate change, studies of Earth’s magnetic

field, agriculture, forestry, water management, coastal patterns, looking for oil and minerals all the way up to military surveillance PRELIMS Bits : PSLV v/s GSLV : • About the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): ü PSLV is used for delivering various satellites to Low Earth Orbits. It is designed mainly to deliver the “earth-observation” or “remotesensing” satellites. ü Due to their sun-synchronism nature, these orbits are also referred to as “Low Earth Orbit (LEO)” which enables the on-board camera to take images of the earth under the same sunillumination conditions during each of the repeated visits, the satellite makes over the same area on ground thus making the satellite useful for earth resources monitoring. ü Apart from launching the remote sensing satellites to Sun-synchronous polar orbits, the PSLV is also used to launch the satellites of lower lift-off mass of up to about 1400 Kg to the elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). ü PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with first and third stage using solid rocket motors and second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines. ü The PSLV is one of world's most reliable launch vehicles. It has been in service for over twenty years and has launched various satellites for historic missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Space Capsule Recovery Experiment, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) etc. PSLV remains a favorite among various organization’s as a launch service provider and has launched over 40 satellites for 19 countries.

• ü

ü

ü

About the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle): GSLV's primary payloads are communication satellites of INSAT class (about 2,500 kg mass) that operate from Geostationary orbits (about 36000 km) and hence are placed in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits by GSLV. Due to their geo-synchronous nature, the satellites in these orbits appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth, thus avoiding the need of a tracking ground antenna and hence are useful for the communication applications.

Two versions of the GSLV are being developed by ISRO. The first version, GSLV Mark-II, has the capability to launch satellites of lift-off mass of up to 2,500 kg to the GTO and satellites of up to 5,000 kg lift-off mass to the LEO and second, GSLV MK-III is a 3 staged vehicle with first stage using solid rocket motor, second stage using liquid fuel and the third stage, called Cryogenic Upper Stage, using cryogenic engine.

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NOTES :

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC PERSPECTIVE Important for Mains and Prelims both Mains GS Paper 3: Science & Technology - Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, bio-technology.

India’s Astrosat Helps in Finding Blackhole 2018 November ISRO's AstroSat and NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory spotted a Black Hole.

India’s first dedicated astronomy satellite, the AstroSat spotted a black hole in the binary star system called 4U 1630-47 that’s spinning close to the maximum speed possible.

NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory confirmed the high spin rate.

A black hole, which is an exotic but a very simple astronomical object, is created when a massive star dies and the matter gets squeezed into a tiny space under a heavy force of gravity, trapping in the light.

Spinning Blackhole Black holes are rare, difficult to spot and they don't spin fast.

This particular black hole known as ‘monster black hole’ is spinning very close to the limit set by Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity Currently.

Scientists only have two ways of measuring black holes – either by their mass or by their spin rate , still this is not the correct way to measure black holes.

And, a spin rate can be anywhere between 0(min) and 1(max).

This black hole was spinning at the rate of 0.9 very close to maximum.

It rotates at one of the highest speeds ever recorded.

NASA and ISRO Found A Black Hole That Rotates So Fast That It Can Spin Space Black Hole Mystery Einstein’s theory further implies that if a black hole spinning that fast, then it is capable of making space itself rotate.

In fact, if the conditions around black holes are hypothesized to be correct, then the high spin rate couple with the gaseous elements entering the black hole and high temperatures, could be the key to understanding how galaxies are formed.

A black hole is smaller than a star, but they are very dense and very heavy and can suck light.

The team of researchers, whose study will be published in The Astrophysical Journal, stressed that the finding is important because it tests the theory of relativity and, in general, shed more light on how the Universe works and how the galaxies formed.

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Significance Of Discovery • Including the black hole discovered by the AstroSat, there are only five black holes have accurately measured high spin rates.

• Even if you’re not taking spin rates into account, this black hole of one of only 20 others that have been spotted in the Milky Way Galaxy.

Astrosat-Chandra Study • This first cooperation of India and US is using AstroSat and Chandra satellites regarding black hole studies should open up ways for future such collaborations.

• The SXT and the Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) aboard the first dedicated Indian astronomy satellite AstroSat played a key role to 5. Three identical Large Area Xenon Proportional Counters

• • •

measure the black hole spin rate, which was consistent with results from our contemporaneous Chandra satellite data.

In the long term it will benefit ISRO (India).

It is an opportunity for India.

NASA will not work with China's space agency.

More About Astrosat AstroSat was launched in 2015 by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

A lifetime of ASTROSAT is 5 years that is up to 2020.

1. The UV Imaging Telescope 2. The Scanning Sky Monitor 3. The Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Imager 4. The Soft X-ray Telescope, and Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), is a Flagshipclass space observatory launched on STS-93 by NASA on July 23, 1999.

• Chandra is one of the Great Observatories, along with the Hubble Space Telescope, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (1991– 2000), and the Spitzer Space Telescope.

• The telescope is named after the Nobel Prize winning Indian-American astrophysicist Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar.

Chandra X-Ray Observatory • The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), previously known as the Advanced X-ray

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With INS Arihant, India is now Nuclear Triad Nation Perspective of UPSC – GS paper 1, Mains, India’s Defense What Is It About Currently: INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear ballistic missile submarine has completed its first deterrence petrol on November 6, 2018. It means, the submarine is fully operational and if deployed, can target the adversaries of India.

INS Arihant (Slayer of the Enemies): Ø Builder: Shipbuilding Centre (SBC), Vishakhapatnam, India Ø Launched: July 26, 2009 (on Vijay Diwas, Kargil Victory Day) Ø Acquired: December 13, 2014, Commissioned: August 2016 Ø Status: In Service Ø Displacement: Surface: 6,000 tons India Announces Complete Nuclear Deterrence: Nuclear Deterrence –The military doctrine according to which the possibility that a country will use the nuclear weapons it possesses in retaliation will deter an enemy from attacking. Which means that if a country attacks a country with nuclear weapons, so the country which faced a nuke attack can retaliate with the nuclear weapons, which may stall and avert those wars involving nukes.

Deterrence Patrol: A Cold War-era practice where nuclear-armed submarines are deployed in waters from where they can fire on the adversary, if attacked.

Since the Chinese deployment of a nuclear submarine in 2013 for so-called ‘anti-piracy missions’ off the east coast of Africa, there has been a firming of belief in New Delhi that development of the ‘nuclear triad’ — a stated policy for more than 30 years — must be treated with urgency.

This places India in the league of the few countries that can design, construct and operate SSBN. India’s Stand Now on Deterrence: Ø India has declared that its nuclear triad, stated in its nuclear doctrine, is operational. Nuclear Triad – Capability to fire nuclear weapons from air, land and sea.

Ø This was after indigenous ballistic missile nuclear submarine INS Arihant achieved a milestone by conducting its first deterrence patrol. Ø It essentially means that Arihant is now prowling the deep seas carrying ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. Ø The second submarine in the series, Arihant is now undergoing sea trials after which it will be inducted into service.

Development of INS Arihant: Ø INS Arihant, a strategic asset, was developed for over two decades under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program. Ø INS Arihant is India’s first indigenouslydesigned, developed and manufactured nuclearpowered ballistic missile submarine, and three more such submarines are reportedly under various stages of construction. Ø INS Arihant development project was officially acknowledged in 1998 and the submarine was launched in 2009. Ø The nuclear reactor of the submarine went critical in 2013 and it was commissioned three years later. Ø It comes directly under the Nuclear Command Authority headed by the Prime Minister. Ø Given India’s stated position of ‘No-First-Use’ (NFU) in launching nuclear weapons, the SSBN is the most dependable platform for a second-strike. Ø Because they are powered by nuclear reactors, these submarines can stay underwater indefinitely without the adversary detecting it. The other two platforms: land-based and air-launched are far easier to detect.

Reliability of INS Arihant: Ø It comes directly under the Nuclear Command Authority headed by the Prime Minister. Ø Given India’s stated position of ‘No-First-Use’ (NFU) in launching nuclear weapons, the SSBN is the most dependable platform for a second-strike. Ø Because they are powered by nuclear reactors, these submarines can stay underwater indefinitely without the adversary detecting it. The other two platforms — land-based and air-launched are far easier to detect. Ø This places India in the league of the few countries that can design, construct and operate SSBN. Chinese Capability: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is estimated to have four Jin-class SSBNs (ballistic missile submarines) plus nine SSNs (nuclear-powered

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submarines). It is estimated to be maintaining a fleet of 40-plus diesel electric submarines.

NOTES :

Notes: Ø Like India, China also professes a ‘no first strike’ policy in its nuclear doctrine. It believes that its maritime capability to launch nuclear weapons complements its variants of land-based road and rail launched strategic missiles. Ø Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz defended the policy of first use. Aziz stated that Pakistan's first use doctrine is entirely deterrent in nature. He explained that it was effective after the 2001 Indian Parliament attack and argued that if Pakistan had a no first use policy, there would have been a major war between the two countries. Ø Sagarika also known by the code names K-15 or B-05 is a nuclear submarine launched ballistic missile with a range of 750 kilometers. On November 25, 2015, a dummy or unarmed Sagarika Missile was successfully test fired from Arihant India has 14 conventional submarines, half-a-dozen of which are now going through upgrades of different kinds. Plus, it has the INS Chakra SSN on a 10-year lease from Russia, and now the Arihant. At least two more of the Arihant class are in the works.

But India’s progress on long-range submarinelaunched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) is a secret, with little or no information put out officially. A variant of the Sagarika missile that arms the Arihant is estimated to have a range of 750 km. The Chinese JL-2 missiles that arm its Jin-class SSBNs are said to have a range upwards of 4,000 miles (over 6,400 kms).

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That is why grooves are visible in Phobos.

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(Click on the image above to watch the video)

NOTES :

Grooves Moon UPSC Perspective: Prelims and GS Paper 3 under the section space technology.

A new study bolsters the idea that strange grooves crisscrossing the surface of the Martian moon Phobos were made by rolling boulders.

Cut and depressions of unique pattern on the above picture. Ø The research, published in Planetary and Space Science. Ø These grooves are a distinctive feature of Phobos, and how they formed has been debated by planetary scientists for 40 years. Ø Phobos’ grooves, which are visible across most of the moon’s surface, were first glimpsed in the 1970s by NASA’s Mariner and Viking missions.

Over the years, there has been no shortage of explanations put forward for how they formed. Ø Some scientists have posited that large impacts on Mars have showered the nearby moon with groove-carving debris. Ø Others think that Mars’ gravity is slowly tearing Phobos apart, and the grooves are signs of structural failure. Ø Because of Phobos’ small size and relatively weak gravity, Phobos has Stickney(crater (large hole)) stones just keep on rolling, rather than stopping after a kilometer or so like they might on a larger body. Ø In fact, some boulders(very big rocks) would have rolled and bounded their way all the way around the tiny moon. Ø Large boulders or big rocks come out of this Stickney.

Rocks are moving and due to gravitational force they will stop after some time Very less gravitational force in Phobos so rocks cannot go very far.

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• •

(Click on the image above to watch the video) What Are Antioxidants? How Antioxidants can defeat Non Communicable Diseases.

UPSC Perspective : GS Paper Oxidation: When an electron is donated by atom, then providing electron to that atom.

Antioxidants further provide electrons to that atom.

Neutralizing the oxidation.

Vitamin E, C, A and the carotenoids such as betacarotene, lutein, selenium and lycopene are examples of the primary antioxidants in your diet.

Antioxidants:

EXTRA free radicals are then converted into the body as stable molecule.

The negative impact of free radicals is decreased by this.

Antioxidants And Free Radicals Are Both Important • Free radical kills the bacteria in our body and they are very important for us.

• Free radicals are important for our immunity and kill the bacteria.

• If free radical are in the large amount then they will damage our body

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NOTES :

What Are Antioxidants, And How Do They Work?

• All matters in the universe are made of atoms.

• Atoms are composed of a core with protons and neutrons, and a bunch of electrons that revolve around the core.

• Atoms combine an make molecules.

• Molecules are made up atoms.

Human body have may atoms present in it change in atoms (donating of electron) with directly change the protein and molecules.

Humans and other organisms maintain their structure and function by chemical reactions.

All the chemical reactions needed to sustain life are collectively known as metabolism.

• In order for a molecule to be stable, it must contain the right amount of electrons. If the molecules lose an electron when it is not supposed to, it can turn a free radical.

• Free radicals are unstable, electrically charged molecules in the cells, that can react with other molecules (like DNA) and damage them.

• They can even form a chain reaction and convert other molecules into free radicals.

• Antioxidants provide extra electron to the free radical.

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It is a planet that does not orbit the Sun and instead orbits a different star, stellar remnant, or a brown dwarf.

It is also termed as an extrasolar planet.

The first such planet orbiting star similar to our own Sun was detected only in 1995.

Today, some 3,600 exoplanets have been found, ranging from rocky Earth-sized planets to large gas giants like Jupiter.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective Very important for prelims 2019 or 2020 NASA Retires Kepler Space Telescope: • NASA launched the Kepler Space Telescope in 2009.

• It was NASA’s first planet - hunting mission.

• It was named after German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler.

• During its over nine year life, Kepler had observed 530,506 stars and detected 2,662 planets.

Kepler Space Telescope: It used transit photometry detection method for searching for excellence, which looked for periodic, repetitive dips in visible light of stars caused by planets passing or transiting in front in front of its host star.

After Kepler What's Next?

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a space telescope for NASA’s Explorers program, designed to search for exoplanets using the transit method in an area 400 times larger than that covered by the Kepler mission.

While Kepler had cost US$640 million at launch, TESS cost only US$200 million (plus US$87 million for launch).

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NOTES :

Transit Detection Method: • If any star has a planet, then the star will orbit that planet.

• Using Kepler, which is used to check that, whenever the planet will come in front of the star, how much star’s light it will cut for Kepler.

• From there we can check what type of planet it is.

Goldilocks zone states that star and planet should have a perfect distance between them.

Exoplanet Kepler’s work was to find exoplanets.

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PSLV • •

•

(Click on the image above to watch the video) What Is It In News?

On November 14, 2018, ISRO launched the communication satellite GSAT-29 on board its second developmental flight GSLV-Mk III D2 (launch vehicle used) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) Specifications Of GSAT-29

• • • • •

• • •

•

• •

PSLV is designed mainly to deliver the “earth observation” or “remote-sensing” satellites with liftoff mass of up to about 1750 Kg. PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with first and third stage using solid rocket motors and second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Some notable payloads launched by PSLV include India's first lunar probe Chandrayaan1, India's first interplanetary mission, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and India's first space observatory, AstroSat.GSLV The GSLV is designed mainly to deliver the communication-satellites to the highly elliptical (typically 250 x 36000 Km) Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

GSLV MK III - GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO. The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video) Weighing 3,423 kg at lift-off, GSAT-29 is the heaviest satellite to be launched from India.

With a mission life (life span) of 10 years, it is the 33rd communication satellite built by ISRO. According to ISRO, “GSAT-29 is a multibeam, multiband communication satellite.”

Communication like through internet, telephonic communication.

Its payloads are designed to mainly focus on connectivity to the users in the hilly and geographically inaccessible areas, especially those in Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern regions of India.

It will improve the connectivity between the inaccessible areas.

It also carries a Geo High-Resolution Camera to aid in high-resolution imaging.

For the first time, an optical communication payload will be utilized for data transmission at a very high rate.A combination of high throughput satellites -- GSAT-19, GSAT-29, GSAT-11 and GSAT-20 -- would provide the high speed internet needed for the success of the Digital India programme.

NOTES :

Specifications Of GSLV MK III What is the difference between GSLV and PSLV? PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) are the satellite-launch vehicles (rockets) developed by ISRO.

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POLITY

Ø

Ø

(Click on the image above to watch the video) CBI vs CBI Controversy, Reforms for CBI About the CBI: § CBI is the premier investigative agency in the country. § Was set up by a resolution of Ministry of Home Affairs in 1963 after Santhanam Committee recommendations. § Agency’s origins are to the Special Police Establishment, a Central Government Police, in 1946 by the Government of India. § Superintendent of CBI rests with CVC in corruptions and with Department of Personnel and Training in other matters.

• H.Q. –New Delhi. Motto - Industry, Impartiality, Integrity Predicaments of the Agency: Political Pressure: • Though less than 10 percent of the cases have political intertwinements, and there is some truth in charge of politicization of investigations.

• So, there is strong need of the reliable team unyielding to the external pressures when it conerns with the high profile investigations.

SC stated that the Director of CBI should be appointed by a committee, which must be comprised of: Central Vigilance Commissioner – Head of the committee, Home Secretary and Secretary in DoPT (Dept. of Personnel and Training) as its members.

Earlier SC gave a moniker to the CBI, a ‘Caged Parrot with many Masters’ on account of political interference in CBI’s functioning.

Government Initiatives: • Governments facilitated the CBI with CBI Courts for effective prosecution, a separate court.

• Exempted from the consultation with the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) for recruitment of the post of DSPs for a period of 3 years in 2017.

• Advanced Certified Courses for CBI officers to enhance their investigation skills, forensic data collection, collection of evidences, etc. by training from National Law School of India University and IIM Bangalore.

• Various Schemes for Modernization of training centers in CBI.

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NOTES :

Delayed Closures: • Several cases are still in doldrums and these delays in the investigations smear the agency’s credibility.

Unpopular as Medium of Employment: • Working in the CBI is not very popular among the youths today, as the getting a job in the agency is a tough job Compulsory State Coordination: • Since, CBI acts according to the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure), it becomes like police. Since Police is in the State List of the constitution, it becomes the matter of state also and the agency need to take permission from the state government.

• In such situations, an issue of consent or authorization with the state arises case by case.

Sometimes it get delayed to attain approvals from the states which hamper the investigations.

Supreme Court Judgment on Autonomy of the CBI: Ø In Vineet Narain case, SC suggested to make the CBI independent.

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Ø Ø

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Withdrawal Of General Consent The Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments recently withdrew general consent to the CBI for investigating cases in their respective states.

CBI will not be able to open fresh cases in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal in for time being.

What Is The Reason Behind? Ø The two state governments said that they had lost faith in the CBI in the backdrop of its internal turmoil marked by the open war among the agency’s top officers. Ø They have also alleged that the Centre is using the CBI to unfairly target Opposition parties. Ø However, the Centre argues that there is no sovereignty for any state in the matter of corruption. Ø It accuses the states that this was motivated by a general fear of what investigations might reveal rather than by any particular case.

What Is a General Consent?

Law and order are the state subjects .The CBI is governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act that makes consent of a state government mandatory for conducting investigation in that state.

CBI needs consent of states to investigate in a particular state. Ø There are two kinds of consent in the form of case specific consent and general consent(CBI can file a case on anyone) Ø Central government through notification can ask the CBI to investigate against central government employees against Income tax violations, conspiracy against nation, spying etc.

Notes: Ø Ø

Ø

As law and order belong to the states, all states normally gave a general consent to CBI for these investigations.

“General consent” is normally given to help the CBI seamlessly conduct its investigation into cases of corruption against central government employees in the concerned state.

For example, if CBI wanted to investigate a bribery charge against a Western Railway clerk in Mumbai, it would have to apply for consent to the Maharashtra government before registering a case against him.

Withdrawal Of A Consent Ø Withdrawal of a consent means that the CBI will not be able to register any fresh case

Ø

Ø

involving a central government official or a private person without getting case-specific consent of the states.

This shows that a general consent is not sufficient enough to investigate and CBI has to get case-specific consent of the states.

