May 15, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 15th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 15th May 2017 Archives SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY/NATIONAL 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 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 GM Mustard Introduction Continuous improvement in technology is a vital need for today’s field of operations in any sector. But technology should meet ground realities of safety and security norms globally prescribed. GM foods need more transparency and scientifically sound decision making. GM Foods Genetically modified (GM) foods are foods derived from organisms whose genetic material (DNA) has been modified in a way that does not occur naturally, e.g. through the introduction of a gene from a different organism. Currently available GM foods stem mostly from plants, but in the future foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals are likely to be introduced on the market. Most existing genetically modified crops have been developed to improve yield, through the introduction of resistance to plant diseases or of increased tolerance of herbicides. In the future, genetic modification could be aimed at altering the nutrient content of food, reducing its allergenic potential, or improving the efficiency of food production systems. All GM foods should be assessed before being allowed on the market. FAO/WHO Codex guidelines exist for risk analysis of GM food. Issue: With the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, an Environment Ministry body that evaluates genetically modified crops, approving transgenic mustard for environmental release, a key hurdle remains before farmers can cultivate it. Environment Minister has to approve it, under a procedure set down by the UPA government. In 2009 the GEAC approved Bt brinjal, developed by Mahyco and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, for commercial release. As Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh then overruled the GEAC clearance in 2010 and changed its status from an approval committee to an ‘appraisal’ committee. GM Mustard: The issue before the environment minister now is this: go by the expert findings of the GEAC and decide the issue on scientific merits, or opt for a replay of the Bt brinjal case. Broadly, the then government’s exceptionalism on Bt brinjal was framed along these lines: it was an edible substance unlike Bt cotton; long-term studies may be required to check its safety and environmental impact; it involved technology developed by the multinational Monsanto (which had an indirect stake in Mahyco). On the other hand, GM mustard (DMH-11) was developed by a team of scientists at Delhi University led by former vice-chancellor Deepak Pental under a government-funded project. Conclusion:In essence, it uses three genes from soil bacterium that makes self-pollinating plants such as mustard amenable to hybridisation. This means local crop developers have the equivalent of a platform technology to more easily develop versions of mustard with custom traits such as higher oil content and pest resistance. It has also gone through safety and toxicity tests (on mice) prescribed by the regulator, but this is unlikely to convince opponents of GM technology. Many of them are opposed to the commercial release of any form of transgenic plants; they fear that introducing genes from soil bacterium or other forms of animal life into plants will amount to playing with the natural order of plant life. Proponents of GM crops say plants and animals are constantly swapping bacterial genes with air, soil and water, and also that the only way of determining if a gene can produce proteins toxic to humans is to subject it to a systematic testing process. Years of field tests on transgenic corn, soyabean and brinjal in other countries have shown no health risks that vary with their non-GM versions. The concern that DMH-11 employs a gene that will compel farmers to use specific herbicides and be dependent on one or two companies deserves serious attention. However, these are matters for the government, regulators, labour markets and the courts to decide. Farmers need technology, new knowledge and governmental support to get the best out of their seeds. Without a clear legislation like National Biotechnology Regulatory Bill, 2008 that would enable a biotechnology regulator to take shape, issues to be decided on the basis of science will be at the mercy of political masters. Connecting the dots: Elaborate on the boon and bane of GM food technology for India today.   INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighborhood‐ relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Important International institutions, agencies and fora their structure, mandate China – Belt and Road Initiative Introduction Rise of China is phenomenon of the 21st century dubbed as Asia’s century. Belt and Road Initiative is a bold and global initiative with far reaching implications. India has taken careful view in being part of the same and hence has held back. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) The Belt and Road initiative provides a visionary blueprint for global economic development in the new world order. Taking reference from the historic Silk Road, which transformed the nature of international trade links in ancient times, the Belt and Road Initiative offers a modern-day solution that fosters inclusive growth and development in the 21st century. The Belt and Road refers to the land-based "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the seagoing "21st Century Maritime Silk Road". The routes cover more than 60 countries and regions from Asia to Europe via Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and the Middle East, currently accounting for some 30 per cent of global GDP and more than 35 per cent of the world's merchandise trade. By 2050, the Belt and Road region aims to contribute 80 per cent of global GDP growth, and advance three billion more people into the middle class. Issue: The BRI may have been launched as a 21st century Chinese iteration of the ancient Silk Road on which Marco Polo travelled, but under Xi’s mentorship, its ambition has grown to rival that of Han or Tang dynasty emperors. With an exclusive $40 billion budget, allocated after $100 billion was already promised by the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, 50 Chinese state-owned corporations have been involved in building 1,700 projects — ports, roads, railway lines and industrial parks — along the BRI route. One major artery unfurls across the heart of Central Asia and, cutting through Pakistan, will join up with the Maritime Silk Route on the Indian Ocean and into Africa; Another route will traverse the Mediterranean and end up in Europe. Annual trade is expected to cross $2.5 trillion and enrich more than a billion people. The scale of the project is staggering. India is apprehensive about the challenge — the fact that one element of the BRI, called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, passes through Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, has certainly served to refocus Delhi’s mind not only on the sovereignty question but also on the differential in power with the dragon next door. Certainly, the Chinese economy is five times the size of India, which makes the act of cutting a cheque much easier; especially in the poor economies in India’s neighbourhood, the yuan goes a long way. The question is about how India wants to deal with its “bitter neighbour in the north,” as erstwhile National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra described China after India’s 1998 nuclear tests. Confucius and Xi – a comparison: Confucius, the Chinese thinker, philosopher and strategist, lived about 2,500 years ago, but President Xi Jinping, like the rest of his countrymen and women, seems deeply influenced by him. So when representatives of the unrepentant West, like journalists and diplomats, questioned the motives behind Xi’s mega economic project called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s official news agency, Xinhua, quoted Confucius: He who wants success should enable others to succeed. The fact that Xinhua is quoting an ancient thinker is emblematic of how far the Chinese Communist Party has come in its pursuit of influence worldwide. If India wants to learn out of Confucius’ philosophy and attempt a reset, some of the mutual antagonism could be contained. After all, he who wants success should enable others to succeed Conclusion: It is a reality that good neighbours with peaceful borders are critical for core development of a nation especially in a neighborhood India survives in. Hence while sovereignty should be at the core of the strategy India should also be realistic and grounded to geopolitical interests. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the significance of Belt and Road Initiative. Analyse India’s response in regard to the same. MUST READ Clamping down on crime Hindu   Mixed signals from Toronto Hindu   Getting the model right Hindu   Ball in the Supreme Court Indian Express   A Moment Of Reckoning Indian Express   A new beginning Indian Express   The good neighbour Indian Express   Weak public institutions behind India’s low state capacity Livemint   Repairing the house that Mahalanobis built Livemint   Ring-fencing RBI in a new NPA regime Business Line   Rolling out GST Business Line  

