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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th January 2022

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Bhimbetka cave Part of: Prelims and GS-I History and Culture Context The depiction of two-horned Sumatran rhino was recently discovered in the Bhimbetka rock shelters of Madhya Pradesh (MP) It was drawn with a red pigment in Urden, one of the caves in the Bhimbetka complex. It suggests early human migration in the subcontinent. About Bhimbetka cave The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in MP that spans the prehistoric Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. It exhibits the earliest traces of human life in India and evidence of Stone Age starting at the site in Acheulian times. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discovery: The Bhimbetka rock shelters were found by V S Wakankar in1957. It is popular for its prehistoric cave paintings done in red and white. Sumatran Rhino It is the smallest of all rhino species. Very few of them are left mainly in Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Do you know? Other species of Rhino: Black Rhino, White Rhino, Greater One-Horned Rhino, Javan Rhino IUCN Red List Status: White Rhino: Near Threatened. Greater One Horned: Vulnerable. Black Rhino: Critically endangered. Javan: Critically Endangered Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered News Source: The Hindu Katrol Hill Fault (KHF) Part of: Prelims and GS-I -Geography Context: According to a recent study, major earthquake events in the last 30,000 years have resulted in spectacular changes in landscape of the Katrol Hill Fault (KHF) in the Kachchh region, Gujarat. Key takeaways  Real-time monitoring of earthquakes since 2001 Bhuj earthquake indicate that most of the faults in the region are seismically active. Studies have estimated the length of surface rupture produced by three large magnitude earthquakes during the last ~30,000 years as nearly 21 km. It also shows that the KHF is a credible seismic source capable of generating surface rupture hazard in the Kachchh Basin. About earthquake An earthquake is a natural event of shaking of the earth. It is caused due to release of energy, which generates waves that travel in all directions. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter. Do you know? Seismicity in the Kachchh region is highly complex as it is characterized by multiple seismic sources in the form of several East-West trending fault lines. These fault lines release continuously accumulating tectonic stresses at intervals resulting in earthquakes. News Source: Devdiscourse (News from PIB) India and UK - Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-2: India and its relations with UK. In News: India and UK Launch Free Trade Agreement Negotiations Proposed FTA expected to help double bilateral trade by 2030 FTA to give major fillip to Indian exports in labor intensive sectors like Leather, Textile, Jewellery and processed Agri-products Will give a big boost to employment generation India is also expected to register a quantum jump in the export of Marine Products through the recognition of 56 marine units of India. There is also great potential for increasing exports in service sectors like IT/ITES, Nursing, education, healthcare, including AYUSH and audio-visual services.  India would also be seeking special arrangements for movement of its people The Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) on Pharma could provide additional market access. FTA with UK will provide certainty, predictability and transparency, creating a more liberal, facilitative and competitive services regime. The India-UK FTA will also contribute in integrating value chains and help augment our mutual efforts to strengthen the resilience of supply chains. India and UK Both India and UK are vibrant democracies, with a partnership built on our shared history and rich culture.  The diverse Indian diaspora in UK, who act as a “Living Bridge”, adds further dynamism to the relations between the two countries. ‘Enhanced Trade Partnership’ (ETP)  It sets an ambitious target of more than doubling bilateral trade by 2030.  As part of the ETP, India and the UK agreed on a roadmap to negotiate a comprehensive and balanced FTA, including consideration of an Interim Trade Agreement for delivering early gains. India-UK ‘Global Innovation Partnership’: It aims to support the transfer of inclusive Indian innovations to select developing countries, starting with Africa A comprehensive partnership on migration and mobility: It will facilitate greater opportunities for the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries. Irritants in India-UK relationship Colonial History: If the anti-colonial resentment against Britain is always seething barely below the surface among the Indian political and bureaucratic classes, London has found it difficult to shed its own prejudices about India Divergence on Pakistan: The bitter legacies of the Partition and Britain’s perceived tilt to Pakistan have long complicated the engagement between Delhi and London. Growing anti-Indian sentiments: Delhi’s problems have been accentuated by the British Labour Party’s growing political negativity towards India & Indian migrants in UK.   Why India and Britain need each other? Need for Economic Partnerships: Britain has walked out of EU and India has refused to join RCEP. Although both will continue to trade with their regional partners, they are eager to build new global economic partnerships. Changing Geopolitics: The centre of international politics has shifted from Atlantic to Indo-Pacific. India is a natural ally for Britain in Indo-Pacific. India which is witnessing rise of China in Indo-Pacific, needs as wide a coalition as possible to restore a semblance of regional balance. Climate Change: Both sides are committed to finding common ground on climate change. Health Cooperation: The issues of immediate relief supplies of oxygen & other medical equipment, resilient medical supply chains have potential for bilateral strategic cooperation in the health sector and contributions to the global war on the virus. News Source: PIB Lok Adalat Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-2: Dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. Context: Emergence of Lok Adalat has proved to be the most efficacious tool of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Access to justice for the poor is a constitutional mandate to ensure fair treatment under our legal system. Hence, Lok Adalats (literally, ‘People’s Court’) were established to make justice accessible and affordable to all.  The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976, inserted Article 39A to ensure “equal justice and free legal aid”.  To this end, the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, was enacted by Parliament and it came into force in 1995 “to provide free and competent legal services to weaker sections of the society” and to “organise Lok Adalats to secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity”. A total number of 1,27,87,329 cases were disposed off in 2021. The Process Organization of prior consultative and review meetings with all the State Legal Services Authorities to guide them towards the maximum disposal during such Lok Adalats.  Before the organization of each National Lok Adalat, multiple interactions were organised with the Executive Chairpersons of all the State Legal Services Authorities, wherein one-to-one interactions were made to take a stock of the preparations as well as to boost the morale of the stakeholders tasked to organize the Lok Adalats. A cumulative effect of all the preparatory and mobilization measures resulted in extraordinary disposal figures during the year 2021.  