Posts

UPSC हिन्दी Quiz– 2021: IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz 7th March 2022

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE करेंट अफेयर्स के प्रश्न 'द हिंदू', 'इंडियन एक्सप्रेस' और 'पीआईबी' जैसे स्रोतों पर आधारित होते हैं, जो यूपीएससी प्रारंभिक परीक्षा के लिए बहुत महत्वपूर्ण स्रोत हैं। प्रश्न अवधारणाओं और तथ्यों दोनों पर केंद्रित हैं। दोहराव से बचने के लिए यहां कवर किए गए विषय आम तौर पर 'दैनिक करंट अफेयर्स / डेली न्यूज एनालिसिस (डीएनए) और डेली स्टेटिक क्विज' के तहत कवर किए जा रहे विषयों से भिन्न होते हैं। प्रश्न सोमवार से शनिवार तक दोपहर 2 बजे से पहले प्रकाशित किए जाएंगे। इस कार्य में आपको 10 मिनट से ज्यादा नहीं देना है। इस कार्य के लिए तैयार हो जाएं और इस पहल का इष्टतम तरीके से उपयोग करें। याद रखें कि, "साधारण अभ्यर्थी और चयनित होने वाले अभ्यर्थी के बीच का अंतर केवल दैनक अभ्यास है !!" Important Note: Comment अनुभाग में अपने अंक पोस्ट करना न भूलें। साथ ही, हमें बताएं कि क्या आपको आज का टेस्ट अच्छा लगा । 5 प्रश्नों को पूरा करने के बाद, अपना स्कोर, समय और उत्तर देखने के लिए ‘View Questions’ पर क्लिक करें। उत्तर देखने के लिए, इन निर्देशों का पालन करें: 1 - 'स्टार्ट टेस्ट/ Start Test' बटन पर क्लिक करें प्रश्न हल करें 'टेस्ट सारांश/Test Summary'बटन पर क्लिक करें 'फिनिश टेस्ट/Finish Test'बटन पर क्लिक करें अब ‘View Questions’बटन पर क्लिक करें - यहां आपको उत्तर और लिंक दिखाई देंगे। To take the Test - Click Here

IASbaba’s Think Learn Perform (TLP - Phase 1) 2022 - UPSC Mains Answer Writing General Studies Paper 2 Questions [7th March, 2022] – Day 36

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Everyone,  TLP being an integral formula for success for many toppers over the years including Rank 1 is no secret. In their ‘must to-do' list for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination, TLP by far occupies the first place. 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 standard before you write the actual Mains. You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, we will post 3 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (12 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. From this year we have integrated the TLP free answer writing page in the main website itself, unlike previous years. So all the answers should be posted under the questions for the evaluation. Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. To Know More about TLP  -> CLICK HERE Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. How does politicisation of appointments to constitutional posts affect democratic governance? Analyse. (10 Marks) संवैधानिक पदों पर नियुक्तियों का राजनीतिकरण लोकतांत्रिक शासन को कैसे प्रभावित करता है? विश्लेषण करें। 2. Do you think electoral code of conduct can be enforced more strictly?  Why or why not? Substantiate your views. (10 Marks) क्या आपको लगता है कि चुनावी आचार संहिता को और सख्ती से लागू किया जा सकता है? क्यों या क्यों नहीं? अपने विचारों की पुष्टि करें। 3. Do you think India’s policy of strategic autonomy or non-alignment is just a prettified language for ducking hard choices? Critically comment. (15 Marks) क्या आपको लगता है कि भारत की रणनीतिक स्वायत्तता या गुटनिरपेक्षता की नीति कठिन विकल्पों को टालने के लिए सिर्फ एक सुंदर भाषा है? समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी करें। P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time 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 :)

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 7th March 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

SYNOPSIS [4th March,2022] Day 33: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [4th March,2022] Day 33: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. Aptitude without Attitude is Blind; Attitude without Aptitude is Lame.” Comment.  Approach-  Candidates need to write about attitude and aptitude with simple comparison highlight the importance of both in persons life with giving examples from daily life.  Introduction  Attitude and Aptitude are important characteristics of the human personality, which influence one’s learning, performance and behaviour as well as the way one adapts to his or her environment. Body  Aptitude: An aptitude is a component of a competence to do a certain kind of work at a certain level. Aptitude is inborn potential to do certain kinds of work whether developed or undeveloped. Attitude: A predisposition or a tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain idea, object, person, or situation. While attitude is associated with character or virtues; it is a reflection of one’s personality, aptitude is associated with competence; it determines if the person can develop desired skills to do a task. Aptitude is the ‘ability to learn’ and attitude is the ‘desire to learn’, i.e., aptitude basically tells about the potential ability to learn or acquire a skill while, attitude tells about a person’s desire to perform or learn. For e.g. an aptitude for mathematics and reasoning is essential for success in engineering field. Similarly, civil service requires a certain specific aptitude for success. Attitude is a psychological phenomenon which can be positive, negative or neutral. On the other hand, aptitude can be mental (general mental ability) or physical. Both attitude and aptitude can be nurtured. Requirement of both in today’s generation: In a constantly changing work environment, aptitude is crucial if one wants to succeed. If you have the potential to learn new skills and develop them over a time, success will not be far. But attitude often takes precedence because the right attitude helps influence other aspects like emotional intelligence, leadership, team spirit, fraternity, empathy, compassion, which are very vital for a civil servant. For example, the ability to fit in with the culture and values of the company or organization is crucial which demands a positive and right attitude more than just having high skill and apt aptitude. Many opportunities are lost, withheld, and forfeited because of negative or wrong attitude than from any other cause.  For instance, a person having an aptitude in scientific field in new emerging technologies but lacking the desire to hone his/her skill will not make him/her a good scientists no matter how greatly he might be gifted. Conclusion Both the right skills (aptitude) and the disposition (attitude) are equally important to excel in a particular field. In a diverse country like India, it is the right blend of the two inherited and acquired qualities respectively that go hand in hand in determining the gains and losses in a person’s life and help shaping the progress of one’s life. 2. Impartiality can’t be equated with neutrality. Do you agree? Critically comment.  