May 15, 2017 RSTV Video

The Big Picture - Layoffs in IT firms: Reasons and Gravity

Layoffs in IT firms: Reasons and Gravity Archives TOPIC:General Studies 3 Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Earlier in April, ASSOCHAM had warned about the industry’s growth prospect and said that aggravated by rising rupee leading to lower realisation of software exports, the IT firms may be forced to displace workplace. Barely a week after this warning, India’s software companies like Wipro and Infosys are in the process of laying off of employees on a massive scale. Also, companies like Cognisant technologies solutions offered its top executives, directors, associate and senior VPs a voluntary severance package as a part of its plan to shift operations to automation and digital technology. The move has come after growth in India’s 150 billion dollar IT industry as slowed down more than anticipated. What is ailing the IT economy? There is a slowdown in the world economy. In addition to it, there is a technological change in the industry. There is a great deal of automation happening and people are trying to generate more revenue per employee as compared to adding more employees to increase revenue. The entire business model is changing within the industry. So earlier, if there were layers of management required to supervise the word done, today, there are softwares which let few people monitor the work being done and the progress and quality of it. So layers of management is ripe for elimination. The global environment for India’s IT industry has become more hostile because of protectionism and fears about job losses. More than that, it is the technology which is disrupting the entire way in which business is conducted. NASCOM has estimated that perhaps 25-30% of low skilled jobs in IT sector may become redundant as a result of digitisation, automation and artificial intelligence. While these layoffs are taking place, it would be important also to have programmes to re-skill these people in ways which would make them employable in the new environment. Various companies rested on too much of success. It did not realise that they had to evolve and change. For example, the technological changes in IT industry are making classical code writing less and less relevant. The new areas emerging are- Big data and Artificial intelligence. There are Indians in USA who are working on big data but there are no Indian companies working on it. The other side is that the companies have not adjusted to the changing application requirements. They were working with the first generations of businesses like banks which went digital. There is new type of requirement which is coming up from new businesses such as e-commerce and social media. Thus, the Indian companies have not been dynamic enough in anticipating market changes. The American system is so open that if somebody anticipated something new happening, can easily become a big person. Thus, there is a need to look at the industry differently. Its not just a service industry in the classical sense. There has to be an ecosystem which is focussed on continuous innovation and dynamism. Employment scenario in India Reports since long have been mentioning that 90% graduates coming out of Indian universities are not ready for jobs. With new technologies, it has become even more necessary to change the education system on how the engineers and technology students are being trained and be job ready for the future. The education approach has been so far of 17 years in school, 4 years higher education and further 2 years of education and then 40 years of job. This process has to be changed and a continuous learning approach has to be adopted where reskilling and skill upgradation happens intermittently. Start-up is the future The new India is embarking upon a new journey in employment with creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurships.     The central and the state government start-up policies are encouraging students and alumni of universities by providing them facilities and funding mechanism. India is one of the most favoured destination for international start-up funding. In next 4-5 years, India could become of the leading countries in startups. Just because there is slowdown in economy and some layoffs, it doesn’t mean India’s IT industry is in crisis. Some of the companies are now moving in the new areas. For example, TCS has started working in Big Data area, HCL is moving into IOT. Thus, companies are resilient enough in understanding the needs of the situation and move up. There are short cuts which companies could adopt such as acquisitions overseas strategically designed to give them better technologies and innovations, hiring more Americansat the top management which give them technological skills to the company. Increasingly in this business, returns are going to intellectual capital and not labour. The ecosystem for innovations will not work if one relies on existing corporations. If US hadn’t allow the garage startups to grow, it would have been stuck with IBM. Today, there is google and Microsoft ruling the world. India has bright people with bright ideas but for an ecosystem for venture capital means there should be person with ideas, entrepreneur who knows how to convert the idea into something marketable and have a financing system which is ready to take a chance and risk. Not many Indianentrepreneurs have set up a venture capital operation. American companies have set up venture capital operations in India but Indian companies have not done that. Good ideas have to be encouraged and the required support should be provided by the government as well as private sector. Way forward There are no short term solutions to this problem. The people who are laid off will either get acquired by other small firms or they have to increase their skills to make themselves employable at promotional level. For the new entrants to graduate colleges and the fresh graduates, they have to learn new skills which will help them in gaining employment. There are many free courses available online and also specialised courses with a fee. As far as companies are concerned, the bigger companies have to start looking for their survival. Innovations are going to come from start-ups. It is not the job of government to protect the companies but the sector and employability. For that, there is a need of ecosystem which allows the start-ups to flourish and grow. The IT industry employs about one million people. So even if 50000 employees are laid off, it is not a big worry has 5% turnover is normal in these big sectors, especially when movement happens along it constantly. More important is the space of expansion of job. Earlier, a company would announce employment of 40000 people. This would give hopes to many. But now, with the growing technology, this kind of job opportunities is difficult. So instead of giving a push to existing companies, boost should be given to new companies who have equal opportunities to create jobs. Many of the H1B visa holders may not be getting extension and may come back to India. This talent should be productively used to create this kind of new ecosystem which will reward not just the wage arbitrage and low hanging fruit advantage but also enable Indian IT companies to move up the value scale. The Indian IT industry has shown the ability to be flexible each time there has been a crisis. There also a revolution in communication technology with 4G services being offered at competitive rates. This will create new opportunities in health care, financial products, education and entertainment. So the real challenge will be to fill the people’s demand to cater to the growing needs. Connecting the dots: Do you agree that Indian IT industry is facing challenges in its survival in global market? Critically analyse the way forward to make the Indian IT industry the top service provider in the world.

