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

Posts

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 2 Questions [15th JUNE,2021] – Day 112

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 2 Questions [15th JUNE,2021] – Day 112 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. Do you think the federal political structure in India creates roadblocks in the Central Government’s policies and interventions for development in various sectors? Critically examine. (10 Marks) क्या आपको लगता है कि भारत में संघीय राजनीतिक संरचना केंद्र सरकार की नीतियों और विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में विकास के लिए हस्तक्षेप में बाधाएं पैदा करती है? समालोचनात्मक जाँच करें। 2. Parliament of the country is the repository of the sovereign will of the people, and its successful functioning is a joint responsibility of both the government and the opposition. In this light, examine the role of the Speaker. (10 Marks) देश की संसद लोगों की संप्रभुता का भंडार है और इसके सफल संचालन पर सरकार और विपक्ष दोनों की संयुक्त जिम्मेदारी है। इस आलोक में अध्यक्ष की भूमिका का परीक्षण कीजिए। 3. What are the challenges associated with India’s linguistic identity today? Analyse. Has the Constitution been able to address the potential conflicts arising out of linguistic diversity of India? Critically examine. (15 Marks) आज भारत की भाषाई पहचान से जुड़ी चुनौतियाँ क्या हैं? विश्लेषण। क्या संविधान भारत की भाषाई विविधता से उत्पन्न होने वाले संभावित संघर्षों को दूर करने में सक्षम है? समालोचनात्मक जाँच करें। 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 :)

SYNOPSIS [14th JUNE,2021] Day 111: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [14th JUNE,2021] Day 111: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. In the context of disaster preparedness, explain the concept of ‘black swan’ events. Why is it critical to be ready for such events? Discuss. Approach  In this question the candidate needs to write first on concept of black swan event within the context of disaster preparedness, candidates can link it with various disaster such as COVID. And then discuss the importance of disaster preparedness and readiness in any such events. Introduction  “Black swan events” are those that are possible, but are totally unexpected. The definition by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb includes First, it is an outlier, as it lies outside the realm of regular expectations, because nothing in the past can convincingly point to its possibility. Second, it carries an extreme impact. Third, in spite of its outlier status, human nature makes us concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it explainable and predictable. Body In the realm of disasters, in a little more than a year, we have experienced many disasters such as COVID-19, locust attack and frequent cyclones is being widely described as a “Black Swan event”, an event that has an outsized impact, that is hard to predict and even harder to compute probabilities. A contrary view is that, in many ways, it is an entirely expected event given that all the drivers of risk have been there in plain sight it’s critical to be prepared for such events: Given recent events, however, it’s easy to predict more black swan events that will range from natural to technological disasters and terrorist events. As we plan for the future, we need to envision catastrophes so large that the response and recovery will go far beyond what we have experienced. Emergency managers and their partner organizations can expand their thinking, planning and response capabilities to encompass the “maximum of maximums.” As going beyond our own needs, after the Indian Ocean tsunami, we played a pivotal role in establishing an end-to-end Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean. It’s critical that we communicate the risks as forcefully as possible to the people who are in positions to make wise decisions on the allocation of resources toward building resiliency in communities. For example, India's success in reducing cyclone related mortality is lauded globally. If there’s one thing that we should learn from black swan events, it’s that they are hard to prevent. Their size and scope may overwhelm our feeble attempts to respond.  In the long term, it will only be the resiliency of the people, organizations and systems that will change the course of history and the disaster’s impact. Most of the time we can’t change what happens to us, but we do control how we respond and recover. In our country, for the last two decades we have been talking about a paradigm shift from “relief and response” to “preparedness and mitigation” or “risk reduction”. With black swan event theory it is apparent that, we are poised for the next leap: from “risk reduction” to “resilience”. Being ready to face speaks of resilience of our infrastructure, which can also helped us deal with several other crises such as floods, cyclones, desert locusts and the crisis at our northern borders. The key lesson from the black swan theory is that the principles of resilience and anti-fragility have to be integral to India's growth story. This would mean that risk management has to become everybody's business beyond NDMA with Technical and academic institutions have important and crucial role. Conclusion In many ways, the disasters has come across as a backlash against the excesses of our consumption. We need to take a step back and assess how we can find a better balance with Nature. There is a strong sustainability angle that we need to pursue during disasters preparedness. Which clearly implies that we value our natural resources like rivers, wetlands, mountains, forests, coastlines, and bio-diversity. 2. Examine the significance of investment promotion as a tool for regional development. Can you discuss some related strategies adopted in India? Approach  Question demands to highlight the basics idea on investment promotion plans and regional development. Candidates need to examine the investment promotion significance in the regional development. And discuss some strategies adopted in India. Introduction Investment promotion can help to increase both domestic investment and to enhance their contribution to regional economic development. Success in promoting investment requires a careful calculation of how to employ resources most effectively and how to organise investment promotion activities within the government so that the overriding goal of economic development through improvements in the investment climate remains at the forefront of policymaking. Body Regional Development in Inida: It is reflected by the indicators like per capita income, the proportion of population living below the poverty, the percentage of urban population, percentage of population engaged in agriculture vis-à-vis engaged in industries, infrastructural development of different states. Significance of investment promotion for regional development: Special economic zones (SEZs) in India are areas that offer incentives to resident businesses. SEZs typically offer competitive infrastructure, duty free exports, tax incentives, and other measures designed to make it easier to conduct business. Accordingly, SEZs in India are a popular investment destination for many multinationals, particularly exporters. The government sought to use SEZs to redress the infrastructural and bureaucratic challenges that