Through these activities NALSA disposed off a large number of cases, giving relief to the common citizens by ending or preventing long lasting legal battles. What are the factors behind the success of Lok Adalats? A. Technology In June 2020, the Legal Services Authorities integrated technology with the conventional modes of dispute settlement and introduced virtual Lok Adalats also called as ‘E-Lok Adalats’. Since then, all the Lok Adalats including National Lok Adalats are organized through virtual and hybrid modes.  To provide an unhindered experience during the proceedings, the Legal Services Authorities across the country are continuously upgrading their digital infrastructure. Provided effective ways of supervision and monitoring of Lok Adalats. B. Formulation of decisive strategies at the National level Under these strategies, the State Legal Services Authorities were instructed to conduct meetings with various stakeholder across every level with an objective to ensure their full cooperation and coordination.  The authorities were guided to follow a litigant friendly approach as well as to persuade such litigants to settle the cases involving settled propositions of law. Moreover, certain areas of law having greater possibilities of settlement such as NI Act cases, Bank recovery cases along other financial matters were highlighted and authorities were instructed to explore all the possibilities of compromise in such cases.  The authorities were advised to proactively monitor the issuance and completion of processes in such financial matters as well as to conduct pre-Lok Adalat sittings to take a matter to a settlement. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) SOCIETY/ GOVERNANCE GS-1: Population and associated issues GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Reaping Demographic Dividend Context: With falling fertility (currently 2.0), rising median age (from 24 years in 2011, 29 years now and expected to be 36 years by 2036), a falling dependency ratio (expected to decrease from 65% to 54% in the coming decade taking 15-59 years as the working age population), India is in the middle of a demographic transition. This provides a window of opportunity towards faster economic growth.  In India, the benefit to the GDP from demographic transition has been lower than its peers in Asia and is already tapering. Hence, there is an urgency to take appropriate policy measures. What are the challenges of demographic transition? Without proper policies, the increase in the working-age population may lead to rising unemployment, fueling economic and social risks.  This calls for forward-looking policies incorporating  Population dynamics Education and skills  Healthcare Gender sensitivity Providing rights and choices to the younger generation. What measures are required to reap the best of Demographic Dividend? Update National Transfer Accounts (NTA) Assessment: India’s per capita consumption pattern is way lower than that of other Asian countries. A child in India consumes around 60% of the consumption by an adult aged between 20 and 64 (In China it is 85%). The NTA data for India (State-Specific) needs to be updated to capture the progress made on such investments since 2011-12. Invest more in children and adolescents: Given that India’s workforce starts at a younger age, a greater focus needs to be on transitioning from secondary education to universal skiling and entrepreneurship, as done in South Korea. Make health investments: The public spending on health has remained flat at around 1% of GDP. Evidence suggests that better health facilitates improved economic production. Rights-based approach to make reproductive healthcare services accessible: The unmet need for family planning in India at 9.4% as per the latest National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) is high as compared to 3.3% in China and 6.6% in South Korea, which needs to be bridged. Bridge Gender Inequality in Education: In India, boys are more likely to be enrolled in secondary and tertiary school than girls. In the Philippines, China and Thailand, it is the reverse. In Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, the gender differences are rather minimal. This needs to be reversed. Address the diversity between States: While India is a young country, the status and pace of population ageing vary among States. Southern States already have a higher percentage of older people whereas north-central region can act as the reservoir of India’s workforce. Federal approach to governance reforms: A new framework need to be put in place for policy coordination between States on various emerging population issues such as migration, ageing, skiling, female workforce participation and urbanisation. Increase female workforce participation: As of 2019, 20.3% of women were working or looking for work, down from 34.1% in 2003-04. New skills and opportunities for women and girls befitting their participation in economy is urgently needed.  Why is increasing female workforce participation important? Finding work will likely delay her age of marriage and make her participate in the economy more productively, as also exercise her rights and choices. South Korea’s female workforce participation rate of 50% has been built on  legally compulsory gender budgeting to analyse gender disaggregated data and its impact on policies increasing childcare benefits boosting tax incentives for part-time work. It is predicted that if all women engaged in domestic duties in India who are willing to work had a job, female labour force participation would increase by about 20%. Connecting the dots: Population Stabilization  The Population Worry  UP’s new population Policy EDUCATION/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human Resources  GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation Edtech sector’s self-regulation bid Context: India’s rapidly growing edtech sector recently took a step towards self-regulation, with a clutch of leading companies adopting a set of guidelines to conduct their businesses. The companies have formed a collective — India EdTech Consortium — under the aegis of the industry body Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). The collective has been formed after the government announced that it was working on a policy to regulate the sector. What exactly is ‘edtech’? Edtech is essentially a combination of ‘education’ and ‘technology’. Before the pandemic hit, edtech was mostly about using technological tools to improve learning outcomes and enhancing access. It was a sector that was already growing fairly steadily. A major push came as Covid-19 shut down schools, colleges, and universities. From being a ‘modern’ choice, remote learning suddenly became the only alternative as institutions, students, guardians, and authorities switched to the digital mode. Four out of the six Indian edtech startups with valuations of $1 billion and above have come up in recent years, which captures the way the industry has grown of late. What was the need for the edtech companies to roll out self-regulation? The move to self-regulate stems from growing concerns, which echoed in Parliament, that many edtech firms were indulging in various forms of business malpractices to attract consumers. The government stepped in issuing an advisory of do’s and don’ts for students and guardians looking to sign up for online courses offered by these companies. The advisory also cautioned the companies against violations. In its advisory, the government had cautioned people against enrolling for courses without careful evaluation, because many courses billed as free in advertisements were found to be paid. Also, many customers had unknowingly signed up for loans arranged by these companies. Education Minister had also announced that the government was working on a policy to regulate the edtech ecosystem. Such remarks had drawn mixed reactions from the industry that has traditionally been wary of state interventions. So how does the collective plan to set things right? The India EdTech Consortium has adopted a three-page code of conduct for their businesses.  