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Sep 18, 2021 IASbaba's Courses

[FULL MOCKS] UPSC Prelims 2021 - IASbaba's OFFLINE FULL MOCKS at DELHI, BENGALURU & LUCKNOW Centre on 22nd & 26th September

Dear Students If you like wildlife, have you seen videos of apex predators hunting for their prey? What can you learn from them? If you observe carefully, a tiger waits for the right moment to attack. It waits and waits for its target to come closer. It has been preparing to be an expert hunter. It has an unwavering focus and it fixes its target. And when the right moment arrives, it puts all its energy to chase and hunt its prey. That one leap decides its success. If it puts its energy too soon, then it will get tired early and the prey will be gone, or if it is too late to attack, then also it will miss because the prey will get its position. Hence timing is everything. For you also, this is the right moment. This is the right moment to turn on all your engines and put all your energy in that final revision and practice. You need to gain so much of momentum that by the time you are in the examination hall, you are at peak of your performance. If you can achieve that, no one will be able to stop you from qualifying the exam. Go, and chase down your Target. Till now, most of you have been preparing at home due to the corona situation. We have been getting many emails of students showing their gratitude for the Rapid Revision Series. Your mails, messages, and comments are a source of motivation for us so keep sending your love. We are happy that we could help you with your revision. However, it is important that you get a feel of the examination hall and actual exam. Hence, as a part of Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series 2021, we will be conducting 2 Full Mock tests mimicking the UPSC pattern. Due to many requests from students, we have decided to conduct the tests offline as well to simulate the environment of the UPSC exam. Also, the exam will be conducted in English as well as in हिन्दी. So, you will be able to select your medium. We will be charging a nominal fee (100/- for 4 tests) for registration for the Offline Mock Tests so that the students take the tests seriously. Make the best use of this opportunity. Details Regarding Full Mocks There will be 2 Full Mocks Tests (Paper 1 (GS) and Paper 2 (CSAT) on 22nd September and 26th September. The Tests can be taken in our DELHI, BENGALURU, or LUCKNOW Centres. FULL MOCK - 1 (22nd September - Wednesday) Paper 1 - 9:30 am to 11:30 am Paper 2 (CSAT) - 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm FULL MOCK - 2 (26th September - Sunday) Paper 1 - 9:30 am to 11:30 am Paper 2 (CSAT) - 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm REGISTER HERE - CLICK HERE Note - Make Sure you correctly fill up the OFFLINE test center (DELHI-DEL, BENGALURU-BLR, LUCKNOW - LKO) Make Sure you select the preferred language of the test (ENGLISH-ENG, HINDI-HIN) 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. TEST CENTRES BENGALURU CENTRE: IASbaba TLP Centre: 2nd floor, 80ft Main Road, Ganapathi Circle, Vijayanagar, Chandralayout, Bengaluru-560040. 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

