IASbaba's Flagship Course: Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) - 2024  Read Details

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Important Articles

[UPSC INTERVIEW] CURRENT AFFAIRS Discussion by Dr Akash Shankar, AIR 78, CSE 2018 (Interview Topper - Scored 204 in Interview) for UPSC 2020-21 Interview Students!

Hello Everyone, We at IASbaba are conducting sessions on how to answer controversial issues and tackle situation-based questions in Personality Test (Interview). These sessions will be handled by Serving, Retd. Bureaucrats, Mohan Sir. We are floating a form below so that the interested students who are selected for UPSC CSE interview 2020 can register. PS: These sessions are meant ONLY for those who are selected for UPSC Interview 2020. Session 7 will be conducted by Dr. Akash Shankar AIR 78, 2018 (Interview Topper - Scored 204 in Interview)  The topic of discussion – Clean energy- Tesla and advanced technologies. Water scarcity- drought. Women's safety and empowerment. Urbanisation- smart city n amrut. Government schemes- SBM, JJM & Electrification. Date and Time - 6th July (10 AM) REGISTER HERE - CLICK HERE PS: The link for these live sessions will be sent only to the registered students. For further queries with regard to the interview, you can mail us at support@iasbaba.com or call us on 8549000077

[Day 36]: UPSC PRELIMS 2021- Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series

Highlights/Features of Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series:  It is a FREE initiative! Program Duration - 120 Days (31st May, 2021 to 27th September, 2021). 1. Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation There will be a separate dedicated portal to help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined for the next 120 Days. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. 2. 120 Days Integrated (Prelims + Mains) Time Table This year’s RaRe Series will include Integrated Revision Plan (IRP) where we will be syncing your mains and prelims syllabus together over next 120 Days. The Revision Plan is designed by integrating IASbaba's famous flagship initiatives - 60 Day Plan and TLP Mains Answer Writing. 3. Daily RaRe Series (RRS) Videos on High Probable Topics (Monday - Friday) In video discussions, special focus is given to topics which have high probability to appear in UPSC Prelims Question Paper. Each session will be of 20 mins to 30 mins, which would cover rapid revision of 10 high probable topics (both static and current affairs) important for Prelims Exam this year according to the schedule. 4. Daily Prelims MCQs from Static (Monday - Friday) Daily Static Quiz will cover all the topics of static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment and Science and technology. 10 questions will be posted daily and these questions are framed from the topics mentioned in the schedule and in the RaRe videos. It will ensure timely and streamlined revision of your static subjects. Note: Should be integrated with the 60 Days Plan 2021. This will expose you to diverse questions from the same topics. 5. Daily Current Affairs MCQs (Monday - Saturday) Daily 5 Current Affairs questions, based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, would be published from Monday to Saturday. Note: Current Affairs questions covered in the 60 Days Plan and Daily Quiz Monthly Compilations should be covered retrospectively. 6. Daily CSAT Quiz (Monday - Friday) CSAT has been an achilles heel for many aspirants. Daily 5 CSAT Questions will be published. 7. Daily Mains Answer Writing (Monday - Friday) GS Mains will be covered along with Prelims in an integrated manner. Daily three Mains questions will be covered syllabus-wise according to the topics mentioned in the schedule. In total, it covers 250+ Mains Questions along with synopsis. 8. Brainstorming on Ethics & Essay (BEE) (Saturday & Sunday) Each week, Sunil Oberoi Sir (Retd. IAS) will take 3 sessions, two for Essay and one for Ethics. The two sessions earmarked for Essay will have a topic-based discussion where he will discuss the approach to write issue-based and philosophical essays. The topics will be picked from previous year question papers of UPSC and TLP initiative of IASbaba. 9. Full Mocks 3 GS Paper 1 Full Mocks will be provided along the lines of UPSC Prelims. 3 CSAT Paper 2 Full Mocks will be provided so that you are not overwhelmed during the D-Day. 10. Rapid Revision (RaRe) Notes Right material plays important role in clearing the exam and Rapid Revision (RaRe) Notes will have Prelims specific subject-wise refined notes. The main objective is to help students revise most important topics and that too within a very short limited time frame. Day-36 of RaRe Series - Click here To Register - Click here For complete details of the RaRe Series -  Click here

