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

Posts

Important Articles

[UPDATE] Last Day to REGISTER and INSTRUCTIONS to be followed for the ENTRANCE TEST - BABA'S GURUKUL!

Dear Students, Today is the last date to Register for Baba’s Gurukul – Connect to Conquer.  This program is exclusively meant for students who are preparing for UPSC IAS 2021. It is a program providing guidance to students in all three stages of the Exam. We are in the process of making your UPSC journey a more intimate one. We are going to redefine the relationship between the teacher and the students to ensure that the UPSC aspirants get an opportunity to prepare in a highly focussed environment, under the close guidance of a Guru. The students will be under the direct mentorship of Mohan Sir (Founder IASbaba), customized schedule according to your strengths and weakness, will have access to paid courses, library facility,  informal sessions with Toppers, Ex-Bureaucrats and many more. TO REGISTER - > CLICK HERE Please Note: The Registration closes today (13th February) at 8 PM today. What is the cost? Your Dedication, Consistency, and a token amount would be enough. To know more details about the Program -> CLICK HERE   Instructions to be followed on the day of Entrance Test For ONLINE Students: Login Portal - https://test.iasbaba.com/login/ Please Note- You will get the Login credentials on your registered email id's by 9 Pm today. After Logging-in click on the Learn' Tab and then select Baba's Gurukul Entrance Test and Start the Exam. The test will start at 11 AM on 14th February 2021. Duration of the test 11 AM - 2PM (3 hours). The Test will have 2 Sections - Prelims and Mains. Each section will have a separate timer of 1 hour 30 mins. The student taking the Prelims test can proceed to Mains Test only after the time allocated for the respective section ends. For example: A student completing the Prelims Test in One hour will not get any additional time for the Mains Test. Only when the time allocated for the Prelims section (1.5 hours) ends, you will be able to take the Mains test. Only handwritten Mains Answer Copies will be considered for evaluation. It is mandatory to attempt all the questions of the Mains Test. Prelims Test will be automatically submitted if the time limit is exhausted. Mains Answers have to be submitted by the students before the timer ends. Mains answers sent through email will not be considered for evaluation. If there is any technical issue regarding the test, please mail us your query on ilp@iasbaba.com.   For OFFLINE students: Students should reach the test centre by 10:45 AM on 14th February 2021. Students who are coming late will not be allowed to take the test. Duration of the test 11 AM - 2PM (3 hours). The Test will have 2 Sections - Prelims and Mains. The duration of each section is 1 hour 30 mins. Prelims Test and Mains Test will be held in immediate succession. The Mains Paper will be distributed only after the time allocated for Prelims section is over.  No student will be allowed to leave the examination hall in between the Prelims Test and Mains Test. Every student has to mention the registered mobile number and email id in both Prelims OMR sheet and Mains Answer Booklet. It is mandatory to attempt all the questions of the Mains Test. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed, wristwatches can be carried. Selection Criteria: Only a limited number of students who are highly dedicated will be selected through multiple rounds of scrutiny. Seats are limited as one on one mentorship is possible only with a limited number of students. The selection process will be similar to UPSC standards, comprising of one Prelims Test (75 MCQ’s – 150 marks; Syllabus will include current affairs of last one year and static GS topics + Objective CSAT questions), one Mains Test – 150 marks (it will include an essay based on Current Issues and case studies of Ethics to check the approach of candidates) and a Personality Test (it will be conducted to check the dedication of candidates and their level of understanding of Current Issues). Mode of Test: Both Online and Offline (Bangalore, Delhi and Lucknow). Selected candidates will need to relocate to Bangalore. Date of  ENTRANCE TEST – 14th February, 2021 Timings – 11:00 am (3 hours Test) Mode of Test - Both OFFLINE and ONLINE Please Note – Test link and Login credentials to take the test will be shared on the registered email ids. ONLY for students, who are appearing for KPSC (Karnataka) Mains Exam - Date of Test – 18th February, 2021 Timings – 11:00 am (3 hours Test) Note – Test will be held in IASbaba’s Vijayanagar Centre, Bengaluru (Offline Mode only) Address –  1737/37, MRCR Layout, Vijaynagar Service Road, Vijaynagar, Bengaluru – 560040. P.S: There are requests from students who are appearing for other State Public Service Exams as well to hold the exam on 18th February. So these students too, can take the entrance test on 18th February. Selected candidates for Personality test will be announced by 19th February.  For any Queries: Email id: support@iasbaba.com Contact No. : 8429688885/9169191888 (10 Am – 6 Pm) Please do not make calls before or after the given timing. TEST CENTRE - BENGALURU CENTRE: IASbaba Vijayanagara Centre: 1737/37, Mrcr Layout, Vijayanagara Service Road, Bengaluru - 560040 (Landmark: Opp. to Vijayanagar Metro Station) 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, Aliganj, Lucknow, – 226024 (Landmark: Near Mr Brown / Opp to Sahu Studio). All the Best 🙂 IASbaba

