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

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

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

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

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – Essay Questions [13th November, 2021] – Day 24

Archives Hello Students   TLP has been an integral ingredient of success for many toppers is no secret. In the ‘must do’ list for the civil services exam, TLP is by far the most popular initiative. The popularity stems from the unparalleled quality of questions and synopsis posted in TLP. We strive hard to ensure that you get the real feel of UPSC standard before you write the Mains.   You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, in the TLP initiative, we post 5 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (11 for this one). We follow a micro plan that is designed to give you daily targets. The questions are from the day’s syllabus and also from current affairs and you are expected to write the answers and post them on the portal.   This year onwards TLP will have a Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation (tlpmains.iasbaba.com). There will be a separate dedicated portal similar to (RaRe Series) which students loved and appreciated. The Portal will help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. We are charging a token amount of 10/- for registration to the dedicated portal. We are doing it because we want to create a community of sincere aspirants who are focused and motivated till the Mains Examination. Please don’t take it otherwise. It is our honest effort to give you the best and at the same time expect students to come with the same energy and dedication to the dedicated platform specially designed for YOU! Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. UPSC 2022 Aspirants are encouraged to participate as well. Register Here - CLICK HERE  To Know More About TLP 2022 (Phase 2) - CLICK HERE To Access Day 24 Questions - CLICK HERE P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm every day. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each other’s answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best 

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Finding Inner Peace – Inspirational Educative Articles