The code is an attempt to address the concerns raised by the government; most of the clauses allude to red flags that have been raised in the recent past. The companies — BYJU’S, Careers 360, Harappa, TimesEdutech & Events Ltd, Scalar, Simplilearn, Toppr, upGrad, Vedantu, and WhiteHat Jr among others — have claimed to have adopted the mantra, “what is told is what is sold”. What else does the code of conduct contain? Apart from stressing on transparency and warning against misleading ads, the code of conduct says the companies are expected to use legal terms of qualifications such as MBA, BBA, and others in ads only when it is compliant with guidelines issued by the UGC and AICTE. On the practice of edu-tech firms using examples of students achieving success by using their products, the code says such claims must be “authentic with validated proof of performance”. Every advertisement of successful candidates must substantiate the product or service they used to give credibility to the claim of success. Industry players have been advised to adopt the code for self-regulation issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India. Also, Policies should be displayed regarding the refund and cancellation prominently on the user interface platform in a manner that cannot be missed.  Loans and other financing FAQs should be clearly mentioned on the platform, the code of conduct says. Connecting the dots: Education and Nation Building National Education Policy, 2020 Higher Education in Regional Languages What’s in a Higher Education (Down to Earth: Forests) Jan 13: Forest Survey Report 2021 – https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/forest-survey-report-2021-11-states-have-lost-forest-cover-21-have-lost-good-forests-81107  TOPIC: GS-3: Environment, Conservation Forest Survey Report 2021 Definition of Forest Cover The Forest Survey of India defines ‘forest cover’ as all lands of a hectare or more with tree patches with canopy density of more than 10 per cent. This covers all lands, irrespective of legal ownership and land use.  ‘Recorded forest area’ includes only those areas recorded as forests in government records and includes pristine forests. Categories of Forest Very Dense Forest (with tree canopy density of 70 per cent or above) Moderately Dense Forest (tree canopy density of 40 per cent or above but less than 70 per cent) Open Forest (tree canopy density of 10 per cent or above but less than 40 per cent) Scrub (tree canopy density less than 10 per cent) Open forests currently have the biggest share in the country’s forest cover, with 9.34 per cent of the total forest cover (307,120 sq km). Very dense forests (the pristine natural forests) account for just 3.04 per cent (99,779 sq km) of the total forest cover. Key Findings Increase of 2,261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country in last two years. Area-wise Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country.  States in North East India have the highest percentage of forest cover.     Maximum increase in forest cover witnessed in Andhra Pradesh (647 sq km) followed by Telangana (632 sq km) and Odisha (537 sq km). 17 states/UT’s have above 33 percent of the geographical area under forest cover. Total carbon stock in country’s forest is estimated to be 7,204 million tonnes, an increase of 79.4 million Total mangrove cover in the country is 4,992 sq km, an increase of 17 sq Km observed Forests in India’s mountainous states There has been an increase in forest loss in India’s mountainous states along its Himalayan frontier, which are already in the throes of climate change Jammu and Kashmir has lost very dense forests but gained open forests. The increase in open forests is led by commercial plantations. The report has attributed the loss of forest cover in the Himalayas and North East to an increase in developmental activities as well as agriculture. Forest cover across India’s 52 tiger reserves  There has been an overall decadal decline in forest cover across India’s 52 tiger reserves. 20 of the 52 tiger reserves have shown an increasing trend But the 32 remaining reserves have shown sharp declining trend The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve has the largest area under wetlands at 2,549.44 sq km. This means 96.76 per cent of its area is wetland. But the world’s largest mangrove delta and home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, is gradually losing its very dense mangrove cover.  The rising salinity level in the delta is taking a toll on several mangrove species such as Sonneratia apetala, Nypa fruticans and Bruguiera gymnorhiza, among others. Due to reduced sweet water flow and intrusion of salt water from the sea, these trees are either dying or suffering from stunted growth. Increasing number of cyclones especially Cyclone Amphan The Kanha Tiger Reserve has the highest number of wetlands at 461, most of which are less than 2.25 hectares (ha) in size. The Kanha to Navegaon-Nagzira-Tadoba-Indravati tiger corridor that passes through Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra has the largest forest cover at 2,012.86 sq km. Forest cover at its sole Lion Conservation Area (LCA) at Gir in Gujarat The LCA has seen a decrease of 33.43 sq km in its forest cover during the last decade It attributed the decrease to ‘habitat improvement measures’ taken in the last decade. This includes the removal of Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species from grassland areas and canopy manipulation for creating openings in the Very Dense Forest and Moderately Dense Forest areas. Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary have 31 wetlands About India State of the Forest Report (ISFR) ISFR is a biennial publication of Forest Survey of India (FSI), an organization under the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change. The ISFR assesses the forest and tree cover, bamboo resources, carbon stock and forest fires. Did you know: As per UNESCO’s assessment on World Heritage forests, India’s Sundarbans National Park is among five sites that have the highest blue carbon stocks globally. Connecting the Dots: Forest Conservation Act (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1 Which of the following is/are true regarding Bhimbetka cave? It is situated in Maharashtra. The Bhimbetka rock shelters were found by V S Wakankar in1957. Select the correct answer: Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2 Consider the following statements: Only the Great one-horned rhino is found in India. Sumatran Rhino is the smallest of all rhino species. Which of the above is or are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Which of the following feature is borrowed from British constitution?  Fundamental duties Concept of Concurrent list Single citizenship Directive Principles of State Policy ANSWERS FOR 14th Jan 2022 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C 3 C Must Read On Inflation & monetary policy actions: Indian Express On PM’s security breach: The Hindu On testing strategy: The Hindu

UPSC हिन्दी Quiz– 2021: IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz 14th January 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

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 14th January 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

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th January 2022