It simply means that CBI officers will lose all powers of a police officer as soon as they enter the state unless the state government has allowed them.

It also makes them to seek permission of the state government for every case and every search it conducted on central government employees.

Over the years, several states have withdrawn general consent, including Sikkim, Nagaland, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, which stands out as an example of the recent move.

CBI Can No Longer Probe Any Case In The Two States? Ø The general consent has been withdrawn from the two states under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. Ø Section 6 of the Act bars any member of the Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise powers and jurisdiction in any area in a State, without the consent of the Government of that State.

CBI Can No Longer Probe Any Case In The Two States? Ø However, the CBI would still have the power to investigate old cases registered when general consent existed. Ø Also, cases registered anywhere else in the country, but involving people stationed in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, would allow CBI’s jurisdictions to extend to these states. Ø There is ambiguity on whether the agency can carry out a search in either of the two states in connection with an old case without the consent of the state government.

What Happens In Fresh Cases? Ø Withdrawal of consent will only bar the CBI from registering a case within the jurisdiction of Andhra and Bengal. Ø The CBI could still file cases in Delhi and continue to probe people inside the two states. Ø The Delhi High Court has made it clear recently that the agency can probe anyone in a state that has withdrawn “general consent” if the case is not registered in that state. Ø The order was given with regard to a case of corruption in Chhattisgarh, which also gives consent on a case-to-case basis.

Bottom Line Ø Thus, if a state government believes that the ruling party’s ministers or members could be targeted by CBI on orders of the Centre, and that withdrawal of general consent would protect them, it would be a wrong assumption. Ø CBI could still register cases in Delhi, which would require some part of the offense being

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connected with Delhi and still arrest and prosecute ministers or MPs.

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NOTES : (Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective: Mains GS Paper 2 What is Private Member Bill in Indian Parliament?

As the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid pot bubbled --nominated Member of Rajya Sabha Rakesh Sinha said he would bring a private member’s Bill “on the Ram Temple”.

India democracy is a parliamentary form of democracy having three pillars : • Legislature : Law making body • Executive : Implementing the law • Judiciary : Law is in proper structure or not .

An Example Suppose we have to make law related to transport then the content will be made by the ministry of transport which will further approved by cabinet ministry.

Ministers are part of the parliament they will introduce that bill in parliament if that bill gets passed in the parliament it will be approved as an act.

Two people can do this Any MP who is not a Minister is referred to as a private member. Parliament’s key role is to debate and make laws. Both Ministers and private members contribute to the lawmaking process.

Bills introduced by Ministers are referred to as government bills. They are backed by the government and reflect its legislative agenda.

Private member’s bills are piloted by non-Minister MPs. Their purpose is to draw the government’s attention to what individual MPs see as issues and gaps in the existing legal framework, which require legislative intervention.

MP’S are given freedom to make law known as a private member’s bill for helping out the local people.

Rajya Sabha And Lok Sabha • The admissibility of a private member’s Bill is decided by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

• In the case of the Lok Sabha, it is the Speaker; the procedure is roughly the same for both Houses.

The Member must give at least a month’s notice before the Bill can be listed for introduction; the House secretariat examines it for compliance with

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constitutional provisions and rules on legislation before listing.

Ø

Rajya Sabha Secretariat and Lok Sabha Secretariat They provide administrative support to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Secretariat’s keep a check whether the rules are being followed or not.

Further followed by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha’s Speaker whether the bill should be allowed or not.

Ø

The Private Member’s Bill In Rajya Sabha Ø

Ø Ø Ø

Ø Ø

Rajya Sabha draws a ballot to decide the sequence of discussion of Bills. If a Bill is successful in the ballot, it has to wait for the discussion to conclude on a Bill currently being debated by the House.

Over the last three years, Rajya Sabha saw the introduction of 165 private member’s Bills; discussion was concluded on only 18.

A private member’s Bill that is introduced, but not discussed in Rajya Sabha, lapses when Member retires.

Upon conclusion of the discussion, the Member piloting the Bill can either withdraw it at the request of the Minister concerned, or he may choose to press ahead with its passage.

In the latter case, the Bill is put to vote and, if the private member gets the support of the House, it is passed.

In 1977, Rajya Sabha passed a private member’s Bill to amend the Aligarh Muslim University Act.

On the scheduled Friday, the private member moves a motion for the introduction of the Bill, which is usually not opposed.

Only a fraction of private member’s bills that are introduced, are taken up for discussion.

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NOTES :

NOTE Ø Up to 1997, private members could introduce up to three Bills in a week. This led to a piling up of Bills that were introduced but never discussed; Chairman K R Narayanan, therefore, capped the number of private member’s Bills to three per session reducing the work burden. Ø While government Bills can be introduced and discussed on any day, the private member’s Bills can be introduced and discussed only on Fridays. Ø The Private member’s Bills have been introduced and discussed in Rajya Sabha on 20 days in the last three years. Ø The Private member’s Bills not given much importance

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Ø Ø Ø (Click on the image above to watch the video) Electoral reforms in Maharashtra What is it About: MSEC (Maharashtra State Election Commission) recently ruled if NOTA gets the maximum votes in an election, re-elections will be held.

Haryana state EC has also declared NOTA as a fictional candidate.

Decision by the State Commission: Ø Union Election Commission has a responsibility to conduct the elections of Parliament and State Assemblies, the state election commission has a role to play in rural and urban local bodies in the states; primarily municipals and gram panchayats. Ø For the local body elections of the states, now NOTA will play this role. MSEC has entitled the NOTA as a ‘Fictional Candidate’. Ø This decision will be applicable to the all Polls within the state, by-polls, municipals and nagar panchayats.

NOTA, Section 49 (O) and Form 17A: Ø The decision to introduce NOTA in the EVMs came on September 27, 2013 when People’s Union for Civil Liberties (an NGO) filed a petition at Supreme Court to ameliorate the existing method of negative voting in elections. Ø Under Section 49 (O) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, a voter can put her/his electoral serial number on a particular Form 17A and cast a negative vote. The presiding officer would then put a remark in the form and get it signed by the voter. This was done to prevent fraud or misuse of votes. Ø But the quandary of the Form 17A was: first, it will reveal the identity of the voter which is against the ethics of the elections and can also put the voter’s life in danger, second officials may find the reason of rejection by the voter’s remarks over the Form 17A. Ø Official Symbol of NOTA was devised by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad in September, 2015.

Ø

95 people vote for NOTA, and rest of the five votes for any candidate, the candidate will be declared a winner, despite of those 95 dissents of the voters.

Now, it will improve the elections, at least in the locals of the Maharashtra.

Political parties will have to project good, diligent and meritorious candidates.

Humongous population still believes that NOTA is somehow not an eclectic choice to opt because of its inactivity and they had to vote for those candidates even the voters don’t want to approve them. But, now those voters in the local elections of Maharashtra have a splendid chance to reflect their choice.

It might also bolster the decentralization of the power and authorities in the state. As the 73 and 74 amendments were to introduce Panchayati Raj and Municipalities respectively, for the decentralization of the power. rd

th

Other Initiatives by MSEC: Ø EC of Maharashtra made it compulsory to file the nominations and affidavits of the candidates in an absolute digital way, infusing more transparencies. Ø Instant dissemination of information of the candidates could be pervaded into the voters’ population. Ø It is the first state EC body in the nation which has annulled more than 250 state political parties in aftermath of failure of their submission of audited accounts. Ø MSEC is the first state EC body which has disqualified an elected representative because of not disclosing the expense accounts regard to election.

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NOTES :

Significance of the Decision: Ø In elections by Election Commission, NOTA is still valid but somehow ‘ineffective’ option for the voters. In any constituency if any candidate gets majority vote even against, will be declared a winner in the region. E.g. Suppose if there are 100 voters in a constituency. Even if

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Ø Ø

Ø (Click on the image above to watch the video) What is it About: Cabinet approved the development of a corridor to enable smooth passage of pilgrims seeking to visit Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib.

Background: Gurudwara Darbar Kartarpur Sahib: Ø A gurudwara in kartarpur, Narowal District, Punjab, Pakistan, Ø Located 120km from Lahore, but only 3-4 kms distant from Indian border. Ø Est. in 1522, on the banks of Ravi river Ø Founder of the Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, amassed a Sikh community and built the Gurudwara. Ø Guru Nanak Dev had spent last 18 years of his life till death (in 1539) at the Gurudwara. Ø Since, Guru Nanak Dev had died there, by this significance the place holds a prominence among Sikhs of the India, along with the world also.

What is Kartarpur Corridor: Ø Sikh Community, especially Indians, had requested the government to make an easy commutation to the place. Ø The request was first dealt in 1999, by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his Delhi-Lahore Bus trip (officially known as Sada-e-Sarhad, inaugurated on February 19, 1999). In that bus trip, Kartarpur was one of the stoppages.

Aftermath of the request, since the year 2000, Pakistan govt. had allowed Indian Sikhs to visit the gurudwara without requirement of any visa.

Corridor starts – Dera Baba Nanak Village, Gurudaspur, Punjab, India Termination – Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Pakistan Length – 4km, 2km each sides of the two nations.

Qamar Bajwa – Navjot Siddhu Conversation: Navjot Singh Siddhu, the cricketer turned parliamentarian, went into the swearing ceremony of elected prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. In an encounter with the army chief of Pakistan, Qamar Bajwa, told him that Pakistan will allow the construction of the corridor soon. But, it was just an informal proposal.

Decision: After the informal proposal, Punjab government tabled a resolution in state assembly for the ratification of the corridor. Assembly unanimously passed the resolution.

After it, GoI further ratified for the corridor.

The decision was to lay the foundation stone on the 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. What Next: 1974 Protocol on visits to religious shrines – the protocol is for the pilgrims in the two nations. There is a list of shrines in both the nations. The listed shrines are required the visa for other countries, including India.

But, Pakistan exempted Kartarpur Gurudwara from the visa requirement.

So, the whole action will necessitate a separate treaty for the Kartarpur Corridor as it is exempted from the 1974 Protocol. th

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NOTES :

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GOVERNANCE & SOCIAL ISSUES §

§

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective – GS Paper 2 Ignition to the Crisis: Rape of a minor girl by a migrant worker enraged people in Gujarat and the rapist was a native of Bihar who went to Gujarat for work. This crime led people to attack on people from Bihar.

Prologue to the Plight: § Gujarat is a highly industrialized state and there is very high demand of unskilled labors.

People from rest of the India migrate to Gujarat in search of the job, despite most of them are not infused with proper skills. Cheap labor from other parts of the nation has led people to go to Gujarat. § Since, this cheap labor from rest of the India is getting available in Gujarat, native people from Gujarat are not able to find jobs in the state. In order to address the situation, Gujarat Government has decided to reserve 80% employments in manufacturing and service sector for the native residents of Gujarat. § Rape of the minor girl ignited many mob attacks onto the migrant workers.

Repercussions of the Internal Migration within the nation: 1) Uneven growth of the different states is already in rife and will still continue if the respective governments don’t provide jobs to the people of the state, because of the migration to the different state. On average, 2 out of 10 workers are from different states within the nation.

2) Marriage and employment also add fuel to fire of the crisis.

3) Formation of slums because of not getting proper accommodation because of rural to urban migration, in search of better jobs.

4) And thus the congestion in the urban areas is pouring the paucity of resources within the cities, which creates further rift among the people.

5) Voting crisis – Because the workers live in different states, they are not able to vote many times when the elections are running their native state.

migrant workers from the other states meet the need of this requirement.

Small and Medium Industries used to be dependent on cheap labor, provided by the rest of the nation. Now, those industries are not getting the needed amount of cheap labor so the prices in the commodities produced may escalate.

Many works of construction is facing halts because of the returning to their native states of the migrant workers.

Lack of Labor Law: Majority of the workers are coming from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra. In case of Gujarat and other states too, due to lack of proper documentation, employers are exploiting the workers.

Migrant worker aren’t also getting the proper wage.

They are being paid only the minimum wage which is just enough to meet their necessity, not helping in their rise of living standards and social status. Migrant workers work also in very risky places.

There were two laws addressing to this plight in earlier time: 1. Inter-state Migrant Workman Act, 1979 2. Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 Note: Unemployment in the educated youths of India is 16% currently. Northern states of the nation are highly affected because of the lower wages of the worker.

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How it affects Gujarat: §

Gujarat has adopted a model of economic development by industrialization and through industries and service sector. For those sectors,

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•

Migrant workers earn only two-thirds of what is earned by non-migrant workers.

Cost of living Ø Further, they have to incur a large cost of migration which includes the ‘search cost’ and the hazard of being cheated. Ø Often these costs escalate as they are outside the state-provided health care and education system. Ø Frequent borrowing forces them to sell their assets towards repayment of loans.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) What are the factors driving internal migration?

Internal migration can be driven by push and pull factors. Ø In India, over the recent decades, agrarian distress (a push factor) and an increase in betterpaying jobs in urban areas (a pull factor) have been drivers of internal migration. Ø Eg: Uber eats – can be seen in urban and semi urban areas. Ø Also, distress due to unemployment or underemployment in agriculture, natural calamities, and input/output market imperfections serves as the contributing factors. Ø Data shows that employment-seeking is the principal reason for migration in regions without conflict. Ø Majority of migration happens due to unemployment. Ø Better education and standards of living.

What are the benefits associated with migration? Ø Internal migration has resulted in the increased well-being of households, especially for people with higher skills, social connections and assets. Ø Migrants belonging to lower castes and tribes have also brought in enough income to improve the economic condition of their households in rural areas and lift them out of poverty. Ø Improve the credit worthiness of the family members left behind where they can now obtain loans more easily.

What are the problems faced by internal migrants? Ø Informal growth - A migrant’s lack of skills presents a major hindrance in entering the labor market. Ø The ‘urban informal’ economy is wrongly understood in countries such as India as a transient phenomenon, even though it has expanded over the years and accounts for the bulk of urban employment. Ø Jobs - Most jobs in the urban informal sector pay poorly and involve self-employed workers who turn to petty production because of their inability to find wage labor.

Factors Affecting Employment Ø According to a study, less than 20% of urban migrants had prearranged jobs and nearly twothirds managed to find jobs within a week of their entry into the city. Ø The probability of moving to an urban area with a prearranged job increases with an increase in education levels. Ø Access to information on employment availability before migrating along with social networks tend to reduce the period of unemployment significantly. Ø Social networks in the source region not only provide migrants with information on employment opportunities, but are also critical as social capital in that they provide a degree of trust. Ø While migrants interact with each other based on ethnic ties, such ties dissipate when they interact with urban elites to secure employment.

Need For Policy Interventions Ø In India the bulk of policy interventions, which the migrants are aimed at providing financial services and directed towards poverty reduction. Ø However, there is a dearth of direct interventions targeted and focused on regions. Ø Hence, a national policy should aim at reducing distress-induced migration on one hand and address conditions of work, terms of employment and access to basic necessities on the other.

Recommendation Of The Working Group On Migration Setup By MoHUPA(Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation) Ø Migrants should be enabled to avail benefits of Public Distribution System (PDS) in the destination State by providing for interstate operability of PDS. Ø States should be encouraged to proactively eliminate the requirement of domicile status to prevent any discrimination in work and employment. Ø States are also to be asked to include migrant children in the Annual Work Plans under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) to uphold their Right to Education.

Various forms of discrimination which do not allow migrants to graduate to better-paying jobs.

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Ø Ø

Ø

Vast network of post offices needs to be made effective use of by reducing the cost of transfer of money to avoid informal remittances.

Migrants should be enabled to open bank accounts by asking banks to adhere to RBI guidelines regarding Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and not insist on documents that were not required.

The hugely underutilized Construction Workers Welfare Cess Fund should be used to promote rental housing , working women’s hostels etc. the benefit of migrants.

NOTES :

What Is Required? Ø There is a need to distinguish between the interventions aimed at ‘migrants for survival’ and ‘migrants for employment’. Ø Continued dynamic interventions over long periods of time for seasonal migrants, instead of single-point static interventions. Ø Local bodies and NGOs which bring about structural changes in local regions. Ø It should focus on measures enhancing skill development would enable easier entry into the labor market. Ø It should also distinguish between individual and household migrants, because household migration necessitates access to infrastructure such as housing, sanitation and health care more than individual migration does. Ø Skill development can be supported by marketled interventions such as microfinance initiatives, which help in tackling seasonality of incomes. Ø It should consider the push factors, which vary across regions, and understand the heterogeneity of migrants. Ø Remittances from migrants are increasingly becoming the lifeline of rural households. Ø Hence, the policy should improve the financial infrastructure to enable the smooth flow of remittances and their effective use require more attention from India’s growing financial Sector.

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• • • •

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Economic condition of Indian Muslims, National Sample Survey Office Labor Force Survey Report.

What Is The Current Affair?

According the (National Sample Survey Office) NSSO labor force survey the economic condition of Muslims does not show any signs of improvement in India.

What are the report findings of NSSO? The NSSO’s 68th round (2011-12) provides estimates of education levels and job market indicators across major religious communities in India.

• The educational attainment of Muslims is the least.

• In urban areas, the number of male Muslim postgraduates is as low as 15 per 1,000.

• Condition for women is even worse.

• This number is about four times lower than that of other communities, including Hindus, Christians and Sikhs.

• The number of male graduates among Muslims is 71 per 1,000, less than even half the number of graduates (per 1,000) in other communities.

• Secondary and higher secondary levels are 162 and 90 per 1,000 persons, respectively, again the least among all the communities.

• The average per capita consumption expenditure (used as an indicator of income) among Muslims is just Rs. 32.66 per day, which is the least among all religious groups.

•

• • •

•

That will ensure that school going students continue to higher levels of schooling and higher education.

Provide vocational education.

Their skills will improve which will fetch them with better jobs, hence they will have more access to job market will find better income.

When they have better income their standard of living will improve hence they can attain a better education for the coming generation.

Further improving the economic conditions .

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NOTES :

Concerns An analysis of the data on economic and educational indicators for various religious groups reveals that Muslims are facing a vicious circle of poverty.

Low levels of school education or illiteracy.

Low attendance rates and educational attainment.

Low consumption expenditure and poor job market indicators.

What measures needs to be taken?

• The Central and State governments could take concerted steps to help Indian Muslims escape this vicious circle of poverty.

• One way to improve their situation is to provide a special incentive and subsidy system for higher education.

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• • • (Click on the image above to watch the video) Polio Vaccine Contamination & types of Polio, Does Polio still exist in India?

ISSUE • When Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) are given to the children, this OPV contains live polio viruses and this virus are shed by children who take this OPV by their stool.

• Because of this government and regulatory authorities are worried that if type 2 viruses can pass into the sewage or the water system which can lead to a spread in the Polio.

• This type 2 change was seen in Hyderabad, Delhi, Bihar and Gujarat • Most prone in the places of more open defecation.

INDIA’S STATUS IN THIS REGARD • India was officially declared polio free by WHO in March 2014.

• The last Case of polio virus Type2 in the country was in 1999 • India attained a Polio free status in 2014 after successfully eliminated the wild p1 and p3 strains.

WHAT IS POLIO? • It is a highly infectious viral disease, mainly affects children.

• According to WHO virus is transmitted through one person to another through fecal - oral route.

• Invades nervous system, causes paralysis and sudden muscle weakness and pain in the limbs.

STRAINS • There are three types of polio viral strains - P1, P2 and P3.

• P2 was eradicated globally in 1999.