Finding Inner Peace: Be aware of using language as a substitute for your actual experience. Language is never a substitute for real experience. If you are thirsty, you need to go get a drink of water. If you keep saying, “Water, water, more water” your thirst will not be quenched, you will just become more thirsty. It is the same with the mind. If you close your eyes and keep saying, “I want to relax, I want to be quiet,” it is not going to relax you, it will only increase your thirst to be quiet. Instead of adding more words, just observe the thoughts running through your mind. Once you begin observing your thoughts, instead of participating with them, you’ll understand how the mind functions, and gain access to deeper realms of your Self. You can use your intellect and awareness like knives to slice out everything that is not you. Be extremely honest and critical. See a thought and recognize it. When your mind talks to you, don’t just assume that it is you who is doing the talking - it is just the mind. Identifying the part of you that is not involved in any of this, the part of you that is quietly observing everything is the whole objective of finding inner silence. A day will come during your quest for happiness, when on one hand, you will continue to listen to the constant chatter of your mind, and on the other hand, you will be totally unaffected by it. The purpose of finding inner peace is not to remove your thoughts; it is to learn how to fully accept and live with them. It is to be with thoughts and still be above them. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th November 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) COP 26 concluded Part of: Prelims and GS III - Climate change Context COP26 could not achieve a final agreement while being concluded recently.  Key takeaways  The countries shall sign the text agreement, drafted by the team of COP president Alok Sharma, which is a synthesis of all the discussions since November 1 when the COP26 began. The COP26 will not unveil a treaty as in 2015 when the Paris Agreement came into being.  However, it is expected to guide implementation of the Paris Agreement, which urged countries to take steps to keep temperatures from rising beyond 2 degrees Celsius by the turn of the century and “pursue efforts to keep it” to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Besides, Developing countries such as India and China are pushing for formal acknowledgement from the West that they have not delivered on past promises of providing $100 billion annually until 2020. New national sample survey by ICRIER and LIRNEAsia Part of: Prelims and GS-II - Education  Context Only 20% of school-age children in India had access to remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic, of whom only half participated in live online lessons, according to a new national sample survey by ICRIER and LIRNEAsia, a think tank focused on digital policy. Key Findings  Drop-outs: 38% of households said at least one child had dropped out of school due to COVID-19. Poor accessibility: The survey found that although digital connectivity shot up 40% during the pandemic, low access to devices, poor signal and high costs prevented most children from reaping the benefits. No educational services to the enrolled: Among children aged 5-18, it found that 80% of those who were enrolled in schools prior to the pandemic did not receive any educational services at all during school closure. Lower socio-economic classes affected: The situation was significantly worse among those from lower socio-economic classes, where the head of the household had lower education levels, and among rural households. Among the 20% who received education, only 55% had access to live online classes, while 68% had access to recorded audio or video lessons. Smartphone usage: Three-fourths of the students had work sent to them over a smartphone, usually via WhatsApp, and 61% via text messages. Teachers’ availability: Almost 70% had contact with their teachers via phone calls. Cybercrime Part of: Prelims and GS-III - Cybersecurity  Context The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, has stressed the need for a national framework to thwart cyberattacks that have been on the rise in India. Key takeaways  While a national cybersecurity strategy is being planned, the country is also in urgent need of a data protection law, with cybercriminals increasingly weaponising data as a tool against national security in the post-pandemic era. Increased cybercrimes: Cyber crimes have gone up by almost 500% in India during the global pandemic.  New threats: India needs to consider the emerging threats from new technologies such as drones, ransomware, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and also the role of nation states in such cyber attacks. Technology dependency: The lockdown, which witnessed a deeper adoption of interconnected devices and hybrid work environment, has increased our dependence on technology. This renders us digitally more vulnerable than ever before. Besides, Information Technology Act, 2000, that dealt with cybersecurity and cybercrimes is not equipped to consider new-age changes in the mode of functioning of businesses and modus operandi of crimes in cyberspace. First National Achievement Survey (NAS) Part of: Prelims and GS-II - Education  Context The first National Achievement Survey (NAS) in four years was conducted recently. Objective: To assess the competencies of children in Class 3, 5 and 8.  Implication: This will help to assess the learning interruptions and new learnings during the COVID pandemic and help to take remedial measures. Key takeaways  Since, schools across the country were closed for 18 months from March 2020, and the vast majority of students did not have any access to remote education, the NAS is expected to reveal the level of learning losses caused by the shutdown. The survey test was conducted in language, mathematics and environmental studies in Classes 3 and 5 and language, mathematics, science, and social science in Class 8. The test was developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which will also analyse the results, while the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the test. Kashi Corridor project Part of: Prelims and GS-I - Culture  Context Indian Prime Minister will inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project on December 13 in Varanasi, alongside families of those displaced by the project. About the project At least 400 families were asked to vacate the area and many of the encroachments around the historic temple cleared to make way for the project. The project connects the temple with the ghats, with a paved walkway. It will have a museum, a library, a pilgrim facilitation centre and a salvation house.  The inauguration would see the presence of the main archakas of the 12 Jyotirlingas, with water from all major rivers of the country being brought in for the abhishek of the main deity Baba Vishwanath (Lord Shiva). About Kashi Vishwanath Temple Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.  It is located in Vishwanath Gali of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in India.  The Temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva Temples. The temple that encapsulates the vision of the Holkar queen of Indore, Ahalya Bai Holkar, who created a series of temples and vistas leading up to the Ganga ghat.  Permanent Commission for Women Army Officers Part of: Prelims and GS-III - Internal security  Context The Union Government agreed to grant permanent commission (PC) to 11 women Army officers who met the eligibility criteria after the Supreme Court threatened to initiate contempt proceedings. Key takeaways  Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers, who have not approached the court but nonetheless meet the various eligibility criteria, would be granted PC in three weeks. Background: In August, over 70 women officers approached the court, challenging the Army’s decision finding them ineligible for PC. They said they were disqualified despite satisfying the 60% assessment threshold for PC as prescribed by the court. The order had said PC should be given to women SSC officers who obtained 60% marks in their assessment, subject to their meeting the medical criteria prescribed by the Army’s August 1, 2020, order and receiving disciplinary and vigilance clearance. (News from PIB) Launch of Customer centric initiatives of RBI Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-III: Economy The schemes will expand the scope of investment in the country and make access to capital markets easier, more secure for investors. Retail direct scheme has given small investors in the country a simple and safe medium of investment in government securities.  Will give strength to the inclusion of everyone in the economy as it will bring in the middle class, employees, small businessmen and senior citizens with their small savings directly and securely in government securities.  As Government securities have the provision of guaranteed settlement, this gives assurance of safety to the small investor The Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme One Nation, One Ombudsman System has taken shape in the banking sector with the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme One of the biggest touchstones of any democracy is the strength of its grievance redressal system. The Integrated Ombudsman Scheme will go a long way in that direction. News Source: PIB National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) In News: National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has taken a new initiative by establishing out a customer focused unit - “Customer-Care Unit,” which will facilitate the interaction of customers with all its Business units. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for-profit organization (section 8 of the Companies Act 2013) working since 2003 for spreading the internet infrastructure to the citizens of India through the following activities: Internet Exchanges through which the internet data is exchanged amongst ISP’s, Data Centers, and CDNs. IN Registry, managing, and operation of.IN country-code domain and. भारत IDN domain for India. IRINN, managing and operating Internet protocol (IPv4/IPv6). News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) ENVIRONMENT/ ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development Chennai Floods- Climate Crisis Context: Chennai is flooded. The north-east monsoon over Tamil Nadu has brought with it the highest volume of rainfall within 24 hours in the last five years. It has also revived memories of the devastating Chennai floods of 2015. Issues Floods recur in major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Dhaka, Karachi and Kathmandu, and accompany high-intensity rainfall events. IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report (AR6) report noted the increasing frequency of heavy precipitation events since the 1950s and inferred that they were being driven by human-induced climate change. Climate Change is only a part of story the other part is land-centrism. Land Centrism All cities in the subcontinent are waterscapes. They are threaded with rivers, speckled with wetlands and springs, and they rest on invisible aquifers.  Yet, driven by a thirst for land, our cities are planned to subjugate water, not live with it. It is this land-centrism that undermines urban drainage. Urban drainage has been sacrificed at the for making way to land-centric urban growth. The apathy for restoring disappearing urban waterways, stands in stark contrast to the Indian government’s recent obsession with reviving ancient rivers. Urban floods are also caused by the design of constructed stormwater drains. The size of their outlets should be based on the intensity of rainfall (mm/per hour) and the peak flow inside the drains.  In India either design guidelines are missing, or the outlets are too small to accommodate peak flow. As a result, above-average rainfall produces flooded localities. Similarly, by violating environmental laws and municipal bye-laws, open spaces, wetlands and floodplains have been mercilessly built over, making cities impermeable and hostile to rainwater. Unfortunately, encroachments are always blamed on the urban poor who live precariously in low-lying drainage areas because of inadequate social housing.  After the devastating Chennai floods of 2015, experts pointed out that the biggest encroacher of urban waterways and wetlands was actually the state government which had built runways, bus terminals and IT parks by paving over water bodies. Ever since concretisation became pivot for urbanisation, rainfall no longer finds its way towards underground or surface water bodies. Conclusion To heal the hydrophobia that has shaped our urban experience, we need to move away from land-centric urbanisation and recognise cities as waterscapes.  We need to let urban rivers breathe by returning them to their floodplains. The entire urban watershed needs to heal, and for that to happen, we need less concrete and more democracy and science at the grassroots. Connecting the dots: Himachal Pradesh Water Crisis  India’s Water Crisis Urbanisation and Water Crisis (ORF: Expert Speak) Nov 11: Perspectives on a green taxonomy for India- https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/perspectives-on-a-green-taxonomy-for-india/  TOPIC: GS-3: Indian Economy GS-3: Climate Change Green Taxonomy Context: If current patterns are not reversed, global temperatures will likely rise by greater than 3°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100—this will be a significant breach of the limit of 1.5°C set by the Paris Climate Agreement. The priority of the COP26 summit is to urge nations to be ambitious in updating their 2030 targets and commitments to climate action. India is the third largest carbon emitter, the second most populated country that is projected to reach its peak population of 1.6 billion by 2048, and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. By adopting a development pathway consistent with the 1.5°C-target amidst its pursuit of becoming a US $5-trillion economy, India will be pivotal in the global calculus of climate change mitigation. It can motivate its peers to heighten their climate action and set a pioneering example of circumventing the complex trade-offs between environment and growth. India needs to increase its efficiencies in energy and resource use. This green transformation requires massive investments in the most advanced green technologies and business models, as well as in green infrastructure. This transformation is estimated to require an annual investment of US $200 billion on green infrastructure alone (or 7–8 percent of GDP), and a climate-smart investment of US $300 billion. Guiding Principles for a Green Taxonomy A well-defined taxonomy will  Reduce the incidence of information asymmetry,  Rule out plural interpretations of green finance, Minimize the risk of greenwashing Provide a transparent understanding of the environmental footprint of economic activities underlying investments. Provide the guidance and confidence sought by investors in making environmentally conscious investment decisions Provide visibility to capital-starved green sectors, allowing them to attract requisite investments away from renewable energy, which currently accounts for 80 percent of green finance in India.  It can be the touchstone for Financial Institutions (FIs) and companies in managing and monitoring the environmental quotient of their financial profile while allowing regulators like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to oversee these entities by mandating disclosures that align with the taxonomy.   It can be the reference for strengthening SEBI green bond guidelines that currently allow for multiple definitions of “green” investments. It can facilitate standardisation of data collection, reporting, and impact measurement methodology involved in the construction of ESG indices.  It can also be the government’s barometer for tracking the compatibility of environmental outcomes with the vision of global net-zero, while showing the way to appropriate corrections in the case of deviations. Principles of a Green Taxonomy Principle 1: A green taxonomy should be developed in a way that has a multipronged impact on green finance.  Principle 2: The taxonomy should focus on India’s most pressing environmental challenges - climate change mitigation and adaptation, pollution prevention and control, resource efficiency, conservation of natural resources, and ecosystem/biodiversity conservation.  It can also be the government’s barometer for tracking the compatibility of environmental outcomes with the vision of global net-zero, while showing the way to appropriate corrections in the case of deviations. The taxonomy must include the environmental objectives of climate change mitigation, reducing air and water pollution, addressing water scarcity, and arresting ecosystem/biodiversity losses. These are serious challenges in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, transport, agriculture, waste, and buildings. The taxonomy may thus focus on these sectors to maximise the positive environmental outcomes expected to be generated from the taxonomy. Include a pre-specified set of sustainable agricultural and livestock farming practices suitable for the Indian context, as opposed to quantitative technical screening criteria. Principle 3: The taxonomy must be anchored in Nationally Determined Contributions, key national plans and policies for environmental action, and national norms and standards. The Indian taxonomy must rely on pollution standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MOEF&CC); water consumption norms set by the MOEF&CC and Ministry of Jal Shakti; and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) protocol defined by the MOEF&CC.  The monetary valuation of ecosystem services may also be used for assessing ecosystem and biodiversity losses. Principle 4: The eligibility criteria must be technology agnostic and 1.5°C-compatible. India must establish its own screening criteria for determining eligibility for green finance.  The Indian version must be technology agnostic. Such taxonomy provides the freedom to choose between alternative pathways to green transition and prevents it from being redundant amidst technological innovations. India must use the latest climate science for its technical screening criteria relating to GHG emission thresholds. The criteria should be consistent with 1.5°C, rather than 2°C. Principle 5: The taxonomy should be harmonised with international standards. Existing Indian standards may be revised to be at par with international benchmarks within the scope provided by domestic circumstances.  Principle 6: Alignment of tracking of green finance and disclosure norms with the taxonomy. There is a need for tracking climate/green finance through transparent and well-defined disclosures and reporting. Regulators such as the RBI and SEBI should mandate financial market participants to delineate the environmental goals met  The Ministry of Corporate Affairs must mandate companies to enlist the environmental objectives achieved by economic activities. Principle 7: Regular reviews and updates of the taxonomy. Timely updates to incorporate changes in development levels, technology, policy, standards and environmental conditions  The introduction of a national taxonomy will display India’s aspiration of ramping up its contribution to the global net-zero vision. Can you answer the following questions? Discuss India’s ambitious green transition. (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. Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding Kashi Vishwanath temple It is dedicated to Lord Ram It is located in Uttar pradesh  The temple encapsulates the vision of the Holkar queen of Indore, Ahalya Bai Holkar Which of the above is or are correct?  1 and 2 only  2 only  2 and 3 only  1, 2 and 3 Q.2 Which of the following is a possible cybersecurity threat? Social engineering  Ransomware Third Party software All of the above Q.3 Consider the following statements: The transport sector is the largest contributor to Greenhouse Gas. Co2 concentration is higher than any other Greenhouse Gas.. Select the correct answer from the following codes: Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2  ANSWERS FOR 12th Nov 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 B 3 D Must Read On India’s non-alignment: The Hindu On Ends and Means: Livemint

