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[WORKSHOP] By IASbaba’s TOPPERS for FUTURE TOPPERS! @ Delhi on 9th October( Saturday) - OPEN For All UPSC 2022 & 2023 Aspirants!

Hello everyone, As the tradition of IASbaba goes, every year we organise a Free Detailed Workshop to guide students on every aspect of UPSC preparation. This year also the workshop is going to be held in Delhi-NCR on 9th October 2021 (Saturday) for the students preparing for 2022 and 2023. This year, however, there is a slight change. This time all the sessions will be taken by IASbaba's Toppers of UPSC 2020.  The toppers taking the session are - DIVYA MISHRA - RANK 28 ANANT DWIVEDI - RANK 40 ASHISH KUMAR MISHRA - RANK 52 SALONI VERMA - RANK 70 DEEPAK AGGARWAL - RANK 118 In every IASbaba workshop, we believe in providing concrete information rather than just 'gyaan' so that there is optimum utilisation of the time of the students as your time is precious. Hence, the topics discussed in the workshop will be - Understanding the demand of Exam – What UPSC wants from you? Prelims – The Art of Intelligent Guessing! Answer Writing Strategy – The Key to clear the Exam! Current Affairs – Demystified! How to Revise? Approach for Personality Test. Time Management / Daily Plan How to Make Notes? How to Approach Ethics and Essay? How to stay Motivated? Apart from all these,  toppers will be coming from different backgrounds and will be sharing their journey and success story so there will be a lot to learn for you. Not only that, after the workshop there will be a question-answer (Q&A) session where you will be able to interact with the toppers. Since the workshop, will be 4-5 hours long, lunch will be provided at the venue. Hence you'll have 'Food for Thought' and 'Food for Belly'. Now the important part, since we have to follow the covid protocol, entry will be strictly on a first come first serve basis. So if you are interested to attend the workshop, do fill the following Google Form. REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP - CLICK HERE Details Regarding the Workshop Date and Time - 9th October (Saturday) Venue - Will be held in Delhi-NCR. Registered students will be notified regarding the venue and other details. For Enquiries: Email ID - support@iasbaba.com Mobile No. - 91691 91888   Thank You TEAM IASbaba  

Motivational Articles

[VIDEO] STRATEGY & MOTIVATION- In the LAST WEEK of the UPSC Prelims Exam 2021 – Do’s & Don’ts – Last 6 Days before the Exam by Mohan Sir (Founder, IASbaba)

Dear Friends, We are in the last phase of UPSC Prelims 2021 Preparation. Approximately 6 more days are left for the exam. You would be going through a range of emotions now, and quite a few questions popping up – whether what you are doing is right/wrong? We have been receiving many mails and calls on the same. So to answer all these, we have come up with this video. In this video, Mohan Sir discusses about – Fundamentals of Prelims Exam (3 Golden Rules) What should be your Strategy in the last week of Prelims Exam? Do’s & Don’ts in the last 5 days before the exam. How to deal with Stress/Anxiety? It’s finally, You that is going to help yourself!! Believe in yourself. Stay calm. The rest will flow as you always wanted. You will do well. [VIDEO] LAST 10 DAYS UPSC Prelims Exam 2021 – STRATEGY, MOTIVATION and Do’s & Don’ts by IASbaba’s Toppers! - CLICK HERE We would also request you to go through the PRELIMS SIMPLIFIED SERIES: How to crack UPSC PRELIMS- IMPORTANT TIPS & TRICKS (using Common Sense – KCT Approach) by Mohan Sir –  CLICK HERE We are also sharing some Prelims Strategies by our Previous Toppers which will be very helpful for you. TOPPER STRATEGY: Shreyans Kumat Rank 4, UPSC CSE 2018 a Regular Follower of IASbaba’s TLP shares his Exclusive PRELIMS Strategy! – CLICK HERE PRELIMS TIPS: Topper Abhijeet Sinha, Rank 19 UPSC CSE 2017 – IASbaba’s ILP Student, who has scored 163 and 152.6 in his 2 attempts shares his Preparation Strategy with a special focus on Prelims! – CLICK HERE   All The Best Team IASbaba

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 4th October 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Jal Jeevan Mission Part of: Prelims and GS - II - Policies and interventions  Context Five crore households had been provided with water connections since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019. Tap water was now reaching every household in about 1.25 lakh villages. Jal Jeevan Mission app has also been launched for improving awareness among stakeholders and for greater transparency and accountability of schemes under the mission. The Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh has also been launched, where any individual, institution or philanthropist, be it in India or abroad, could contribute to help provide tap water connections. What is Jal Jeevan Mission? It is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. It envisages supply of 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. It also includes functional tap connection to Schools, Anganwadi centres, GP buildings, Health centres, wellness centres and community buildings The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting.  JJM focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level. The Mission is based on a community approach to water. It looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority. It promotes and ensures voluntary ownership among local communities by way of contribution in cash, kind and/ or labour and voluntary labour. Parent Ministry: Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti Funding Pattern: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. Four-tier implementation & monitoring of the scheme at National, State, District & village level. Panel set up to implement Assam Accord Part of: Prelims and GS II - Citizenship Context The Assam government has set up an eight-member sub-committee to examine and prepare a framework for the implementation of all clauses of the Assam Accord of 1985. The sub-committee has also been mandated to examine and prepare a framework for updating the National Register of Citizens, issues of flood and erosion, rehabilitation of martyrs’ families and victims of Assam Agitation besides the potential of the State’s all-round development. What is Assam Accord? It was a tripartite accord signed between the Government of India, State Government of Assam and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985. The signing of the Accord led to the conclusion of a six-year agitation that was launched by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam. It sets a cut-off of midnight of 24th March 1971, for the detection of illegal foreigners in Assam. However, the demand was for detection and deportation of migrants who had illegally entered Assam after 1951. Do you know? The Clause 6 of the Accord pertains to the constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to “protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people”. Vikrant to sail out for Phase 2 trials Part of: Prelims and GS III - Defence and security Context The maiden sea trials of