• India attained a polio free status in 2014 after successfully eliminated the wild p1 and p3 strain.

What is a Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (VDPV) ?

•

in the intestine and enters into the bloodstream , triggering a protective immune response in the child.

The Child will excrete the virus in stool. The virus excreted in the stool is not the original virus, but the genetically altered vaccine virus.

Child excretes the vaccine virus for the period of 6 to 8 weeks.

In the areas of open defecation, this excreted vaccine virus can quickly spread in the community and infect children with lower immunity.

Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis (VAPP) • VAPP occurs when the virus turns virulent within the body of a recently vaccinated child and causes polio. The frequency of VAPP cases varies across countries.

• With high-income countries switching to the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) that uses dead virus to immunize children, the VAPP burden is concentrated in low-income countries which continue to use the OPV. • The low income countries cannot afford IPV because India it is a middle income country IPV VS OPV • IPV given through injection contains inactivated virus, considered to be safer than OPV that contains live virus.

It is easier to administer the OPV than the IPV and the cost per dose of OPV is also lower than that of the IPV. However, the OPV fared poorly on two important counts: safety and efficacy.

CHALLENGES ASSOCITED WITH OPV IN INDIA. • The World Health Organization is asking all countries using the OPV to include a “continuous and effective system of surveillance” to monitor the frequency of VAPP in 1982, India did not comply.

• Many member countries autonomously choose the IPV over the OPV, mainly to avoid any risk of VAPP. In India, the VAPP cases can be avoided once the government stops using the OPV to immunize children.

• Despite knowing that there is a higher burden of polio caused by oral vaccines, India continued to use the OPV. • While high-income countries preferred the IPV, India and other low-income countries continued to rely on the OPV. India licensed the IPV only in 2006 but did not introduce it in routine immunization.

The source of the virus is vaccine itself. When the child is given the vaccine (OPV) Polio drops it contains live polio virus, a virus spread through the vaccine and the virus is replicated

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SOLUTIONS • • •

In India, the VAPP cases can be avoided once the government stops using the OPV to immunize children.

The IPV is essential for post wild-type polio virus eradication, to get rid of VDPV and VAPP. A continuous and effective system of surveillance is required in India

NOTES :

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When water or food has this bacteria and if human consume this, after reaching the human intestine, these bacteria get multiplied in the intestine.

This disease is basically spreading in the North East Area of Africa .(Yellow part of the above diagram) About The Conflict Boko Haram: established in 2002 made by Mohammad Yusuf to establish Islamic States. Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram - which has caused havoc in Africa's most populous country through a wave of bombings, assassinations and abductions - is fighting to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.

The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, when the Jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria.

The insurgency took place within the context of longstanding issues of religious violence between Nigeria's Muslim and Christian communities.

There is a conflict between the both.

Due to this Boko Haram was established.

(Click on the image above to the watch the video) GS Paper 3: Terrorism.

Spread Of Cholera In Nigeria Spread Of Cholera Due To Terrorism.

Cause The cause of Cholera bacteria.

Condition Got Worst Suspected cholera cases have jumped in northeast Nigeria, where Boko Haram violence has forced tens of thousands of people to seek refuge in crowded camps cholera

is

infection

by

the V.

The above picture is of the Refugee Camp.

• High population density cause people have displaced from their house.

• Enough water not present for everyone.

• Proper sanitation is not provided.

• The conflict has kept on increasing between both the communities.

• Cholera disease is spreading in large amount.

• When contaminated food or water • Is consumed by the person he/she gets infected.

• Waste material excreted by this has the V. Cholera bacteria which are transferred to the environment through human excretion.

• Many people have died due to this.

Mohammed Yusuf founded the sect that became known as Boko Haram in 2002 in Maiduguri, the capital of the north-eastern state of Borno.

Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, is housing 243 000 displaced people in crowded camps with poor hygiene facilities, creating a fertile environment for cholera to spread.

• The humanitarian group said 10 000 people have been affected by the fast-spreading cholera outbreak and 175 people have died in the northeast states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

• The congestion in the camps that makes it difficult to provide adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The rainy season has also worsened the conditions due to the collection of water.

If more land is not urgently provided for camp decongestion and construction of health and sanitation facilities, Nigeria is steering towards yet another cholera outbreak in 2019.

It is challenging for Nigerian Government.

Solution: International and national groups to come together and help the Nigerian people and end the conflict between both the communities.

More than 1.8 million people have been displaced by the bloody conflict, which has claimed more than 27 000 lives.

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NOTES : (Click on the image above to watch the video) Ageing Medicine Important for Esaay Part and GS Paper 3 Discovery Of An Ayurvedic Medicine To Combat Aging An Indian Ayurveda university has claimed to have made a major breakthrough in the research to combat ageing.

A study by the Jamnagar-based Gujarat Ayurveda University has concluded that the consumption of heart -leaved moonseed or Giloy — a shrub — increased the lifespan of the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).

Picture Of Giloy

Drosophila Melanogaster(Fly) Ø The flies are among the most extensively studied animal models for understanding the process of ageing and longevity. Ø The lifespan of the flies, which is not more than 29 to 30 days, increased to about 85 days after they were fed concentrations of Giloy powder for 30 days, the study has claimed. Ø It has been published in the Netherlandsbased Wolters Kluwer, a reputed journal on healthcare. Ø The increase in the lifespan of the flies due to the Giloy powder can be attributed to its high antioxidant properties.

What Are Antioxidants, And How Do They Work? Ø All matters in the universe are made of atoms.

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Ø Ø Ø

Atoms are composed of a core with protons and neutrons, and a bunch of electrons that revolve around the core.

Atoms combine an make molecules.

Molecules are made up atoms.

Molecules react with themselves and chemical is released which is needed for the metabolism of the body.

Giloy powder Ø Giloy powder is referred to as guduchi churna in the paper and is deemed a longevity promoting herb. Ø “Although the exact mechanisms of the action of guduchi churna on enhancing the survivability of D. melanogaster could not be ascertained, it has validated the concept of Rasayana effect of guduchi churna,” Ø Rasayana, is one of the most essential branches of Ayurveda and deals with a group of medicinal preparations, which stimulate immunity and prevent the causation of many ailments such as untimely ageing.

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NOTES :

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Child death due to Pneumonia in India UPSC Perspective – GS Paper 3 What is the issue: Recently, Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report has been published in India and in it, all the factors causing the deaths of the children is published.

What is Pneumonia: § Happens in Lungs in Air-sacks § Bacteria, Viruses, mycoplasma and other infectious agents, such as fungi can cause pneumonia. § Can happen in any age. People with lungs ailments can be vulnerable to this disease, especially who have a tussle with the cold and cough. § Atypical pneumonia is caused by bacteria such as Legionella Pneumophilla, Mycoplasmapneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumonia § Viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus may be severe and sometimes fatal. The virus invades the lungs and multiplies. § Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living agents of disease. They are not classified as to whether they are bacteria § Mycoplasma usually causes a mild form of pneumonia but may be severe with certain symptoms lasting a long time.

Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report released: § India continues to have the highest burden of pneumonia child deaths in the world, with 1,58,176 pneumonia. § The report reveals India as a woeful nation where children are the most vulnerable to this ailment. § Globally, pneumonia and diarrhea led to nearly one of every four deaths in children under five years of age in 2016. § The report analyses how effectively countries are delivering key interventions – breastfeeding, vaccination, access to care, use of antibiotics, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation – to help protect against, prevent, and treat, pneumonia and diarrhea. § The measures are proven to help prevent death due to these illnesses and could help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals target of reducing under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030.

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Progress in India: Mixed progress is found in India – home to more underfive pneumonia and diarrhea deaths than any other country in 2016.

In 2017, the Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine was introduced, but it was limited to only 6 states.

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NOTES :

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Maratha Reservation Bill What is it About: Maharashtra cabinet recently ratified the decision to grant reservation to the Maratha community under a newly created independent category.

Maratha Community: Ø Maharashtra came into statehood on May 1, 1960.

State of Bombay was bifurcated into two states: Maharashtra and Gujarat, by the Bombay Reorganization Act 1960. Ø Since 1960, state held 18 chief ministers, 11 out of these 18 were from Maratha Community, which indicates that the community is quite politically active. Ø One-third population of the state is from Maratha community and historically they are identified as ‘Warrior Class’. Ø The community also has huge land holding. Most of them rely on agrarian labor for the employment, making a considerable contribution in the state’s GDP Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission: Govt. of Maharashtra says that according to MSBCC’s report (Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission) highlighted the community is socially, economically and educationally backward.

According to the commission’s report; Ø 37% of the Marathas were living below the poverty line. Ø Approximately 62% of the Maratha population holds small or marginal land holding Ø 70% of Maratha population is living in Kachcha ghar (mud houses) Ø Educational backwardness is also in more magnitude in Maratha community people, rather than other communities of the state.

Is The Decision Justified: Ø Don’t go well with available data – As the Jat community in Haryana and Patel entertains socioeconomic class in the respective states, similarly, Maratha also enjoys the same status. Ø There is no social issue that Marathas face any social slur like the other states. Ø Lack of employment opportunities and their sluggish agrarian economic status are definitely considerable reasons for their uplift. But these two issues can be resolved by policy action.

Reservation Plan: Demand is for 16% reservation in the state bythe community but the government hasn’t agreed to the demand.

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The cabinet has constituted a committee to scour over the matter and to fix the quantum of the reservation.

NOTES :

Current Reservation Slab: Currently, SC – 13%, ST – 7%, OBC – 19% and the 4% has been dedicated to the special backward classes and rest of the reservation is for nomadic tribes of the state.

Challenges of the Reservation: Ø Category – Maratha Kranti Morcha, who led the agitation, demanded initially for the quota under the OBC category and by this OBCs started to speculate that the new quota will include the Maratha in the exisiting OBCs’ share. This situation may bring the conflicts within the OBC community. Ø Shares - OBCs in the state of Maharashtra are demanding to increase the share of their reservation from the present 19% to 27%. The Dunga community, a shepherd community, demanded they want to move from OBC to ST category. Muslims have also demanded reservation of 5%. Ø Total Reservation Share - Since Supreme Court had already capped the limit of the reservation at 50% (Indra Sawhney vs Union of India, 1992).

Maharashtra is already entertaining more than 50% reservation within the state. So, now the 16% more reservation will cumulatively do the reservation up to 68% which is almost equal to Tamil Nadu, 69% reservation.

Government Clarification: Ø Ø Ø Ø

Government of Maharashtra states it will not affect the existing reserved sections of any of the class, be it OBC or any other class Government plan is to introduce a new independent quota and this quota will be known as Socially and Educationally Backward Class.

Third argument of the Maharashtra government is that there is no ceiling on quota in constitution of India. It is a verdict of Supreme Court’s verdict.

State also says, constitution provides a provision for the quota under the extraordinary and exceptional cases, for example – Tamil Nadu’s 69% of the reservation petition is still in pending at SC.

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Need for this legislation: Ø Allied and Healthcare Professionals (A&HPs) constitute an important element of the health human resource network, and the skilled and efficient Allied and Healthcare Professionals (A&HPs) can reduce the cost of care and dramatically improve the accessibility to quality driven healthcare services.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective : GS 2 - Health & related issues Why in news ? : The Union Cabinet has approved the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 for regulation and standardisation of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals.

Highlights of the Bill: Ø It provides for the Establishment of a Central and corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils; 15 major professional categories including 53 professions in Allied and Healthcare streams. Ø The Bill provides for Structure, Constitution, Composition and Functions of the Central Council and State Councils, Framing policies and standards, Regulation of professional conduct, Creation and maintenance of live Registers, provisions for common entry and exit examinations, etc. Ø The Central Council will comprise 47 members, of which 14 members shall be ex-officio representing diverse and related roles and functions and remaining 33 shall be non-ex-officio members who mainly represent the 15 professional categories. Ø The State Councils are also envisioned to mirror the Central Council, comprising 7 ex-officio and 21 non-ex officio members and Chairperson to be elected from amongst the non-ex officio members. Ø Professional Advisory Bodies under Central and State Councils will examine issues independently and provide recommendations relating to specific recognised categories. Ø The Bill will also have an overriding effect on any other existing law for any of the covered professions. Ø The State Council will undertake recognition of allied and healthcare institutions. Ø Offences and Penalties clause have been included in the Bill to check mal­practices. Ø The Bill also empowers the Central and State Governments to make rules. Ø Central Govt. also has the power to issue directions to the Council, to make regulations and to add or amend the schedule

Number of beneficiaries: Ø It is estimated that the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 will directly benefit around 8-9 Lakh existing Allied and Healthcare related professionals in the country and several other graduating professionals joining workforce annually and contributing to the health system. However, since this Bill is directed to strengthen the healthcare delivery system at large, it may be said that the entire population of the country and the health sector as a whole will be benefited by this Bill.

Prelims bits : Who is an Allied & Healthcare Professional? Ø According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Allied health personnel are personnel who have specific connections with the art and science of health care and are recognized as members of health team in the national health system. They are educated, with different levels of professional qualifications, in a recognized or accredited health or healthrelated or academic Institution". Ø Allied & healthcare professionals include individuals involved with the delivery of health or related services, with expertise in therapeutic, diagnostic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative interventions. They work in interdisciplinary health teams including physicians, nurses and public health officials to promote, protect, treat and/or manage a person’s physical, mental, social, emotional and environmental health and holistic well-being.

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ECONOMY • • •

• (Click on the image above to watch the video)

•

India rank 77 Ease of Doing Business: India has leapfrogged at rank 77 in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ from the last year (2017) rank of 100.

•

Peculiarity of the Ranking: World Bank basically evaluates and give the marks to the country on the basis of doing business in two cities: Delhi and Mumbai. By dint of it, several experts argue that these two cities are not the whole India and scores given only to these cities doesn’t justify with the whole nation.

Scores of India in 10 Parameters: The biggest and significant improvement is in ‘Dealing with Construction Permits’ which clearly here depicts that the Governments (union and state both) along with the bureaucracy in order to improve. But, somehow, Property registration is still in sluggishness even has got exacerbated.

World Bank’s Statement: Ø World bank praised India for its improvement in some parameters. Ø Second consecutive year in which India has improved. First South Asian and BRICS country to do so. Ø India has recorded the highest improvement in two years by any large country since 2011 by 53 position.

Parameters Good Performances in Starting a business Enforcing Contracts Dealing with Construction Permits Getting Credit Getting Electricity Connection Trading Across Borders

2017

Bad Performances in Registering Property Paying Taxes Resolving Insolvency Protecting Minority Investors Year Ranking

2010 134

2011 132

2012 132

2013 134

2014 142

2015 130

Steps taken by the government: Zero fee for registration under Shops and Establishment Act. Cost of obtaining construction permits has been reduced.

Cost of Electricity registration has been reduced and since now in thriving of the renewable energy sector of India, households are able to get some segment of the electricity by non-conventional source, and the part which used to be meant for domestic feeding, now applied to the industries.

GST is one key reform also along with Insolvency Bankruptcy Code and Commercial Courts Act Introduction of United Building By Laws (2016) made a good impact in two years are now visible in the current scenario.

Arbitration & Conciliation Act and Companies Act, Development Control Regulations.

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2018 156 164 181 29 29 146

137 163 52 22 24 80

154 119 103 4

166 121 108 7

2016 130

2017 100

2018 77

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Ø

(Click on the image above to watch the video) What is it About: Asymmetry exists between the service sector contribution to GDP and employment growth of the nation. Service sector and employment growth don’t match.

Reasons of This Divergence: Ø 1990s economic growth, new economic policies were implemented, Indian economy became an Open Economy. Exports of the service sector played a good role in the economy, highest in 1996-97 period and accounted more than half of the GDP. Ø Economic Survey of the 2013-14 highlighted that India has the second fastest growing service sector in the world, behind China. The assessment was based on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate), which was 9%, just below the Chinese rate of 10.9%. It was based on previous 10 years analysis of the economy, from 2001-2012. Ø It was also evident by the Gross Value Aided from Services, so the GVA from services increased at almost 8.7% per annum and it accounted for 58% of the increase in total GVA between FY 2011-12 and 2016-17. Growth and Services has also accompanied by significant increase in export of services. Indian became dominant in export of services. Ø India’s share in the service export account for 38% of the world, much higher than China, Mexico, Brazil etc, and it is very close to UK, USA.

Repair, Hotel, Restaurants, Retail trade, etc. while Other Services accounts for 6.9%.

Unorganized – extremely low earnings – the reason of these low earning is huge scarcity of proper opportunities in primary and secondary sectors, which compel people to rely more on tertiary or service sector. Due to this influx in service sector earnings of the employed ones also comes down due to more availability of the people in the sectors.

Employment Opportunities: Ø Share of services sector in total employment sector in total employment was relatively low – even though the presence of the unorganized sector is high in the service sector, it is not able to provide more employment opportunities. Or we can say the share of the services sector in the total employment was relatively low. Ø

Wide divergence - Between FY 1999 – 2000 and 2004 – 05 the employment in the tertiary sector increased by only 22%, but the GDP at Constant Price contribution increased by 44%.

In FY 2009-10, the tertiary sector employment accounted only for 25% but the GDP contribution was 55%. The NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) revealed the share of the services employment increased by far less than an increase in the contribution towards the GDP.

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NOTES :

Contribution of unorganized sector: Ø Diversification into high productivity services – responsible for India’s premature increase in the relative share of services in the total GDP. Ø National Account Statistics – says that new and high productive services accounts for only 28.5% of the total GVA in 2016-17.

High Productivity Services are: Transportation, Storage, Communication, Financial Services, Real Estate, Professional Services etc.

Traditional Services - accounts for 11.1 % of the GVA, traditional services are like: Trade,

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1)

2)

Jalmarg Vikas Proect- the project receives financial support from World Bank and aimed at improving the navigability of National Waterway – 1, from Varanasi to Haldiya, distance of 1,380 km, to develop of a fair way of 3 meter, and intended to be completed by 2023.

3 multimodal terminals along the National Waterway-1 have to be developed, 1 at Varanasi, 2 at Sahebjang, Jharkhand and 3 at Haldia.

Building a Farakka Navigation lock on Rs. 359 Cr which is expected to be completed by July 2019.

National Clean Energy Fund & Central Road Fund are being regulated to amass the money for the revival.

By the issuance of government bonds.

2 barges carrying 1,233 tones of fly ash were flagged. The barges will cover the 2085 km of water way ultimately reaching to the Pandu Inland port in Assam. st

nd

rd

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Revival of Inland Waterways in India UPSC Perspective - GS Paper-1 News about it: India is bolstering its Inland water transport to commute the goods. Movement with shipment of 16 containers owned by PepsiCo will reach the new multi-model terminal at Varanasi.

Foresight of the Waterways: § Feasible and frugal for commercial Freight corridors § Pre-Modern era, rivers and canals were in usage. Since, road and railways infused in to the travel and trade and also they are faster compare to the waterways § Silt Deposit § IWAI; Inland Waterways Authority of India, formed in 1986, with its H.Q. at Noida and the authority discovered FIVE WATER WAYS and recommended for investments into it. § From 1986 to 2014, merely 1,456 Crore INR were invested in these five waterways. While in comparing internationally, China invested 1,09,000 Crore from 2005-2010 and Germany did investment of 77,000 Crore alone in 2016. § In 2016, National Waterways Act was passed, aimed at merging the possible rivers and strengthening 106 waterways of the nation, including the earlier 5.