Sep 18, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th September 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Restructuring of Railways Part of: Prelims and GS III - Infrastructure Context The Indian Railways is heading for a major restructuring plan that could lead to the closure of key establishments, merger of organisations and private participation in running of its schools and hospitals. The recommendations were proposed by the Principal Economic Adviser Sanjeev Sanyal as part of the Rationalisation of Government Bodies and Proposal for the Ministry of Railways. The Indian Railways is the country’s largest employer and transporter. What were the Major recommendations? Winding up (closing) the Central Organisation for Railway Electrification (CORE), the Central Organisation for Modernisation Of Workshops (COFMOW), the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and the Indian Railways Organisation for Alternative Fuel (IROAF) IROAF was recently closed. RailTel would be merged with the IRCTC. RailTel is one of the largest telecom infrastructure providers in the country that focuses on modernising operations and safety systems through optic fibre networks that exist along railway tracks. Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. (RVNL) to be merged with the Indian Railway Construction Limited (IRCON), a specialised infrastructure construction organisation. RVNL implements projects relating to creation and augmentation of railway infrastructure. Merging of railway schools with Kendriya Vidyalayas or handing them over to the respective State governments Establish Central Public Sector Enterprises to bring eight production units under its fold. Merger of the Central Training Institutes with the National Rail and Transportation Institute after upgrading the latter into a Central University and an Institute of National Importance. Roping in private participation for investments to enhance healthcare facilities of railway hospitals and polyclinics News source: TH 45th GST Council Meeting Part of: Prelims and GS-III- Economy Context The 45th GST Council meeting was chaired by union finance minister in Lucknow recently Key decisions by the council Petroleum products will be out of the GST regime. Consumers will continue to pay the Compensation Cess along with GST levied on products like automobiles, tobacco products and aerated water till March 2026. Concessional tax rates on COVID-19 essential medicine like Tocilizumab, Amphotericin B and Remdesivir extended till December 31st. Muscular atrophy drugs like a Zolgensma and Viltepso that cost around ₹16 crore are exempted from GST. Import of leased aircraft exempted from IGST. 5% GST to be levied on food delivery apps. Tax on fortified rice kernels for ICDS scheme reduced from 18% to 5%. GST on cancer drugs like Keytruda was cut from 12% to 5%. GST on footwear costing less than Rs.1000 and ready-made garments and fabrics have increased to 12% from 5%. It will come in effect from January 1st Bricks would attract GST at the rate of 6% without input tax credits under the scheme, or 12% with input credits. Formation of two group of ministers The Council has decided to form two groups of ministers (GoMs) To shore up GST revenues. They have to recommend measures within two months. The first one has been tasked with reviewing tax rate rationalisation issues to correct anomalies in the rate structure. The other will look to tap technology to improve compliance and monitoring. This will look at e-way bills, Fastags, compliance and composition schemes to plug loopholes. News source: TH Global Methane Pledge Part of: Prelims and GS - II - International relation and GS -III - Climate change Context U.S. President Joe Biden recently announced the Global Methane Pledge, a U.S.–EU led effort to cut methane emissions by a third by the end of this decade. The announcement was made at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), hosted virtually by the White House recently, in which leaders from several countries and the EU, as well as UN Secretary General António Guterres and (India’s) Environment Minister participated. Key takeaways The pledge will help in rapidly reducing the rate of global warming. It will also produce a very valuable side benefit, like improving public health and agricultural output. About Methane Methane is a greenhouse gas. It is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its global warming capacity. Approximately 40% of methane emitted is from natural sources and about 60% comes from human-influenced sources, including livestock farming, rice agriculture, biomass burning and so forth. Do you know? 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26), the UN climate conference in Glasgow, Will be held in November 2021. The objective is to review progress since the Paris Agreement (2015) on climate, with some countries making commitments to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The Paris deal seeks to maintain temperature rises to under 2 degrees Celsius (and pursue the goal of limiting rises to below 1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels by getting countries to commit to emission cuts. News source: TH WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture pact Part of: Prelims and GS III - Economy Context G-33 Virtual Informal Ministerial Meeting was recently held. In the meeting, the Indian commerce and industry ministry has recently pointed out that the agreement on Agriculture at the World trade organisation (WTO) is riddled with deep imbalances, which favour the developed countries and have tilted the rules against many developing countries. What is G-33? The G33 (or the Friends of Special Products in agriculture) is a coalition of developing countries. It was established prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial conference. The group has coordinated during the Doha Round of WTO negotiations, specifically in regard to agriculture. Dominated by India, the group seeks to limit the degree of market opening required of developing countries, especially with regard to agriculture. There are currently 47 member nations. What is Agreement on Agriculture? The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) is an international treaty of the World Trade Organization. It was negotiated during the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on January 1, 1995. The Agreement has been criticised by civil society groups for reducing tariff protections for small farmers, a key source of income in developing countries, while simultaneously allowing rich countries to continue subsidizing agriculture at home. News source: TH Mura-Drava-Danube: World’s First ‘Five-Country Biosphere Reserve’ Part of: Prelims and GS III - Conservation Context Recently, Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) was declared as the world’s first ‘five-country biosphere reserve’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). About MDD: The biosphere reserve covers 700 kilometres of the Mura, Drava and Danube rivers and stretches across Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia. The total area of the reserve is a million hectares - in the so-called ‘Amazon of Europe’, which is now the largest riverine protected area in Europe. The biosphere “represented an important contribution to the European Green Deal (climate action plan) and contributed to the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy in the Mura-Drava-Danube region.” The strategy’s aim is to revitalise 25,000 km of rivers and protect 30% of the European Union’s land area by 2030. Importance of the MDD: The area is one of the richest in Europe in terms of species diversity. It is home to floodplain forests, gravel and sand banks, river islands, oxbows and meadows. The area is home to the highest density in Europe of breeding pairs of white-tailed eagle and endangered species such as the little tern, black stork, otters, beavers and sturgeons. It is also an important stepping stone for more than 2,50,000 migratory waterfowls every year. (News from PIB) Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Environment & Climate Change Context: Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) aims at facilitating candid dialogue among major emitters countries, both developed and developing, to garner political leadership to advance climate action. Also aims at enabling dialogue and discussion and building consensus before COP26, which will set a precedent for climate efforts in the years to come. India’s stand- Combating climate change is a shared global challenge and our response must be based on the fundamental principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. Though India’s share of world population is 17% but the country’s share in cumulative historical emissions is just 4% and even the current annual emissions are only 5.2% of the global emissions and the per capita emissions are about a third of the global average. India’s target is of 450 GW of Renewable Energy by 2030. India’s solar capacity, drawing on the collaborative spirit of member countries through the International Solar Alliance, has increased fifteen times in the last six years. News Source: PIB Conversion of high ash Indian coal to methanol Part of: GS-Prelims In News: India has developed an indigenous technology to convert high ash Indian coal to methanol and established its first pilot plant in Hyderabad. Will help the country move towards the adoption of clean technology Will promote the use of methanol as a transportation fuel (blending with petrol), thus reducing crude oil imports. Process and Challenge: The broad process of converting coal into methanol consists of conversion of coal to synthesis (syngas) gas, syngas cleaning and conditioning, syngas to methanol conversion, and methanol purification. Coal to methanol plants in most countries are operated with low ash coals. Handling of high ash and heat required to melt this high amount of ash is a challenge in the case of Indian coal, which generally has high ask content. Currently, the pilot plant is producing methanol with purity of more than 99%. Scaling it up will help in optimum utilization of the country’s energy reserves and accelerate its journey towards self-reliance. Methanol could be the most promising option for large-scale market penetration of a natural gas-based fuel for light-duty vehicles because of its low fuel cost and low additional cost relative to powering a vehicle with gasoline. Methanol will cut down India’s oil import bill by an estimated 20 per cent over the next few years. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) 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 and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. E-Shram Context: On August 26, 2021, the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE) launched the E-Shram. It is the web portal for creating a National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW), which will be seeded with Aadhaar. It seeks to register an estimated 398-400 million unorganised workers and to issue an E-Shram card containing a 12-digit unique number. Registered workers will be eligible for Rs 2 Lakh on death or permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh on partial disability. Issues Tedious Process: Given the gigantic nature of registering each worker, it will be a long-drawn process. Data Security issues: Given the mega-size of the database, there is potential for its misuses especially in the absence of Data Protection legislation. The Union government would have to share data with State governments whose data security capacities vary. Definitional issues: By excluding workers covered by EPF and ESI, lakhs of contract and fixed-term contract workers will be excluded from the universe of UW. Ever-changing identities: Unorganised may have complex and ever-changing identities where they move between formal and informal sectors. Gig workers - Gig workers are included by the Labour ministry while they are excluded by the other three Labour Codes creating legal confusions over the classification of gig/platform workers. Federal Challenges: Union chalks out the plan but states have to implement it. Differences in state capacities can create hurdles in the implementation. Corruption – Middle service agencies such as Internet providers might charge exorbitant charges to register and print the E-Shram cards. Way Ahead Involvement of surveillance agencies is crucial to address the issues of corruption. Government must publish statistics at the national and regional levels of the registrations to assess the registration system’s efficiency. Triple linkage of One-Nation-One-Ration Card , E-Shram Card (especially bank account seeded) and the Election Commission Card can be done, for efficient and leakage-less delivery, Connecting the dots: One Nation One Ration Card Cooperative Federalism and Competitive Federalism INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY GS-2: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements. AUKUS Context: The U.S. has joined with the U.K. and Australia to announce a new trilateral security partnership, the AUKUS. Significance of AUKUS: AUKUS aims to ensure that there will be freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea. It complements several pre-existing similar arrangements for the region like Five Eyes intelligence cooperation initiative, ASEAN and the Quad It proposes to transfer technology to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia within 18 month. US has clarified that AUKUS was “not talking about nuclear-armed submarines. These are conventionally armed submarines that are powered by nuclear reactors. Although no explicit mention was made of China in any of the AUKUS announcements, this group challenges the regional hegemonic ambitions of China. The operationalisation of this security partnership lead to closer coordination among the nations concerned in terms of joint military presence, war games and more in the region. Concerns Australia’s domestic challenges: As per Australia’s 1984 nuclear-free zone policy, nuclear-powered submarines would not be allowed into the former’s territorial waters. Hence, there is a political opposition to it. Upset France: Australia had struck a deal with France for $90 billion worth of conventional submarines, which stands cancelled now. This has upset political leadership in France Battleground: The Indo-Pacific region will emerge as the new geopolitical battle ground posing greater security risk to others. Connecting the dots: QUAD China’s Belt and Road Initiative (AIR Spotlight) Spotlight Sep 16: Production Linked Incentives in Key Sectors: A Boost To Make In India - https://youtu.be/NzQ2DH_6vEU ECONOMY GS-3: Indian Economy Production Linked Incentives in Key Sectors – Part 1 Context: Production linked incentive (PLI) scheme aims at boosting domestic manufacturing and exports, is expected to - Increase the country’s production by USD 520 billion in the next five years Make India self-reliant in manufacturing goods for local and export markets, positioning it as a global manufacturing hub Make domestic manufacturing competitive and efficient, build capacity, and benefit from economies of scale, enhance exports, attract investment and create jobs. Why is the production linked scheme needed? According to experts, the idea of PLI is important as the government cannot continue making investments in these capital intensive sectors as they need longer times for start giving the returns. Instead, what it can do is to invite global companies with adequate capital to set up capacities in India. The kind of ramping up of manufacturing that we need requires across the board initiatives, but the government can’t spread itself too thin. Electronics and pharmaceuticals themselves are large sectors, so, at this point, if the government can focus on labour intensive sectors like garments and leather, it would be really helpful. How will it incentivize manufacturing ops? The production-linked incentive scheme gives eligible manufacturing companies a 4-6% incentive on incremental sales over the base year of 2019-20 for a five-year period. The PLI scheme will incentivize large domestic and global players to boost production, build a competitive ecosystem and lead to more inclusive growth. A. For Pharmaceuticals: Part of the umbrella scheme for the Development of Pharmaceutical Industry, the objective is to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the sector and contributing to product diversification to high value goods in the pharmaceutical sector. Benefit domestic manufacturers Is expected to contribute to the availability of wider range of affordable medicines for consumers Promote the production of high value products in the country and increase the value addition in exports. Total incremental sales of Rs.2,94,000 crore and total incremental exports of Rs.1,96,000 crore are estimated during six years from 2022-23 to 2027-28. Generate employment for both skilled and un-skilled personnel, estimated at 20,000 direct and 80,000 indirect jobs as a result of growth in the sector. Promote innovation for development of complex and high-tech products including products of emerging therapies and in-vitro Diagnostic Devices as also self-reliance in important drugs. Improve accessibility and affordability of medical products including orphan drugs to the Indian population. The Scheme is also expected to bring in investment of Rs.15,000 crore in the pharmaceutical sector. B. For IT Hardware: The scheme proposes production linked incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the value chain of IT Hardware. The Scheme shall, extend an incentive of 4% to 2% / 1% on net incremental sales (over base year i.e. 2019-20) of goods manufactured in India and covered under the target segment, to eligible companies, for a period of four (4) years. Enhance the development of electronics ecosystem in the country. India will be well positioned as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) on account of integration with global value chains, thereby becoming a destination for IT Hardware exports. Has an employment generation potential of over 1,80,000 (direct and indirect) over 4 years. Provide impetus to Domestic Value Addition for IT Hardware which is expected to rise to 20% – 25% by 2025 C. For Telecom Sector: To make India a global hub of manufacturing telecom equipment including core transmission equipment, 4G/5G Next Generation Radio Access Network and Wireless Equipment, Access & Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) Access Devices, Other Wireless Equipment and Enterprise equipment like Switches, Routers etc. To offset the huge import of telecom equipment worth more than Rs. 50 thousand crores and reinforce it with “Made in India” products both for domestic markets and exports. Financial Year 2019-20 shall be treated as the Base Year for computation of cumulative incremental sales of manufactured goods net of taxes. Addresses local manufacturing in MSME category because Government desires MSMEs to play an important role in the telecom sector and come out as national champions. Lead to incremental production of around ₹2.4 Lakh Crores with exports of around ₹2 Lakh Crores over 5 years. It is expected that scheme will bring investment of more than ₹3,000 crore and generate huge direct and indirect employment and taxes both. D. For Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing The scheme proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the electronics value chain including electronic components and semiconductor packaging. Under the scheme, electronics manufacturing companies will get an incentive of 4 to 6% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India for a period of next 5 years. The scheme shall only be applicable for target segments – mobile phones and specified electronic components. With the help of the scheme, domestic value addition for mobile phones is expected to rise to 35-40% by 2025 from 20-25%. Generate 8 lakh jobs more, both direct and indirect. E. For Food Processing Industry’(PLISFPI): For implementation during 2021-22 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore. Objective: To support creation of global food manufacturing champions commensurate with India’s natural resource endowment and support Indian brands of food products in the international markets. Ministry of Food Processing Industries is inviting applications for availing sales based incentives and grants for undertaking Branding & Marketing activities abroad under the scheme from three categories of Applicants: Category-I: Applicant under this category could undertake Branding & Marketing activities abroad also and apply for grant under the scheme with a common application. Category-II: SMEs Applicants manufacturing innovative/ organic products who apply for PLI Incentive based on Sales. Category-III: Applicants applying solely for grant for undertaking Branding & Marketing activities abroad Note: Part 2 of the article will cover PIL for Specialty Steel, Textile Sector, Auto Sector, Drone Sector, Battery Storage, Solar PV cells and White Goods. (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 countries recently launched the Global Methane Pledge? USA China Singapore India Q.2 Which of the following taxes have been subsumed in GST? Central Sales Tax Central Excise Duty and Service Tax Value Added Tax All of Above Q.3 Which One of the Following Is Not a Greenhouse Gas? Methane Hydrogen Nitrous oxide Ozone ANSWERS FOR 17th Sept 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 C 3 C Must Read On Women in STEM: Indian Express On Domestic Tourism: Hindustan Times On Women & data: Hindustan Times