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India  Part of: Prelims and GS-II -Policies and Interventions Context: Information & Broadcasting Ministry has asked Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India to release news ratings with immediate effect. What is BARC? It is a company created in 2010 and jointly owned by advertisers, ad agencies, and broadcasting companies, represented by the Indian Society of Advertisers, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and the Advertising Agencies Association of India. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notified the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India on January 10, 2014, and registered BARC in July 2015 under these guidelines, to carry out television ratings in India. Do you know? The Television Rating Point (TRP) is the metric used by the marketing and advertising agencies to evaluate viewership. Significance of TRP: These influence programmes produced for the viewers. Better ratings would promote a programme while poor ratings will discourage a programme. TRPs are the main currency for advertisers to decide which channel to advertise on by calculating the cost-per-rating-point (CPRP) News Source: TH Retail inflation accelerates to 5.59% Part of: Prelims and GS-III - Economy Context: According to data from the National Statistical Office (NSO), Retail inflation increased to 5.59% in December due to an increase in food prices. India’s industrial output growth slowed to 1.4% in November 2021. In December 2020, the retail inflation was 4.59%. Retail Inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). National Statistical Commission The new NSO as an agency was envisaged firstly by Rangarajan Commission to implement and maintain statistical standards and coordinate statistical activities of Central and State agencies as laid down by the National Statistical Commission (NSC). NSO was formed with the merger of NSSO and CSO under MoSPI. CSO coordinates the statistical activities in the country and also evolves statistical standards. NSSO is responsible for the conduct of large scale sample surveys in diverse fields on an all India basis. Parent Ministry: It is the statistical wing of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). What Is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)? The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food and medical care.  It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them. Changes in the CPI are used to assess price changes associated with the cost of living;  The CPI is one of the most frequently used statistics for identifying periods of inflation or deflation. News Source: TH  (News from PIB) Increase in Textile sector exports Part of: Mains GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment In News: Textile sector exports increase by 41% in April- December 2021 as compared to last year. Background: Textile sector has continuously maintained trade surplus with exports manifold higher than imports.  FY 2020-21: Deceleration in textile exports due to pandemic disrupting the supply chain and demand. 2021-22: US$ 29.8 billion as compared to US$ 21.2 billion for the same period last year. This implies robust growth of approximately 41% over last year. Growth signals an economic rebound. Significance of the Textiles Sector It contributes 2.3% to Indian GDP, 7% of Industrial Output, 12% to the export earnings of India and employs more than 21% of total employment (second to agriculture). India is the 6th largest producer of Technical Textiles with 6% Global Share, largest producer of cotton & jute in the world. Technical textiles are functional fabrics that have applications in industries such as automobiles, civil engineering and construction,  India is also the second largest producer of silk in the world and 95% of the world’s hand woven fabric comes from India. What are Major Initiatives by India in textile sector? Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): For technology upgradation of the textiles industry (2015) Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP): To assist small and medium entrepreneurs in the textile industry to clusterize investments in textile parks by providing financial support for world class infrastructure in the parks. SAMARTH (Scheme For Capacity Building In Textile Sector): To address the shortage of skilled workers.  North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS): This is a scheme for promoting textiles industry in the NER by providing infrastructure, capacity building and marketing support to all segments of the textile industry. Power-Tex India: It comprises new research and development in power loom textiles, new markets, branding, subsidies and welfare schemes for the workers. Silk Samagra Scheme: It focuses on improving the quality and productivity of domestic silk thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported silk. Jute ICARE: This pilot project launched in 2015 is aimed at addressing the difficulties faced by the jute cultivators by providing them certified seeds at subsidized rates, and by popularizing several newly developed retting technologies under water limiting conditions. National Technical Textile Mission: It aims to position the country as a global leader in technical textiles and increase the use of technical textiles in the domestic market. It aims to take the domestic market size to USD 40 billion to USD 50 billion by 2024. PLI plan for India’s textile sector: To help India regain its historical dominant status in global textiles trade, Government has approved a Rs. 10,683 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the textile sector. PM MITRA Parks: Government has approved setting up of 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks with a total outlay of Rs. 4,445 crore in a period of 5 years. ‘5F’ Formula encompasses – Farm to fibre; fibre to factory; factory to fashion; fashion to foreign News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) POLITY/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.  Selection of Election Commissioner Context: Some of the recent allegations & events has brought renewed focus on the independence and the impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI).  What are the charges levelled?  Accusations of favouring ruling party: Over the last seven years, the ECI has faced multiple accusations of favouring the ruling dispensation. For example, during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the EC under Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora gave a clean chit to PM Narendra Modi, who in an election rally in Latur, had referenced his campaign with an appeal on behalf of the armed forces.  Allegations of inaction: Citizens’ Commission on Elections (CCE), chaired by the retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Madan B. Lokur, in its report titled “An Enquiry into India’s Election System”, has highlighted several instances of inaction on the part of the ECI while conducting the 2019 general election.  Pandemic & Elections: In 2021, the Commission’s delayed decision in banning election campaigns in the midst of a rampaging pandemic, raised eyebrows. Eventually, when they banned rallies and public meetings of over 500 people, the decision came a day after Mr. Modi cancelled his four scheduled rallies Informal meeting with Principal Secretary to PM: CEC and ECs attended an ‘informal’ meeting with the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, in Dec 2021. It has raised questions about the neutrality of the Commission, especially when elections to crucial States are around the corner.  The CEC’s initial hesitation when ‘summoned’ was appropriate given that the ECI is a constitutionally mandated body that should maintain its distance from the Executive, in perception and reality. What are the provisions for appointment of Election Commissioners? Constitutional Status: The appointment of Election Commissioners falls within the purview of Article 324(2) of the Constitution, which establishes the institution.  ‘Subject to’ Clause: Article 342 contains a ‘subject to’ clause which provides that both the number and tenure of the Election Commissioners shall be “subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President”. This ‘subject to’ clause was introduced, in the words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, to “prevent either a fool or knave or a person who is likely to be under the thumb of the Executive”.  Legislative Inaction: It was left to Parliament to enact legislation regarding the appointment of Election Commissioners. Apart from enacting a law in 1991, which was subsequently amended to enlarge the number of Election Commissioners from one to three, Parliament has so far not enacted any changes to the appointment process.  