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

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

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

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[VIDEO] UPSC PRELIMS 2021 - DETAILED ANALYSIS of GS PAPER 1 and CSAT PAPER 2

Dear Students We have come up with the Detailed Subjectwise Analysis of UPSC Prelims 2021 in a series of videos. Please watch the videos to get an insight into the Prelims Exam. You can find the Questions Papers and Answer Keys of Both Paper 1 (GS) and Paper 2 (CSAT) below:   UPSC PRELIMS 2021 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 1 - CLICK HERE UPSC PRELIMS 2021 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 1 ANSWER KEY - CLICK HERE UPSC PRELIMS 2021 CSAT PAPER 2 - CLICK HERE UPSC PRELIMS 2021 CSAT PAPER 2 ANSWER KEY - CLICK HERE   Please find the Video Series of Detailed Subjectwise Analysis of UPSC Prelims 2021 ECONOMY HISTORY POLITY GEOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CSAT (APTITUDE & MATHS) - 1 CSAT (APTITUDE & MATHS) - 2

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

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) India asked to update Climate goals Part of: Prelims and GS III - Climate change Context UK has urged India to announce a “more ambitious” Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of a United Nations climate change summit in the U.K. in a few weeks. As president of the coming climate change conference, the U.K. is asking all countries to update their NDCs to reflect climate targets for the next few decades. UK also noted that India already lead(s) the world in renewable technology. What is a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)? Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) or Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) are non-binding national plans highlighting climate actions that governments aim to implement in response to climate change and as a contribution to achieve the global targets set out in the Paris Agreement. 193 countries filed their first NDCs, but only 19 have so far updated them.  India’s Paris Climate Goals In 2015, ahead of the UN significant climate conference in Paris, India announced three major voluntary commitments called the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC): Improving the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35% by 2030 over 2005 levels Increasing the share of non-fossil fuels-based electricity to 40% by 2030. Enhancing its forest cover, thereby absorbing 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide India’s promises include: installing 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030 declaring firm deadlines for achieving “Net Zero” carbon emissions  ending the use of coal for generating electricity, so as to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. India to attend G20 virtual meeting on Afghanistan Part of: Prelims and GS - II - International relations Context Indian Prime Minister will attend an extraordinary virtual meeting of G20 leaders on Afghanistan to be held on October 12. The G20 meeting is likely to deliberate on both political as well as humanitarian issues regarding the country. What is G20? The G20 is the international forum that brings together the world’s major economies. Its members account for more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of global trade and 60% of the population of the planet. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States The forum has met every year since 1999 and includes, since 2008, a yearly Summit, with the participation of the respective Heads of State and Government. Italy is the current chair of G20. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Part of: Prelims and GS-II - Statutory bodies; Indian Polity Context The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the police over the recent spate of targeted killings of civilians from minority communities of Kashmiri Pandits. What is National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)? NHRC was established in 1993.  It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the protection of human rights held in Paris in 1991. Status: It is a statutory organization established under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993  Headquarters: New Delhi. Functions: To investigate the violation of human rights/ the failures of the states/other to prevent a human rights violation  Research about human rights, create awareness campaigns through various mediums, and encourage the work of NGOs. Composition:  Chairperson, four full-time Members and four deemed Members.  A Chairperson, should be retired Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court. Appointment: The Chairperson and members of the NHRC are appointed by the President of India, on the recommendation of a committee consisting of: The Prime Minister (Chairperson) The Home Minister The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha  The Speaker of the Lok Sabha The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha They hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. The President can remove them from the office under specific circumstances. SC on National Green Tribunal (NGT) Part of: Prelims and GS II - International relations Context The Supreme Court has declared the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) position as a “unique” forum endowed with suo motu (action taken by a court of its own accord) powers to take up environmental issues across the country. Key takeaways from SC‘s judgement The exercise of power by the NGT is not circumscribed by the receipt of applications.  When substantial questions relating to the environment arise and the issue is civil in nature and those relate to the Act, the NGT, even in the absence of an application, can self-ignite action either towards Improvement or towards prevention of harm. The court explained that the role of the NGT was not simply adjudicatory in nature. The Tribunal has to perform equally vital roles that were preventative, ameliorative (improvement) or remedial in nature. NGT is a complimentary, competent, specialised forum to deal with all environmental multidisciplinary issues both as original and also as an appellate authority. What is NGT? It is a statutory body established in 2010, as per the National Green Tribunal Act.  It is a specialised judicial body equipped with expertise solely for the purpose of adjudicating environmental cases in the country.  The chairperson of the NGT is a retired judge of the Supreme Court  It shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.  Tribunal’s orders are binding and it has power to grant relief in the form of compensation and damages to affected persons. UN biodiversity Summit Part of: Prelims and GS II - International Relations and GS-III - Biodiversity Context A key UN summit tasked with protecting biodiversity opened in China online, as countries meet to protect ecosystems and prevent mass extinction weeks before the COP26 climate conference. Key takeaways  Beijing is the world’s biggest polluter. It has sought to position itself in recent years as a world leader on environmental issues. The online summit shall hold a face-to-face meeting in April 2022. It will see parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) discuss new targets for protecting ecosystems by 2030. It shall also debate on the “30 by 30” plan to give 30% of land and oceans protected status by 2030  It is a measure supported by a broad coalition of nations, as well as a goal to halve the use of chemicals in agriculture and stop creating plastic waste. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) It is known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty.  The convention has three main goals:  the conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity); the sustainable use of its components;  and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.  Objective: To develop national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. It is often seen as the key document regarding sustainable development. The convention was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 5 June 1992 and entered into force on 29 December 1993.  It has two supplementary agreements, the Cartagena Protocol and Nagoya Protocol. Nobel prize in Economics 2021 Part of: Prelims  Context The Nobel prize for economics was awarded to economist David Card for research that showed  An increase in minimum wage does not hinder hiring  An influx of immigrants into a city doesn't cost native workers jobs or lower their earnings Two others shared the award for developing ways to study these types of societal issues. Key takeaways  Canadian-born Dr. Card of the University of California, Berkeley, was awarded one half of the prize for his research on how minimum wage, immigration and education affect the labour market. The other half was shared by Joshua Angrist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dutch-born Guido Imbens from Stanford University for their framework for studying issues that can’t rely on traditional scientific methods. Unlike the other Nobel prizes, the economics award wasn't established in the will of Alfred Nobel but by the Swedish central bank in his memory in 1968, with the first winner selected a year later. It is the last prize announced each year. (News from PIB) India's Renewable Energy Part of: Mains GS-III: Energy 39% of India’s installed capacity is from non-fossil based sources. By 2022 India will reach its target of 40%. India surpassed the 100 GW milestone (excluding large hydro) in 2021. India has only tapped a fraction of the vast potential for renewable energy and, therefore, India has raised the target to 450 GW RE installed capacity by 2030. Launching the Green Corridor Phase 2 and generally expanding transmission to put in place systems for renewable power evacuation from sites where irradiation is high, or wind speed is high.  India is developing the National Green Hydrogen Energy Mission to scale up green hydrogen production and utilization across multiple sectors; targeting initially approximately 1 million tonnes annual green hydrogen production by 2030. Government is coming out with bids for battery storage. Intermittency of renewable power is another challenge for the entire world highlighting that battery storage per unit currently is high and needs to come down. There is a Production Linked Incentive for battery storage already in place and demand needs to be encouraged to bring down the prices of storage. The Government of India has recently launched the Production Linked Incentive scheme for the manufacture of High Efficiency Solar PV Modules. India expects to add 10 Gigawatt of solar PV manufacturing capacity over the next five years. Three new areas of emerging opportunities for investors – green hydrogen, off-shore wind, and solar PV manufacturing. Mandatory purchase obligations are intended to increase use of green hydrogen in sectors like fertilizers, petroleum refining, and city gas distribution. News Source: PIB Clean India programme Part of: Prelims In News: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India launched the Clean India programme in collaboration with State Governments on the eve of 75th year of Independence. Key activities: Collection and disposal of Waste through collection drive and door to door Campaign, Village Beautification, Maintenance beautification drives for historical monuments and heritage sites, community centres, Youth club/ Mahila Mandals, school and panchayat buildings etc. and Traditional Water Sources: Cleanliness and maintenance of water bodies through work camps. Collection and disposal of 75 Lakh kg waste mainly plastic waste throughout the Country covering 744 districts. On an average of 10,080 kg waste per District will be collected and accordingly on an average of 30kg waste per village will be collected & disposed off News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) HEALTH/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health. The next step is a constitutional right to health Context: Pandemic has exposed and aggravated the cracks in our health-care systems and given life to the demand for the constitutional ‘Right to Health for all’. Importance of Right to Health A constitutional ‘Right to Health’ will transform not only the health and well-being of people but will act as a leap for the economic and developmental progress of the nation. The vision for Ayushman Bharat will be strengthened with a constitutional ‘Right to Health’.  The immediate financial security that will come with the constitutional ‘Right to Health’ will be seen as a measurable impact on family savings, greater investment, and jobs creation on the one hand, and in the long-term emotional, psychological and social security of people. Importance of ‘Right to Health’ for children A large number of children who belong to the poorest and most marginalised communities of our country grow up working in hazardous situations be it fields, mines, brick kilns or factories When rescued, these children are ridden with complex health impacts of working — primarily tuberculosis, skin diseases, eyesight impairment, and malnutrition, besides the substantial mental health impact.  These children have been denied a safety net of early childhood care and protection, the consequences of which are felt for a lifetime.  The ‘Right to Health’ will help transition the children in exploitative conditions into a safer future. Conclusion The right to free and compulsory education was arguably one of the most valuable legacies of the decade of 2000s. A constitutional amendment to introduce the ‘Right to Health for India’ can be the legacy of this decade. Connecting the dots: Right to Education Right to Food (National Food Security Act) Right to Information Right to work (MGNREGA) GOVERNANCE/ ENVIRONMENT GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation  GS-2: Environment & Conservation Tackling the Climate Crisis Context: The recently published Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report from Working Group I makes a clarion call for climate action.  According to the report, the past decade (2011-2020) was warmer by 1.09°C than the period from 1850 to 1900, and the 1.5°C global warming threshold is likely to be breached soon Do You Know? The Global Climate Risk Index (2021) ranked India the seventh-most affected country by weather extremes.  The IPCC report warns India against more intense heat waves, heavy monsoons and rise in weather extremes in the future.  Importance of Adaptation Responses to climate change vary from place to place as there are differences in production systems, agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions across the country. Hence, there is an urgency to adopt country specific adaptation strategies. India has some dedicated initiatives towards adaptation, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change and the National Adaptation Fund.  However, adaptation planning needs to go beyond a business-as-usual approach.  A development-centric approach that aligns climate change, food security, and livelihood perspectives and takes into consideration regional specificities is crucial for reducing poverty and distress migrations.  