Motivational Articles

[MI-STORIES]MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL STORIES - The Alchemist!

For Previous Story -> CLICK HERE Inspirational Stories: Here is the story for this week from the new series of Inspirational and Motivational stories. One of the oldest known forms of communication is story telling. There is something primordial within us that loves stories and their tremendous impact. In this series, we aim to bring you the best of real-life stories that can inspire and motivate you. Stories always try to teach us something useful. It is one of the best ways of learning from other's mistakes and avoiding our own. Although each story has its own moral, in the comments section you can share your opinion on the moral of the story. If you are able to see something that others might have missed, you can share it for the benefit of all. Apart from just reading these awesome stories, you can also share some of the stories that have inspired you. If we find the story appropriate and useful, we will share it with all. More importantly, read these stories every week without a miss, and stay inspired.   So Here is the story for this week - The Alchemist !   When ‘The Alchemist’ was first published some 30 some years ago, no one noticed. A bookseller in the northeast corner of the country told the author, Paulo Coelho, that only one person purchased a copy during that first week when it was released.  Un-phased by the silent reception, Paulo Coelho confidently waited for those next few sales to come in.  And he would wait a long time too, as it took six more months before his second copy was sold—and it was sold to the exact same person who bought the first! By the end of that first year, Paulo Coelho’s publisher lost hope in his book and so decided to cancel his contract and cut him loose. But, Paulo Coelho didn’t let that demoralizing rejection paralyze him.  Instead of quitting like many would at this point, he decided to be steadfast, and continued to pursue his vision.  So, he looked for another publisher.  He looked, and looked, and looked until he finally found one.  And with it, he found his second chance. Once his book was published again, it slowly started to sell by word of mouth.  His persistence started to pay off, as he eventually sold three thousand books, then six, then ten.  Month over month year over year his book sales started to grow.  And now… ‘The Alchemist’ has sold over 150 million copies across the world. It’s a good thing Paulo Coelho had staying power.  Had he quit, he wouldn’t be who he is today, a literary legend. What do you think is the moral of the story?