were seen to have limited the success EPZs. SEZs can provide, in a concentrated area, the necessary conditions external investors may require. Moreover, these may include a skilled labor force, adequate infrastructure, and local input suppliers. Additionally, they can facilitate investment from foreign sources. Additionally, a well-executed SEZ helps generate spill-overs for the economy of the rest of the country. This is because domestic firms and industries outside an SEZ tend to upskill and expand, to be able to supply the SEZ firms. SEZs can play the role of ‘testing grounds’ for the Government for implementing liberal business policies in the future. Likewise, the Government can decide to implement ‘successful’ policies across the country and dump the ‘unsuccessful’ ones. Strategies adopted in India: Many EPZs were converted to SEZs, with notable zones in Noida (Uttar Pradesh state), Falta (West Bengal state), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh state), Chennai (Tamil Nadu state), Cochin (Kerala state), Santa Cruz (Maharashtra state), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), as well as Kandla and Surat (Gujarat). The planned and systematic industrial development MIDC in the State of Maharashtra has continuously placed Maharashtra in first position in India for the highest productivity, economics performance, business efficiency, government efficiency, infrastructures and overall competitiveness.  The GIFT City project was conceptualised in 2007. With sops being announced in almost all Union budgets since 2015, the Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) City at Gandhinagar stands at an important cusp with the Rs 4000-crore second phase of the infrastructure project. Conclusion Raising the living standards in poorer and backward states would also require increasing productivity in the agricultural sector by supporting farm consolidation and improving infrastructure in rural areas, particularly roads that connect villages to market towns, crop storage infrastructure and access to social physical infrastructure will also have critical importance in regional development plans. 3. What is the philosophical basis of Atmanirbhar Bharat? Does it augur well with a globalised world? Critically examine. Approach  In this question the candidate needs to highlight the philosophy behind the Atmanirbhar bharat. And then simply critically examine the role of this policy in globalised world order.  Introduction  It is not protectionism. It is not inward looking. It is not just import substitution and it is not economic nationalism. Main philosophy is to make India self-reliant by creating an eco-system that will allow Indian companies to be highly competitive on the global stage. The key element here is the “need to create an eco-system” that will allow Indian companies to be globally competitive and thus making India self-reliant. Body In this context, the idea of self-reliance is about resilience, leveraging internal strengths, personal responsibility, and a sense of national mission or “Man Making” to use the late 19th century expression of Swami Vivekananda. It is important, at the very onset, to clarify that this idea of self-reliance is not about a return to Nehruvian import substitution or autarkic isolationism. The prime minister modi emphasised that his vision includes active participation in post-COVID global supply chains as well as the need to attract foreign direct investment. This is about decentralised localism that takes pride in local brands, emphasises resilience and flexibility, and encourages local capacity-building and indigenisation. The same economic philosophy is reflected in several other supply-side measures announced recently. Self-reliance implies that product and factor markets are made flexible in order to allow the Indian economy to adapt to the problems and opportunities of an emerging post-COVID world. Thus, there is an unapologetic commitment to privatisation of non-strategic public sector entities, opening up of new sectors like space to private investment, decriminalisation of most aspects of corporate law, greater flexibility in labour laws, and so on. Self-reliance also means a commitment to resilience at multiple levels at a national level, an industry level, and at an individual level. For example, the government has indicated that it would provide various forms of incentives and protection to key industries for example, inputs for the pharmaceuticals industry. Atmanirbhar bharat policy raising questions in globalised order: Such a stance may have a recoil effect on India’s foreign trade too. The EIU said that a more protectionist trade stance and any increase in tariff rates for imports may lead to punitive tariffs or the revocation of trade benefits from its partners. Manufacture of ideas has fallen far behind the invention of slogans. And the idea remains as wrong as it was half a century ago. India punishes import of consumer goods; they are mostly made in India. Services are also kept out. We need, instead, a combination of the best from wherever it is available when required, and making locally for our normal needs. Indians shouldn’t be forced to settle for second or third rate products or services just because they have the made-in-India tag. That would be merely another, perhaps worse version, of the failed model of import substitution. Actually, what history proves over and over again is that there is no substitute for quality and competence. No amount of ideological or cultural massaging can make this go away. India is dependent on China for imports related to electronics, solar equipment, pharmaceutical (Active pharmaceutical ingredients) and Capital goods. Without developing domestic capacity for manufacturing in these areas, breaking away from dependence on China would not be easy. Similarly, in times of globalisation and being governed by the rules of the WTO, any efforts at creating systemic impediments to the smooth flow of trade across nations on trivial nationalism parameters are surely going to backfire, one way or the other. India opened itself to the global market in 1991 through its LPG (liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation) reforms, but remained hesitant in giving the market model full freedom. This may be reflected in market distorting subsidies and other restrictive policies, especially in Agriculture. Way forward: India cannot become self-reliant until it has control over domestic and global supply chains. Thus, there is a need to ensure greater control over certain parts of the global value chain to protect strategic interests, especially in healthcare, agriculture and defence. Mostly all the multinational companies are more concerned about concentration risk of businesses in China than ever before. India can attract these investments and become the next global manufacturing hub. Conclusion The Self-Reliance neither signifies any exclusionary or isolationist strategies but involves creation of a helping hand to the whole world it’s about being vocal for “local” which is a key complement of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.In this context, people must internalise the concept of valuing local products and artefacts and promoting them. Only after this the dream of transforming “Local” India into a “Glocal” India will be possible.   TLP Synopsis Day 111 PDF