Moreover, adaptation planning requires governance at different levels to understand, plan, coordinate, integrate and act to reduce vulnerability and exposure. To strengthen adaptation and resilience, India can do the following.  Improvised Prediction Models: First, it can be more prepared for climate change with high-quality meteorological data. With improved early warning systems and forecasting, we can tackle the crisis better. Premier research institutes can be roped in to develop regional climate projections for robust risk assessments. Promoting Environmentally Friendly Products: Second, for sustainable production systems, it is necessary to develop well-functioning markets for environmentally friendly products and disseminate them for the desired behavioural change.  Involve Private Sector: Third, it is important to encourage private sector participation for investment in adaptation technologies and for designing and implementing innovative climate services and solutions in areas such as agriculture, health, infrastructure, insurance and risk management.  Tapping into traditional knowledge: Fourth, we need to protect mangroves and forests to address climate-related risks by blending traditional knowledge with scientific evidence and encourage local and non-state actors to actively participate.  Establish Feedback Mechanisms: Fifth, for continuous monitoring and evaluation, effective feedback mechanisms must be developed for mid-course correction. Periodic fine-tuning of State Action Plans on Climate Change is needed to design appropriate responses & proper resource allocation.  Conclusion Proactive and timely need-based adaptation is important. Without it, there will be a huge fiscal burden in the future.  A more collaborative approach towards climate change adaptation is crucial.  Next-generation reforms will promote new business and climate service opportunities across several sectors and thus create a sustainable economy. Connecting the dots: IPCC report on Climate Change Paris Climate Accord (Sansad TV – Perspective) Oct 5: Silver Economy: Challenges & Opportunities - https://youtu.be/wugogQvQOJw  SOCIETY/ GOVERNANCE Topic: General Studies 1,2: Social empowerment  Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections  Silver Economy: Challenges & Opportunities Context: India’s elderly population is on the rise, and as per surveys, the share of elders, as a percentage of the total population in the country, is expected to increase from around 8.6% in 2011 to almost 12.5% by 2026, and surpass 19.5% by 2050.  The pandemic has brought into the open the gaps in India's health policy, programme implementation, infrastructure and support systems for the elderly, who have been the most vulnerable to the virus. Given this sharp rise there is an urgent need to create a more robust eldercare ecosystem in India, especially in the post-COVID phase.  Globally, the average life expectancy at birth for males and females was 45.5 and 48.5 respectively in 1950. It has steadily improved to 68.5 and 73.3 in 2015, with India being no exception. Two-thirds of this segment live in developing countries. Ageing, together with falling fertility rates, has profoundly impacted areas of resources, healthcare and insurance. Similar effects can be observed in the familial, psycho-social and life satisfaction indices. As a result, society, in general, will be forced to abandon some of the conventions and accept a few others as the new normal. In developing countries, the extended lifespan of people beyond 65 years strains the conventional family support system – which is transforming. The diminished family structure often develops cracks in its financial planning with an additional cost centre for eldercare emerging. On the healthcare side, increasing utilisation and consumption of medical facilities, products and supportive devices increase pressure on infrastructure. Definition of the Silver Economy The silver economy is most often defined as a market or economy of seniors and covers basically all economic activities aiming to meet the needs of an ageing population. The social meaning of the silver economy consists in meeting the needs and aspirations of the ageing population, respecting both the need for further participation in social life, as well as the weakness of the elderly (requiring compensation and support). The economic meaning of the concept of silver economy consists in showing benefits which are connected with demand factors on the part of seniors, i.e. purchasing power and consumption (with significant potential for growth), and also supply-side factors represented by them (longer work, higher qualifications, experience and life stability). The Aged in India In India, urbanisation and rural-to-urban migration have speeded up the deconstruction of the old joint family systems into nuclear family units. A 2019 World Bank study has estimated that 34 per cent of the population is now urban – a massive decadal jump from 26 per cent in 2001. This trend adversely affects the safety net that was available to the old in the form of shared responsibility and resources. Micro family units not only reduce their member size but also the physical space. Further, if there are relocation and rehabilitation issues, the Life Satisfaction Quotient yardstick can easily fall by few notches. Factors like closeness to the family, financial security and familiar surroundings are known to improve life satisfaction.   As a trend, the golden age of a person’s life is beset with obligations to pay for children’s studies, mortgages and similar long-term expenses. With an advanced age (65+) component added, the fixed income family budget collapses. This has a serious impact on the Adult age (45+) future planning and security.  With longer life, much of the savings and other resources of the senior people diminish – pensioners being an exception. NITI Ayog has estimated that only 8% of the working population is in the organized sector and the rest accounts for the informal sector. To finance the increasing needs of the elderly, viable financial instruments must be introduced in the market. The government is exploring various ways to promote the idea of silver economy.  Budgetary Allocation:  An initial sum of 100 crore rupees has been allocated for evaluating and promoting the Silver Economy in India out of which nearly Rs. 25 crore has been assigned for use in FY2021-22.  Initial estimations suggest that at present the Silver Economy is worth approximately 73,082 crore rupees. Elderly Line 14567: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment dedicated the Elderly Line 14567 to the Nation on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons: 1st October Senior Aging Growth Engine or SAGE:  A scheme has been launched to promote private enterprises that bring out innovation in products and processes for the benefit of the elders.  This project will identify, evaluate, verify and aggregate the needs of elder persons to deliver products, solutions and services.  One of the selected start-ups, Neomotion, has come up with a “no transfer” accessibility solution where a user will be able to attach the wheelchair to a motorbike and travel. Newnara’s “Indoknee” offers lightweight, unhindered corrective support, Flexmo a wearable hip guard and Ducere smart insoles for fall prevention.  Another start-up, Avyantra, is working to deliver an automated medical device for home dialysis. Once the requisite approvals for using the technology come, this could make life easier for those struggling with chronic kidney failure. “Life Circle” offers subscription-based Home Healthcare Services for the elderly. There is Mediyatra that seeks to make travel more accessible for the elderly patients and people with disabilities and Primate Healthtech that is focussed on accessible diagnostics for early detection of chronic diseases. For the travel loving elderly, there is KareVoyage. SACRED Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity will connect the senior citizens with job providers in the private sector.  Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1,India Report LASI will provide an evidence base for national and state level programmes and policies for elderly population.  A unique feature of LASI is the coverage of comprehensive biomarkers.  The LASI, Wave 1 covered a baseline sample of 72,250 individuals aged 45 and above and their spouses including 31,464 elderly persons aged 60 and above and 6,749 oldest-old persons aged 75 and above from all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India (excluding Sikkim). It is India’s first and the world’s largest ever survey that provides a longitudinal database for designing policies and programmes for the older population. The evidence from LASI will be used to further strengthen and broaden the scope of National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly.  It will also help in establishing a range of preventive and health care programmes for older population and most vulnerable among them. Quality of Life for Elderly Index  The Index has been created by the Institute for Competitiveness at the request of EAC-PM and it sheds light on an issue often not mentioned- problems faced by the elderly and identifies the regional patterns of ageing across Indian States and assesses the overall ageing situation in India.  The Index framework includes: Four pillars: Financial Well-being, Social Well-being, Health System and Income Security, and  Eight sub-pillars: Economic Empowerment, Educational Attainment & Employment, Social Status, Physical Security, Basic Health, Psychological Wellbeing, Social Security and Enabling Environment. The Way Forward Phased-in retirement: Phased-in retirement entails a scheme whereby older workers could choose to work fewer hours yet remain longer in the labour force, including after they retire. This allows continuity in tax revenues and reduced expenditure on pensions and older workers can be valuable to organizations and younger colleagues due to their knowledge and experience; Comprehensive healthcare infrastructure: It is of prime importance that good quality health care be made available and accessible to the elderly in an age-sensitive manner. Health services should address preventive measures, in addition, effective care and support is required for those elderly suffering from various diseases through primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems. Strengthen the family care: The preferred source of support for the aged is still the family – informal system where the notion of care is embedded within a tradition of social obligations that are understood and reciprocated. The reciprocal care and support within multi-generational families of parents, grandparents and children should be encouraged. Traditional values of filial obligations can also be reinforced in school curricula and through the media. Efficient welfare policy for the old-age population: Schemes like Varishta Pension Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, and IGNOAPS etc have to be strengthened and made aware to reach the right beneficiaries. Promoting and rewarding volunteering: Governments could promote and reward volunteering and care work among citizens and NGOs. Such unpaid activities improve the quality of the social fabric, help the well-being of those engaging in them, contribute to the economy, and reduce healthcare and welfare costs. In the future, the success of a nation will critically depend upon its ability to address such sweeping demographic changes effectively though policies and programmes. This underutilized resource available to humanity should be integrated into the lives of communities and where they can make a substantial contribution to improving social conditions. Can you answer the following questions? Elderly population in India is one of the most vulnerable sections of the society in an age of changing social dynamics. Comment.  What measures have been taken by the government to ensure their welfare? Are they enough? Examine. (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 Which of the following is not a non-constitutional body? National human rights Commission  NITI Aayog  Central information commission  National commission for scheduled castes Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC): These are non-binding national plans highlighting climate actions that governments aim to implement in response to climate change  These contributions are part of Nagoya protocol Which of the above is or are correct? 1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Which of the following was adopted first? Convention on biological diversity Nagoya protocol  Cartagena Protocol  All were adopted in the same year of 1992 ANSWERS FOR 11th Oct 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 B 3 B Must Read On Protecting India’s Geological Heritage: The Hindu On Stubble burning: Indian Express

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[UPDATED] ANSWER KEY & OPEN DISCUSSION : SERIES A, B, C, D - UPSC PRELIMS 2021 GS Paper 1

Hello Friends, Unpredictability is the nature of UPSC. And it has proved it yet again! The General Studies (GS) Paper 1 – UPSC Prelims 2021 has set high standards for students and also this Prelims paper throws light on how the preparation should be streamlined for those who want to have a career in civil services. After detailed and thorough discussions with faculties, toppers and students we are coming out with the final and updated Answer Key for UPSC Prelims 2021 for all the Sets - A, B, C, D. The ANSWER KEY is published below. OPEN DISCUSSION -Any Queries/Corrections with respect to the Answer key can be discussed with proof/justification. Also, you can use the Comment Section below to discuss/share your thoughts about UPSC Prelims 2021 Question Paper. SERIES A- ANSWER KEY SERIES B- ANSWER KEY SERIES C- ANSWER KEY SERIES D- ANSWER KEY DOWNLOAD THE UPSC PRELIMS GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 1 (SET B) - CLICK HERE DOWNLOAD THE UPSC PRELIMS GENERAL STUDIES (CSAT) PAPER 2 (SET B) - CLICK HERE Thank You IASbaba

Baba's Gurukul 2022

[REGISTER NOW] Baba's GURUKUL 2022 - ENTRANCE TEST on 16th OCTOBER (Saturday)

Dear Students Firstly, we thank you all for such a tremendous response to First Entrance Test. Also, we are happy to share over 125+ students of IASbaba have secured ranks in UPSC CSE 2020 Out of 50 Baba's Gurukul Students, two of them made it to the final list - Priyanga RA (AIR 181) and Anand Patil (AIR 325). Baba's Gurukul 2022 is a personal mentorship-based integrated course where we will groom a selected batch of students to aim for that Top Rank in UPSC. After a rigorous process of screening on the lines of UPSC, out of 1824 registrations, we have selected 60 Students. The Second Entrance Test for Baba's Gurukul 2022 will be held on 16th October (Saturday) at 11 AM. Those who could not appear for the First Entrance Test and still wish to be part of the Program can take the 2nd Entrance Test on 16th October. DETAILS OF THE ENTRANCE TEST The entrance test will be exactly like UPSC-CSE where you will be facing a Prelims test, a Mains test, and a Personality test. Prelims and Mains exam will be on the same day and based on the merit list, students will be short-listed for the interview. The selection process will be similar to UPSC standards, comprising of one Prelims