Aug 22, 2022 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 22nd August 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) – CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions.To take the Test Click Here

Aug 22, 2022 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies 2 Questions [22nd August, 2022] – Day 55

Hello Students  TLP has been an integral ingredient of success for many toppers and is no secret. In the ‘must do’ list for the civil services exam, TLP is by far the most popular initiative. The popularity stems from the unparalleled quality of questions and synopsis posted in TLP. We strive hard to ensure that you get the real feel of UPSC standards before you write the Mains. You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, in the TLP initiative, we post 5 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (11 for this one). We follow a micro plan that is designed to give you daily targets. The questions are from the day’s syllabus and also from current affairs and you are expected to write the answers and post them on the portal. This year onwards TLP will have a Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation (tlpmains.iasbaba.com). There will be a separate dedicated portal similar to (The RaRe Series) which students loved and appreciated. The Portal will help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. We are charging a token amount of 10/- for registration to the dedicated portal. We are doing it because we want to create a community of sincere aspirants who are focused and motivated till the Mains Examination. Please don’t take it otherwise. It is our honest effort to give you the best and at the same time expect students to come with the same energy and dedication to the dedicated platform specially designed for YOU! Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. UPSC 2023 Aspirants are encouraged to participate as well. Register Here – CLICK HERE  To Know More About TLP 2022 (Phase 2) – CLICK HERE To Access Day 55 Questions – CLICK HERE  P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm every day. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each other’s answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best 