Approach   Students are expected to write about both neutrality and impartiality and then as question demands to critically comment write points based on both as equal tenets of ethical values and also provide alternate side to it.  Introduction  Impartiality and Neutrality both form essential foundational values for civil services. While impartiality ensures equality without any bias and prejudices in the general, neutrality ensures a neutral approach in politics and a solid commitment to the government. Body  Neutrality: Neutrality is political neutrality or non-partisanship in the context of public administration. It means one is not being specifically owned or affiliated with any group, party or cause. Impartiality: Impartiality is a principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons. Impartiality and neutrality can’t be equated: Impartiality means that civil servants in carrying out their official work, including functions like procurement, recruitment, delivery of services etc, should take decisions based on merit alone. However, neutrality implies that the administrator is to do his task without any fear of, or favour to any political party. The values of the administrator will flow from the constitution not from the ideology of any political party. Neutrality means in a crisis humanitarian situation aid must not favour any side in an armed conflict or other dispute. Impartiality means that humanitarian aid must be provided solely on the basis of need, without discrimination. Impartiality and neutrality are same with similar characteristics: Both imply tolerance and restraint, particularly in dealing with political or religious convictions. Both values lies at the heart of public service and is the core of the commitments of a public servant. Both ensure citizen-centric administration and help in realizing the political and socio-economic justice. Impartiality imparts creation of positive & conducive work culture, keeping oneself free from nepotism, political-corporate nexus and corruption.  Without neutrality, there can be a close nexus between bureaucracy and large-scale enterprises which could further lead to crony capitalism. Conclusion However, it’s a bitter truth that neutrality and impartiality is seldom achieved in public service. In a diverse country like ours it is important that civil servants uphold these values and become a true democratic interface. These values become more so important where laws or guidelines are absent or not defined clearly. 3. Integrity is the seed for achievement. Elucidate. Approach- Candidates need to write about how the Integrity is the seed for achievement. Also elucidate/ highlight it with examples. Introduction Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions. Integrity can stand in opposition to hypocrisy, in that judging with the standards of integrity involves regarding internal consistency as a virtue, and suggests that parties holding within themselves apparently conflicting values should account for the discrepancy or alter their beliefs. Integrity is the seed for achievement Integrity brings out success. Basically, having integrity is like avoiding unnecessary traits like stress, anxiety, and confusion.  Integrity is the only value that you can develop to get success.  It’s true that success without integrity means nothing. Having the courage to do the right thing is the only trait everyone craves for.  Be it professionally or personally, integrity is an essential trait to have.  No matter how speedily the world and trends are changing, integrity remains the same.  Integrity provides inner peace, happiness, and success. Successful people create positive personal impact.  A strong, unique personal brand is key to creating positive personal impact.   While your personal brand should be uniquely you, integrity is one thing that should be common to all personal brand.   In fact, integrity should be the cornerstone of your brand.  Do what you say.  Under promise and over deliver.   Become known as a person of integrity and you will be on your way to building a successful personal brand. Your integrity reflects who you are as a human being. It’s your deeper alignment with who you say you are and what you say you want.  When you’re living in alignment and integrity, it allows for greater power, expansion with ease, and more effortless attainment of goals… not to mention more happiness and joy. The easiest and most direct way to build your integrity (and your awareness of integrity) is to focus on living in alignment with your word.  If you do this one thing in your business and your life where there are any issues, problems or confusion, you will see incredible shifts and momentum toward the outcomes you are wanting to create.  integrity is important for one very practical reason — it creates the conditions in our personal and professional lives and relationships that allow for everything to WORK.  In any situation, people want to know where they stand and what kind of response they can depend on.  Integrity is the foundation by which consistency and trust supports us to work effectively, both on our own and with others, to create the results we want.  This holds true just as much for our personal goals and intimate relationships as it does for our leadership and professional successes. Conclusion Hakuna Matata means “no worries”. Apply Hakuna Matata in your life and be happy with whatever you have. Be honest and always speak the truth. Carry an integral personality full of integrity that is strong and hard enough to break. TLP Synopsis Day 33 PDF

IASbaba’s Think Learn Perform (TLP - Phase 1) 2022 - UPSC Mains Answer Writing General Studies Essay Questions [5th March, 2022] – Day 34