May 15, 2017 MindMaps

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue - Sinking Islands

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue - Sinking Islands Archives P.S- Right Click on the image and open it in new tab. From there you can save it in your system.   Reference - Link

May 15, 2017

IASbaba's 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2017 Ancient History & Culture and Current Affairs [Day 43]

Hello Friends So, here we are with the 43rd 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 43]: Ancient History & Culture & CURRENT AFFAIRS  ARCHIVES Q.1) Which of the following Sultanates of Delhi was the first to use Red Sandstone widely for construction Slave dynasty Khilji Dynasty Lodhi Dynasty Sayyid dynasty Q.2) The construction of Hanging Balcony is associated with which of the following style of architecture Mughal style Jaunpur style Rajput style Bijapur style  Q.3) Consider the following statements with reference to the Gandhara School of Arts The sculpture of Gandhara school were made of Red Sandstone Shatavahanas were the chief Patrons of Gandhara school of Arts Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with reference to the Allahabad Pillar inscription It gives a detailed account of the conquests of Samudragupta the inscription is written in Sanskrit language the author of the inscription is Harisena Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 2 and 3 only All of the above Q.5) Consider the following statements with reference to the Miniature Paintings of Mughal era Religious rituals and mythology were the main theme of these miniatures Hunting scenes and the scenes of court were also portrayed in these paintings Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.6) Consider the following statements with reference to the Pahari school of paintings It flourished in the Western Ghats region of India Sense of depth is achieved by the extensive use of shading Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.7) The Pattachitra paintings developed in which of the following regions Andhra Pradesh Karnataka Orissa Kerala Q.8) Consider the following statements with reference to the Thangka Paintings These paintings are primarily found in West Bengal The themes are primarily scenes of Hindu Mythology Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.9) Consider the following statements with reference to the Tanjore paintings These paintings are very richly decorated with glass beads, pearls and precious stones. Extensive use of Gold leaf is the significant feature of these paintings Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.10) Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Paintings style           :           Region Warli painting         :           Maharashtra Manjusha painting :           Gujrat Kalamkari painting :           Andhra Pradesh Choose the correct answer using the codes given below 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 2 and 3 only All of the above Q.11) Consider the following statements with reference to the Pottery of Indus Valley Civilization Painted Black and red ware was the most common type of pottery Pottery was handmade as Harappan people did not know the use of pottery wheel Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.12) Consider the following statements with reference to the Kalighat paintings These paintings originated in Kerala These paintings were generally made using oil paints Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.13) Consider the following statements with reference to the Mathura school of Art Spotted red sandstone was the material used in this school Images belonging only to Buddhism are found in this school of art Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.14) Consider the following statements about the architecture of Tughlaq dynasty Grey sandstone was used in the construction of buildings Buildings of Tughlaq dynasty had elaborate decorations and carvings Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.15) Panchayatan style is associated with which of the following Mughal garden architecture Painting style that originated in Mysore Hindu temple architecture Buddhist Stupa architecture Q.16) 'Al-Nagah’ and ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ are joint bilateral defence exercises between India and which of the following countries? Oman United Arab Emirates Iran Egypt Q.17) India’s first integrated heliport is located in Bangalore Mumbai Delhi Shimla Q.18) Consider the following statements about Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile It is an endo-atmospheric missile developed by the DRDO With both AAD and Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) systems, India has become the fourth country to have developed a multi-layered BMD programme after the US, Russia and Israel Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.19) Consider the following statements about Kolleru Lake It is located between Krishna and Godavari deltas Kolleru Bird Sanctuary has been identified as one of the biggest grey pelican habitats in the world Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.20) Recently, which of the following states gave an official language status to Kurukh language? Bihar West Bengal Odisha Uttarakhand Q.21) Which of the following exchange rate system is being followed in India?? Flexible Exchange Rate System Fixed Exchange Rate System Managed Floating Exchange Rate System Free Floating Exchange Rate System Q.22) Swiss Challenge is concerned with Black Money European Union Social Impact Assessment A process of giving contracts Q.23) Berne Convention is concerned with Human Rights Animal Rights Copyrights Infringement Protection of wetlands Q.24) Which of the following statements is/are correct about ‘Zipf’s Law’? The law claims that the largest city in any country is twice as large as the next one, and three times as big as the third one and so on The law does not hold true for India Both (a) and (b) Neither (a) nor (b) Download The Solution - Click here

