May 28, 2017 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – NLP Learning Strategy Observation – Inspirational & Educative Articles

NLP Learning Strategy Observation: NLP has enormous implications both for personal as well as professional development. Since NLP assumes nothing and is ever flowing and adjusting to the changing human behaviour, it is the most practical system of understanding action, motive for action and the underlying structures of change. Let us look at how you can use NLP to understand your own internal learning strategy and how you can maximize your ability to learn, unlearn and relearn. The first and the most important ingredient required to apply your NLP skill is your ability to objective observe your actions to the minutest of details. Let’s take an example of reading. Next time when you begin to read, observe each and every detail of your learning process. Observe the kind of images you generate in your mind to pick up a book and read and observe how your internal thought process influences your decisions to read or not to read. Through careful observation you will be able to recognize tiny patterns which are governing your learning strategy. By observing these patterns you can begin to work with them to change unwanted or useless behaviour. If you are holding on to too much of negative thought process about reading or picking up a book, you will be able to recognize this as an internal pattern. Once recognized it is easier to change the behaviour. NLP can be effectively used to observe, change and re-pattern behaviour. Once you start using NLP to bring about changes in your language, thought structure and actions, you will be amazed at the results you can achieve. Using NLP, you can bring the unconscious thought patterns governing actions into conscious awareness and this makes all the difference. To take a simple example of reading, writing and recollecting information. Although on the surface, this looks like a simple set of routine activities, there is an enormous depth and complexity to these seemingly simple actions. A simple action like reading, writing and recollecting information is governed by a complex set of internal thought patterns. Even before you decide to read, there is a trigger in your mind that lets you know when and how to read. Simple thought patterns are set in your mind through repetition. These repetitive thought patterns decide how you read, how much you read and also how well you read. To be continued.... “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”  

May 28, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 27th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 27th May 2017 Archives ECONOMICS TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. FDI reforms and Investment. Abolition of Foreign Investment Promotion Board In news: The Union Cabinet recently approved the phasing out of the 25-year-old Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). Earlier, in February, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s Budget speech had given a clear indication of the government’s intent to abolish FIPB. The decision is aimed at making India more attractive for foreign direct investment (FDI) by improving ease of doing business and promoting the ‘Maximum Governance, Minimum Government’ principle. (Note: Before going into the article, first, we have to understand – What is FIPB, its background and its functions?) Understanding FIPB: We know that, India is having a well-designed Foreign Direct Investment regulation regime. FDI is regulated through various norms. A minimum lock in period, minimum capital for investment, sectoral limits and most importantly regulation of entry into approval/automatic route are the important regulations. In the case of entry regulations, FDI entry is made under two categories – automatic route and approval route. Approval from the government is mandatory for some type of investment. For this, approval institutions/bodies are created. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board is the most important approval body as it can consider FDI below Rs 5000 crore.  Above this amount, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is the approval authority. What is FIPB? The FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) is an inter-ministerial body — or a single window clearance mechanism responsible for processing of FDI proposals and making recommendations for Government approval. It also grants composite approvals involving foreign investment/ foreign technology. FIPB is located in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and the Finance Minister is in charge of the FIPB. FIPB was chaired by the economic affairs secretary and its other permanent members included secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), commerce secretary, economic relations secretary in the ministry of external affairs and overseas Indian affairs secretary. The small, medium and micro enterprises secretary and the revenue secretary were co-opted on the board. Backround: The FIPB was formed under the Prime Minister’s Office (during P.V. Narasimha Rao regime) in the mid-1990s as part of the first round of Indian economic reforms. It was reconstituted in 1996 and transferred to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. It was transferred to the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance in 2003, according to its website. As per the June 2016 FDI policy revision, the FIPB can give recommendations of FDI proposals below Rs 5000 crore to the Minister of Finance for consideration. As most of the FDI proposals are below Rs 5000 crore, it is well understood that almost all FDI proposals are examined by the FIPB. Functions of FIPB To quickly approve the foreign investment proposals. To review the FDI polices and to communicate with other agencies such as the Administrative Ministries in order to set up guidelines that are transparent and which encourage FDI into the various sectors. To look over the implementation of the various proposals those have been approved by it. To take up such activities that encourage FDI into the country such as establishing contracts with international companies and also inviting them to invest in India. To communicate with government, non-government and industry in order to increase the flow of FDI onto the country. To identify the various sectors that requires FDI. In the process of making recommendations, the FIPB provides significant inputs for FDI policy-making. What next after FIPB’s abolition? According to government rules, foreign investments in sectors under the automatic route do not require prior approval from the FIPB and are subject to sectoral rules. More than 90% of the total FDI inflows are now through the automatic route. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board has successfully implemented e-filing and online processing of FDI applications. There are now only 11 sectors (including defence and retail) needing government approval. The government feels that it has now reached a stage where FIPB can be phased out. Therefore the move entails abolishing the FIPB and allowing administrative ministries/departments to process applications for FDI requiring government approval. In other words, “Work relating to processing of applications for FDI and approval of the Government thereon under the extant FDI Policy and Foreign Exchange Management Act, shall now be handled by the concerned Ministries/Departments in consultation with the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (or the DIPP), in the Ministry of Commerce, which will also issue the Standard Operating Procedure for processing of applications and decision of the Government under the extant FDI policy.” In short - Now individual departments of the government have been empowered to clear FDI proposals in consultation with DIPP. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will continue to clear FDI proposals above Rs 5,000 crore. Conclusion: Government has shown its clear intent towards fast-tracking inflow of FDI, and the scrapping of FIPB is a notable step that would go a long way in supporting the objective of ease of doing business. The government believes that once the Board is history, red-tapism will shrink, ease of doing business will improve and investors will find India more attractive. While the cabinet’s decision is seen as a simplification of the existing procedure to seek clearance on FDI proposals, experts have also raised doubts whether line ministries are equipped to take such decisions on an expedited manner. The efficacy of this move will be determined by the ability of individual ministries (and sectoral regulators which may be involved in the ultimate decision) to exercise ‘discretionary’ powers without fear, favour or the cover provided by a collective decision-making body. Apart from abolishing the FIPB, more reform is needed in areas such as land acquisition and labour laws to attract FDI. Connecting the dots: The Union Cabinet recently approved the phasing out of the 25-year-old Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and has empowered individual departments of the government to clear FDI proposals in consultation with DIPP. Do you think this move will make India more attractive for FDI. Discuss?   INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests RCEP and India Introduction India must be forthright in its international engagements and thus build trade relationships across the globe. National interest should be primary but should also be guided by rules of the world trade and not be bullied by the developed and elite nations. RCEP will be a test in this regard. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations were launched by Leaders from ASEAN and ASEAN's free trade agreement (FTA) partners in the margins of the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 20 November 2012. RCEP is an ASEAN-centred proposal for a regional free trade area, which would initially include the ten ASEAN member states and those countries which have existing FTAs with ASEAN – Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. The objective of launching RCEP negotiations is to achieve a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement that will cover trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, electronic commerce, dispute settlement and other issues. RCEP forms part of the Government’s strategy for lowering trade barriers and securing improved market access for Australian exporters of goods and services, and for nation’s investors. Key interests and benefits RCEP participating countries are important economic partners and regional neighbours. Most of leading trading partners (China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Indonesia) are participating in RCEP negotiations, and together. RCEP will provide a basis for more open trade and investment in the region. This will help address concerns about a ‘noodle bowl’ of overlapping bilateral agreements and derive additional benefits (eg. through supply chains) from regional liberalisation. Issue: The fact that India is losing ground in trade negotiation talks with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership — a bloc of 16 countries (Asean plus Japan, China, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand) seen to be led by China is more visible. When top commerce ministry officials said soon after the recent RCEP meeting at Hanoi, that India would agree to no more than 80 per cent free tariff lines (with a deviation of 6 per cent either way), against the demand of 92 per cent, it could not have come as a consolation to industry and agriculture that have already been inundated by dirt cheap and zero tariff goods from China and the ASEAN (with which India has an FTA), respectively. India’s position marks a climb-down from two years ago, when it had proposed a three-tier tariff structure: 80 per cent tariff-free lines with ASEAN, essentially maintaining the FTA status quo; 65 per cent free lines for Japan and Korea; and 42 per cent free lines for China, Australia and New Zealand. What is now on the cards, only as a best-case scenario, is perhaps 74 per cent free tariff lines with China to be arrived at over the next 15-20 years. Meanwhile, India’s insistence on lower services investment and visa barriers for its professionals is not making headway. In this context, a rethink on RCEP talks is called for. Pressure within RCEP: RCEP’s pressure arises from the fact that tariffs within its other members are already remarkably low, with Japan and China deeply integrated into the Asean economy (and with each other) in terms of trade, investment and global supply chains. India remains an outsider in this club, with the exception of China, with which it runs a huge trade deficit. India accounts for just over 3 per cent of ASEAN exports and below 2 per cent of the latter’s imports, whereas China accounts for over 11 per cent of ASEAN exports and nearly 20 per cent of its imports. China has displaced Japan and the US as ASEAN’s principal trading partner. The challenge is for India to break into this bloc at a time of growing protectionism in the West, without compromising its interests in agriculture, industry and intellectual property rights. With the RCEP being more accommodative than the now defunct Trans Pacific Partnership to the conditions of developing countries, it may yet be possible for India to wrest this space. Its USPs are its large market, its skilled workforce and its pluralist, democratic ambience. India can be flexible about opening up sectors such as legal services, entertainment and accountancy. In the long run, it should ramp up its skill and technology levels to match RCEP countries by investing in R&D and quality education. The key lies in driving growth through productivity and innovation, rather than low-cost labour alone. Conclusion: While trying to recover lost ground at RCEP, India must be clear about dovetailing tariff openness with its ‘Make in India’ programme. India must be assertive and accommodative in its negotiations which will help the process being hastened on multiple fronts. But India should not lose of become subservient to unmanageable conditions. Connecting the dots: Establish the need for a global trade pact like RCEP for India and the challenges the countries will face becoming part of it. MUST READ The loss of innocence Hindu Anniversary appeal Indian Express For Kashmir’s Future Indian Express Modi’s special purpose vehicles have clicked Business Line The maker of modern India Business Line  