Sep 18, 2021 IASbaba's Courses

[THANK YOU NOTE] IASbaba's Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series 2021

Hello Everyone, When the prelims were postponed this year, it felt like it will come after ages, but that passed in a blink of an eye. To help out the students, we started one of the most extensive revision programs for Civil Services- The Rapid Revision Series or ‘RaRe’ as it is popularly known. We are extremely glad to share that almost 50,000 students came on board and made this initiative a huge success. We are thankful to every single one of you. The aim of the program is to provide you with an arsenal of information so that you can enter the exam hall with confidence that you will be able to solve even the most difficult questions posed in front of you. We would like to thank all ‘BABAITES’ for their love and positive criticism which keeps us encouraged and pushes us to bring the top-notch content. From now, the last lap starts. This is the time when you should stop reading any new sources. Have faith in yourself and in your preparation. Keep revising your notes again and again and focus on those areas where you have committed mistakes during the test. This is also the time to fix your sleep cycle. It is seen that many students who study till late night are unable to focus during the test as it is in the morning. Try to sleep early and take the practice test during the actual exam timings. Eat healthily and drink a lot of water. It is very important right now that you don’t fall sick because every second is precious. Even if you will fall ill for 2 days, your momentum will break. So, take very good care of yourself. We hope that you will succeed. Note - We will come up with the Final Compilations of RaRe Notes, Current Affairs Quiz, and Static Quiz (English and हिन्दी) very soon. All the best IASBaba