May 15, 2017 AIR

All India Radio - Air Pollution- A Serious Health Hazard

Air pollution- a serious health hazard ARCHIVES Search 21st February 2017http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC:General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment In a report by Greenpeace India, 1.2 million deaths take place every year due to air pollution. The report is supposedly based on information available online and RTI applications from SPCB and assessment of air quality performed in 168 cities across 24 states and UTs. Another report has pointed out that Delhi and Patna are amongst the worst polluted cities in the world. However, GOI syas that these exercises are good for academic purposes but may not necessarily reflect the truth. It also added that it will depend more on the studies done by Indian institutions. The never-ending struggle Air pollution problem has increased very severely and over the years its intensity and its seriousness has grown. Many of the international bodies are saying that Delhi is one of the most polluted cities among the world cities. This doesn’t mean that other cities don’t have bad quality but as they don’t have proper measurement mechanism, it is not evaluated enough. However, from whatever data is available, most of the pollutants which have greater consequence, especially the particulate pollutant, breach the safety standard prescribed by CPCB.It should be noted that Indian pollution control boards standards are fairly above the international WHO standards. Even then these standards are breached. Over the years, measures are taken to tackle the situation but pollution continues to threaten. Now large number of deaths are attributed to air pollution. Though they not be 100% correct, but they are frightening statistics. To find out the actual numbers, it requires serious investigation for which neither personnel, nor the time nor the resources is available. India has thermal power plants around cities. The pollutants from these plants reach the cities, thereby polluting them fullest. The usage of furnace oil and other high sulphur oil also creates air pollution. Along with it, there are large mounds of solid waste deposited at 2-3 places around the cities. In the north, especially the farmers in Punjab and Haryana, seasonally burn their crop residues for preparing field for their next crop. This happens during the winter when air becomes heavy and dispersion of the pollutants is very low. This creates pollution at low level with dense smog blanketing the cities, most prominently Delhi. At the time of Diwali, the situation gets worse. The heavy vehicles with BS III and BS II are seriously emitting gases which create dangerous pollution. These are the foremost reasons due to which air pollution levels are constantly above danger levels in many cities. Compare, to improve Often comparison between India and China is made. Reports have said that in China, the deaths linked to air pollution have steadied but have soared in India where smog readings in major cities routinely eclipse safe exposure levels. India has recorded 50% pre mature deaths linked to PM 2.5 that seep in the lungs. This increase has been between 1990 and 2015 which coincides with the economic liberalisation. However, India should not compare itself with china. There is a need to compare it with cities having good quality of air and measures taken to improve it. During the Olympics in china, they ordered all the factories to remain close but as soon as they got over, the pollution levels increased to the previous times. China has serious problems and hence they always seem to take emergency measures to tackle air pollution. The point is that they are able to impose these measures strictly and implementation is very effective which is not the case in India. In India, although on the statute books there are many rules and regulations which really are meant to control pollution but the implementation, the machinery and the equipment required for its implementation is not effective. Finding the solution It is not a question of fine tuning the air pollution numbers, but about taking a precautionary approach where the pollution levels are high. The overall response in the nutritional levels of the general public is very low. Therefore their susceptibility and resistance to air pollution is low. At the same time, the standards are also high and they remain breached for a longer period of time. It has been notified that by March 2017, all vehicles of all descriptions will confirm to BS IV. By 2020, India plans to go to BS 6. This is expected to help India in getting better technology and better fuel standards which will aid to ease pollution levels in air. However it is also a challenge to make the vehicles adhere to the BS IV norms. These issues have to be tackled in a planned manner and make sure that by 2020, not much air pollution, atleast from vehicles is contained. Better and more augmented public transport system is provided to people. Shifting from non-renewable to renewable sources is a time bound process. Solar energy is the most promoted form of renewable energy in India but the technology is still not available at an affordable rate. Till that time, other measures should be taken up such as properly covering construction and demolition sites as they are two major sources of particulates in atmosphere. Most of the vegetation is denuded, deforestation is rampant and soil becomes naked and thus adds to particulate. Thus, measures such as afforestation along the roads, creating green cover in the city areas should be initiated and encouraged. Conclusion Poor are more vulnerable to air quality as they spend maximum time on the roads. Also, it has been reported that health exercises is not going to help neither is any amount of nutrition going to save the lungs because pollutants simply go inside and get arrested. This leads to lung capacity keeping on decreasing. If lungs do not work properly, the blood cannot be purified, and thus growth, mental ability, working capacity all gets stressed. The vulnerable population, children, women and elders, are going to suffer the most from air pollution. Though the research on air pollution is going on in some colleges and universities but not much is really available. More than research, it is a question of implementing what is already known that is more critical. Connecting the dots: Which are the different pollutions affecting environment, especially humans? Elaborate few of them. Also, determine what can be the practical steps to be taken to tackle the same.