Test (75 MCQ’s – 150 marks; Syllabus will include current affairs of last six months and static GS topics + Objective CSAT questions), one Mains Test – 150 marks (it will include an essay based on Current Issues and case studies of Ethics to check the approach of candidates) and a Personality Test (it will be conducted to check the dedication of candidates and their level of understanding of Current Issues). The 1st entrance test will be held on 16th October (Saturday) at 11 AM. The test will be held ONLINE and OFFLINE (Bangalore, Delhi, and Lucknow Centres) The Results of the 1st Entrance Test will be out on 18th October (Monday) Interviews will be starting from 19th Octoberber (Tuesday) Final Results will be out on  22nd October (Friday) REGISTER HERE – CLICK HERE P.S:  The last date to register for the 2nd Entrance Test – 15th October (10 AM). The login credentials of the 2nd Entrance Test will be shared with registered students on 15th October. Please note that the Programme will start from 25th October 2021. To Know the Details, Schedule, Fees, etc. about Baba's Gurukul 2022 - CLICK HERE For ANY QUERIES: Email ID: support@iasbaba.com Contact No. : 9169191888 (10 AM – 6 PM) Please do not make calls before or after the given timing. You can also reach us on – BENGALURU CENTRE: IASbaba Admission Centre: No.38, 3rd Cross, 1st Phase, 2nd Stage, 60 Feet Mains Road, Chandralayout, Bengaluru-560040. Landmark: Opposite to BBMP Office/ CULT Fitness DELHI CENTRE: 5B, PUSA Road, Opposite to Metro Pillar 110, Karol Bagh, New Delhi -110005 (Landmark: CROMA Store) LUCKNOW CENTRE:  IASbaba, B-1/66, Sector J, Aligunj, Lucknow – 226024. Landmark: Near Mr Brown / Opp to Sahu Studio All the best  IASbaba

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th October 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) First ‘PM-WANI’ project launched in Kurnool Part of: Prelims and GS II - Policies and interventions Context The first Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) project of Andhra Pradesh was recently launched in Kurnool district. Key takeaways As part of the project, Public Data Offices (PDOs) will work like Public Call Offices (PCOs) to facilitate users' data service at cheaper rates so that every citizen can enjoy Internet facilities. It was launched under the brand name ‘Wi-DOT’. The project is being executed by Tess and Tera Techno Solutions Private Ltd. Benefits: This move will accelerate the proliferation of public broadband services through Wi-Fi networks and it will enable local entrepreneurs such as chaiwalas, kirana stores and eateries to earn additional revenue,” About Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) The scheme aims to bring large scale deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots through the country to drive up connectivity options and improve digital access. Ministry: Ministry of communications Benefits: Public Wi-Fi will serve as a low-cost option to reach unserved citizens and grow the economy.  It can revolutionise the tech world and significantly improve Wi-Fi availability across the length and breadth of India. The scheme envisages setting up of public Wi-Fi networks and access points by local Kirana and neighbourhood shops through public data offices As per the National Digital Communication Plan, the Central government has set a target of setting up millions of Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022 and the PM-WANI scheme will facilitate this. Hypertension higher among educated, urban residents Part of: Prelims and GS II - Health  Context “Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in adults aged 45 years and above, and their spouses in India: A nationally representative cross-sectional study” research was conducted recently. Research was conducted by experts of the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and others. The study has revealed that approximately 42% of adults aged 45 and above, and their spouses had hypertension. Key findings Richness: Richer individuals with higher consumption expenditure were more likely to have hypertension.  Education: Prevalence was estimated to increase from 37% among the least educated to 51.2% among the most educated.  Urban areas: Prevalence was higher in urban areas (51.8%) than in rural areas (37.8%).  Employment: It was also higher among those not working. Prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension varied from state to state. States with the highest prevalence are Kerala, Goa and Delhi. Do you know? Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases that accounted for 44% of the 42 million deaths related to non-communicable diseases globally in 2019. Commercial cultivation of bamboo begins Part of: Prelims and GS - III - Agriculture Context With the threat of Yellow Leaf Disease spreading to vast tracts of arecanut plantations looming large, farmers in Karnataka’s coastal belt have now begun commercial cultivation of bamboo in a small way. About Yellow leaf disease Abnormal yellowing of leaf tissue is called chlorosis. Leaves lack the essential green pigment chlorophyll. Possible causes include poor drainage, damaged roots, compacted roots, high soil pH, and nutrient deficiencies in the plant. About Bamboo plantation Bamboo can be used in 1,500 different ways including as food, a substitute for wood, building and construction material, for handicrafts and paper. The advantage of bamboo is manifold compared to monoculture tree plantations. After planting, bamboo can become part of agroforestry practice in small land holdings. New bamboo plantations may curb the pressure from deforestation by serving as wood substitutes. Due to its versatile nature and multiple uses, it is also called ‘poor man’s timber’. It can be planted to reclaim severely degraded sites and wastelands. It is a good soil binder owing to its peculiar clump formation and fibrous root system and hence also plays an important role in soil and water conservation. It is the fastest growing canopy, releasing 35% more oxygen than trees. There are studies reporting that bamboo stands sequester 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide from per hectare. Though it grows tall like a tree, it belongs to the grass family. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Part of: Prelims and GS-II - International relations Context Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently upheld the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model to prescribe radiation safety standards, ending the protracted controversy on the topic. Background Over six years ago, during February 2015, petitions were filed requesting the NRC, “to amend its regulations based on their evidence that contradicts the linear no-threshold (LNT) dose-effect model. The petitioners support “radiation hormesis,” a concept that proposes that low doses of ionising radiation protect against the deleterious effects of high doses of radiation and result in beneficial effects to humans. This was denied by the NRC. About LNT model The linear no-threshold model (LNT) is a dose-response model used in radiation protection to estimate probable health effects such as radiation-induced cancer, genetic mutations on the human body due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The LNT model helps the agencies to regulate radiation exposures to diverse categories of licensees, from commercial nuclear power plants to individual industrial radiographers and nuclear medical practices. What is Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)? It is an independent agency of the USA government tasked with protecting public health and safety related to nuclear energy.  