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Everyone,  TLP being an integral formula for success for many toppers over the years including Rank 1 is no secret. In their ‘must to-do' list for the UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination, TLP by far occupies the first place. 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 standard before you write the actual Mains. You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, we will post 3 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (12 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. From this year we have integrated the TLP free answer writing page in the main website itself, unlike previous years. So all the answers should be posted under the questions for the evaluation. Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. To Know More about TLP  -> CLICK HERE Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. यदि आप चीजों को देखने का नजरिया बदलते हैं, तो आप जिन चीजों को देखते हैं, वे भी बदल जाती हैं। 2. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. अगर संघर्ष नहीं है, तो कोई प्रगति नहीं है। 3. All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. सभी परिवर्तन विकास नहीं हैं, जैसे सभी गति आगे बढ़ना नहीं है। 4. There is nothing permanent except change. परिवर्तन के अलावा कुछ भी स्थायी नहीं है। P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time 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 :)

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – How to begin meditating – Inspirational Educative Articles

How to begin meditating? Start with total alertness. Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Tell yourself, “I want to be alert and active throughout this process. My aim is not to relax, but to observe the disturbance.” You will see that both the body and the mind are disturbed, and you are simply observing this. Observe the discomfort of sitting, the effort involved, the pain of the body, and the sensations of the body - Observe it all. Meanwhile, notice how your mind is constantly trying to have a conversation with you: “What are you doing? What is this? Do you want me to think or keep quiet? What should I think about now?” And you say, “Don’t think about anything. This is the time for relaxation.” The mind says, “Then why are you not sleeping? Why is your body in this weird sleeping position?” You respond, “This is meditation.” The mind says, “Okay, fine. So what do I do now?” You get irritated and say, “Can you please shut up for a moment so that I can concentrate on my breath?” The mind says, “Ok. Are you watching the breath properly? What are you doing with the breath? Who has tricked you into doing this? You’re supposed to be doing something else.” You say, “I don’t want to think about anything. Let me get back to the breath.” And then slowly the voice softens. The mind softly questions, “What are you doing with the breath?” Even softer, “Why are you still observing the breath?” Just because your mind is becoming quiet, doesn’t mean that you are relaxing and becoming peaceful. It can also mean that you are falling asleep. A quiet mind is not always a peaceful mind. A sleepy mind can also be quiet. This is where your effort to stay awake comes in. When you begin to notice that your mind is becoming quiet and you are not being disturbed, you have to become more alert and aware. The mind becomes quiet when it begins to drift in thoughts. Do not confuse the quiet mind with a meditative mind. The mind appears to be silent because now it is drifting away in thoughts and you are slowly beginning to fall asleep. As long as you are hearing your mind and observing its continuous disturbance, you are in meditation. Meditation is difficult because you have to observe all the nonsense that your mind is generating, without escaping into sleep. Mind is like a nonstop radio in your head. It was turned on at your birth and will continue to be on for the rest of your life, until you find the off switch. The purpose of meditation is finding that off switch of the mind. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”

SYNOPSIS [3rd March,2022] Day 32: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [3rd March,2022] Day 32: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. Examine the factors behind the Crimean war of 1853-56? Why was it significant? Discuss.  Approach-  Candidates need to write about Crimean war and it’s different factors also highlight the significance of the crimean war.  Introduction  The Crimean War broke out on 5th October 1853, a military conflict fought between the Russian Empire on one side, against an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia. The complexity of the war meant that it was fought on the grounds of various reasons by different parties, as everyone had a vested interest in the region. Body  The outbreak of violence arose from various factors: As the Ottoman Empire steadily weakened during the 19th century, the Russian Empire stood poised to take advantage by expanding southward.  In the 1850s, the British and the French Empires were allied with the Ottoman Empire and were determined to prevent that from happening.  Russia’s aggressiveness also made the British nervous about maintaining their trade with Turkey and access to India. Meanwhile, the French, who still remembered Napoleon I’s defeat by the Russians, saw a chance to take revenge. Religious tensions helped trigger the war. While it’s remembered as a clash of empires, the Crimean War was sparked by a seemingly minor religious dispute.  For years, Orthodox Christians and Roman Catholics had squabbled over access to holy sites within the borders of the majority-Muslim Ottoman Empire. Its name notwithstanding, the Crimean War was a global conflict that featured several different theaters of battle. Early clashes occurred in the Balkans and in Turkey, and the focus only shifted to Crimea after the Allies launched an invasion of the peninsula in September 1854. For centuries, one central goal of Russian foreign policy was to obtain a warm water port in the south namely, at the Bosporus Straits and the Strait of the Dardanelles, the small waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.  Significance: The war helped convince Russia to sell Alaska to the United States. Several factors were involved in Russia’s decision to offload its North American territories in Alaska, but the most pressing arose after its defeat in Crimea. Thanks to new technologies such as the steamship and the electric telegraph, the Crimean War was the first major conflict where civilian journalists sent dispatches from the battlefield.  