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – ESSAY [13th FEBRUARY,2021] – Day 30

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – ESSAY [13th FEBRUARY,2021] – Day 30 We will make sure, in the next 100 days not a single day is wasted and your mains preparation is solidified. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE 1. Evolution of nationalism in India: Past, present and future.  भारत में राष्ट्रवाद का विकास: अतीत, वर्तमान और भविष्य। 2. A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others. एक सच्चा कलाकार वह नहीं होता जो प्रेरित होता है, बल्कि वह जो दूसरों को प्रेरित करता है।  3. The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people. दुनिया की सुंदरता लोगों की विविधता में निहित है।  4. A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. एक राष्ट्र की संस्कृति लोगों के दिलों में और अपने लोगों की आत्मा में बसती है।   

Ace The Prelims (ATP)

Ace The Prelims (ATP) – 2021– PRELIMS – [13th February, 2021] – Day 36

ARCHIVES Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s Ace The Prelims (ATP) – 2021 – PRELIMS & MAINS – [13th February, 2021] – Day 36   UPSC Quiz - 2021 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz 13th February 2021 UPSC CSAT Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily CSAT Practice Test – 13th February 2021 UPSC Static Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily Static Quiz (PYQs) – Polity [Day 36]   The way ATP molecules provide energy to every single cell of our body and help us in achieving our day to day tasks, similarly, the ‘Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021’ Programme will help in providing energy and direction to your prelims preparation and push you beyond the cutoff of Prelims 2021. Ace the Prelims (ATP) – 2021 will include Daily Static Quiz (PYQs) Daily CSAT Practice Test Daily Current Affair Quiz 60 Days Plan (starts from 2nd week of March) To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE   Thank You IASbaba

Daily Static Quiz

UPSC Static Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily Static Quiz (PYQs) – Polity [Day 36]

ARCHIVES DAILY STATIC QUIZ (PYQs) It will cover PYQs all the topics of static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment and Science and technology. Daily 5 questions (Monday to Saturday) will be posted from static topics (PYQs) The questions will be in the quiz format so you will be able to answer them directly on the portal. Schedule Week 1 – Polity Week 2 – Economics Week 3 – History and Art & Culture Week 4 – Geography Week 5 – Environment and Science & Technology Same cycle will be repeated from Week 6. Make the best use of the initiative. All the best! To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE 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

UPSC CSAT Quiz – 2021: IASbaba’s Daily CSAT Practice Test – 13th February 2021

ARCHIVES Daily CSAT Practice Test Everyday 5 Questions from Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension will be covered from Monday to Saturday. Make the best use of the initiative. All the best! To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken and solutions. To take the Test - Click Here

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2021 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz 13th February 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. We will make sure, in the next 4 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about Ace the Prelims (ATP) 2021 - CLICK HERE 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