Sep 18, 2021 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 18th September 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

Sep 17, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 17th September 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) The United in Science 2021 report Part of: Prelims and GS II - International Relations and GS-III- Climate Change Context The United in Science 2021 report is a multi-organization compilation of the latest climate science information and gives a unified assessment of the state of our Earth system. Key findings Context Organization Key findings Greenhouse Gas Concentrations in the Atmosphere World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Concentrations of the major greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2 O) continued to increase in 2020 and the first half of 2021. Reducing atmospheric methane (CH4 ) in the short term could support the achievement of the Paris Agreement. Global greenhouse gas emissions and budgets Global Carbon Project Recent emissions trends of N2O, the third most important greenhouse gas after CO2 and CH4 , exceed the most greenhouse gases Emissions Gap UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Five years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, the emissions gap is as large as ever: global emissions need to be lower than current unconditional Nationally Determined Contributions. Global Climate in 2017-2021 and 2021-2025 WMO Annual global mean near-surface temperature is likely to be at least 1 °C warmer than pre-industrial levels Highlights of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report Human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred. Sea- level Rise and Coastal Impacts World Climate Research Programme – WMO, IOC, ISC Even if emissions are reduced to limit warming to well below 2 °C, global mean sea level would likely rise by 0.3–0.6 m by 2100, and could rise 0.3–3.1 m by 2300. Suggestions For the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, known as COP26, to be a turning point, all countries must commit to net zero emissions by 2050, backed up by concrete long-term strategies, and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions which collectively cut global emissions by 45% by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. News source: TH PEACEFUL mission, 2021 Part of: Prelims and GS -III - Defence and security Context Indian Military Contingent Participated in the Exercise SCO Peaceful Mission 2021 recently. About Peaceful mission Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION is a Multilateral Exercise, which is conducted biennially as part of military diplomacy between Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) member states. It is the 6th edition of Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION. Hosted by: Russia in the Orenburg Region of South West Russia Aim of the exercise is to foster close relations between SCO member states and to enhance abilities of the military leaders to command multi-national military contingents. The Indian contingent was inducted to the exercise area by two IL-76 aircrafts. The scope of the exercise includes professional interaction, mutual understanding of drills & procedures, establishment of joint command & control structures and elimination of terrorist threats. REX MKII Part of: Prelims and GS III - Security; Sci and tech Context Recently Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled a remote-controlled armed robot REX MKII. About REX MKII The army robot is capable of patrolling battle zones, tracking infiltrators, and opening fire on enemy targets. It is operated by an electronic tablet and can be equipped with two machine guns, cameras and sensors. It shall provide logistical assistance to troops by carrying ammunition supplies, critical medical equipment, water, and food, as well as evacuating injured personnel on stretchers. The system can also gather intelligence through a situation-awareness system The unmanned vehicle is the latest addition to the world of drone technology, which is rapidly reshaping the modern battlefield. These semi-autonomous machines allow armies to protect their soldiers, while critics fear this marks another dangerous step toward robots making life-or-death decisions. Arsenic Contamination of Food Chain Part of: Prelims and GS- II - Health and GS III - Environmental pollution Context A recent study in Bihar has found Arsenic contamination not only in groundwater but in the food chain as well. The research study was a part of the Project Nature and Nurture in Arsenic Induced Toxicity of Bihar jointly funded by the British Council in the United Kingdom and Department of Science and Technology in India. Major Findings: Arsenic has found its way into the food chain - mainly rice, wheat and potato. Arsenic is present in the groundwater as it is used on a large scale for irrigation by farmers. That is how it finds its way into the food chain as well. The food had more arsenic content than drinking water, even when arsenic levels in drinking water was above the World Health Organization (WHO) provisional guide value of 10 micrograms per litre (μg/L). What is Arsenic? Arsenic is an odourless and tasteless metalloid widely distributed in the earth’s crust. It is naturally present at high levels in the earth crust and groundwater of a number of countries. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Arsenicosis is the medical word for arsenic poisoning, which occurs due to accumulation of large amounts of arsenic in the body. Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Cheraman Mosque Part of: Prelims and GS- I - History Context: The Cheraman Juma Masjid in Kerala, the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent that dates back to 629 AD, and the Holy Cross Church at Chendamangalam built by Jesuit priests in 1577 AD, were recently renovated under the Muziris Heritage Project. The Government of Kerala has initiated the Muziris Heritage Project to reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris. The Muziris Heritage Project is one of the biggest conservation projects in India, where the state and the central governments have come together to conserve a rich culture that is as old as 3000 years or more. The region is dotted with numerous monuments of a bygone era that conjure up a vast and vivid past. The entire project is designed to involve and integrate the local community in all intended developmental initiatives. News source: TH (News from PIB) India’s Energy Status Report at US India Strategic Partnership Forum Part of: Prelims and GS – II – International Relations Vision: Energy independence by 2047 India has Set an ambitious target of having 175 GW capacity of RE by 2022 and 450 GW RE capacity by 2030 Reached 100 GW in Installed Solar and Wind Capacity and after adding Hydro capacity also, the total installed renewable capacity is 146 MW 63 GW of renewable capacity is under construction which makes India one of the fastest growing economies in terms of renewable capacity addition. Would be conducting competitive bids for green hydrogen in next 3-4 months to pave the road for viable usage of hydrogen as a fuel. News Source: PIB India’s first-ever Euro Green Bond Part of: GS Prelims In News: Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), the leading NBFC in power sector has successfully issued its maiden Euro 300 million 7-year Euro Bond The pricing of 1.841% achieved is the lowest yield locked in by an Indian Issuer in the Euro markets. First ever Euro denominated Green bond issuance from India First ever Euro issuance by an Indian NBFC and the first Euro bond issuance from India since 2017. News Source: PIB Solution for converting keratin waste Part of: GS Prelims In News: Indian scientists have developed a new sustainable and affordable solution for converting keratin waste (inexpensive sources of amino acids and protein) such as human hair, wool, and poultry feathers to fertilizers, pet, and animal feeds. Patented, easily scalable, environment-friendly, energy-efficient, and it will make amino acid-rich liquid fertilizers more economical as compared to currently marketed products. The key technology behind this involves pre-treatment followed by hydrolysis of keratin using a technique called Hydrodynamic Cavitation, which involves vaporization, bubble generation, and bubble implosion in a flowing liquid. News Source: PIB Development of Low carbon bricks Part of: GS Prelims In News: Researchers have developed a technology to produce energy-efficient walling materials using construction and demolition (C&D) waste and alkali-activated binders. Do not require high-temperature firing Avoid the use of high-energy materials such as Portland cement Solves the disposal problems associated with C&D waste mitigation News Source: PIB 27th Global Ozone Day Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Environment & Climate Change World Ozone Day is celebrated on 16th September each year to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol, Montreal protocol is an international environmental treaty for phasing out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances, which came into force on this day in 1987. India’s achievements in implementation of Montreal Protocol (since June 1992) Met all the obligations of the Montreal Protocol India has phased out Chlorofluorocarbons, Carbon tetrachloride, Halons, Methyl Bromide and Methyl Chloroform for controlled uses in line with the Montreal Protocol. Currently Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are being phased out as per the accelerated schedule of the Montreal Protocol. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) Stage-II is currently under implementation from 2017 and will be completed by 2023. Preparation of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) Stage-III will be commenced shortly, which shall address phase out of use of HCFC-22, a refrigerant used in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning manufacturing and the servicing sectors. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, finalized by the Parties during 2016, shall gradually reduce the consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) - adoption of low-global warming potential and energy-efficient technologies will achieve energy efficiency gains and carbon dioxide emissions reduction - a “climate co-benefit.” Synergizing the Refrigeration and Air-conditioning servicing sector training under the Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) with the Skill India Mission of the Government of India, to multiply the impact of skilling and training. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. GS-3: Agriculture IDEA – ‘India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture’. Context: Recently, Government has launched an initiative called India Digital Ecosystem for Agriculture (IDEA) that would place the farmer in the centre of the agriculture ecosystem leveraging open digital technologies Key Features of IDEA It will incorporate a National Farmers Database, a sort of ‘super Aadhaar’ for farmers. The database will include farmers’ digitised land records, and cross-linked with the Aadhaar database so as to create a unique FID, or a farmers’ ID. More than 8.5 crore farmers’ data having been incorporated into the national database by Sep 2021. On top of that, it will pull information from running schemes like the PM Kisan, soil health cards, the national crop insurance scheme PM Fasal Bima Yojna, and so on. The database is being built by Microsoft under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DoAFW) This database will enable anyone with access to it to uniquely identify a landholder know the extent of his holding the state of the soil cropping patterns and average yields and other such information at a granular level. What is the larger objective of IDEA? Agri-Stack: The creation of the FID is only one part of the grand IDEA. The plan is to create the agriculture equivalent of the ‘India Stack’ — a set of APIs (Application Programming Interface). These apps enables stakeholders to offer proactive and personalised services to farmers and improve the efficiency of the agriculture sector. Innovation through Collaborations: This Agricultural India Stack will allow governments, businesses, start-ups and developers to utilise an unique digital Infrastructure to solve India’s hard problems towards presence-less, paperless, and cashless service delivery. Governance Delivery: The FID — would enable ‘single sign-on’ for access to all government services offered to farmers. Evidence based policy making: Such database for the agriculture sector, enables authorities to deliver seamless credit and insurance services, information related to seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, market information and price forecasts etc, driven by big data and analytics and powered by information technology. The ‘agristack’, the government is hoping, will help eventually achieve the goal of doubling farmers’ income. Challenges India has more than 14 crore working farms making the digitisation process challenging. India’s land records in general and rural, agricultural land records in particular, are complex & not having common standards. Nearly about 12% of agricultural households operated on leased land — in other words, they are tenant farmers. However, there is no legal recognition of land tenancy agreements in India, with most such agreements tending to be informal and verbal in nature. In such case, FID will exclude these farmers from receiving benefits, as they won’t figure in database at all. Then there is problem of women farmers as vast majority of land titles continue to be held by men. There is a concern that the agristack is the precursor to a complete privatisation of government services extended to agriculture. There is also the big concern over data privacy. Giving away this kind of sensitive, financial and landholding information in the absence of a data privacy law raises multiple concerns over potential misuse. Connecting the dots: New Farm Acts and opposition to it How has agri-marketing policy changed over years ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Bad Bank: NARCL-IDRCL Context: Following up the Union Budget announcement, government has incorporated “National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited” (NARCL) under the Companies Act. It will acquire stressed assets worth about Rs 2 lakh crore from various commercial banks in different phases. Another entity — India Debt Resolution Company Ltd (IDRCL), which has also been set up — will then try to sell the stressed assets in the market. The NARCL-IDRCL structure is the new bad bank. To make it work, the government has provided Rs 30,600 crore to be used as a guarantee. What is a bad bank? In every country, commercial banks accept deposits and extend loans. The deposits are a bank’s “liability” because that is the money it has taken from a common man, and it will have to return that money when the depositor asks for it. Moreover, in the interim, it has to pay the depositor an interest rate on those deposits. In contrast, the loans that banks give out are their “assets” because this is where the banks earn interest and this is money that the borrower has to return to the bank. The whole business model is premised on the idea that a bank will earn more money from extending loans to borrowers than what it would have to pay back to the depositors. A loan can turn bad when the borrower is unable to repay it back. In such case two things happen. One, the concerned bank becomes less profitable because it has to use some of its profits from other loans to make up for the loss on the bad loans. Two, it becomes more risk-averse. In other words, its officials hesitate from extending loans. If such “bad loans” in a bank rise alarmingly, the bank could close down. When several banks in an economy face high levels of bad loans and all at the same time, it will threaten the stability of the whole economy. From the taxpayer’s perspective, the most worrisome fact was that an overwhelming proportion of bad loans was with the public sector banks (PSB), which were owned by the government and hence by the Indian public. To keep such PSBs in business, the government was forced to recapitalise them — that is, use taxpayers’ money to improve the financial health of PSBs so that they could carry on with the business of lending and funding economic activity. Despite recapitalisation, the problem of bad loans did not subside. Therefore, it was argued by many that the government needs to create a bad bank — that is, an entity where all the bad loans from all the banks can be parked Why was Bad Bank needed? Advantage of having bad bank was Relieving the commercial banks of their “stressed assets” and allowing them to focus on resuming normal banking operations, especially lending. While commercial banks resume lending, the so-called bad bank, or a bank of bad loans, would try to sell these “assets” in the market. How will the NARCL-IDRCL work? The NARCL will first purchase bad loans from banks. It will pay 15% of the agreed price in cash and the remaining 85% will be in the form of “Security Receipts”. When the assets are sold , with the help of IDRCL, the commercial banks will be paid back the rest. If the bad bank is unable to sell the bad loan, or has to sell it at a loss, then the government guarantee will be invoked and the difference between what the commercial bank was supposed to get and what the bad bank was able to raise will be paid from the Rs 30,600 crore that has been provided by the governmen Will a bad bank resolve matters? From the perspective of a commercial bank saddled with high bad loans, it will help. That’s because such a bank will get rid of all its toxic assets, which were eating up its profits, in one quick move. When the recovery money is paid back, it will further improve the bank’s position. Meanwhile, it can start lending again. From the perspective of the government and the taxpayer, the situation is a little more complex. After all the money for security receipts is coming from the taxpayers’ pocket. Lastly, the plan of bailing out commercial banks will collapse if the bad bank is unable to sell such impaired assets in the market. Conclusion While recapitalisation and such guarantees are often designated as “reforms”, they are band aids at best. The only sustainable solution is to improve the lending operation in PSBs. Connecting the dots: Banking Health: NPAs and COVID-19 Recapitalisation Bonds (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): The organisation has two permanent bodies — the SCO Secretariat based in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent. The venue of the SCO council meetings moves between the eight members Which of the above is or are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2 Consider the following statements : Bad bank refers to a financial institution that takes over bad assets of lenders and undertakes resolution. National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL)is a bad bank created by Government of India 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 can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? Arsenic Fluoride Formaldehyde Sorbitol Uranium Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 1 and 2 only 2, 4 and 5 only 1, 2 and 5 only 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ANSWERS FOR 16th Sept 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C 3 B Must Read On Telecom sector: The Hindu On e-shram portal: The Hindu On AUKUS: Firstpost