RSTV Video

L-G's role redefined – The Big Picture – RSTV IAS UPSC

Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 Federalism In News: The Parliament passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it. The Upper House passed the bill with an 83-45 vote, following several hours of heated debate and walkout by several parties, including the Congress, BJD, YSRCP and Samajwadi party.  The Bill - National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill The Bill seeks to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. It provides that the term government referred to in any law made by the Legislative Assembly of Delhi will imply the Lieutenant Governor. It also prohibits the Legislative Assembly of Delhi from making any rule to enable itself or its Committees to consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The first is in Section 21, “Restrictions on laws passed by Legislative Assembly with respect to certain matters”. The Bill seeks to add a subsection making it clear that the “expression ‘Government’ referred to in any law to be made by the Legislative Assembly shall mean the Lieutenant Governor”. The second amendment is sought in Section 24, which deals with assent to Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly. The amendment seeks to add that the L-G will not assent to and pass on to the President for consideration any Bill which “incidentally covers any of the matters which falls outside the purview of the powers conferred on the Legislative Assembly”. Third, the Bill wants to add in Section 33 (“Rules of procedure”) that rules made by the Assembly for regulating its procedure and conduct of business shall not be “inconsistent with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in House of People”. Also, “Provided that the Legislative Assembly shall not make any rule to enable itself or its Committees to consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the Capital or conduct inquiries in relation to the administrative decisions, and any of the rule made in contravention of this proviso, before the commencement of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, shall be void.” Section 44 (“Conduct of business”) of the 1991 Act says that “all executive action of the Lieutenant Governor whether taken on the advice of his Ministers or otherwise shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Lieutenant Governor”. The amendment Bill seeks to add that before any executive action is taken in “pursuance of the decision of the Council of Ministers or a Minister” or to “exercise powers of the government”, the opinion of the L-G has to be obtained. The Bill refers to clause (4) of Article 239AA of the Constitution, which states that there will be a Council of Ministers in Delhi to “aid and advise the Lieutenant Governor” and that in cases of difference of opinion between the L-G and the Ministers in making laws, the former will refer it to the President for a decision. Criticisms: One seeks to state clearly that the expression “government” will mean the Lieutenant Governor in laws made by the Legislative Assembly; the other says that the opinion of the L-G has to be sought for any executive action. The Delhi government and Centre have been at loggerheads since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power for the second time in 2015. One of the AAP’s biggest promises was to fight for full statehood for Delhi. While this has not been realised, and four areas – land, public order, police, and services – remain under the control of the L-G, the AAP had felt encouraged after a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that the L-G would be bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers in matters that were not directly under the control of the L-G. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Bill was a way to curtail the powers of the state, and was against the order of the Supreme Court. “After being rejected by people of Delhi (8 seats in Assembly, 0 in MCD bypolls) BJP seeks to drastically curtail powers of elected government through a Bill in Lok Sabha today. Bill is contrary to Constitution Bench judgment. We strongly condemn BJP’s unconstitutional and anti-democracy move,” Kejriwal posted on Twitter. Democracy The Supreme Court, as the final interpreter and arbiter of the Constitution, said in State (NCT of Dehi) v Union of India: (2018) 8 SCC 501: “The exercise of constituent power is meant to confer democratic, societal and political powers on the citizens who reside within the National Capital Territory of Delhi that has been granted a special status.” The Court quoted with approval Jaganmohan Reddy J who had said in Kesavananda Bharati that democratic form of government is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. Constituent Power The powers and functions of the Delhi government were finally settled by the exercise of the constituent power of Parliament. The Constitution of India was amended in 1991 and Article 239AA was inserted to provide “Special provisions with respect to Delhi”. The Statement of Objects and Reasons made it clear that “Delhi should continue to be a Union Territory and provided with a Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers responsible to such Assembly with appropriate powers to deal with matters of concern to the common man.” Article 239AA used words and phrases that had acquired a meaning in every democratic country. Among them were ‘direct election from territorial constituencies’, ‘the Legislative Assembly shall have the power to make laws… with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List or in the Concurrent List’ and, most importantly, ‘There shall be a Council of Ministers …with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Lieutenant Governor in the exercise of his functions….’ The Government of the National Territory Act, 1991, was made under Article 239AA to give effect to the provisions contained in that Article. On July 4, 2018, the Supreme Court had declared that the “meaning of ‘aid and advise’ employed in Article 239AA(4) has to be construed to mean that the Lieutenant Governor of the NCT of Delhi is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers”. Connecting the Dots: Bill introduced in Lok Sabha says 'government' in Delhi shall mean the Lt-Governor. What does it mean for the elected government, and how does this interpretation compare with the 2018 Supreme Court ruling? The world has taken note of the fact that India is only ‘partly free’. Is Democracy in India diminishing every day? Critically evaluate.  