the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant have progressed very well and the second phase of trials are expected to begin by October-end, with the third phase planned in December. Vikrant is expected to be delivered to the Navy in April and likely to be commissioned in August 2022 About Vikrant Vikrant is India’s most complex warship (aircraft carrier) to have been indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard for the Indian Navy. Cochin Shipyard Limited is the largest public sector shipyard and the only shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Vikrant has more than 76% indigenous content. It is the first time in the country that a ship the size of an Aircraft Carrier is completely modeled in 3D and production drawings extracted from the 3D model. The IAC is the largest warship built in the country having a displacement of about 40,000 tonnes. The Aircraft Carrier is a mini floating city, with a flight deck area covering the size of two football fields. The vessel is named Vikrant after the decommissioned maiden carrier of the Navy. It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 airborne early warning helicopters and the soon-to-be-inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter, besides the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters. The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and RAN-40L 3D radars as sensors.  At present, India has only one aircraft carrier, the Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya. Significance The combat capability, reach and versatility of the aircraft carrier will add formidable capabilities in the defence and help secure India’s interests in the maritime domain. It would offer an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project air power over long distances. Alibaug White Onion Part of: Prelims and GS III - Intellectual property rights Context The Alibaug white onion was given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, bringing worldwide recognition to its medicinal properties. Alibaug, is a coastal town, just south of Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra Local farmers have preserved the seed for over two centuries. The onion is also mentioned in a government gazette published in 1883. Key takeaways  The soil of Alibaug taluka has low sulphur content.  The onions have low pungency, sweet taste, ‘no tear’ factor, low pyruvic acid, high protein, fat and fibre content, besides high antioxidant compounds (quercetin).  It boosts immunity, helps with insomnia, blood cleaning, blood pressure and heat-related ailments.  What is GI tag?  It is an indication which is definite to a geographical territory. It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods. The goods need to be produced or processed or prepared in that region.  The product must have a special quality or reputation. The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 provides registration and also protection of GI goods in India. The Geographical Indications Registry for India is located in Chennai. A registered GI tag prohibits a third party to use such products.  GI is a collective intellectual property right and is thus owned by all the producers within the defined GI territory.  Patents and trademarks are owned by an individual or a business entity. Mumbai blind eel Part of: Prelims and GS III - Environment  Context A new species of swamp eel was discovered from a well in Mumbai  Key takeaways  The eel is called Rakthamichthys Mumba, the Mumbai blind eel.  It belongs to the genus Rakthamicthys that is endemic to India. This is the fifth species from the genus to be described from India. Unlike other species of its genus, the mumba lacks eyes, fins and scales, has jaws equal in forward extent, different gill aperture, crescentic-shaped cephalic.  This is the first completely blind subterranean freshwater fish species to be described from Maharashtra and the Northern western Ghats.  Vayoshreshtha Samman National Award Part of: Prelims and GS I- Society Context: Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu presented the Vayoshreshtha Samman National Award to senior geriatrician V.S. Natarajan. The recipient of the award has been taking various initiatives through his enterprise (Dr. V S Natarajan Geriatric Foundation) for the healthy welfare of the elders. Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of awards instituted by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment  It gradually upgraded to the status of National Awards, for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly persons especially indigent senior citizens and to eminent citizens in recognition of their service/achievements.  (News from PIB) Launch of ‘Wetlands of India’ Portal Part of: GS-Prelims and Mains GS-III: Environment and Conservation Context: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and heralding the Iconic Week of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav of MoEFCC (4-10th October 2021), a web portal – ‘Wetlands of India Portal’ (http://indianwetlands.in/), giving details on wetlands of the country, was launched by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The portal is a single point access to all information relating to wetlands – capacity building material, data repository, videos and and information for students.  A dashboard for each State and UT has been developed to access the portal and populate it with information of wetlands in their administration. The project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI). Important value additions Wetlands They are highly productive ecosystems that provide the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish harvest. They play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed.  They  provide an ideal environment for organisms that form the base of the food web and feed many species of aquatic animals. They help in carbon sequestration (removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). They provide habitat for animals and plants and support plants and animals that are found nowhere else. They are also an important source of ground water recharge. There are six kinds of wetlands: Marine or coastal wetlands which include coastal lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs Estuarine wetlands including deltas, tidal marshes and mangrove swamps Lacustrine wetlands associated with lakes Riverine wetlands along rivers and streams Palustrine wetlands, essentially marshes, swamps and bogs Man-made wetlands like fish, shrimp and farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits and canals. Threats to Wetlands Urbanization Agriculture: Construction of a large number of reservoirs, canals and dams have altered the hydrology of the associated wetlands. Pollution: Due to mercury from industrial sources  Climate Change: Increased air temperature; increased frequency of storms, droughts, and floods; increased sea level rise  Dredging and sand mining: Dredging of streams lowers the surrounding water table and dries up adjacent wetlands. Exotic Species: Exotic introduced plant species such as water hyacinth and salvinia clog waterways and compete with native vegetation. News Source: PIB Electricity Rules Part of: Mains GS-III: Energy In News: The launch of the Electricity (Transmission System Planning, Development and Recovery of Inter-State Transmission Charges) Rules 2021 has paved the way for overhauling of transmission system planning, towards giving power sector utilities easier access to the electricity transmission network across the country.  