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

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

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th November 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Climate financing Part of: Prelims and GS III - Climate change Context India has demanded a trillion dollars over the next decade from developed countries to adapt to, and mitigate, the challenges arising from global warming.  India has kept this as a condition for delivering on climate commitments made by the Prime Minister recently.  What is Climate financing?  Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing. It seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. Delivering on climate finance is among the stickiest points of contention between developed and developing countries because developed countries, as a group, have failed to provide $100 billion annually by 2020, as promised from a decade ago. What is India's aim?  India’s five-fold plan aims at reducing the carbon intensity of its economy and eventually achieving net zero by 2070. What does net zero mean?  Net zero is when a country’s carbon emissions are offset by taking out equivalent carbon from the atmosphere, so that emissions in balance are zero. However, achieving net zero by a specific date means specifying a year, also called a peaking year, following which emissions will begin to fall. India's conditional NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution)  India's NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution) are conditional, that is, subjected to the availability of $1 trillion amount in climate finance. NDCs are voluntary targets that countries set for themselves, which describe the quantum and kind of emission cuts they will undertake over a fixed period to contribute to preventing runaway global warming. India’s last NDC was submitted following the Paris Agreement of 2015. China, U.S. to increase climate cooperation Part of: Prelims and GS-III - Climate change Context The world’s top carbon polluters, China and the United States, have agreed to increase their cooperation and speed up action to rein in climate-damaging emissions, signalling a mutual effort on global warming. Key takeaways  The two countries would work together to accelerate the emissions reductions required to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. China also agreed for the first time to crack down on methane leaks.  Both countries have agreed to share technology to reduce emissions.  During Paris Agreement also Governments had agreed to jointly cut greenhouse gas emissions enough to keep the global temperature rise “well below” 2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, with a more stringent target of trying to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius preferred. UAE and Bahrain hold naval exercise with Israel Part of: Prelims and GS-II - International Relations and GS-III - Defence and security Context The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are holding their first joint naval exercise with Israel. The five-day manoeuvres in the Red Sea, which is linked to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, are intended to “enhance interoperability between participating forces. The exercise aims to safeguard freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade, which are essential to regional security and stability. About Red Sea The Red Sea is a semi-enclosed tropical basin, bounded by northeastern Africa, to the west, and the Arabian peninsula, to the east. The basin extends between the Mediterranean Sea, to the north-west, and the Indian Ocean, to the south-east. At the northern end, it separates into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, which is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. At the southern end, it is connected to the Gulf of Aden, and the outer Indian Ocean, via the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. It is one of the youngest oceanic zones on Earth. The unique habitats of the Red sea support a wide range of marine life, including sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins and many endemic fish species. Coral reefs mainly extend along the northern and central coasts No fresh virus variants of concern in India: INSACOG Part of: Prelims and GS-II - Health Context Despite an increase in new cases this week, the India SARS- CoV-2 Genome Consortium (INSACOG) has said there are no new virus variants of concern on the horizon in India. The bulk of cases in India were the Delta variant and its related sub-variants Key takeaways  According to the latest update from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Delta has outcompeted other variants in most countries and there was now “declining prevalence” of other variants among SARS-CoV-2 sequences Public Health England stated that AY4.2, a Delta variant sublineage, was responsible for a “slowly increasing” proportion of cases in the U.K.  It is also present in multiple other countries and is seen in travellers to the U.K. from a large number of countries.  The INSACOG, however, said the presence of the lineage was “very infrequent” in India. What is Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG)? Coordinated by: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with MoH&FW;, ICMR, and CSIR The consortium will ascertain the status of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country.  INSACOG will have a high level Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.  It will have a Scientific Advisory Group for scientific and technical guidance. Aim: To monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network. This vital research consortium will also assist in developing potential vaccines in the future.  The consortium will also establish a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variants with public health implication, and determine the genomic variants in the unusual events/trends (super-spreader events, high mortality/morbidity trend areas etc.) Do you know?  AY.x refers to a family of sublineages that can range from 1-25.  They have a common set of core mutations but large variation in others. Global Resilience Index Initiative (GRII) Part of: Prelims and GS-III - Environment  Context Recently, ten global organisations with partial funding and in-kind contributions from the insurance sector and partner institutions have launched a Global Resilience Index Initiative (GRII) at COP26. About GRI initiative  It will provide a globally consistent model for the assessment of resilience across all sectors and geographies.  It will use cross-sector risk modelling experience, including public-private partnerships between governments, academia, insurance and engineering. Mission: To address the data emergency that is contributing to the climate crisis by helping sectors build climate resilience . The coalition wants to achieve two immediate goals: Provide global open reference risk data developed using insurance risk modelling principles.   