May 14, 2017 Important Articles

IASbaba’s Revision Module for UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017: Economic Survey MCQs

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 Economic Survey 2017 most probable and quality MCQs that will help in consolidating your content in much better manner. Do go through this document and make the best use of it. :) Download- Click Here We are sure you have gone through our Mind Maps for Eco-Survey that was published few days before. If not, Click Here  

May 13, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 13th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 13th May 2017 Archives NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Recent controversy regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) Introduction: Electronic Voting Machines (“EVM”) are being used in Indian General and State Elections to implement electronic voting in part from 1999 elections. EVMs have replaced paper ballots in local, state and general (parliamentary) elections in India. Recent political haul is going in country regarding EVM tampering has undermine the sanctity of the electoral process in the democratic country. There were various claims regarding EVM’s tamperability and security which have not been proved. Recent controversy: Recent allegation had questioned the Election commission; it is trying hard these days to re-establish its credibility, the EC has reiterated that EVMs cannot be tampered; with it has made public the findings of inquiries into specific charges of tampering in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan that give a clean chit to the machines. The plea was also sought to probe allegations of alleged tampering of EVMs during polls, including the recent Assembly elections in five states. The plea sought examination of the quality, software or malware and hacking effect in the EVMs from a reliable electronic lab and scientist and software expert. In the wake of several political parties questioning whether electronic voting machines are tamper-proof, the Election Commission now plans to introduce an advanced version of EVM ahead of the 2019 General Elections. What is an EVM and how exactly does it work? EVMs or electronic voting machines provide the voter with a button for each choice which is connected by a cable to an electronic ballot box. An EVM consists of two units--control unit and balloting unit--and these two are connected by a five-meter cable. When a voter presses a button against the candidate he/she wishes to vote for, the machine locks itself. This EVM can be opened only with a new ballot number. This way, EVMs ensure that one person gets to vote only once. Why is India using EVMs? Electronic voting machines have been in use in India since 1999. Using EVMs means doing away with paper ballots, and in turn, saving millions of trees from being cut. It makes the entire process of voting simpler--a click on the button and your vote is registered. EVMs, in the long-run, have turned out to be cost-effective as well. Although the initial cost of an EVM is between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000, the machine, on an average, lasts for 15 years. These machines don't require electricity and run on batteries. At the same time, the EVMs are lighter and portable compared to the huge ballot boxes. And most importantly, EVMs have made the vote-counting process much faster, delivering results in hours as against manual counting of votes which could take days. Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) - a step towards transparency After concerns were raised on whether EVMs are tamper-proof, the Election Commission appointed a committee to look into the possibility of linking the EVMs with VVPAT VVPAT is a small printer like machine attached to EVM which allows to the voters to verify that their vote has been cast correctly. Once a voter casts his vote, a small paper slip containing the name of candidate and poll symbol is generated from VVPAT machine. The paper slip appears for about 10 seconds. After the voter views the receipt, it automatically goes inside a sealed box attached to the EVM. The VVPAT system first introduced during the 2014 general elections by the Election Commission. The system was first largely experimented during Nagaland by-elections in 2013. Among the recently held elections, VVPAT units were used in all 40 the constituencies of Goa, 4 in Uttarakhand , 20 in Uttar Pradesh, 4 in Manipur and 8 in Punjab. VVPAT machines will be used in all polling stations for the general elections in 2019 as the EC has already asked for an additional fund from the government. Way ahead EVMs with VVPAT system ensure the accuracy of the voting system. With intent to have fullest transparency in the system and to restore the confidence of the voters, it is necessary to set up EVMs with VVPAT system because vote is nothing but an act of expression which has immense importance in democratic system. The EVM, just as any other machine, needs to constantly evolve in order to remain secure and workable under any condition while at the same time keeping its operations simple. The introduction of the VVPAT should enable another layer of accountability to the EVM. To seek to improve the use of EVMs and to secure them better is one thing; to call them faulty machines which are being deliberately manipulated by a pliant system that is in cahoots with dominant political actors is another, considering the experience of its use for the past two decades and repeated clarifications and improvements made to them by the ECI. This amounts to delegitimising the entire system of an accountable and independent ECI that conducts elections with the participation of other administrative actors as watchdogs and checks over it. Connecting the dots: There is a strong case for introduction of EVMs with VVPAT system. Write brief note about VVPAT system and how it can help restore the confidence of the voters. Restoring confidence in EVM is not just a legal issue but also holds key to restoring confidence in idea of democracy as a whole. Discuss. MUST READ New technology and old religion Hindu Death penalty comes with the jurisprudence of outrage Hindu Criticism without aadhaar Indian Express New Silk Road Indian Express Let the farmer judge Indian Express  