Transmission system is the vital linkage in the power sector value chain connecting the generation and the demand. The Rules will Streamline the process of planning, development and recovery of investment in the transmission system.   The rules are aimed at encouraging investments in the generation and transmission sectors. The rules will enable the country to develop deeper markets. Underpins that “electricity transmission planning shall be made in such way that the lack of availability of the transmission system does not act as a brake on the growth of different regions and the transmission system shall, as far as possible, to be planned and developed matching with growth of generation and load and while doing the planning, care shall be taken that there is no wasteful investment”. News Source: PIB Lal Bahadur Shastri Part of: Mains GS-I: Persons in history, India after independence In News: PM paid tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his Jayanti The 2nd Prime Minister of India Deeply impressed and influenced by Mahatma Gandhi Joined the Indian independence movement in the 1920s Led the country during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 The man of integrity Like millions of Indians, Shastri drew inspiration from the Mahatma and plunged into the freedom struggle when he was in his teens. More than 60 years ago, Shastri showed what probity and integrity in public life are all about. Following a train accident at Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu, in which more than 140 people were killed, he resigned as railway minister taking moral responsibility for the incident. Lauding him for his integrity, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said that he was accepting his resignation because it would set an example in constitutional propriety, although Shastri was in no way responsible for it. When he married in 1928, at the insistence of his in-laws to accept dowry, he took a charkha (spinning wheel) and some khadi cloth. Even when he passed away, he reportedly had no property in his name and left behind a few books and a dhoti-kurta. As a child, Shastri is known to have swum across the river to reach school to save his impoverished family money to pay for a boat ride. Since the children were rarely allowed to use the official car to go to school when their father was Prime Minister, the family decided to buy a Fiat car for Rs. 12,000. A bank loan for Rs. 5,000 was taken, which Shastri’s widow had to clear after his sudden death, from his pension. On a visit to a textile mill as Prime Minister, when the owner offered to gift him expensive sarees, Shastri insisted on buying and paying for only those he could afford. He also had an undue promotion for his son overturned. A rational and moral personality He displayed a broad outlook at a very young age and dropped his caste-based surname when he was in the seventh standard. His progressive attitude came to the fore when he asked for khadi cloth and a spinning wheel as dowry. His maiden Independence Day speech in 1964 is as relevant today as it was then. Shastri observed: “We can win respect in the world only if we are strong internally and can banish poverty and unemployment from our country. Above all, we need national unity. Communal, provincial and linguistic conflicts weaken the country. Therefore, we have to forge national unity. I appeal to all to work for national unity and usher in a social revolution to make our country strong. In the ultimate analysis, the strength of the country does not lie in its material wealth alone. It requires people like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore. It requires the force of character and moral strength. I appeal to our young men to inculcate discipline in themselves discipline and work for the unity and advancement of the nation”. His stress on character and moral strength acquire special significance today, when we see all-round degeneration of values in various fields. Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan During the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965, Shastri gave the immortal slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” which continues to inspire every Indian even today. During his prime ministerial tenure, which unfortunately was cut short by his untimely death, Shastri boosted the morale of the nation by leading India to victory over Pakistan. His vision for self-sufficiency in foodgrains led to sowing the seeds of the Green Revolution, and promotion of the White Revolution. The country owes it to him in no small measure that we are self-sufficient in foodgrains production today. During his speech at death anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati he said : “The nation cannot afford to relax. It is difficult to say what the future holds for us. Pakistan had not yet given up her policy of aggression. The duty of the nation is therefore clear. The country’s defences have to be strengthened. The people should spare no efforts to strengthen the defences. Side-by-side, food production has to be increased. Food self-sufficiency is as important as a strong defence system. It was for this reason that I raised the slogan, ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’. The kisan is as much a soldier as the jawan”. Many years later, former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee added “Jai Vigyan” to Shastri’s slogan in order to hail achievements of Indian scientists. Country’s Interests first Shastri placed the country’s interests above everything else. Although he was wedded to the principles of peace, Shastri showed that he was made of sterner mettle when it came to protecting India’s unity and integrity. His response was swift and decisive in ordering the Indian armed forces to retaliate against Pakistan’s unprovoked aggression. Shastri’s love for the motherland was evident when he responded to Mahatma Gandhi’s call to join the Non-Cooperation Movement at the young age of 16. An incident from his life shows that he was a man of deeds. Before appealing to the countrymen to skip one meal a week in the wake of the foodgrain shortage, he implemented the measure at his house. His appeal had an electrifying impact and many households across the country responded positively to his call. A visionary man His humane quality was reflected in another instance. As Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Police and Transport, he ordered that the police should use water jets instead of lathis to control unruly crowds. The fact that Shastri was the first transport minister to open the post of bus conductors