Aug 20, 2022 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th August 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) Har Ghar Jal Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Government Schemes Mains – GS 2 (Governance); GS 3 (Development) In News: Prime Minister congratulated the Goa government for becoming the first state to be Har Ghar Jal certified, which means every household in the state had a piped water connection. Union Territories of Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu had achieved the feat as well. Jal Jeevan Mission Launched in 2019, it envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. It comes under Jal Shakti Ministry. The mission ensures functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing as well as sustainable agriculture. It also ensures conjunctive use of conserved water; drinking water source augmentation, drinking water supply system, grey water treatment and its reuse. Features: JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level. Creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse, is undertaken in convergence with other government programmes/schemes. The Mission is based on a community approach to water and includes extensive Information, Education and Communication as a key component of the mission. Implementation: Paani Samitis plan, implement, manage, operate and maintain village water supply systems. These consist of 10-15 members, with at least 50% women members and other members from Self-Help Groups, Accredited Social and Health Workers, Anganwadi teachers, etc. The committees prepare a one-time village action plan, merging all available village resources. The plan is approved in a Gram Sabha before implementation. Funding Pattern: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. The following components are supported under JJM Efforts should be made to source funds from different sources/ programmes and convergence is the key. Development of in-village piped water supply infrastructure to provide tap water connection to every rural household. Development of reliable drinking water sources and/ or augmentation of existing sources to provide long-term sustainability of water supply system. Wherever necessary, bulk water transfer, treatment plants and distribution network to cater to every rural household Technological interventions for removal of contaminants where water quality is an issue Retrofitting of completed and ongoing schemes to provide FHTCs at minimum service level of 55 lpcd; Greywater management Support activities, i.e. HRD, training, development of utilities, water quality laboratories, water quality testing & surveillance, R&D, knowledge centre, capacity building of communities, etc. Any other unforeseen challenges/ issues emerging due to natural disasters/ calamities which affect the goal of FHTC to every household by 2024. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) Which of the following are the objectives of ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017) To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers. To reduce the incidence of anemia among young children, adolescent girls and women. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs. Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 4 only 3 and 4 only Recife Political Declaration Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs In News: In line with the World health Organisation’s (WHO’s) global strategy on “Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030”, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued draft guidelines to improve the working conditions of all categories of nurses in all healthcare institutions across India. The Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 In May 2014, the 67th World Health Assembly, adopted this resolution as a follow-up of the Recife Political Declaration on Human Resources for Health. Member States requested the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop and submit a new global strategy for human resources for health (HRH) for consideration by the 69th World Health Assembly. The Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 is primarily aimed at planners and policy-makers of Member States. However, its contents are of value to all relevant stakeholders in the health workforce area. Which includes public and private sector employers, professional associations, education and training institutions, labour unions, bilateral and multilateral development partners, international organizations, and civil society This framework identifies the health worker competencies needed to provide quality, integrated, people-centred, health-promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care services This provides key principles required for effective interprofessional collaborative practice, including recommendations for policy and governance structures, health system infrastructures, and education programmes and opportunities. Source: Business-standard.com Previous Year Question Q.1) Consider the following pairs: (2020) International agreement/set-up        Subject Alma-Ata Declaration – Healthcare of the people Hague Convention – Biological and chemical weapons Talanoa Dialogue – Global climate change Under2 Coalition – Child rights Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? 1 and 2 only 4 only 1 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022-23 Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Government Schemes Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022-23 Recently Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds in tranches for 2022-23. The SGB scheme was launched in November 2015 with an objective to reduce the demand for physical gold and shift a part of the domestic savings – used for the purchase of gold – into financial savings. The Gold Bonds are issued as Government of India Stock under the Government Securities (GS) Act, 2006. These are issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India. Bonds are sold through Commercial banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges, National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange, either directly or through agents. The bonds are restricted for sale to resident individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), trusts, universities and charitable institutions. Issue Price: Gold bond prices are linked to the price of gold of 999 purity (24 carats) published by India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), Mumbai. A fixed rate of 2.5% per annum is applicable on the scheme, payable semi-annually. The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of Income Tax Act, 1961. Investment Limit: Minimum permissible investment is 1 gram of gold. Gold bonds can be purchased in the multiples of one unit, up to certain thresholds for different investors. The upper limit for retail (individual) investors and HUFs is 4 kilograms (4,000 units) each per financial year. For trusts and similar entities, an upper limit of 20 kilograms per financial year is applicable. Term The gold bonds come with a maturity period of eight years, with an option to exit the investment after the first five years. Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual has been exempted. Source: Pib.Gov Previous Year Question Q.1) What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization Scheme’? (2016) To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy. To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector. To reduce India’s dependence on gold imports. Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) With reference to the Indian economy, what are the advantages of “Inflation-Indexed Bonds (IIBs)”? (2022) Government can reduce the coupon rates on its borrowing by way of IIBs. IIBs provide protection to the investors from uncertainty regarding inflation. The interest received as well as capital gains on IIBs are not taxable. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Lord Curzon Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – History Context: The Bardhhaman municipality has decided to erect a statue of Bardhhaman’s Maharaja Bijay Chand Mahatab and his wife Radharaniin front of the landmark Curzon Gate in the city. This imperialist former viceroy continues to trigger outrage and revulsion 117 years after he left India. Who was Lord Curzon? Born in 1859, George Nathaniel Curzon was a British conservative politician who was educated at the elite institutions of Eton and Oxford. He served as Under-Secretary of State for India (1891-1892), and for Foreign Affairs (1895-1898), before being appointed Viceroy of India in 1899. Of all the Viceroys of India, Curzon is possibly the most criticised — he is the man who partitioned Bengal in 1905, and triggered a wave of Bengali nationalism that contributed to the wider Indian national movement. 1900, Curzon famously stated, “We could lose all our [white settlement] dominions and still survive, but if we lost India, our sun would sink to its setting”. Why was he disliked then? A staunch imperialist, he took a series of extremely unpopular measures, including passing, in 1899, the Calcutta Municipal Amendment Act which reduced the number of elected representatives in the Calcutta Corporation. The Indian Universities Act (1904), that placed Calcutta University under government control, and the Indian Official Secrets Amendment Act (1904) that reduced the freedom of the press even further. He believed that the Indian National Congress had lost its influence and appeal amongst the Indians, and in 1900 declared that the organisation was “tottering to its fall”. Ironically though, it was his biggest and most reviled decision — to partition Bengal in 1905 — that led to a spurt in nationalist sentiment and revitalized the Congress. How and why did the partition of Bengal take place? Calcutta was the capital of the British Raj, and Bengal Presidency was one of the largest provinces in India. Calcutta was the nerve centre of the educated nationalists, the resistance to colonial rule Home Secretary H H Risley noted in 1904, “Bengal united is a power; Bengal divided will pull in several different ways.” In July 1905, Curzon announced the partition of Bengal into two provinces. East Bengal and Assam, with a population of 38 million, was predominately Muslim, while the western province, called Bengal, was reduced to 55 million people, primarily Hindus. Protests began almost immediately after the announcement, with meetings taking place in more than 300 cities, towns, and villages across Bengal. What were the consequences of the partition? In opposition to the partition, nationalist leaders organized a campaign of boycott of British goods and institutions, and encouraged the use of local products. After a formal resolution was passed at a meeting in Calcutta in August 1905, the Swadeshi movement began. Swadeshi Movement Students were at the forefront of the movement, which was characterized by boycotts of British educational institutions and law courts, and large bonfires of imported cotton textiles. There was a surge in nationalist rhetoric, and the song ‘Bande Mataram’, set to music by Rabindranath Tagore, became the informal anthem of the movement. The Swadeshi movement and boycott was soon spread other parts of the country, including Punjab, Maharashtra, and parts of the Madras Presidency. Several secret societies, such as the Anushilan Samiti of Bengal, sought to overthrow British rule through violent means. Revolutionary groups used bombs, attempted to assassinate colonial officials, and engaged in armed robberies to finance their activities. In 1905, Curzon resigned and returned to England after losing a power struggle with the commander-in-chief of the British Army, Lord Kitchener. The protests continued after his exit, and the colonial government in 1911 announced the reunification of Bengal, and the capital of the Raj was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) With reference to the Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements: (2018) It contributed to the revival of the indigenous artisan crafts and industries. The National Council of Education was established as a part of the Swadeshi Movement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until (2014) The First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended. King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911. Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement. The Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan. Corruption Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance); GS 4 (Ethics) Context: The CBI and Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) are investigating allegations that the Delhi excise department that allowed a waiver of Rs 144.36 crore to the liquor cartel on the tendered licence fee, and that funds were ‘diverted to public servants’. The CBI has named 15 individuals in its FIR filed in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. then Delhi Excise Commissioner and two other senior excise department officials were instrumental in recommending and taking decisions pertaining to excise policy for the year 2021-22 without approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licencees post tender. Corruption in India “Just as it is impossible not to taste the honey that finds itself in the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government assistant not to eat up, at least a bit of King’s revenue.” – Kautilya Corruption is dishonest behavior by those in positions of power. It starts with the tendency of using public office for some personal benefit. Moreover, it is unfortunate that corruption has, for many, become a matter of habit. It is so deeply entrenched that corruption is now considered a social norm. Hence, corruption implies the failure of ethics. Status of corruption in India India ranks 85th rank in corruption perception index of 2021. Country’s score has remained stagnant over the past decade, some of the mechanisms that could help reign in corruption are weakening. CPI highlighted that unfair and opaque political financing, undue influence in decision-making and lobbying by powerful corporate interest groups, has resulted in stagnation or decline in the control of corruption. Causes of corruption Legacy issues Rampant poverty and empty coffers of the government at the dawn of independence leading to chronic low salaries of the government officials Pre liberalization license permit raj catered by Monopolies and restrictive trade practices facilitated the corruption. The lack of economic freedom led to abuse of the system. Necessities of development overshadowed vigilance procedures. Political system Use of black money in elections to win at any cost creates the need for the recovery of that cost through malpractices. Election funding is not transparent making it prone to the usage of black money and funding based on quid pro quo. It leads to crony capitalism, an unholy nexus between politicians and corporates. Criminalization of politics- when the rule-breakers become rule makers, the casualty is the rule of law. Economic structure Low levels of formalization (merely 10%) of the economy breed black money. Stringent compliance rules for entry and exit for businesses result in bribery. Unequal distribution of wealth – Transparency International data suggests that corruption is directly proportionate to the economic gap in a nation. Legal lacunae Archaic laws like IPC 1860 don’t capture the complexities of administration and lead to the escape of wrongdoers. Lacunae in the Lokpal act and delays in the appointments both at the state and central levels Dilution of the RTI act and political misuse of CBI and other agencies. Administrative lacunae Loopholes give discretionary powers to the officials making working prone to corruption. Lack of resources, funding, infrastructure and manpower in the vigilance institutions. Lack of incorporation of standard practices by organizations like Banks, sports organizations which results in multi-billion-rupee scams. g. Punjab National Bank scam, commonwealth scam. Judicial delays Lack of protection to good Samaritans Targeting of upright and non-corrupt officials and rewards to corrupt officials Near non-existent whistleblowers protection Social problems The mindset of the citizenry that doesn’t look at the problems seriously and even accepts it as a necessary part of the system. Increasing consumerism in the new middle class that is ready to bribe to get things done. Failure of social morality, education system to inculcate the values Impacts of corruption Hindrances to developmental process Loss of wealth due to corruption and siphoning away of taxpayers’ money leave little to spend in the social sector. Corruption in the social sectors like PDS, health and education schemes lead to demographic disadvantage. Economic loss Undermines ease of doing business. Corruption in the public services sector carries high risks for conducting good businesses. Companies are likely to unwanted red tapes, petty corruption, bribes for finalizing any procedures or deals. Wrong allocation policies result in undervaluation of resources like Coal blocks, Hydrocarbon projects, Spectrum allocation. Eg. 2G scam, Coalgate. This mismanagement of resources leads to environmental degradation and exploitation. Corruption of financial sector officials like Banks, the stock market erodes the strength of the economy. E.g. PNB scam, PMC scam, Harshad Mehta scandal Social sector losses Corruption in government projects targeting poor and vulnerable section of the society increases the economic gap between the rich and the poor The corrupt system denies the poor a chance to improve their status rendering them eternally poor Legal Framework for Fighting Corruption: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 provides for penalties in relation to corruption by public servants and also for those who are involved in the abetment of an act of corruption. Amendment of 2018 criminalised both bribe-taking by public servants as well as bribe giving by any person. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 aims to prevent instances of money laundering and prohibits use of the ‘proceeds of crime’ in India. The Companies Act, 2013 provides for corporate governance and prevention of corruption and fraud in the corporate sector. The term ‘fraud’ has been given a broad definition and is a criminal offence under the Companies Act. The Indian Penal Code, 1860 sets out provisions which can be interpreted to cover bribery and fraud matters, including offences relating to criminal breach of trust and cheating. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 regulates the acceptance and use of foreign contributions and hospitality by individuals and corporations. Regulatory Framework: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 provides for an establishment of an ombudsman for the central and state governments (Lokpal and Lokayuktas, respectively). These bodies are required to act independently from the government and have been empowered to investigate allegations of corruption against public servants, which include the prime minister and other ministers. The Central Vigilance Commission is mandate is to oversee the vigilance administration and to advise and assist the executive in matters relating to corruption. Way forward There is a need for windfall reforms in each and every section of the system to fight the menace. Every aspect of governance must be improved for efficiency, economy, and effectiveness. Electoral reforms Imposing limits on the overall expenditure of the political parties. Making state funding of elections a reality. Empowering ECI by giving legal force to MCC and making paid news a criminal offence. Strengthening of autonomous institutions Protecting the autonomy of CIC-giving him/her a constitutional status Eliminate overlapping of jurisdiction- e.g. Lokpal and CBI Administrative reforms Establishing the Civil Service Board to curb the excessive political control over the administration. Conducting periodic sensitivity training for the civil servants. Simplifying the disciplinary proceedings and strengthening preventive vigilance within the departments to ensure corrupt civil servant do not occupy the sensitive position. Police and judicial reforms– implementation of Prakash Singh recommendations. Governance reforms e-gov apart from advancing the good governance objectives of accountability and transparency also seeks to reduce the manual interface between state and citizen thus preventing the incidences of bribery Drives like Digital India projects like Government e-Marketplace must be implemented. Enactment of the right to service act. E.g. Rajasthan social accountability bill Economic reforms Negating legal lacunae in banking, stock market legislations. Improving corporate governance by implementing corporate governance committee reports Formalization of the economy Social sector improvements Awareness of citizenry by training them in RTI act, Citizens charter, social audits. Increasing democratization of the masses. Curriculum reforms to inculcate values even in higher education by which youngsters acquire high standards of ethical mindset. Integrity, transparency, and fight against corruption have to be part of the culture. They must be thought of as fundamental values of the society we live in. In India, some recent anti-corruption initiatives have been taken. For example, various Supreme Court’s ruling in pursuit of curbing criminalization of politics, many e-governance initiatives will improve transparency and accountability. These measures are indeed steps in the right direction, but bringing behavioural change in society will act as the most potent weapon against corruption. Source: Indian Express India-Thailand Relations Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (International Relations) In News: The External Affairs Minister attended the ninth India-Thailand joint commission meeting. India-Thailand India’s bilateral relations with Thailand are rooted in history, age-old social and cultural interactions, and extensive people to people contacts. The classical Sanskrit and Pali texts from India carry references of the region using various names such as Kathakosha, Suvarnabhumi (the land of God) or Suvarnadvipa (the golden island). A French scholar named George Coedes coined the term ‘Farther India’ to refer to those states that experienced “the civilising activity of India’. Geographically, it refers to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and the Malay states. In the past two decades, with regular political exchanges, growing trade and investment, India’s ties with Thailand have now evolved into a comprehensive partnership. India’s ‘Act East’ policy has been complemented by Thailand’s ‘Act West’ policy in bringing the two countries closer India’s religious links to Thailand The most important influence of India on Southeast Asia was in the field of religion and how Shivaism, Vaishnavism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, and later Sinhalese Buddhism came to be practised in the region. The Mon kings of Dvaravati and the Khmers had patronised Buddhism and built several Buddhist edifices, but at the same time had also adopted Brahmanical customs and practises. Apart from the popular Brahmanical deitiesof Ganesh, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, those that are largely absent in Indian socio-religious landscape, such as Indra are also worshiped in Thailand. Although there is no archaeological evidence of the story of Rama in Thailand, but the Ayutthaya in Central Thailand, which emerged in the 10th century CE, is derived from Ayodhya, birthplace of Lord Rama. Cultural Cooperation: The nationalist historian RC Majumdar, for instance, noted that “the Hindu colonists brought with them the whole framework of their culture and civilisation and this was transplanted in its entirety among the people who had not emerged from their primitive barbarism”. Many local languages in the region, including Thai, Malay, and Javanese contain words of Sanskrit, Pali and Dravidian origin in significant proportions. The Thai language is written in script derived from Southern Indian Pallava alphabet. The Thai language translation of the Constitution of India was launched by the President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand in March 2021 at an event organised by the Embassy under the banner of India@75. Indian Diaspora in Thailand: There are an estimated 250,000 people of Indian origin in Thailand, many of them having lived in the country for several generations. Economic & Commercial Partnership: The bilateral trade and investment between our countries is robust and growing. Our bilateral trade was US$ 12.12 billion in 2019 and it reached US$ 9.76 billion in 2020 despite the pandemic situation. Connectivity: The number of Thai tourists to India was close to 160,000 (mainly to Buddhist pilgrimage sites). India and Thailand are closely cooperating on improving regional connectivity through initiatives such as India- Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Asian Highway Network (under UNESCAP), BTILS under BIMSTEC framework. Defence Cooperation: Since 2015, India is participating in Ex-Cobra Gold, the largest Asia Pacific Military exercise as ‘Observer Plus’s category. Bilateral exercises are held annually between the armed forces of both countries. Exercise MAITREE (Army). Exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Force). Multilateral Forum Cooperation Both countries are important regional partners linking South and Southeast Asia. They cooperate closely in the ASEAN, East Asia Summit (EAS), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi- Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) groupings , Mekong Gang Cooperation (MGC), and Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), The Indo-Thai relation today is not just looked upon from the angle of socio-cultural ties. Since the relation in today’s context has become very comprehensive in its scope. This bilateral engagement has the potential to foster growth not only restricted to the two nations but for the entire region. This is very much evident given the fact that cooperation in the areas of security, economic, and connectivity being interconnected, would also have the same level of impact on the neighbouring States and the region. Source: Indian Express Daily Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) Consider the following statements about Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2022-23 These are issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India. The bonds are restricted for sale to resident individuals and charitable institutions only. The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of Income Tax Act, 1961. Bonds cannot be used as collateral for loans. Choose the incorrect statements: 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 2 and 4 3 and 4 Q.2) Which of the following legislation was passed during the tenure of Lord Curzon? Indian Official Secrets Amendment Act, 1904 Calcutta Municipal Amendment Act Indian Universities Act, 1904 Choose the correct code: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements Jal Jeevan Mission envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household by 2024. Paani Samitis plan and implement village water supply systems. The plan prepared by Paani Samitis has to be approved in a Gram Sabha before implementation. Choose the correct statements: 1 only 1 and 2 2 only 1, 2 and 3 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’20th August 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs. ANSWERS FOR 19th August 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – b Q.2) – d Q.3) – a table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