May 13, 2017 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Sense of Humor – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Sense of Humour: Life need not always be serious and boring; it can be filled with light heartedness and humour. During some of the most testing times of our lives, it is our sense of humour that comes to the rescue. An attitude that allows you to laugh at your mistakes and make jokes out of past failures goes a long way in keeping things in perspective. Sense of humour tells so much more about a person and his mental attitude. It says that he is confident and clear; it says that he knows that seriousness is only a small part of life; it says that he can take a joke on himself; it says that he is fun to be with and he is so much more than what he appears to be. A good sense of humour can win you friends, can help you overcome challenges and hurdles, can help you solve problems; can make life easy and enjoyable. A good sense of humour is probably the best weapon to possess to tackle negativity and cynicism. Here is one joke just to keep things light: SCENE: My teenage daughter and me in the car. Lauren: Dad, do you know what the most commonly used letter in a girl’s name is? Me: Hmm, is it a consonant or a vowel? (Silence.) Please tell me you know what consonants and vowels are. Lauren: You’re no fun, Dad. Forget it. Me: What is a vowel? Lauren: OK, OK. A vowel is … ahh … eh … well, oh … uh … Me: Close enough. Those who have forgotten to laugh at jokes or take a joke on themselves have completely forgotten the true meaning of life. We are here but for a short period of time, what else can be more important than exchanging laughter. All our serious desires get accomplished if we can work towards them sincerely. We don’t have to show everybody that we are serious about something, if we know it within us, it is more than enough. Let us look at those who are keeping things light and enjoyable around us with a sense of admiration and appreciation. It takes a pure and clean soul to make others laugh. If service is what we are here for then those spreading laughter are doing the greatest of service. On a lighter note, rest in peace all those serious souls who have forgotten how to laugh! “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”  

May 13, 2017

IASbaba's 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2017 Environment and Current Affairs [Day 42]