to women showed how forward-looking he was. His visionary outlook is reflected in the observations he had made at a rural projects meet in Delhi in 1964. “We must inject new elements in the services. Let us introduce professors, economists, teachers, engineers and others, even outsiders, so that there is some freshness, a real exchange of views, a meeting of different approaches,” he said. Perhaps, the government’s decision to open 10 senior civil services positions for lateral entry is in line with this philosophy. Since he didn’t believe in the caste system (he was a Kayastha from birth), he gave up his surname as a young schoolboy. The title “Shastri” was bestowed on him upon graduating from Kashi Vidyapeeth, as a mark of scholarly achievement. Can you answer the following question? What are the contributions of Lal Bahadur Shastri to post-Independent India’s polity and economy? Do you think he is relevant in today’s time? Discuss. (Mains Focus) AGRICULTURE / GOVERNANCE/ FEDERALISM GS-3: Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. MSP Demand & Possible Solution Context: Philosophy Farmers camping at Delhi’s borders for the past 10 months have clear cut demands —  The cancellation of three farm laws Legal assurance on Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops Continuation of the ongoing MSP scheme for wheat and paddy. What is the government’s position? There are indications that the government was leaning towards the withdrawal or cancellation of the three farm laws. However, the government is not willing to take direct responsibility of ensuring legal guarantee of MSP for all crops What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)? MSP is the price set by the government to purchase crops from the farmers, whatever may be the market price for the crops. MSP is declared by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs before the sowing time on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) CACP is not any statutory body but is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It can recommend MSPs, but the decision on fixing (or even not fixing) and enforcement rests finally with the government. Support prices generally affect farmers’ decisions indirectly, regarding land allocation to crops, quantity of the crops to be produced etc MSP assures farmers agricultural income besides providing a clear price signal to the market The major objectives are to support the farmers from distress sales and to procure food grains for public distribution.  The government declares MSPs for crops, but there’s no law mandating their implementation  MSP is devoid of any legal backing. Access to MSP isn’t an entitlement for farmers. They cannot demand it as a matter of right. The Centre currently fixes MSPs for 23 farm commodities based on the CACP’s recommendations —   7 cereals – paddy, wheat, maize, bajra, jowar, ragi and barley 5 pulses – chana, arhar/tur, urad, moong and masur 7 oilseeds – rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, safflower and nigerseed 4 commercial crops – cotton, sugarcane, copra and raw jute What is the issue with MSP? Most of the 23 crops, for which MSP is announced, are purchased by private players and there is high fluctuation in the prices.  Sometimes these crops are sold much below the MSP and sometimes they fetch a little more than the MSP.  The farmers, therefore, want a legal guarantee that crops can be sold only at MSP or above it.  But the government is not ready to give legal guarantees at the moment, except reiterated verbally several times that it will continue its current MSP regime, which mostly covers wheat and Paddy in Punjab, Haryana, MP and parts of UP. The farmers, however, have refused to budge. Can state-level policies assure that the farmers get MSP for their crops? Some states have stepped in and started compensating farmers for crops selling below the MSP rates under their own state-level policies. In the past years, some states like Madhya Pradesh (MP) under Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojna (price difference payment scheme), Haryana under floor prices regime, Kerala under its Bhavantar Bharpayi Yojna, set the floor price or state price and if the covered crops are sold below that price then the state government pays the difference to the registered farmers on their respective portals. While the MP government has covered some cereals, pulses, oilseed and horticulture crops under its scheme, Haryana and Kerala have covered only horticulture crops. Haryana has recently added millet to its scheme. These schemes are good but the state governments do not have resources to sustain such policies and to cover all the crops in long run. Is there a solution then? Along with the current MSP regime, corporations, like Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), should be formed by the centre government for cereals, some of which are not covered under centres’ current MSP regime. CCI enters the market when the price of ‘Kapas’ (unginned raw cotton) goes below the MSP fixed by CACP. The CCI then purchases Kapas at MSP, which in turn forces the private players also to offer prices at par with the MSP so as to stop the CCI from purchasing all the cotton from the market. In the case of Basmati last year, farmers got much less because of their dependence on the private players. That is where a corporation like CCI could step in and play the role of a deterrent to stop farmers from being exploited. Just like wheat and paddy MSP, which the government purchases through Food Corporation of India (FCI) by taking cash credit limit (CCL) from RBI, such corporations too can follow the same policy because there is a huge market of oilseeds and pulses in our country. Some farmer leaders suggested that even a state-Centre joint “Bhavantar scheme” can be launched to compensate farmers in case their crop price goes below the fixed rate. Connecting the dots: How has agri-marketing policy changed over years New Farm Acts and Opposition to it Basis for MSP MSP in the age of Surplus GOVERNANCE/ ENVIRONMENT GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-3: Environment & pollution Supreme Court Clamp Down on Firecracker Manufacturers Context: Recently, the Supreme Court said a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into the firecracker industry, including in Tamil Nadu, revealed rampant violation of its ban on use of toxic ingredients like barium and its salts What did the Supreme Court rule three years ago? Three years ago, the court ruled out a full ban on firecrackers and issued orders stipulating that only reduced emission and green crackers be allowed, with tight restrictions on timings when they could be burst.  SC also prohibited chemicals such as Barium salts and to label the firecrackers in compliance with the law. The orders relate to a petition — Arjun Gopal and Others vs Union of India and Others — filed on behalf of three children in 2015, seeking measures to mitigate air pollution and asserting their right to clean air under Article 21 of the Constitution. What is the controversy? Firecrackers use fuel and oxidisers to produce a combustion reaction, and the resulting explosion, releasing energy, spreads the material in a superheated state. The metal salts in the explosive mix get ‘excited’ and emit light.  