SYNOPSIS [11th February,2021] Day 28: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE SYNOPSIS [11th February,2021] Day 28: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies) 1. How did India manage to tackle the food crisis after independence? What were the key long term reforms undertaken by the government then? Discuss.  Approach- candidate is required to give brief analysis of the situation prevalent at the time of independence. In the next half, reforms like green revolution to irrigation infrastructure can be given and its long term impact on India’s food security can be stated. Introduction Independent India was born in hunger, hunger lay at the roots of much of its public policy in its early years, and over 70 years later, we are still a hungry nation. The nature may have shifted a bit malnourishment rather than stark famine is the real problem today, but at a basic level, this is still a country that struggles to feed its people adequately. Body Food security after independence. Food security concerns can be traced back to the experience of the Bengal Famine in 1943 during British colonial rule, during which about 2 million to 3 million people perished due to starvation. Since attaining independence, an initial rush to industrialize while ignoring agriculture, two successive droughts in the mid-1960s, and dependence on food aid from the United States exposed India’s vulnerability to several shocks on the food security front. The country went through a Green Revolution in the late 1960s and early 1970s, enabling it to overcome productivity stagnation and to significantly improve food grain production. Despite its success, the Green Revolution is often criticized for being focused on only two cereals, wheat and rice; being confined to a few resource abundant regions in the north western and southern parts of the country that benefited mostly rich farmers; and putting too much stress on the ecology of these regions, especially soil and water. The Green Revolution was followed by the White Revolution, which was initiated by Operation Flood during the 1970s and 1980s. This national initiative has revolutionized liquid milk production and marketing in India, making it the largest producer of milk. Of late, especially during the post-2000 period, hybrid maize for poultry and industrial use and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton have shown great strides in production, leading to sizeable exports of cotton, which made India the second largest exporter of cotton in 2007–2008. Some major steps taken by government. Green revolution with high yielding crops and efficient irrigation system in northern parts of India especially in Punjab, Haryana and western U.P. proved to be effective in providing necessary staple diet for growing population in the short period of time. This was an important event accompanied with land reforms made India an example of success story overcoming hunger. In the mid-1970s, the Government of India launched three important food intervention programmes for food security. They include Public Distribution System (PDS) for food grains; Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) (introduced on an experimental basis) and Food-for-Work (FFW). Over the years, several new programmes have been launched and some have been restructured with the growing experience of administering the programmes. The food procured by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is distributed through government regulated ration shops among the poorer section of the society. This is called the Public Distribution System (PDS). This is the most important step taken by the Government of India towards ensuring food security. The Government of India introduced Revamped Public Distribution System (RPDS) in 1,700 blocks in the country in 1992. The target was to provide the benefits of PDS to remote and backward areas. From June 1997, in a renewed attempt, Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) was introduced to adopt the principle of targeting the poor in all areas. With a five-fold increase in food grain production from 50 million tonnes in 1950-51 to about 250 million tonnes in 2014-15, India has moved away from dependence on food aid to become a net food exporter. Since 1980’s there was an increasing acknowledgement that physical and financial access to food had a determining role in achieving food security in the country. Further, Amartya Sen’s Nobile Prize winning theory (Poverty and famine, 1998) highlighted that hunger and starvation result from some people not having access to enough food – what he called entitlement. This implied inspite enough food being available in the country people suffered from hunger and starvation because they were physically or financially unable to reach to food. The approach shifted from food production to access to food and from charity to a rights-based approach. Conclusion Food security of a nation is ensured if all of its citizens have enough nutritious food available, all persons have the capacity to buy food of acceptable quality and there is no barrier on access to food. The right to food is a well established principle of international human rights law. Though India crossed many barriers, road is just half travelled. India is still home to largest number of malnourished children, our record on hunger index is poor. A fulfilled diet for our population will drive us toward realising full potential of our dividend. 