Hello Friends So, here we are with the 42nd 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 42]: ENVIRONMENT & CURRENT AFFAIRS  ARCHIVES Q.1) Since 1970, Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22nd April. Which of the following statements are correct about Earth Day? It aims to encourage people to carry out activities that will benefit the Earth, such as recycling more, using solar power or plant trees. People voluntarily switch off all electrical appliances from 8:30 – 9:30 pm to reduce carbon footprint. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Which of the following countries became the first country to ban all kinds of metal mining in the country? Papua New Guinea El Salvador Peru Cuba Q.3) Kanha Tiger reserve is the first ever reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot to create a better connect with the visitors. The mascot has been named ‘Bhoorsingh’. Which animal does Bhoorsingh represent? Tiger Stag Elephant Rhinoceros Q.4) Environmental Activists across the world focused on a grave but less discussed issue of Photo Pollution (Light Pollution). Which of the following statements are correct about ‘Photo Pollution’? Photo Pollution refers to blocking of natural light of moon at night due to dust and smoke in Urban Areas. It disturbs migratory pattern of birds which use stars to navigate. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) The theme for World’s Wetland Day is ‘Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction’. Mangroves are important wet lands, which of the following roles are played by Mangroves? Help in reducing coastal erosion. Acts as a buffer zone between sea surges and land during storms. Reduces the intensity of Tsunami waves. Helps in reducing the salinity of coastal waters Select the code from below: 1,2 and 3 2,3 and 4 2 and 3 All of the above Q.6) India has recently ratified the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol. Which of the following statements are correct about Kyoto Protocol? It was adopted in 1997 to fight Global warming. The protocol is based on principle of Equity and Common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. All the signatories of the protocol have mandatory binding targets. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.7) Consider the following statements: In Meeting of Parties (MoP) of Montreal Protocol at Kigali, HFCs have been included in the list of chemicals under Montreal Protocol. HFCs are the severe Ozone depleting substances. India has promised to completely stop the use and production of HFCs by 2020. Which of the above statements are incorrect? 1 only 2 and 3 3 only All of the above Q.8) Pygmy hog is the smallest specie of pig found in India and is critically endangered. Which of the following statements are correct about Pygmy hog? It is found in the grasslands of Rajasthan. Pygmy hog sucking louse is a parasite found on Pygmy hog which is also critically endangered. Pygmy Hog conservation program was started in 1995 to prevent the extinction of species. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.9) Recently World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee. Consider the following statements regarding WSDS: It was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). It underscored need for businesses and private sector to take lead in poverty reduction and to ensure rapid and sustained adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Which of the above statements are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.10) A new species of Pika has been discovered in Sikkim. Which of the following statements are correct about Pikas? Pikas are the members of rat family. Since they occupy colder regions they hibernate during winters. It has the longest tail with respect to body in the animal kingdom. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 None of the above Q.11) According to the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), which of the following states have the highest number of flowering plants? Uttarakhand Jammu and Kashmir Kerala Tamil Nadu Q.12) Udaipur Declaration under BRICS is targeted to increase the cooperation in the field of: Disaster Management Soil Conservation Trade of Living organism Genetic Engineering Q.13) Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established in 2007 to fight the organized Wildlife crime in India. Which of the following statements regarding WCCB are correct? It is a statutory body established by Amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. It comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forest. A Centralised Wildlife Crime data bank has been established by WCCB. Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.14) Consider the following statements about West Nile fever It is a mosquito-borne infection West Nile Virus (WNV) was first identified in Uganda Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.15) Consider the following statements Blue carbon is the carbon captured by the world's oceans and coastal ecosystems. Blue Carbon Initiative is coordinated by Conservation International (CI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) only Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are found along the coasts of every continent except Antarctica Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.16) Consider the following statements about National Regulatory Authority of India (NRA) NRA of India comprises of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), State Drug Regulatory Authorities, Pharmaco-vigilance Programme of India (PvPI) and Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) structures at the Central and States levels Indian NRA has been declared ‘functional’ with a maturity level of 4 A fully functional NRA is a pre-requisite for WHO pre-qualification of vaccines Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.17) Consider the following statements about Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Assam Rifles and the Coast Guard are outside the AFT’s purview The Judicial Members are retired High Court Judges Administrative Members are retired Members of the Armed Forces who have held rank of Major General for a period of three years or more or Judge Advocate General (JAG), who have held the appointment for at least one year Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.18) Consider the following statements about Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) It is chaired by the Prime Minister of India The committee is composed of Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister in-charge of the concerned Ministry Select the correct statements Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.19) Which of the following statements is/are correct about Lord Dalhousie? Second Anglo-Sikh War was fought when he served as Governor General of India First railway line between Bombay and Thane was opened during his tenure Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.20) The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Delhi has adopted first-of-its-kind Green Building Performance Monitoring Platform - 'Arc'. Consider the following statements It is developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Arc can be applied to both LEED-certified and non-certified buildings Which of the following statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.21) Recently launched TAMRA Portal and Mobile Application is concerned with which of the following sector? Textiles Mining Steel Telecommunication Q.22) Bajaj Committee is concerned with Krishna River water sharing Narmada River water sharing Godavari River water sharing None of the above Download The Solution - Click here

May 13, 2017 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs 12th May, 2017