[Day 15]: 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-15 of RaRe Series - Click here To Register - Click here For complete details of the RaRe Series -  Click here

IASbaba's Courses

[BIG ANNOUNCEMENT] INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAM (ILP) 2022 - LAUNCHING SOON!

Dear Students We have two very important things to share and celebrate with the IASbaba Family. We know what announcement you have all been waiting for – The Launch of the biggest, most trusted, and coveted self-preparation Programme – the Integrated Learning Program (ILP). Probably you were expecting it a little earlier, but we had our reason to delay. Along with the launch of ILP, we have a surprise to share with you all on 18th June 2021. The Countdown Starts Now!! Stay Tuned! [wpcdt-countdown id="109717"]

PIB

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB) IAS UPSC – 7th June to 13th June – 2021

ARCHIVES GS-2 Report of All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2019-20 (Topic: Education) This Report provides key performance indicators on the current status of Higher education in the country. In the last five years from 2015-16 to 2019-20, there has been a growth of 11.4% in the student enrolment.  The rise in female enrolment in higher education during the period is 18.2%. Total Enrolment in Higher Education stands at 3.85 crorein 2019-20 as compared to 3.74 crore in 2018-19, registering a growth of 11.36 lakh (3.04 %). Total enrolment was 3.42 crore in 2014-15. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), the percentage of students belonging to the eligible age group enrolled in Higher Education, in 2019-20 is 27.1% against 26.3% in 2018-19 and 24.3% in 2014-2015. Gender Parity Index (GPI) in Higher Education in 2019-20 is 1.01 against 1.00 in 2018-19 indicating an improvement in the relative access to higher education for females of eligible age group compared to males. Pupil Teacher Ratio in Higher Education in 2019-20 is 26. 3.38 crore Students enrolled in programmes at under-graduate and post-graduate level.  Out of these, nearly 85% of the students (2.85 crore) were enrolled in the six major disciplines such as Humanities, Science, Commerce, Engineering & Technology, Medical Science and IT & Computer. The number of students pursuing PhD in 2019-20 is 2.03 lakh against 1.17 lakh in 2014-15. The Total Number of Teachers stands at 15,03,156 comprising of 57.5% male and 42.5% female. India’s commitment to promote Renewable energy: Proposes to revamp the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism (Topic: Government schemes and policies) Validity period of RECs; Floor & Forbearance Price The REC validity period may be removed. Thus, the validity of REC would be perpetual ie till it is sold. As RECs are perpetually valid then the floor and forbearance prices are not required to be specified as RECs holders would have the complete freedom to decide the timings to sell. CERC will be required to have monitoring and the surveillance mechanism to ensure that there is no hording of the RECs and creation of artificial price rise in the REC market.  CERC may intervene if such case of malpractices is observed in the REC trading. Period for which the RECs are to be issued to RE generators: The RE generator, who is eligible for REC, will be eligible for issuance of RECs for 15 years from the date of commissioning of the projects.  The existing RE project that are eligible for REC would continue to get RECs for 25 years. Promotion of new and high cost technologies in RE and the provision of multiplier for issuance of RECs The concept of multiplier can be introduced, under which less mature RE technologies can be promoted over other matured renewable technologies. The concept of negative list and sunset clause may also be considered for various technologies depending upon their maturity level. Any RE technologies which need to be promoted may be identified say 2 years in advance. For such RE projects at least 15 years policy visibility would be provided to attract investments and promotion of such technologies in the renewable energy. Multiplier: A technology multiplier can be introduced for promotion of new and high priced RE technologies, which can be allocated in various baskets specific to technologies depending on maturity. The multiplier would also take care of vintage depending on the date of commissioning of the project. Incentivising Obligated Entities for procurement of RE Power beyond RPO. No REC to be issued to the beneficiary of the concessional charges or waiver of any other charges. The role of trader can be enhanced in the REC trading which will bring in two key advantages i.e. it will give long-term visibility to the buyers of the REC and they can easily fulfil the RPO. Further, the small buyers can bank on the traders for buying REC as an ease of purchase. This will ensure even the small buyers who find difficulty in trading in REC market will be able to fulfil his RPO. 47th G7 Summit (Topic: International summits and India) UK currently holds the Presidency of the G7 and has invited India, along with Australia, Republic of Korea and South Africa, as Guest Countries for the G7 Summit. The theme for the Summit is ‘Build Back Better’ and the UK has outlined four priority areas for its Presidency: Leading the global recovery from coronavirus while strengthening resilience against future pandemics Promoting future prosperity by championing free and fair trade Tackling climate change and preserving the planet’s biodiversity Championing shared values and open societies During the session, Prime Minister Modi – Expressed appreciation for the support extended by the G7 and other guest countries during the recent wave of COVID infections in India.  Highlighted India's ‘whole of society’ approach to fight the pandemic, synergising the efforts of all levels of the government, industry and civil society.    Explained India’s successful use of open source digital tools for contact tracing and vaccine management, and conveyed India's willingness to share its experience and expertise with other developing countries. Committed India's support for collective endeavours to improve global health governance Sought the G7's support for the proposal moved at the WTO by India and South Africa, for a TRIPS waiver on COVID related technologies.  Calling for global unity, leadership, and solidarity to prevent future pandemics, he emphasized the special responsibility of democratic and transparent societies in this regard. Recalled that democracy and freedom were a part of India’s civilizations ethos. He shared the concern expressed by several Leaders that open societies are particularly vulnerable to disinformation and cyber-attacks, and stressed the need to ensure that cyberspace remains an avenue for advancing democratic values and not of subverting it. Highlighting the non-democratic and unequal nature of global governance institutions, PM called for the reform of the multilateral system as the best signal of commitment to the cause of Open Societies. The leaders adopted the ‘Open Societies Statement’ at the end of the meeting. Highlighted that the planet's atmosphere, biodiversity and oceans cannot be protected by countries acting in silos, and called for collective action on climate change.  Speaking about India's unwavering commitment to climate action, he mentioned the commitment by Indian Railways to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2030.  He stressed that India is the only G-20 country on track to meet its Paris commitments. He also took note of the increasing effectiveness of the two major global initiatives nurtured by India i.e. the CDRI and the International Solar Alliance.  Prime Minister stressed that developing countries need better access to climate finance, and called for a holistic approach towards climate change that covers all dimensions of the problem- mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer, climate financing, equity, climate justice and lifestyle change.   GS-3 Measures to save energy with an objective to reduce CO2 emission levels  (Topic: Energy) The Ministry of Power is implementing measures to save energy with an objective to reduce CO2 emission levels in the environment from industries, establishments and by using equipment/ appliances. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme: The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme is a programme launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to reduce energy consumption and promote enhanced energy efficiency among specific energy intensive industries in the country. Aims to enhance the cost-effectiveness of energy savings by upgrading technologies or by taking in-house actions to minimize energy consumption Provides mandatory targets for the identified Large Units and the excess energy saved by them is issued as Energy Saving Certificate, which are tradable instruments.  The different industries and establishments are assigned separate energy efficiency targets based on their levels of energy consumption and the potential for energy savings. By the year 2020 the scheme coverage has been extended to 13 most  energy intensive sectors in the country including Cement, Iron and Steel, Fertilizer, Thermal Power Plants, Refineries, Petrochemicals, Railways and others. This initiative is currently leading to energy savings of about 17 MTOE (Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) and has resulted into mitigation of about 87 million tonnes of CO2, per year, a figure close to total CO2 emissions of country like Bangladesh. Standards and Labeling (S&L) Program by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE): To provide the consumers, an informed choice about the energy savings potential and thereby the cost saving due to the products available in the market.  The scheme includes display of energy performance labels on key energy consuming equipment & appliances, with stipulation for minimum energy performance standards.  The scheme has now included 28 appliances till March 2021 and over 15000 models of energy efficient products have been awarded Star labels, a popular symbol among the consumers for endorsing energy savings.  The impact of using a huge number of efficient products by the citizens have resulted into an estimated electricity savings of 56 Billion Units during 2020-21, worth over Rs. 30000 crore. This initiative has been effective in reducing the CO2 emissions of approx. 