Aug 20, 2022 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 20th August 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) – CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions.To take the Test Click Here

Aug 20, 2022 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – Essay Questions [20th August, 2022] – Day 54

Hello Students  TLP has been an integral ingredient of success for many toppers and is no secret. In the ‘must do’ list for the civil services exam, TLP is by far the most popular initiative. The popularity stems from the unparalleled quality of questions and synopsis posted in TLP. We strive hard to ensure that you get the real feel of UPSC standards before you write the Mains. You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, in the TLP initiative, we post 5 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (11 for this one). We follow a micro plan that is designed to give you daily targets. The questions are from the day’s syllabus and also from current affairs and you are expected to write the answers and post them on the portal. This year onwards TLP will have a Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation (tlpmains.iasbaba.com). There will be a separate dedicated portal similar to (The RaRe Series) which students loved and appreciated. The Portal will help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. We are charging a token amount of 10/- for registration to the dedicated portal. We are doing it because we want to create a community of sincere aspirants who are focused and motivated till the Mains Examination. Please don’t take it otherwise. It is our honest effort to give you the best and at the same time expect students to come with the same energy and dedication to the dedicated platform specially designed for YOU! Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. UPSC 2023 Aspirants are encouraged to participate as well. Register Here – CLICK HERE  To Know More About TLP 2022 (Phase 2) – CLICK HERE To Access Day 54 Questions – CLICK HERE  P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm every day. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each other’s answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best 