The resulting Treaty of Paris, signed on March 30, 1856, guaranteed the integrity of Ottoman Turkey and obliged Russia to surrender southern Bessarabia at the mouth of the Danube. The Crimean War produced about 500,000 total casualties, with about half suffered by each side. A disproportionate number of deaths were caused by disease. Their work paved the way for later developments in battlefield medicine. Conclusion The greater importance of the Crimean War is embodied in one international and one national element. It was the final war in which the Ottoman Empire had any victorious role and it Marked the end of the veritable charade of Russian military dominance on the Continent. On the national scale, the Crimean War, some historians have argued, marked the beginning of the road to the Russian Revolution of 1917.  2. How did the disintegration of the USSR shape the future of Eastern Europe? Analyse.  Approach  Students are expected to write about the fall of USSR and then simply write about how it affected and shaped the eastern European nations.  Introduction  The Soviet Union was established in 1922 by a treaty signed between Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia Soviet Socialist republics and Trans-Caucasian Federation. It later constituted fifteen smaller states. Notwithstanding its achievements, the USSR met its fateful decline in 1991 mainly due to Mikhael Gorbvachev’s economic and political reforms- Perestroika and Glasnost respectively.  Body  Rise of nationalism among countries like Russia, Baltic republics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Ukraine, Georgia etc is the most important and immediate cause of disintegration of the USSR.  The national feeling was strong among the more prosperous areas in USSR and not in Central Asian republics. Ordinary people among prosperous republics didn’t like to pay big price to uplift the backward Central Asian republics. Emergence of new countries and new alliances – Eg: Baltic countries aligned with NATO. Changes in politics of Europe led to dilution of division between Western and Eastern Europe. Demolition of the Berlin wall, the unification of Germany, the end of the Warsaw Pact and rise of democratic regimes changed the politics of Europe.  The membership of European Union enlarged with eastern European countries leading to emergence of new economic bloc -EU. With the EU looming over the realm, the now-independent countries of Eastern Europe shifted their economic direction away from Moscow and the collapsing Communist state and toward the core industrial countries of Western Europe and the EU. With the fall of Communism came economic reforms that shifted countries from central planning to open markets. Great elegance has helped it become one of the major tourist attractions in Eastern Europe. Major movie studios have also traveled to the city to film. There was Change in power equations many eastern European countries joined the bipolar world, capitalist ideology, IMF, OECD, World Bank etc. Conclusion Hence, the disintegration of the USSR resulted in a phase of USA’s dominance in world politics. Countries like India maintained good relations with Russia post-disintegration and shared the idea of having a multipolar world order. India’s position also improved at international and regional level not in a hegemonic way but as a responsible and powerful country. 3. Discuss the historical background of the NATO. How is it shaping the events in Eastern Europe today? Discuss. Approach- Candidates need to discuss the historical background of the NATO and how is it shaping the events in Eastern Europe today. Introduction The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. It was the first peacetime military alliance the United States entered into outside of the Western Hemisphere. The historical background of the NATO After the destruction of the Second World War, the nations of Europe struggled to rebuild their economies. The United States viewed an economically strong, rearmed, and integrated Europe as vital to the prevention of communist expansion across the continent.  As a result, Secretary of State George Marshall proposed a Marshall plan.  The plan resulted in promotion of the idea of shared interests and cooperation between the United States and Europe.  Aid provided through the US-funded Marshall Plan (also known as the European Recovery Program) and other means fostered a degree of economic stabilisation.  European states still needed confidence in their security, however, before they would begin talking and trading with each other.  Military cooperation, and the security it would bring, would have to develop in parallel with economic and political progress. With this in mind, several Western European democracies came together to implement various projects for greater military cooperation and collective defence, including the creation of the Western Union in 1948, later to become the Western European Union in 1954.  In the end, it was determined that only a truly transatlantic security agreement could deter Soviet aggression while simultaneously preventing the revival of European militarism and laying the groundwork for political integration. Accordingly, after much discussion and debate, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed on 4 April, 1949.  How is it shaping the events in Eastern Europe today? The current confrontation between Russia and the west is fuelled by many grievances, but the greatest is the belief in Moscow that the west tricked the former Soviet Union by breaking promises made at the end of the cold war in 1989-1990 that NATO would not expand to the east. The threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine has placed heightened importance on the United States' and NATO's defences across eastern Europe, which for decades have acted as a buffer between Russia and the West.  NATO has four multinational battalion-size battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, which operate on a rotational basis. Although Ukraine is not a NATO member, the alliance also provides strategic-level advice to the country and has described the relationship as "one of the most substantial of NATO's partnerships." Other assets at NATO's disposal in the region include a missile defense system in Romania, designed to "detect, track, engage, and destroy" ballistic missiles in the atmosphere. Conclusion Today, the crisis in Ukraine makes it all too clear that the U.S. and NATO need to take a very different approach to creating an effective strategy and to NATO’s force planning and modernization on a country-by-country level. Regardless of how Russia’s present pressure on Ukraine works out, it is clear that Russia is likely to be hostile as long as President Putin is in power. TLP Synopsis Day 32 PDF