It was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Functions: Overseeing reactor safety and security administering reactor licensing and renewal licensing radioactive materials managing the storage, security, recycling, and disposal of spent fuel. Rohingya Crisis Part of: Prelims and GS II - International relations Context Bangladesh is planning to send more than 80,000 Rohingya refugees to a remote island- Bhasan Char- in the Bay of Bengal after sealing an agreement for the United Nations to provide help. Some 19,000 of the Muslim refugees from Myanmar have already relocated to the island, despite doubts raised by aid groups. Background Bhasan Char is an island specifically developed to accommodate 1,00,000 of the 1 million Rohingya who have fled from neighbouring Myanmar. Human rights groups have criticised the move. Who are Rohingyas? They are an Ethnic group, mostly Muslims. They were not granted full citizenship by Myanmar. They were classified as “resident foreigners or associate citizens”. Ethnically they are much closer to Indo-Aryan people of India and Bangladesh than to the Sino-Tibetans of Myanmar. Described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as “one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world”. OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework tax deal Part of: Prelims and GS II - International Relations  Context The two-pillar solution under the  OECD/G20 Inclusive framework will be delivered to the G20 Finance Ministers meeting in Washington DC on 13 October, then to the G20 Leaders Summit in Rome at the end of the month. Countries are aiming to sign a multilateral convention during 2022, with effective implementation in 2023. India has already joined the G20–OECD inclusive framework deal.  It seeks to reform international tax rules and ensure that multinational enterprises pay their fair share wherever they operate. 130 countries and jurisdictions, representing more than 90% of global GDP, have signed the deal. Two pillars of framework Dealing with transnational and digital companies: It ensures that large multinational enterprises, including digital companies, pay tax where they operate and earn profits. Dealing with low-tax jurisdictions to address cross-border profit shifting and treaty shopping: It seeks to put a floor under competition among countries through a global minimum corporate tax rate, currently proposed at 15%. (News from PIB) World Postal Day: 9th of October  To mark the anniversary of establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874.  India has been a member of the Universal Postal Union since 1876.  The purpose of World Post Day is to create awareness about the role of postal sector in the lives of people and businesses as well as contribution to the socio-economic development of countries.  The theme for this year’s World Post Day is ‘Innovate to recover’. Aryabhata Award Part of: GS Prelims In News: Conferred to Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy A pioneer in the area of R&D of advanced avionics, navigation and missile technologies Dr Reddy is an institution builder and has set up mechanisms to establish robust defence development and production ecosystem       News Source: PIB Indian Space Association Part of: GS Prelims In News: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch Indian Space Association (ISpA) on 11th October, 2021 ISpA is the Premier Industry Association of Space and Satellite companies, which aspires to be the collective voice of the Indian Space industry.  It will undertake policy advocacy and engage with all stakeholders in the Indian Space domain, including the Government and its agencies.  ISpA will help in making India self-reliant, technologically advanced and a leading player in the space arena. ISpA is represented by leading home grown and global corporations with advanced capabilities in space and satellite technologies.  News Source: PIB 3rd India – UK Energy for Growth Partnership – Ministerial Energy Dialogue Part of: Mains GS-II: International Relations In News: Energy Transition was a major area of discussion in the dialogue and the Energy Ministers spoke in detail on the ongoing Energy Transition activities in their respective countries with focus on renewables, including solar, offshore wind, storage, EVs, alternative fuels, etc. The UK side presented a detailed summary of the significant ongoing work and thepast work done in the last two years under the umbrella of bilateral cooperation Welcomed the Roadmap 2030 for India-UK future relations launched by both the Prime Ministers during India-UK Virtual Summit in May and identified various future areas of collaboration in line with the Roadmap 2030. Deliberated and agreed on a Forward Action Plan on Power and Clean Transport, Renewables, Green Finance and Clean Energy Researchas part of the roadmap 2030, covering a range of topics including smart grids, energy storage, green hydrogen, charging infrastructure, battery storage and need of mobilizing investments in renewable energy along with other proposals under multilateral collaboration. The dialogue concluded with both sides underlining the importance of international cooperation insecuring affordable and sustainable energy for the worldwhile setting in motion, concrete action plans for driving the clean energy transition in Power Sector News Source: PIB Dr. Teejan Bai at GOAL program  A Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardee A celebrated Pandavani folk singer About Going Online as Leaders (GOAL) Program  By the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Facebook India  Aims to provide skilling for tribal youth with a focus on enabling digital presence in addition to strengthening core skills to drive their professional-economical upliftment.  The program intends to upskill and empower 5,000 tribal youths over the course of next five years to harness the full potential of digital platforms and tools to learn new ways of doing business, explore and connect with domestic and international markets.  It is designed to provide mentorship to tribal youth through digital mode and envisages to act as a catalyst to explore hidden talents of the tribal youth, which will help in their personal development as well as contribute to all-round upliftment of their society. News Source: PIB Miscellaneous World Mental Health Day: 10th October Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar 2021: Between India and the US World Wrestling Championship 2021 Winners from India Anshu Malik won Silver medal Sarita Mor won Bronze medal (Mains Focus) INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY GS-2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. A ‘Taiwan flashpoint’ in the Indo-Pacific  Context: In a new incident last week, a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine reportedly ran into an “unidentified object” while in the South China Sea. China has objected to these U.S. actions vociferously. The rising confrontation between the United States and China erupts into a clash of arms, the likely arena may well be the Taiwan Strait.  Brief Background of Taiwan: Taiwan is the unfinished business of China’s liberation under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1949.  The Guomindang (KMT) forces under Chiang Kai-shek lost the 1945-49 civil war to the CCP forces under Mao Zedong.  Chiang retreated to the island of Taiwan and set up a regime that claimed authority over the whole of China and pledged to recover the mainland eventually.  The CCP in turn pledged to reclaim what it regarded as a “renegade” province and achieve the final reunification of China.  