Aug 19, 2022 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th August 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) Inflation target breach Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Economy In News: The Reserve Bank of India will call a special meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in October to discuss a report it will have to submit to the Union government explaining the reasons for the average retail inflation remaining above the upper tolerance limit of 6 per cent for three consecutive quarters. The Union government, in consultation with the RBI, fixes the inflation target for the central bank every five years. It had fixed it at 4 per cent plus/ minus 2 per cent (upper limit 6 per cent, lower limit 2 per cent) for the period August 5, 2016 to March 31, 2021, and retained it for the next five years ending March 31, 2026. A monetary policy framework was signed between RBI and government on February 20, 2015. The RBI Act, 1934, was amended in May 2016, giving effect to this framework agreement. The framework agreement requires the RBI to submit a report to the Union government if it is in breach of the inflation targets for three consecutive quarters. In eight years, this will be the first time the RBI would have let retail inflation slip beyond the upper tolerance limit of 6 per cent for three straight quarters. The average retail inflation in January-March 2022 and April-June 2022, according to data released by the National Statistics Office, was 6.34 per cent and 7.28 per cent, respectively. The data for August and September is scheduled to be released on September 12 and October 12, respectively. Upon failing to meet the inflation target, the RBI, would have to state the reasons for failure to achieve the target, propose remedial actions to bring it down to 4 per cent, and also provide an estimate of the time-period within which the target would be achieved. These would be presented in a report to the Union Ministry of Finance. The sources said, it would be up to the government to make the RBI report public. The special meeting of the MPC would discuss the RBI report before it is submitted. Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Under Section 45ZB of the amended RBI Act, 1934, the central government is empowered to constitute a six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The Section 45ZB lays down that “the Monetary Policy Committee shall determine the Policy Rate required to achieve the inflation target”. Composition: Section 45ZB says the MPC shall consist of 6 members: RBI Governor as its ex officio chairperson, Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy, An officer of the Bank to be nominated by the Central Board, Three persons to be appointed by the central government. This category of appointments must be from “persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge and experience in the field of economics or banking or finance or monetary policy”. Must Read: Various Instruments of Monetary Policy Source: Indian Express The Hindu Previous Year Question Q.1) Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)? (2017) It decides the RBI’s benchmark interest rates. It is a 12-member body including the Governor of RBI and is reconstituted every year. It functions under the chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister. Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1 only 1 and 2 only 3 only 2 and 3 only Q.2) With reference to Indian economy, consider the following: (2015) Bank rate Open market operations Public debt Public revenue Which of the above is/are component/ components of Monetary Policy? 1 only 2, 3 and 4 1 and 2 1, 3 and 4 NIDAAN Portal - National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-offenders Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs In News: India’s first portal on arrested narco offenders gets operational. A first-of-its kind database of arrested narcotics offenders has been made operational for use by various central and State prosecution agencies tasked to enforce anti-drugs laws in the country. The portal — NIDAAN or the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-offenders — has been developed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). It is part of the narcotics coordination mechanism (NCORD) portal that was launched by Union Home Minister. The NIDAAN platform sources its data from the ICJS (inter-operable criminal justice system) and the e-Prisons (a cloud-based application) repository and it is planned to integrate it in the future with the crime and criminal tracking network system or CCTNS, a senior officer said. The ICJS, an initiative of the Supreme Court e-committee, was created to enable seamless transfer of data and information among different pillars of the criminal justice system, like courts, police, jails and forensic science laboratories, from one platform. NIDAAN is a one-stop solution for all narcotics offenders’ related data and will help investigative agencies as an effective tool to connect the dots while probing narcotics cases. NIDAAN hosts data about those accused who have been arrested and jailed for drugs offences and those who are directly or indirectly involved in the produce, manufacture, possession, selling, purchase, transport, warehousing, usage, consumption, inter-state import and export, import into India, export from India or transshipment of any narcotics or psychotropic substance Any agency can search for the crime history, personal details, fingerprints, court cases and appeals made etc. with regard to a drug offender from any part of the country. A distinct feature called ‘criminal network’ on the portal can also be accessed by agencies, as part of which specific links of an accused to other crimes, linked police FIRs and those who visited them in jail can also be accessed, the officer said. Source: The Hindu Previous Year Question Q.1) ‘SWAYAM’, an initiative of the Government of India, aims at (2016) promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs promoting the education and health of adolescent girls providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – International Relations In News: The Indian Navy has formally commenced its cooperation with the Bahrain-based multilateral partnership, Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), as an ‘associate member’. About Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) CMF is a multi-national naval partnership to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes. CMF’s main focus areas are counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and engaging with regional and other partners to strengthen relevant capabilities in order to improve overall security and stability, and promoting a safe maritime environment free from illicit non-state actors. The 34 nation grouping is commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, who also serves as Commander U.S. Naval Forces CENTCOM and U.S. Fifth Fleet. All three commands are co-located at U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain. In the immediate neighbourhood, Pakistan is a full member of CMF. When requested, CMF assets at sea will also respond to environmental and humanitarian incidents. CMF has four Combined Task Forces: CTF 150 (Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf) CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy) CTF 152 (Maritime Security Operations inside the Arabian Gulf) CTF 153 (Red Sea Maritime Security) It is a flexible organisation and members are not bound by either a political or military mandate. Contributions can vary from the provision of a liaison officer at CMF HQ in Bahrain to the supply of warships or support vessels in task forces, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft based on land. India has in the past cooperated with CMF on various occasions. For instance, the CMF’s CTF 151 has coordinated with Indian and Chinese warships deployed on anti-piracy duties to patrol the Maritime Security Transit Corridor. India and CMF At the India-US 2+2 in April this year, India had announced that it would join the CMF as an Associate Partner. Joining the CMF is the latest in a series of multilateral engagements by the Indian Navy as part of India’s widening military diplomacy. Commitments to resources and personnel are limited for Associate membership and it will be cooperative engagement based on the needs and requirements. Source: The Hindu The Hindu Endosulfan Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Science and Technology In News: The Supreme Court directed the Kasargod District Legal Services Authority in Kerala to inspect the medical and palliative care facilities provided to endosulfan victims. The bench ordered the legal services authority to submit its report in six weeks. The order came after victims, complained of the lack of health care infrastructure provided by the State despite the best efforts of the district administration. The State Government has recently filed an affidavit informing the apex court about the disbursal of compensation to 98% of the victims. In May, the apex court slammed the Kerala Government for doing “virtually nothing” for endosulfan pesticide exposure victims. The court had said the State’s inaction was “appalling” and amounted to a breach of the apex court’s judgment in 2017, which had ordered the State to pay 5 lakh each to the victims in three months. The court noted that “The right to health is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. Without health, the faculties of living have little meaning.” What is Endosulfan? Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide which was first introduced in the 1950s and is commonly known by its trade name Thiodan. It is linked to a slew of grave medical conditions, such as neurotoxicity, physical deformities, poisoning and more. It is sprayed on crops like cotton, cashew, fruits, tea, paddy, tobacco etc. for control of pests such as whiteflies, aphids, beetles, worms Endosulfan is listed under both the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. What are the Impacts of Endosulfan? Endosulfan in the environment gets accumulated in food chains leading to higher doses causing problems. The endosulfan ingestion results in diseases ranging from physical deformities, cancer, birth disorders and damage to the brain and nervous system in humans and animals. Rotterdam The Rotterdam Convention is the name of the Convention, which was adopted by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries in 1998 in Rotterdam (Netherlands). It intends to promote shared responsibility with respect to the global trade of hazardous chemicals. The convention’s secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure is implemented under the terms of the Convention, which establishes obligatory legal responsibilities. What is the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure? It is one of the key clauses of the 1998 Rotterdam Convention. It says that parties must legally obtain and communicate the decision to receive future shipments of the substances listed in Annex III of the Convention before they can import them. The importing parties must make sure that the exporting parties abide by any judgments made on their imports. Members The convention has 163 parties, including 158 UN members, the Cook Islands, the State of Palestine, and the European Union. The United States is one of the non-member states. On May 24, 2005, India became a party to the Rotterdam Convention. The Rotterdam Convention became effective in India on August 22, 2005. The Rotterdam Convention’s covered provisions are as follows: The convention includes industrial chemicals and insecticides that are outlawed or subject to rigorous regulations. Any concern about industrial chemicals and pesticides encourages their inclusion on Annex III of the agreement. Annex III lists 52 chemicals, 35, 16 industrial chemicals, and one chemical that falls into both the pesticide and industrial chemical categories. The Stockholm Convention: It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants. It was opened for signature in 2001 in Stockholm (Sweden) and became effective in 2004. POPs are listed in various Annexes to the Stockholm Convention after thorough scientific research, deliberations and negotiations among member countries. Objectives: Support the transition to safer alternatives. Target additional POPs for action. Cleanup old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs. Work together for a POPs-free future. India ratified the Stockholm Convention in 2006 as per Article 25(4), which enabled it to keep itself in a default “opt-out” position such that amendments in various Annexes of the convention cannot be enforced on it unless an instrument of ratification/ acceptance/ approval or accession is explicitly deposited with UN depositary. The convention calls to ban nine of the dirty dozen chemicals (key POPs), limit the use of DDT to malaria control, and curtail inadvertent production of dioxins and furans. The convention listed twelve distinct chemicals in three categories: Eight pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene) Two industrial chemicals (poly chlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene) Two unintended by-products of many industrial processes involving chlorine such as waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing and pulp and paper bleaching (poly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, commonly referred to as dioxins and furans). Source: The Hindu Previous Year Question Q.1) Triclosan considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely present in which of the following? (2021) Food preservatives Fruit-ripening substances Reused plastic containers Toiletries BioSentinel Open in new  window Syllabus Prelims: Science & Technology In News: NASA’s Artemis I mission will send yeast to deep space with BioSentinel. NASA’s BioSentinel will carry microorganisms to deep space to help scientists better understand the effects of deep space radiation on biological lifeforms. Objective: The primary objective of BioSentinel is to monitor the vital signs of yeast to see how the microorganism fare when exposed to the radiation of deep space. Yeast cells have biological mechanisms that are like human cells, including DNA damage and repair. Due to this, scrutinising yeast in space will help us better understand the risks of space radiation to humans as the space agency plans missions to the Moon and beyond. For this, BioSentinel will study yeast cell growth and metabolic activity after exposure to a high-radiation environment. A key component of BioSentinel’s mission is a novel biosensor. NASA refers to it as a “miniature biotechnology laboratory” that is designed to measure how living yeast cells respond to long-term space radiation exposure. BioSentinel is just one of the Artemis I mission’s ten secondary payloads that will hitch a ride to deep space. All these satellites are mounted in the Orion stage adapter on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Must Read: Artemis I mission Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) Which of the following pair(s) is/are correctly matched? (2014)             Spacecraft                   Purpose Cassini-Huygens        Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth Messenger                   Mapping and investigating the Mercury Voyager                        Exploring the outer solar system Select the correct answer using the code given below. 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 India Blockchain Platform Open in new  window Syllabus Prelims: Science and Technology Mains: GS 3 (Science and Technology) Context: India has made a significant effort to become a digital society by building a large citizen-scale digital public infrastructure. As, With the commencement of the Digital India mission in 2015, our payments, provident fund, passports, driving licences, crossing tolls, and checking land records all have been transformed with modular applications built on Aadhaar, UPI, and the India Stack. The Government of India and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have been promoting simplification and transparency to increase the speed of interaction between individuals, markets, and the government. What are the Challenges of public digital infrastructure? For better implementation of digital technology, it is prerequisite that digital infrastructure should be designed based on principles of availability, affordability, value, and trust. Which can be made by using design principles, legislative frameworks, governance frameworks, and public engagement. But the current digital ecosystem, it is identified that existing different digital infrastructures are not interconnected as a design; a technical integration is required to make them conversant and interoperable. Most of available digital data is stored on private databases, which makes the validation of data more complex as the network grows, driving up costs and creating inefficiencies. Web 3.0 to address these challenges: Yes What is Web 3.0 (Web3)? Web 3.0 (Web3) is the third generation of the evolution of web technologies. The web, also known as the World Wide Web, is the foundational layer for how the internet is used, providing website and application services. Web 3.0 will have a strong emphasis on decentralized applications and make extensive use of blockchain-based technologies. Web 3.0 will also make use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to help empower more intelligent and adaptive applications. Web 3.0 architecture can be the next resilient platforms, which is capable of scaling and solving the current challenges in a cost-efficient manner. The Web 3.0 architecture establishes a new version of the Internet protocol incorporating token-based economics, transparency, and decentralization. A user can access all ecosystem benefits using a distributed token where they can show proof of ownership, tax history, and payment instrument. Therefore, A blockchain-based infrastructure can provide all these attributes without the need of trusting any actor to verify a ledger’s history. The blockchain records could be visible, compiled, and audited by the regulators in real time. Increasing global adoption of blockchain infrastructure: Many countries have already begun establishing their blockchain policies and infrastructure. Estonia, the world’s blockchain capital, is using blockchain infrastructure to verify and process all e-governance services offered to the general public. In Britain, the Centre for Digital Built Britain, a partnership between the University of Cambridge and the UK government is running the National Digital Twin (NDT)program to foster collaboration between owners and developers of digital twins in the built environment There are also well-established Decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms that rely on blockchain infrastructure like Ethereum, however, pegged to the base cryptocurrencies owned by that platform. DeFi allows users to borrow and lend cryptocurrencies on a short-term basis at algorithmically determined rates. The digital roads that India must build using blockchain The Indian digital community, including fintech’s, academia, think tanks, and institutions, should focus on supporting research in standards, interoperability, and efficient handling of current known issues with the distributed technologies, scalability and performance, consensus mechanisms, and auto-detection of vulnerabilities Also, at present, end-user devices such as smartphones do not support blockchain-based technology and, as a result, the last mile is always outside the network. Current regulation mechanism and what need to be done? Currently, the blockchain models are unregulated and rely on intrinsic standards. The ideal solution to solving most of the known issues of decentralised technologies lies in the middle path,e., a national platform. blockchains (both permissioned and public), application providers (decentralized applications — dApps —and existing), token service providers, and infrastructure managers. As a result, together they can form a reliable and efficient network for the Indian digital economy. The need of the hour is to work on an indigenous solution of the people, for the people, and by the people. A digital infrastructure based on blockchain technology will transform the digital ecosystem in India, and will enable the future of digital services, platforms, applications, content, and solutions. Considering the current situation worldwide, one can safely assume that we are at the beginning of the curve, but the days are not far. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements: (2022) Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation Which of the following given above are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) With reference to “Blockchain Technology”, consider the following statements: (2020) It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 only 1 and 3 only Restrictions to online content Open in new  window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs Mains – GS 2 (Governance) Context: The website of VideoLAN Client (VLC) has been banned in India. Although there is no official information on the ban, VLC states that according to its statistics, its website has been banned since February this year. What is VideoLan? VLC gained popularity in India in the late 90s when advancements in information technology led to the penetration of personal computers in Indian homes. It continues to be one of the most popular media players. Apart from being free and open source, VLC easily integrates with other platforms and streaming services and supports all file formats without requiring additional codecs. Why VLC was banned? Civil society organisations have repeatedly filed RTI applications with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). These applications have been met with similar responses stating that “no information is available” with the Ministry. Lack of authoritative information from the government has led to speculation that VLC was banned along with the 54 Chinese applications in February this year. Although VLC is not a Chinese app, reports from cybersecurity firms, such as Symantec, in April this year suggested that Cicada, a hacker group allegedly backed by China, has been using the VLC Media Player to deploy a malicious malware loader. This is also being used to explain why the present ban is a soft ban rather than a hard ban. In which situations can online content be blocked to the public? There are two routes through which content can be blocked online — executive and judicial. First, the Government of India gets this power from Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Section 69A allows the government to direct an intermediary to “block for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource” if it is “necessary or expedient to do so, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence”. Section 69A draws its power from Article 19(2) of the Constitution which allows the government to place reasonable restrictions on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. Second, courts in India, also have the power to direct intermediaries to make content unavailable in India to provide effective remedy to the victim/plaintiff. For example, courts may order internet service providers to block websites which provide access to pirated content and violate the plaintiff’s copyright. What is the procedure for blocking access to content online? It is provided in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009 (IT Rules, 2009) that have been formulated under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Only the Central government can exercise this power of directing intermediaries to block access to online content directly, and not the State governments. The procedure typically provides that Central or State agencies will appoint a “nodal officer” who will forward the blocking order to the “designated officer” of the Central government. The designated officer, as part of a committee, examines the request of the nodal officer. The creator/host of the content in question is given a notice to submit clarifications and replies. The committee then makes a recommendation on whether the request of the nodal officer should be accepted or not. If this recommendation is approved by the MeitY, the designated officer can direct the intermediary to remove content. How can this process be improved? There has been demand for certain reforms to the IT Rules, 2009 for some time now. The first is on the aspect of transparency. As witnessed in the case of VideoLan’s website blocking, there is no clarity on why its website has been blocked. Rule 16 of the IT Rules, 2009 provides that strict confidentiality is to be maintained with respect to any requests or actions under the IT Rules, 2009. Second, provide opportunity Even though the IT Rules provide for an opportunity of hearing to the creator/host of content, given VideoLAN’s cluelessness it seems that this opportunity may not be afforded to affected parties in all cases. T he lack of an opportunity to submit clarifications/replies by the creator/host violates the principles of natural justice. It can also lead to erroneous decision making by the committee, that can have significant financial consequences for the blocked online service provider. Third, role of Review Committee A recent RTI has disclosed that the Review Committee, which is required to meet every two months to review orders of the committee, has not disagreed with a single decision of the committee. This raises doubts on the effectiveness of the review mechanism which has been provided as a safeguard against excesses of the committee. Fourth, Careful appilcation Given that non-compliance with directions under the IT Rules can lead to loss of immunity from liability for content being hosted, it has been argued that intermediaries over-comply with these directions, which can have chilling effects on free speech. The Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal has upheld the procedure enshrined in IT Rules, 2009 on the basis that it provides for adequate application of mind and transparency. The government would do well to follow its own rules, in form as well as spirit. Must Read: Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 Source: The Hindu India’s labour reforms Open in new  window Syllabus Mains: GS 3(Economy- Labour Reforms) India’s “tryst with destiny” was to provide “Poorna swaraj” (i.e., full freedom) to all its citizens: political freedom, social freedom, and economic freedom. After 75 years of independence, we examine whether we have been able to provide socio-economic freedom to one of the most deprived classes of or population: labourers India’s fault lines: State of Working India 2021: ‘One Year of Covid­19’ brought out by Azim Premji University’s Centre for Sustainable Employment reported that 100 million jobs were lost during the April-May 2020 lockdown. Though most of these workers had found employment by mid-2020, 15 million remained out of work. Between 1980 and 1990, every 1% of GDP growth generated roughly two lakh new jobs; between 1990 to 2000, it decreased to one lakh jobs per per cent growth; and from 2000 to 2010, it fell to half a lakh only. India’s gravest socio-economic problem is the difficulty a vast majority of citizens have in earning good livelihoods. Their problem is not just employment. It is the poor quality of employment: insufficient and uncertain incomes, and poor working conditions, wherever they are employed — in factories, farms, service establishments, or homes. The dominant ‘theory-in-use’ to increase employment is to improve the ease of doing business, with the expectation that investments in businesses will improve citizens’ ease of earning good livelihoods. In this theory, large and formal enterprises create good jobs, and labour laws must be ‘flexible” to attract investments. Investors say the laws protect labour too much. Labour reforms: Background In India, labour is a subject in the Concurrent List, so both the Parliament and the state legislatures can enact laws on it. Before the new labour codes were passed, there were more than 40 central laws and more than 100 state laws on labour and related matters. The Second National Commission on Labour (2002) recommended that the central labour laws should be integrated into groups like: Industrial relations, Wages, Social security, Safety, Welfare and working conditions. The Commission suggested simplification of the labour codes for the sake of transparency and uniformity. The new labour codes: In 2019-20, the Parliament enacted 4 labour codes to consolidate these multiple laws: Code on Wages, 2019 Industrial Relations Code, 2020 Social Security Code, 2020 Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020 Impact of reforms: The V.V. Giri National Labour Institute’s interim report, “Impact Assessment Study of the Labour Reforms undertaken by the States”, provides insights into the impacts of the reforms so far. The report has focused on the reform of the Industrial Disputes Act, which is to raise the limits of applicability of laws relating to terms of service and modes of dispute resolution (roles of unions) to 300 people. The report spans the period 2004-05 to 2018-19. It focuses on Six States which have implemented reforms. The report reminds readers that labour laws are only one factor affecting business investment decisions. Investors do not go out to hire people just because it has become easy to fire them. An enterprise must have a growing market for its products, and many things must be put together to produce for the market — capital, machinery, materials, land, etc. not just labour. Therefore, it must be worthwhile to employ more people before firing them. Reforms of labour laws have had little effect on increasing employment in large enterprises either. The report says, employment in formal enterprises is becoming more informal. Large investors can afford to use more capital and are also employing increasing numbers of people on short-term contracts, while perversely demanding more flexibility in laws. Way forward: closing the gap Fundamental reforms are required in the theory of economic growth: more GDP does not automatically produce more incomes at the bottom. And the paradigm driving employment and labour policies must also change to enable the generation of better-quality livelihoods for Indian citizens, now and in the future. To achieve this, fundamental reform is required in the ways policies are made. If the benefit of reforms is supposed to be the improvement of ease of earning, better livelihoods for all citizens and with more dignity, whether they are farmers, factory workers, or service employees, they must be listened to most of all, within their enterprises, and in the process of shaping policies. Source: The Hindu Baba’s Explainer – Integration of North East Integration of North East Syllabus GS-2: Federalism and Challenges “India will be successful when the North East develops at par with the other developed states of India” – Narendra Modi. Read Complete Details on Integration of North East Daily Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) Consider the following statements Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is formed as per the provisions of Banking regulation Act, 1949. RBI Governor as its ex officio chairperson of MPC. RBI has to submit a report to the Union government if it is in breach of the inflation targets for three consecutive quarters. Choose the correct statements: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 2 only Q.2) Consider the following statements about NIDAAN Portal It is a first-of-its kind database of arrested narcotics offenders. The NIDAAN platform sources its data from the ICJS and the e-Prisons repository. Choose the incorrect statements: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) CMF is a multi-national naval partnership to promote security, stability and prosperity in world’s most important shipping lanes. The CMF grouping is commanded by a U.K. Navy Vice Admiral. Choose the correct statements: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’19th August 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs. ANSWERS FOR 18th August 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – d Q.2) – d Q.3) – c table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }

Aug 19, 2022 Baba’s Explainer

Baba's Explainer - Integration of North East

ARCHIVES Syllabus GS-2: Federalism and Challenges “India will be successful when the North East develops at par with the other developed states of India” – Narendra Modi. Integration of North East India’s North Eastern region includes 8 states covering 8% of the country’s landmass and 4% of the national population representing one of the diverse cultures in the country. The integration of Northeast India into mainstream Indian life has been on the national agenda from the very start of India’s journey as an independent nation. The region has always been seen to be somewhat alien and needing assimilation. Picture Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_India The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution introduced in 1949: Applies to the administration of tribal areas in the North-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram (three Councils each), and Tripura (one Council) in accordance with Article 244 of the Indian Constitution. The draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), promulgated in 1958 A colonial era legislation that was enacted to quell the protests during the Quit India movement The ordinances were replaced by an Act in 1948 and the present law effective in the Northeast was introduced in Parliament in 1958 The AFSPA gives unfettered powers to the armed forces and the Central armed police forces deployed in “disturbed areas” It allows them to open fire, even causing death, against any person in contravention to the law or carrying arms and ammunition. Also, it gives them powers to arrest individuals without warrants, on the basis of “reasonable suspicion”, and search premises without warrants. Demand for Revocation of AFSPA in the past: BP Jeevan Reddy committee examining it in relation to the Northeast in 2005, and the Veerappa Moily report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission of 2007, recommended that the Act be repealed. Why Northeast Indian States is considered an excluded area? “Mongolian Fringe” — a term British India Foreign Secretary Olaf Caroe coined in a paper in 1940 — as a Crown Colony. The British had considered leaving this as a combination of hill regions of the Northeast and Upper Burma. According to them they were neither racially, historically, culturally, nor linguistically had any affinity with the rest of India. These “Excluded” and “Partially Excluded” areas were constituted largely of the unadministered hills of Assam separated from its revenue plains by an “Inner Line” created by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873, and this was a year before Assam was separated from Bengal and made a Chief Commissioner’s Province. Earlier, Assam was annexed into British Bengal after the First Anglo-Burmese War 1824-26 and the signing of the Treaty of Yandabo. Why did the crown colony plan fail? British Assam was virtually the entire Northeast of today, excluding two kingdoms, Tripura and Manipur. In these kingdoms too, though no Inner Line was introduced, the British brought in similar administrative mechanisms separating “excluded” hills from the revenue plains. In Tripura, the plains of Chakla Roshanabad were annexed to British Bengal and the Tripura kings were allowed to be landowners there but not claim sovereignty over them. In Manipur, the hills and the central revenue plains of the Imphal valley came to be treated as separate administrative regions in 1907. The Crown Colony plan was ultimately dropped on grounds of administrative feasibility. How did the States of Northeast India come into existence? The Sixth Schedule was independent India’s first administrative instrument for undivided Assam’s tribal belt. The works of Verrier Elwin, British-born Indian anthropologist, who advocated for tribals to be encouraged to live by their own geniuses, were its inspiration. The Schedules mandated the formation of Autonomous District Councils in which, among others, tribal customary laws were given legitimacy. What followed the Sixth Schedule? Naga Insurgency: The Naga Hills refused the Sixth Schedule and would have nothing less than sovereignty. A powerful insurgency resulted, and in its wake, AFSPA, with sweeping powers given to the armed forces. As an overture of pacification, the Naga Hills district was merged with the adjacent Mon and Tuensang subdivision of the North Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA), or today’s Arunachal Pradesh, to form a separate Nagaland State in 1963. Naga insurgency, however, raged on in different avatars. A peace negotiation has been in progress for the last 25 years, and the hope is that this would culminate in a lasting settlement. Other States in the region: In 1972, most of these autonomous regions were bifurcated from Assam. Meghalaya became a State, while Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram were made Union Territories. The latter two were upgraded to States in 1987. Tripura and Manipur, which were made Part-C States after merger with India in 1949, were also upgraded to States in 1972. Amidst these, the national identity question remained incompletely resolved and insurgencies spawned and spread even in States such as Assam and Manipur. How did the Union Government accommodate the Northeast States in India? As India gained confidence and shed its insecurities of further balkanization after its traumatic Partition experience, the outlook towards national identity and nationalism underwent moderations, inclining towards a constitutional definition of these understandings rather than it being cultural. National integration also came to be more about the mainstream broadening to accommodate all other streams within the national territory. North Eastern Council (NEC) Founded in 1971 as an advisory body. Initially, its members were Governors of the Northeast States, thereby remaining as the ears and eyes of the Centre. Its original pledge too made security the primary concern. In 2002, the act that brought NEC to life was amended. From an advisory role, it became an infrastructure planning body for the region. Sikkim was also brought into its fold. Significantly, its executive structure expanded to include Chief Ministers of these States, linking it to the aspirations of local electorates. DoNER Created in the Union Government in 2001, and in 2004 it was upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry. In 1991, India’s Look East Policy was born with the stated objective of linking the Northeast with the vibrant economies of South East Asia. In 2010, a protected area regime that had restricted visits to Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram by foreigners was relaxed. Repeal of AFSPA There was even a judicial commission constituted in 2004 to recommend a way to repeal or else “humanise” AFSPA. Why Northeast India’s integration has still been an issue? The northeast has several constraints which are acting as a hindrance to the regional development and mainstreaming of the society. They are: Historical reason:  British policy of northeastern states virtually disconnecting them from the mainland. Partition blow to the northeast: the creation of East Pakistan resulted in Virtual disconnection of the Northeastern region from the rest of India connected through a narrow Siliguri corridor. Loss of natural sea route through the port of Chittagong restricting economic activities. Geographical challenges:  About 99% of the region has international border along Bangladesh, Myanmar, China and Bhutan which create complications in international diplomacy. Over 70% of the region is forest area which makes the economic development difficult. Further, the region is host to an overwhelming tribal population ranging from 19% in Assam to 94% in Mizoram. The region is predominantly hilly in all the states except Assam. This creates difficulty in utilization of natural resources. Cultural/societal challenges:  The region has over 160 scheduled tribes and over other tribal and sub-tribal communities and groups. The varied culture creates alienation from the mainland and hinder development. The region is predominantly rural with around 84% of the population living in the rural areas. The presence of different ethnicities has made it difficult to cater the demands clamoring for recognition of their distinctive identity. Though the literacy rate is high, the employability is low. High dependency on agriculture has also resulted in low per capita income. Different ethnic groups have caused conflicts and insurgency due to tribal rivalry, migration, control over local resources and so on. E.g. inter-tribal conflict between Kukis and Nagas, insurgent groups like NSCN etc., Resentment to the central government: The economy depends on the patronage of the central government resulting in a lack of economic activities. Also, the deployment of the armed forces had caused phycological resentment in society. What does the future hold – The Way Forward? ‘Look East’ to ‘Act East’ A deal with Bangladesh was also signed to develop a rail link between Tripura and Chittagong, which would speed up the flow of products, especially grains, to the region. Repeal of AFSPA The recent decision to withdraw AFSPA from major areas of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur is revolutionary. When AFSPA is withdrawn, it means that peace has returned to that area. The protection of the culture and unique identity of the tribal group has been given Constitutional as well statutory recognition. Connectivity with rest of India: For decades, poor infrastructure and limited connectivity have acted as roadblocks hindering the socio-economic development of these states. In Tripura, the Government launched a Rajdhani Express and the Tripura Sundari Express between Agartala and Delhi. Laid the foundation of 22 developmental projects worth more than Rs 4,800 crore in Imphal. Inaugurated the New Integrated Terminal Building at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala Intra-regional connectivity has been given an impetus by mandating its responsibility to a newly-formed centrally-monitored organisation for road development and physical connectivity in NE states. An internet gateway is being established via Bangladesh from Tripura for the digital integration of the region. Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East, PM-DevINE An initial allocation of Rs. 1,500 crore will be made for the new scheme. It will fund infrastructure, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti, and social development projects based on felt needs of the North-East. Enable livelihood activities for youth and women, filling the gaps in various sectors. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project: A collaboration between India and Myanmar to develop transport infrastructure in southwestern Myanmar and north-eastern India. The plan is to build robust transportation infrastructure in the Northeast and to connect the region with the rest of the country in a seamless manner. This is in line with boosting the tourism economy of the region and ensuring that the Northeast is no longer treated as an isolated region. Others: North Eastern Space Applications Centre: Focused on the practical applications of space technology in agriculture, and allied fields like silk farming where it can help in early detection of diseases Digital North East Vision 2022: Under this vision, the government is expected to roll out 400 programmes in the next four years; 8,621 unconnected villages in the region to get special attention. The idea is to leverage digital technologies to transform the lives of the people of the north-eastern region and ensure inclusive and sustainable growth. National Bamboo Mission: To promote bamboo plantation on non-forest government as well as private land and emphasis on value addition, product development and markets. Northeast consists 60% of India’s reserve of Bamboo. India has the world’s largest fields of bamboo. It grows on nearly 13% of the country’s forest land. The eight North-eastern States – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura – grow 67% of India’s bamboo and have 45% of global bamboo reserves. Nearly 35 species of superior quality bamboos are found in the region.   Conclusion The Political Landscape: The BJP, today has a strong presence in the Northeast. But what needs to be remembered is that electoral politics in the region has been less about ideology and more about aligning with the party in power at the Centre. Grass-root sentiments do not always reflect in this, and due to this disconnect between the grassroots and electoral politics being what it is, there is no guarantee that the ruling party’s ideology has harnessed or sublimated the undercurrents of gut politics in the region. If unmindful, the potential for trouble in the CAA, AFSPA or other counter-cultures the region is known for, can flare up again regardless of the party in power. The Security Landscape: Political will and dynamism for propelling India’s “Act East” policy needs to be complemented with urgent measures to address two key issues — lack of “security” and “connectivity”. Addressing them is necessary to make the Northeast (NE) the launchpad for India’s interface with South East Asia. Connectivity needs to be addressed at three levels — physical connectivity, digital connectivity and above all the emotional integration of the region with the rest of the country. Many schemes have been introduced but more efforts are required for full integration. For Security, there is a need to carry out disruptive policy changes, combined with a time-bound action plan to create a conducive environment for growth and prosperity. Implementation of projects has been dogged by procedural issues Police effectiveness needs to be optimised. This requires “federalisng” the region’s police force in order to ensure coordination, sharing intelligence and joint operations. This force would not be under a state authority and would thus be insulated from extraneous pressures, including tribal affiliations. The official machinery should counter militant excesses and not abrogate their authority to the security forces under the excuse that the state has been designated a “disturbed area”. A secure environment is a pre-requisite for giving confidence to investors to operate in the region. Mains Practice Question –With all the efforts put in, analyze how successful the integration of north-east states has been with the rest of India. Note: Write answers to this question in the comment section. table{ border: 1px solid; } table tr, table td{ border: 1px solid; }