Metals in the mix, which have a varying arrangement of electrons in shells outside their nucleus (different mass number), produce different wavelengths of light in this reaction, generating spectacular colours.  Barium compounds, for example, produce green light and Strontium and Lithium salts, red.  But as many studies show, the burning of firecrackers is an unusual and peak source of pollution, made up of particles and gases.  The Central Pollution Control Board conducted a study in Delhi in 2016, and found that the levels of Aluminium, Barium, Potassium, Sulphur, Iron and Strontium rose sharply on Deepavali night, from low to extremely high. For instance, Barium rose from 0.268 microgrammes per cubic metre to 95.954 mcg/m3.  Pollution from firecrackers affects the health of people and animals, and aggravates the already poor ambient air quality in Indian cities.  This has resulted in court cases calling for a total ban on firecrackers, and court finally deciding to restrict the type of chemicals used as well as their volume.  Evidently, the new cracker formulations by SC is followed by majority of firecracker manufacturers. Firecrackers are not labelled with information on the person responsible for legal compliance, as ordered by the court. The petitioners argue that out of about 2,000 manufacturers, only 120 had the capacity and inclination to work with the court to green the crackers. The industry is therefore seeking light regulation as many jobs are dependent on it. Can green crackers make a difference? The Central government says through its National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur, has come out with firecrackers that have “reduced emission light and sound” and 30% less particulate matter using Potassium Nitrate as oxidant.  These crackers are named  Safe Water Releaser, which minimises Potassium Nitrate and Sulphur use, but matches the sound intensity of conventional crackers Safe Minimal Aluminium , where Aluminium use is low  Safe Thermite Crackers with low Sulphur and Potassium Nitrate.  These crackers are to be identified using unique QR codes to guide consumers.  The Supreme Court had also previously ordered that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation should certify the composition of fireworks only after being assured that they were not made of banned chemicals. Conclusion At the recent hearing, the Supreme Court noted that there had been a “flagrant violation” of previous orders. It took note of the large volume of crackers burnt almost every day and felt inclined to fix responsibility. “If liability is fixed on the Commissioner of Police, only then can this happen,” it remarked. Connecting the dots: Death by fireworks Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) (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 Geographical Indication (GI) tag is given as per the   New Design Act, 2000 Patent Act, 1970 Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act,1999 Indian Copyright Act, 1957 Q.2 Which of the following is/are true regarding Vikrant: It is the first time in India that a ship the size of an Aircraft Carrier is completely modeled in 3D  It is the largest warship built in the country having a displacement of about 40,000 tonnes. Select the correct statements: 1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Why the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats have low rainfall?  The straight west coast The lack of winter depressions Their leeward location  The heights of the Ghats ANSWERS FOR 2nd Oct 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A  2 A 3 D Must Read On Food Security: The Hindu On Nord Stream 2: The Hindu On distress in India’s informal labour market: Indian Express

UPSC हिन्दी Quiz– 2021: IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz 4th 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 4th 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

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – The Spark of Life – Inspirational Educative Articles

The Spark of Life: Our lives aren’t so much different from that of animals, or plants for that matter. Think about it: When you pick a plant or pull a leaf off a tree, within a short time it withers, dies, and decomposes. That spark of life has been severed and survival is no longer possible for what has been picked. Similarly, when a person dies, that spark of life is gone so the body withers and returns to the earth. That spark is the exact same spark for all living creatures; it’s called existence. We’re all swimming in it and don’t even recognize it. “We are like fish swimming in the ocean; we can recognize everything except the water, because we’ve always been in the water.” In this analogy, water is the spark of life. Subconsciously for ages, people have equated human situations to plants in language. We have been comparing ourselves to the plant kingdom without giving it serious thought, but the sayings have a great foundation. For contemplation, here’s a sampling of horticultural words we use to describe human situations: When you move from one town to another, it takes a while to “put down new roots” Once you do put down new roots, you’ll always be a “transplant” Large companies have “branches” and they “branch out” into new territories A successful meeting could be considered as “fruitful” A naughty child is sometimes referred to as “rotten” Notebooks with separate sheets of paper are called “loose leaf” When you’re in a situation great for learning, it’s called “fertile ground” A “leaflet” is a small pamphlet A “sprout” is a baby or small child People just starting out in a creative endeavor are referred to as a “budding musician”, or a “budding artist”. Take the word “ovule”. It’s used in both the plant as well as the animal kingdom–it’s used to represent the very first stages of life in each. Once we start growing, we take different directions, but we both started with ovules! I think it’s fascinating to look at all the similarities we share with the plant and animal kingdoms. Makes the world feel a little more like home, doesn’t it? “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”

Topper's From IASbaba

[TOPPERS STRATEGY] JAGRATI AWASTHI AIR 2 - How to Approach Science & Technology and Environment for UPSC Prelims

Dear Students We are coming out with a series of videos by UPSC topper - Jagrati Awasthi, AIR 2 on tackling gray areas of UPSC Preparation - Science & Technology, Environment, Ancient History, Medieval History, and Art & Culture and Agriculture. In the below video, she has discussed 'How to Approach Science & Technology?' for UPSC Prelims. In the below video she has discussed 'How to Approach Environment?' for UPSC Prelims. In the next post, we will come out with videos on 'How to Approach Ancient History, Medieval History, and Art & Culture?' for UPSC Prelims. 'How to Approach 'Agriculture?' for UPSC Prelims.  