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 5th JULY 2021

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

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 1 Questions [5th JULY,2021] – Day 126

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 1 Questions [5th JULY,2021] – Day 126 TLP (Phase 1) just got over on 8th May (Saturday) and we are extremely thankful for your active participation to make this program a success. Well, though TLP (Phase 1) got over, ‘Picture abhi baaqi hai mere dost’. There is a surprise for you. Since prelims is bound to get delayed once again this year, its not wise to leave the writing practice just now. Hence, we are extending the TLP program  We will be posting 3 questions per day (Monday to Friday). The questions will be based on Current Affairs, so that you don’t have to invest your time separately on exclusively mains oriented topics. So, keep practicing and keep improving. To Know More about TLP  -> CLICK HERE For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. What status was the environment accorded during the Vedic period? How do Vedic symbols encapsulate the spirit of environment? Discuss. (10 Marks) वैदिक काल में पर्यावरण को क्या दर्जा दिया गया था? वैदिक प्रतीक पर्यावरण की भावना को कैसे समाहित करते हैं? चर्चा करें। 2. Examine the advancements made in the fields of urban planning and architecture during the Indus Valley Civilization. Where do we find the marvelous examples of Indus Valley cities and architecture? (10 Marks) सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता के दौरान शहरी नियोजन और वास्तुकला के क्षेत्र में हुई प्रगति का परीक्षण करें। सिंधु घाटी के शहरों और वास्तुकला के अद्भुत उदाहरण हमें कहां मिलते हैं?  3. Recreation was an integral part of people’s lives during ancient times. Illustrate with the help of suitable examples. (15 Marks) प्राचीन काल में मनोरंजन लोगों के जीवन का एक अभिन्न अंग था। उपयुक्त उदाहरणों की सहायता से स्पष्ट कीजिए। AWARE ( Answer Writing REdefined) Series - 7 Steps to Master Answer Writing Skills by Mohan Sir - 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 :)

WEEKEND WITH BABA

[WEEKEND WITH BABA] Seventh Live Session – How to use of BABAPEDIA (for CURRENT AFFAIRS) and make notes by Goutham Sir today at 5 PM

Dear Students Thank you for a great response to the 'Weekend With Baba' Session on Integrated Learning Program (ILP) - 2022. For this week we are conducting a Live Zoom Session on how to use Babapedia (Part of ILP 2022) effectively for Current Affairs preparation and how to make notes. Details Regarding the Seventh Live Session The session on Babapedia for Current Affairs will be taken by Goutham sir on 4th July (Sunday) from 5 PM - 6 PM. Zoom Session Details  Topic: Weekend with Baba - Session 7 - How to use Babapedia (for Current Affairs) & make Notes? Time: Jul 4, 2021 05:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84436341856?pwd=WFl6RTVWazErQUNQcDNhM2NieWlPZz09 Meeting ID: 844 3634 1856 Passcode: 576121 Note The Zoom link will be active only on the scheduled time and date. Students will be allowed to participate in the session on a 'first come first serve' basis. To Watch Previous 'Weekend With Baba' Sessions - CLICK HERE INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAM (ILP) 2022 - CLICK HERE You can start sharing your questions/queries/doubts with #ASKBABA (related to Babapedia nd Curret Affairs Prepartion) in disqus comment box below and Upvoting can follow. Remember maximum upvotes will be given priority. Feel free to share your queries because many of the questions that you are having, will be the same as other candidates. Your questions might help others in clarifying their doubts. Waiting to talk to you soon! P.S: 'CONNECT WITH BABA' consists of the following - Hotline, #AskBaba, Phone-a-Friend, (Monday - Friday between 10 AM to 6 PM), and 'Weekend with Baba' (Every Saturday from 5 PM - 6 PM). To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- TELEGRAM Channel – CLICK HERE YOUTUBE  –  CLICK HERE FACEBOOK  – CLICK HERE