46 Million Tonnes every year. Such steps have become very effective and a simplified approach is considered more useful to promote energy efficiency globally. Many countries have followed this labeling programme, thereby reaping benefits of energy savings and also in reducing CO2 emissions. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the well-known greenhouse gas on our planet Earth. Rapid increase in its concentration in atmosphere is major cause of global temperature rise which in turn leads to many environmental and healthcare problems. The  ‘greenhouse effect’ works in case of CO2 when solar radiation hits the surface of the earth, part of the heat escapes the atmosphere while balance heat gets trapped which in turn, raises the earth’s temperature. This is a phenomenon popularly known as global warming. This primarily results in severe impact on  climate change, which has a ripple effect over all natural ecosystems, and by extension, all industries and people around the globe. About BEE The Government of India has set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on 1st March 2002 under the provision of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. This will be achieved with active participation and collaboration of all stakeholders, resulting in accelerated and sustained adoption of energy efficiency in all sectors. BEE’s span of Energy Conservation and Efficiency efforts covers areas such as Appliance, Buildings, Transport, key Demand Side Management programs in Agriculture and Municipalities and the Industry and other Establishments. Department of Biotechnology supported First CAR-T cell therapy conducted at ACTREC, Tata Hospital in Mumbai (Topic: Medical technology) The Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has emerged as a breakthrough in cancer treatment. Clinical trials conducted globally have shown promising results in end stage patients, especially in patients suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Though this technology has a remarkable therapeutic potential for cancer patients, at present this technology is not available in India. Each patient's CAR-T cell therapy costs 3-4 crore (INR). The challenge therefore is to develop this technology in cost-effective manner and make it available for the patients. The manufacturing complexity is a major reason for the therapy cost. In order to promote and support development of CAR-T cell technology against cancer and other diseases, BIRAC and DBT have taken initiatives and launched specialized calls to invite proposals in the last 2 years. This is a ‘first in India’ gene therapy in early phase pilot clinical trial and the dedicated efforts and excellent collaboration between IIT Bombay and Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The central government’s National Biopharma Mission-BIRAC has approved 19.15 Cr crore to the team for conducting a first-in-human phase-1/2 clinical trial of the CAR-T cells. National Biopharma Mission is also supporting the development of Lentiviral vector manufacturing facility for packaging plasmids used to transfer the modified T cell inside the body, cGMP facility for T-cell transduction and expansion for CAR T-cell manufacturing to two other organizations. The development of CAR-T cell technology for diseases including acute lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and type-2 diabetes is supported through DBT. DBT-ILS establishes Animal Challenge Study Platform (Topic: Science and Technology) COVID-19 is causing a major global pandemic. The scientific and clinical community are actively engaged to develop effective preventions and treatments. A key strategy to protect humans from this corona virus pandemic is the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics. While multiple clinical trials are currently underway, in parallel, preclinical research on in vitro and model organisms is also needed, both to understand the virus and to test therapeutic agents for safety and efficacy.  Animal models that closely resemble the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2−induced disease in humans are essential for research on disease mechanisms and for the evaluation of potential vaccines and antiviral drugs. Small animals like mice and Syrian hamster are advantageous to study SARS-CoV-2, as they reproduce faster and faithfully reproduce COVID-19 pathology in humans. Among different available animal models, so far hamsters have been widely utilized in SARS-CoV-2 infection studies. Hamster model of COVID-19 mimics a mild pattern of human disease with full recovery. The experimentation with these animals needs people with multiple expertise and specialised animal biosafety level 3 laboratories (ABSL3). Realising the importance of these requirements for developing antiviral and vaccine candidates for SARC-COV-2, scientists at the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar (an autonomous research institute of Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India) have established these animal models and a ABSL3 laboratory. The COVID-19 research team of this institute has recently established and characterised hamster models of SARS-CoV-2 infection by using a local virus isolate cultured and characterized at ILS. The proteomic studies carried out at ILS shows the similarities between SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans and hamsters. This along with analysis of clinical parameters it has been observed that tissue samples show the pathophysiological manifestation of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection similar to that reported earlier in COVID‐19 patients. This provided strong molecular evidence that supports the clinical relevance of this model in COVID-19 research. 3-D seismic data can help apprehend precursors of marine geo-hazards from interactions between seabed & marine sediments (Topic: Science and Technology) Deep down in the ocean, marine sediments move over the base of the ocean, shaping the probability of geohazards. Scientists have now used 3D seismic data to understand the interaction between bottom surface of marine sediments and the seafloor in the northern Taranaki basin offshore New Zealand. This can help apprehend the precursors of marine geohazards. Marine geohazards take place when the seafloor is unstable and is not able to withstand the transport processes of marine sediments from landwards deep into the ocean bottom. In such a situation, placement of drilling rigs becomes hazardous due to instability of the seabed. While understanding marine sediments' interaction during their flow over the seabed is crucial to detect triggers of marine hazards like landslides, associated morphological investigation is a very challenging task, and geophysical/seismic prospecting methods are essential for it. With the help of 3D seismic data, the study offers a unique approach to comprehend the recurrent mass wasting processes and also understand how the seabed interacts with the bottom surface of marine sediments.  The geological period between 23.03 and 2.5 Million years ago called Neogene succession preserves vertical stacks of mass transport deposits (MTDs) from the Miocene to Pliocene --- different epochs that fall within the Neogene geological period.  The Miocene (23.03 to 5.33 Mn years ago) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene period and towards the end of this epoch starts the Pliocene epoch (5.33 to 2.5 Mn years ago).  The study shows that the mass transport deposits are characterized into blocky-MTDs consisting of moderate to high amplitude, variably deformed rafted blocks, and chaotic masses composed of slides and debris flow deposits indicating a disturbed marine environment. The study will help understand different flow mechanisms associated with sediment movement over the seafloor. It will also shed light on several flow indicators that define the dynamics of the sediment mass movement or the dominant transport directions and mechanism of the mass flow.  Understanding of these phenomena can help apprehend precursors of marine geohazards or the nature and physiography of the seafloor over which sediments can move.  According to WIHG team, similar geomorphological exercises can be extended to Indian and global marine sedimentary basins. New waste water treatment technology can reduce costs for low and medium scale enterprises (Topic: Science and Technology) Soon automobile servicing industry, food industry, and other low and medium scale enterprises can have a smart, affordable electric field-assisted membrane separation device at their disposal for oily waste water treatment. Low-income group users mostly cannot afford the high cost of treatment technologies available for handling oily wastewater generated at their source points. As a result, large amount of untreated oily wastewater is discharged into the aquatic bodies without following the guidelines of the Pollution Control Board. The technology developed by Dr Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, Professor at the Chemical Engineering Department in Jadavpur University, Kolkata, uses a combination of Electrocoagulation and Electroflotation Enhanced Membrane Module (ECEFMM) techniques for waste water treatment.   Electrocoagulation is a waste water treatment technique that uses electrical charge for changing the particle surface charge, allowing suspended matter to form aggregates Electroflotation is the separation of suspended particles from water using hydrogen and oxygen bubbles generated by passing electricity through water. In the developed module, electrocoagulation and electrofloatation are adjoined with membrane in a single indigenous setup.  The turbulence created because of the hydrogen bubbling through the feed medium or the waste-water resists the deposition of oil over the membrane.  The synergistic effect of hydrogen bubbling and rotation of the membrane module creates substantial turbulence within the solution and on membrane surface.  