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 5th March 2022

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Jal Jeevan Mission Part of: Prelims and GS-II Policies and interventions Context: Nine hundred and eighteen habitations, spread over five districts, are going to have combined water supply schemes at a cost of about Rs. 1,473 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The work on all the schemes is expected to be completed in two years. The Central government’s share of the cost will be about Rs. 581.5 crore; the State government’s Rs. 884.3 crore; and the community contribution Rs. 7.4 crore. What is Jal Jeevan Mission? It is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. It envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. It also includes functional tap connection to Schools, Anganwadi centres, GP buildings, Health centres, wellness centres and community buildings The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting.  JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level. The Mission is based on a community approach to water. It looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. It promotes and ensures voluntary ownership among local communities by way of contribution in cash, kind and/ or labour and voluntary labour. Parent Ministry: Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti 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. Four-tier implementation & monitoring of the scheme at National, State, District & village level. News Source: TH Place in news: Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Part of: Prelims and GS-II International Relations  Context: Russian forces have seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the largest in Europe, after intense fighting with Ukrainian defenders. U.S. Energy Secretary said there was no indication of elevated radiation levels at the plant, which provides more than a fifth of total electricity generated in Ukraine. Key updates Only one Ukrainian city, the southern port of Kherson, has fallen to Russian forces since the invasion was launched on February 24, but Russian forces continue to surround and attack other cities. Mariupol, the main port on the Sea of Azov, was surrounded and under heavy bombardment. The northeastern city of Kharkiv has been under attack since the start of the invasion. News Source: TH Fear of shortage of semiconductors Part of: Prelims and GS-III Economy Context: Moody’s Analytics has warned that the Russia-Ukraine war could hit global supply chains that are already constrained due to the pandemic. Key takeaways  The worst impact would be on the ongoing chip shortage because the warring nations control significant supplies of key raw materials used in semiconductors. Russia controls about 44% of global palladium supplies and Ukraine produces 70% of the neon supply — two key raw materials that go into making chips. Semiconductors chips are necessary in the likes of automobiles, mobile phones and consumer electronics. Do You Know? It is estimated that the semiconductor industry is growing fast and can reach $1 trillion dollar in this decade.  India can grow fast and reach $64 billion by 2026 from $27 billion today.  Mobiles, wearables, IT and industrial components are the leading segments in the Indian semiconductor industry contributing around 80% of the revenues in 2021.  The mobile and wearables segment is valued at $13.8 billion and is expected to reach $31.5 billion in 2026 News Source: TH (News from PIB) Modernisation Plan-IV for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II: Government schemes and policies In News: The Government has approved the scheme - Modernisation Plan-IV for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in continuation of the scheme “Modernisation Plan-III for CAPFs. Implementation by: Ministry of Home Affairs  Upgraded IT solutions will also be provided to CAPFs. Will improve the overall operational efficiency/preparedness which will positively impact the internal security scenario in the country.   Bolster the Government’s ability to address the challenges being faced on the International Border/LoC/LAC as well as in the different theatres, such as areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and insurgency affected North Eastern States. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) GOVERNANCE/ ECONOMY GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. AP High Court Verdict on Amaravati Context: In a significant development, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the State government to construct and develop Amaravati capital city and capital region within six months as agreed in the terms and conditions under the provisions of APCRDA Act of 2014. Brief background of the case In 2014, the Amaravati region was chosen as the site of the capital of Andhra Pradesh, the residuary State left after the creation of Telangana. However, with the change of regime in 2019, the work was stopped where the new government proposed decentralised development by having three capitals. AP legislature passed AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Act 2020 and Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development (Repeal) Act 2020 which proposed to establish three capitals in the state - Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, and Kurnool as the legislative, executive, and judicial capitals respectively.  Essentially, around 33,000 families of Amravati had given up their land in 2014-15 for capital region development program.  However, with the legislation for the construction of three capital cities in 2020, the families were left with no sustainable means of livelihood. Therefore, they challenged these new legislation (proposal of three capitals) in AP High Court. Petitioners argued that the abrupt halting of development in the capital region (Amrawati) had led to the crashing of the value of plots and this could mean that these families would incur a loss of over Rs 30,000 crore if the value of returnable plots is estimated at the lowest prices. But in November 2021, the State had repealed/withdrew these laws. Key Features of the High Court Verdict State’s High Court has ruled that it cannot abandon the project to develop Amaravati as the capital city after over 33,000 acres had been given up by farmers and ₹15,000 crore sunk in it over development expenditure.  