2. Examine the issues that affected the integrity of India’s social fabric post-independence. What was the response of the leadership to those challenges? Approach  Since question is asking you to examine, it necessitates you to probe deeper. Introduction  15th August 1947 marked the end of colonial rule in India and the country found itself standing on the threshold of a new era wherein the task was to build a strong nation. While India found itself independent from the British, it was still to find independence from social, economic and political problems that had started to become a rock in the way of its growth.  Body THE ISSUES THAT AFFECTED THE INTEGRITY OF INDIA’S SOCIAL FABRIC POST- INDEPENDENCE  Boundaries of the British Indian provinces had been drawn and redrawn in a haphazard manner without any thought to cultural and linguistic cohesion.  Most provinces were multilingual and multicultural and after independence, many former princely states were absorbed into them. There was a demand for linguistically homogeneous provinces. When India gained Independence, its population numbered about 340 million. The literacy level then was just 12% or about 41 million. The partition of India gave way to the refugee problem. By mid-1948 about 5.5 million non-Muslims had moved into India and a very large number of Muslims had left India for Pakistan. At the time of Independence, the incidence of poverty in India was about 80% or about 250 million. Famines and hunger pushed India to take external help for its food security.  The Naxalite Movement was a revolutionary movement that was started by the Naxalbari in Bengal another group of Maoist themed activity in Andra Pradesh the Andra Naxalitess were mainly active in two regions Telangana and Srikakulam bordering Odisha in both the regions the area of dispute was land and forest. The main victims were the tribal and the peasants.  The oil crisis of the mid 70’s had also contributed to the crisis and all of these developments together led to riots and large-scale unrest and strikes and erosion of support for the Congress from the poor and the middle class. There was violence between Hindus and Muslims. The difference in ideologies paralyzed the government both at the centre and the states. The terrorist movement led by Bhindranwale and Amrik Singh was started by the murder of the head of the Nirankari sect. THE RESPONSE OF THE LEADERSHIP TO THE SOCIAL CHALLENGES POST-INDEPENDENCE  The Indian Constituent Assembly adopts Article 370 of the Constitution, ensuring special status and internal autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru introduces India’s first five-year plan, which defines the Nehruvian model of centralized economic planning and development. The Soviet-style five-year plan also creates a typically Indian model of mixed economy and big government. States of India were reorganized in 1955 on the basis of the recommendations made by the States Reorganization Commission. Since this was done on the basis of the language spoken by the people, each state has some cultural cohesiveness. The government abolished such patrimonial feudalism, and subsequently also abolished the privy purses and compensations granted to the rajas. Education has promoted migration of people from villages to towns and cities. There is an increased emphasis on Hindi and other national languages. The policy of learning three languages at the school level has been implemented in all the states of the Union of India. The Community Development Programmes (CDPs) were started on 2 October 1952 for the uplift of the rural people. To overcome some of the impediments in the implementation of these schemes, the Panchayati Raj scheme was introduced on 2 October 1959″, initially in the states of Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. The elected leaders of the rural people at three levels, viz., the village, the block and the district, were given the responsibility of implementing the developmental schemes in view of the ‘felt needs’ of the rural classes. Several schemes were executed for the welfare of the urban people and of those working in industries.  The Government of India passed the Hindu Marriage Act in 1955 and the Hindu Succession Act in 1956. Legislation also was enacted to discourage child labour. Conclusion It is to be noted that, Indian constitutional principles of secularism and federalism are the foundational keystone of Indian democracy. Indian democracy is a heterogeneous model with a vast socio-religious and cultural diversity. It was predicted by western political analysts that the Indian model of democracy would not last long. However, it was due to India’s strong commitment to its constitutional principles that led India to not only survive as a nation but also to emerge as the leader of the newly independent countries. 