On application of electric field during membrane separation, membrane fouling is substantially reduced, and membrane longevity is also enhanced by restricting the membrane ageing for prolonged time period. Thus, it requires less frequent membrane replacement, thereby reducing the maintenance costs to a great extent. The innovation being an economically feasible wastewater treatment technology (both in terms of capital and recurring investment) for low-scale and medium enterprises, has a good market potential. Moreover, unlike other conventional treatment, it can break the highly stable oil-water emulsion through electric discharge and simultaneously separates oil from water with high efficiency. Besides, by integrating the electrochemical process setup with the membrane module in a single hybrid ECEFMM setup, one process has been eliminated. This significantly lowers the initial capital investment expense along with the additional advantage of reduced installation area requirement. The recovered spent oil after oily wastewater treatment can be further used as an industrial burner oil, furnace oil, mould oil, hydraulic oil and so on. Thus, it creates a huge revenue generation scope for low-income groups by selling this collected spent oil. In a zone of densely concentrated garages, installation of one setup will serve the purpose of wastewater treatment and thereby extend the opportunity towards other low-income group users to control the water pollution level within PCB regulations. It is aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The validation and testing of the prototype have been successfully accomplished, and the pilot-scale validation and testing is on the verge of completion. A new study will help accurate estimation of black carbon over the Himalaya, a key contributor to global warming & improve weather & climate predictions (Topic: Environment and climate change) Accurate estimation of black carbon (BC), the second most important global warming pollutant after CO­2, will now be possible using optical instruments in the Himalayan region.  The researchers have derived the values of MAC – an essential parameter which is used for obtaining Black Carbon mass concentrations. It is specific to the Himalayan region that scientists have estimated.  Scientists have made extensive observations of black carbon and elemental carbon and estimated monthly and wavelength-dependent values of MAC over the central Himalayan region for the first time. It will also improve the performance of numerical weather prediction and climate models. Aerosol particles below 3 nm which can reach sizes having climatic impacts, formed frequently in urban locations in India (Topic: Environment and climate change) Scientists tracing the concentration, size and evolution of aerosol particles smaller than 3 nanometres at an urban location in India have found frequent formation of sub-3nm aerosol particles in the atmosphere. This has critical importance as a major fraction of these newly formed particles can reach to sizes of cloud condensation nuclei where they have climatic impacts. The formation of small molecular clusters of sub-3nm size is technically called aerosol nucleation, and subsequent growth of these newly formed clusters to the large sizes is called atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). NPF occurs everywhere in the terrestrial troposphere, and therefore it is a large source of aerosol numbers to the atmosphere. Though extensively studied globally using field observations, laboratory experiments and modelling approach, it is largely unexplored in India. The research showed that a pool of sub-3nm particles is often present in the atmosphere, but how fast these clusters grow depends on various factors. The scientists observed that only half of these events showed newly formed molecular clusters growing past 10 nm size. Thus particle size distributions display a conventional banana-shaped aerosol growth, which is indicative of regional NPF event. The team found a strong positive correlation between sub-3nm particle concentrations and sulphuric acid concentrations, confirming the potential role of sulfuric acid in the formation of sub-3nm particles.  While NPF often starts with sulphuric acid in the atmosphere, sulphuric acid alone fails to explain observed particle formation and growth rates in the atmosphere.  Other vapours such as ammonia, amines and organics play a crucial role in the growth of newly formed particles.  Moreover, these newly formed particles did not always grow to large sizes, and the team hypothesized that the particle growth was limited by lower concentrations of condensable vapours such as organic compounds, calling for research using state-of-the-art instrumentation to understand the mechanisms driving NPF in diverse environments across India.   E-booklet on 20 MoD reforms in 2020 (Topic: Defence) The compilation provides a brief overview of defence reforms undertaken in the year 2020 by MoD to bring about greater cohesion and modernisation of the Armed Forces through policy changes, innovation and digital transformation. On the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ initiative Increased collaboration with the industry to boost defence exports Measures to accelerate defence acquisitions with greater transparency Digital transformation Strengthening of border infrastructure Increased participation of women in Armed Forces Transformation in R&D to boost innovation Expansion of NCC to remote locations Aid extended to the civil administration in fight against COVID-19 Chief of Defence Staff & Department of Military Affairs: The post of CDS was created to increase efficiency & coordination among the Armed Forces and reduce duplication, while DMA was established to ensure improved civil-military integration.  AatmaNirbharta in Defence: To promote ‘Make in India’ in defence sector, a list of 101 defence items was notified in August 2020, while Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 was unveiled in September 2020.  Rs 52,000 crore budget was earmarked for indigenously made defence equipment in 2020-21. Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was approved in May 2020 for greater efficiency and productivity.  There was an unprecedented push towards new technology developments within India. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) developed a ventilator in record time to meet Covid-19 requirements in May 2020.  In November 2020, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile, indigenously designed & developed DRDO, hit bullseye at medium range and medium height, while indigenously built Pinaka rocket system cleared test of 45-60 km range. Increased Defence Exports: The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports. The value of total defence exports rose from Rs 1,941 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 9,116 crore in 2019-20. Also, for the first time, India figured in the list of defence equipment exporting nations, as the exports expanded to more than 84 countries. Modernisation & increased transparency in Defence Acquisition: In highest-ever thrust towards modernisation in last 10 years, there was 10 per cent budget increase in 2020-21 over the previous year. Policy reforms for increased transparency included launch of new Defence Acquisition Procedure in September 2020 and revision of DRDO Procurement Manual in October 2020. To encourage start-ups, a provision was introduced for procurement as Buy Indian-IDDM, while leasing for non-mission critical requirements was introduced for the first time. Defence Acquisitions: First five Rafale fighter aircraft arrived in India in July 2020 and several more since then, adding firepower to the arsenal of the Indian Air Force. Despite the COVID-19 challenge, the aircraft were delivered timely and inducted into IAF. Reforming Defence R&D: To promote innovation by young minds, five Young Scientists Laboratories of DRDO were launched in 2020 in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. DRDO has joined hands with the private sector in design & development and identified 108 Systems & Subsystems for the industry to design, develop and manufacture. Digital Transformation: For the first time, several organisations of Ministry of Defence went digital. Directorate General Quality Assurance (DGQA) started online Pre-Delivery inspection in May 2020 to address security threats, while Armed Forces Tribunal began digital hearing for the first time in August 2020. Defence Estates, Canteen Stores Department, services in Cantonment, MoD Pension and National Cadet Corps (NCC) also went online providing faster and transparent services. Strengthening border infrastructure: Reforms of processes and workflows within Border Roads Organisation (BRO) enabled it to achieve targets ahead of schedule, in some instances.  World’s longest Atal tunnel above 10,000 feet, at Rohtang on the Leh-Manali Highway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in October 2020. It provides all weather connectivity to the northern borders. Zojila pass, situated on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway, was opened almost a month ahead of schedule in April 2020. Stree Shakti in Armed Forces: In 2020, Ministry of Defence took some historic decisions to increase participation of women in the Armed Forces. Ten streams of Indian Army were opened for giving Permanent Commission to Short Service Commission (SSC) Women officers, while women pilots of Indian Navy were operationalised for the first time. All Sainik Schools were thrown open for girl students from academic session 2020-21. Reforms in NCC: Expanding the reach of NCC to remote locations was a major announcement. More than 1,075 schools/colleges in border and coastal areas were identified and the enrolment began in November 2020. In another decision, it was decided to give preference to NCC cadets in employment in Central Armed Police Forces from May 2020. Youth Exchange Programme Allowance for NCC cadets was increased from Rs 100 per day to Rs 750 and the number of countries was increased from 10 to 15. Aid to civil administration during COVID-19: Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces have mobilised resources to aid the civil administration in fight against COVID-19. Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) provided all emergency support to tide over the situation. They have mobilised doctors, health professionals and set up Quarantine facilities at several locations across the country. DRDO has set up several hospitals to treat COVID patients across the states, passed on technology expertise to manufacture ventilators, oxygen plants, medicines, test kits and PPE kits to private sector for mass production. Help beyond boundaries: The Armed Forces extended a helping hand to the countries in distress. Indian Navy mounted eight relief missions during 2020-21. Besides evacuating stranded Indians from Iran, Sri Lanka and Maldives under Vande Bharat Mission, Indian Naval ships provided Covid-19 medical relief, including medicines and doctors, to five countries. INS Airavat provided 270 MT food aid to Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea struck by natural calamities. The Indian Coast Guard led the rescue operation to save Sri Lanka coast of its biggest oil spill. Indian Air Force carried out over 800 relief missions during 2020-21. Prelims-oriented News World Day Against Child Labour: 12 June 1st in the World for research: IISc Bengaluru Devika River National Project: In Jammu & Kashmir Type of fruits which are GI certified Khirsapati & Lakshmanbhog (West Bengal), Zardalu (Bihar): Mangoes Three Indian universities achieve top-200 positions in QS World University Rankings 2022 IIT Bombay secured 177th position IIT Delhi secured 185th rank IISc Bengaluru secured 186th position  India registered excellent growth in Agriculture Exports during 2020-21 Export of agriculture and allied products during 2020-21 jumped to USD 41.25 billion, indicating an increase of 17.34% Organic exports registered a growth of 50.94% Largest markets for India’s agriculture products are USA, China, Bangladesh, UAE, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran and Malaysia.  Exports to most of these destinations have registered growth, with highest growth being recorded for Indonesia (102.42%), Bangladesh (95.93%) and Nepal (50.49%). Export of spices like ginger, pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, saffron etc., which have known therapeutic qualities, has also grown substantially. NITI Aayog & Piramal Foundation Launch Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum Abhiyaan in 112 Aspirational Districts Objective: To assist the administration in providing home care support to Covid-19 patients, who are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Most of these districts are in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra. The campaign is a part of a special initiative – Aspirational Districts Collaborative. Local leaders, civil societies and volunteers work with the district administrations to address emerging issues of the Aspirational Districts Programme. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana extended till Deepawali: Till November 2021, more than 80 crore people will continue to get decided amount of free food grain every month. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is facilitating supply of free food grains to the beneficiaries amidst ongoing COVID pandemic and thus providing food security to the beneficiaries.  The Government of India announced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) to ameliorate the hardship faced by the poor due to economic disruption caused by Corona virus. Under the scheme, free food grains @ 5 kg per person per month is being distributed to beneficiaries covered under NFSA. New Analysis by NITI Aayog and RMI Highlights India’s Potential to Save 10 Gigatonnes of Cumulative C02 over the Next Three Decades: According to the report, India has the potential to: Reduce its logistics cost by 4% of GDP Achieve 10 gigatonnes of cumulative CO2 emissions savings between 2020 and 2050 Reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 35% and 28%, respectively, until 2050 As India’s freight activity grows five-fold by 2050 and about 400 million citizens move to cities, a wholesystem transformation can help uplift the freight sector. This transformation will be defined by tapping into opportunities such as efficient rail-based transport, the optimisation of logistics and supply chains, and shift to electric and other clean-fuel vehicles. These solutions can help India save ₹311 lakh crore cumulatively over the next three decades. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme: To empower the farmers through Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme, Government of India has released funds for various activities of Farm Mechanization like Establishment of Custom Hiring Centres, Farm Machinery Bank, High-tech Hubs and distribution of various agricultural machinery etc to different states. Launched with the objective of increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions & difficult area where farm power availability is low.  To boost up mechanization in the agriculture sector improved agricultural implements and machinery are essential inputs for modern agriculture that enhance the productivity of crops besides reducing human drudgery and cost of cultivation.  Mechanization also helps in improving the utilization efficiency of other inputs therefore considered to be one of the most important segments of the agriculture sector to boost the income of farmers and growth of the agricultural economy.  For strengthening of agricultural mechanization in the country and to bring more inclusiveness Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) has been introduced with the main objectives:  To promote ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ and ‘Hi-tech Hubs of High-Value Machines’ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small and fragmented landholding and high cost of individual ownership Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities and ensuring performance testing and certification of agricultural machines at designated testing centres located all over the country. ‘eSanjeevani’, Govt. of India’s free Telemedicine service completes 60 Lakh consultations It is a national telemedicine service that offers tele-consultations enabling patient to doctor consultations from the confines of their home, as well as doctor to doctor consultations.  This eSanjeevani platform has enabled two types of telemedicine services viz. Doctor-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani) and Patient-to-Doctor (eSanjeevani OPD) Tele-consultations  The former is being implemented under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWCs) programme.  The telemedicine platform is hosting over 40 online OPDs, more than half of these are speciality OPDs which include Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the AIDS/HIV patients, Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) etc. Personality in News Demise of Kannada writer Dr. Siddalingaiah: Credited with starting the Dalit-Bandaya movement in Kannada and with starting the genre of Dalit writing. He is one of the founders of the Dalita Sangharsh Samiti along with B. Krishnappa. Demise of Noted Economist and Environmentalist Prof Radhamohan: A former Odisha Information Commissioner and a retired professor of economics, he and one of his daughters were credited with transforming a piece of wasteland into a vast forest, home to rare produce, using organic techniques. He was awarded the Padma Shri along with his daughter Sabarmatee in 2020 for their contribution to the agriculture sector.  Back in 1990, the father-daughter duo founded ‘Sambhav’, a social organisation aimed at educating farmers on organic and natural farming. They transformed the 36 hectares of wasteland in Nayagarh district’s Odagaon using ecological waste to create fertile topsoil. That land now boasts of more than 1,000 plant species including rare ones such as clove bean and black rice. It also supports a bank of 700 indigenous seed varieties. Shaheed  Ram Prasad Bismil  An Indian revolutionary who participated in Mainpuri in conspiracy of 1918, and the Kakori conspiracy of 1925, and fought against British imperialism.  Bismil was hanged on 19 December 1927 by the British for his revolutionary activities.  As well as being a freedom fighter, he was a patriotic poet and wrote in Hindi and Urdu using the pen names Ram, Agyat and Bismil. But, he became popular with the last name "Bismil" only. He was associated with Arya Samaj where he got inspiration from Satyarth Prakash, a book written by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. He also had a confidential connection with Lala Har Dayal through his guru Swami Somdev, a preacher of Arya Samaj.  Bismil was one of the founding members of the revolutionary organization Hindustan Republican Association. Bhagat Singh praised him as a great poet-writer of Urdu and Hindi, who had also translated the books Catherine from English and Bolshevikon Ki Kartoot from Bengali. He immortalised the poem Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna as a war cry during the British Raj period in India. It was first published in journal "Sabah", published from Delhi. The Kakori Conspiracy (or Kakori train robbery or Kakori Case)  It was a train robbery that took place between Kakori and, near Lucknow, on 9 August 1925 during the Indian Independence Movement against the British Indian Government.  The robbery was organised by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). The robbery was conceived by RamPrasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan who belonged to the HRA, which later became the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. This organisation was established to carry out revolutionary activities against the British Empire in India with the objective of achieving independence. Since the organisation needed money for purchase of weaponry, Bismil and his party decided to plunder a train on one of the Northern Railway lines.  It is believed that they looted that specific train because train was supposed to carry the money bags belonging to the British Government Treasury in the guard's cabin. One passenger was killed by an accidental shot, making it a murder case. They looted only these bags containing some 8,000 rupees and escaped to Lucknow while not a single Indian was looted, because the targets of the mission were: To get money for the organisation which was intended to be taken from the opponent, the British Administration itself To get some public attention by creating a positive image of the HRA among Indians to overcome the bad image created by British Administration To shake the British Administration by robbing money from them  Following the incident, the British administration started an intense manhunt and arrested several of the revolutionaries involved in the HRA. Their leader, Ram Prasad Bismil, was arrested at Saharanpur on 26 September 1925, and his lieutenant, Ashfaqullah Khan, was arrested ten months later at Delhi.