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 2nd October 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Diabetes Part of: Prelims and GS - II - Health  Context A first-of-its kind report of long-term survivors of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) from India, a multi-centric study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics.  What is diabetes?  Diabetes is a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or glucose), or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type I diabetes: It mostly affects children of age 14-16 years. This type occurs when the body fails to produce sufficient insulin. They must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive. Type 2 diabetes: While the body still makes insulin, unlike in type I, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. The population with 45 and above age group is the most affected with it. This is the most common type of diabetes and it has strong links with obesity. Diabetes affects the five major organs - Kidney, Heart, Blood vessels, Nervous System, and Eyes (retina). Responsible factors: Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, harmful use of alcohol, overweight/obesity, tobacco use, etc. Do you know?  Individuals with T1D have increased morbidity and excess premature mortality compared to those without diabetes  Their life expectancy is reduced by an estimated 15-20 years, even with the life-saving insulin to their assistance.  India is home to more than 95,000 children with T1D, reported to be the highest in the world, according to the 9th International Diabetes Federation Atlas.  Renunciation of Indian citizenship  Part of: Prelims and GS II - Citizenship Context The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has simplified the process for Indians who want to renounce their citizenship.  Provisions have been made for applicants to upload documents online, with an upper limit of 60 days for the renunciation process to be completed. About Citizenship  In India, Articles 5 – 11 of the Constitution deals with the concept of citizenship. The term citizenship entails the enjoyment of full membership of any State in which a citizen has civil and political rights. Termination of citizenship is possible in three ways according to the Citizenship Act, 1955. Renunciation: If any citizen of India who is also a national of another country renounces his Indian citizenship through a declaration in the prescribed manner, he ceases to be an Indian citizen.  Termination: Indian citizenship can be terminated if a citizen knowingly or voluntarily adopts the citizenship of any foreign country. Deprivation: The government of India can deprive a person of his citizenship in some cases. It is applicable only in the case of citizens who have acquired the citizenship by registration, naturalization, or only by Article 5 (c)  Landslide and Flood Early Warning System Part of: Prelims and GS-I - Geographical phenomena and GS III - Sci and tech  Context CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has launched an ‘Environmental Seismology’ group to develop a ‘Landslide and Flood Early Warning System’ for the Himalayan region based on real-time monitoring with dense seismological networks, coupled with satellite data, numerical modelling and geomorphic analysis. This would enable a crucial warning several hours prior, which will save precious human lives and property in future during such events.  Climate change - Cause of landslides and floods Landslides are common in India’s northern Himalayan region, particularly in the current monsoon season when heavy rains lead to subsidence of earth and rocks. The situation is exacerbated by climate change making the monsoon more erratic and melting glaciers higher in the mountains.  Roads in the region are also often poorly maintained. About landslide and flood  A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.  A high water level that overflows the natural banks along any portion of a stream is called a flood. Thus, Floods are commonly associated with a stream or river.  Do you know?  The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is a constituent research laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).  It was established in 1961 with the mission to carry out research in multidisciplinary areas of the highly complex structure and processes of the Earth system and its extensively interlinked subsystems. Ethanol production Part of: Prelims and GS III - Environment; Agriculture  Context Almost two million tonnes (MT) of sugar were diverted for ethanol production during the last sugar season (October 2020 to September 2021). About Ethanol and its production  Ethanol can be produced from sugarcane, maize, wheat, etc which are having high starch content. In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process. Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline to form different blends. As the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions and thereby reducing the occurrence of environmental pollution. Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered as renewable fuel.  Meningitis Part of: Prelims and GS II - Health Context The Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 was recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners. This is the first-ever global strategy to defeat meningitis. It aims to eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis and to reduce deaths by 70 per cent and halve the number of cases. Significance: The strategy could save more than 200,000 lives annually and significantly reduce disability caused by the disease. About Meningitis Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is predominantly caused by bacterial and viral infection. Meningitis caused by bacterial infection causes around 250,000 deaths a year and can lead to fast-spreading epidemics. It kills a tenth of those infected — mostly children and young people — and leaves a fifth with long-lasting disability. PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme Part of: Prelims and GS II - Policies and interventions  Context The existing Mid-Day Meal scheme, which provides hot meals to students, has been renamed as the National Scheme for PM Poshan Shakti Nirman. Key propositions in the PM POSHAN Scheme Supplementary nutrition: Supplementary nutrition for children in aspirational districts and those with high prevalence of anaemia. States to decide diet: It essentially does away with the restriction on the part of the Centre to provide funds only for wheat, rice, pulses and vegetables. Currently, if a state decides to add any component like milk or eggs to the menu, the Centre does not bear the additional cost. Now that restriction has been lifted. Nutri-gardens: They will be developed in schools to give children “firsthand experience with nature and gardening”. Women and FPOs: To promote vocals for local, women self-help groups and farmer producer organisations will be encouraged to provide a fillip to locally grown traditional food items. Social Audit: “Inspection” by students of colleges and universities for ground-level execution. Tithi-Bhojan: Communities would also be encouraged to provide the children food at festivals etc. DBTs to school: States will be asked to do direct benefit cash transfers of cooking costs to individual school accounts, and allowances to the bank accounts of cooks and helpers. Holistic nutrition: Use of locally grown traditional foods will be encouraged, along with school nutrition gardens. About the Mid-Day meal scheme The National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 1995.  