3. How did insurgency develop in the state of Punjab? How was the insurgency tackled? Discuss. Approach: Approach is very straight forward and simple, students are expected to write about how insurgency developed in Punjab stating the reasons and how it tackled mentioning reasons in a detailed manner and conclude by mentioning the changes happened in Punjab thereafter. Introduction: Post independent India stood up as a  united nation in the face of extreme diversity and forces stretching her indifferent directions. One of the strongest movements for “self-determination” was the Khalistan movement in the late 20th century to carve out an independent state from the erstwhile India and some parts of Pakistan with predominant Sikh population. Punjab insurgency was overtly and covertly supported  by Pakistan, however the ground was laid by certain other factors like Punjabi speaking feeling neglected, Sikh demanding a separate state and other issues like Satluj Yamuna Link issue and chandigarh as a capital of Punjab only. Body: Factors which led to emergence of insurgency in Punjab- 1947 Partition of India –Independence of India was not a joyful event for Sikhs, partition left Sikhs in a lot of discontentment with regard to their traditional lands being lost to Pakistan. The fight for a separate Sikh state owes its origins to the Punjabi Suba Movement. The Akali Dal – a Sikh-dominated political party – sought to create a separate Sikh Suba or Province.  When the States Reorganization Commission, constituted to assess the demand for separate states by linguistic groups, made its recommendations, it rejected the Akali Dal’s demand.But after a series of violent protests, the Indira Gandhi government relented in 1966. The state was trifurcated into Punjabi-majority Punjab, Hindi-majority Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Some hilly regions of the state were merged into Himachal Pradesh. However, the Anadpur Sahib resolution reignited the passion of Sikhs and sowed the seeds of Khalistan movement. The resolution demanded autonomy for the state of Punjab, identified regions that would be part of a separate state, and sought the right to frame its own internal constitution. This was the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.  the Anandpur Sahib resolution found an admirer in Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale – a religious scholar who’d been travelling across Punjab advocating a return to the Khalsa or a more orthodox form of Sikhism.  Initially, the movement helmed by Akali leader Sant Harchand Singh Longowal and party chief Parkash Singh Badal adhered to the principle of non-violence. But gradually, as the talks lingered without any breakthrough, radicals led by Bhindranwale started dominating the agitation. Demands for separate nation-hood for Punjab was carried out through violent protests and killings of high profile persons in Indian government. Finally, the spiral of violence led to Operation Blue Star that was launched to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in June 1984. Bhindranwale was killed in the operation. Four months later, Indira Gandhi was shot dead by two of her Sikh bodyguards to avenge the operation. How this violent insurgency was tackled- The first phase of insurgency was treated as a law and order situation by both union and the state government, until 1984 they refused to entertain the idea of a rising Sikh insurgency. This stage saw  low violence low base situation which calls for pre-emptive multi-pronged initiatives employing various elements of national power failing which its progression is a possibility. The political leaders from both Akali and Congress jostled for political supremacy, blaming each other for the woes of people and failed to address the political, economic or social causes of the dissent.The dynamic created a political void which was filled by Sikh religious extremists. In the second phase Strengthening of the counter insurgency measures took place at a larger scale police apparatus in Punjab was strengthened and focus on border areas was increased to counter cross border movement and supply of weapons, also diplomatic measures were initiated to counter any external support to terrorists. But with the increasing violence and terrorists occupying the golden temple operation bluestar was initiated to flush out the terrorists and curb the increasing violence. In 1984 Army was given a go ahead to enter the temple which neutralized the terrorists inside but the collateral damage was huge with large number of civillians were killed in the operation and the Akhal Takht was also damaged, this alienated the sikhs further which resulted in massive demonstrations against the government which culminated in the assassination of Prime inister Indhira Gandhi by her two sikh bodyguards and subsequently violence against sikhs took place at a large scale in and around Delhi.  Later Rajiv-Longowal accord was signed which set the base for peace but all the promises coud not be fulfilled due to the disagreements which led to the assassination of longowal by the sikh militant groups. Violence continued till 1995 when chief minister Beant singh was killed in a suicide bombing,with increasing public support security forces effectively eliminated anti-state combatants through intelligence based operations thus paved the way for peaceful Punjab. Conclusion: India continues to fight a lone, painfully slow, but successful battle against terrorism that is funded and supported by Pakistan.  