3) 4) 5) 6)

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NOTES :

Potential of the Waterways: Ø India holds remarkably approx. 14,500 kilometers of navigable waterways within the nation. Ø Around 55 million tons of cargos move, but they are restricted in many rivers and areas. Ø This transportation contributes only 3%, rest 97% is done by the other means of transportation, severely underutilized, while it can contribute much more to the nation Resistances in the ways: • Periodic dredging, that means Silt deposit in the water ways are not proper and even it is irregular.

• Lack of fixed and floating terminals • Drying of the rivers which can make the rivers shallow • Low altitude bridges which may impose some impediments in the ways Taken Steps for the ways:

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4)

5) (Click on the image to watch the video) Unsecured Loans in Banking Sector What Has Happened Recently: The share of unsecured loans in the economy is increasing and the banks could be exposed to the sudden risks, ultimately leading the economy to the sudden risks. It may affect the credit flow of the economy.

Unsecured Loan – Issued and supported only by the borrower’s credit worthiness and here the collateral is not considered. There is no support of collateral which means without any collateral the loan becomes Unsecured.

Status: Ø According to Crisil Research of March, 2018, the outstanding unsecured loans in the indian banking industry is Rs. 5 Lakh Crore Ø This amount accounts for 26% of retail lending, which was just 21% three years ago which means the quantum of unsecured loans in Indian banking industry is increasing each year. It will pile up the NPAs. Ø Indian banks were also severely affected by willful defaults of ‘Project Loans’ and these loans were given to large industrial groups.

Since they failed then the banks turned to small lending. Retail loans were used by the commercial banks in order to drive growth in the banking sector. Ø Because of this reason, unsecured credit card debt and personal loans contribute to the fastest growing segments for unsecured loans in the banking industry. Ø The quantum of the unsecured credit debt and personal loans are expanding at 30-31% annually. But the credit in the banking sector, it is only 8-9%. Ø Unsecured retail growing at higher rates. So this area needs attentions of the RBI.

aggregate demand in the economy will increase. So, the production of the output will increase in order to meet the increased demand.

With the increase in retail credit, return on assets increase for the banks. There is more credit growth in the banks and that is the reason the banks are also keen to push unsecured loans.

Dilution of credit standards - There are multiple lenders in the banking industry. All of them cater to same retail segment. Because of intense competition among them, there is a chance of dilution of credit standards which will lead to poor pricing and negatively impact the banking sector. There should be proper supervision to watch all of them.

Way Ahead: 1) Public Sector banks can rely more on technology adoption and capacity building in alternative credit scoring data and analytics.

2) Banks can also acquire retail exposures indirectly; securitization or assignment deals with the NBFCs or small finance banks. So, these indirect retail exposure can also be opted by the public sector banks. Securitization means process by which a company clubs its different financial assets or debts to form a consolidated financial instrument that can be issued to the investors. This securitization can be used by the company in order to raise more capital and this capital can be used to provide loans to its customers.

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NOTES :

Concerns: 1) Indian banking industry has already experienced the bitter phases with retail lending during the previous economic boom.

2) Negligible Chance for Recovery - The most important concern with the unsecured loans is that in the event of the any default, such loans offer negligible prospects for recovery. They do not have any collateral to compensate so that banks can recover from the amount.

3) Consumption Momentum – Over the last few years, Private Capital Expenditure is coming down in the nation. Therefore, the private consumption has been a key in India’s growth.

When the Private Consumption increases, the

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) What Is The Issue Between RBI And The Government The government wants 3.6 Lakh Crore form RBI. The amount is very large and RBI is reluctant in it because RBI don’t want a decrease in its reserves.

Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan • Our total costs amount to only about 1/7th of our total net interest income.

• So we earn a large surplus profit, more than all the public sector put together.

• “To pay an additional dividend to the government, the RBI has to create additional permanent reserves, i.e., print more money”.

RBI’S Assets And Reserves The total assets of the RBI stand on a bit more than Rs 36 Lakh Crore (Rs 36,17,594 Crore). For Financial Year 2017-18.

It is distributed among: • Gold, Banknotes and Coins kept in the vaults of the RBI. • The Foreign Currency Assets .

• Government Bonds, Treasury Bills and Special Oil Bonds .

• Loans and advances to central and state governments .

• Loans and advances to commercial, cooperative banks, NABARD and others.

What Is Surplus Transfer?

RBI earns from it’s reserves.

As the term suggests, the process involves the RBI is transferring a share of its profits to the central government.

In accordance with Section 47 (Allocation of Surplus Profits) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, RBI transfers the excess of income over expenditure – to the government at the end of each fiscal year.

Representatives from both sides (RBI and Government Of India) should come together and talk to each keeping each other point of view in mind.

The RBI has decided to transfer an amount of Rs 50,000 crore as surplus transfer.

The government, however, wants it to transfer the entire surplus from the financial year 2017-18 to the government.

Notes • Currently, the RBI’s reserves stand at Rs 9.7 lakh crore in fiscal year FY18.

• (We are not talking about assets) Out of the Rs 9.7 Lakh Crore that the RBI can shell out, just under Rs 2.55 Lakh Crore is part of the contingency fund, which is allocated to guard against unforeseen losses • RBI’s buffer includes Rs 6.91 Lakh Crore in the form of currency and gold revaluation.

Contingency Fund, Asset Development Fund, Currency and Gold revaluation account.

The Controversy The RBI fund the surplus funds to Government as a form of dividend. The question is how much should that dividend be.

Usha Thorat committee (2004) • This Committee, said the RBI. This Committee, said the total reserves should be around 18% of the total assets.

• Currently it is 28%.

Another committee under Y.H. Malegam which said the existing reserves were in excess of the needed buffer and hence no transfers from the profits were necessary.

The Entire surplus should be sent to the Government.

Notes • The CGRA was 21.81% of total assets and the contingency reserve was 8.44%.

• The corresponding numbers now (2017-18) are 19.11% and 6.41% respectively.

• RBI believes that the buffer is now inadequate.

For now, it seems RBI is not going to budge to the government’s demand of Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

But if it eventually has to, it would mean exhausting the contingency fund completely and further eating into the gold and currency assets.

If that seems outrageous, there lies just one way out.

Raghuram Rajan put it succinctly: “To pay an additional dividend to the government, the RBI has to create additional permanent reserves, i.e., print more money”.

Solution Plan a proper community for it.

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NOTES :

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1.

2.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Section 7 of RBI Act Central Government’s Invoke of the Section: The central government has initiated steps towards invoking its power under section 7 of the RBI act of 1934. Section 7 of the RBI act states about some powers of the central government in the concern of RBI. Section 7(1): Section 7(1) of the RBI states, “The Central Government may from time to time give such directions to the Bank as it may, after consultation with the Governor of the Bank, consider necessary in the public interest.”

It has two Parts: 1. Consultation- About the consultations of the Central Government in consultations with the RBI governor and RBI committee.

2. Issue of Direction- Central government may issue some directions to the bank in the public interests.

Central Board of Directors: This board is a body comprising officials from the central bank and the Government of India, including officials nominated by the government. This board is comprised of: 1. One Governor – Urjit Patel (as of November 2018) 2. Deputy Governors (Maximum 4) - nominated by the central government N. S. Viswanathan, Viral V. Acharya, B.P. Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain 3. 4 Non-official Directors – Nominated by the central government.. Each Non-official director represents the local boards located in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, by four regions of India.

4. 10 Non-official Directors – Nominated by the RBI, these 10 have the expertise in different domains of a nation’s economy.

5. 1 Representative of the central government – nominated by the central government The above composition of the Central Board of Directors and their nominations clearly indicate that central government has a role in the RBI. Since the beginning of the bank and after independence, Section 7 has never been invoked.

3.

Exempting power companies from the new stressed norms on stressed assets which the bank has come up against some powerful companies. Center asked to exempt them from these norms.

Dilution of capital threshold norms for PCA (Prompt Corrective Action)- RBI has taken PCA against 11 banks. So, the center asked the RBI to dilute the capital threshold for those banks.

Asking for more capital to the government from the reserve of the bank

RBI rejected the all proposals and kept it stance straight to the government and the bank is not going to change any decision on those three fronts.

Assiduity to the Authority: Both of the bodies; Central Government and RBI should work in the rapport with each other, which was mentioned in the RBI act. There are indispensable and rational reasons which compel the RBI to be independent. If the authority of RBI comes under any hindrance, it creates a rift between the two bodies, ultimately putting the nation’s economy in jeopardy.

Foreign investors will start to speculate and doubt about the stability of the nation’s economy, which may further lead to make them pull out their investment from India.

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NOTES :

How It Happened: Central Government issued 3 Letters of Proposal to the bank in the last month for consultation under section 7.

The letters were about:

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) Rising Pulses Prices in India What is it About: Ø Price of the kharif crops have increased after a gap of two years. In the last two years, production of pulses was on rise and good amount of pulse production had brought down the price. Ø Due to the drop in the production, raise in prices happened. Ø A policy is needed which reconciles between producers and consumers. Ø Farmers must be insured Minimum Price for the commodities. Consumers must be kept away from the food inflation that is consumers must be able to afford the prices.

Background:

In 2016-17, government introduced a policy to increase the production of the pulses Government procured the pulses from the farmers at increased prices. This increased price inspired the farmers to produce more pulse also in 2017-18.

MSP (Minimum Support Price) of the Tur pulse was increased almost by 30% from 2014 to 2018. Moong daal also MSP was raised by 25% in last four years. It is clear the government is intended to increase the output of the production of the pulses.

Because of more supply of the pulse, price reduced in the market. The reduced price came even below the MSP and thus farmers had to sell the pulse in the open market at a lesser price than MSP. This affected the interests of the farmers as they were not getting the proper remuneration.

Now, the production has reduced so the prices have increased and since farmers were not getting the profitable remunerations from the market and they were not able to make investments for the next crops.

Kharif pulses output has been estimated at 9.22 million tonnes this year, against 9.34 million tonnes last year.

Drought has also impacted the production of the crop and the supply has reduced because of the drought.

Challenges:

India is a protein-deficient nation and thus India must focus on diversification of crops so that food grains could be ascertained.

Production of other commodities along with the pulses must be heeded over. Producers’ interests must be insured.

Nutrition Imbalance must be addressed.

The current price rice of the Khariff crops can affect the Rabi pulses also. They may face the extension in the sowing period.

Area sown in Karnatka and Maharashtra are the major pulse producing states and these two states are facing a decline in the production due to less seeding which will further aggravate the situation.

Creating a balancing policy; as the policy must entertain both of the parties: producers and consumers. Producers must get a fair price for the next seeding and next crops while the price must be affordable enough for the common people of the nation.

Way Forward:

Develop adequate procurement infrastructure with the required communication between center and states. Excess production can be addressed by the governments.

Use of Real-Time Data which can regulate and control the price volatility of the pulses and other commodities.

Price Stability – Government can store the excess production by the farmers and can have a buffer stock of the grains and can stabilize the prices at a frugal magnitude. While in case of less production, government can take out the buffer stock and can reduce the price by supplying more into the consumers.

Recommendations of Arvind Subhramaniam committee should be implemented necessarily.

Arvind Subhramaniam – 16 Chief Economic Adviser to the GoI. Tenure – October 2014 to June 20, 2018 What does Arvind Subhramaniam committee recommends: Price management of pulses: Stock limits and export bans set for pulses should be lifted in order to prevent a decline in prices of pulses. State governments should be encouraged to delist pulses from their Agricultural Produce Market Committee Acts, so that produce may be traded outside of the state-owned mandis.

Procurement of pulses: The government should emphasize to procure pulses such as moong, tur and urad at their respective MSPs. To increase procurement, the government should assign an additional Rs 10,000 crore to procurement agencies In addition, procurement operations should be monitored. It can be done via weekly reporting to the central government, and physical verification of procurement through visual images.

MSPs for pulses: The MSP for tur and urad should be about Rs 60/kg, adjusted for inflation. The MSP for Rabi pulses such as gram should be set at Rs 40/kg, and be announced immediately.

Institutional arrangement for pulses: The government should aim to create a new institutional arrangement for pulses. th

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(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NOTES : (Click on the image above to watch the video) What is KCC? (Kisan Credit Card) • The scheme was launched in India in 1998 to provide affordable and timely credit to Indian farmers.

• Subsidized loans are given to farmers through KCC by state – owned banks .

• Eligibility for KCC Issued to farmers based on their landholdings, KCC operates like a normal credit card.

• Under this scheme, the KCC limit is sanctioned for 3-5 years, with one-time documentation, and is renewed every year based on the farmers’ requirements.

• Thus, the farmer does not need to go through time-consuming bank screening processes repeatedly every year.

• The rate of interest on this type of loan is also considerably low compared to agriculture term loan under the scheme farmers have the option of rescheduling the repayment.

• Beneficiaries can utilize the loan amount for various stages of cropping cycle, like the sowing of seeds, harvesting of crops and other agriculture activities.

• They can also utilize loan proceeds towards meeting post-harvest/household and consumption requirements.

How KCC misused?

• Funds borrowed under KCC schemes are often getting diverted for non-agricultural activities, such as real estate investment, other business activities, purchase of expensive cars and jewelry, higher education of children in foreign countries, indigenous lending, etc.

• Borrowers commonly avail higher loans from banks by inflating the quantum of land under cultivation.

• KCC provides an opportunity for unscrupulous borrowers to exploit the banking channel for placement and layering of black money generated in other business activities like real estate, indigenous money lending and bullion traders, in order to convert the same into white in the form of repayment of KCC loan amount.

• There is also a practice of evergreening of loans drawn through KCCs. Evergreening refers to the practice of giving fresh loans to a borrower to help him meet interest payments.

• In case of owned lands, borrowers often resort to “double dipping” borrowers and family members avail multiple loans either from the

57

same bank or from different, for the same piece of land owned by them.

• •

•

•

NOTES :

What are the concerns?

The lack of adequate visibility about the source of cash that is being deposited in banks in the form of repayment of KCC loan.

Revolving cash facility which entails unlimited withdrawals and repayments as long as it is within the prescribed limits makes KCC vulnerable to money laundering.

Such a facility could be convenient if a customer wants to churn money in and out of the system in small amounts and facilitate terrorist financing or activity.

Terrorist financing does not require cash in bulk or in huge amounts, but in smaller amounts as and when required, so most alert monitoring systems miss out on patterns of terrorist financing activity.

Solutions

•

Banks need to strengthen KYC norms, monitor end-utilization of funds, strengthen KCC policies and procedures, and extend KCC facilities only to the needy.

Multiple people taking loans on single piece of land can be avoided.

•

The use of field intelligence, mystery shopping as well as extensive data analytics can help banks to detect red flags at an early stage and fight this menace.

•

In the absence of immediate remedial measures, KCC could be well be the next bubble of money laundering.

.

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Rivalry with Rupay: Mastercard told the United States government in June that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using nationalism to promote the use of a domestic payments network on Rupay card.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Visa and MasterCard request to Prime Minister over Rupay Card

Mastercard Ø Ø Ø

Founded in 1966 as Interbank Card Corporation H.Q. – New York, U.S.A. President, CEO Ajaypal Singh Bagga

Perspectives of Patriotism: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that if Indians use the Rupay card more for digital transactions, it will create revenue and ultimately to the service to the people themselves in the service of nation. Mastercard in a written statement to the office of USTR (United States Trade Representative) that the company has lost some profits because of the promotion of Rupay card by the Prime Minister.

Several Indian companies work in the U.S.A. and the trade between the two nations is in somehow the favor of India.

Visa

American Express

Discover

Ø Founded in 1958 as BankAmeriCard Ø H.Q. – Foster City, California, U.S.A. Ø Founder – Dee Hock Ø CEO- Alfred F.Kelly

Ø Founded in 1850 in Buffalo, New York, USA Ø H.Q. – New York, U.S.A. Ø Chairman, CEO – Stephen J. Squeri

Ø Founded in 1985 – Ø H.Q. Riverwoods, Illinois, U.S.A. Ø CEO – Roger Hochschild

Note – All of the above companies are Public Companies Rupay: ü Devised and launched by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) ü Launched on March 26, 2012. It was created under the RBI’s recommendation of having a domestic payment system in India. The cost of Transaction was high under the services of Visa and Mastercard. ü Data from National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which manages the RuPay card scheme, shows that RuPay card usage at pointof-sales devices has jumped 135% to 459 million transactions in financial year 2018 against 195 million last year

Transaction Costs: Rupay – Rs 2.5, Mastercard and Visa – Rs 3.25, American Express – Rs 3.75 to 4

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

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These include access to credit, access to market, technology upgradation, ease of doing business, and a sense of security for employees.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) PM Launches Historic Support And Outreach Initiative For MSME Sector The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 2, 2018 launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Support and Outreach Program at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.

The large number of employment come from MSME. MSMEs are one of the principal employment generators in India Notes The Prime Minister made 12 decisions that will mark a new chapter for the MSME sector.

Basics The Prime Minister said that the success of economic reforms launched by the Union Government, can be gauged from the rise in India’s “Ease of Doing Business Rankings,” from 142 to 77 in four years.

Access To Credit Part–1 • 59 minute loan portal to enable easy access to credit for MSMEs. • Loans upto Rs. 1 crore can be granted inprinciple approval in just 59 minutes through GST Portal.

• The Prime Minister also said that the GST registered MSMEs will get 2 per cent rebate on an incremental loan of up to Rs 1 crore.

Access To Credit Part – 2 The Prime Minister mentioned the second announcement as a 2 percent interest subvention for all GST registered MSMEs, on fresh or incremental loans.

For exporters who receive loans in the pre-shipment and post-shipment period, the Prime Minister announced an increase in interest rebate from 3 percent to 5 percent.

Details: Rs 1 Crore Loan In 59 Minutes https://www.psbloansin59minutes.com/home • The loan amount will be between Rs 10 Lakh and 1 Crore.

• The rate of interest (RoI) starts from 8%.

• After the approval in principle, of the application, the loan amount will be disbursed in 7-8 working days.

• There is no mandatory requirement for collateral as the online portal is directly connected to the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises scheme.

For registration, the borrower does not need to make any payment.

A borrower whose proposal matches the products of lenders and who wants to receive an approval in principle will be required to make a nominal payment of Rs 1,000 plus applicable taxes.

There is no fee for the registration, but once the applicant’s proposal matches the bank’s products, the borrower will have to be submit a fee of Rs 1,000 plus taxes.

The Prime Minister said that there are five key aspects of facilitating the MSME sector.

Income tax details: Income tax returns for three years are required in XML format. Income tax codes and efiling details are are also required.

GST details: The applicant will be asked to provide his GST ID username and password.

Ownership details: Applicants will be required to furnish ownership papers of their ventures. Applicants will also be required to furnish personal and educational details.

Documents you require: Bank account details: A six-month bank statement is required to be submitted in PDF format. e-KYC paper: A digitized version needs to be uploaded.

Access To Credit Part- 3 All companies with a turnover more than Rs 500 crore will now compulsorily be brought to the Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS).

It will enable entrepreneurs to access credit from banks.

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This will resolve the problems of cash cycle.

Trade Receivables Discounting System Or TReDS Trade Receivables Discounting System or TReDS is an initiative undertaken by Reserve Bank Of India to safeguard the interest of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that, because of large organizations, always finds it very hard to convert their trade receivables into liquid funds in a short period.

Technology Upgradation • Coming to technological upgradation, the Prime Minister said that tool rooms across the country are a vital part of product design.

• His seventh announcement was that 20 hubs will be formed across the country, and 100 spokes in the form of tool rooms will be established.