Aug 19, 2022 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2022 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 19th August 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) – CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” Important Note: Don’t forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today’s test 🙂After completing the 5 questions, click on ‘View Questions’ to check your score, time taken, and solutions.To take the Test Click Here

Aug 19, 2022 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies 4 Questions [19th August, 2022] – Day 53

Hello Students  TLP has been an integral ingredient of success for many toppers and is no secret. In the ‘must do’ list for the civil services exam, TLP is by far the most popular initiative. The popularity stems from the unparalleled quality of questions and synopsis posted in TLP. We strive hard to ensure that you get the real feel of UPSC standards before you write the Mains. You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, in the TLP initiative, we post 5 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (11 for this one). We follow a micro plan that is designed to give you daily targets. The questions are from the day’s syllabus and also from current affairs and you are expected to write the answers and post them on the portal. This year onwards TLP will have a Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation (tlpmains.iasbaba.com). There will be a separate dedicated portal similar to (The RaRe Series) which students loved and appreciated. The Portal will help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. We are charging a token amount of 10/- for registration to the dedicated portal. We are doing it because we want to create a community of sincere aspirants who are focused and motivated till the Mains Examination. Please don’t take it otherwise. It is our honest effort to give you the best and at the same time expect students to come with the same energy and dedication to the dedicated platform specially designed for YOU! Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. UPSC 2023 Aspirants are encouraged to participate as well. Register Here – CLICK HERE  To Know More About TLP 2022 (Phase 2) – CLICK HERE To Access Day 53 Questions – CLICK HERE  P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm every day. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each other’s answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best 