The Indian Security Forces, with their vast experience, have developed new counter insurgrncy techniques. Nowhere are the results of these techniques more visible than in the spectacular peace dividend in the State of Punjab. The Punjab campaign stands out among the most recent, successful and victorious counter insurgency campaigns in the world. This was largely made possible by a coherent grand strategy and tactical innovations on the ground.Sikh masses played an important role in helping to curb the violence in the state and in later times Punjab emerged as one of the most prosperous states in India. 4. What were the key provisions of the Shimla agreement after the 1971 Indo-Pak war? Was it a lost opportunity for India? Critically comment. Approach We need to list down key provisions of Shimla agreement and comment on whether it was a lost opportunity or not. We have to present both sides of argument.  Introduction  The Shimla Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan on 2nd July 1972 in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pak War. It was much more than a peace treaty and intended to establish peaceful Indo-Pak and regional relationship in the long run. Body The Shimla Agreement contains following guiding provisions, mutually agreed to by India and Pakistan, which both sides would adhere to while managing relations with each other: A mutual commitment to the peaceful resolution of all issues through direct bilateral approaches. To build the foundations of a cooperative relationship with special focus on people to people contacts To uphold the inviolability of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, which is the most important confidence building measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan, and a key to durable peace. To always respect each other’s national unity, territorial integrity, political independence and sovereign equality;  To take all steps within their power to prevent hostile propaganda directed against each other and to encourage the dissemination of such information as would promote the development of friendly relations between them. Progressively restore and normalize relations between the two countries by resuming communications, promote economic and trade relations. However, Shimla agreement is claimed to be a lost opportunity for India due to following reasons: Recently, Pakistan unilaterally made Gilgit-Baltistan its 5th province, which was a grave violation of Shimla agreement. Wars and Terrorist attacks: Kargil War (1999), Mumbai 9/11, Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama, etc. Pakistani state sponsored terrorist attacks continue to cause escalations and casualties. The Shimla Agreement, and the subsequent Delhi Agreement, gave Pakistan everything it wanted: the territory it lost to India in the war (15000 sq. km.) and the safe return of all its soldiers (93000) without anyone of them being held responsible for the genocidal campaign unleashed in what is now Bangladesh. India missed a golden opportunity to resolve the Kashmir issue: Captured territory and soldiers could have been used to resolve Kashmir dispute. Nothing in the Agreement pinned Pakistan down to future good behaviour, which led to continued violations of agreement. Ceasefire violations: According to security officials, there were 5,100 instances of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in 2020 in Jammu and Kashmir, the highest in nearly 18 years that claimed 36 lives and left more than 130 people injured. Pakistan-China nexus: India today faces a possibility of two front war on its western and eastern borders. Radicalization and Propaganda: It is misguiding Indian youth especially Kashmiri youth and causing violence, radicalism and disharmony in the Kashmir valley. Internationalization of Kashmir issue: Pakistan continues to raise Kashmir issue at various international forums like UN General Assembly, SAARC, etc. which is against agreed provision of ‘resolution via direct bilateral approaches’.  Bangladeshi migrant issue was neglected and today the migrant issue continues to disturb India’s social and security fabric. E.g.: Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, etc. Disturbed and Least Integrated region: South Asia hosts a 25% of world’s population but accounts only around 4% of the global economy. Restricted Connectivity: Continuing tensions have restricted India's as well as South Asia’s connectivity with West and Central Asia. Still, Shimla agreement is an important milestone in Indo-Pak relations as following opportunities were or can be seized: Pakistan recognized Bangladesh, as a newly independent democratic country which today forms a vital component in India's ‘Act East Policy'. Isolating Pakistan at global forums: India reiterates provisions of Shimla Agreement to maintain bilateral nature of the issue and highlights Pakistan's non-adherence to mutually agreed treaty. Prevented internationalization of Kashmir issue by Pakistan to some extent. It continues to be comprehensive blue print for good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan, which can be adopted to revive peaceful bilateral resolution of pending issues. Conclusion India has faithfully observed the Shimla Agreement in the conduct of its relations with Pakistan and expects same form Pakistan. India is firm on its stand of ‘talks and terror cannot go together', so Pakistan has to create an enabling environment for talks and both countries need to work towards the establishment of durable peace, friendship and cooperation. 