May 27, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 26th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 26th May 2017 Archives ECONOMICS TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. How to deal with the mega challenge of job creation Overview: India may be the world’s fastest growing major economy, but the benefits of that growth do not seem to be percolating down to the masses. Job creation continues to be a major problem. Link: http://www.livemint.com/rf/Image-621x414/LiveMint/Period2/2017/05/26/Photos/Processed/w_m2m_naukri-k5lG--621x414@LiveMint.jpg From the above Job Speak Index graph, we can observe that The overall index for April 2017 was lower than where it was in July 2015. New job creation is lower than that of 2015 or 2016. Among sectors, the worst hit was the information technology (IT)-software industry, which saw a 24% year-on-year drop in hiring. Other key industries like construction and business process outsourcing/IT enabled services too saw a 10% and 12% decline in hiring, respectively. NSSO’s contrasting view on Unemployment: The latest National Sample Survey (NSS) data for 2011-12, however, show unemployment was only 2.2% of the labour force, which is very low. On this metric, unemployment in India is much less of a problem than in other countries. The low unemployment rates are misleading because many of those shown as employed are actually engaged in low-paid jobs that they take up only because there is no alternative. Economists call this “disguised unemployment” or “underemployment”. A recent survey of youth unemployment shows that educated youth face greater problems. The unemployment rate for 18-29-year-olds as a group is 10.2%, but for illiterates it is only 2.2%, rising to 18.4% for graduates. As more and more educated youth enter the workforce in future, the policy makers should make sure that unless the quality of jobs available for them improves dramatically, dissatisfaction will mount. What needs to be done to tackle this problem? At the macro level, three structural changes are needed to tackle the problem. First, the workforce employed in agriculture must decline. In 2011-12, agriculture accounted for 18% of gross domestic product (GDP) and it absorbed about 50% of the workforce. That means, Productivity per person in agriculture was therefore 18/50 = 36% of the national average. If the economy as a whole grows at 7.5% per year over the next 10 years, and agricultural growth accelerates to 4%, the share of agriculture in GDP will fall to around 11% by 2027-28. To maintain agricultural productivity at say 36% of the national average, the share of employment should decline to 31%. This is almost certainly too sharp a decline, but even if the employment share declines to 35%, it implies a major shift out of agriculture. This places a huge burden of on non-agricultural employment, which will have to expand sufficiently to absorb the shift out of agriculture plus the normal increase in the total workforce. The second structural change needed is to reduce the expectation from manufacturing as a provider of non-agricultural jobs. Faster growth in manufacturing has long been central to our economic strategy and must remain so. However, policy makers have to recognize that technological change is likely to make manufacturing less employment generating than in the past. The problem of automation leading to fewer jobs is not limited to IT-software alone. A sector like manufacturing is also opting for automation to remain cost- effective. With not much capacity addition happening, job creation is expected to remain subdued. Even if Artificial Intelligence and 3D printing are distant developments in India, there can be no doubt that any successful manufacturing strategy will involve application of capital-intensive techniques, especially if the country proposes to integrate more fully with the world and with global supply chains. At present, manufacturing accounts for about a quarter of total non-agricultural employment. Another quarter comes from non-manufacturing industry (mining, electricity and construction) with services accounting for the remaining half. Most of the growth needed in non-agricultural employment will have to come from construction and the services sector, including health services, tourism-related services, retail trade, transport and logistics and repair services. A careful review of policies is needed to see how impediments to expansion in these sectors can be removed. The third structural change needed is a shift from informal sector employment to formal sector employment. The NSS data for 2011-12 showed about 243 million people employed in the non-agricultural sector, and as many as 85% of these were in the “informal sector”, including both self-employment and wage employment. However, much of the demand for “high quality” employment opportunities today is a demand for jobs in the formal/organized sector. A shift away from the unorganized/informal sector to the organized/formal sector is desperately needed if the government wants to meet the expectations of the young. Solution: To achieve all the above stated structural changes, multiple interventions are needed at different levels. Focus on Rapid Growth Rapid growth has to be central to any employment strategy for the simple reason that a faster growing economy will generate more jobs. Avoid generating low quality, low productive employment Any notion of generating the employment needed without high growth would be seriously misleading. Government can end up probably generating low quality, low productivity employment even if they fail on the growth front, but that is not what young people want. This means all the policies that are likely to accelerate growth are also critical for generating employment. Manufacture and export simpler consumer goods The biggest opportunity for generating more employment in manufacturing lies in exporting simpler consumer goods to the world market, an area which China has long dominated, but which it is now likely to exit, as its wages rise. Modernization of small industries However, in order to obtain above goal, it depends on how well India has ability to compete with others such as Bangladesh, Vietnam. Paradoxically, becoming competitive would involve faster modernization of these (simple consumer goods) industries, which will involve a shift away from labour intensity, but if it allows an increase in the scale of operations, total employment could increase. Focus on Small and Medium scale enterprises Small and medium enterprises generate much more employment than large capital-intensive enterprises but we have not done enough to encourage this segment. India’s industrial structure suffers from what is called “the missing middle”. There are a few large enterprises, as is the case every where, and at the other end there are a large number of firms at the very small or micro level. There are too few middle-sized firms, employing between 100 and say 1,000 workers, and it is these firms that can upgrade technology, increase productivity, and demonstrate competitiveness in world markets. Solve the problem of missing middle The policies needed to develop this middle group include lowering of corporate tax rates and abolition of incentives that favour more capital-intensive units. Better public infrastructure, especially access to quality power supply at reasonable rates, improved logistics, greater ease of doing business, better access to finance, ample availability of skilled labour, and more flexible labour laws – can help these middle enterprises to grow. Development of skills through a combination of apprenticeships and training institutes run by the private sector, with an eye to the demand for skills in the market, is also critical. Foster trade with other countries India has the advantage of being located in Asia, which is the fastest-growing region in the world and which has not turned inward. India should work to reach an early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) + 6. Encourage entrepreneurship and Start-ups Start-ups are a new phenomenon and India has made a good beginning in this area. Technically skilled and business-oriented youth should be encouraged to explore the entrepreneurship option, and create jobs, rather than looking for secure wage employment. The ecosystem required for start-ups to flourish includes scientific and technical universities acting as innovation hubs, tax policies which encourage angel investing and other forms of start-up financing, a legal system which supports high standards of corporate governance, and supportive tax policies which encourage start-up financing. Promote shift from unorganized/informal to the organized/formal sector Finally, the government should deploy all policy instruments to promote the shift from the unorganized/informal to the organized/formal sector, both manufacturing and services. In the past, there has been a tendency to view the unorganized sector as a potential source of employment, and this has at times been used to justify a more lax attitude, especially in the matter of applying regulations (as discussed in our previous article – Link: The role of India’s Informal Economy: Informal is the new normal). Ideally, all discrimination against the organized/formal sector should be phased out to create a level playing field. Favourable reforms in safety regulations and tax norms, labour laws, ease-of-doing business and more incentive for units will help informal units move progressively into the organized/formal sector. Conclusion: To sum up, all the above said measures if implemented effectively will lead to both generation of employment and improvement in quality of employment, which is a major concern today. Unless more jobs are created, India’s demographic dividend will turn into a nightmare. Connecting the dots: Will the long-awaited revival in private sector investment aid massive job creation? Critically analyze. Unless more jobs are created, India’s demographic dividend will turn into a nightmare. In your opinion, what immediate policy measures are required to tackle the problem of generation of employment and improvement in quality of employment? Discuss. Job creation is taking place in the informal sector, there is a need to get them into the formal fold. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.   NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e‐governance‐ applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures. Bail Reforms Introduction Indian criminal justice system needs urgent reforms. One of the crucial aspect of the reform is under trials being languishing jails for years together. Bail system has unequally favored the rich and the haves. The Law Commission’s report serves a reminder of the same. Under-trials in Indian Jails: The ‘Prison Statistics India 2015’ report was released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Monday. Here are five things the data tells us about the state of Indian prisons. The problem of overcrowding - The report calls overcrowding as “one of the biggest problems faced by prison inmates.” It results in poor hygiene and lack of sleep among other problems. “Keeping in view the human rights of the prisoners, it is essential that they are given reasonable space and facilities in jails,” the report says. The occupancy rate at the all India level at the end of 2015 was 114.4 per cent - At 276.7 per cent, Dadra & Nagar Haveli is reported to have most overcrowded prisons, followed by Chhattisgarh (233.9 per cent), Delhi (226.9 per cent), Meghalaya (177.9 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (168.8 per cent). Two-thirds of the prisoners are undertrials - Sixty-seven per cent of the people in Indian jails are undertrials — people not convicted of any crime and currently on trial in a court of law. On an average, four died every day in 2015 - In 2015, a total of 1,584 prisoners died in jails. 1,469 of these were natural deaths and the remaining 115 were attributed to unnatural causes. Two-thirds of all the unnatural deaths (77) were reported to be suicides while 11 were murdered by fellow inmates — nine of which were in jails in Delhi. Foreign Convicts - Over two thousand foreign convicts (2,353) were lodged in various jails in India at the end of 2015. The highest number of foreign convicts — 1,266 — were in jails of West Bengal, followed by Andaman & Nicobar Island (360), Uttar Pradesh (146), Maharashtra (85) and Delhi (81). Prisoner Profile - Seventy per cent of the convicts are illiterate or have studied only below class tenth. Capital Punishment - Over hundred people were awarded death penalty (101) in 2015. Forty-nine were commuted to life sentence. Issue: That bail is the norm and jail the exception is a principle that is limited in its application to the affluent, the powerful and the influential. The Law Commission, in its 268th Report, highlights this problem once again by remarking that it has become the norm for the rich and powerful to get bail with ease, while others languish in prison. While making recommendations to make it easier for all those awaiting trial to obtain bail, the Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge B.S. Chauhan, grimly observes that “the existing system of bail in India is inadequate and inefficient to accomplish its purpose.” One of the first duties of those administering criminal justice must be that bail practices are “fair and evidence-based”. “Decisions about custody or release should not be influenced to the detriment of the person accused of an offence by factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, financial conditions or social status,” the report says. The main reason that 67% of the current prison population is made up of undertrials is the great inconsistency in the grant of bail. Even when given bail, most are unable to meet the onerous financial conditions to avail it. The Supreme Court had noticed this in the past, and bemoaned the fact that poverty appears to be the main reason for the incarceration of many prisoners, as they are unable to afford bail bonds or provide sureties. The Commission’s report recommending a set of significant changes to the law on bail deserves urgent attention. Law Commission’s reform suggestions: The Commission seeks to improve on a provision introduced in 2005 to grant relief to thousands of prisoners languishing without trial and to decongest India’s overcrowded prisons. Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that a prisoner shall be released on bail on personal bond if he or she has undergone detention of half the maximum period of imprisonment specified for that offence. The Law Commission recommends that those detained for an offence that would attract up to seven years’ imprisonment be released on completing one-third of that period, and those charged with offences attracting a longer jail term, after they complete half of that period. For those who had spent the whole period as undertrials, the period undergone may be considered for remission. In general terms, the Commission cautions the police against needless arrests and magistrates against mechanical remand orders. It gives an illustrative list of conditions that could be imposed in lieu of sureties or financial bonds. It advocates the need to impose the “least restrictive conditions”. However, as the report warns, bail law reform is not the panacea for all problems of the criminal justice system. Conclusion: Be it overcrowded prisons or unjust incarceration of the poor, the solution lies in expediting the trial process. For, in our justice system, delay remains the primary source of injustice. The Law Commission’s report needs to be implemented in letter and spirit and large scale criminal justice reforms need to be initiated. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the need for criminal justice reforms in the Indian scenario in light of report of Law Commission and National Crime Record Bureau. MUST READ Should agricultural income be taxed? Hindu Wooing the Indian vote Hindu Beyond triple talaq Indian Express Love to hate the RTI   Indian Express The cycles of distress in Indian agriculture   Livemint   India’s dismal record in healthcare   Livemint Reboot on RCEP   Business Line   Why a rail development authority? Business Line The maker of modern India Business Line  