Why judiciary should act now? In the face of legislative inaction, there is now a possibility that the judiciary will force Parliament’s hand.  Three writ petitions, with one pending since 2015, are urging the Supreme Court to declare that the current practice of appointment of Election Commissioners by the Centre violates Articles 14, 324(2).  These petitions argue for an independent system for appointment of Election Commissioners, as recommended by previous Law Commission and various committee reports. In 1975, the Justice Tarkunde Committee recommended that Election Commissioners be appointed on the advice of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader and the Chief Justice of India.  This was reiterated by the Dinesh Goswami Committee in 1990 and the Law Commission in 2015.  The Fourth Report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission additionally recommended that the Law Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha be included in such a Collegium. What is the argument behind recommending the change in appointment process? The Executive’s role in the current appointment process has come under judicial scrutiny over its lack of transparency.  The pending writ petitions argue that the Election Commission is not only responsible for conducting free and fair elections but it also renders a quasi-judicial function between the various political parties including the ruling government and other parties.  Accordingly, the Executive cannot be a sole participant in the appointment of members of Election Commission as it renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulation. Hence, establishing a multi-institutional, bipartisan committee for the fair and transparent selection of Election Commissioners can enhance the perceived and actual independence of the ECI.  Such a procedure is already followed with regard to other constitutional and statutory authorities such as the CIC, the Lokpal, CVC, and the Director of CBI. Way Forward The existing opaqueness over the appointment process of Election Commissioners potentially undermines the very structure on which our democratic aspirations rest. Parliament would do well by formulating a law that establishes a multi-institutional, bipartisan Collegium to select Election Commissioners.  Separation of powers is the gold standard for governments across the world. Therefore, ECI’s constitutional responsibilities require a fair and transparent appointment process that is beyond doubt. Connecting the dots: Electoral Reforms Electoral Bond Scheme EDUCATION/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human Resources  GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation India’s education emergency Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, India enforced among the strictest, most generalised and continuous school and university closures creating in the process the largest education emergency in the world.  How did India & other countries react to Pandemic vis-à-vis Education? In India, the school closure indicator shows that of the 503 days, between March 5, 2020 and July 20, 2021,  404 days were characterised as being at the most severe policy response (requiring closure of all types of educational institutions);  62 at level 2 (with closure of some types of institutions)  only 37 days at level 1 (when closure was either only recommended or school opening was allowed with precautions).  As a result, about 265 million schoolchildren in India have been taught exclusively through so-called “remote learning”, the largest number in any country for the longest period of time. Within a few months of the first lockdown of schools in March 2020, pandemic-hit Europe began resuming in-person schooling for certain groups of children or certain localities.  Less affluent countries such as Uruguay and Vietnam, also took a more measured approach, imposing the severest policy responses in education only for 140 and 212 days, respectively. When the school closure policy was relaxed in a few Indian States during January-March 2021, only high schools were allowed to function to conduct public exams. By March 2021, 51 countries had resumed in-person education. In another 90 countries, including many in Africa, multiple modalities, rotation of children for in-person classes were being offered. Similar strategies were not systematically tried in India, even when relaxations were made for public gatherings at festivals and elections, prior to the second wave of the pandemic What has been the Indian experience during these long periods of school lockdown? Difficult transition: States leveraged investments made over the last two decades in information technology for schools, including capacity building of teachers and teacher developed digital content. Nevertheless, the universal switch to ‘online’ mode has proved challenging. Multidimensional Impact on Children: Evidence was mounting of the harm caused to children and young adolescents — learning losses as well as socio-emotional stress — by prolonged school closures. Ineffectiveness of remote learning: It was also well observed about the ineffectiveness and inequalities of remote learning, even in technologically sophisticated environments. The national Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) portal of teacher resources claims that usage increased to 3.17 billion “learning sessions” and 37.85 billion “learning minutes”, by the end of May 2021. The educational significance of these metrics is not clear.  Widened Existing Inequalities: During these hundreds of days of almost continuous lockout, the youngest and the poorest among Indian children — Dalits, tribals and others, and lacking devices and electricity — struggled with online classes. Existing education inequalities will increase. Pushed Children to Work: Tragically, for tens of millions of Indian children, the difficulties of remote learning may be the least of their troubles. With families ravaged by disease and job losses, teenagers are caring for the sick and younger siblings, or working for pay. Impacted development of child: Interruptions in child health services, early nutrition and mid-day meals have affected the growth and development of young children. Ironically, closed schools are seen as a commitment to children’s safety, while the higher risk of disease transmission by working children or the increase in malnutrition is ignored. A complete change is needed India’s education emergency demands action on the education, health and livelihood fronts.  It requires focusing on every child as an individual.  Each school should prepare a safe school opening and child support plan, and should receive technical help for this.  Teachers must be prioritised for vaccinations.  An ‘Education Emergency Room’ should be set up in every district to coordinate, implement and monitor local plans. Many activities have to be coordinated:  Develop health and sanitation measures in schools and protocols for public transportation;  Encourage children who were not engaged with schools over the last year to come back;  Develop tools to help teachers make quick diagnoses of students’ learning gaps;  Train teachers to use this as a guide to support children’s recovery;  Offer additional classes or activities;  Implement school health and nutrition;  Develop tools to accompany the educational trajectory of each student. Technology should be deployed safely for such purposes that identify and respond to children’s needs. Connecting the dots: Education and Nation Building  National Education Policy, 2020 Higher Education in Regional Languages What’s in a Higher Education (Sansad TV: Itihasa) Jan 6: Swami Vivekananda – https://youtu.be/yX975BFgl1A  TOPIC: GS-1: Modern Indian history GS – 4: ETHICS ESSAY Swami Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda was one of the most important thinkers of our times. He was responsible for liberalising Hinduism in 19th century India, he encouraged interfaith tolerance, and he helped introduce the philosophies of the Vedanta and yoga to the west, and dedicated his life towards uplifting oppressed classes. His modern yet spiritual approach towards life, and his profound teachings, made him an icon among the youth.  