RBI thus by undertaking Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReD) an electronic platform, has mechanized the financing of trade receivables of MSMEs from corporate buyers through two or more financiers is known as Trade Receivables Discounting System wherein all registered MSMEs can discount their bills of exchange or invoice through TReDS with a quoted price.

Access To Markets • Public sector companies will now need to compulsorily procure 25 percent, instead of 20 percent of their total purchases from MSMEs. • Out of the 25 percent procurement mandated from MSMEs, 3 percent will now be reserved for women entrepreneurs.

• All public sector undertakings of the Union Government must now compulsorily be a part of GeM (Government e - Marketplace)

Ease Of Doing Business • Clusters will be formed of pharma MSMEs. • 70 percent cost of establishing these clusters will be borne by the Union Government.

• The return under 8 labor laws and 10 Union regulations will now need to be filed only once a year. .

• The Ordinance has been brought under which, for minor violations under the Companies Act, the entrepreneur will no longer have to approach the Courts, but can correct them through simple procedures.

Social Security For MSME Sector Employees A mission will be launched to ensure that they have Jan Dhan Accounts, provident fund and insurance.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :

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ATMs are most cost effective solution for the banks.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

What Are White Label ATMS? Ø White Label ATMs are owned and operated by Non Banking, Financial Companies (NBFC).

RBI has granted license or permission to nonbanking entities to open such ATMs. Ø Any non banking entity with a minimum net worth of ₹ 100 Crore can apply for white label ATM.

Half of India's ATMs May Close Down Automated Teller Machine

Notes According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India had 221,492 ATMs as of September-end.

Service providers may be forced to close down almost 1.13 Lakh ATMs across the country by March 2019, according to the Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMi).

Some Basics You Should Know ATMs can be classified into the following categories 1. Bank owned ATMs 2. Brown Label ATMs 3. White Label ATMs These categories of ATMs are on the basis of ownership of the ATM, AT location, service contract of the bank with a service provider.

What Are Bank Owned ATMS? Ø Such ATMs are set up and owned by the bank itself. The bank is responsible for their operation and maintenance. Ø Banks are entitled with responsibility of cash loading, AMC, security of the ATMs.

Its members, which include the ATM managed service providers (MSPs), brown-label ATM deployers (BLAs) and White Label ATM (WLAs)operators.

Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMi) Notes Ø Nearly 50 percent of the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) may be shut down by March 2019 due to inability of operations, hitting hard both urban and rural population, the Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMi) one Currently, India has approximately 2,38,000 ATMs, of which around,13,000 ATMs including 1,00,000 off-site and more than 15,000 white label ATMs. Reasons For Closing ATM? “The forced closure is on account of inability of operations brought about by recent regulatory guidelines for ATMs hardware and software upgrades, recent mandates on cash management standards and the Cassette Swap method of loading cash,” CATMi The Upgradation Will Cost A Lot Staring at huge expenditure of ₹3,200-4,800 Crore for introducing cassette swap in ATMs and other upgradations.

Upgrade Bankers feel that on-site ATMs should be exempted from the regulatory directive, requiring banks to use lock able cassettes in their ATMs ( which will be swapped at the time of cash replenishment).

What Are Brown Label ATMS? Ø

Ø

In case of Brown Label ATMs, service providers own the hardware of the ATM machine. The responsibility of identifying the ATM site, lease agreement with landlord, power supply to ATM kiosk lies with the service provider. Thus, a service provider takes the responsibility of maintenance of the ATM whereas sponsor bank takes the responsibility of cash management and provide connectivity to ATM to the banking network.

Logo of sponsor bank is displayed on brown label ATM kiosk premises. Brown Label

The above picture is of lock able cassettes which cost around 20 to 40 thousand.

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The ATM industry in India has reached a “tipping point”, and unless ATM deployers are compensated by banks for making these investments, there is likely to be a scenario where contracts are surrendered, leading to large-scale closure of ATMs.

NOTES :

PRADHAN MANTRI JAN – DHAN YOYANA Will Be Hit Hard

Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

The ATM should not be closed.

Rural areas will be hit hard due to this.

Rural people are using it now.

The scene which came at the time of demonetization will be seen again if 1.13 Lakh ATMs will be closed.

I.e long queues in front of the ATM’s.

RBI will relax its guidelines or not and banks will make the funding or not we have to see this in coming time.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

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GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT

• • • • •

•

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Koalas Face Extinction In Australia By 2050 UPSC Perspective GS Paper 3: Drought (Impact Of Drought) Urbanization, Agricultural Impact

They consume leaves of eucalyptus.

Koalas are expert climbers.

Predators cannot reach at such a long height of the tree.

Koalas measure about 60cm to 85cm long, and weigh about 14kg.

Although you may have heard people call them koala ‘bears’, these awesome animals are not bears at all – they are in fact marsupials (like a kangaroo (having pouches)).

A group of mammals, most marsupials have pouches where their newborns develop.

Eucalyptus Tree Eucalyptus is one of Australia's most identifiable trees and is critically important to biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

What Has Happened Recently?

The report, released by (WORLD WIDE FUND) WWF Australia and the Nature Conservation Council (NCC), used select satellite images of northern (NEW SOUTH WILLS) NSW to assess land clearing and its impact on vulnerable and endangered species.

Koalas are found in New South Wills.

Koalas live in a eucalyptus tree.

Trees are getting cut so inhabited of koalas is becoming extinct, which is a matter of concern .

WWF Australia estimates there are likely less than 20,000 koalas left in NSW and at the current rate, they are on track to be extinct in the state by as early as 2050.

KOALAS • Koalas are the most-loved and iconic of Australian wild animals.

• They spend much of their lives in their eucalyptus food trees where they sleep through the day and spend a few hours consuming leaves during the evening.

The report concludes that this was likely the major reason behind the dramatic surge in the forest and woodland destruction in this known clearing hotspot.

3.The koalas are threatened by destruction of food and shelter trees and forest fragmentation, which exposes them to higher mortalities from vehicle strike, dog attacks, and stress.

4.In some areas, koalas have also died due to Chlamydia, a bacterial infection that causes injuries to

Reasons behind the extinction of Koalas 1.Since European colonization, koalas, which have been living in Australia for 25 million years, have lost their habitat as a result of urban, agricultural and mining development, climate change, and the commercialization of their skins until the 1930s.

Urbanization : if the urbanization is taking place, then people are shifting from rural area to the urban area is done in developing infrastructure, we need to clear forest which ultimately affects the koala bear.

Skin of koalas is used for making many products.

2.The state government in 2017 decided to repeal the Native Vegetation Act 2003, which prevented farmers from felling trees. the genitals and eyes, causing infertility and blindness, slowly consuming them to death.

The geographical reach of this bacteria is increasing causing infection in many creatures.

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Factors Of Drought

Australian region is facing drought , water availability for eucalyptus tree is decreasing so koalas bear is not getting food (food as in eucalyptus tree’s leaves) The Australian government should think about this and take the necessary steps.

Humans should change the attitude of not showing any concern for the creatures (animals) cause in the long term this will directly affect the humans only.

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we meet climate and sustainable development targets with declining nature and biodiversity.

CBD 2050: Convention on Biological Diversity envision that biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential or all people. Conservation scientists propose a 2020-2050 ‘blueprint for biodiversity’: a vision for the future through the convention on Biological Diversity.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective : Prelims and GS Paper-3 ; Environment The Living Planet Report 2018: The report is released by World Wildlife Fund, biennially. This documents the state of the planet and this report releases the situation of the earth and its ecological environment. The report includes ecosystem, biodiversity and demand on natural resources and their reciprocation to the mankind. Governments across the world can heed over the report and ought to make the policy in order to bolster the Sustainable Development.

The report expresses: § Now, only one-fourth land on Earth is free of the impacts of human activities and till 2050, only one-tenth will be left unfettered. § Land degradation includes forest loss; while globally this loss has slowed due to reforestation and plantations. But, one peculiarity exists that the topography and geography of the earth keep changing from terrain to terrain. So, plantation at one place can’t compensate completely the paucity of forest at other terrain. § Almost 6 bn tons of fish and invertebrates have been taken from the world’s oceans since 1950. § Plastic pollution has reached even to the deepest parts of ocean like Mariana Trench. § Several species have faced a downfall of 60% in their population between 1970 and 2014. § South and Central America suffering the most dramatic decline, an 89% loss compared to 1970. § Freshwater species have also declined with the Freshwater Index showing an 83% decline since 1970. § The earth is estimated to have lost about half of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years. § 20% of Amazon’s have disappeared in just 50 years. rd

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All economic activity ultimately depends on services provided by nature, estimated to be worth around US$ 125 trillion a year. GDPs earned by several industrial and economic activities should also pay their duties towards Sustainable Development. Explode in Human Population and their consumption of nature is the biggest reason behind the unprecedented planetary change.

Business and finance industry are starting to question how global environmental risks will affect the macroeconomic performance of countries, sectors and financial markets and policy-makers wonder how will

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Ø Ø

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods Perspective of UPSC – GS Paper 1and 3 What Has Happened Recently: • Disaster managers and scientists in Sikkim are siphoning out excess water from lake to prevent it from Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods.

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Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFs), are a subject of concern in the Sikkim Himalayan region as several lakes have been formed due to melting of scores of glaciers in the region.

Contributing human activities include mass tourism; developmental interventions such as roads and hydropower project Black carbon which is transmitting from the Mediterranean region to India also plays important factor which melts the ice on the mountain due to albedo effect. Black Carbon get generated when fuel in the industries are not burnt completely. Black Carbon traps the heat into them thus leading to the increase of the temperature of the surrounding.

Measures Taken To The Flood Threat: Transporting the pipes to high altitudes poses serious challenges. Yaks are used to carry the pipes and other materials to the lake situated at 17,000 ft. Ø Sikkim has installed a Lake monitoring and information System (water level Sensor) at South Lhonak lake. The sensor gives the water level of the lake and also monitored the lake level when there is sudden fluctuation in water level Ø

What Is A Glacial Lake: Glacial lakes are formed by melting of the ice mountains and when it amasses and takes a form of like a lake.

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NOTES :

Moraines play a pivotal role in formation of glacial lakes. Moraines are primarily accumulated stones and sediments which are deposited by glaciers. Sediment’s deposit is essential in glacial lakes.

Melting of the Glaciers: In mountain areas, due to melting of the glaciers, water quantity in the lakes is increased and leading to a flood situation.

Sikkim has two important glaciers: 1) Zemu Glacier – Origin of Zemu river 2) Lhonak Glacier lake Both of the glaciers are facing now melting of the glacial ice in the lakes and thus water level in the lakes will pose a flood threat to Sikkim.

Causes Of The GLOF: Ø The balance between the amount of energy received by the earth from the sun and the energy it emits back has changed in the Himalayas in recent years due to human activities Ø Retreat of glaciers in the wake of global warming increases the number of glacier lakes and also expand the size of the existing one

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Ø Ø

(Click on the image to watch the video) What is it About: Maharashtra government has identified 201 talukas’ in 32 districts as ‘Drought like Conditions’ because of the water paucity. The villages belong to the districts of: Jalgaon -13, Ahmednagar - 12, Beed - 11 and Solapur 11 Recent Crisis: Ø Last year, the state’s 14,679 village faced it, this time 20,000 villages are facing the disaster. Ø Large parts of Maharashtra, Northern Gujarat (Saurashtra, Kutch) and Northern Karnatka are facing a drought like situation because of the water scarcity, Maharashtra is worst affected. Ø Khariff crops requires ample amount of water and irrigation and India relies heavily over the monsoon for its water supply within the crops. Ø South-West monsoon rains in a good quantity in these areas. The first half of the south-west monsoon was good in its first half phase, but wasn’t that good during the second half of the south-west monsoon. The farmers already planted the crops. Ø The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) data shows that against a normal rainfall of 682.9mm in southwest monsoon, Maharashtra received 534.6mm rainfall between June and September months.

Impact: Ø Rabi crops will get affected. Because of the insufficient rainfall, there won’t be proper soilmoisture, which starts in winter and harvested in springs. Ø Agricultural ministry has revealed that there is 16% drop in the crop areas so far. Ø Drought condition has also exacerbated the water supply to the cattle and buffalos of the states. This drought has affected the cattle owners too. Ø Migration has increased drastically from these states, especially in Maharashtra. Lack of remuneration has compelled them for it.

guaranteed 100 days of employment. The rural laborers can lay their hands in those areas also in managing the drought.

Provide support and money via direct benefit transfer to the most vulnerable families by the drought to meet their essential needs.

Food Security, affordability along with the availability must be ascertained by the authorities and the government. Farmers need to be insured at least some decent remunerations for their works. If the supply gets less in quantity, it will impact the lion’s share of the economy which is mainly rural in nature.

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Way Ahead: Ø Governments have to secure the water resources on the basis of ground realities. Ø Official declaration of the drought in these areas can let the authorities to heed over the predicaments and take corrective measures. Ø Fodder camps can help in proper handling of the cattle Ø Govt. can also utilize the productivity of the MNREGA which entertains the workers with

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Drought on the nation is not something new, but when it prolongs for a longer time, it starts to pose a problem over the continent. And the lives are dependent on the water bodies within these deserts. So, if the drought prolongs, it hits the wildlife.

Repercussions of the Drought: Ø Farmers have told harrowing stories of failing crops, severe water shortages and being unable to feed livestock. Ø From abandoned baby kangaroos to wallabies are blinded by the sun and koalas (Australian arboreal herbivorous marsupial bear) having to go walkabout to look for eucalyptus leaves, Australia’s exotic wild animals are struggling to adapt to a crippling drought. Due to the thirst and survival attribution, several wild lives are entering in to human areas and thus they are being hunt and killed also. Ø It's so dry that animals are being forced to migrate -- a group of emus recently swarmed the town of Broken Hill, running down the street and gate crashing football matches in search of water and food. Ø All the signs are there. The UNESCO heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, a 2,300kilometer stretch rich in bio-diverse marine life, is under threat, having lost more than half its coral in two mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017. It is expected that 2018 may also face the same situation.

(Click on the image to watch the video) Drought Impact in Australia, Despair for Farmers and Wildlife UPSC Perspective – GS Paper 3, Environment What Has Happened Recently: A formidable drought has stricken the Australia and the wildlife on the nation is in danger.

While, The “big dry”, has been lasting for several years in some areas of Australia.

Notes: Ø Coal also plays a very important role in the drought. Australia exports its considerable amount of coal to China, India and other nations. Ø Government energy policy was aimed at bringing the country in line with its commitment to cut carbon emissions by 26% by 2030, from 2005 levels, as Australia pledged in the Paris climate change agreement. Ø Australians support the agreement and climate change action more broadly.

Drought prolongs in severe magnitude in region of the Western Australia, Southern Territory, New South Wales region of the nation.

Deserts in Australia: Ø Great Sandy Desert Ø Tanami Desert Ø Little Desert Ø Gibson Desert Ø Great Victoria Desert Ø Simpson Desert Ø Strzelecki Desert

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Ø Ø

(Click on the image to watch the video) Oceans Are Retaining 60% Heat Perspective of UPSC – GS paper -3, paper 1, environment also Ocean’s retention of 60% heat: • The world’s oceans have absorbed 60% more heat than previously thought over the last quarter of a century, scientists said leaving Earth more sensitive still to the effects of climate change.

•

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that the world’s oceans have absorbed 90% of the temperature rise caused by man- made carbon emission. It means that the greenhouse gases e.g. CO2, CO, NOx etc. are now more in magnitude in the atmosphere.

•

Oceans cover more than two thirds of the planet’s surface and play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.

•

But new research published in the journal Nature.

•

It found that for each of the last 25 years, oceans had absorbed heat energy equivalent to 150 times the amount of electricity man- kind produces annually.

•

That is 60% higher than what previous studies showed.

Terrains which are supposed to get proper rainfall may get shorter rainfall than the usual ones.

Al-Nino and La-Nina may be affected severely.

For Example - If the temperature gets risen by even 0.5 degree Celsius, the cold current around the Atacama Desert, which is called Humboldt Current/Peru Current as, will get warm. So the region which should be having very low rainfall, will start to have more rainfall because of this change.

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Info on IPCC: Ø Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) An intergovernmental body of the United Nations, dedicated to providing the world with an objective, scientific view of climate change and its political and economic impacts. Ø Formed in – 1988, H.Q. – Geneva, Switzerland Ø Head – Hoesung Lee

Example Impacts: Ø The current Firenados of California is one current example. Because the oceans are retaining more heat, so the western coasts are hotter than previous years, and it is escalating the fire in the jungles of California.

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Ø

Ø UPSC Perspective : GS3 - Conservation & related issues Why in News ? : Ø United Nation Environment has awarded Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) with Asia Environment Enforcement Awards, 2018 for excellent work done by the Bureau in combating transboundary environmental crime.

Ø

Why WCCB has been chosen? Ø WCCB has adopted innovative enforcement techniques that have dramatically increased enforcement of transboundary environmental crimes in India.

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About Asia Environmental Enforcement Award: Ø The Asia Environment Enforcement Awards publicly recognize and celebrate excellence in enforcement by government officials and institutions/teams combating transboundary environmental crime in Asia. Ø The awards are given to outstanding individuals and/or government organizations/teams that demonstrate excellence and leadership in enforcement of national laws to combat transboundary environmental crime in one of the following eligibility criteria areas: collaboration; impact; innovation; integrity and gender leadership.

Ø

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PRELIMS Bits : About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau: Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the MoEFCC, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has developed an online Wildlife Crime Database Management System to get real time data in order to help analyze trends in crime and devise effective measures to prevent and detect wildlife crimes across India. This system has helped to analyze trends, and for carrying out operations like Operation SAVE KURMA, THUNDERBIRD, WILDNET, LESKNOW, BIRBIL, THUNDERSTORM, LESKNOW-II along with other enforcement agencies resulting in the arrest of 350 wildlife criminals and huge seizures of animal bones.

The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi and five regional offices at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Jabalpur. The bureau can also advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.

Functions of WCCB : Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated: To collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities.

To disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals.

To establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.

Co-ordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act. Assist foreign authorities and international organization concerned to facilitate coordination and universal action for wildlife crime control.

It also assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.

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rays coming from this hole are not getting filtered out and are very harmful to the living beings.

And the blue colored part which is shown in the above diagram is that hole.

WHAT IS OZONE HOLE? The ozone hole is a region of depleted layers of ozone above the Antarctic region, whose creation is linked to increased cases of skin cancer.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Super Important For Exam Point Of View WHAT IS OZONE LAYER? A layer of ozone envelops the Earth and keeps damaging ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from reaching living things on the planet’s surface.

The ozone layer exists mainly in the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere that reaches from 10 to 50 kilometers (about 6 to 30 miles) above the Earth’s surface.

Ozone Layer is very important for human beings .

This green color part is Ozone and in 1970’s scientist found out that there is a hole in the ozone layer and the

FINDINGS OF UN STUDY-2018 • The study, published in the Geophysical Research Letters journal has confirmed the phenomenon by mapping the chemical composition of the atmosphere.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEPLETION OF OZONE • Depletion of ozone is due to many factors, the most dominant of which is the release of chlorine from CFCs (Chloro fluoro carbons) which destroys the ozone.

• CFCs are released by products such as hairsprays old refrigerators etc.

• CFCs reach stratosphere and at stratosphere they get distributed into tiny particles and from there chlorine is released.