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Self Talk – Inspirational Educative Articles

Self Talk: Because we are never silent, we are always talking to ourselves, we are always telling something to ourselves, and that is where our neuron associations are being built. That is where our habits are being created. That is where the foundation of our emotions are being created. Our fears, our frustrations, our understanding of the world – everything is created in those silent conversations. When you speak, you are only expressing what was already there. When you are actually using words and you are speaking out loud, you’re not creating anything. You’re just bringing out whatever that’s already there in your mind. When you are quiet, when you’re just taking a walk, doing nothing, those are the moments when what you call you, that identity called you is being shaped. From the outside, you are silent the majority of the time; when you sleep you are silent, when you are sitting in front of the computer you’re silent. Only when you’re interacting with people, when you have to get certain things done, when you feel like sharing something, do you speak. Otherwise, you are entertaining yourself all the time by talking to yourself, criticizing, arguing, complaining, cracking jokes. You do this all the time on the inside, and that is why even when there are no people around you, you are still sane, you’ve not gone mad.  You have created these multiple personalities, these multiple voices with whom you can have your conversations, fight with, or you can even cry without any external input. You can just close your eyes, keep talking to yourself, and at the end of the conversation, you can actually cry. The source of it is right there. All you need to do is bring out a painful memory, start having a conversation with it, starting interacting with it, and you will cry. It’s the same with laughter; if you want to laugh, just access a nice, wonderful memory, a joke or whatever you would like. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”

Important Articles

[WEEK 7] ETHICS THEORY & CASE STUDIES | BRAINSTORMING ON ETHICS & ESSAY (BEE) by Sunil Oberoi Sir

Dear Students, As part of our new initiative, BRAINSTORMING ON ETHICS & ESSAY (BEE), here we have come up with the Seventh session. BEE is a FREE ONLINE (YOUTUBE) initiative, exclusively for Essay and Ethics curated by IASbaba’s renowned faculty member, Shri Sunil Oberoi Sir (former IAS Officer). The Seventh session focuses on the theme, 'ETHICS THEORY & CASE STUDIES'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2CDjfMV0o Sunil Oberoi Sir has worked on Civil Services Reforms in India with UNDP and DoPT. He was a government nominee in interview boards and Examiner in various govt. exams. He was also associated with induction training of new entrants of Civil Services and In-Service training of Senior Civil Servants. To Know More about BEE Initiative -> CLICK HERE Download the schedule: Click Here For Any Queries: Email id: offline@iasbaba.com / support@iasbaba.com Mobile No: 91691 91888 (Please call between 10 am – 6 pm ONLY) Thank You IASbaba 

Important Articles

[WEEK 7] ESSAY 14:A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both | BRAINSTORMING ON ETHICS & ESSAY (BEE) by Sunil Oberoi Sir