An ardent disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India. He pushed for national integration in colonial India, and his famous speech remains as the one that he gave in Chicago in 1893 (Parliament of the World Religions). In 1984 the Government of India declared that 12th January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, will be celebrated as National Youth Day. The life and ideas of Swami Vivekananda are immemorial. They continue to inspire generation of people – IMPORTANT FOR ETHICS & ESSAY “Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached”.  He said “Hold on to the ideal, if you fail a thousand times, try it one more time”. Thus, he had tremendous belief in the self-effort and the ability of an individual to reach any goal through hard work. Today people are looking to earn big money through short cut methods and least amount of hard work. It is important to learn this that true success required tremendous effort and perseverance. “So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense pays not the least heed to them.”  This inspires us to work for the upliftment of poor and downtrodden.  He believed that every Indian must work hard to uplift the millions from the clutches of poverty and superstitions. Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success, and above all, love These ideas of his stressed on the importance of virtues which are essential for success and happiness. “Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true” Truth is multi-faceted.  Truth remains true from the point of view of the observer but may be seemingly false from other’s point of view.  There has been a perpetual fight of perspectives and will always be as long as truth is concerned.  There is no black or white but shades of grey. Karma Yoga and Niskama Karma In this he emphasized the selflessness of an individual in all his endeavours. Today, when the world around us engulfed in acts of sheer selfishness, his teachings can show a new path. Education Swami Ji always said that ‘lack of education’ is the root cause behind all problems in India.   Swami ji believed that education should be freed from the stranglehold of the upper class and spread to every section of the society.  He also had a vision for the kind of education that the people of India needed. He was not in favour of just career-oriented education. He talked about ‘true education’ that will make your character besides boosting your self-confidence.  Unfortunately, that kind of education is not available today and given the risk of automation and poor job growth rate in India, gaining true education, as defined by Vivekanand, would surely help youth of today to excel in various fields. Views on Oppression of underprivileged section of society Swami ji said that we talk of highest Vedanta but do not even think about the oppressed classes.  We trample them and crush them.  That’s why he said that we need to give them back their self-respect, their lost individuality. Allow everybody to move forward. Women emancipation Swami Ji was in favour of allowing women to take their own decisions. He emphasized on the women’s education and believed that it will lead to greater development of society as a whole.  He also advocated the need to impart martial arts training to women so that they could defend themselves. He always cited examples of Rani Lakshmi Bai, Padmini and Ahalya.   Considering the girl drop outs from school and also reducing female labour force participation we need to make an effort to make women part of our development story. Respect for culture and belief is necessary One day, a Britisher commented that the Indian dressing style was ‘uncivilized’.   Swami Vivekananda replied, “In your culture, cloth builds a man but in our culture, character builds a man’. This story became very famous the world over, showcasing Swami Vivekananda’s deep understanding of the world.  Culture, traditions and beliefs make every community unique. And our own reasoning about their significance, importance enables us to help clear others’ doubts, perception or ideas. The historic Chicago address of Swami Vivekananda On September 11, 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered his famed speech at the ‘Parliament of the World’s Religions’, garnering a full two minute standing ovation and the moniker of ‘cyclonic monk of India’. He was considered a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India and bringing it to the status of major world religion in the late 19th century. His address in the World “Parliament of Religions” at Chicago in 1893 drew the world’s attention to the ancient Indian philosophy of Vedanta. Message of universal brotherhood: “As the different streams mingle their water in the sea, different paths which men take, various though they appear, all lead to the same god”. Today the world realizes that to bring peace, there is no other ideology more proper than this. Vasudhev Kutumbakam – i.e. belief in world as a family has become necessary in growing era of protectionism and de-globalisation Conclusion: Swami Vivekananda’s nationalism is deeply rooted in Indian spirituality and morality. His nationalism is associated with spiritualism.  He linked India’s regeneration to her age-old tradition of spiritual goal. He said, “Each nation has a destiny to fulfill, each nation has a message to deliver, each nation has a mission to accomplish. Therefore, we must have to understand the mission of our own race, the destiny it has to fulfill, the place it has to occupy in the march of nations, and the role which it has to contribute to the harmony of races”.  He contributed immensely to the concept of nationalism in colonial India and played a special role in steering India into the 20th Century. Through his reforms, Swami Vivekananda brought a remarkable change in the society. His work, thoughts, ideas gave a new direction to the masses.  Can you answer the following questions? “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand do so. If not fold your hands, bless your brothers and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand (150 words). What contribution did Swami Vivekananda make in awakening the spirit of nationalism in India? Discuss. Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true. Elucidate. “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later.   ‘-Swami Vivekananda.  (Answer in 150 words) (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1 Which of the following is/are true? It is a statutory body under the Press Council Act 1978. The Television Rating Point (TRP) is the metric used by the marketing and advertising agencies to evaluate viewership. Select the correct answer: Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding Swami Vivekanand: He was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa  In 1984 the Government of India declared that 12th January, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, will be celebrated as National Youth Day. Which of the above is or are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 SAMARTH scheme is associated with Which of the following?  To provide vocational education to college students To empower farmers through financial inclusion To address the shortage of skilled workers.  None of the above ANSWERS FOR 13th Jan 2022 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C 3 C Must Read On seventh schedule & governance: Indian Express On US-Russia tension in Europe: The Hindu On Hate Speech: The Hindu

UPSC हिन्दी Quiz– 2021: IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz 13th January 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

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 13th January 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

[5 DAYS TO GO] Prelims Exclusive Programme (PEP) – Most Comprehensive Mentorship-Based Program for UPSC PRELIMS 2022!