Sep 17, 2021 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th September 2021

Sep 16, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 16th September 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) NCRB report on crime Part of: Prelims and GS II - Laws and Policies Context National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report on Crime in India was recently launched. Key findings of the report The Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown resulted in a drop in traditional crimes like theft, robbery, and assault on women and children in 2020. There was a 28% increase in the registration of cases in 2020 in the country compared to 2019, primarily owing to the violation of COVID-19 norms. An almost 21-fold jump was recorded in cases of disobedience to the order duly promulgated by public servants. Crimes against Scheduled Castes showed an increase of 9.4%. offences against the Scheduled Tribe communities showed an increase of 9.3% over 2019 What is The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)? Headquarter: New Delhi Set-up: 1986 Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs Objective: To function as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators. It was set up based on the recommendations of the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task Force (1985). News Source: TH AUKUS: New partnership between Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. Part of: Prelims and GS II - International Relations Context A week before a meeting of Quad leaders in Washington DC, the Biden administration has announced a new trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific between Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. (AUKUS). The grouping is security focused. It is also different from — but complementary to — arrangements such as the Quad. Key features of the partnership A central feature of the partnership would involve a trilateral 18-month effort to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines which are quieter, more capable and can be deployed for longer periods, needing to surface less frequently. The partnership would also involve a new architecture of meetings and engagements between the three countries and also cooperation across emerging technologies (applied AI, quantum technologies and undersea capabilities). The U.S. sharing this kind of technology on nuclear submarines had been done only once before — with the U.K. and almost 70 years ago. Significance: Australia has felt increasing pressure from an assertive China and has sought to strengthen its partnerships with India, the U.S. and the U.K., including through ‘plurilateral’ forums. News source: TH PLI scheme for auto sector Part of: Prelims and GS -III - Economy Context The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs. 26,058 crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to enhance manufacture of advanced technology and green vehicles, auto parts and drones. Key takeaways Benefits: It will attract Rs. 42,500 crore in fresh investment into the automobile and auto components industry over five years It will help create more than 7.5 lakh jobs. The scheme has been devised for both existing automotive firms and new investors. The ‘sales value linked’ scheme includes a ‘champion OEM’ incentive applicable on battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. A ‘component champion’ incentive is for advanced automotive technology components. What is the PLI scheme? The Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimS to boost domestic manufacturing under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It was introduced in March 2020 and is expected to result in a minimum production worth more than $500 billion in five years. The scheme provides incentives to companies for enhancing their domestic manufacturing apart from focusing on reducing import bills and improving the cost competitiveness of local goods. PLI scheme offers incentives on incremental sales for products manufactured in India. Eligibility criteria for businesses under the PLI scheme vary based on the sector approved under the scheme. Some of the sectors for which PLI scheme has been approved are: Electronic or technology products Pharmaceuticals drugs Telecom & networking products Food Products High-efficiency solar PV modules News source: TH Input Tax Credit (ITC) Part of: Prelims and GS III - Economy Context Recently, The Supreme Court said that refunds of tax credit cannot be claimed for input services under the Goods and Services Tax regime’s inverted duty structure. The SC has confirmed a Madras High Court judgment which upheld a fiscal formula included in the Central Goods and Service Tax Rules to execute refund of unutilised Input Tax Credit (ITC) accumulated on account of input services. What is Input Tax Credit (ITC)? ITC is a mechanism to avoid cascading of taxes. Cascading of taxes, in simple language, is ‘tax on tax’. Input Tax Credit refers to the tax already paid by a person at time of purchase of goods or services and which is available as deduction from tax payable . Input tax credit in relation to GST to a registered person means, the CGST, SGST/UTGST or IGST charged on any supply of goods or services or both made to him. It includes IGST charged on imports & tax payable under reverse charge mechanism. When one buys a product/service from a registered dealer we pay taxes on the purchase. On selling, we collect the tax. We adjust the taxes paid at the time of purchase with the amount of output tax (tax on sales) and balance liability of tax (tax on sales minus tax on purchase) has to be paid to the government. This mechanism is called utilization of input tax credit. If the tax paid on inputs is higher than the tax on the output, the excess can be claimed as a refund. Exceptions: A business under composition scheme cannot avail of input tax credit. ITC cannot be claimed for personal use or for goods that are exempt. (News from PIB) National Florence Nightingale Awards 2020 Part of: GS-Prelims In News: National Florence Nightingale Awards 2020 was conferred to 51 awardees by the President Florence Nightingale awards were instituted in the year 1973 by the Government as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by nurses to the society. News Source: PIB ‘Shoonya’ Campaign Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III: Environment & Climate change About the campaign: An initiative to promote zero-pollution delivery vehicles by working with consumers and industry. The campaign aims to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the urban deliveries segment and create consumer awareness about the benefits of zero-pollution delivery. Urban freight vehicles account for 10 percent of freight transportation-related CO2 emissions in India, and these emissions are expected to grow by 114 percent by 2030. EVs emit no tailpipe emissions, which can contribute immensely to an improved air quality. Even when accounting for their manufacture, they emit 15-40 percent less CO2 compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts and have lower operational cost. News Source: PIB Exercise ZAPAD-2021 Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – International Relations Context: A seven day long Multilateral 'Joint Strategic Exercise' which saw participation from seven countries; one of the theatre-level exercises of the Russian armed forces with the focus primarily on operations against terrorists. Nine Participating countries: Mongolia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Russia, India and Belarus. Eight Observers countries: Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka. Military Exercise between India and Russia: The 12th Edition of Indo-Russia joint military Exercise INDRA News Source: PIB Development of High-quality transparent ceramics Part of: GS Prelims In News: Indian researchers have developed transparent ceramics, reaching theoretical transparency through a technique called colloidal processing followed by simultaneous application of temperature and pressure, for the first time in India. The material can be used for thermal imaging applications, especially in harsh service conditions and personal protection systems such as, helmets, face shields, and goggles. Transparent ceramics: A new class of advanced materials with unique transparency and excellent mechanical properties Can be designed not only for transparent to visible light but also for ultraviolet (UV), Infrared (IR), and Radiofrequency (RF), giving opportunity for diverse applications. News Source: PIB New Species of Hybodont Shark Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III: Environment In News: In a rare discovery, teeth of new species of hybodont shark of Jurassic age have been reported for the first time from Jaisalmer. Represent a new species named by the research team as Strophodusjaisalmerensis. The genus Strophodus has been identified for the first time from the Indian subcontinent and is only the third such record from Asia, the other two being from Japan and Thailand. This discovery marks an important milestone in the study of Jurassic vertebrate fossils in the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan, and it opens a new window for further research in the domain of vertebrate fossils. About Hybodont shark Hybodonts, an extinct group of sharks, was a dominant group of fishes in both marine and fluvial environments during the Triassic and early Jurassic time. Started to decline in marine environments from the Middle Jurassic onwards until they formed a relatively minor component of open-marine shark assemblages. Hybodonts finally became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous time 65 million years ago. News Source: PIB PLI Scheme for Drone Industry Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II: Governance Context: Government has approved Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Drone Industry Will incentivize emergence of Advanced Automotive Technologies global supply chain in India Help create additional employment of over 7.6 lakh people Incentives worth ₹ 26,058 crore will be provided to industry over five years It will bring fresh investments of over₹5,000 crore in three years and incremental production of over ₹ 1,500 crore News Source: PIB India’s Gems & Jewellery sector Part of: GS-Prelims Contribution of around 7% to GDP 10-12% share in country’s total merchandise export One of the leading sectors in terms of employment generation providing employment to approx. 