Taiwan could not be occupied militarily by the newly established People’s Republic of China (PRC) as it became a military ally of the United States during the Korean War of 1950-53.  It was described as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier” underscoring its strategic significance.  This phase came to an end with the U.S. recognising the PRC as the legitimate government of China in 1979, ending its official relationship with Taiwan and abrogating its mutual defence treaty with the island.  Strategic ambiguity of US & China vis-à-vis Taiwan U.S. has declared that it will “maintain the ability to come to Taiwan’s defence” while not committing itself to do so. This is the policy of “strategic ambiguity” of USA China, on the other hand, is committed to pursuing peaceful unification but retains the right to use force to achieve the objective. This is its China’s version of strategic ambiguity.  What has been the policy of China towards Taiwan?  China has pursued a typical carrot and stick policy to achieve the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland.  It has held out the prospect, indeed preference for peaceful reunification, through promising a high degree of autonomy to the island under the “one country two systems” formula first applied to Hong Kong after its reversion to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.  According to this formula, Hong Kong would retain its free market system and its political and judicial institutions and processes for a period of 50 years, thus enabling an extended and gradual transition.  The same was promised to Taiwan, but with the added assurance that it could also retain its armed forces during the transition period. Economic Links between China and Taiwan With China itself adopting market-oriented reforms since 1978 and becoming a significant economic and commercial opportunity globally, Taiwan business entities have invested heavily in mainland China and the two economies have become increasingly integrated.  Between 1991 and 2020, the stock of Taiwanese capital invested in China reached U.S. $188.5 billion and bilateral trade in 2019 was U.S. $150 billion, about 15% of Taiwan’s GDP. By contrast the stock of Chinese capital invested in Taiwan is barely U.S. $2.4 billion China hopes that burgeoning economic relationship with Taiwan would weaken opposition to unification.  At the same time, China is capable of inflicting severe economic pain on Taiwan through coercive economic policies if Taiwan is seen to move towards an independent status. Hong Kong & impact on Taiwan Recently, China adopted a series of hardline policies in Hong Kong, abandoning the ‘One Country Two Systems’ formula.  As a result, Public opinion in Taiwan swung in favour of The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who is more representative of the indigenous population of the island, and favours independence.  One important implication of this development is that prospects for peaceful unification have diminished. Is China prepared to carry out military operations to invade and occupy Taiwan?  In March 2021, the U.S. Pacific Commander, warned that China could invade Taiwan within the next six years as part of its strategy of displacing U.S. power in Asia. He suggested that Chinese military capabilities had been developed in order to achieve this objective. The recent initiatives of the Quad and AUKUS may act as a deterrent against Chinese moves on Taiwan. But they may equally propel China to advance the unification agenda before the balance changes against it in the Indo-Pacific.  For these reasons, Taiwan is emerging as a potential trigger point for a clash of arms between the U.S. and China. Conclusion In pursuing its Indo-Pacific strategy, India would do well to keep these possible scenarios in mind. Connecting the dots: QUAD AUKUS GOVERNANCE/ ENVIRONMENT GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation  GS-2: Environment & Conservation Forest Conservation Act & Proposed Amendments Context: The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, came into force to address deforestation.  Though the Indian Forest Act has been in force since 1927, it was geared to allow the colonial British administration to control the extraction of timber and not aimed at preserving forests or addressing deforestation. While States had already notified forest land, the FCA made it necessary to get the Centre’s permission for using such forest land for “non forestry purposes” and the creation of an advisory committee to recommend such re-classification. Has the FCA ever been amended? There have been at least two major amendments to the FCA — in 1988 and 1996.  Till 1996, State, UT & Union Government used to apply the provisions of the Act only to the forests notified under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or any other local law.  However, what constituted a “forest” was dramatically expanded following a Supreme Court judgment in a petition filed by Godavarman Thirumulpad. Now, “forest” also included  All areas recorded as “forest” in any government record, irrespective of ownership, recognition and classification;  all areas that conformed to the “dictionary” meaning of “forest” all areas which are identified as “forest” by an expert committee constituted by the Supreme Court following the 1996 order. This judgment also paved the way for  calculating the net present value, or the economic value of the portion of forest being razed for development work that had to be paid by project proponents;  The creation of a compensatory afforestation fund;  Providing non-forestry land in lieu of the diverted forest. Why is the FCA again being amended? The essential tension in the FCA is that the state is committed to a principle of increasing forest cover, and this makes it harder to access land for infrastructure projects by States and private entities. India’s aim is to have at least 33% of India’s geographical area under forest and tree cover, and increasing the latter is a major thrust.  So far, forest cover is around 22% and because increasing core forest land is increasingly hard, the mode of expansion includes expanding the notion of what constitutes forest land.  Thus, even degraded lands, if they have been recorded anywhere as “forest” in land records count, and even commercial plantations or regions with trees of a certain canopy cover and density count as “forest”. On the other hand, with more land coming under the definition of “forest”, it’s becoming harder for State Governments or private industry to use land that falls under the definition of “forest” for non-forestry purposes.  Through the years, this has given rise to multiple instances of litigation, as well questions on the legal definition of “forest”.  States have been told to provide a definition of what constitutes a forest, but several haven’t given them because this has political consequences. All of this has led to conflicting interpretations of the FCA through the years. What is the latest amendment about? Recently, the Environment Ministry has released a “consultative paper” that spells out proposed changes. This is open to public comment.  