May 27, 2017

IASbaba's 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2017 Environment and Current Affairs [Day 54]

Hello Friends So, here we are with the 54th Day of 60 Days Plan. It is the third edition of 60 Days program but seems like the first one because of the excitement involved everywhere, including us :) We are equally excited and pumped. Our Team is working hard to make you realize your dream. Do not take it insincerely and let us down. Your faith and participation has to be in sync with the amount of hard work and effort we do. Let us pledge to make it a big game changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days! Importance of Self - Tracking: Learning from Last Year Last year, aspirants used to comment their answers in the comment box on daily basis. There were huge participation in discussion. Putting answers in comment box has been very effective to self track yourself after updating the score. In the end you can cross check your performance through disqus profile. It was highly effective in the last edition of 60 Days that propelled aspirants to monitor their performance and learn through discussion. Let you solve these questions with full honesty and write your result in the comment box. Interact with peers to know your mistakes. The importance of this initiative stands time bound and aggressive reverse engineering to learn the concepts. Many of you must be busy with your own strategy but let us tell you honestly that in the last two months, it is very important to revise and consolidate your learning. Just reading won’t suffice. So, take out few hours from your schedule and make it a revision exercise. How you can make the best use of it? Be honest to your effort and do not start competing with XYZ aspirants here just for the sake of marks. It is more important for you to introspect and check your learning than focusing on others. Try to answer the questions in 20 minutes only.  Do not get into negative feeling that I don’t have enough knowledge to answer these questions. Feel like you are taking the real exam. What would be your response then? The same will be replicated in UPSC exam. Here, you get marks only and nothing else matters. So make effort to know the answers of all questions. Do not cheat :P Baba's Gyan for REVISION Many of you, almost all, asks about effective revision strategy! Can there be any? Let us tell you something Baba does :D  You guys study a lot and there is no issue with the hard work that has been put in. But when it comes to input-output comparison, your performance is questionable. What to do? Just do this for a Week: Go to bed before stipulated time of your sleep, at least 1 hour before. Close your eyes and try to relax your mind. You should attain full comfort and calmness. Do this on the First Day: Imagine the full story of a recent movie that you have watched. Try to recollect from starting to end. See, whether you are able to depict the clear picture or not! Now, do the same for everything you learnt from morning specially the ones you struggled with. Since it is fresh, most of the things should flow into your mind smoothly. Check what is your recollecting capacity. For example, if you prepared Polity Day 2: Topics- Try to collect all important concepts and learning of the day. Trust us, this exercise if done with sincerity will give you immense confidence as well as boost your performance. There is no ideal time for revision and there cannot be any specific date put for it, as commonly done. This will always expose your weaknesses the very same day and if you tend to forget something, can always get back to consolidate and cement it. REPEAT IT FOR A WEEK & SEE THE MAGIC :D  Must to Do: Read the detailed article regarding Micro Analysis Matrix and follow the guidelines- Click Here Try to hold your nerves and learn to control the temptation. This is very important art to learn and implement! Are you ready? Let's start [Day 54]: ENVIRONMENT & CURRENT AFFAIRS  ARCHIVES Q.1) The Floating gardens of the Dal lake in Kashmir are famous for their vegetable production. The name given to these floating gardens is? Phumdi Raad Bet Tila Q.2) Which of the following statements are correct about Biological and Toxin weapons Convention? The convention entered into force in 1975. It prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological and toxin weapons. UN Biological Weapons Authority is the watchdog to check compliance of the countries. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) The Minamata Convention is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from Anthropogenic release of Mercury Anthropogenic release of Heavy metals Surface Ozone Green house gases Q.4) After a long gap of 84 years, Cobra lily has been rediscovered in NIlgiris. Which of the following statements are correct about Cobra Lilies? It is endemic specie found in Nilgiris only. It was believed to be extinct in wild in the world. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements: The National Green Tribunal is an executive body established in 2011 for quick disposal of cases related to environment protection. It is not bound by procedure laid down under the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, but guided by the principles of Natural Justice. Which of the above statements are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.6) National Water Policy is formulated by the Ministry of Water Resources of the Government of India to govern the planning and development of water resources and their optimum utilization. Which of the following statements is not correct about India’s National Water Policy? It treats water as an economic good to promote conservation and efficient use. It ensures access to a minimum quantity of potable water for essential health and hygiene to all citizens. To keep aside a portion of the river flow to meet the ecological needs and to ensure that the low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime. It has set water allocation priorities to different sectors. Q.7) Which of the following plants can be used as indicators of Sulphur Oxide pollution in Air? Ferns Lichens Liver Worts Conifers Q.8) Which of the following air pollution devices are suitable for removing dust particles from air? Cyclone separator Electrostatic precipitator Fabric filter Wet scrubber Select the code from below: 1,2 and 3 2,3 and 4 1,3 and 4 All of the above Q.9) The Government of India has put restrictions on the use of Loud Speakers/ public address systems under The Noise pollution (Regulation and Control) Rule, 2000. Which of the following statements are correct about regarding this? A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining written permission from the authority. A loud speaker or a public address system or any sound producing instrument or a musical instrument or a sound amplifier shall not be used at night time except in closed premises for communication within, like auditoria, conference rooms, community halls, banquet halls or during a public emergency. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.10) Which of the following traits should a waste material show to be categorised under Hazardous waste? Ignitability Reactivity Corrosivity Toxicity Select the code from below: 1 and 2 3 and 4 1,3 and 4 All of the above Q.11) Which of the following is not a criterion for selecting a Ramsar Site? If the site is representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region. If it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities. If it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions. If it regularly supports 2,00,000 or more water-birds.  Q.12) Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force in December 1993. Which of the following were the objectives of CBD? Conservation of Biological Diversity Sustainable use of the components of Biological Diversity The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 only All of the above Q.13) Consider the following statements: World heritage Convention is under the aegis of UNESCO Wild Life wing of the Ministry of Environment and Forests is associated with the conservation of the Natural World Heritage sites. Currently, six natural World Heritage Sites have been recognized by  UNESCO in India. Which of the above statements is correct? 1 only 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.14) Haze has been a major urban problem of the recent time. To tackle this ASEAN Agreement on transboundary haze pollution has been signed. Which of the following statements are correct regarding this agreement? The objective of the resolution is to reduce haze pollution in South and South East Asia. India has ratified the agreement. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.15) Consider the following statements regarding Saker Falcons: Saker Falcons are found in semi – arid to forest regions of Europe and Central Asia. They migrate to South Asia and Africa during Winters. They are listed as endangered Species in IUCN red list. Which of the above statements are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.16) Consider the following statements about Niyamgiri hills Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti (NSS) is the organisation that has been opposing bauxite mining in the hills It is located in Jharkhand Niyamgiri is home to the Dongria Kondh tribe Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.17) Which of the following committees is concerned with Arbitration mechanism? B N Srikrishna Bibek Debroy A K Sinha Madhukar Gupta Q.18) The Inter-State Council consists of Prime Minister Chief Ministers of all States Chief Ministers of Union Territories having a Legislative Assembly Administrators of UTs not having a Legislative Assembly Select the correct code: 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1, 3 and 4 All of the above Q.19) A recently discovered species of tree-dwelling crab has been named Kani maranjandu after the Kani tribe. The tribe is from Kerala Andaman & Nicobar Islands Odisha Andhra Pradesh Q.20) Consider the following statements about World Customs Organisation (WCO) Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) is the legal instrument of the World Customs Organization (WCO) that aims to simplify and harmonize international customs procedures globally, in order to achieve faster, more predictable and efficient customs clearances India became a member of WCO in 1971 It is located in Zurich, Switzerland Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Download The Solution - Click here

May 26, 2017

IASbaba's 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2017 Science and Technology and Current Affairs [Day 53]