5. India’s journey towards the status of a responsible nuclear power was full of challenges and roadblocks. Do you agree? Substantiate your views. Approach Students are expected to write about India’s nuclear power and highlight on challenges of India as a responsible nuclear power with substantiating your view. Introduction  India has a largely indigenous nuclear power programme.The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development programme. Because India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons programme, it was for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant and materials, which hampered its development of civil nuclear energy until 2009. Body Challenges and roadblocks for India towards its status of responsible nuclear power: The NSG was created in response to India’s first nuclear test ‘Smiling Buddha’ (Pokharan-I) in 1974. The NSG first met in November 1975 in London, thus popularly referred to as the "London Club". India was left outside the international nuclear order, which forced India to develop its own resources for each stage of the nuclear fuel cycle and power generation, including next generation reactors such as fast breeder reactors and thorium breeder reactors. As India is not a signatory of NPT and NSG, nuclear supply is severely contained by sanctioned against India. This situation has changed after 2009 waiver and bilateral civil nuclear energy agreements with many countries. To address the issue of nuclear liability, India has ratified the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage and set up an insurance pool of Rs.1,500 crore ($225 million) for liability risks that may arise from the construction and operation of nuclear power plants in the country. It is uncertain, however, if this amount will effectively assuage supplier concerns. Just as an example, after the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984, the Indian government claimed $3.3 billion in damages. The proposed insurance pool is measly in comparison. Land acquisition and selection of location for Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is also major problem in the country. NPP’s like kudankulam in Tamil Nadu and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh have met with several delays due to the land acquisition related challenges. Genuine problems of Nuclear technology includes safety and waste management. Incidents like Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, Fukushima are serious case of concern. The idea of no-first-use (NFU) of nuclear weapons has been rejected by some nuclear weapons states and accepted only at the declaratory level by most, if not by all of the others. Nuclear weapons are often seen as an antidote to conventional inferiority as the inferior party will seek to deter conventional attack by threatening a nuclear response. India has low reserves of uranium. But this changed a bit recently with the discovery of the Tummalapalle uranium mine in Andhra Pradesh, which has the potential to be among the largest uranium mines in the world. India has also entered into uranium supply agreements with various countries such as Russia, France and Kazakhstan to import the majority of its uranium needs. Regulatory challenges with respect to AERB as noted by the parliamentary Public Affairs Committee (PAC) report on the AERB, regulatory oversight too faces a huge manpower shortage. In Human resource India currently faces a shortfall in nuclear scientists and engineers. In 2006, Department of Atomic Energy stated that it would be necessary to train and recruit about 700 scientists and engineers every year in R&D; units. It is the duty of the Governments to ensure the safety and security of using nuclear power as a source to meet growing energy challenges. Nuclear technology suffers from genuine problems of safety and waste management. Conclusion India is blessed with aplenty of sunshine and a nearly inexhaustible resource of Thorium. Our future depends on how efficiently these two resources are utilised. With India’s entry into international nuclear cooperation, the opportunity for a rapid growth in the installed capacity helps in accumulating fissile inventory at a faster pace. In the meantime, several enabling indigenous technologies have been developed for thorium utilization. Focused developments in solar and Thorium energy can lead to a stage when India do not have to look onwards for meeting its energy demands for several centuries, in harmony with environment. TLP HOT Synopsis Day 28 PDF