Dear Students, As part of our new initiative, BRAINSTORMING ON ETHICS & ESSAY (BEE), here we have come up with the Fourteenth session. BEE is a FREE ONLINE (YOUTUBE) initiative, exclusively for Essay and Ethics curated by IASbaba’s renowned faculty member, Shri Sunil Oberoi Sir (former IAS Officer). The Fourteenth essay focuses on the theme, ''. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UDi-6Qcwm4 Sunil Oberoi Sir has worked on Civil Services Reforms in India with UNDP and DoPT. He was a government nominee in interview boards and Examiner in various govt. exams. He was also associated with induction training of new entrants of Civil Services and In-Service training of Senior Civil Servants. To Know More about BEE Initiative -> CLICK HERE Download the schedule: Click Here For Any Queries: Email ID: support@iasbaba.com Mobile No: 91691 91888 (Please call between 10 AM – 6 PM ONLY)   Thank You IASbaba 

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 3rd July 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Financial Stability Report for July 2021 released by RBI Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III - Economy In news RBI has recently released the Financial Stability Report, July 2021.  It is a bi-annual report that reflects risks to financial stability and the resilience of financial system.  Key highlights of the report  The gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) ratio of banks may rise from 7.48% in March 2021 to 9.8% by March 2022.  MSMEs face huge stress in meeting their payment obligations.  At the end of March 2021, 15.9% of loans of less than Rs. 25 crore to the MSEME Sector had turned bad.  Capital to risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of Scheduled commercial Banks (SCBs) increased to 16.0 3% in March 2021.  It is the ratio of a Bank's capital in relation to its risk weighted Assets and current liabilities. Provision coverage ratio stood at 68.86% in March 2021.  A high PCR ratio means most asset quality issues have been taken care of and the bank is not vulnerable.  Demand for consumer credit across banks and non banking financial companies (NBFCs) has decreased amidst the second wave of Covid-19.  Banks remain relatively unaffected by distractions caused due to the pandemic and are well protected by regulatory, monetary and fiscal Policies.  Six Years of Digital India Programme Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II - Policies and interventions In news Recently, the Indian Prime Minister of India addressed a virtual event to mark the completion of six years of Digital India programme. About Digital India Programme It was launched in 2015.  The programme has been enabled for several important Government schemes, such as BharatNet, Make in India, Startup India, industrial corridors, etc. Vision Areas: Digital infrastructure as Utility to Every Citizen. Governance and services on demand. Digital empowerment of citizens. Objectives: To prepare India for a knowledge future. To realize IT (Indian Talent) + IT (Information Technology) = IT (India Tomorrow). Making technology central to enabling change. Significant Achievements The introduction of Unified Payments Interface (UPI)  Introduction of the e-KYC, DigiLocker and eSign were introduced to help businesses  Introduction of JAM Trinity - Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile to weed out leakages in the system India’s rise in UN eGovernance Index SWAYAM free online courses Challenges faced: Regulatory roadblock due to taxation and other regulatory guidelines Digital divide due to lack of internet connectivity Lack of coordination among various departments Pic courtesy: Digital India Zydus Cadila seeks emergency use authorisation (EUA) for ZyCov-D vaccine Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II - Health and GS-III - Biotechnology In news Zydus Cadila has applied to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national drugs regulator, seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) for ZyCov-D, its Covid-19 vaccine. If approved, ZyCov-D will be the world’s first DNA vaccine against infection with SARS-CoV-2. About ZyCov-D  It is a “plasmid DNA” vaccine. It is a vaccine that uses a genetically engineered, non-replicating version of a type of DNA molecule known as a ‘plasmid’. A plasmid is a small, often circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and other cells. They generally carry only a small number of genes, notably some associated with antibiotic resistance.  The plasmids in this case are coded with the instructions to make the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination gives the code to cells in the recipient’s body, so they can begin making the spiky outer layer of the virus.  