Hello Friends So, here we are with the 53rd Day of 60 Days Plan. It is the third edition of 60 Days program but seems like the first one because of the excitement involved everywhere, including us :) We are equally excited and pumped. Our Team is working hard to make you realize your dream. Do not take it insincerely and let us down. Your faith and participation has to be in sync with the amount of hard work and effort we do. Let us pledge to make it a big game changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days! Importance of Self - Tracking: Learning from Last Year Last year, aspirants used to comment their answers in the comment box on daily basis. There were huge participation in discussion. Putting answers in comment box has been very effective to self track yourself after updating the score. In the end you can cross check your performance through disqus profile. It was highly effective in the last edition of 60 Days that propelled aspirants to monitor their performance and learn through discussion. Let you solve these questions with full honesty and write your result in the comment box. Interact with peers to know your mistakes. The importance of this initiative stands time bound and aggressive reverse engineering to learn the concepts. Many of you must be busy with your own strategy but let us tell you honestly that in the last two months, it is very important to revise and consolidate your learning. Just reading won’t suffice. So, take out few hours from your schedule and make it a revision exercise. How you can make the best use of it? Be honest to your effort and do not start competing with XYZ aspirants here just for the sake of marks. It is more important for you to introspect and check your learning than focusing on others. Try to answer the questions in 20 minutes only.  Do not get into negative feeling that I don’t have enough knowledge to answer these questions. Feel like you are taking the real exam. What would be your response then? The same will be replicated in UPSC exam. Here, you get marks only and nothing else matters. So make effort to know the answers of all questions. Do not cheat :P Baba's Gyan for REVISION Many of you, almost all, asks about effective revision strategy! Can there be any? Let us tell you something Baba does :D  You guys study a lot and there is no issue with the hard work that has been put in. But when it comes to input-output comparison, your performance is questionable. What to do? Just do this for a Week: Go to bed before stipulated time of your sleep, at least 1 hour before. Close your eyes and try to relax your mind. You should attain full comfort and calmness. Do this on the First Day: Imagine the full story of a recent movie that you have watched. Try to recollect from starting to end. See, whether you are able to depict the clear picture or not! Now, do the same for everything you learnt from morning specially the ones you struggled with. Since it is fresh, most of the things should flow into your mind smoothly. Check what is your recollecting capacity. For example, if you prepared Polity Day 2: Topics- Try to collect all important concepts and learning of the day. Trust us, this exercise if done with sincerity will give you immense confidence as well as boost your performance. There is no ideal time for revision and there cannot be any specific date put for it, as commonly done. This will always expose your weaknesses the very same day and if you tend to forget something, can always get back to consolidate and cement it. REPEAT IT FOR A WEEK & SEE THE MAGIC :D  Must to Do: Read the detailed article regarding Micro Analysis Matrix and follow the guidelines- Click Here Try to hold your nerves and learn to control the temptation. This is very important art to learn and implement! Are you ready? Let's start [Day 53]: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & CURRENT AFFAIRS  ARCHIVES Q.1) Consider the following regarding Trojan Asteroids Trojan asteroids are trapped in stable gravity wells, called Lagrange points, which precede or follow a planet. The most significant population of trojans are the Earth Trojans NASA’s Discovery Program named Pyche and Lucy is related to exploring Trojan ateroids Which of the given statements is/are correct? 1 and 3 1 and 2 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) ISRO has recently launched a record of 104 satellites in one mission. Consider the following Cartosat-2 Nanosatellites Picosatellites CubeSats Which of the given satellites were parts of ISRO’s mission? 1 and 2 1, 2 and 4 1, 3 and 4 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.3) NASA's series of Great Observatories satellites are four large, powerful space-based astronomical telescopes. Consider the following regarding it and select the correct match The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) - Infrared spectrum The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO)- Gamma Rays and X-rays The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) - X-rays The Spitzer Space Telescope (SST) - Visible light and Near-ultraviolet Which of the given are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1, 3 and 4 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.4) Which of the following is/are correct regarding Project 75-I? It is the project of Indian Navy that intends to acquire six Nuclear Scorpene class submarine INS Khanderi is the one of the six submarines being built under Project 75-I It features advanced Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range Which of the given statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.5) Recently Astronomers have created the first map of the large-scale structure of the universe. This is based on Quasar Pulsar Neutrino Earth’s magnetic field Q.6) Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries and affect more than one billion people. Consider the following Yaws Rabies Leprosy Tuberculosis Trachoma Dengue Which of the given are NTDs as per WHO? 2, 3, 5 and 6 1, 3, 5 and 6 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Q.7) Which of the following species is not monogamous? Otters Wolves Gorillas Gibbons Q.8) Which of the following is not because of Capillary action? Blotting of ink Rising of ground water Rising of water from the roots of the plant to its foliage Spread of water drops on a cotton cloth Q.9) Chemical weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction. One of the very famous WMD is Sarin, used as a chemical weapon due to its extreme potency as a nerve agent. It contains Sulphur, Florine and Oxygen Nitrogen, Sulphur and Oxygen Phosphorous, Sulphur and Oxygen Phosphorous, Florine and Oxygen Q.10) Recently scientists have discovered a ‘Super-Earth’ which is the best place to look for signs of life outside of the Solar System about 40 light years away. The term super-Earth refers to Mass of the planet Habitability Surface condition Which of the given options is/are correct? 1 and 2 Only 2 Only 1 1, 2 and 3 Q.11) Which of the following is the hardest material? Diamond Wurtzite Boron Nitride Lonsdaelite Iron Q.12) Which of the following is the correct sequence of the given substances in the decreasing order of their densities? Gold>Mercury>Steel Steel>Gold>Mercury Gold>Steel>Mercury Steel>Mercury>Gold Q.13) The most common water-based antifreeze solutions used in automobile engines are mixtures of Ethylene and Water Propylene and Water Ethylene glycol and Water Ethanol and Water Q.14) Assertion (A): Coal-based thermal power stations contribute to acid rain Reason (R): Oxides of carbon are emitted when coal burns Both A and R are true and R is correct explanation of A Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A A is true but R is false A is false but R is true Q.15) Consider the following regarding Haemophilia It is a genetic disorder It leads to decrease in haemoglobin level It leads to decrease in White Blood Cells It impairs the body’s ability to make blood clots Which of the given statements are correct? 1, 2 and 4 1 and 4 1, 3 and 4 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.16) ‘Urumin’ was recently in new. What is it? A sword with a flexible blade that snaps and bends like a whip Peptide from Skin mucus secreted by a frog species native to Kerala A recently developed measles rubella vaccine None of the above Q.17) Consider the following statements regarding RTS, S It is world’s first malaria vaccine It is world’s first injectable vaccine for Ebola It is world’s first leprosy vaccine It is world’s first oral vaccine for rabies Q.18) Consider the following statements about THAAD It is a missile defence system that is designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles in their final flight phase Each THAAD system is comprised of interceptors, launchers, radar and a fire control unit Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.19) Consider the following statements about Dawn spacecraft It was launched as a part of NASA's New Frontiers program It was launched with the mission of studying two of dwarf planet of the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.20) Consider the following statements about Brown palm civet It is endemic to India and Sri Lanka It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Download The Solution - Click here