Broadly, it proposes to exempt certain categories of infrastructure project developers from approaching the Centre for permission to use forest land for non-forestry purposes. For instance, it has proposed exempting agencies involved in national security projects, border infrastructure projects, land owned by the Railways or the Road Transport Ministry that was acquired before 1980 or when the Act came into force. India, as part of its climate change action plan, has committed to create a carbon sink to lock in 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2030. This can be achieved only through planting trees on private land and the current laws pose an impediment to encouraging private landowners to grow more trees. The Ministry has proposed some provisions where the penalties of non-compliance could include jail terms, but the overall tenor of the proposal is to make it a little easier to use forest land for non-forestry purposes. However, this still requires approval by the Cabinet and possibly the Parliament. (AIR – Azadi ka Safar) Freedom fighter, revolutionary, Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan Oct 9: Freedom fighter, revolutionary, Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan - https://youtu.be/wWHor_8mZ74  TOPIC: General Studies 1 Indian Freedom Movement Indian freedom fighters Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan In News: PM paid tributes to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his Jayanti. Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan’s birthday (11th October, 1902) is celebrated as “Save Democracy Day” for his invaluable contribution to anti-emergency agitation during 1975-76. His entire life is one of supreme sacrifice and commitment to the nation In 1921 he joined the Non-cooperation movement and was influenced by Gandhian Ideology Later he went to US, where he was deeply influenced by Marxist ideology. However, he rejected the ultimate solution of “revolution” to bring down the capitalism as being advocated by the Marxists. On the contrary, he advocated Socialism. In 1929 he joined the INC at the invitation of Jwaharlal Nehru In 1934 he formed Congress Socialist Party with the following members General Secretary: JP Narayan Ideology: Democratic Socialism He also participated in Quit India Movement in 1942. He advocated non-rebellion & non-violence During the period of emergency starting from 1975, he gave a call for “Total Revolution” or “Sampoorna Kranti” to completely transform the society. He advocated Party-less democracy Sarvodaya Rejection of Parliamentary Democracy After the death of J Nehru, JP had increasingly involved in national politics During the second half of 1960s, he involved in resolving disputes in Kashmir He also played a pivotal role in the Nagaland issue in 1960s During the Bangladesh crisis, it was JP who became India’s ambassador to persuade about the rightness of India’s cause The voice of JP favouring human rights found relevance in Hungarian crisis, Czech crisis, and Tibetan crisis during his times In 1999, he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna Part of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), whose 117th birth anniversary falls on October 11, was among the twelve apostles of the Mahatma and had been a front-soldier during the Indian freedom struggle. In this fight, JP imbibed a combination of ahimsa and aggression. His call for ‘sampoorna kranti’ or total revolution to fight against rampant corruption, unemployment and systematic weakening of democratic institutions back in 1974, and the subsequent events, led to the imposition of the infamous Emergency. It eventually paved the way for a realignment of political forces in the country and gave a new direction to the politics of the country, with far-reaching ramifications. He firmly believed that youngsters should be in the forefront of changing the system. Those entrenched in power, the status quoists, would naturally resist any change, but only the energy and force of youth can bring about revolutionary transformation – this was his firm belief. And that’s precisely what happened in the seventies. After blessing the Nav Nirman Andolan in Gujarat, where people had risen against the corrupt state government, JP mobilised students in Bihar to fight against authoritarianism and corruption. He had such a mesmerising influence on the political scene that under his mentorship a host of splinter parties of the Congress, like Congress (O), Jana Sangh and Swatantra Party, and other socialists came together to form the Janata Party. He could have easily occupied the top post during the Janata regime. Although people clamoured for his leadership, he said that power was not his aim.  He participated in the freedom struggle and led the Quit India movement in 1942 in the absence of senior leaders. He remained detached from electoral politics after Independence, but as such was not indifferent to politics. He also took active part in Vinoba  Bhave’s Bhoodan movement. The legacy of JP is akin to that of the Mahatma and echoes him on issues that have cropped up in the post-Gandhi era.  Freedom “Freedom became one of the beacon lights of my life and it has remained so ever since… Above all it meant freedom of the human personality, freedom of the mind, freedom of the spirit. This freedom has become a passion of my life and I shall not see it compromised for food, for security, for prosperity, for the glory of the state or for anything else.” Democracy “India’s democracy is to rise storey by storey from the foundation, consisting of self-governing, self-sufficient, agro-industrial, urbo-rural local communities — gram sabha, panchayat samiti and zilla parishad—that would form the base of Vidhan Sabhas and the Lok Sabha. These politico-economic institutions will regulate the use of natural resources for the good of the community and the nation.” Development “Idea of development envisages independent India as sui generis, a society unlike any other, in a class of its own that would not follow the western pattern of mega industrialisation, urbanisation and individuation. India’s would be agro-based people’s economy that would chart out a distinct course in economic growth, which would be need-based, human-scale and balanced while conserving nature and livelihoods. Such a ‘development’ process would be democratic and decentralised.  The best development model for India is diversified, democratic decentralised and value-added agriculture as the root, manufacturing small/medium industries as trunk and branches and widespread service sector as a canopy. The almost universal tendency for a centralised political, economic model, and social system that is associated with both of them should be abandoned.” Communalism “Although almost every religious community had its own brand of communalism, Hindu communalism was more pernicious than the others because Hindu communalism can easily masquerade as Indian nationalism and denounce all opposition to it as being anti-national.” Can you answer the following questions? Despite being a huge mass movement that virtually shook the roots of the constitutional principles, JP movement is considered as a flawed movement. Critically examine the JP movement and its flaws. Emergency imposed during the 1975 is seen as a dark period in the history of post-independent India.” Give a critical account on the outcomes of emergency and what are the lessons that we have learnt from the 40 years of emergency. (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 Bashan Char Island, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?? Iran  Yemen  Bangladesh Sri Lanka Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding PM-WANI: It comes under Ministry of Urban Affairs The scheme envisages setting up of public Wi-Fi networks and access points by local Kirana and neighbourhood shops through public data offices Which of the above is or are correct? 1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, recently seen in news, is associated with which of the following? Black holes Radiation Carbon sequestration  Ozone hole depletion  ANSWERS FOR 9th Oct 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 A 3 B Must Read On Carbon Policy for Agriculture: Indian Express On India-Japan: Deccan Herald