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th June 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Online Module for Compiling Out-of-School Children’s Data Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II - Education; Policies and Interventions In news The Ministry of Education has developed an online module for compiling out-of-school (due to Covid-19 pandemic) children’s data identified by each State/UT. The collected data will be mapped with special training centres on the PRABANDH portal of Samagra Shiksha. About the Module Through the module, the government will facilitate age-appropriate admissions of children in the age group of 6-14 years. For out of school children in the 16-18 years age group, financial assistance will be provided in the session 2021-22. About PRABANDH Portal PRABANDH (PRoject Appraisal, Budgeting, Achievements and Data Handling System) is a step towards utilising technology to increase efficiency and manage the implementation. It will enable transparency and accuracy. Samagra Shiksha: It is an integrated scheme for school education extending from pre-school to class XII  Objective: To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. It subsumes the three Schemes: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). Main emphasis: Improving the quality of school education by focussing on the two T’s – Teacher and Technology. Related articles: PM-CARES for Children scheme Nearly 10,000 children in immediate need of care and protection: Bal Swaraj Portal Resolution 75/260 of UNGA Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II - Health; International relations In news The Union Health Minister addressed the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on prevention of HIV/AIDS. The Resolution 75/260 of UNGA deals with the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declarations on HIV/AIDS. Key points of address India’s unique HIV prevention model is centered around the concept of ‘Social Contracting' through which the ‘Targeted Interventions Program’ is implemented. The HIV & AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017, provides a legal and enabling framework to safeguard the human rights of infected and affected populations. India is providing free anti-retro-viral treatment to close to 1.4 million people. Other initiatives Project Sunrise: Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2016) to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states  The Red Ribbon: Wearing a ribbon is a way to raise awareness on and during the run up to World AIDS Day. 90-90-90: 90% of those who are HIV positive in India know their status, 90% of those who know their status are on treatment and 90% of those who are on treatment experience effective viral load suppression. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM): It is designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Important value additions National AIDS Control Program Launched by: The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) launched in 1992-1999. NACO is a division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India is gradually transitioning the people living with HIV to Dolutegravir (a safer and efficacious anti-retro-viral medication regimen). New Atlantic Charter between USA and UK Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III - International relations In news Recently, the USA's President and UK’s Prime Minister signed a new version of the 80-year old Atlantic Charter. The Atlantic Charter was a joint declaration released by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on 14th August, 1941 during World War II in Newfoundland. New Atlantic Charter (2021) The new charter is an effort towards a grand vision of global relationships of democracy and territorial integrity. It is a statement of a promise that the UK and the US would meet the challenges of today’s world.  It calls for both countries to adhere to the rules-based international order. It also focuses on climate change and biodiversity.  It also highlights emerging technologies, cyberspace and sustainable global development. It calls on Western allies to oppose interference through disinformation or other malign influences, including in elections. It vows that as long as there are nuclear weapons, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) will remain a nuclear alliance. Minimum Support Price (MSP) hiked for Paddy, Pulses and Oilseeds Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III - Economy In news In order to encourage crop diversification, the Central Government has hiked the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Paddy, Pulses and Oilseeds. The MSP is the rate at which the government purchases crops from farmers. It is based on a calculation of at least one-and-a-half times the cost of production incurred by the farmers. Crops under MSP The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) recommends MSPs for 22 mandated crops and fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane. CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The mandated crops include 14 crops of the kharif season, 6 rabi crops and 2 other commercial crops. The MSPs of toria and de-husked coconut are fixed on the basis of the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and copra, respectively. How does CACP fix MSP? It takes into account:  Supply and demand situation for the commodity Market price trends (domestic and global)  Implications for consumers (inflation) Environment (soil and water use)  Terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture sectors. Significance of MSP Hike Focus on nutri-rich cereals will incentivise its production in the areas where rice-wheat cannot be grown  Realigned MSPs in favour of oilseeds, pulses and coarse cereals will encourage farmers to shift production towards these crops. Issues with Hike Modest increase as compared to cultivation costs and inflation Absence of assured procurement leading to no incentive to cultivate crops. Related articles: MSP — the factoids versus the facts New Agriculture Bills and opposition to it India's Agriculture Trade Summary for 2020-21 Part of: GS Prelims and GS III - Economy In news After remaining stagnant for the past three years, the export of agriculture and allied products during 2020-21 jumped to $ 41.25 billion, indicating an increase of 17.34%. Largest markets for India’s agriculture products: USA, China, Bangladesh, UAE, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran and Malaysia. Key agricultural commodities exported: Marine products, rice, buffalo meat, spices etc. The organic exports during 2020-21 registered a growth of 50.94%. Organic exports include: Oil cake/ meals, oil seeds, cereals and millets, spices and condiments, tea, medicinal plant products, dry fruits, sugar, pulses, coffee etc.  The growth is attributed mainly to: Opportunities offered due to Covid-19 offered like sharp rise in global commodity prices.  Various programmes emerging from Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 Improved market access: India has recently gained market access for pomegranate in Australia; mango and basmati rice in Argentina  Capturing of new markets in foriegn countries Adherence to European Union norms  GI tag to domestic products for recognition in international market Miscellaneous EnVision MISSION European Space Agency (ESA) announced that it has selected EnVision as its next orbiter that will visit Venus sometime in the 2030s. Once launched on an Ariane 6 rocket, the spacecraft will take about 15 months to reach Venus and will take 16 more months to achieve orbit circularisation. The spacecraft will carry a range of instruments to study the planet’s atmosphere and surface, monitor trace gases in the atmosphere and analyse its surface composition.  A radar provided by NASA will help to image and map the surface. Core of the ESA’s mission will be to find out how Earth and Venus evolved so differently from each other considering that they are roughly of the same size and composition. Recently, NASA has selected two missions - DAVINCI+ and VERITAS to the planet Venus.  Pic courtesy (Mains Focus) GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-2: Issues related to Health & Governance Preparing for Third Wave Context: The fact that India faced a severe second wave of infections, which overwhelmed the health infrastructure, has underlined the importance of preparing well for the third wave. Here are five things that must be done to reduce the impact of a possible third wave of Covid-19 infections. Increase Vaccination Pace The pace of vaccinations will matter the most in determining whether or not there is a nation-wide third wave.  Therefore, government needs to increase the pace of vaccination. Testing facilities need to be expanded Testing in time and isolating infected patients is the key to containment of Covid-19 infections. 31 out of the 735 districts in the country had no sample collection centre. 99 had just one collection centre. Clearly, this needs to change, if the pandemic has to be monitored better People, especially the poor, need to be encouraged to seek medical advice Lack of health facilities in proximity and affordability are reasons for not seeking medical advice among the poor.  One of the biggest reason for not taking medical advice for treatment across classes is the ailment not being considered serious. There needs to be behavioural change when it comes to suspected patients seeking early testing and treatment as Covid-19 begins with common symptoms such as fever and cold. Acknowledge the financial burden of Covid-19 hospital admissions An average Covid-19 hospitalisation case is likely to cost much more than ₹50,000. Providing certain help from government side like soft loans from banks for COVID hospitalisation expenses will go a long way in preparing for third wave. Expanding health insurance cover will help Over three-fourth of hospitalisation cases in India involved individuals who were not covered by a health expenditure insurance or scheme, according to the 2017-18 NSO survey. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) which was rolled out in 2018 needs to expanded and modified to suit the needs of Pandemic times. Connecting the dots:  Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) Economic Survey 2020-21 on Health  Health Data Management Policy: National Digital Health Mission Indian Health Worker Brain Drain  Medical Oxygen Crisis in India SCIENCE & TECH/ INTERNATIONAL Topic: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life  PASIPHAE: International collaborative sky surveying project About Polar-Areas Stellar-Imaging in Polarisation High-Accuracy Experiment (PASIPHAE) is an international collaborative sky surveying project.  The project has been funded by the world’s leading institutions from USA, Norway, South Africa and Private foundations. Scientists aim to study the polarisation in the light coming from millions of stars. The survey will use two high-tech optical polarimeters to observe the northern and southern skies, simultaneously. It will focus on capturing starlight polarisation of very faint stars that are so far away that polarisation signals from there have not been systematically studied.  The distances to these stars will be obtained from measurements of the GAIA satellite (of European Space Agency) By combining these data, astronomers can create a 3-Dimensional model of the distribution of the dust and magnetic field structure of the galaxy using a novel polarimeter instrument known as WALOP (Wide Area Linear Optical Polarimeter). What is WALOP? Wide Area Linear Optical Polarimeter (WALOP) is an instrument, when mounted on two small optical telescopes, that will be used to detect polarised light signals emerging from the stars along high galactic latitudes. A WALOP each will be mounted on the 1.3-metre Skinakas Observatory, Crete (Greek islands), and on the 1-metre telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory located in Sutherland. Once built, they will be unique instruments offering the widest ever field of view of the sky in polarimetry. In simple terms, the images will simultaneously have the finest of details of a star along with its panoramic background. 200 kg weighing WALOP will be capable of observing hundreds of stars concurrently present both in the northern and the southern skies  Why is PASIPHAE important? Since its birth about 14 billion years ago, the universe has been constantly expanding, as evidenced by the presence of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation which fills the universe. Immediately after its birth, the universe went through a short inflationary phase during which it expanded at a very high rate, before it slowed down and reached the current rate.  However, so far, there have only been theories and indirect evidence of inflation associated with the early universe. A definitive consequence of the inflationary phase is that a tiny fraction of the CMB radiation should have its imprints in the form of a specific kind of polarisation (known scientifically as B-mode signal). All previous attempts to detect this signal met with failure mainly due to the difficulty posed by our galaxy, the Milky Way, which emits copious amounts of polarised radiation. Besides, it contains a lot of dust clouds that are present in the form of clusters. When starlight passes through these dust clouds, they get scattered and polarised. It is like trying to see faint stars in the sky during daytime. The galactic emission is so bright that the polarisation signal of CMB radiation is lost. The mysteries surrounding the origin of the universe can be unravelled with the help of insights provided by PASIPHAE Connecting the dots: IN-Space of India UN Outer Space Treaty (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 EnVision Mission is European Space Agency (ESA)’s mission to which of the following?  Jupiter Moon Venus Arctic Pole Q.2 Consider the following statements: CACP is an attached office of the Ministry of Fertilisers. The MSPs of toria and de-husked coconut are fixed on the basis of the MSPs of rapeseed/mustard and copra Which of the above is or are correct  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  ANSWERS FOR 12th June 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C Must Read On economy’s bleak prospects: The Hindu On Cyber-security: The Hindu On Child Labour: The Wire