May 26, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 25th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 25th May 2017 Archives NATIONAL/SECURITY TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3 Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges; Basics of cyber security. Access to Cyber Space Introduction With technology changing the dynamics of all aspects of life security and law and order has been the most challenging field in consideration. In a borderless and virtual world where no single law can bind a user there is need for constant innovation and wide participation. Issue: An iPhone used by Abu Dujana, said to be among the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s commanders in Kashmir, which fell into the hands of security forces, could be a valuable source of information for the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The odds that the agency is able to break into the device are, however, slim. For now, the government has sent the iPhone to the U.S., seeking assistance from its federal agencies. The government’s strategy of shipping it abroad to decipher its contents is unsustainable. But for some political agreements signed after the 26/11 attacks, there is no legal obligation on the U.S. to provide any assistance in this matter to India, even though the company that manufactured the device is American. Moreover, U.S. security agencies have themselves struggled to extract information from devices like the iPhone, in the face of resolute opposition from companies to decrypt their own products. If Apple could successfully resist a U.S. court order to help the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) unlock an iPhone used by a terrorist involved in the 2015 San Bernardino attacks, what hope can the NIA have? Encryption as a hurdle In the eight years since its creation, the NIA has grown into a competent organisation, with interception abilities comparable to top law enforcement bodies in the world. But NIA officials themselves rue that the online chatter they intercept is increasingly encrypted. Thus far, Indian intelligence agencies have relied on ‘zero days’ — vulnerabilities that exist in the original design of a software — to break into encrypted devices, but Internet companies now promptly patch their flaws, diminishing the utility of such tools. Technology barrier: Take the case of Abu Dujana’s iPhone 7. While dealing with secure devices, law enforcement agencies usually have two options to unlock them. The first is to “brute force” the user’s password or PIN into the phone repeatedly, until it finally cracks open. But iPhones limit the number of false entries, killing the phone altogether after several failed attempts. The second option is to modify the ‘Touch’ sensor in phones that use fingerprints-recognition technology, so that a third party is grafted in as the legitimate user. Last year, however, Apple issued a software update that disables all iPhones where the Touch button had been “unofficially” modified. The company later allowed users to restore dead devices, but only after confirming their identity on other Apple platforms like iTunes. The reality is that a lot of online content is today out of the reach of law enforcement officials. Platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram are ‘end-to-end’ encrypted, making it difficult for police at the State and local level — who don’t have access to zero days — to register cases based on information contained in them. The distinct trend towards greater adoption of encryption poses a dilemma for Indian policymakers. Strong encryption protocols increase consumer confidence in the digital economy, but the Indian government fears a scenario where criminals or terrorists can easily “go dark” behind secure channels. In this case, Apple could build firmware that allows agencies to clock any number of attempts to unlock an iPhone. Technical details aside, the lesson here is that Apple may tightly secure its devices, but it also guards the “keys to the kingdom”. Emerging markets have struggled to deal with data giants — Brazil’s judiciary, for example, suspended WhatsApp on three occasions in 2016 for non-compliance with government requests — that operate on quasi-sovereign principles. Need for legislations: Finally, legal solutions to electronic data access for law enforcement agencies are outdated. Governments are no longer the custodians of data, but every Indian request for electronic content is required to be vetted by the U.S. Department of Justice. In Abu Dujana’s case, if he has backed up his data on Apple’s iCloud service, an Indian request to share its content will take months to be processed, by which time the cloud data would have already been erased through another device. The current process of information-sharing through the India-U.S. Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty suffers from almost irreparable hurdles, ranging from bureaucratic delays on both sides to inconsistencies in domestic legal standards. Conclusion: The need to establish a holistic and participative process with global stakeholders is seminal. The solution lies in a bilateral data-sharing agreement to help the Indian government engage with Internet companies directly, rather than routing requests through the U.S. government. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the need for an encryption policy that is globally acceptable in the current scenario of global security challenges.   ECONOMICS TOPIC: General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability RBI given greater role in dealing with large amount of stressed assets Introduction: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 22nd May proposed expanding the scope of oversight committees and a larger role for credit rating agencies as it draws up an action plan to deal with the Indian banking system’s nearly Rs. 10 trillion (10 lakh crore) stressed loan problem. Earlier this month, the government moved an ordinance empowering the central bank to intervene directly in stressed asset cases. Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance of May 4, 2017, empowered the RBI to take decisions on the settlement of non-performing assets (NPAs) and a consequent cleaning up of bank balance sheets. Facts: Banks in India are in possession of ₹6,11,607 crore worth of NPAs as of March 31, 2016. According to a recent Credit Suisse estimate, there could be a default on 16-17% of total bank loans by March 31, 2018. The current food and non-food credit stands at approximately ₹75,00,000 crore. This would translate to about ₹12 lakh crore of NPAs. Therefore, the ordinance correctly acknowledges the unacceptably high level of stressed assets in the banking system. Indeed, banks are sitting on a huge pile of scrap. Concerns: Failure of Public Sector Banks Most of these bad loans are the result of money or loans given generously by public sector banks to large corporate groups, given without any consideration to the principles of sound lending. Hence, the resultant inability of the banks to recover either interest or the principal sum lent. Corporate borrowers, the major concern In India, corporates rely on banks as the main source for funds. The February 2017 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report states that 65.7% of Indian corporate debt as of March 31, 2016 is funded by banks. The December 2016 Financial Stability Report states that large borrowers account for 56% of bank debt and 88% of their NPAs. Inability of top Indian corporates to make timely interest payments are a major concern. The 2017 IMF report also states that about half of the over all debt is owed by firms who are already highly indebted (debt-equity ratio more than 150%). These borrowers are simply not earning enough to meet their interest commitments. However, some of the major corporate groups are key drivers of growth of the Indian economy. As the corporate bond market is not yet matured in India, bank financing is crucial for such corporate groups. In addition, granting loans to corporates that lacked capital as well as expertise (in sectors that were once the sole preserve of the government) was obviously a decision made at the behest of the RBI and the government with little regard to the best interest of the bank. Mixed dilemma - It was for the sake of development that the RBI encouraged banks to lend to corporates. Now, for the same reason, resolution is being thrust on banks. Put simply, the RBI may from time to time, issue directions to banking companies for resolution of stressed assets. The Central government may by order authorize the RBI to issue direction to any banking company to initiate insolvency resolution process in respect of a default, under the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 The new bankruptcy law will ensure time-bound settlement of insolvency, enable faster turnaround of businesses and create a database of serial defaulters. The new code will replace existing bankruptcy laws and cover individuals, companies, limited liability partnerships and partnership firms. It will amend laws including the Companies Act to become the overarching legislation to deal with corporate insolvency. It will also help creditors recover loans faster. On the parameter of resolving insolvency, India is ranked 136 among 189 countries. At present, it takes more than four years to resolve a case of bankruptcy in India, according to the World Bank. The code seeks to reduce this time to less than a year. Conclusion: To sum up, since bankers were unable (or unwilling) to take the tough decisions needed to resolve stressed loans, the RBI will now step in and do it for them. The amendment to Banking Regulation Act is expected to allow the RBI to deal with the menace of bad loans on a case-to-case basis as opposed to following a set of broad guidelines and rules for all non-performing assets (NPAs). RBI can now issue directions to any banking company or banking companies to initiate insolvency resolution process in respect of a default under the provisions of the IBC. Connecting the dots: The recent Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance has empowered RBI to take decisions on the settlement of non-performing assets (NPAs) and a consequent cleaning up of bank balance sheets. Do you think, this is a right move? Critically examine. How does NPA affect Indian economy? How can Government, Banks and RBI work in sync in reducing NPA and reduce its effects on economy? Critically examine why NPA has become a major threat to the stability of the country’s financial system and the economy as such and steps needed to address this issue. MUST READ Lessons from the new French Revolution Hindu Say no to GM mustard  Hindu   BJP’s Belt and Road myopia Indian Express The sword of global justice   Indian Express To Make in India, Modi govt approves Buy in India Livemint   The GST anti-profiteering ‘weapon’   Livemint Modi’s new acid test for bureaucrats   Business Line   African safari    Business Line GM crops, the answer to climate change Business Line  