Objective: To enhance enrolment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improve nutritional levels among children.  In 2001 it became a cooked Mid Day Meal Scheme. The Scheme covers children of classes I-VIII studying in government, government-aided schools, special training centres (STC) and madarsas/ maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).  It is the largest school feeding programme in the world. It is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013. (News from PIB) Indo-US Defence Industrial Security Part of: GS-Prelims and Mains GS-II: International Relations Context: The Industrial Security Agreement (ISA) summit between India and the United States was organised to develop protocol for the exchange of classified information between the defence industries of both the nations.  The ISA was signed in December 2019 to  Facilitate the exchange of classified information between the defence industries of both the countries  Create a roadmap for the implementation of the ISA In-principle agreement to establish Indo-US Industrial Security Joint Working Group Group to meet regularly to align policies for defence industries to collaborate on critical defence technologies News Source: PIB National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Part of: GS-Prelims and Mains GS-III: Environment, Conservation In News: Chacha Chaudhary declared Mascot for Namami Gange Programme. Content to be designed with the objective of bringing about behavioral change amongst children towards Ganga and other rivers. Proposal for conserving and sustainably managing Gangetic floodplain wetlands in Bihar: Major components of the project will be Wetland inventory and assessment, Wetland management planning, Wetland’s monitoring, and Capacity development and outreach. Aims at creating a knowledge base and capacities for effective management of floodplain wetlands in the 12 Ganga districts in Bihar to ensure sustained provision of wetlands ecosystem services and securing biodiversity habitats. Kalpvas: Simariya Ghat is popular for Kalpvas, an ancient tradition in which devotees live on ghats, sing and meditate during the Magh Mela. News Source: PIB The State Nutrition Profiles Part of: GS-Prelims  In News: NITI Aayog, in a joint effort with International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Indian Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS), UNICEF and Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) has launched ‘The State Nutrition Profiles” for 19 States and Union Territories. Give insights on nutrition outcomes, immediate and underlying determinants and interventions based on NFHS-rounds 3, 4 and 5.  The SNPs include a comprehensive compilation of crucial data that can positively affect policy decisions and facilitate research in the area. The trend analysis of key indicators such as wasting, stunting, anemia, underweight and overweight and NCDs (Diabetes and High blood pressure) showcase the variability of performance across districts.  The reports highlight the best and worst performing districts, highest burden districts and top coverage districts of the country.  The SNPs are based on the headcount-based analyses and use of data from NFHS-5 to provide evidence that helps identify priority districts and number of districts in the state with public health concern as per WHO guidelines. Each SNP has incorporated key takeaways for children, women and men and identifies areas where the state has the potential to improve further. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) ETHICS/ MODERN HISTORY GS-4: Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders,  Gandhi as a Philosopher Philosophy & Ethics Philosophy was initially practised only in three civilisations — Chinese, Greek and Indian.  In these civilisations, philosophy functioned as a way of life distinct from other ways of life that were rooted in a belief in supernatural powers. But even the philosophical ways of life practised in those ancient times could be divided into two categories — a metaphysics-led philosophical way of life and an ethics-led philosophical way of life.  Except the philosophies given by the Buddha, Socrates and Confucius all other philosophies propagated metaphysics-led ways of life. In ethics-led philosophy, the attempt is to transform the person from his/her state of being to an ethically higher state of existence and in the process making him/her psychologically self-sufficient. In the metaphysics-led philosophical way of life, instead of a higher ethical state of being, the philosopher tries to achieve a higher state of understanding (insight) as well as a communion with the “ultimate”. Here, ethics has only a secondary role to play. Once Christianity banned all non-Christian ways of life in Europe in 529CE, philosophy re-emerged in 17th century Europe as a purely theoretical discipline without advocating life practices. With that, the idea of “philosophical ways of life” became extinct in Europe. This shift from philosophy as a way of life to philosophy as a theoretical discipline is celebrated as the birth of modern Western philosophy.  Gandhi & Philosophy Gandhi was spiritual, if spirituality means reduction of self-centredness. His shift from “God is Truth” to “Truth is God” in 1929, was aimed at making ethics the “first principle” of his philosophy. Gandhi’ stated way back in 1907 that “morality should be observed as a religion”. Gandhi, like the Buddha, was an ethical consequentialist in that the purpose of his ethical way was to reduce self-centredness and to promote a concern for the well-being of all (sarvodaya).  What makes Gandhi different from the Buddha is that Gandhi, apart from individual moksha (Buddha called it as Nirvana), wanted development of freedoms (through his constructive programmes) for humanity as a whole. Only through political action, according to Gandhian ethics, can we implement this constructive programme.  Therefore, Gandhi’s philosophical way of life is an explicit desire for a socialist society — since an ethics based on the reduction of selfishness can only approve a socialist way of life, for logical reasons. Even though socialist themes like the idea of a “simple life” were part of all philosophical schools of the Subcontinent, it was only in Gandhi that they achieved an explicit political/ideological dimension — Gandhi’s ashrams were such socialist communes. On numerous occasions Gandhi had said that he aspired to “reduce to zero”, that is, totally eliminate selfishness/self-centeredness. For the Buddha, too, the reduction of self-centeredness through the cultivation of virtues like satya, ahimsa, aparigraha, brahmacharya, etc., was crucial for fostering sarvodaya.  Conclusion The politically charged, non-violent and ethical style of philosophy propagated by Gandhi is intended to make one spiritual — a practitioner is encouraged to gravitate and work for the welfare of all other beings. GOVERNANCE/ ECONOMY GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-3: Indian Economy & its challenges Dismantling the Ordnance Factory Board Context: The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the first of whose industrial establishments was set up in 1801, will cease to exist from October 1, and the assets, staff, and operations of its 41 ordnance factories will be transferred to seven defence public sector units (DPSUs). OFB also includes nine training institutes, three regional marketing centres, and five regional controllers of safety.  A large chunk of the weapons, ammunition, and supplies used by the armed forces, and paramilitary and police forces, come from OFB-run factories.  