WHAT ARE CFCS? • Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, are compounds made up of combinations of the elements chlorine, fluorine and carbon; aerosols, refrigerants and foams contain CFCs. When these CFCs enter the air, they rise up into the atmosphere to meet up with and destroy ozone molecules.

• First used in 1928, CFCs have since become more common as various other CFC compounds were created. Some of the betterknown CFCs are the Freon compounds, which were used as cooling ingredients in refrigerators and air conditioners.

THE RESCUE Montreal Protocol signed, to cut down use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) /freons.

Signed - 26 August 1987 Location - Montreal Effective -26 August 1989 Stop the use of CFC’s emitting refrigerators and putting a ban on the companies which use CFC’s.

•

Previous research had hinted at the decrease in the depletion of the ozone layer. Scientists believe that the ozone layer would fully recover by 2080.

FACTORS RECOVERING OZONE HOLE

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•

• •

•

Montreal Protocol: It banned man-made gases that damage the fragile high-altitude ozone layer, found long term decreases in the atmospheric abundance of controlled ozonedepleting substances and the ongoing recovery of stratospheric ozone.

The Antarctic ozone hole was expected to gradually close, returning to 1980 levels in the 2060s, the report said.

In 2019, the protocol is set to be strengthened with the ratification of the Kigali Agreement which limits the production of hydro fluoro carbons (HFCs), ozone safe compounds that are potent greenhouse gases.

The writers of the report found that, if the Kigali Amendment is fully implemented, the world can avoid up to 0.4 per cent of global warming this century, meaning that it will play a major role in keeping the global temperature rise below 2°C.

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source, using technological options such as converting them into biofuels and fertilizers.

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Stubble Burning Causing Pollution in Delhi-NCR Perspective of UPSC – GS paper-1 & Geography What is Stubble: Ø After harvesting, remaining crop’s residues are called stubble. Ø Mechanization of agriculture in Haryana leaves some parts of the crops in the fields of the state. Now, in order to grow the new crops, the field area must be cleaned and wiped one. Ø So, either the farmers will have to remove them by hands or the easiest solution is to burn the crop-residue/stubble. So this method is quite easy for the farmers of the Haryana and thus the smog and fumes created by those burnings diffuses to the direction of north-east of India, which exacerbate the atmosphere of the DelhiNCR at first hand.

Why pollution is high in Oct-Nov in Delhi-NCR: Atmosphere is connected. Crops burning make smog which escalates to the high altitude. Also, the burning increases the temperature and the smog goes straight up.

Since, at higher altitude, temperature gets decreased, leading to more pressure at high latitude and the movement of the wind heads downwards. This downward wind carries the smog along with it and diffuses into the air of Delhi-NCR.

(Picture Courtesy – Times of India) Primarily, the rice and other kharif crops get harvested and procured and then farmers have to prepare the fields for rabi crops. The stubbles are burnt in the months of October and November.

Possible steps to control: Ø States now want to give subsidy to farmers to procure machines to remove straws postharvest or may be to make the machinery safer in the process after harvest. Ø Awareness programs for the farmers so that they may able to know about the repercussions of the burning of the stubbles. Ø An innovative approach could be to use climate change funds to turn farm residues into a re-

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) Green Crackers and Supreme Court’s Decision: Green firecrackers either do not contain pollutants like Aluminum, Barium, Potassium Nitrate or have lesser magnitude of them up to 30% reduced amount. Release of Particulate Matter can also be reduced up to 30% to 40% amount by Green Crackers.

Prelude to the Pollution by them: Supreme Court on October 23, 2018 banned use of barium and the series-crackers(in hindi, ladi or chataai) and ordered Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) to make sure to permit only those crackers which meets the safety criterion. But, the cracker lobby wanted to file another petition for allowing the use of Barium in making the crackers.

Modification in the Judgement: Ø On October 31, 2018, Supreme Court modified its judgement of October 23, allowing the time for bursting crackers on Diwali and other festivals to two hours, between 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and also allowed usage of Barium till 2018, except Delhi-NCR. Ø Also, allowing Tamil Nadu and states in the vicinity of the state to decide when people can burst crackers on festival days, saying emphatically that the total time of bursting crackers should not exceed more than two hours. Authorities are free to decide to time slot, e.g. one hour in the morning and another hour in the evening. Ø Further, the court said its direction that only green crackers can be manufactured and sold is only applicable in Delhi and the National Capital Region areas.

Ingredients which are majorly used and they pollute, primarily are: Aluminium, Barium, Potassium Nitrate and Carbon, will be prohibited to use them in the crackers.

Some Green Crackers: • SWAS: Acronym stand for Safe Water Releaser, SWAS crackers eliminates usage of Potassium nitrate (KNO3) and Sulphur with consequent reduction in particulate matter (30-35%) SO2 and NOx. It’s thud is almost in match with the usual crackers and in the range of 105-110 dBA. SWAS won’t wither till the next three weeks after its manufacturing.

• STAR: Safe Thermite Cracker, eliminates usage of KNO3 and S with consequent reduction in particulate matter (up to 35-40%), SO2 and NOx. It has sound intensity matching in the range of 105110 dBA. • SAFAL: Safe Minimal Aluminium, SAFAL has minimal usage of Aluminium (only in flash powder for initiation) with consequent significant reduction in particulate matter(35-40 %) compared to usual crackers, sound intensity up to 110-115dBA. PESO has been approached to analyze and test SWAS/STAR/SAFAL from the viewpoint of safety, stability and other related issues.

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NOTES :

How it came: Green Crackers are devised by CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) on the idea by Minister of Science and Technology and afterwards CSIR started to mull over the idea to make it.

An orifice into CSIR: Estd in 1942 and the Prime Minister is the Ex-officio chairman and Minister of Science and Technology is the Vice-President of the organization. It is an autonomous body and has proved itself the largest research organization in India.

Eventually, experts have averred that there is no such thing like ‘Green Cracker’ because a green cracker is supposed to emit zero pollution, which is totally impossible in case of any cracker.

Crackers and being Green:

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective: GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 3 under the section climate change.

Connection Between Life, Climate & Continent Movement Lithosphere is the uppermost layer and it’s movement is happening.

Fragments of the lithosphere are plates. e.g.

Oceanic Plate (in the ocean (crust +upper mantle )) and Continental plate( land area and upper mantle) The movement of these plates is taking place and due to this large amount of water is entering into the earth’s interior.

frequency of earthquakes, but until now it was thought to have little influence on continental movement.

That’s because the speed of subduction was believed to be dependent on the strength of the subducting plate as it bends and slides into the viscous mantle, the semi molten layer of rock beneath the Earth’s crust. Ø Continental movement is driven by one plate sinking under another so, in this scenario, the strength of the portion of the plate being pulled into the Earth’s mantle (and the energy required to bend it) would be the primary control of the speed of the plate movement, with sediment having little effect. Ø The rock made of sediment can create a lubricating effect between the plates, accelerating subduction and increasing plate velocity. Ø As plate velocity increases, there would be less time for sediment to accumulate, so the amount of subducting sediment would be reduced. Ø This may impact mountain building.

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A new study by The University of Texas at Austin has demonstrated a possible link between life on Earth and the movement of continents. Ø The findings show that sediment, which is often comprised of pieces of dead organisms, could play a key role in determining the speed of continental drift. Ø Sediments act as a lubrication for increasing the speed of plates. Ø The findings are important because they describe potential feedback mechanisms between tectonic movement, climate and life on Earth.

The study, published Nov. 15 in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, describes how sediment moving under or subducting beneath tectonic plates could regulate the movement of the plates and may even play a role in the rapid rise of mountain ranges and growth of continental crust.

How is sediments created? Ø Sediment is created when wind, water and ice erode existing rock or when the shells and skeletons of microscopic organisms like plankton accumulate on the sea floor.

Sediment entering subduction zones have long been known to influence geological activity such as the

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Ø

Ø

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective: GS Paper 1 Huge Amount Of Water Dragged Into Earth Interior Ø Slow-motion collisions of tectonic plates under the ocean drag about three times more water down into the deep Earth than previously estimated, according to a first-of-its-kind seismic study that spans the Mariana Trench (Earth’s deepest point) Ø This research shows that subduction zones move far more water into the Earth’s deep interior—many miles below the surface—than previously thought. Ø The observations from the deepest ocean trench in the world have important implications for the global water cycle.

Ø

relatively stable over geologic time, varying from less than 1,000 ft.

This means that all of the water that is going down into the Earth at subduction zones must be coming back up somehow, and not continuously piling up inside the Earth.

Scientists believe that most of the water that goes down in the trench comes back from the Earth into the atmosphere as water vapor when volcanoes erupt hundreds of miles away.

But with the revised estimates of water from the new study, the amount of water going into the earth seems to greatly exceed the amount of water coming out.

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NOTES :

Lithosphere is the uppermost layer.

Fragments of the lithosphere are plates.

Oceanic Plate (in the ocean (crust +upper mantle )) and Continental plate( land area and upper mantle) The movement of these plates is taking place and due to this large amount of water is entering into the earth’s interior. Ø Ocean water atop the plate runs down into the Earth’s crust and upper mantle along the fault lines that lace the area where plates collide and bend. Ø Then it gets trapped. Under certain temperature and pressure conditions, chemical reactions force the water into a non-liquid form as hydrous minerals—wet rocks—locking the water into the rock in the geologic plate. Ø All the while, the plate continues to crawl ever deeper into the Earth’s mantle, bringing the water along with it. Ø Previous studies at subduction zones like the Mariana Trench have noted that the subducting plate could hold water. But they could not determine how much water it held and how deep it went Ø For the Mariana Trench region alone, four times more water subducts than previously calculated. These features can be extrapolated to predict the conditions under other ocean trenches worldwide Ø And for water on the Earth, what goes down must come up. Sea levels have remained

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(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective: GS paper 1 and paper 3

Tropical Cyclones: Cyclones in tropic are known as tropical cyclones.

For their formation temperature of 27 degrees or above is required.

Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons are all same things.

Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons? Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

They're all the same, officially tropical cyclones.

But they just use distinctive terms for a storm in different parts of the world.

A hurricane is used in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, central and northeast Pacific.

They are typhoons in the northwest Pacific.

In the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, they are called cyclones. Tropical cyclone is used in the southwest India Ocean.

In the southwestern Pacific and southeastern India Ocean they are severe tropical cyclones.

Concept: Ø The mixed layer is the upper portion of the surface layer where active air–sea exchanges generate surface turbulence which causes the water to mix and become vertically uniform in temperature and salinity. Ø The surface layer of the ocean, known as the ocean mixed layer, is approximately 200 meters (656 feet) deep on average. Ø This layer is constantly exchanging gases with the atmosphere and experiencing mixing caused by winds, heat transfer, evaporation. Ø Mixed layer should have temperature 27 degrees or above that. Ø Mixed layer plays a very important role in the formation of cyclone.

The Study: Ø A new study published in Earth’s Future, a journal of the American Geophysical Union, finds the ocean mixed layer deepened along tropical cyclone tracks by 1.7–2.0 meters from 2002-2015, while other factors changed only marginally. Ø The authors conclude this deepening could be responsible for the uptick in intense typhoons from 1980 to 2015, and they project the increase of intense typhoons will continue at a greater rate than previously projected in the coming decades. Ø Changes to the uppermost layer of the earth’s oceans due to rising temperatures are likely causing an increase in intense Pacific Ocean typhoons, suggesting strong typhoons may occur more frequently than scientists project in the coming decades, according to new research. Ø Intense typhoons, like 2013’s Super Typhoon Haiyan, are classified based on high wind speeds, often of 130 mph or more. Ø Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, and scientists have noticed an increase in the proportion of intense typhoons occurring each season in the Pacific Ocean since the 1980s but have not been able to explain why.

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The above picture is of the mangrove which enhance the biodiversity and attract many birds.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) Greater Flamingo at Hope Islands

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Greater flamingoes at Hope Island after 25 years. Ø A flock of five greater flamingoes has been spotted along the coast of Hope Island, a part of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. Ø Flamingoes being spotted along the coast can be considered as an indicator of a healthy coastal environment. Ø Out of the six species of flamingo on our planet, the Greater Flamingo is the most common and widespread member of the flamingo family. Ø These famous pink birds can be found in warm, watery regions on many continents and also occur in Asia in the coastal regions of India and Pakistan, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and in Southern Europe. Ø When flamingos flock together, they are referred to as a ‘colony’ or a ‘stand’. Ø Greater Flamingos are found in a variety of saltwater habitats, including salt or alkaline lakes, estuaries, shallow coastal lagoons and mudflats. Ø The Greater Flamingo rarely inhabits areas of freshwater other than using freshwater inlets for bathing and drinking. Ø Greater Flamingos that live outside the tropics often migrate to warmer climates for the winter months.

About Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS)(1978) Ø The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is a wildlife sanctuary and estuary situated in Andhra Pradesh. It covers an area of 235.7 square kilometers. Ø It is the second largest stretch of mangrove forests in India with 24 mangrove tree species and more than 120 bird species.

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PRELIMS bits : About Andaman and Nicobar island :

Ø

The Andaman and Nicobar islands ( A&N islands), popularly known as ‘Bay Islands’, are situated in the Bay of Bengal, midway between peninsular India and Myanmar, spreading like a broken necklace in the North-south direction.

The total geographic area of A&N islands is 8249 sq km, of which Andaman group of islands cover 6408 sq km while Nicobar group cover 1841 sq km.

Two islands of volcanic origin are found, namely the Narcondam and the Barren islands.

The former is now apparently extinct while the latter is still active.

The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the Ten Degree Channel which is 150 Kms. wide.

The population of the islands is about 4 lakh, which includes six particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs).

The indigenous people of Andamans are the Great Andamanese, the Jarawa; the Onge; and the Sentinelese (the most isolated of all the groups).

(Click on the image above to watch the video) UPSC Perspective : GS1- geography of Andaman island & GS2 - issue related to vulnerable section of society Ø Why in News?

An American national was killed allegedly by the Sentinelese tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after he illegally entered the protected zone on November 16. Ø Who are the Sentinelese?

The Sentinelese are a negrito tribe who live on the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans. The inhabitants are connected to the Jarawa on the basis of physical, as well as linguistic similarities. Their numbers are believed to be less than 150 and as low as 40. Ø How are the tribal protected?

The Govt. of India issued the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 to declare the traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves. It prohibited entry of all persons except those with authorization.

Photographing or filming the tribe members is also an offence. The rules were amended later to enhance penalties.

But restricted area permits were relaxed for some islands recently. In a major step earlier this year, the Indian government excluded this island and 28 others in the Union Territory from the Restricted Area Permit or RAP regime till December 31, 2022. The lifting of RAP means foreigners can go to the island without permission from the government. Ø Ø Ø

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(Scan the QR code to watch video)

NOTES :

What is Restricted Area Permit (RAP) regime?

RAP regime was notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963.

Under it, foreign nationals are not normally allowed to visit protected or restricted area unless Government is satisfied that there are extra-ordinary reasons to justify their visit.

Every foreigner, except citizen of Bhutan, who desires to enter and stay in protected or restricted area, is required to obtain special permit from competent authority having power to issue such permits to foreigner, seeking it.

Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin are exception and are not allowed to enter such areas.

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SPICE OF THE MONTH About Spice of the Week series •

"Spice" series is an initiative aimed at improving answer and essay writing for civil services and state civil services examination.

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While preparing, the aspirants spend majority time reading and revising from static books and current affair magazines but miss on how to make their answers richer in actual exam scenario.

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For e.g. a well written and high scoring answer includes some supporting examples or relevant data/quote, a proper definition to introduce or some big idea to conclude.

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Even in Essay Writing, not many students prepare a dedicated repository of good examples, quotes, data points, etc. - which can make their essay richer and readable.

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In this weekly series, we try to put together such material (called as 'Spice') that can be directly used in your answers and essay.

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We believe that this material if used intelligently can give your answers an extra edge of at least 1 to 2 marks per question - which is all that is required to separate the topper from the rest.

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Last but not the least, we will be successful in our endeavor if we are able to develop this habit in each and every serious aspirant - whereby they identify the spice from their daily reading and use it to maximize their score by sprinkling it in right amounts in their answers/essay.

Disclaimer: Spice is an add-on to your existing preparation. It is not a replacement of the static books and/or current affairs preparation.

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Definition of the Month Ø

Financial Inclusion

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Inclusive Growth

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Self Help Group

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Global Warming

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Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring access to appropriate financial products and services needed by vulnerable groups at an affordable cost in a fair and transparent manner by mainstream Institutional players. (RBI) Economic growth that is distributed fairly across society and creates opportunities for all.

(OECD) Self Help Group (SHG) is a small voluntary group (15-20 members) formed by people preferably from the same socio-economic background in order to promote small savings and credit amongst its members.

Warming of the Earth's average global temperature because of an increase in the concentration of GHGs which leads to an enhancement of greenhouse effect. Ø During the last 100 years, the global mean temp. has increased by 0.3-0.6 C Ø In 2016, NASA declared that since 2001, Earth has seen 16 of 17 warmest years on record. Ø Rate of warming in the past 50 years was double the rate observed over past 100 years 0

Examples of the Month Polity: Ø Ø Ø

Systemic failure Justice delayed Judicial pendency

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Federalism

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Political Intolerance Article 19

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Judicial Activism

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Pro-people governance

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31 years after the Hashimpura massacre near Meerut, the Delhi HC reversed a trial court acquittal order and sentenced to life imprisonment 16 police personnel for their role in the killing of 38 Muslims. It said “this case points to the systemic failure that results, not infrequently, in miscarriage of justice”.

States are using Article 254 (2) to bypass safeguards built into the 2013 Land Acquisition law, such as right to consent, social impact assessment and, in the case of Tamil Nadu, even rehabilitation and resettlement.

Art 254 is about inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the Legislatures of States. It was never intended, even in its broadest sense, to weaken Central laws because they were found to be inconvenient.

AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has forced the makers of the Tamil film Sarkar to cut a scene and mute some dialogue, ostensibly because they are critical of government policy or offend their sensibilities. AIADMK supporters went on a rampage in cinemas that screened the film, and in chorus, State Ministers spoke of legal action against the producers.

Supreme Court Judgments restraining Judicial Activism: In Ram Jawaya v. The State of Punjab (1955), the court observed: “Our Constitution does not contemplate assumption, by one organ or part of the state, of functions that essentially belong to another.”

In Union of India v. Deoki Nandan Aggarwal (1991), “The power to legislate has not been conferred on the courts.”

In Suresh Seth v. Commissioner, Indore Municipal Corporation (2005), the court observed: “Under our Constitutional scheme, Parliament and Legislative Assemblies exercise sovereign power to enact laws.”

Supreme Court Judgments practicing Judicial Activism: In Arun Gopal v. Union of India (2017), SC fixed timings for Diwali fireworks and prohibited non-green fireworks, although there are no laws to that effect.

In M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (2018), SC directed that no BS-4 vehicle should be sold after Mar 30, 2020, and that only BS-6 vehicles can be sold after that.

In Subhash Kashinath Mahajan v. State of Maharashtra (2018), the court amended the SC/ST Atrocities Act, 1989, by annulling Section 18 which said that no anticipatory bail will be granted to persons accused under the Act; by requiring a preliminary enquiry; and by prohibiting arrest under the Act except with permission in writing by the appropriate authority.

NGT ordered that no 15-year-old petrol-driven or 10-year-old diesel-driven vehicle will ply in Delhi, and the SC has directed impounding such vehicles, though neither the NGT nor the Supreme Court are legislative bodies.