The immune system is expected to recognize this as a threat and develop antibodies in response. The other unique thing about the vaccine is the way it is given. No needle is used — instead, a spring-powered device delivers the shot as a narrow, precise stream of fluid that penetrates the skin. ZyCov-D has been developed with the support of Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Difference between conventional and gene-based vaccines In contrast to vaccines that employ recombinant bacteria or viruses, genetic vaccines consist only of DNA (as plasmids) or RNA (as mRNA), which is taken up by cells and translated into protein. Gene based vaccines use part of virus’ own genes to stimulate an immune response. Advantages of gene based vaccines Relatively inexpensive  Easy to manufacture and use Safe and non-infectious Generates stronger type of immunity LEAF Coalition announced Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III - Conservation In news LEAF (Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance) Coalition was announced at the Leaders Summit on Climate, 2021. It will be one of the largest ever public-private efforts to protect tropical forests It intends to mobilize at least USD 1 billion in financing to countries committed to protecting their tropical forests. About LEAF Coalition It is a collective of the governments of the USA, UK and Norway. A country willing to participate would need to fulfil certain predetermined conditions laid down by the Coalition. The results-based financing model will be used in LEAF. Significance The goal of net zero emissions cannot be reached without bold leadership from the private sector  Tropical forests are massive carbon sinks and by investing in their protection will help in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)  It is a step towards achieving the aims and objectives of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism. Solve Development versus Ecological Commitment Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation REDD+ aims to achieve climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation. It monetises the value of carbon locked up in the tropical forests of most developing countries, thereby propelling these countries to help mitigate climate change. REDD+ was created by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Tropical Forest Tropical forests are closed canopy forests growing within 28 degrees north or south of the equator. They receive more than 200 cm rainfall per year, either seasonally or throughout the year. Temperatures are uniformly high - between 20°C and 35°C. Such forests are found in Asia, Australia, Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico and on many of the Pacific Islands. Historic heat wave in Canada caused due to Heat Dome Part of: GS Prelims and GS I - Geography In news  Recently, the Pacific Northwest and some parts of Canada recorded temperatures around 47 degrees, causing a "historic" heat wave. This is a result of a phenomenon referred to as a "heat dome". The western Pacific ocean’s temperatures have increased in the past few decades and are relatively more than the temperature in the eastern Pacific. Phenomenon of heat dome A heat dome is an area of high pressure that parks over a region like a lid on a pot, trapping heat.  The phenomenon begins when there is a strong change in ocean temperatures.  The gradient causes more warm air, heated by the ocean surface, to rise over the ocean surface (Convection). As prevailing winds move the hot air east, the northern shifts of the jet stream trap the air and move it toward land, where it sinks, resulting in heat waves. This strong change in ocean temperature from the west to the east causes heat dome (HD). HD also prevents clouds from forming, causing more Sun’s radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. They are more likely to form during La Niña years like 2021, when waters are cool in the eastern Pacific and warm in the western Pacific. Effects of Heat Dome The temperatures of homes rise unbearably high, leading to sudden fatalities, if such homes do not have AC. Damage crops, dry out vegetation and droughts. Rise in energy demand, especially electricity, leading to pushing up rates. Fuel to wildfires, which destroys a lot of land area in the US every year. What are Jet streams? Jet streams are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere.  The winds blow from west to east in jet streams but the flow often shifts to the north and south. Pic courtesy: Barrons Miscellaneous First Movable Freshwater Tunnel Aquarium: Indian Railways Recently, Indian Railway (IR) has opened the first movable freshwater tunnel aquarium of India at Bengaluru Railway Station. It has been opened by the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) in collaboration with the HNi Aquatic Kingdom. The aquarium is a one-of-its-kind aquatic park based on the Amazon River (of South America) concept. It is home to various aquatic animals such as alligator gar ranging, stingrays, sharks, lobsters, snails and shrimps.  Aim:  Enhancing the passenger experience at the station. Improving revenue earning for IR.  (Mains Focus) ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE Topic: 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. Insolvency & Bankruptcy: Issues & Way forward About Insolvency & Bankruptcy Insolvency is the situation where the debtor is not in a position to pay back the creditor.  For a corporate firm, the signs of this could be a slow-down in sales, missing of payment deadlines etc.  Bankruptcy is the legal declaration of Insolvency.  Salient features of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code: IBC was enacted in 2016 for reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximization of the value of assets of such persons IBC Code 2016 covers all individuals, companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and partnership firms. The adjudicating authority is National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for companies and LLPs and Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) for individuals and partnership firms. Insolvency Professionals: A specialised cadre of licensed professionals is proposed to be created. These professionals will administer the resolution process, manage the assets of the debtor, and provide information for creditors to assist them in decision making. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board: The Board will regulate insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and information utilities set up under the Code.  The Board will consist of representatives of Reserve Bank of India, and the Ministries of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Law. Has IBC worked well? Reduced Time for resolution: Today, on average, one can see maybe about three years [for recoveries and resolutions] as compared to an earlier timeline of five years, six years or more Promotes fiscal discipline & Reduces wilful default: The fear of losing the company under Section 49A will push the promoters to find a resolution. Issues Infrastructure issues: There is shortage of NCLT member, lot of vacancies & delays in appointments all of which has a bearing on IBC working efficiency Legacy Issues: A lot of IBC cases are very old cases related to the stock of NPAs [Non-Performing Assets]. So, once this round is over, in future, perhaps, there will be fewer cases and IBC will be able to perform better than before. Procedural Delays: There are delays in implementation, whether it’s in terms of approvals, having an application admitted itself. Lack of Buyers: In India there are not many strategic investors. An asset will have interest or value only if there are more people who are ready to buy. Better asset value realization will lead to faster resolution of stressed companies (happy creditors) Way Forward Increasing the predictability of IBC process so as to attract more & diverse range of strategic buyers who are willing to bid for assets, and submit resolution plans under the code Flexibility for Promoters: MSMEs have flexibility in terms of promoters being able to submit resolution plans for such companies. Similar type of relaxation can be extended to large companies with necessary safeguards built into it. Establishing National ARC(“Bad Bank”) will give the time to the banks to resolve these cases over a period of time. Government should make sure that it is adequately staffed & well-functioning. Capacity building in terms of NCLT: IBC cases are not the only mandate of the NCLT. They also consider various cases under the Companies Act (Ex: mergers or oppression). To improve IBC efficiency, NCLT strength has to be enhanced. Alternate Resolution: IBC is not the only solution for resolving stress. Other mechanisms pre-IBC mechanisms, one-time settlements, restructuring packages needs to be promoted as well. Connecting the dots: Ease of Doing Business Twin Balance Sheet Problem faced by economy ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE Topic: 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. New RBI Guidelines on Microfinance Definition: Microfinance is a type of banking service provided to low-income individuals or groups who otherwise would have no other access to financial services. The goal is to give impoverished people an opportunity to become self-sufficient. Merits Low interest rate prevents people from taking loans from private money lenders who charge very high interest rate. As a result, they are saved from debt trap. Promotes Self-employment opportunities thus reducing burden on govt. to provide jobs. Regionally balanced development, thus reduces rural to urban migration Enhanced financial literacy New RBI Guidelines for Microfinance Standard definition of what is microfinance Collateral free loans repayable in instalments for households with annual incomes of Rs 1.25 lakh for rural households and Rs two lakh for urban households will be considered microfinance loans Bringing all institutions giving microfinance loans under one regulatory umbrella Banks, Small Finance Banks and NBFC-MFI were all undertaking microfinance activities.  Earlier MFI regulation was only focused on NBFC-MFI which accounts for only 30% of outstanding microfinance loans. RBI is now proposing a single uniform set of regulations to govern microfinance irrespective of who delivers it, thus creating a level playing field. EMI must not exceed 50 per cent of household income This is done to prevent reckless lending by micro finance institutions to single borrowers, which can lead to defaults in long terms. Market forces to determine the cost (interest rate) of microfinance The existing complicated formula on cost is done away with and the pricing of loans will henceforth be determined by the market, as is the case with lending rates adopted by banks. Connecting the dots: Cooperative Banking RBI Regulatory Sandbox (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Which of the following is not a pillar of Digital India Programme Broadband highways IT for jobs Public internet access programme Digital electrification of Rural roads Q.2 Consider the following statements about LEAF Coalition: It will be one of the largest ever public-private efforts to protect tropical forests It is a collective of the governments of the USA, UK and Norway. Which of the above is or are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 2nd July 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 B 3 C Must Read On Globalisation and Security: The Print On role of India’s North East in regional Cooperation: ORF