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 12th May 2017 Archives NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 1 Urbanization, their problems and their remedies. General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Swachhta Survekshan 2017 Introduction Cities are the engines of growth and urban India contribute to about 70% of country’s GDP. For cities to continue their contribution and provide quality of life to citizens, urban cleanliness is of central importance. Swachh Survekshan In order to foster a healthy competition between cities for improving cleanliness standards, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) started the “Swachh Survekshan” survey, ranking of cities on cleanliness and other aspects of urban sanitation, in 2016 which ranked 73 cities across the country. On the same lines, MoUD initiated “Swachh Survekshan” 2017 which was a survey to rank 500 cities of India. The performance evaluation of the Swachh survekshan is conducted by Quality Council of India (QCI), an autonomous body established by Government of India in 1997 for Quality assurance in all spheres of activities including Governance. Issue: Swachh Survekshan 2017, a survey which ranked 500 cities for their cleanliness, drew criticism for allegedly being biased towards BJP-ruled States. It showed that Indore in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh had emerged the cleanest city in the country, followed by Bhopal, and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Of the top 50 cities, 23 belong to BJP-ruled MP and Gujarat, and eight are from Andhra Pradesh which is ruled by NDA ally the TDP. At the same time, relatively cleaner cities in Kerala or Goa were pushed down. But there’s also a deeper problem. As the Centre for Science and Environment points out, the survey’s gives undue weightage to centralised waste management methods such as landfill and waste-to-energy plants, ignoring decentralised approaches such as waste segregation, and recycling and reuse. Evidently, cities that promoted a fairly centralised, top-down approach to waste management were given priority over those that had taken a participatory, decentralised approach. This is not a sound understanding of the cleanliness for large urban base like India. For one, such a ranking will encourage unsustainable approaches to waste management. Panjim in Goa and Alappuzha in Kerala advocating decentralised waste management based on household level segregation, recycling and reuse, were ranked low. Alappuzha has an impressive decentralised model lauded by several agencies: it ranks a poor 380 in the survey, while, Surat, which dumps 1,600 tonnes of unsegregated, unprocessed garbage every day in a landfill, is ranked fourth. All three top cities dump unsegregated waste. They turn a blind eye to the requirements of the Municipal Solid Waste Rules 2016 which direct that waste needs to be segregated into three categories at the household level — wet, dry and domestic hazardous. Further, the Rules stipulate that waste to energy plants should not burn mixed waste. Landfills are the least preferred option. Clearly, the methodology is based on incorrect parameters. The Government would do better to encourage sustainable practices such as segregation at source, and recycle and reuse Conclusion: A competitive approach to promote healthy practices is encouraged. But the competition should be based on sound parameters and scientifically tested. Else the intended results can turn wayward. Connecting the dots: Critically analyse the significance of a measure like Swachhta Survekshan and the impact of the same on urban fabric of India.   NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Private schools need to be regulated Introduction: Across the country, media has been abuzz with stories of the exploitative fees of private schools and the efforts of some state governments to intervene. This is a national malady and it needs to be cured. The cure requires that we recognize that education is a quasi-public good that cannot be delivered effectively through market mechanisms. The ideal would have been a high-quality, equitable, common public school system. Need for more effective regulation Poor governance in education allows concentrated oligopolies to develop. Oligopoly is a market structure in which a small number of firms has the large majority of market share. An oligopoly is similar to a monopoly, except that rather than one firm, two or more firms dominate the market. This manifests in many ways, including in the quality of education having no relation to the fees that parents pay. The nexus between bad governance and bad schools crowds out good education. We should recognize that the regulation of schools is the domain of state governments. The regulatory mandate must be limited to only the minimal essentials. Regulation need have only two goals. One, that all private and public schools meet standards in basic academic and operational aspects: for example, the number of teachers and their qualifications, classrooms, safety. The other goal should be to protect the public from the exploitative practices of schools. Way ahead: With over 250,000 private schools spread everywhere, and our current sociopolitical culture, any regulatory mechanism will be far from perfect. However, some possible solutions include - The states must form an independent, quasi-judicial school regulatory body. Today, the state departments of education are conflicted as they are regulators and also the largest operators of schools. An independent body protected from political and bureaucratic interference will enable efficiency through focus, improve probity by forcing transparency, and increase accountability. Such bodies will not be perfect, but would be a substantial improvement. The school regulator must demand that schools be not-for-profit, as required by law. And for substantiating this, annual financial audits, executed with the same rigour as in companies, must be required. Accounting standards need to be developed for schools with the objective of eliminating practices that are often used for skimming money from such not-for-profit entities: for example, “management” cannot be outsourced. Again, this won’t be perfect, because our audit ecosystem is not perfect. But then, we have nothing better. Schools must publish their fees publicly every year for the following three years, and thereafter no changes should be permitted. Fees must not be capped. There is no way of determining appropriate levels for capping, and any such effort will provide room for more corruption. A grievance redressal mechanism for parents should be made available, on stability of fees, other financial matters and safety. The quasi-judicial status of the regulator will enable this. Gujrat model To prevent private schools from charging exorbitant fees in absence of clear laws, the Gujarat government announced to bring a Bill providing for constitution of a Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC). The bill empowers the state government to constitute four Fee Regulatory Committees for four zones, “for the purpose of determination of fee for admission to any standard or course of study in self financed schools”. This committee will be headed by a Chairman, who can be either a retired district and sessions judge or a retired IPS or All India Services officer. The committee will have jurisdiction over all the private schools, right from pre-primary to higher secondary private schools affiliated to Gujarat Board or CBSE. The fee structure proposed in the bill for primary, secondary and higher secondary school is Rs 15,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs 27,000 per year, respectively. Schools will have to put up the fees approved by the FRC on its notice board and website. The FRC has been given wide powers to verify the justifications given by private schools for the fees being charged by them. The committee will have the powers to initiate inquiry suo moto against any school which is found to be charging excess fees. As per the Bill, aggrieved persons can also register their complaints against a private school. In case of violation of the Act, the concerned school can face punitive steps which can include derecognition. Connecting the dots: There is a strong case for regulation of private schools. What in your opinion should be the model policy framework for education in India? Suggest. The present status of school education in India leaves a lot to be desired. Do you agree? Critically examine why there is a need for more effective regulation of private school fees. MUST READ TB timelines Hindu   New technology and old religion Hindu   What’s in a generic name? Hindu   Error of judgement Indian Express   Cure lies elsewhere Indian Express   Once upon a river Livemint   The future of electric vehicles in India Livemint   Why some Indian companies are tigers abroad, lambs at home Livemint   China’s One Belt, One Road gamble Business Line