Former SC Judge Markandey Katju => "If judges are free to make laws of their choices, not only would that go against the principle of separation of powers, it could also lead to uncertainty in the law and chaos as every judge will start drafting his own laws according to his whims and fancies."

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes plans to recommend that the “Indian Forest

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Modernization of Land Records

Service” change its name to the “Indian Forest and Tribal Service”.

It feels this is necessary because forest service routinely interacts with forest-dwelling tribes and, therefore, needs to consider the interests of both the forests and these communities.

Telangana has started ‘Bhudhaar’ - an 11-digit unique figure aimed at enabling easy identification of details of the land parcel. It is first of its kind in the country.

Society & Human Development: Ø Ø Ø Ø

Socio-cultural Polarization Anti-Cultural Globalization Changing Religion with times

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American Jewish community is in mourning after a gunman killed 11 worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue in the deadliest attack ever on Jews in the United States. Pittsburgh synagogue gunman said he wanted all Jews to die.

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Women empowerment

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A major meeting of Catholic bishops ended with a call for women to play a greater role in Church decision making. Pope Francis told young people that they should not be obsessed with “doctrinal formulae” but blend its rules with social activism to help those in need.

Kudumbashree (1997) is the poverty eradication and women empowerment program implemented by State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of Kerala Govt..

Kudumbasree Mahila Mall in Kozhikode is the first mall in the country with an all-women crew. It houses business establishments by around 75 women entrepreneurs or groups, including those from the Kudumbasree fold.

Lithuania’s capital Vilnius installed traffic lights featuring female symbols to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote in the Baltic state.

Right for women to vote was written into the Lithuanian Constitution on Nov 2, 1918, putting it among the first countries to grant women suffrage, ahead of France or the US. MHA has planned Safe City projects in 8 cities under Nirbhaya Fund. Lucknow is the first city chosen for this project, which includes an: Integrated Smart Control Room Pink outposts exclusively administered by women police Pink patrols by policewomen Setting up Pink toilets Women Help Desks in all police stations with counselors Safety measures in buses, including cameras Street lighting in identified hot spot areas Gender sensitization and awareness campaigns Vishakha guidelines introduced by the apex court in 1997 were evolved into a parliamentary law called the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013. SC is hearing a PIL to extend guidelines to ashrams, madrasas and Catholic institutions.

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi stressed the need to eliminate child labor from mica mining in Jharkhand, and stakeholders to become “champions in change”.

Swachh Nyayalaya’ project has been proposed to have clean courts, right from the Supreme Court and the High Courts to the 3,388 lower courts.

With 82 Cr people who still do not have access to piped water, the government is increasingly starting to accept small water enterprises — such as water ATMs and community purification plants — as an alternative solution.

Water ATMs are automated water dispensing units, which provide communities with 24/7 safe water access. They are solar powered and cloud connected, thus enabling remote tracking of the water quality and of each pay per use transaction.

Drug use is growing in Manipur and youth, mostly teenagers, are falling victim to it. Manipur has long been a transit corridor for transportation of drugs between rest of India and Myanmar.

As part of the listening enhancement program, Karimnagar district administration has started an initiative where Students tune into English news broadcast on All India Radio. This is followed by discussion to check their vocabulary, general knowledge and grasp on current affairs.

Elders of Tokalapalli village in West Godavari have banned women from wearing nighties during the day after the latter were subject to humiliating remarks when they ventured out in them. A violation could set a woman back by ₹2,000.

Odisha government will provide free smartphones to all the 6 lakh women SHGs under its Mission Shakti programme.

As part of its “female empowerment” drive, Kerala government is setting up “She Lodges” or women’s only hostels all over the state. These will be managed and maintained by

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Clean India

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Access to Water

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Promoting SHGs

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Women empowerment Women security

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Mental Health

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Conserving knowledge

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Impact of Seasonal Migration on Education

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By Women, For Women Technology for Health Services

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Tribal Health Health in Transition

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Kudumbashree, a network of 2.77 lakh women’s neighborhood SHGs. The first She Lodge is in Thrissur.

From winning 23 gold medals and setting 39 world records to battling a strong urge to end his life, Olympic champion Michael Phelps has come a long way. 33-year-old swimmer is now a staunch voice against fighting stigma around mental illness.

Culture Ministry's Vedic Heritage Portal will be a 'one-stop solution' on Vedas and science. It will contain “pure scientific information”, audio-visual documentation of oral traditions, manuscripts and publications and “tools/implements/objects related to Yajna etc.”.

Literacy levels in rural households of India dip with seasonal migration, the UNESCO global education monitoring report 2019 has observed.

About 80% of seasonal migrant children in seven cities lacked access to education near work sites, and 40% are likely to end up in work rather than education, experiencing abuse and exploitation.

Inter-State migration rates have doubled between 2001 and 2011. An estimated 9 million migrated between States annually from 2011 to 2016.

Tackling? Right to Education Act in 2009 made it mandatory for local authorities to admit migrant children.

Assam’s barefoot counselors are grassroots level counselors whose job is to provide emotional, psychological support to aggrieved women.

To address the problem of inadequacy of ambulances, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced an Ola and Uber-like app-based service that enables the public to book a private ambulance digitally. Through the digital pooling of private ambulances, the government plans to complement its existing fleet.

Tribal communities face “triple burden” of disease: High rates of malnutrition and communicable diseases (TB, leprosy, HIV etc), Rise in non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, and hypertension) Burden of mental illness and subsequent addiction Supporting figures: 42% tribal children are underweight (1.5 times higher than non-tribal children) Tribal constitute 8.6% pop. but 30% cases of malaria.

In fact, 50% of all malaria-related deaths are of tribal’s.

25% tribal adults are hypertensive.

Economy: Ø

Universal Basic Income

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Studying Behavior for Public Policy

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Migration

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Digital Tax

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MSMEs

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Preventing frauds

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In Kenyan villages, a charity organization (Give Directly) is testing the effectiveness of UBI by giving a fixed monthly donation of ~$22. Working in six African countries, it sends money straight to the poor, allowing them to choose their own priorities.

According to the WB, over a third of Kenya’s nearly 50 million citizens live below the international poverty line of $1.90 a day.

GST officers will study the behavioral pattern of certain taxpayers to nudge them to comply with tax laws, in a departure from the current practice of focusing only on deterrent action to check evasion. (also read about Richard Thaler) Global compact for migration is the first, inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the UN, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

UK will hit big tech firms with a “digital services tax” from 2020. Crucially, it switches taxation from focusing on profits (which can be artificially lowered) to revenues (which are a lot harder to conceal).

Govt. has launched a portal that would enable the units to get a loan in just 59 minutes and interest subvention of 2%.

Public sector companies had now been asked to compulsorily procure 25%, instead of 20%, of their total purchases from the MSMEs. Of the 25% procurement mandated from the MSMEs, 3% must now be reserved for women entrepreneurs.

Tea Research Association (TRA) is planning to harness front line technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor-based machinery to boost tea quality while equipping the age-old industry to face the ravages of climate change.

Menace of paddy stubble has led to innovative machines like Happy Seeder and Super Seeder which help sowing the wheat even in standing paddy stubble.

RBI has initiated steps to set up a digital Public Credit Registry (PCR) to capture details

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Growth vs. Stability

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Public Private Partnership

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Data-driven Policy Competitive federalism Agriculture Reforms

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Make in India Balanced Development KBK Region

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Digital Monopolies Need for well Regulated Capitalism Saving Capitalism from Capitalists

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Boost to Industry Regional Development Rise of China Digital Protectionism

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of all borrowers, including willful defaulters and also the pending legal suits in order to check financial delinquencies.

Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said the RBI was like a seat belt in a car, without which accidents could happen. Historically, the relationship between the RBI and the government has been precisely this — the government wants to focus on improving growth and it does all it can within the limits set by the RBI which are based on financial stability.

Jalmarg Vikas Project, assisted by WB, aims to upgrade navigability on NW 1 from Varanasi to Haldia by 2023. Three multimodal terminals will be developed - Varanasi, Sahibganj & Haldia.

Northeast milestone -> Fly ash transported from NTPC’s Kahalgaon plant to Guwahati’s Pandu Inland Port, marking one of the longest hauls in waterways sector movement in India. Govt. called it “a critical integrated movement through 3 waterways — NW1 on Ganga, the IndoBangladesh Protocol (IBP) route, and NW2 on Brahmaputra.

At present, airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin are managed under the PPP model. PPP mode has helped create world-class airports, while also helping the AAI increase its revenues.

Cabinet has given “in principle” approval for operating, managing and developing six non-metro airports — Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangaluru — under PPP. Centre to reward high-performing States based on a New index to check ease of doing agri-business with marketing reforms (25%) and governance and land reforms (20%) carrying almost half of the weight in its scoring system.

NITI Aayog already brings out a Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms Index, rating States on their implementation of such reforms. In the initial edition of that Index in 2016, Maharashtra stood first in the rankings, followed by Gujarat.

Odisha govt. has created a Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing Policy (2018) to attract defence manufacturers.

Odisha offers comparative advantages such as large scale aluminum and steel production, deep sea ports, missile testing facility (ITR Balasore) and aligned research and training institutes.

Google owns 92% market share of searches, FB an almost 70% share of social networks. Both have a duopoly in ads with no credible competition/regulation.

Amazon, meanwhile, is crushing retailers and faces conflicts of interest as both the dominant e-commerce seller and the leading online platform for third-party sellers.

Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android completely control mobile app market, and they determine whether businesses can reach their customers and on what terms.

Central banks should look seriously at issuing digital currency in order to “fill the void left by the decline of cash”, according to Christiane Lagarde, head of the IMF. Some — including Sweden’s Riksbank, the Bank of Canada and the People’s Bank of China — are already considering issuing digital currency to the public.

Himachal Pradesh flagged off a “Startup Yatra” aimed at turning youth into job providers from jobseekers. He said the State government would provide all possible help to the youth to develop entrepreneurship under the scheme.

Solar Bubble Dryer (SBD) is a low-cost grain drying technology that aims to provide a simple and flexible alternative to sun-drying, while protecting from spillage, animals, weather and vehicles running over the grains.

The quantitative loss in traditional sun-drying method is estimated to be in the range of 15 to 30% between harvesting and milling. Due to quality loss, farmer do not get proper price of their produce.

Govt. approved a proposal making jute packaging mandatory for all food grains. The jute sector in India employs approximately 3.7 lakh workers directly.

In 2000, Bill Clinton said "The internet would inevitably push China toward democracy. How could any country control something so free-flowing and still hope to be technologically vibrant?" He was wrong.

Today, China has the world’s only internet companies that can match America’s in ambition and reach - Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba.

If people in the West didn’t see this coming, it was because they mistook China’s authoritarianism for hostility toward technology.

Data localization requires data about a nations' citizens or residents be collected, processed, and/or stored inside the country.

In April, the RBI had given 6 months to global payment firms to store transaction data

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IR , Defence & Security: Ø

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India has opposed a proposed luxury bus service between Pakistan and China that would pass through parts of POK and Gilgit-Baltistan — terming it “a violation of India’s sovereignty”.

Satyajit Ray’s epic masterpiece, Pather Panchali, has been included in BBC’s list of 100 best foreign language films and is the only film from India to feature in it.

Former UP DGP Prakash Singh recently said that “attempts were being made to revive insurgency” in Punjab. He referred to a pro-Khalistan rally held recently in London for "Referendum 2020".

Referendum 2020 rally, organized by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), is trying to understand if Punjabis across at least 20 countries want a separate state. If they find that they do, they’ll call for a referendum by 2020.

Nearly 100 Indian-Americans are on the ballot for the US midterm elections. All eyes are on the so-called “Samosa Caucus” — the unofficial group of 5 Indian-Americans in the current Congress.

India has declared that its nuclear triad, stated in its nuclear doctrine, is operational after indigenous ballistic missile nuclear submarine INS Arihant achieved a milestone by conducting its first deterrence patrol.

India is one of eight countries to receive temporary exemptions from U.S. sanctions on Iran. More than 20 countries have decreased their imports of Iranian crude when US pulled out of “ Iran Deal” . EU, which has stayed in the deal, has been frustrated by US efforts to stifle European business’s activities with Iran.

According to BBC research, a rising tide of nationalism in India is driving ordinary citizens to spread fake news. It also found that facts were less important to some than the emotional desire to bolster national identity. Also, right-wing networks are much more organized than on the left, pushing nationalistic fake stories further.

CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey said there was no perfect solution to deal with the problem of “fake news” and “misinformation” on social media. He likened the problem to that of security and said that even the best lock can be broken and the challenge was to keep building better locks.

France has launched a global cyber arms pact — but US, Russia and China haven’t signed. It is backed by more than 50 states, including all EU members. It’s also been endorsed by tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook.

Signatories will adhere to a set of common principles, such as agreeing to stop cyber attacks on critical infrastructure like electrical grids and hospitals and combat intellectual-property theft online.

Of the 23 players in the French Football squad which won the FIFA World Cup 2018, around two-thirds are immigrants of Arab or African descent.

The visa-free corridor for Sikhs from India to Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib, revered as the place where Guru Nanak is said to have spent his final days and where he breathed his last, seems to have become possible not through an agreement between India and Pakistan, but with one side deciding not to oppose what the other had decided. Instead both are actively, and competitively, claiming ownership of a move that is a big leap forward for people-to-people relations.

This would allow Sikhs to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November 2019.

The length of the corridor is about 4 km, 2 km on either side of the international border.

Geography, Environment & Biodiversity: Ø

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According to Living Planet Report (LPR) 2018, India’s soil biodiversity is in grave peril.

Soil biodiversity encompasses the presence of micro-organisms, micro-fauna (e.g. nematodes), and macro-fauna (ants, termites and earthworms).

Mission Kakatiya is a program for restoring all the minor irrigation tanks and lakes in Telangana. The tanks and lakes are dug to remove silt for increasing water storage capacity.

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Mission Bhagiratha — Telangana government’s ambitious project to provide piped drinking water to every household. It is inspired from the comprehensive drinking water grid implemented in Gujarat.

As Diwali celebrations peak, so does the number of owls illegally trapped and sacrificed for tantric rituals and ceremonies during the festive season. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has issued an advisory to enforcement agencies calling for increased efforts to help curb trafficking and sacrifice of owls.

After about 25 years, a flock of five greater flamingoes (long-legged and long-necked birds) were spotted along the coast of Hope Island, a part of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh.

A study has revealed the complex ecological consequences of Wind farms in Chalkewadi (MH). With their constantly-whirring blades, wind turbines have decreased birds of prey, while increasing the fan-throated lizards (almost 3 times) – small, colorful reptiles that the birds prey on. The lizards showed altered behavior, physiology and even lessflamboyant body colors.

National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018, proposes to create a management structure that will supervise the health of the 2,500 km long Ganga. Amongst other things, it lays down restrictions to ensure the “uninterrupted, ecological flow” of the river.

China withdrew a 25-year ban on trading in products made from tigers and rhinos under “special circumstances”. It effectively gives sanction to organized crime syndicates, paving the way for international wildlife trade and pushing demand for these products.

China acceded to CITES in 1981.

India is home to ~60% of tigers and 80% of greater one-horned rhinos in world. Siliguri Corridor contributes significantly to the world’s illegal animal trade.

Rampant mining in the Aravalli mountain range has led to disappearance of 31 hills which has serious environmental consequences. Supreme Court has asked to stop.

Rajasthan has a rich reserve of copper, lead, zinc, rock phosphate, soapstone, silica sand, limestone, marble and gypsum in the Aravalli mountain range.

WWF is warning that koalas could be wiped out in some Australian states amid deforestation and increasing attacks by livestock. They are on track to be extinct by 2050 in New South Wales if current land clearing rates continue.

Noise pollution is hurting dolphin population in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar, India’s only sanctuary for its national aquatic animal.

Seychelles has launched the world’s first sovereign blue bond—a pioneering financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects.

The bond, which raised $15 million, demonstrates the potential for countries to harness capital markets for financing the sustainable use of marine resources.

In a bid to reduce global air pollution, Swedish company IKEA announced its plan to turn rice straw into a new renewable material source for its products. The project, part of the company’s ‘Better Air Now’ initiative, will begin from India and is focussed on New Delhi, Gurugram and Faridabad.

There are about 3,000 illegal nurseries over the floodplains of Yamuna in New Delhi.

NGT had noted that activities relating to cement pots and nurseries were going on without permission from the DDA which is causing pollution as broken pots are being converted into debris and deposited on the riverbed itself.

India’s elephants now have their first dedicated hospital near Taj Mahal. The ‘jumbo’ hospital is a collaboration b/w UP Forest Department and conservation NGO Wildlife SOS. The modern facility will treat injured, sick and geriatric elephants.

NGT, hearing a plea on increasing unnatural elephant deaths, has asked MoEF&CC to consider declaring all elephant corridors as eco-sensitive zones.

In the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja, hundreds of birds that once made the Point Calimere sanctuary their home have died, trees have been uprooted or their branches broken or defoliated. Carcasses of birds are found in some places.

World leaders will participate in an innovative climate change summit that will take place entirely online so it is carbon neutral. Virtual Climate Summit is the brainchild of Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, whose low-lying Pacific island nation will drown beneath rising seas if global warming continues unabated.

The virtual summit’s main aim is to encourage the international community to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Waste disposal is a huge challenge for every Indian city, but Bhubaneswar has found a special use for some of its metal waste — it has transformed them into works of art. The Bhubaneswar Open Air Museum of Waste-to-Art, coming up in the Kalinga Nagar township, has 28 impressive sculptures created from metal scrap.

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The fear of screens has reached the level of panic in Silicon Valley. There is a growing consensus that screen time is bad for kids. Parents are asking nannies to keep phones, tablets, computers and TVs off and hidden at all times. Some are even producing nophone contracts, which guarantee zero unauthorized screen exposure, for their nannies to sign.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to be the first airport in the country to commence commercial use of TaxiBots — semi-robotic tow trucks — to help airlines reduce use of air turbine fuel during taxiing.

Planes taxi from parking bay to runway or vice versa using their own engines to provide thrust. However, an aircraft can be steered with both its engines off with the help of a TaxiBot, which lifts and holds the aircraft’s nose wheel and transports it from the terminal to runway and back.

Amazon decided to shut down its experimental AI recruiting tool after discovering it discriminated against women. Algorithm learned to systematically downgrade women’s CV’s for technical jobs such as software developer.

A group of young engineers from Kerala have designed a robot which they have named ‘Bandicoot’ - first manhole cleaning robot indigenous developed. It is capable of entering and cleaning sewers and manholes.

China's state news agency Xinhua has unveiled a virtual newsreader. An AI system has been used to synthesize the presenters' voices, lip movements and expressions based on those of real Xinhua presenters.

GSLV Mk III, India’s heaviest and most powerful rocket launcher, has launched GSAT 29, the heaviest satellite launched from the Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy-lift rocket with two solid fuel strap-on engines in the first stage, a liquid propellant core as second stage and a cryogenic engine for the third stage.

It is designed to carry satellites weighing in the range of 4000 kg into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or satellites weighing about 10,000 kg to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

GSLV Mk III rocket has been designated as the launch vehicle for India’s second moon mission Chandrayaan 2 which is scheduled for January next year and India’s first human space flight which is being targeted for 2022.

The first trial run of indigenously developed Indian's engineless train, the "Train 18" was successfully conducted on tracks at Moradabad-Rampur section.