Provide shared standards and facilities applicable to a wide range of uses GRI will be a curated, open-source resource with many potential applications in risk management. It can play an important role by creating a shared understanding of mounting physical climate risks.  GRII partners and supporters are: Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment (CCRI). Fathom. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). GEM Foundation. Insurance Development Forum (IDF) Oasis Loss Modelling Framework. UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment (CGFI). United Nations office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). University of Oxford. Willis Towers Watson. Miscellaneous Warrior woman Onake Obavva From this year, the Karnataka government has decided to celebrate ‘Onake Obavva Jayanti’ on November 11 throughout the state. Onake Obavva is a woman warrior who fought the forces of Hyder Ali single-handedly with a pestle (‘onake’ in Kannada) in Chitradurga in the 18th century. She died protecting the Chitradurga Fort, which was ruled by Madakari Nayaka in the 18th century. (News from PIB) Solar Ironing Cart Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-III: Climate Change In News: A 15-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu, who was recognized Earth Day Network Rising Star 2021 (USA) for her idea of ‘Solar Ironing Cart’, has exhorted the world to move towards clean energy during the recently concluded COP 26. A mobile ironing cart, which uses solar panels to power a steam iron box It eliminates the need for coal for ironing bringing about a welcome shift towards clean energy. End users can move around and offer services at doorstep for increasing their daily earning.  The ironing cart can also be fitted with a coin-operated GSM PCO, USB charging points and mobile recharging which can fetch extra income.  It is an ingenious solar-powered alternative for the millions of charcoal burning ironing carts for pressing clothes and can benefit the workers and their families.  The device can also be powered by pre-charged batteries, electricity or diesel-powered generator in the absence of sunlight. “I am not here to speak about the future, I am the future,” she said encouraging the world to move towards renewable energy and accelerating the journey which started with the innovation in 2019. News Source: PIB Acharya Kripalani Part of: Mains GS-I: India’s freedom struggle and its fighters An Indian politician, noted particularly for holding the presidency of the Indian National Congress during the transfer of power in 1947 Was long a Gandhian socialist, before joining the economically right wing Swatantra Party later in life He grew close to Gandhi and at one point, he was one of Gandhi's most ardent disciples. He had served as the General Secretary of the INC for almost a decade, and was involved in the organisation of the Salt Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement. In 1972-3, he agitated against the increasingly authoritarian rule of Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India. Kripalani and Jayaprakash Narayan felt that Gandhi's rule had become dictatorial and anti-democratic. When the Emergency was declared as a result of the vocal dissent he helped stir up, the octogenarian Kripalani was among the first of the Opposition leaders to be arrested on the night of 26 June 1975. He lived long enough to survive the Emergency and see the first non-Congress government since Independence following the Janata Party victory in the 1977 polls. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Part of: Mains GS-I: India’s freedom struggle and its fighters An Indian scholar and the senior Muslim leader of the Indian National Congress during the Indian independence movement. Following India’s independence, he became the first Minister of Education in the Indian government. His contribution to establishing the education foundation in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as “National Education Day” across India. Leader of the Khilafat Movement; at an age of 35, he became the youngest person to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress. He is also credited with the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology and the foundation of the University Grants Commission, an important institution to supervise and advance higher education throughout the country. He also worked for Hindu-Muslim unity through the Al-Hilal newspaper He started the Indian National Union (1926) and the All India Nationalist Muslim Party  (1929)  Autobiographies like ‘Tazhiran’, ‘Ghubir-i-khatir’, ‘Kahani’ and ‘India wins Freedom’  belongs to him  (Mains Focus) ECONOMY/ FEDERALISM/ GOVERNANCE GS-3: Government Budgeting. GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation  Taxation and Federalism Context: Union Government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel on the eve of Deepavali. While the reduction for petrol was ₹5, duty on diesel came down by ₹10. Issues with Centre levying cess on Petrol & Diesel The Centre has been levying around ₹31 and ₹33 as additional cess on petrol and diesel, respectively, till the beginning of November.  The Constitution does permit the Centre to levy cess and surcharges beyond the basic taxes and duties in extraordinary situations. But making it manifold higher than the basic taxes is nothing but a misuse of such provisions of the Constitution.  These additional taxes do not go to a divisible pool and such a high burden of taxes is an attack on the people and the federal rights of States. Revenue Data  The basic excise duty is ₹1.40 and the rest of the tax is made up of special additional excise duty and cess which would not go to divisible pool and to the States. The Union government has collected around ₹3.72-lakh crore in 2020-21 as revenue from petroleum products as per the data published by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell. Of this, only around ₹18,000 crore is collected as Basic Excise Duty which is around 4.8% of the total revenue from petroleum products. The divisible pool is only 41% of this ₹18,000 crore Around ₹2.3-lakh crore is collected as cess and the rest ₹1.2-lakh crore is collected as special additional excise duty.  95% of the total revenue from petroleum, which are not to be shared with the States at all. This is a classic example of undermining federalism prevailing in the country. Impact on Federalism After the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), States have the right to decide the taxes on just three goods — petrol, diesel and liquor. By unilaterally taking away the bulk of the tax revenues on petrol and diesel, the Centre has done injustice to the States. This is obtuse use of fiscal federalism. All States must oppose this in a united manner. The promise was that the revenue neutral rate (RNR) will be implemented, which means States would get revenues similar to what they were getting before the implementation of GST.  The average taxes on goods was 16% during the initial GST period. The average rate of taxes in goods at present is 11.3%. The consumer, however, hasn’t benefited from it instead inflation has also been rising.  