5 million skilled and semi-skilled workforce. One of largest exporter of other segments of industry such as gold jewellery, silver jewellery, coloured gemstones and synthetic stones Has been one of the worst-hit sectors in India during the Covid-19 pandemic and its exports saw a record decline of (-) 98% in April 2020 due to the complete lockdown situation in the country. Policy that helped the industry bounce back Revamped Gold Monetisation Scheme Reduction in import duty of gold, hallmarking, etc. Various virtual trade events like virtual Buyer Seller Meets, virtual IIJS, virtual International Gems & Jewellery Show (e-IGJS), India Global Connect, Webinars etc. News Source: PIB (Mains Focus) ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. GS-3: Infrastructure: Telecommunications etc. Telecom Relief Package: 4-year moratorium on AGR dues Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved relief measures for telecom sector which include the following: Four-year moratorium on payment of statutory dues by telecom companies, both AGR and spectrum charges Simplified Definition of AGR: The definition of AGR has been rationalised by excluding non-telecom revenue of telecom companies on a prospective basis (from now onwards) Telecom operators are required to pay licence fees and spectrum charges in the form of ‘revenue share’ to the government The revenue amount used to calculate this revenue share is termed as Adjusted Gross Revenue or AGR Relaxation in FDI: 100 per cent FDI in telecom via the automatic route has been approved (earlier 49%) Charges Rationalised: The regime of heavy interest, penalty and interest on penalty on payment of licence fees, spectrum charges and all kinds of charges has been rationalised. Reduced Interest: The Centre will do annual compounding of interest instead of the monthly compounding. The interest would be charged at a ‘reasonable’ rate of MCLR plus 2%. MCLR refers to the lowest lending rate banks are permitted to offer — the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate. Long periods of spectrum usage: Spectrum auctions will be held in the last quarter of every financial year. Spectrum auction will be done for 30 years, instead of 20 years. After completing 10-years lock-in period, the buyer will have the option to surrender by paying surrender charges. Ease of doing business: Spectrum sharing has been completely allowed and made free. Also, shifting between prepaid, post-paid to not require fresh KYC What is the background of these reforms? In October 2019, the Supreme Court had ordered telecom operators to pay Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Department of Telecommunications as pending AGR-dues However, in September 2020, the Supreme Court had granted 10 years to the telecom companies to clear their AGR dues of around Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the Centre. These AGR dues (along with disruption caused Jio’s entry) had impacted the cash flow of various telecos that had wider impact on the Telecom sector itself. There were fears about a duopoly emerging with just two major telecom players — Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio. However, the government was keen on ensuring that there were more players in the sector and customer retaining choices. Competition in the sector will always lead to better prices and better technology. Significance Relief to multiple Telecos: The package provides relief for debt-ridden Vodafone Idea which still owes roughly Rs 50,000 crore to the government as AGR dues. It also provides relief to Tata group (dues of Rs. 12,601 crores) and Aircel (Rs. 12,389 crores). Relief for the cash-strapped telecom sector.: Moratorium on AGR dues provides an annual cash flow relief of around ₹14,000 crore for the industry while the moratorium on spectrum dues gives another ₹32,000 crore of annual cash flow relief as a whole. The reform package, therefore, provides telcos the flexibility to manage their cash flows better and boosts growth in the telecoms industry Safeguards Banking Health: Banking sector’s exposure to the telecom players is significant at over Rs 1 lakh crore. The telecom package comes as a relief to the banks as it prevents the possibility of default by vulnerable telecos (Vodafone). This would help in stabilising and reducing the non-performing assets in the sector. Boost to Digital future: These fresh reforms will further boost telecos efforts to invest in future digital technologies and preparing the infrastructure for India’s digital economy. Concerns Past Dues remain: The change in definition of AGR that will reduce the burden on telcos, applies only prospectively, so those past dues remain payable. Temporary Measure: While it provides time to put their house in order, the telcos’ overall liability does not come down and ultimately they will have to raise tariffs to generate sufficient cash flows. AGR dues will have to be paid with interest. Unfulfilled Demands: A long-standing demand for the government’s intervention in setting telecom floor tariffs, as it has done in the civil aviation sector to protect competition, did not find a place in the relief package Connecting the dots: AGR Crisis PLI Scheme for Telecom EDUCATION/ POLITY GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Education GS-2: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure Tamil Nadu’s case against NEET Context: Recently, Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a bill to exempt students of the state from appearing in the NEET for admissions into medical and dental courses What Is National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)? It is an entrance exam for medical courses like MBBS, BDS, and Post Graduation in both government and private medical colleges. In 2013, NEET-UG replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and all individual MBBS exams conducted by states or colleges themselves. The NTA – National Testing Agency, the regulatory body for NEET UG Exam, conducts it every year in various parts of India in multiple languages. The responsibility of the NTA is limited to Conduct of the entrance examination Declaration of result and for providing an “All India Rank Merit List” to the Government of India for the conduct of counselling for 15% All India Quota Seats Providing the result to States/other Counselling Authorities. NEET is based on a core curriculum approach, whereby the syllabi of all the school boards have been taken into consideration. NEET has become the only means of gaining admission to medical institutions, including private colleges, after the Supreme Court’s categorical view that such a test alone could help maintain standards. Why Tamil Nadu is opposing NEET? In Tamil Nadu, NEET has been a sensitive subject where several students have allegedly died by suicide over the years after failing to qualify for the exam. One of the primary arguments by Tamil Nadu is that NEET would push certain categories of students out of the race for MBBS degrees, and its goal of providing equitable opportunities for all would be frustrated. Students from government schools and rural areas would not be able to afford the coaching that would be essential for the competitive test, the State government argued. What is the context of the recent bill? What sparked an uproar and led to the Bill was the death of a 19-year old boy who died by suicide, hours before he was supposed to take the NEET exam for the third time. This is not Tamil Nadu's first attempt to get exemption from the exam; an effort was made in 2017 through ordinance but didn't get President's nod. President’s assent is required as the proposed State law is in conflict with the parliamentary legislation regulating medical admissions. Abolition of NEET was even the election promise of the current ruling party. The recent Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021 is based on A.K. Rajan Committee observations on NEET. The committee viewed that NEET would adversely affect the rural and urban poor, and consequently, hurt State’s future manpower availability to run its network of primary health centres. 2021 law exempt students of the state from appearing in the NEET for admissions into medical and dental courses. Tamil Nadu government wants entrance to happen on the basis of marks obtained in Class 12. However, it will be quite difficult for the Union government to grant relief to one State alone in the face of Supreme Court judgement on NEET (mandatory to help maintain standards). It might meet the same fate as that of 2017 bill. Way Ahead Need for Dispassionate Debate: The anti-NEET narrative in Tamil Nadu should not be viewed as a product of Tamil exclusivism but should be deliberated in dispassionate manner. Need for reviewing NEET: The time may also have come to examine whether NEET has met its purposes of improving standards and curbing commercialisation and profiteering. Balancing interests: Centre has to conceive a better system that will allow a fair admission process while preserving inter se merit and preventing rampant commercialisation. Connecting the dots: Medical Education: Over-centralisation is harsh (Criticism of NEET) National Medical Commission (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 National Crime Records Bureau comes under which of the following Ministry? Ministry of Urban development Ministry of Home Affairs It is an independent agency None of the above Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding PLI scheme: The Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aimS to boost domestic manufacturing under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The scheme provides incentives to companies for enhancing their domestic manufacturing apart from focusing on reducing import bills and improving the cost competitiveness of local goods. 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 is not a part of the Quad group? India China Australia United Kingdom ANSWERS FOR 15th Sept 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 D 3 C Must Read On changes needed in GST: Indian Express On dealing with learning loss during Pandemic: Indian Express On India-China relations: The Hindu