Aug 18, 2022 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th August 2022

Archives (PRELIMS & MAINS Focus) Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs Mains – GS 3 (Economy – Development) In News: The Centre has announced raising the allocation under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) by Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 5 lakh crore. The additional amount has been earmarked exclusively for enterprises in hospitality and related sectors. The ECLGS was unveiled as part of the comprehensive package announced by the government in May 2020 to aid the MSME sector in view of the economic distress caused by the Covid pandemic and lockdowns. The tourism sector was one of the worst hit, as people postponed/cancelled their business and leisure travel plans. With high immunisation levels, progressive roll-back of restrictions and overall economic recovery, conditions are in place for sustained growth in demand for these sectors as well. The ECLGS credit facility is likely to help the industry fund its expansion, as demand for travel continues to surge. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) The scheme was launched as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package announced in May 2020 to mitigate the distress caused by coronavirus-induced lockdown, by providing credit to different sectors, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Objective: To provide fully guaranteed and collateral free additional credit to MSMEs, business enterprises, MUDRA borrowers and individual loans for business purposes to the extent of 20% of their credit outstanding as on 29th February, 2020. 100% guarantee coverage is being provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company, whereas Banks and Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) provide loans. Eligibility: Borrowers with credit outstanding up to Rs. 50 crore as on 29th February, 2020, and with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 250 crore are eligible under the Scheme. On 1st August, 2020 the government widened the scope of the Rs. 3 lakh crore-ECLGS scheme by doubling the upper ceiling of loans outstanding and including certain loans given to professionals like doctors, lawyers and chartered accountants for business purposes under its ambit. Tenor of loans provided under the Scheme is four years, including a moratorium of one year on principal repayment. Interest rates under the Scheme are capped at 9.25% for Banks and Financial Institutions (FIs), and 14% for NBFCs. Present Status: As per data by the government and banks, loans of about Rs 3.67 lakh crore have been sanctioned under ECLGS till August 5, and Rs 2.54 lakh crore had been disbursed till April 30. Benefits of the scheme: The scheme is expected to provide credit to the sector at a low cost, thereby enabling MSMEs to meet their operational liabilities and restart their businesses and recover early. The Scheme is expected to have a positive impact on the economy and support its revival. National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd Subsequent to the Central Budget announcements during the year 2013-14 to set up various credit guarantee funds, a common trustee company in the name and style of National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd (NCGTC) was set up by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India to, inter alia, to act as a common trustee company to manage and operate various credit guarantee trust funds. Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and ‘Gold Monetization Scheme”?(2016) To bring the idle gold lying with Indian households into the economy To promote FDI in the gold and jewellery sector To reduce India’s dependence on gold imports Select the correct answer using the code given below. 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Hyderabad lac bangles set to get GI tag Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Art & Culture In News: Hyderabad-based Creasent Handicraft Artisans Welfare Association has filed an application for securing a Geographical Indications tag for lac bangles that are manufactured in the city. The Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai has accepted the application and the coveted tag may add to the lustre of the bangles which is a favourite of tourists and are part of the trousseau for brides from the city. The lac bangles can be seen in the shops that line the Laad Bazaar area near Charminar shimmering with mirror work and encrusted precious stones. They are handcrafted in the homes by an army of workers who use molten lac and shape them into bangles and turn them into speckled shimmering wonders. GI tag will pave a way to brand the Hyderabad Lac Bangles better in India and abroad. GI Tags of Telangana Pochampally Ikat Silver Filigree of Karimnagar Nirmal Toys and Craft Nirmal Furniture Nirmal Paintings Gadwal Sarees Hyderabad Haleem Cheriyal Paintings Siddipet Gollabhama Narayanpet Handloom Sarees Pochampally Ikat (Logo) Adilabad Dokra Warangal Durries Telia Rumal Must Read: What is GI Tag Source: The Hindu Previous Year Question Q.1) Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status Banaras Brocades and Sarees Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma Tirupathi Laddu Select the correct answer using the code given below. 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Women heroes of India’s freedom struggle Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – History In News: In Independence Day address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Prime Minister hailed “nari shakti”, and urged people to pledge to not do anything that lowers the dignity of women. He also paid tribute to women freedom fighters for showing the world the true meaning of India’s “nari shakti”. A look at the women he named in PM’s speech: Rani Laxmibai The queen of the princely state of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibai is known for her role in the First War of India’s Independence in 1857. Born Manikarnika Tambe in 1835, she married the king of Jhansi. The couple adopted a son before the king’s death, which the British East India Company refused to accept as the legal heir and decided to annex Jhansi. Refusing to cede her territory, the queen decided to rule on behalf of the heir, and later joined the uprising against the British in 1857. Cornered by the British, she escaped from Jhansi fort. She was wounded in combat near Gwalior’s Phool Bagh, where she later died. Sir Hugh Rose, who was commanding the British army, is known to have described her as “personable, clever and one of the most dangerous Indian leaders”. Jhalkari Bai A soldier in Rani Laxmibai’s women’s army, Durga Dal, she rose to become one of the queen’s most trusted advisers. She is known for putting her own life at risk to keep the queen out of harm’s way. Till date, the story of her valour is recalled by the people of Bundelkhand, and she is often presented as a representative of Bundeli identity. According to Ministry of Culture, “Many Dalit communities of the region look up to her as an incarnation of God and also celebrate Jhalkaribai Jayanti every year in her honour.” Durga Bhabhi Durgawati Devi, who was popularly known as Durga Bhabhi, was a revolutionary who joined the armed struggle against colonial rule. A member of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha, she helped Bhagat Singh escape in disguise from Lahore after the 1928 killing of British police officer John P Saunders. During the train journey that followed, Durgawati and Bhagat Singh posed as a couple, and Rajguru as their servant. Later, as revenge for the hanging of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, she made an unsuccessful attempt to kill the former Punjab Governor, Lord Hailey. Born in Allahabad in 1907 and married to Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) member Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Durgawati, along with other revolutionaries, also ran a bomb factory in Delhi. Rani Gaidinliu Born in 1915 in present-day Manipur, Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who fought the British. She joined the Heraka religious movement which later became a movement to drive out the British. She rebelled against the Empire, and refused to pay taxes, asking people to do the same. The British launched a manhunt, but she evaded arrest, moving from village to village. Gaidinliu was finally arrested in 1932 when she was just 16, and later sentenced for life. She was released in 1947. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, described Gaidinliu as the “daughter of the hills”, and gave her the title of ‘Rani’ for her courage. Rani Chennamma The queen of Kittur, Rani Chennamma, was among the first rulers to lead an armed rebellion against British rule. Kittur was a princely state in present-day Karnataka. She fought back against the attempt to control her dominion in 1824 after the death of her young son. She had lost her husband, Raja Mallasarja, in 1816. She is seen among the few rulers of the time who understood the colonial designs of the British. Rani Chennamma defeated the British in her first revolt, but was captured and imprisoned during the second assault by the East India Company. Begum Hazrat Mahal After her husband, Nawab of Awadh Wajid Ali Shah, was exiled after the 1857 revolt, Begum Hazrat Mahal, along with her supporters, took on the British and wrested control of Lucknow. She was forced into a retreat after the colonial rulers recaptured the area. Velu Nachiyar Many years before the revolt of 1857, Velu Nachiyar waged a war against the British and emerged victorious. Born in Ramanathapuram in 1780, she was married to the king of Sivagangai. After her husband was killed in battle with the East India Company, she entered the conflict, and won with support of neighbouring kings. She went on to produce the first human bomb as well as establish the first army of trained women soldiers in the late 1700s. Her army commander Kuyili is believed to have set herself ablaze and walked into a British ammunition dump. She was succeeded by her daughter in 1790, and died a few years later in 1796. Must Read: Chandrashekar Azad + Aurobindo Ghosh Source: Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English? (2021) Bal Gangadhar Tilak Jawaharlal Nehru Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Sarojini Naidu Rohingyas Open in new window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs In News: The Home ministry overrules a statement by Minister for Urban Development decision that 1,100 Rohingya refugees in Delhi would be shifted to flats meant for the economically weaker sections. MHA also said that it had issued orders that the shanty town where the Rohingya were now living in be designated a detention centre, pending the deportation of all hundreds of people living there. Who are Rohingyas? The Rohingyas are the predominantly Muslim ethnic minority group with Bengali dialect. An estimated 800,000 Rohingyas lived in Myanmar’s western Rakhine State. They were not regarded as one of the country’s 135 official ethnic groups and were denied citizenship under Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law. India’s position on Rohingya immigrants: India considers Rohingya refugees as illegal foreigners. MHA has already taken up the matter of their deportation with the concerned country through the ministry of external affairs (MEA). India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the status of refugees and the 1967 protocol All foreign nationals (including refuge seekers) are governed by the provisions contained in: The Foreigners Act, 1946, The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and The Citizenship Act, 1955. Hence, foreign nationals who enter the country without valid travel documents are treated as illegal migrants. Source: The Hindu Indian Express Delhi, Kolkata most polluted cities globally by PM2.5 Open in new  window Syllabus Prelims – Current Affairs Mains – GS 3 (Environment) In News: According to a report titled Air Quality and Health in Cities, published by the United States-based Health Effects Institute, Delhi and Kolkata are the top two most polluted cities in terms of exposure to harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The report examines pollution and global health implications in over 7,000 cities worldwide, focussing on two of the most dangerous pollutants – fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Overall findings of the Air Quality and Health in Cities report: According to the report, while exposures to 5 and NO2 pollution tend to be higher in cities located in low and middle-income countries, The report found most global cities far exceed World Health Organisation’s (WHO) air pollution guidelines, posing serious health risk. In 2019, 86% of the cities analysed exceeded the WHO’s 10 µg/m3 (microgram per cubic metre) guideline for NO2, impacting about 2.6 billion people. 41 of the 50 cities with the highest increase in PM2.5 are in India, with 9 in Indonesia. On the other hand, all 20 cities with the highest reduction in PM2.5 pollution from 2010 to 2019 are in China. India specific findings: Delhi and Kolkata were ranked first and second in the list of top 10 most polluted cities when PM2.5 levels were compared. In terms of impact, Delhi and Kolkata ranked sixth and eighth for PM2.5 related disease burden, reporting 106 deaths and 99 deaths per lakh of population, respectively due to exposure to 5 in 2019. However, no Indian city appeared in the list of top 20 polluted cities when N02 levels were compared (Shanghai at the top with an average annual exposure of 41 µg/m3). Short-lived climate pollutants: Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are powerful climate forcers that remain in the atmosphere for a much shorter period than longer-lived climate pollutants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2). They include methane, PM 2.5, NO2, fluorinated gases including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and black carbon. Source: The Hindu Indian Express Previous Year Question Q.1) Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide? (2022) Cotton Rice Sugarcane Wheat Pre-poll promises Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (Governance); GS 3 (Development) In News: During a hearing on a petition to curb the practice of offering or distributing “irrational freebies”, the top court pointed out that political parties have lost elections despite promising freebies. The court pointed out that voters, if given a chance, will prefer to earn a dignified earning through welfare schemes such as MNREGA and create public assets in rural India. Freebies do not always decide the outcome of elections for political parties, said the SC. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana said there have been instances of parties losing elections in spite of their promises of freebies. Background The court was hearing a petition to curb the practice of offering or distributing “irrational freebies” at the cost of public money, especially in debt-ridden States during the run-up to elections. The primary concern is about “the right way of spending public money”. Thus the court is dealing with rival contentions raised in the case. The question is what exactly qualifies as a ‘valid promise’? Can promise of subsidy on power, seeds and fertilisers to small and marginal farmers, free healthcare and drinking water be considered as freebies? Can we treat promises of consumer products, electronics free of cost for all as a welfare measure?” the court asked. What are Freebies? Political parties promise to offer free electricity, monthly allowance to unemployed, daily wage workers, and women as well as gadgets like laptops, smartphones, etc. in order to secure the vote of the people. The states have become habituated to giving freebies, be it in the form of loan waivers or free electricity, cycles, laptops, TV sets, and so on. Certain kinds of expenditure that are done under populist pressures or with elections in mind may be questionable. Positive Side of Freebies in India Welfare Schemes: Freebies not only include unviable pre-election promises but also a number of services that the government provides to meet its constitutional obligations (DPSPs) towards citizens like PDS, Free Covid Vaccine and MGNREGA. Examples include The ‘Mid-day Meal Scheme’ was first introduced in 1956 by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and then it was adopted as a national programme a decade later. NT Rama Rao’s promise of rice at Rs. 2 per kg in Andhra Pradesh is the original avatar of the current day National Food Security Programme. Rythu Bandhu of Telangana and Kalia of Odisha were forerunners of what is now Kisan Samman Nidhi. Upliftment of Lower Class: As the states with comparatively lower levels of development have a greater percentage of their population living in poverty, such freebies become more useful for upliftment of lower strata in these states. Essential for Fulfilling Expectations: In a country like India where the states have (or don’t have) a certain level of development, upon the emergence of the elections, there are expectations from the part of people which are met by such promises of freebies. Negative Impacts of Freebies Drain on Public Spending: Most of the times, freebies ultimately lead to an excessive and unnecessary drain on public spending, and adds economic burden on states as most Indian states suffer from a poor financial condition and have limited revenue resources. Freebies for One, Disaster for Other: As a result of reducing prices for consumers beneficiaries, the government overcharge industrial and commercial contracts in order to maintain the internal fiscal balance. Subsequently the competitiveness of growing industries is reduced, which results in slower industrial growth and commercial price hike. Increased Fiscal Deficit: Subsidies and freebies creates pressure on government revenues, leading to an increased fiscal deficit and increased interest payments. Distort Informed Decision Making of Voters: Unregulated populism by offering and distributing ‘irrational freebies’ during election campaigns often create bias in the minds of voters. Way Forward Drawing a Line Between Welfare and Freebie: Freebies must be understood from an economic perspective and connected to taxpayers’ money. Differences between subsidy and freebie are also essential since subsidies are justified and specially targeted benefits meant to meet specific demands. Clear Rationale and Indication of Funds: Programs must provide a clear rationale for investing more in basic amenities and have a clear indication of the funds to sustain the state’s economic health. Voter Awareness: In a democracy, the power to block or allow the march of freebies rests with the voters. There is a need for consensus between regulating the irrational freebies and making sure voters don’t get swayed by the irrational promises. Judicial Intervention: A constructive debate and discussion in parliament is difficult since the freebie culture has an impact on every political party, whether directly or indirectly. Therefore, judicial involvement is required in order to propose measures. The Supreme Court has recently recommended creating an apex authority to provide recommendations on how to regulate gifts given out by political parties. Focus on Skill Development Rather than Freebies: It is always better to provide useful skills to the people than to give them freebies. There is nothing wrong in having a policy-led elaborate social security programme that seeks to help the poor get out of poverty. But such a programme needs well thought out preparation and cannot be conjured up just before an election. Finance commission Chief N.K Singh recently pointed out that political competition over such sops is a “quick passport to fiscal disaster”. Hence, there is a need to avoid those before they become the norm. Source: Indian Express The Hindu Arctic warming Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 3 (Environment) Context: On August 11, Finnish Meteorological Institute researchers published their study in the  Communications Earth & Environment journal, concluding that the Arctic is heating four times faster than the rest of the planet. The warming is more concentrated in the Eurasian part of the Arctic, where the Barents Sea north of Russia and Norway is warming at an alarming rate — seven times faster than the global average. What is Arctic amplification? What causes it? Global warming, expedited due to anthropogenic forces since pre-industrial times and has increased the planet’s average temperature by 1.1 degrees Celsius. While changes are witnessed across the planet, any change in the surface air temperature and the net radiation balance tend to produce larger changes at the north and south poles. This phenomenon is known as polar amplification; these changes are more pronounced at the northern latitudes and are known as the Arctic amplification. Among the many global warming-driven causes for this amplification, the ice-albedo feedback, lapse rate feedback, water vapour feedback and ocean heat transport are the primary causes. Sea ice and snow have high albedo implying that they are capable of reflecting most of the solar radiation as opposed to water and land. In the Arctic’s case, global warming is resulting in diminishing sea ice. As the sea ice melts, the Arctic Ocean will be more capable of absorbing solar radiation, thereby driving the amplification. The ice-albedo feedback and the lapse rate feedback are responsible for 40% and 15% of polar amplification respectively What are the consequences of Arctic warming? The causes and consequences of Arctic amplification are cyclical — what might be a cause can be a consequence too. The Greenland ice sheet saw a sharp spike in the rate and extent of melting between July 15-17 this year. The unusual summer temperatures resulted in a melt of 6 billion tonnes of ice sheet per day, amounting to a total of 18 billion tonnes in a span of three days, enough to cover West Virginia in a foot of water. In 2019, Greenland ice melt was the single biggest cause for the rise in the sea level, about 1.5 metres. If the sheet melts completely, the sea level would rise by seven metres, capable of subsuming island countries and major coastal cities. The warming of the Arctic Ocean and the seas in the region, the acidification of water, changes in the salinity levels, is impacting the biodiversity, including the marine species and the dependent species. The Arctic amplification is causing widespread starvation and death among the Arctic fauna. The permafrost in the Arctic is thawing and in turn releasing carbon and methane which are among the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. The thaw and the melt will also release the long-dormant bacteria and viruses that were trapped in the permafrost and can potentially give rise to diseases. The best-known example of this is the permafrost thaw leading to an anthrax outbreak in Siberia in 2016, where nearly 2,00,000 reindeer succumbed. What is the impact on India? The link between the changing Arctic and the monsoons in the subcontinent is growing in importance due to the extreme weather events the country faces, and the heavy reliance on rainfall for water and food security. A study titled ‘A possible relation between Arctic sea ice and late season Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall extremes’ found that the reduced sea ice in the Barents-Kara sea region can lead to extreme rainfall events in the latter half of the monsoons — in September and October. The changes in the atmospheric circulation due to diminishing sea ice combined with the warm temperatures in the Arabian Sea contribute to enhanced moisture and drive extreme rainfall events. According to the World Meteorological Organization’s report, ‘State of Global Climate in 2021’, sea level along the Indian coast is rising faster than the global average rate. One of the primary reasons for this rise is the melting of sea ice in the polar regions, especially the Arctic. The Arctic amplification furthers the idea that “what happens in the Arctic does not remain in the Arctic” and can substantially affect tropical processes far south. Source: The Hindu India-US relations Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 2 (International Relations) Context: The docking of the USNS Charles Drew, a United States Navy dry cargo ship, for repairs at an Indian facility in Chennai last week, marks an important first in the India-U.S. military relationship. Although bilateral strategic ties have advanced considerably over the past decade, reciprocal repair of military vessels was still a milestone that had not been crossed till now. This is a boost to the Indo-US Strategic Partnership. Signs of a broader template: During the bilateral 2+2 dialogue held in April this year, the two countries agreed to explore the possibilities of using Indian shipyards for the repair and maintenance of ships of the U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC). The docking of a U.S. military vessel at an Indian facility has both functional and geopolitical implications. Functional implication: Functionally, it signals a more efficient leveraging of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) — the military logistics agreement India signed with the U.S. in 2017. Thus far, India-U.S. cooperation under the pact had largely been confined to the exchange of fuel and stores during joint exercises and relief operations. But now India may seek reciprocal access to repair facilities at U.S. bases in Asia and beyond. S. ship’s docking is also a global endorsement of Indian shipbuilding and ship-repair capabilities. INS Vikrant is the country’s first indigenously constructed aircraft carrier and making similar vessels is a boost for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make-in-India’. Geo-political implication: It signals a consolidation of the India-U.S. partnership, and the QUAD Security Dialogue. Notwithstanding the odd refuelling of foreign warships and aircraft in Indian facilities, India’s military establishment has been wary of any moves that would create the impression of an anti-China alliance. Yet, Indian decision makers evidently are willing to be more ambitious with the India-U.S. strategic relationship. New Delhi’s decision to open repair facilities for the U.S. military suggests greater Indian readiness to accommodate the maritime interests of India’s Quad partners. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been readying to play a more active security role in the Indo- Pacific (IP) region. New Delhi’ s offer of repair services for U.S. military vessels could kickstart a process that would culminate in India opening its naval bases for friendly foreign warships. Limited in scope now: The reality is that the India-U.S. relationship is still some way from crossing a critical threshold. The agreement with India for the repair of U.S. military vessels is limited to cargo ships. S. decision makers are unlikely to seek Indian facilities for repair and replenishment of U.S. destroyers and frigates soon until New Delhi is clear about the need for strategic cooperation with the U.S. Navy. By many accounts, then, the India-U.S. maritime relationship remains a work in progress. There has doubtless been some movement ahead, but it is far from clear whether navy-to-navy ties are headed towards a wide-ranging and comprehensive partnership in the Indian Ocean littorals. India, while increasing strategic cooperation for national interests, should not abandon its ‘Strategic Autonomy’ stance which allows it more flexibility and options in the fields of external affairs and defence. Source: The Hindu A developed Country Goal Open in new  window Syllabus Mains – GS 3 (Economy – Development) Context: In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister asked Indians to embrace the “Panch Pran” — five vows — by 2047 when the country celebrates 100 years of independence. The first vow, is to become a developed country in the next 25 years. What is a “developed” country? Different global bodies and agencies classify countries differently. The ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects’ of the United Nations classifies countries into three broad categories: developed economies, economies in transition, and developing economies. To categorise countries by economic conditions, the United Nations uses the World Bank’s categorisation based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. But the UN’s nomenclature of “developed” and “developing” is being used less and less, and is often contested. But why is the United Nations classification contested? It can be argued that the UN classification is not very accurate and, as such, has limited analytical value. Only the top three mentioned in chart 3 alongside — the US, the UK and Norway — fall in the developed country category. There are 31 developed countries according to the UN in all. All the rest — except 17 “economies in transition” — are designated as “developing” countries, even though in terms of proportion, China’s per capita income is closer to Norway’s than Somalia’s. China’s per capita income is 26 times that of Somalia’s while Norway’s is just about seven times that of China’s. Then there are countries — such as Ukraine, with a per capita GNI of $4,120 (a third of China’s) — that are designated as “economies in transition”.   Where does India stand? As chart 2 shows, India is currently far behind both the so-called developed countries, as well as some developing countries. However, to be classified as a “developed” country, the average income of a country’s people matters more. And on per capita income, India is behind even Bangladesh. China’s per capita income is 5.5 times that of India, and the UK’s is almost 33 times. The disparities in per capita income often show up in the overall quality of life in different countries. A way to map this is to look at the scores of India and other countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite index where the final value is reached by looking at three factors: the health and longevity of citizens, the quality of education they receive, and their standard of life. India has made a secular improvement on HDI metrics. For instance, the life expectancy at birth (one of the sub-metrics of HDI) in India has gone from around 40 years in 1947 to around 70 years now. India has also taken giant strides in education enrolment at all three levels — primary, secondary, and tertiary. What is the distance left to cover? When compared to the developed countries or China, India has a fair distance to cover. Even though India is the world’s third-largest economy in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, most Indians are still relatively poor compared to people in other middle income or rich countries. Ten per cent of Indians, at most, have consumption levels above the commonly used threshold of $10 (PPP) per day expenditures for the global middle class. How much can India achieve by 2047? One way to make this assessment is to look at how long other countries took to get there. For instance, in per capita income terms, Norway was at India’s current level 56 years ago — in the year 1966. China reached that mark in 2007. Theoretically then, if India were to grow as fast as China did between 2007 and 2022, then, broadly speaking, it will take India another 15 years to be where China is now. India’s current HDI score (0.64) is much lower than what any of the developed countries had even in 1980. China reached the 0.64 level in 2004, and took another 13 year to reach the 0.75 level — that, incidentally, is the level at which the UK was in 1980. The World Bank’s 2018 report had made a mention of what India could achieve by 2047. “By 2047 — the centenary of its independence — at least half its citizens could join the ranks of the global middle class. By most definitions this will mean that households have access to better education and health care, clean water, improved sanitation, reliable electricity, a safe environment, affordable housing, and enough discretionary income to spend on leisure pursuits” . But it also laid out a precondition for this to happen: “Fulfilling these aspirations requires income well above the extreme poverty line, as well as vastly improved public service delivery.” Source: Indian Express Baba’s Explainer – Fintech Regulation in India Fintech Regulation in India Syllabus GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment  GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Read Complete Details on Fintech Regulation in India Daily Practice MCQs Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) Consider the following statements Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) Under ECLGS collateral free additional credit is provided to MSMEs. Under ECLGS 100% guarantee coverage is being provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company. Choose the incorrect statements: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Which of the below given pairs is/are correctly matched? GI Products State Tawlhlohpuan Manipur Khola Chilli Kerala Kaji Nemu Odisha Choose the correct code: 1, 2 and 3 1 only 2 only None Q.3) Consider the following statements about Durgawati Devi She was a revolutionary and member of Naujawan Bharat Sabha. She made an unsuccessful attempt to kill the Punjab Governor, Lord Hailey. Choose the correct statements: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 and 2 Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!! ANSWERS FOR ’18th August 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs. ANSWERS FOR 17th August 2022 – Daily Practice MCQs Answers- Daily Practice MCQs Q.1) – d Q.2) – a Q.3) – d table, td, th { border: 1px solid;} table {width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; }