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Caught in a four-decade, inter-State dispute, the villagers of Umru (on AssamMeghalaya border) come together to ensure a safe stopover for Amur falcons.

Both Gorkhas and Khasi communities come together and have fixed a fine of ₹25,000 for anyone caught ensnaring or killing the birds.

Around Oct, huge numbers of Amur falcons arrive in NE India from Siberia en route to their final destination - Somalia, Kenya and South Africa. These birds have one of the longest migration routes of all, doing up to 20,000 km a year.

The story of Karthyayini Amma in Kerala’s Cheppad, Alapuzzha — the oldest person ever to take part in Kerala’s literacy examination — is a heartwarming tale of the triumph of individual will. She not only aced the exam, scoring 98 out of 100, but also expressed her desire to continue with her primary education.

Avni, the tigress that is said to have killed 13 villagers, was shot dead near Borati village in Yavatmal by a team of Forest Department officials and a civilian hunter.

Wildlife activists allege that no efforts were made to tranquillize Avni.

Court had ordered to shoot the animal as a last resort, and with a proper squad comprising a wildlife biologist and tranquillizing specialist.

Villagers of Koonthankulam (TN) have a voluntary ban on crackers to ensure a peaceful stay for the migratory birds atop the acacia and neem trees in the village.

On whether he could still work with Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe said: “I’ll have no problem working with him, that’s a question you must ask him. The Constitution doesn’t make provision for personal prejudices."

Cyril Ramaphosa, who was Nelson Mandela’s choice for future President of South

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Africa, is a keen Gandhi follower. In April 2018, Ramaphosa led nearly 5,000 people at the annual ‘Gandhi Walk’ in Lenasia, an Indian township south of Johannesburg, seeking to promote community awareness and fitness.

Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, considered the hero of the ‘Battle of Longewala’ and who was later awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, died recently. He held off a Pakistani attack while leading a small group of soldiers through the night during the 1971 war.

The 1997 film Border, in which Sunny Deol played the role of Brigadier Chandpuri, was based on the Longewala battle.

Meghalaya’s known RTI Activist Agnes Kharshiing was assaulted by a group of criminals in the coal- and limestone-rich East Jaintia Hills district.

Majority of Meghalaya's coal reserve is mined indiscriminately by private and community landowners. NGT banned coal mining and ordered sealing of coal pits. It, however, allowed transport of 3.4 MT of extracted coal.

Ms. Kharshiing documented illegal mining and transport of coal over the last four years, thus earning the wrath of the coal mafia.

In March, RTI activist Poipynhun Majaw, 38, was killed for exposing a nexus between the local tribal council and cement companies that were allegedly allowed to mine limestone without permission.

Last year, amendments to the Companies Act caused one of the biggest disruptions to India Inc’s functioning in recent times. Under the new Act, all companies were mandatorily required to rotate their auditors, the people who draw up and certify the financial state of health of any business enterprise.

Mary Kom is the only woman to become World Amateur Boxing champion for a record six times, and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the seven world championships. (6 Gold, 1 Silver)

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Andhra Pradesh has achieved the number one rank in the country with an average growth of 10.5% during the last four years. It has surpassed many developed States such as Maharashtra and Gujarat.

WHO report says India faces the highest air pollution-related mortality and disease burden in the world, with > 2 million deaths occurring prematurely every year, accounting for 25% of the global deaths due to poor air quality.

India has set a target to reduce PM by 30% in 5 years, with 2019 as the base year.

India jumped 23 ranks in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2018 to 77. In the 2017 report, the country was ranked 100.

Nearly 55% of the world's population now lives in urban areas. About 1.4 million people move to cities around the world every week.

IPCC: world’s oceans have absorbed 90% of the temperature rise caused by man-made carbon emissions India is ranked at 120 out of 122 countries on the Water Quality Index, said Niti Aayog, adding that 70% of the country’s water supply is contaminated.

Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) has assessed that less than 2% of India's buildings are green buildings.

Ozone layer that shields life from cancer-causing solar rays is recovering at a rate of 1 to 3% per decade, reversing years of dangerous depletion caused by the release of harmful chemicals, a UN study said.

Rs. 3 per day is spent on an average Indian’s healthcare Government spends 1.3% of GDP on healthcare when world average is 6% One allopathic doctor serves a population of 11,000 (10 times of WHO limit) India continues to have the highest burden of pneumonia and diarrhoea child deaths in the world.

NSSO- Labor Bureau Data => Owing to increased mechanization, lower international demand for labor intensive industries, among other reason, share of women workers in agriculture has fallen from 44 to 30% in the last 3 decades.

ORF-WEF survey: ‘70% youth unaware of govt. skill development programs’. The low training participation was mostly due to financial barriers and time constraints.

By 2022, India is expected to have 25% of world’s AC units. The refrigerants used for

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cooling are the major contributors to global warming, and if left unchecked, they could cause temperatures to rise by 0.5 C. - Rocky Mountain Institute.

China is the ‘diabetes capital of the world’ and Chandigarh continues to remain the ‘diabetes capital of India’. In a study published by ICMR-INDIAB, there is prevalence of 13.6% in Chandigarh, while the national average in 15 states was 7.3%.

As per NFHS-2016: stunted (low height for age) children under five is significantly higher (38.4%) than global (22.9%) average underweight (low weight for age) children rate (35.7%) is a lot higher than the global average (13.5%) India is home to over 53.3 million stunted, 49.6 million underweight and 29.2 million wasted (low weight for height) children under five.

Malnutrition continues to be high in agricultural surplus States like Haryana (34% stunting and 29.5% underweight).

Worryingly, malnutrition in some of its agriculturally-developed districts (Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Gurugram) is even higher than the average of Odisha.

Madhya Pradesh has registered double-digit growth in food grain production, but acute malnutrition is still critical in most of its districts with a high proportion of underweight (42.8%) and stunted children (41.9%).

Indian pharmaceutical sector industry supplies over 50% of the global demand for various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the U.S. and 25% of all medicines in the U.K. Over 80% of antiretroviral drugs (used in AIDS fight) are supplied by India.

The current NDA government, accounts for a whopping 58% of all the disinvestment that has taken place since 1991. (2.1 out of 3.63 Lakh crore) It is almost twice that done by the UPA government over both its terms in power.

Undertrial prisoners accounted for 62% of India’s prison population, against the world average of 18-20%. The statistic raised questions about the humaneness of our system.

Vacancies in forensic labs are alarmingly high. The forensic laboratories, at both the Central and State levels, are used to examine crucial evidence which could decide between life and death in many criminal cases. Avg. = 40%; UP = 80%.

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Power Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. – Lincoln Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. – Lord Acton Politics In Politics, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only permanent interests. - William Clay Political Participation One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. – Plato The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Indian Politicians India is a young country run by old men. – Devesh Kapur

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PRELIMS CAPSULES: Ques.1 With reference to Kisan Credit Card(KCC), consider the following statements: 1. The scheme was launched in India in 1998 to provide affordable and timely credit to Indian farmers.

2. Loan through this scheme is provided only to the cultivator farmer not tenant farmers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques. 2 Which of the following gases are released in atmosphere due to Stubble Burning?

1. Methane 2. Carbon di oxide 3. Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) 4. Volatile Organic compound(VOC) 5. Sulfur Di Oxide Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 1, 3 and 5 (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 (d) 1, 2, 4, and 5 Ques. 3 With reference to Central Board of Investigation(CBI), consider the following statements: 1. CBI is non-constitutional and non-statutory body.

2. It derives its powers from DPSE Act 1946.

3. It operates under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 Only (b) 2 and 3 Only (c) 1 and 3 Only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Only Ques. 4 Consider the following statements with reference to Reserve bank of India(RBI) Act 1934: 1. Scheduled banks are defined under this act.

2. This act has special provision under section 7 which allows only the Finance Ministry to issue directions to RBI under public interest.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques. 5 Consider the following statements: 1. Global warming is a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system.

2. Anti-global warming method such as stratospheric aerosol injection is the only method to reduce global warming.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.6 Consider the following statements with reference to Tuberculosis(TB): 1.

2.

India is the country with the highest burden of TB in the world.

TB eradication plan of India is lagging behind World health Organisation (WHO) target year.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? a) b) c) d)

1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.7 With reference to Private Member Bill in Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:

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1. The introduction of Private member Bill in any House requires fourteen days’ notice.

2. A Constitutional Amendment bill can be a Private Member bill Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.8 The term ‘Green Crackers’ is a/an: (a) New type of crackers which produce only green emission with no air pollution. (b) Crackers are so named because they do not contain harmful chemicals that would cause air pollution. (c) Certified crackers which produce no sound and light. (d) None of the above.

Ques.9 The term ‘Nuclear Triad’ was recently seen in the news with reference to: (a) Ballistic Missiles system recently procured by India from Russia. (b) A Special type of Submarine which can fire nuclear torpedo above as well as below the sea level. (c) It is a three-pronged military force structure that consists of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines and strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles. (d) None of the above Ques.10 Consider the following statements with reference to 13 East Asia Summit: 1. It is regional forum of only ASEAN countries.

2. India participated in this summit as Dialogue Partner.

3. The first summit of this forum was held in 2005.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect? (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 Only (c) 1 Only (d) 1 and 3 th

Ques.11 With reference to Kepler Space Telescope, Consider the following statements: 1. It is joint project of NASA and European Space Agency (ESA).

2. It was launched in the year 2009.

3. It uses Transit Detection method.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ques.12 With reference to INS Arihant, consider the following statements: 1. It is nuclear powered submarine under Project 75I. 2. It is constructed under the advance technology vessel (ATV) programme.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.13 Consider the following statements with reference to Ease of doing business Index, 2018: 1. It is published by World Bank covering 11 different parameters.

2. India’s rank is second to China in BRICS group.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.14 Regarding Inland Waterways in India, which of the following statements are correct?

1. There are 111 Inland waterways in India.

2. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) regulates the infrastructure of National Inland Waterways, created in the year 2016. (a) 1 Only

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(b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.15 Consider the following statements: 1. The indices of Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) and Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) are used as indicators of external competitiveness.

2. NEER and REER are inversely proportional to each other.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.16 With reference to ‘Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary’ recently seen in news, consider the following statements: 1. The sanctuary was created for conservation of blackbuck antelope.

2. It is protected area under Ramsar Wetland Convention.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.17 What is ‘Currency Swap’ Agreement, sometimes seen in the news? (a) It is method approved by IMF, in which countries exchange their currencies through its portal. (b) It is an agreement made under the aegis of World Bank to provide finance to less developed countries accepting their less valued currency. (c) It is an agreement between two countries to swap certain amount of currency among their own currencies. (d) None of the above.

Ques.18 With reference to contagious disease Polio, Consider following statements: 1. India is declared free from all types of Polio virus by World Health Organisation (WHO) recently.

2. IPV is cheaper and safer than OPV, being globally used for vaccination.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.19 Consider the following statements: 1. The Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India is the highest policy making body on payment systems in the country.

2. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques. 20 Consider the following statements with reference to ‘SAWEN’: 1. It is an inter-governmental wildlife law enforcement body of South Asian Countries to combat wildlife crimes.

2. It was officially launched in the year 2011.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.21 Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Non-Banking Finance Companies(NBFCs): 1. NBFCs are necessarily registered under Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

2. NBFCs cannot issue Commercial Papers.

3. In India, NBFCs can accept demand deposit.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect? (a) 1 and 3

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(b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ques.22 Consider the following statements with reference to E-commerce in India: 1. Recently a policy regulating e-commerce in India was launched.

2. 100 percent FDI is allowed in inventory model of e-commerce business in India.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques. 23 With reference to ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’, consider the following statements: 1. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

2. The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) is the nodal programme of the Government to develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques. 24 IPCC released a report regarding Climate Change, Consider the following statements with reference to it: 1. The report makes it clear that the impact of 1.5°C warming is lesser than what was anticipated earlier and little allowance can be provided to countries for emission of greenhouse gases.

2. Report provides ample evidence for Decline in crop yields, unprecedented climate extremes and increased susceptibility could push poverty by several million by 2050.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.25 Consider the following statements with reference to National Small Savings Fund(NSSF): 1. This fund is administered by Department of Economic Affairs.

2. The objective of NSSF is to de-link small savings transactions from the Public Account of India and ensure their operation in a transparent and self-sustaining manner.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.26 Consider the following statements with reference to World Wildlife Fund for Nature(WWF): 1. It is a specialized agency of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

2. The Living Planet Report is published every two years by WWF. Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.27 With reference POSHAN Abhiyaan, consider the following statements: 1. It is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022.

2. It targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, over nutrition, anaemia and reduce low birth weight.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.28

Consider the following statements about GSLV MK III-D2/ GSAT 29:

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1. GSAT 29 is the heaviest satellite launched from India.

2. It is a remote sensing satellite to observe Jammu & Kashmir and North- Eastern States of India for natural resources.

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.29 Consider the following statements with reference to WTO Dispute resolution process: 1) The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) makes decisions on trade disputes between governments that are adjudicated by the Organization.

2) Dispute Settlement Body can punish countries not following WTO Agreement rules.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.30 Consider the following about ‘Black Holes’: 1. It is basically a massless region with strong gravitational effects.

2. It is created when a massive star dies and the matter gets squeezed into a tiny space under a heavy force of gravity.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.31 Consider the following statements with reference to Continental Shelf and Continental Slope: 1. The continental shelf and the slope are part of the continental margin.

2. Slope of Continental Shelf is lower than Continental Slope.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.32 Recently this country launched World’s first Sovereign Blue Bond: (a) Mauritius (b) Seychelles (c) Maldives (d) China Ques.33 Consider the following statements: 1. Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas is released by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

2. The report of 2018 highlights, threats to soil biodiversity and pollinators.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.34 Consider the following statements with reference to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their Tribes: 1. The Andamans are separated from the Nicobar group by Eleven Degree Channel.

2. Sentinelese tribes are Mongoloids.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.35 Consider the following statements with reference to Pulses: Water efficiency of Pulses is high as compared to beef.

Intercropping with Pulses increases farm biodiversity and create more diverse landscape for animals and birds.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.

2.

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(a) (b) (c) (d)

1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.36 With reference to UN Environment Award 2018, consider the following statements:

1. UN Environment awarded Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) with the Asia Environment Enforcement Award.

2. Only United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) sponsors this award.

3. WCCB has been conferred this award in Innovation category.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 2 Only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ques.37 Consider the following statements with reference to the recent dissolution of Jammu and Kashmir assembly: 1. The President dissolved the assembly after Governor’s request.

2. The effective strength of assembly is less than its total strength of 111 members.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.38 ‘Green House Gas Bulletin’ is annually released by an International Organization. Which of the following releases this Bulletin: (a) United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP) (b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) (c) World Meteorological Organization(WMO) (d) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) Ques.39 Consider following statements with reference to Election commission of India(ECI): 1. Election Commission is an all India Constitutional Body.

2. The conditions of service of Election commissioners are determined by the Parliament.

3. The constitution has specified the term of the members of the Election Commission.

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ques.40 Consider the following statements with reference to GROWTH India Telescope: 1. It is part of multi-country collaborative initiative located at Hanle, Ladakh.

2. The fully robotic optical research telescope is designed to capture cosmic events occurring in timescales much shorter than light years – years, days and even hours.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.41 With reference to Anti-Dumping Duty, Consider the following statements: 1. It is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.

2. It is levied and imposed by Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.42 The term ‘Moscow Format’, recently seen in the news in the context of: (a) New alliance by Non-NATO members to combat NATO. (b) Peace process between Russia and Ukraine.

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(c) New initiative for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. (d) Defense alliance between Eurasian Nations and Russia.

Ques.43 Consider the following statements: 1. Martial Law is has been defined under the Constitution.

2. Declaration of Martial Law automatically suspends all Fundamental Rights of the people in the territory it is imposed.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.44 With reference to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of WHO(World Health Organisation), consider the following statements: 1. It is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO and entered into force in 2005.

2. The protocol binds on countries for enforcement measures such as seizures and disposal of seized products.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.45 Which of the following is incorrect about Strait of Gibraltar: (a) A narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. (b) Gibraltar is part of Spain and Morocco. (c) Gibraltar located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. (d) None of the above Ques.46 Arrange the following cities in the direction from south to north: 1. Bangkok 2. Kuala Lumpur 3. Hanoi 4. Phnom Penh 5. Vientiane 6. Nay pyi daw Select the correct answer from the following codes given below: (a) 6-5-4-3-2-1 (b) 5-6-3-4-2-1 (c) 4-2-6-5-3-1 (d) 2-4-1-5-6-3 Ques.47 ‘Tiangong’ recently seen in news, is a: (a) Space Observatory launched by China. (b) Communication Satellite launched by China. (c) China’s space station program. (d) Latest nuclear sub-marine of China Ques.48 Consider the following statements: (a) Koalas are indigenously found in North-East India. (b) Koalas are declared Vulnerable in IUCN red List.

Which of the following statements is/are correct? (a) 1 Only (b) 2 Only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ques.49 Consider the following statements: 1. Sub-ordinate Courts in India functions subordinate to State High Courts.

2. There is no provision In Indian Constitution for organization of subordinate courts and left it to the state government to make provisions.

3. Judges of Sub-ordinate courts are appointed by the Chief Justice of high courts in consultation with senior Judges.

Which of the following statements are incorrect? (a) 2 and 3

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(b) 1 and 3 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ques.50 Consider the following Countries: 1. Canada 2. India 3. Mexico 4. Australia 5. China 6. Singapore 7. USA Which of the above Countries are members of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 3, 4 and 6 (c) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (d) All of the above

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Mains Answer Writing Practice Questions:

1. Examine the significance of ASEAN for India’s economic, geo-strategic and security imperatives?

2. Discuss the nature of collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), their achievements and future projects.

3. CBI has come under the scanner in recent days. Discuss the issues faced by India’s premier investigative agency and the role of judiciary in ensuring that CBI no longer functions as a “caged parrot”?

4. India accounts for one of the highest numbers of diarrhoea and pneumonia deaths among children in the world. Analyse its causes and examine what efforts have been made by the government to address this issue 5. Discuss the steps taken by the government for improving the ease of doing business in India and what more needs to be done.

6. Discuss how section 7 of RBI act empowers the central government to intervene in the functioning of the RBI. What are the recent issues surrounding the act. Discuss.

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Solutions to the Prelims Capsule: Solution: 26 (b) Solution: 27 (a) Solution: 28 (b) Solution: 29 (a) Solution: 30 (a) Solution: 31 (c) Solution: 32 (b) Solution: 33 (b) Solution: 34 (d) Solution: 35 (c) Solution: 36 (b) Solution: 37 (b) Solution: 38 (c) Solution: 39 (a) Solution: 40 (c) Solution: 41 (a) Solution: 42 (c) Solution: 43 (d) Solution: 44 (a) Solution: 45 (b) Solution: 46 (d) Solution: 47 (c) Solution: 48 (b) Solution: 49 (a) Solution: 50 (c)

Solution: 1 (a) Solution: 2 (d) Solution: 3 (a) Solution: 4 (a) Solution: 5 (b) Solution: 6 (d) Solution: 7 (b) Solution: 8 (b) Solution: 9 (c) Solution: 10 (a) Solution: 11 (a) Solution: 12 (b) Solution: 13 (c) Solution: 14 (d) Solution: 15 (b) Solution: 16 (c) Solution: 17 (c) Solution: 18 (d) Solution: 19 (c) Solution: 20 (c) Solution: 21 (d) Solution: 22 (d) Solution: 23 (c) Solution: 24 (c) Solution: 25 (b)

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