May 25, 2017 AIR

All India Radio - National Science Day

National Science Day ARCHIVES Search 28th February 2017 http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 3 Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. Theme for 2017 National Science Day 2017- Science and Technology for special abled people. Most of the people are unaware of the existence of national science day and why it is celebrated. It is being celebrated not to commemorate someone’s birthday but to commemorate an event which is extremely important to India: It was on 28th February 1928 that CV Raman discovered ‘the Raman effect’ which changed research in science tremendously. Hence National Science Day is celebrated. World science day is celebrated on 10th April. Importance of practical science CV Raman has been the first and last Indian to get a nobel prize in science. Though there are lot of scientists, technologies and innovations coming from India, yet another nobel is yet to come. This shows that there is a need to encourage students and increase the scope of research in science. Science is not mastered from birth but has to be learnt throughout lifetime, especially childhood. Learning starts in school. Unfortunately, the current method of teaching in schools is not the ideal one. Science cannot be learnt just by reading books but need the provision of opportunities to handle apparatus, instruments and do experiments to gain the knowledge. Many schools have labs but students are not allowed to touch or handle the instruments. This is a big drawback which needs to be changed and students need to do hands-on experiment to do science. This the way through which excitement of doing science is generated and career in science can be thought of. It is very important to give students an environment of experimenting along with good qualified teachers, resources to elaborate, invent and go into science. Till now, lot of students are hesitant with science and maths and avoid going to learn about it as it is technical in nature. However, it seems difficult because of is method of teaching. Maths and science are interesting and entertaining when taught in a particular way. The basic problem with teaching method is that students are not encouraged to handle apparatus to do experiments. This doesn’t get them attracted to science. Thus there is a need to improve the skills, teaching method and ability of teachers who can encourage children to take science. No conventional career There also exists a societal problem where parents think that if their children do science, the job opportunities will not be will paid at par with corporate sector. Though it is a true fact, it is unfortunate. CV Raman was the deputy accountant general of GoI. He started working on science and doing experiments after office hours. Then in few months, he decided to quit the lucrative government job and became a lecturer at lesser salary. This was because he wanted to be with science. This kind of mindset with today’s children is lacking. The students have to be taught that earning money should not be the only goal in life. Increasing research efficiency Research and development is time and money consuming. However, India is giving it less compared to western countries or neighbouring countries like China. The problem is quantum of money spent and the choice of problems. There are lot of IT companies, innovations and apps from India which has given it an edge in technology and communication. So, India has been in a strong position in the world as far as software development is concerned. But when it comes to basic researches in physics chemistry and life sciences, it has not yet delved into careful selection of problems and proportionate investments. Hence, what happens is that inspite of spending money on research and development, not many problems are solved due to non-selection of actual problems. As per a report, India lags in submitting research papers. Another research says that only 140 researches per 10 lakh population as compared to US which has 4000 researches. This is to happen due to high illiteracy in India. 30% of Indian population is illiterate and hence cannot be researchers. So comparatively, research done is fine. But the research is done in universities and national laboratories and very little research done by corporate sector. In US and UK, the best research is done by private sector. So this situation needs to be brought to India to see a significant change. Even the PPP mode is not feasible. Government sector lacks accountability. In private sector, if somebody is assigned a task, he has to complete, the targets have to be achieved. But not so in government sector. There may be instructions and directives but hardly any actions are taken on time. This leads to laidback attitude because scientists in government sector know that they are not answerable if they are not delivering. This attitude is harming research. They don’t have the commitment to achieve something and show ‘I can do it’. This attitude is missing in India. It is not possible in corporate sector. But in corporate sector, if they are doing research and developing something, they get patents and make business out of it. Hence, the benefit of scientific research rarely reaches the masses or reaches very late. Way forward Recently PM also said that India needs more scientists to harness technology for the common man. India has been creating sufficient number of science graduates and post graduates but the basic problem is their quality of knowledge. To address this problem, the easiest solution is to build a mindset from school days by encouraging the child to do hands-on activities, experiments etc. The chalk and talk method should not be medium of instruction anymore. Connecting the dots: ‘To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform’. How is it possible in the present times in India? Discuss ways and means and challenges pertaining to it.  