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th January 2022

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) First Colombo Security Conclave Part of: Prelims and GS-II -International Relations Context: The first Colombo Security Conclave Virtual Workshop on “Developing Regional Cyber Security Capabilities on Defensive operations, Deep/Dark Web handling and Digital Forensics” was hosted recently. Key takeaways Hosted by: National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in association with National Forensics Science University, Gandhinagar (Gujarat) and the Secretariat of the Colombo Security Conclave Delegates from Member and Observer States of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) including Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Bangladesh participated in the workshop. Members and Observer States had agreed on four pillars of cooperation  Maritime Safety and Security, Terrorism and Radicalization, Trafficking and Organized Crime and Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure. What is Colombo Security Conclave? The decision to establish Colombo Security Conclave was taken in November 2020 at the NSA-level meeting of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives to forge closer cooperation on maritime and security matters among the three Indian Ocean countries. The idea of ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ was initiated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2011. News Source: ANI 'Sea to Sea ’ Variant Of BrahMos Missile Part of: Prelims and GS-III Defence and Security Context: India successfully tested advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile from INS Visakhapatnam.  Indian Navy’s newest indigenously-built guided missile destroyer represents a twin achievement:  Certifies the accuracy of the ship’s combat system and armament complex Validates a new capability the missile provides the Navy and the Nation About BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile  BrahMos, deployed by the Navy on its warships first in 2005, has the capability to hit sea-based targets beyond radar horizon. Capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface- and sea-based targets The missiles, fired at a speed of 2.8 Mach or nearly three times the speed of sound, significantly increase the capability of the ships in engaging long-range targets. The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. It is the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile currently in operation. BrahMos missiles are designed and developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia News Source: The Hindu India’s passport rank improves to 83 from 90 Part of: Prelims and GS-II - International Relations  Context: India’s passport power has improved this quarter compared to 2021.  Japan and Singapore top the index.  India ranks at 83rd position in the Henley Passport Index, climbing seven places from 90th rank last year.  Do you know? Since 2005, Henley Passport Index ranks world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa and is based on data from International Air Transport Association (IATA). Growing disparity India now has visa-free access to 60 destinations worldwide with Oman and Armenia being the latest additions.  India has added 35 more destinations since 2006.  The overall increase marks a growing disparity between countries in the global north and those in the global south. News Source: The Hindu Transgender Prisoners Part of: GS-I - Social issues Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to all States to ensure separate accommodation for transgender persons in prisons. Key takeaways  Advised the States and the Union Territories that the prison admission register may be suitably revised to include “transgender” as a category other than male and female gender. Similar provision may be made in the Prison Management System in maintaining electronic records. The government enacted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in 2019 and the advisory was sent to ensure their safety and to protect them against any form of exploitation in the context of prisons and correctional facilities. However, while making provision for a separate enclosure for transgender prisoners, due care may be taken by the prison authorities that this may not result in their complete isolation or propagate social stigma among such prisoners. There should also be adequate preservation of right to privacy and dignity in regard to separate toilets for transmen and transwomen as well as shower facilities. Physical search of a transgender person may be conducted by a person of their preferred gender or by a trained medical professional or a paramedic. At the stage where the search procedure requires stripping, it must be done in a private room or partition. News Source: The Hindu (News from PIB) Deendayal Port: Crosses the 100 Million Mark Kandla, officially Deendayal Port, is a seaport and town in Kutch district of Gujarat state, located on the Gulf of Kutch. About Gulf of Kutch An inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat Divides Kutch and the Kathiawar peninsula regions of Gujarat; the Rukmavati River empties into the Arabian Sea nearby. Gulf of Khambhat lies in south and the Great Rann of Kutch is located in north of the gulf. Renowned for extreme daily tides thus, making it a region with highest potential of tidal energy generation. Is referred to in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a travelogue written in about 50 CE, as the Gulf of Baraca One of the four major coral reef areas – the first coral garden will be set up near Mithapur in the Gulf of Kutch Facing incidences of coral bleaching Bleached corals are likely to have reduced growth rates, decreased reproductive capacity, increased susceptibility to diseases and elevated mortality rates] Coral bleaching and associated mortality not only have negative impacts on coral communities, but they also impact fish communities and the human communities that depend on coral reefs and associated fisheries for livelihoods and wellbeing. Coral colonies provide a source of food and shelter for countless reef-associated organisms and their health is of critical importance to the ecology of the reef community. Dugong (Vulnerable), also called the sea cow, is found here Issues being faced: Extraction of corals and sands by cement industries, increased turbidity of water, oil refineries, chemical industries and mechanized fishing boats. Map link: https://medcraveonline.com/IJAWB/images/IJAWB-03-00108-g001.png  News Source: PIB India – South Korea Trade Talks Part of: Mains GS-2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Context: India-Republic of Korea (RoK) relations has made great strides in recent years and has become truly multidimensional, spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges. India Korea aim to achieve the trade target of USD 50 Billion before 2030. Both the countries have agreed to  Impart fresh momentum to the discussions on CEPA up-gradation negotiations and address difficulties expressed by industry from both sides   Promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between the Industry leaders of the two countries.   Highlighted the difficulties the bovine meat exports are facing in South Korea. A brief history of India-South Korea Relation  During the Korean War (1950- 53),  India has played a major role in cease-fire agreement signed between both the warring sides and the ceasefire was declared on 27 July 1953.  