For-against corporatisation It has been argued that OFB’s monopoly has led to innovation drying up, apart from low productivity, high costs of production, and lack of flexibility at the higher managerial levels. Corporatisation of OFB: The restructuring of OFB into corporate entities (owned by the government i.e Public Sector Company) was recommended in one or the other form by at least three expert committees on defence reforms set up in the last two decades — TKS Nair Committee (2000) Vijay Kelkar Committee (2005) Vice Admiral Raman Puri Committee (2015).  A fourth committee, constituted by former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and chaired by Lt Gen D B Shekatkar, did not suggest corporatisation, but recommended regular audits of all ordnance units considering past performance. The central argument has been that corporatisation, which will bring these entities under the purview of The Companies Act, would lead to  Improvements in efficiency Make products cost-competitive Enhance their quality Employees argued that corporatisation was a “move towards privatisation”. They expressed fears of job losses, and said a corporate entity would not be able to survive the unique market environment of defence products with its unstable demand-supply dynamics. What has been the progress of Corporatisation of OFB? In May 2020, during fourth round of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Finance Minister announced the decision to corporatise OFB for “improving autonomy, accountability and efficiency in ordnance suppliers”. An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) for Corporatisation was formed with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as chairman “to oversee and guide the entire process, including transition support and redeployment plan of employees while safeguarding their wages and retirement benefits”. In October 2020, the government declared a proposed strike by workers’ federations “invalid and illegal”. As no reconciliation could be reached between government and protesting workers, the government announced this June that the OFB would be split into seven DPSUs - Munitions India Ltd, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd, Troop Comforts Ltd, Yantra India Ltd, India Optel Ltd, and Gliders India Ltd.  Each of these PSUs will run clusters of ordnance factories involved in manufacturing similar categories of products. Training and marketing establishments that have been part of the OFB will also be divided among the seven PSUs Connecting the dots: Privatisation Recent Reforms in Defence Sector  Challenges in India’s defence trade Grasping the Defence Self-reliance (SANSAD TV – PERSPECTIVE) Sep 17: 21st SCO Council Meet - https://youtu.be/Mj8L8_2a1ho INTERNATIONAL / SECURITY GS-II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.  GS-II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.  21st SCO Council Meet In News: Prime Minister participated virtually in the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and through video-message in the Joint SCO-CSTO Outreach Session on Afghanistan, in Dushanbe in hybrid format.   Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. It will be the first SCO Summit being held in a hybrid format and the fourth Summit that India will participate as a full-fledged member of SCO. Coming against the backdrop of the turbulence caused by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the current meeting will be one of the most significant gatherings in its two-decade history. Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation. India’s Stand -  Highlighted the problems caused by growing radicalisation and extremism in the broader SCO region, which runs counter to the history of the region as a bastion of moderate and progressive cultures and values. The recent developments in Afghanistan could further exacerbate this trend towards extremism. Offered to share the open-source solutions that have been developed for its development programmes with other SCO members Connectivity projects should be transparent, participatory and consultative, in order to promote mutual trust.   Noting the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, India reiterated it’s solidarity with the Afghan people. Suggestions to SCO: SCO could work on an agenda to promote moderation and scientific and rational thought, which would be especially relevant for the youth of the region.   SCO could develop a code of conduct on 'zero tolerance' towards terrorism in the region, and highlighted the risks of drugs, arms and human trafficking from Afghanistan About Shanghai Cooperation Organization The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a political, economic, and Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of many important countries including India and its neighborhood.  India is full member of the SCO.  SCO Secretariat: Beijing Along with India and Pakistan (2017), this intergovernmental organisation has 8 members including Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It also has several observers like Iran and Afghanistan.  The internal policy of the forum is inspired by the Shanghai Spirit: based on the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, mutual consultations, and a desire for common development.  SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): RATS is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism, and extremism and is headquartered in Tashkent. History: Built on Shanghai Five: Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic) and Tajikistan popularly known as Shanghai Five had come together in the post-Soviet era in 1996, in order to work on regional security, reduction of border troops, and terrorism. Initial Success in resolving Boundary Disputes: The 1996 meeting of the Shanghai Five resulted in an ‘Agreement on Confidence-Building in the Military Field Along the Border Areas’ between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which led to an agreement on the mutual reduction of military forces on their common borders in 1997.  Inclusion of Uzbekistan: Subsequently, Shanghai Five helped resolve disputes between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on border issues and the Ferghana Valley enclaves. Institutionalisation: Subsequently a permanent intergovernmental international organisation called SCO was founded in June 2001. It is Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Expansion: Its membership was expanded to include India and Pakistan in 2017. SECURE: PM Modi’s mantra that is applicable to SCO ‘S’ for security of citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and ‘E’ for environmental protection Can you answer the following question? What are India’s stakes in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)? What benefits would accrue from India’s membership of the grouping? 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 Single citizenship in India has been taken from which country?  Britain Canada Both 1 & 2 USA Q.2 Which of the following is/are true regarding Meningitis Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is predominantly caused by fungal infection. Select the correct statements: 1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Which of the following is not a cause of the landslide? Snow melting Blasting and mining Earthquake  None of the above  ANSWERS FOR 1st Oct 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A  2 A 3 B Must Read On MeToo movement: Hindustan Times On Green Hydrogen: Financial Express On Border Management: Tribune

UPSC हिन्दी Quiz– 2021: IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2nd 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 2nd 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