May 25, 2017

IASbaba's 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2017 Geography and Current Affairs [Day 52]

Hello Friends So, here we are with the 52nd Day of 60 Days Plan. It is the third edition of 60 Days program but seems like the first one because of the excitement involved everywhere, including us :) We are equally excited and pumped. Our Team is working hard to make you realize your dream. Do not take it insincerely and let us down. Your faith and participation has to be in sync with the amount of hard work and effort we do. Let us pledge to make it a big game changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days! Importance of Self - Tracking: Learning from Last Year Last year, aspirants used to comment their answers in the comment box on daily basis. There were huge participation in discussion. Putting answers in comment box has been very effective to self track yourself after updating the score. In the end you can cross check your performance through disqus profile. It was highly effective in the last edition of 60 Days that propelled aspirants to monitor their performance and learn through discussion. Let you solve these questions with full honesty and write your result in the comment box. Interact with peers to know your mistakes. The importance of this initiative stands time bound and aggressive reverse engineering to learn the concepts. Many of you must be busy with your own strategy but let us tell you honestly that in the last two months, it is very important to revise and consolidate your learning. Just reading won’t suffice. So, take out few hours from your schedule and make it a revision exercise. How you can make the best use of it? Be honest to your effort and do not start competing with XYZ aspirants here just for the sake of marks. It is more important for you to introspect and check your learning than focusing on others. Try to answer the questions in 20 minutes only.  Do not get into negative feeling that I don’t have enough knowledge to answer these questions. Feel like you are taking the real exam. What would be your response then? The same will be replicated in UPSC exam. Here, you get marks only and nothing else matters. So make effort to know the answers of all questions. Do not cheat :P Baba's Gyan for REVISION Many of you, almost all, asks about effective revision strategy! Can there be any? Let us tell you something Baba does :D  You guys study a lot and there is no issue with the hard work that has been put in. But when it comes to input-output comparison, your performance is questionable. What to do? Just do this for a Week: Go to bed before stipulated time of your sleep, at least 1 hour before. Close your eyes and try to relax your mind. You should attain full comfort and calmness. Do this on the First Day: Imagine the full story of a recent movie that you have watched. Try to recollect from starting to end. See, whether you are able to depict the clear picture or not! Now, do the same for everything you learnt from morning specially the ones you struggled with. Since it is fresh, most of the things should flow into your mind smoothly. Check what is your recollecting capacity. For example, if you prepared Polity Day 2: Topics- Try to collect all important concepts and learning of the day. Trust us, this exercise if done with sincerity will give you immense confidence as well as boost your performance. There is no ideal time for revision and there cannot be any specific date put for it, as commonly done. This will always expose your weaknesses the very same day and if you tend to forget something, can always get back to consolidate and cement it. REPEAT IT FOR A WEEK & SEE THE MAGIC :D  Must to Do: Read the detailed article regarding Micro Analysis Matrix and follow the guidelines- Click Here Try to hold your nerves and learn to control the temptation. This is very important art to learn and implement! Are you ready? Let's start [Day 52]: Geography & CURRENT AFFAIRS  ARCHIVES Q.1) With reference to Jet Streams, consider the following statements: Jet streams are long meandering waves moving at the upper atmosphere, strong at 30o to 60o The jet streams on Earth typically run from west to east. Temperature influences the velocity of the jet stream, they are more active in winter. Both the Northern and Southern hemispheres have jet streams. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 All of the above Q.2) Which of the factors influence the origin and nature of ocean currents? Difference in density Temperature Salinity Earth's rotation Winds Choose the correct answer: 1, 2 and 4 1, 2, 4 and 5 2, 4 and 5 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5  Q.3) Consider the following: Gyres are spiraling circulations thousands of miles in diameter and rimmed by large, permanent ocean currents. Eddies are smaller, temporary loops of swirling water that can travel long distances before dissipating. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the map given below and answer the following question: Four ocean currents – are marked as A, B, C and D – Identify them: a. 1.Guinea Current     2. Greenland Current      3. Peru Current      4. Oyashio Current b.  1. Guinea Current       2. Labrador Current       3. Humboldt Current        4. Kuroshio Current c.    1. Benguela Current        2. Labrador Current        3. Humboldt Current        4. Oyashio Current d.     1. Benguela Current          2. Greenland Current          3. Peru Current          4. Kuroshio Current  Q.5) Which country falls in all three natural regions - Hot desert, Mediterranean and Cool temperate type of climate? Chile Lebanon Peru Israel  Q.6) Which of the following natural regions is not found in the Torrid Zone?  Temperate deserts Equatorial forests Monsoon regions Tropical grasslands Q.7) The organic deposits in the ocean are called ‘Oozes’. Consider the following statements regarding the oozes: The ‘Oozes’ can be classified as Calcareous and Siliceous. Calcareous oozes are not found below 1000m. Radiolarian and Diatoms are types of calcareous oozes. Which of the above statements are incorrect? 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only None of the above Q.8) Which of the following regions has the maximum volume of the marine sediments? Continental Shelves Continental Slopes Continental Rises Deep Ocean Floors Q.9) Consider the statements regarding volcanoes: More than 95% of the global volcanoes are along the plate boundaries. High intensity volcano types like Visuvius type, Peelean type etc are concentrated in the convergent plate boundaries. Low intensity volcano like Mid Atlantic Ridge are concentrated in the divergent plate boundary regions. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3  Q.10) From the below given different ocean currents, identify only the warm ocean currents: Canary current California current Norwegian current North Equatorial current East Australian current Choose the correct answer: 1, 3 and 4 only 2, 3 and 4 only 3, 4 and 5 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 Q.11) With reference to North Equatorial Current, consider the below statements and identify the incorrect statement: It is a significant Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean current that flows from east to west. They flow in between 10o north and 20o north latitudes. The current passes or cuts through the equator, hence the name North Equatorial Current. In both oceans, it is separated from the equatorial circulation by the equatorial counter current, which flows eastward. Q.12) Which one among the below given seas is the only sea without a land boundary? Arafura Sea Sargasso Sea Coral sea Wadden sea Q.13) Consider the following statements: The islands along the Mid Atlantic Ridge are highly prone to volcanic activity. The sea floor spreading is the main cause of earthquakes in the Atlantic Ocean. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.14) Atacama desert is one of the driest deserts of the world. Apart from other reasons there is a particular current which has made it a driest desert. Which is that current? Humboldt current Benguela current Okhotsk current None of the above  Q.15) Consider the below statements: An isthmus is a narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas across an expanse of water that otherwise separates them. The Kra Isthmus is the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula, in southern Thailand and Malaysia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2  Q.16) A Minister cannot be elected as a member of which of the following Committees? Public Accounts Committee Estimates Committee Committee on Public Undertakings Select the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.17) Oc(3000)0, Oc(3050)0, Oc(3066)0, Oc(3090)0 and Oc(3119)0 seen recently in news, are Recently discovered sub-atomic particles Genetically modified varieties of cotton Recently discovered brown dwarfs None of the above Q.18) Which one of the following is not related to World Bank? Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency International Finance Corporation International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes Bank for International Settlements Q.19) Elephant Pass, which is frequently in the news, is mentioned in the context of the affairs of which one of the following? Bangladesh India Nepal Sri Lanka Q.20) From which one of the following did Eritrea declare its independence? Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Kenya Q.21) The participants of ‘Malabar Exercise’ are India United States of America Australia Japan Select the correct code: 1, 2 and 3 1, 2 and 4 2, 3 and 4 All of the above  Download The Solution - Solution will be Uploaded at night