Sep 16, 2021 Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series for UPSC

[Day 109]: UPSC PRELIMS 2021- Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series

Highlights/Features of Rapid Revision (RaRe) Series: It is a FREE initiative! Program Duration - 120 Days (31st May, 2021 to 27th September, 2021). 1. Dedicated Portal for Focused Preparation There will be a separate dedicated portal to help you stay focused and keep your preparation streamlined for the next 120 Days. The Registration link for the dedicated portal is given at the end of the post. 2. 120 Days Integrated (Prelims + Mains) Time Table This year’s RaRe Series will include Integrated Revision Plan (IRP) where we will be syncing your mains and prelims syllabus together over next 120 Days. The Revision Plan is designed by integrating IASbaba's famous flagship initiatives - 60 Day Plan and TLP Mains Answer Writing. 3. Daily RaRe Series (RRS) Videos on High Probable Topics (Monday - Friday) In video discussions, special focus is given to topics which have high probability to appear in UPSC Prelims Question Paper. Each session will be of 20 mins to 30 mins, which would cover rapid revision of 10 high probable topics (both static and current affairs) important for Prelims Exam this year according to the schedule. 4. Daily Prelims MCQs from Static (Monday - Friday) Daily Static Quiz will cover all the topics of static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment and Science and technology. 10 questions will be posted daily and these questions are framed from the topics mentioned in the schedule and in the RaRe videos. It will ensure timely and streamlined revision of your static subjects. Note: Should be integrated with the 60 Days Plan 2021. This will expose you to diverse questions from the same topics. 5. Daily Current Affairs MCQs (Monday - Saturday) Daily 5 Current Affairs questions, based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, would be published from Monday to Saturday. Note: Current Affairs questions covered in the 60 Days Plan and Daily Quiz Monthly Compilations should be covered retrospectively. 6. Daily CSAT Quiz (Monday - Friday) CSAT has been an achilles heel for many aspirants. Daily 5 CSAT Questions will be published. 7. Daily Mains Answer Writing (Monday - Friday) GS Mains will be covered along with Prelims in an integrated manner. Daily three Mains questions will be covered syllabus-wise according to the topics mentioned in the schedule. In total, it covers 250+ Mains Questions along with synopsis. 8. Brainstorming on Ethics & Essay (BEE) (Saturday & Sunday) Each week, Sunil Oberoi Sir (Retd. IAS) will take 3 sessions, two for Essay and one for Ethics. The two sessions earmarked for Essay will have a topic-based discussion where he will discuss the approach to write issue-based and philosophical essays. The topics will be picked from previous year question papers of UPSC and TLP initiative of IASbaba. 9. Full Mocks 3 GS Paper 1 Full Mocks will be provided along the lines of UPSC Prelims. 3 CSAT Paper 2 Full Mocks will be provided so that you are not overwhelmed during the D-Day. 10. Rapid Revision (RaRe) Notes Right material plays important role in clearing the exam and Rapid Revision (RaRe) Notes will have Prelims specific subject-wise refined notes. The main objective is to help students revise most important topics and that too within a very short limited time frame. Day-109 of RaRe Series - Click here To Register - Click here For complete details of the RaRe Series - Click here

Sep 16, 2021 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 16th September 2021

Sep 16, 2021 Important Articles

DOWNLOAD : E-Admit Card (Hall Ticket) for UPSC Civil Services (PRELIMINARY) Examination, 2021

Dear Students, UPSC has published the link to download e-admit card (hall-ticket) for Civil Services Preliminary Exam 2020. The Preliminary exam will be held on October 10th, 2021. You can download the e-admit card, by entering your Registration ID. To Download – > Click Here All the Best 🙂 IASbaba

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