The Court has held that the action of the state to come up with a proposal for three capitals was arbitrary and violative of Articles 21 and 300-A of the Constitution of India. State Legislature lacks competence to make any legislation for shifting, bifurcating or trifurcating the capital and Heads of Departments of the three wings of the Government including the High Court  The High Court has also categorically held that the state had failed to keep up their promise to the petitioners who had surrendered their lands expecting developed, reconstituted plots as the State failed to complete the process of construction of Amrawati City by 2018. The State is directed to construct and develop Amaravati capital city and capital region within six months time. Implications of the verdict The verdict, if undisturbed by the Supreme Court, may put an end to attempts to shift the capital city out of Amaravati.  A welcome feature of the verdict is that it has invoked the doctrines of constitutional trust and promissory estoppel to prevent a regime from going back on its promises to citizens.  Promissory estoppel is a doctrine in contract law that stops a person from going back on a promise even if a legal contract does not exist. It sends out a message that governance should not be buffeted by winds of political change or be held hostage to the passing whimsy of a particular regime. Connecting the dots: Reorganisation of States Separation of Power (ORF: Raisina Debates) March 1: Australia–India scripting a ‘new chapter’ in bilateral relations-https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/australia-india-scripting-a-new-chapter-in-bilateral-relations/   TOPIC: GS-2: India and Australia Australia–India scripting a ‘new chapter’ in bilateral relations Context: The engagement on both sides has amplified across multiple platforms and sectors, clearly focused on building tangible commitments and actions, to embrace a win-win partnership. If 2020 was the year of elevation of Australia–India bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), 2021 was about bringing pace, energy, and solidifying the bilateral economic engagement, 2022 is surely about a focused head start to script a new and committed engagement narrative, and the month of February had been a busy and promising month for bilateral ties. The Global Geostrategic and Geoeconomic Landscape The Quad (this time at Australia) agreed to “accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines across the region, address regional challenges including humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), maritime security, counterterrorism, countering disinformation and cyber security.”  Australia has also proposed to host an Indo-Pacific Clean Energy Supply Chain Forum in mid-2022. Indo-Pacific economic integration: Australia will provide AUD$36.5 million over five years, including AUD $11.4 million to improve regional cooperation on maritime shipping, disaster resilience, and information sharing. It will invest AUD$10.2 million to increase engagement on regional economic challenges and explore new opportunities in the digital sector in Bangladesh.  In addition, the Australian government will invest AUD$5.8 million to promote infrastructure investment opportunities in the region to Australian business, invest AUD$4.8 million to improve Australian resources and mining equipment, technology and services (METS), and understanding of South Asian markets.  A further AUD$4.3 million will support relationships across the LNG supply chain between Australia, India, and Bangladesh.  Together, these measures will support opportunities for trade, investment, and connectivity in the Northeast Indian Ocean. The evolving narrative on the Indo-Pacific region reflects the emerging structural shift in geostrategic and geoeconomic imagination and environment. India and Australia A. With the advent of industry 4.0, cyber security, innovation, digital economy, and cyber & critical technology cooperation have become a key part of Australia’s relationship with India, enabling an ecosystem of collaboration between industry, academia, and subject matter experts through the New Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy to build security standards, best practices, and ethical framework.  B. The inaugural Australia–India Foreign minister’s Cyber Dialogue focused on further promoting stronger investment opportunities and cutting-edge innovation in cyber, critical, and emerging technologies. C. Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA): There is a likely possibility of a full-fledged CECA becoming a reality sooner than later, considering the Australian federal elections are just around the corner. The economic context within which the CECA is being negotiated has changed, it is a completely different world to two years ago, and the ways in which crisis of supply, people and resourcing has manifested itself in business needs to be examined thoroughly. The CECA is likely to  Lower tariffs Provide greater access to Australian and Indian exporters in areas such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, footwear, dairy products, milk, premium wines and many more, focused on post-COVID economic recovery, along with the importance of an early resolution of ongoing issue of taxation of offshore income of Indian firms in Australia.  D. MoU on Tourism Cooperation: Promote travel between the two markets and advance cooperation on tourism policy, data sharing, training, and industry engagement. Pre-pandemic, India was Australia’s fastest-growing source of international visitors. A large Australian Indian diaspora population and international student cohort with accessible connectivity will continue to open up international travel to a larger proportion of India’s population, also a strong enabler in building ‘Brand Australia’ in India.  