May 24, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 24th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 24th May 2017 Archives INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. India and its neighborhood‐ relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. India – Africa Introduction In the global geopolitics India needs to effectively engage with all countries across the world for engagement on multiple fronts. Africa as a dark continent is emerging as global theatre for all major powers for resources and power play. India has its task cut out though with historical ties. Facts about Africa: Africa is an amazing continent. From its start as the heart of humanity, it is now home to more than a billion people. The East African Rift zone, which divides the Somalian and Nubian tectonic plates, is the location of several important discoveries of human ancestors by anthropologists. The active spreading rift valley is thought to be the heartland of humanity, where much human evolution likely took place millions of years ago. The discovery of the partial skeleton of "Lucy" in 1974 in Ethiopia sparked major research in the region. Africa is located to the south of Europe and southwest of Asia. It is connected to Asia via the Sinai Peninsula in northeastern Egypt. The peninsula itself is usually considered part of Asia with the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Suez as the dividing line between Asia and Africa. African countries are usually divided into two world regions. The countries of northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, are usually considered part of a region called "North Africa and the Middle East" while countries south of the northernmost countries of Africa are usually considered part of the region called "Sub-Saharan Africa." As the Prime Meridian is an artificial line, this point has no true significance. Nonetheless, Africa lies both all four hemispheres of the Earth. Africa is also the second most populous continent on Earth, with about 1.1 billion people. Africa's population is growing faster than Asia's population but Africa will not catch up to Asia's population in the foreseeable future. In addition to its high population growth rate, Africa also has the world's lowest life expectancies. According to the World Population Data Sheet, the average life expectancy for citizens of Africa is 58 (59 years for males and 59 years for females.) Africa is home to the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS - 4.7% of females and 3.0% of males are infected. With the possible exceptions of Ethiopia and Liberia, all of Africa was colonized by non-African countries. The United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Portugal all claimed to rule parts of Africa without the consent of the local population. With 196 independent countries on Earth, Africa is home to more than a quarter of these countries. As of 2012, there are 54 fully independent countries on mainland Africa and its surrounding islands. All 54 countries are members of the United Nations. Every country except Morocco, which is suspended for its lack of a solution to the issue of Western Sahara, is a member of the African Union. Africa is fairly non-urbanized. Only 39% of Africa's population lives in urban areas. Africa is home to only two megacities with a population greater than ten million: Cairo, Egypt, and Lagos, Nigeria. Issue: The African Development Bank’s decision to hold its annual general meeting in India this month is a signal of the importance African countries attach to New Delhi’s growing role in its development. It was nearly a decade ago, in 2008, that India made a serious attempt for a strategic partnership with all of Africa, instead of just the nations it traded with, at the first India-Africa Forum Summit. At that time, India’s efforts seemed minimal, a token attempt at keeping a foothold in a continent that was fast falling into China’s sphere of influence. New Delhi had its work cut out, building a place for India as a partner in low-cost technology transfers, a supplier of much-needed, affordable generic pharmaceuticals, and a dependable donor of aid that did not come with strings attached. Over the past few years the outreach to Africa has also been driven by visits of President, Vice-President and Prime Minister. Every country in Africa has by now been visited by an Indian Minister, highlighting the personal bonds India shares. During the India-Africa summit held in Delhi in 2015, the Centre announced a further $10 billion export credit and a $600 million grant which, despite being a fraction of the aid Africa received from China and blocs such as the European Union, was a significant sum for India. Competing in a powerful neighbourhood: Having established its credentials and commitment over time, the Centre is now taking its partnership beyond dollars and cents to a new strategic level. To begin with, India is working on a maritime outreach to extend its Sagarmala programme to the southern coastal African countries with ‘blue economies’; It is also building its International Solar Alliance, which Djibouti, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Somalia and Ghana signed on to on the sidelines of the AfDB project. In its efforts, India has tapped other development partners of Africa, including Japan, which sent a major delegation to the AfDB meeting. It has also turned to the United States, with which it has developed dialogues in fields such as peacekeeping training and agricultural support, to work with African countries. It is significant that during the recent inter-governmental consultations between India and Germany, both countries brought in their Africa experts to discuss possible cooperation in developmental programmes in that continent. But it is clear that at a time when China is showcasing its Belt and Road Initiative as the “project of the century” and also bolstering its position as Africa’s largest donor, a coalition of like-minded countries such as the one India is putting together could provide an effective way to ensure more equitable and transparent development aid to Africa. Conclusion: It will take more heavy-lifting to elevate India’s historical anti-colonial ties with Africa to productive economic partnerships. India needs to continuously expand its outreach on multiple fronts and build a sustainable partnership with Africa to ensure it achieves a greater synergy in the years ahead to find a common ground. Connecting the dots: Discuss the relations of India with Africa in the changed global scenario and geoplotics.   HEALTH TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders Important International institutions, agencies and fora their structure, mandate. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, now the third largest killer Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is not one single disease but an umbrella term that covers those long term lung conditions which are characterised by shortness of breath, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema and chronic asthma which isn’t fully reversible. Whilst each condition can occur on its own, people can have a combination. According to WHO estimates, currently, COPD is the third largest killer affecting an estimated 210 million people. Almost 90 per cent of COPD deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. In India, it is the second largest killer, responsible for 22 million deaths, COPD destroys quality of life. Recently, COPD got some policy attention by getting included in the National Health Policy 2017, however, there needs to be a sharp focus on accurate diagnosis and use of superior evidence-based treatment for disease management. India badly affected The National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (NCMH) has identified India as one of the countries most affected by COPD. According to NCMH, in 2011, COPD contributed ₹35,000 crore to the economic burden of India and was estimated to reach ₹48,000 crore by 2016-17. COPD has direct healthcare costs, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total revenue, related to the detection, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of the disease. There is a direct relationship between the severity of COPD and the overall cost of care at the patient level. Hospital stay accounts for roughly 45-50 per cent of the total direct cost generated by COPD patients across all three stages. The indirect cost emanates from morbidity and mortality, such as days off from work, poor exercise tolerance and disturbed sleep patterns. Half of all COPD patients say that the disease hinders their ability to work. Risk factors: Smoking: 80-90% of COPD cases usually occurs in people who have smoked or continue to smoke. It occurs in every type of smokers whether it is cigarette/beedi/chutta. It can occur even in passive smokers. Children are more vulnerable. Though common in male, can occur in females exposed to wood dust, coal dust while cooking, more commonly seen in villages. Infections: Lung infections in childhood by affecting lung growth and defense mechanisms, previous pulmonary tuberculosis affecting airways leading bronchial hyperresponsiveness can result in COPD as age advance. Uncontrolled asthma: Airway remodeling leading to irreversible airway contractions might result in COPD. Concerns: Lack of awareness is the major concern: An alarming fact is that, after pollution, lack of awareness about this condition is the major reason for increased risk of COPD deaths. Approximately around 25-50 per cent of people with clinically significant COPD are ignorant about the disease; there is rampant misdiagnosis too. There are significant gaps in the clinical approach to the management of COPD and other airway diseases. Lack of awareness leads to underestimating disease prevalence resulting in disease progression and poor disease management. Misdiagnosis and ill-equipped healthcare: Most primary healthcare units are ill-equipped and hence primary care physicians are unable to diagnose the disease in the early stages. They are also not comfortable with the use of inhalational drugs and prefer using much less efficacious oral medications, which also have greater side effects. Often due to symptomatic similarities between asthma and COPD, (wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness, pain or pressure), patients are put on asthma treatment protocol. Since patients respond to the treatment, physicians don’t feel the need to diagnose and distinguish between asthma and COPD. However, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Grades, the disease classification comprising moderate, severe and very severe disease, need different treatment strategies. Treatment: All diagnosed COPD patient must use medicines on regular basis for lifelong for stable COPD. Inhalers containing broncho-dilators forms the main mode of therapy. They help in opening and maintaining of blocked airways. Bronchodilator treatment is now thought to be the most important facet of management of COPD across all ‘GOLD Grades’. Conclusion: To sum it up, today, there is greater need to adopt a multi-pronged framework approach involving the reduction of risk factors, improving availability of health personnel and other infrastructure such as drugs and devices and effective surveillance systems. Government should muster the will to tighten controls on agents of harm and unhealthy products. Policies like universal health coverage and screening programme, regular checkup, water and sanitation, and good housing helps in reducing exposure to risk factors. If national public health policy is to be turned around, the country has to embark on a mission to turn tobacco fields into fruit orchards. The policy response must therefore adopt a far-sighted approach and focus on prevention and management. Connecting the dots: What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? Analyse the impact of COPD on the health profile of the country. Elaborate on the need to increase health awareness and infrastructure of healthcare of the country. Critically analyse the impact of the new National Health Policy, 2017 on the health fabric of the country especially with increasing cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). MUST READ Forgotten cogs in the wheels of justice Hindu The GST train chugs along Hindu A call to inaction Indian Express Holding To Ransom Indian Express Smoke and Mirrors: India’s Human Rights report at the United Nations Indian Express Building a robust and resilient cyber system Livemint   The real problem with productivity  Livemint The hazards of farm loan waivers Livemint   Small State theory Business Line   Why are India’s sovereign ratings poor? Business Line  

May 24, 2017 Important Articles

IASbaba’s Revision Module for UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017: International Relations (Very Important)

Hello Friends, How are you all? We hope you are at your best in revision and following 60 Days regularly. Continuing our effort in assisting you in revision, here we present all International Relations related issues in a smart way that will help in consolidating your content in much better manner. Do go through this document and make the best use of it. :) Download- Part 1 Download- Part 2 Also, go through Economic Survey Mind Maps and MCQs Click here Click Here Government Schemes- Click here