On an average, the country collects ₹1-lakh crore a month as GST — ₹12-lakh crore in a year; ₹6-lakh crore each for the States and the Centre. Had RNR been maintained, the total amount would have been ₹18-lakh crore at the rate of 16%. States would have received at least ₹3-lakh crore additionally. A detailed analysis must be done on why States are losing revenue. GST has to be streamlined to ensure RNR, but without hurting the common people. Conclusion There has to be detailed deliberations by states & centre to help address the emerging issues within fiscal federalism. Connecting the dots: Cess Pool: On CAG report on GST GST- Critical analysis of its working ENVIRONMENT/ GOVERNANCE GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Right to burn fossil fuels Context: There has been quite a lot of debate on India’s dependence on coal against the backdrop of the Conference of the Parties (COP26) meeting. Justification for continuing the dependence on coal The crux of the theoretical argument is that India needs to develop, and development requires energy.  However, since India has neither historically emitted nor currently emits carbon anywhere close to what the global North has, it has no reason to commit to reduce dependence on coal at least in future. The argument is that it should ask for a higher and fairer share in the global carbon budget. Such justification for burning coal is transcending into right to burn coal. Criticism of above arguments There is no doubt that economic development requires energy but that does not translate into energy by burning coal.  Normally the argument in favour of coal is on account of its cost, reliability and domestic availability.  However, recent data show that the levelised cost of electricity from renewable energy sources like solar (photovoltaic), hydro and onshore has been declining and is already less than fossil fuel-based electricity generation. As for the easy domestic availability of coal, it is a myth. According to the Ministry of Coal, India’s net coal import went up from ₹782.6 billion in 2011-12 to ₹1,155.0 billion in 2020-21. Global South should not be following the North in choosing the development model. The abundance of renewable natural resources in the tropical climate can give India a head start in this competitive world of technology. South-South collaborations can help India adopt a developmental path alternative to that laid down by West. High-employment trajectory that the green path entails vis-à-vis the fossil fuel sector may help address the issue of rising youth population and surplus labour problem in developing countries like India. Climate Justice argument narrowly focusing on the framework of nation-states. Injustice between the rich and the poor within nations and between humans and non-human species also needs to be taken into account. Chalking out an independent, greener path to development may create conditions for such negotiations and give the South the moral high ground to force the North to pay for the energy transition in the South. Connecting the dots: Paris Climate Accord India’s Opposition to Net Zero China’s Climate Commitments Carbon Markets Conundrum at COP26 (ORF: Health) Nov 11: Zika virus explained: Should India be worried? - https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/health/zika-virus-explained-should-india-be-worried--80155  TOPIC: GS-2: Health Zika virus: Should India be worried? In News: The number of Zika virus cases in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has breached the 100 mark since the infection was first detected on October 23, as of November 11, 2021. About Zika Virus Zika was first isolated from the rhesus monkey in Uganda’s Zika forest in 1947 and in humans in 1952. Over the next five decades, only 15 cases were reported from Africa and Southeast Asia.  There was a massive spread of this zoonotic disease (infections that emerge in animals and jump to humans) in Yap, an island group in the Western Pacific, in 2007. The virus then spread to other Pacific Islands before reaching Brazil. It then spread rapidly to other parts of South America, central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.  On February 1, 2016, the huge number of cases forced the World Health Organization to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The virus usually causes mild fever, aches, rashes and conjunctivitis. But in 2016, it was linked with microcephaly (a condition of underdeveloped heads and brain defects) in children born to women who suffered from the infection during pregnancy. The virus also seems to have a link with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a progressive neurological disease that causes paralysis.  In Brazil, a total of 2,639 cases of microcephaly were reported during the epidemic in 2015-2017. The different strain was circulating in Brazil and was the reason microcephaly was being reported only from this country.  Prevalence studies on the Zika virus carried out as early as in 1952-53 by the National Institute of Virology, Pune, showed presence of antibodies in humans in several parts of central and western India. A nationwide vector surveillance published in 2021 carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research showed that mosquitoes in 3 of the 6,492 pools assessed were positive for Zika virus. Aedes aegypti sampled during the 2018 Zika outbreak in Jaipur, Rajasthan, showed the presence of Asian lineage of the virus and not the American lineage that is linked to the pandemic. Transmission:  The Zika virus is spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.  It can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, sexual contact and via exposure to urine. From mother to fetus during pregnancy and organ transplantation. Symptoms: Fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache.  Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. Treatment: There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.  The focus is on relieving symptoms and includes rest, rehydration and acetaminophen for fever and pain. Can you answer the following questions? The world might have forgotten Zika virus, but the virus has not forgotten us. Discuss.  (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. Q.1 Global Resilience Index Initiative (GRII) was recently launched by which of the following? China and USA World Health Organization  ASEAN None of the above  Q.2 How does the greenhouse effect work?  Greenhouse gases reflect the sun's energy, causing it to warm the Earth. Greenhouse gases absorb the sun's energy, slowing or preventing heat from escaping into space. Greenhouse gases directly warm oceans and cause dramatic weather. Oceans absorb greenhouse gases, which cause the Earth's temperature to rise Q.3 The coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba does not border which of the following countries?  Jordan  Saudi Arabia  Israel Lebanon ANSWERS FOR 11th Nov 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 D 3 C Must Read On Eminent Doctrine structure: Leaflet On Chennai Floods Climate Crisis: Indian Express