E. Australia–India Infrastructure Forum: Will serve as a hub to promote two-way investment in infrastructure and support broader trade and investment bilateral objectives. Opportunities in urban infrastructure, transport, and water remain key focus sub-sectors for Australia in India. With large sovereign funds, pension funds, private equity investing in India, and with infrastructure spend slated to be US$ 1.4 trillion by 2025 as part of the Govt. of India national infrastructure pipeline, opportunities are tremendous within the infrastructure sector to align mutual capabilities. F. To foster the Australia-India community cooperation, creativity, understanding and exchange, Australia has also launched three Maitri (friendship) initiatives with a total investment worth AUD$20.8 million. The AUD$11.2 million Maitri Scholarships Programme aims to attract and support high achieving Indian students to study in Australian universities particularly in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health.  The AUD$3.5 million Maitri Grants and Fellowships Programme will build links between future leaders, supporting mid-career Australian and Indian professionals to collaborate on strategic research and shared priorities.  The AUD$6.1 million Australia-India Maitri Cultural Partnership will boost the role of creative industries in economic and people-to-people ties to promote artistic talent and cultural exchanges in visual and performing arts, literature, film, television, and music industries. G. 4th India – Australia Energy Dialogue: Both countries have decided to drive down the costs of technologies that will help reduce global emissions, with focus on tangible actions and projects including the manufacture and deployment of ultra-low-cost solar and green hydrogen.  Pave the way for working towards reducing the cost of new and renewable energy technologies Scaling up deployment in order to accelerate global emissions reduction.  Focus of this LoI: Scaling up manufacture and deployment of ultra-low-cost solar and clean hydrogen Other areas of cooperation: There is an urgent need to focus on advancing technology and clean energy transition. Energy efficiency technologies Grid management R&D collaboration on flue gas desulphurisation, biomass or hydrogen co-firing Water cycle optimization Renewables integration Batteries Electric mobility Apart from the power sector, there are many desirable areas of cooperation agreed under  Reducing costs of Green Hydrogen Cooperation in sphere of coal-based energy security and resource deployment Investment opportunities in the minerals sector Exploring potential for an LNG Partnership Conclusion The partnership between Australia and India is no longer one-dimensional or single layered, what we are witnessing today is a truly comprehensive bilateral growth story that is driven by consistency, commitment, and action. The key is to keep the Australia story thriving in India, and India story thriving in Australia on a consistent basis in public memory; this involves a holistic multi-stakeholder strategy and approach which deepens understanding and appreciation of each other. Can you answer the following question? Collaboration between India and Australia can limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific. Comment.  (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding Jal Jeevan Mission: It is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. It comes under the Ministry of Rural Development. Which of the above is or are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.2 Semiconductors are useful in which of the following?  Automobiles Mobile phones  Consumer electronics. All of the above Q.3 Where is the largest nuclear plant of Europe located? Russia France Ukraine Poland ANSWERS FOR 5th March 2022 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 D 3 C Must Read On significance of Gandhian non-violent approach: The Hindu On need for policy for waste pickers: Indian Express

SYNOPSIS [2nd March,2022] Day 31: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [2nd March,2022] Day 31: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. In a globalised world, events occurring beyond the borders have domestic repercussions. In this light, examine the possible implications of Russian aggression against Ukraine on India.  Approach-  Candidates need to write about Ukraine crisis and then simply write implications of it on India in current and future scenario also suggest wayforward.  Introduction  The Ukraine crisis has crossed a critical point, with Russia following up its recognition of rebel regions in eastern Ukraine (Donbas region)- Donetsk and Luhansk. The conflict is now the largest attack by one state on another in Europe since the Second World War, and the first since the Balkan conflict in the 1990s. Body  Implications of Russian aggression against Ukraine on India: India’s imports of petroleum products from Russia are only a fraction of its total oil import bill and thus, replaceable. But getting alternative sources for fertilizers and sunflower oil may not be as easy.  Exports to Russia account for less than 1% of India’s total exports; pharmaceuticals and tea could face some challenges, as will shipments to CIS countries.  Freight rate hikes (due to increased risk in global trade) could make overall exports less competitive too, but it is the indirect impact on the trade account that is more worrying. The surge in crude oil prices will increase India’s inelastic oil import bill, and gold imports could increase and keep the rupee under pressure. As a result, trade and current account deficits may be jeopardised, although forex reserves are healthy. India imports more than 80% of its oil requirement, but the share of oil imports in its total imports is around 25%. Rising oil prices could speed up already rising inflation. Oil-related products have a share of over 9% in the WPI basket.  Also, sanctions on Russia by the West could impact its trade with the India in strategic issues such as S400.  The prospective Russian invasion of Ukraine comes amidst India’s military tensions with China and Delhi’s continued dependence on Moscow’s military supplies. Shift of West and USA from Indo Pacific to European Baltic region.  It also comes at a time when Delhi is trying to build an international coalition against China’s brazen attacks on the territorial sovereignty of its Asian neighbours. Huge challenge of evacuation of Indian citizens students from the Ukraine that is around 20000 and other Ukraine bordering warton region.  Wayforward It will have to balance the pressure from one strategic partner to condemn the violation of international law, with that from another to understand its legitimate concerns.  