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 14th JUNE 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 – Current Affairs Questions [14th JUNE,2021] – Day 111

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 2 Questions [14th JUNE,2021] – Day 111 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. In the context of disaster preparedness, explain the concept of ‘black swan’ events. Why is it critical to be ready for such events? Discuss. (10 Marks) आपदा तैयारी के संदर्भ में 'ब्लैक स्वान' घटनाओं की अवधारणा को स्पष्ट कीजिए। ऐसी घटनाओं के लिए तैयार रहना क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है? चर्चा करें। 2. Examine the significance of investment promotion as a tool for regional development. Can you discuss some related strategies adopted in India? (10 Marks) क्षेत्रीय विकास के लिए एक उपकरण के रूप में निवेश प्रोत्साहन के महत्व का परीक्षण करें। क्या आप भारत में अपनाई गई कुछ संबंधित रणनीतियों पर चर्चा कर सकते हैं? 3. What is the philosophical basis of Atmanirbhar Bharat? Does it augur well with a globalised world? Critically examine. (15 Marks) आत्मनिर्भर भारत का दार्शनिक आधार क्या है? क्या यह वैश्वीकृत दुनिया के लिए शुभ संकेत है? समालोचनात्मक जाँच क 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 :)

मासिक पत्रिका अप्रैल 2021- हिन्दी IASbaba सामयिकी

ARCHIVES Hello Friends,   Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation. An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it! This Hindi edition covers all important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of अप्रैल/APRIL 2021. Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on the new design and presentation of the magazine. We would love to hear from you 🙂 DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE- CLICK HERE To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount YOUTUBE  –  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQ FACEBOOK  – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/ Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts! Thank You IASbaba