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 12th November 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 2): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 2 Questions [12th November, 2021] – Day 23

Archives Hello Students   TLP has been an integral ingredient of success for many toppers is no secret. In the ‘must do’ list for the civil services exam, TLP is by far the most popular initiative. The popularity stems from the unparalleled quality of questions and synopsis posted in TLP. We strive hard to ensure that you get the real feel of UPSC standard before you write the Mains.   You already know the features of TLP. Just to reiterate briefly, in the TLP initiative, we post 5 questions daily for a certain number of weeks (11 for this one). We follow a micro plan that is designed to give you daily targets. The questions are from the day’s syllabus and also from current affairs and you are expected to write the answers and post them on the portal.   This year onwards TLP will have a Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation (tlpmains.iasbaba.com). There will be a separate dedicated portal similar to (RaRe Series) which students loved and appreciated. The Portal will help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. We are charging a token amount of 10/- for registration to the dedicated portal. We are doing it because we want to create a community of sincere aspirants who are focused and motivated till the Mains Examination. Please don’t take it otherwise. It is our honest effort to give you the best and at the same time expect students to come with the same energy and dedication to the dedicated platform specially designed for YOU! Join our bandwagon, you won’t regret it. UPSC 2022 Aspirants are encouraged to participate as well. Register Here - CLICK HERE  To Know More About TLP 2022 (Phase 2) - CLICK HERE To Access Day 23 Questions - CLICK HERE P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm every day. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each other’s answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best