The relationship did not move much till 1990s due to South Korea’s closeness to US and India either following non-aligned or under Russian influence  The economic relation between India and South Korea grew after economic reforms in India which led to signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2010  Relations between India and South Korea was raised to the level of Strategic Partnership in January 2010 and upgraded to Special strategic partnership in 2015  India has a major role to play in South Korea’s Southern Policy under which Korea is looking at expanding relations beyond its immediate region.  Similarly, South Korea is a major player in India’s Act East Policy under which aims to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) A free trade agreement between two countries Covers negotiation on the trade in services and investment, and other areas of economic partnership such as trade facilitation and customs cooperation, competition, and Intellectual Property Rights. CEPA also looks into the regulatory aspect of trade and encompasses an agreement covering the regulatory issues. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE GS-3: Economy, development & its challenges GS-2: Governance & its challenges Planetary Pressure Adjusted HDI Context: The 2020 Human Development Report of UNDP, titled “The Next Frontier – Human Development and the Anthropocene” proposed a planetary pressure-adjusted Human Development Index (HDI).  Ever since the UNDP took up computation of the HDI driven by the vision of Mahbub ul Haq and articulated by Amartya Sen in 1990, there have been adjustments such as inequality-adjusted HDI.  Besides, there was computation of several other indices such as Gender Development Index, Gender Inequality Index, and Multidimensional Poverty Index to flag the issues that warranted the attention of policymakers.  What is the purpose of Planetary Pressure Adjusted HDI (PHDI)? The environment is one such issue now considered to be an essential component to be factored in to measure human development.  The concept of the planetary boundary was introduced by a group of scientists across the world, led by J. Rockström of the Stockholm Resilience Centre in 2009.  It is how established that human-induced environmental change can irrevocably destabilise the long-term dynamics of the earth system, thereby disrupting the life-supporting system of the planet.  Both global and local evidence indicate that biodiversity loss, climate change, land system/land-use change, disruption of biogeochemical cycles, and scarcity of freshwater availability are a threat and increase the vulnerability of society.  The purpose of the planetary pressure adjusted HDI, or PHDI, is to communicate to the larger society the risk involved in continuing with existing practices in our resource use and environmental management, and the retarding effect that environmental stress can perpetuate on development.  What will be the impact on country rankings due to PHDI? When planetary pressure is adjusted, the world average of HDI in 2019 came down from 0.737 to 0.683. This adjustment has been worked out by factoring per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emission (production), and per capita material footprint.  The average per capita global CO2 emission (production) is 4.6 tonnes and the per capita material footprint is 12.3 tonnes.  The global ranking of several countries was altered, in a positive and negative sense, with adjustment of planetary pressure.  Switzerland is the only country in the group of high human development countries whose world rank has not changed with adjustment of planetary pressure, although the HDI value of 0.955 has come down to 0.825 after the necessary adjustment.  Among 66 very high human development countries, 30 countries recorded a fall in rank values. It succinctly brings out the nature of planetary pressure generated by the developed countries and indirectly indicates their responsibility in combating the situation.  In the case of India, the PHDI is 0.626 against an HDI of 0.645 with an average per capita CO2 emission (production) and material footprints of 2.0 tonnes and 4.6 tonnes, respectively.  India gained in global rankings by eight points (131st rank under HDI and 123rd rank under PHDI), and its per capita carbon emission (production) and material footprint are well below the global average.  What are the challenges in India? India’s natural resource use is far from efficient, environmental problems are growing, and the onslaught on nature goes on unabated.  At the same time, India has 27.9% people under the Multidimensional Poverty Index ranging from 1.10% in Kerala to 52.50% in Bihar, and a sizable section of them directly depend on natural resources for their sustenance.  The twin challenges of poverty alleviation and environmental safeguarding that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi first articulated in her lecture during the Stockholm conference on the human environment in 1972 still remain unattended. In fact, the situation is much more complex now. Any standalone environmental safeguarding actions are not sufficient to navigate the Anthropogenic caused planetary pressures. It is now well established that there are interdependencies of earth system processes including social processes, and their relationships are non-linear and dialectic.  Therefore, the central challenge is to nest human development including social and economic systems into the ecosystem, and biosphere building on a systematic approach to nature-based solutions that put people at the core.  What should be the way forward? It is now essential to consider people and the planet as being a part of an interconnected social-ecological system.  Social and environmental problems cannot be addressed in isolation anymore; an integrated perspective is necessary.  This can be conceived and addressed at the local level, for which India has constitutional provisions in the form of the 73rd and 74th Amendments.  What is required is a reorientation of the planning process, adoption of a decentralised approach, a plan for proper institutional arrangements, and steps to enable political decisions. Connecting the dots: Paris Climate Deal IPCC’s report on Climate Change & India (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1. Which of the following is/are true regarding Colombo Security Conclave? The decision to establish Colombo Security Conclave was taken between countries India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives to forge closer cooperation on maritime and security matters among the three Indian Ocean countries. The idea of ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ was initiated by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011. Select the correct answer: Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding 'Sea to Sea’ Variant Of BrahMos Missile: This version of the missile has been designed to launch either in a vertical or a horizontal mode from moving/stationary assets to target both land and sea targets. The missiles, fired at a speed of 2.8 Mach, significantly increase the capability of the ships in engaging long-range targets. Which of the above is or are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 National Portal for Transgender Persons is launched by which of the following?  Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment National Human Rights Commission NITI Aayog ANSWERS FOR 12th Jan 2022 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 C 3 B Must Read On vigilante justice: Indian Express On extending GST compensation: The Hindu On Hate Speech: The Hindu

UPSC हिन्दी Quiz– 2021: IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12th January 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

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12th January 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