Delhi must talk continually to all sides, and engage with all of its partners, keeping in mind that there is no justification for the violation of any country’s territorial sovereignty. India must also make it clear to coercing countries that their “with us or against us” formulations are hardly constructive. 2. Welfare policies can’t ensure sustainable social transformation unless they ensure social empowerment. Elucidate.  Approach  Students are expected to write about the social empowerment and how welfare policies were unable to ensure sustainable social transformation. Therefore suggest measures ideas how with social empowerment welfare policies can ensure sustainable social transformation.  Introduction  Social Empowerment means all the sections of society in India, have equal control over their lives, are able to take important decisions in their lives, and have equal opportunities. Without empowering all sections of society equally, a nation can never have a good growth trajectory. Body  Welfare policies unable to ensure sustainable social transformation: Unequal Distribution of Wealth and Non-inclusive growth: In the last five years, only 1% of the wealthiest in India increased their share in wealth of around 60% and the richest 10% in India own more than four times more wealth than the remaining 90%. Dismal condition of Education and Health: On comparison with similarly placed emerging economies, India spends way too low in the education and health sector. Education status in India: Independent India retained the largely colonial superstructure of primary, secondary, and tertiary education, which emphasis on rote learning and obsession with marks in the exams. Health status in India: Even after many government schemes, both the infant mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate remains high. There is a high prevalence of malnutrition in Indian children, reflected in a high percentage of Child stunting, wasting and underweight. Welfare policies through social empowerment ensuring sustainability: Education and health care are not only vital for quality of life, they have much to contribute to social empowerment and social change. India needs to broaden its base in the spheres of education, healthcare and women’s equality to foster social empowerment.  There is a need for proper utilization of funds by plugging the loopholes arising from procedural and institutional bottlenecks. The mantra of availability, affordability, and assurance must be followed for improving status and performance of Health care in India. Road to sustainable social empowerment goes through breaking away from shackles of poverty, patriarchy, and Caste both in the public and private spheres. Many schemes and programs related to employments, such as, MGNREGA, Aajivika, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antodaya yojana, etc. Along with schemes involving subsidies, food security, Ayushman Bharat, Ujaala, etc ensure empowerment but need to recalibrate it for sustainability.  Conclusion The Objectives of State as per preamble of Indian constitution are Justice, Equality, Fraternity and Liberty. These objectives point towards social empowerment of the vulnerable and hitherto socially disadvantaged section. Social empowerment will help in political and economic progress of our country and in turn help us all. The India envisaged by our forefathers is a socially empowered India and with many political-economic awareness Interventions which we must carry forward in right direction. 3. What is your interpretation of secularism when it comes to educational institutions. Substantiate your views. Approach- Candidates need to write about their interpretation of secularism when it comes to educational institutions and provide evidence for it. Introduction Secularism has been a much used (and abused) term in India’s popular, particularly political, lexicon for the last seventy years. It has meant “all things to all people,” making it difficult for common people as well as political commentators to arrive at a precise definition/meaning of it.  Interpretation of secularism when it comes to educational institutions: The Collins dictionary defines secularism as a system of social organization and education where religion is not allowed to play a part in civil affairs. When it comes to educational institutions, secularism can be interpreted from the following: The Indian state may engage with religion negatively to oppose religious tyranny. It may also choose a positive mode of engagement. Thus, the Indian constitution grants all religious minorities, the rights to establish and maintain their own educational institutions, which may receive assistance from the state.  Article 28 which authorizes educational institutions maintained by different religious groups to impart religious instruction.  Article 29 and Article 30 that guarantee certain cultural and educational rights to the minorities. Article 29 states that there shall be no discrimination among citizens on the ground of religion, race, caste, language, or any of them. Article 30 that states that all religious or linguistic minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. One way of reducing religious discrimination is to work together for “mutual enlightenment “. Education is the only way of helping change the mind set of people. Hence secularism should ensure education is used in the similar manner to mutually enlighten.  However, there are several issues that highlight secularism in terms if educational institutions in a negative way: Schools, colleges, and universities have failed to inculcate the concept of secularism in the minds of the young educated people, the thirst for knowledge and truth and a mutual feeling of respect. The defective faulty and ill-functional educational institutions which have made believe to be a part of groups and communities, have drastically failed to cultivate critical thinking and a universal humanitarian approach among the young people. Conclusion In education, everyone should seek the best way to live together. Schools, colleges, and universities should promote value-education and a humanitarian approach to make the younger students understand and religious traditions of each and every religion in the country. The State should grant assurance to every individual irrespective of their religious barriers that he has the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate his religion and freedom of conscience as per the law of the land TLP Synopsis Day 31 PDF