Important Articles

[MUST FOR PRELIMS 2021] SAMPLE NOTES, TESTS, FEEDBACK - IASbaba’s PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM (PEP), Mentorship Based – UPSC PRELIMS 2021!

Dear Students, It’s been two weeks since we launched our PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM (PEP) 2021. And it has been a huge success!! We have been receiving great feedback/suggestions from our students. Thank you for the positive and encouraging feedback. Below, you can find Sample Geography classes, Prelims Strategy sessions, Current Affairs and Geography Test, Hand-outs, Feedback of PEP Classes.   PEP - PRELIMS TEST, HAND-OUTS CURRENT AFFAIRS HANDOUTS- DOWNLOAD  CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS TEST QUESTION- DOWNLOAD CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS TEST SOLUTION- DOWNLOAD CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS TEST KEY- DOWNLOAD GEOGRAPHY HANDOUTS- DOWNLOAD GEOGRAPHY PRELIMS TEST- DOWNLOAD GEOGRAPHY PRELIMS SOLUTION- DOWNLOAD FEEDBACK on PEP from the Students!! [smartslider3 slider=29] [VIDEO-CLASSES]IASbaba's GEOGRAPHY CLASS by Atyab Ali Sir, Prelims Exclusive Program (PEP) for UPSC Prelims 2021 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/mxtkU9dRaJI[/embed]   [VIDEO-CLASSES]IASbaba's PRELIMS STRATEGY CLASS by SUNIL OBEROI Sir IAS (Retd.), part of Prelims Exclusive Program (PEP)-UPSC Prelims 2021 [embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/GM7QJBDe-0o[/embed]   If you fear Prelims, feel directionless or wish to crack Prelims in this attempt, then PEP is the program for you! You can join the programme even now, you will be able to access the previous classes and attend the remaining classes OFFLINE or take the entire program ONLINE. Please call the below number or visit the respective centres (given @ the end of the post) and get enrolled.   To KNOW MORE/ ENROLL For PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM (PEP) -> CLICK HERE To download the PEP Schedule -> CLICK HERE Faculty Profile - Click Here FOR ANY QUERIES: BENGALURU CENTRE: IASbaba Admission Centre: No.38, 3rd Cross, 1st Phase, 2nd Stage, 60 Feet Mains Road, Chandralayout, Bengaluru-560040. (Landmark: Opposite to BBMP Office/ CULT Fitness) DELHI CENTRE: IASbaba, 5B, PUSA Road, Opposite to Metro Pillar 110, Karol Bagh, New Delhi -110005 (Landmark: CROMA Store) LUCKNOW CENTRE: IASbaba, B-1/66, Sector J, Sector-A, Sector L, Aliganj, Lucknow, – 226024 (Landmark: Near Mr Brown / Opp to Sahu Studio)   You can also reach us on- Email id: pep@iasbaba.com Contact No.: 8429688885/ 9169191888 (10 Am – 6 Pm) Please do not make calls before or after the given timing. Thank You IASbaba  

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

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Modifications in Pre And Post Matric Scholarship Schemes Part of: GS Prelims and GS - II – Education; Welfare schemes In news Lok Sabha was informed about the Modifications in Pre and Post Matric Scholarship Schemes for SCs and OBCs. Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Important changes introduced in the scheme  Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC students: The funding pattern - fixed sharing pattern of 60:40 between Centre and the States (90:10 in case of North Eastern States) or Notional Allocation whichever is lower. The Annual Family Income limit increased from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh.  Rates of maintenance allowances were also increased. Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students:  It shall continue from 2020-21 to 2025-26 Funding pattern - sharing ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and the States (90:10 in case of NE States) Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBCs and Post Matric Scholarship for OBCs:  Pre-Matric Scholarship increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. Post Matric Scholarship increased from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.2.5 lakh per annum. Effects of Excessive Use Of Fertilizer Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – Policies and Interventions & GS - III – Environment In news Investigations carried out over five decades have indicated that continuous use of nitrogenous fertilizer alone had harmful effects on soil health and crop productivity.  Micronutrients were also becoming deficient.  Key takeaways  Steps taken by the government National Mission on Soil Health Card launched to promote soil test based balanced and judicious fertilizer application Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes organic farming.  Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) also promotes organic farming.  Farmers being educated on all these aspects through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and agricultural universities.  Related articles:  Kiwis Of Ziro Valley: Click here National Action Plan for Migrant Workers Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – Policies and Interventions  In news NITI Aayog has constituted a sub-group to prepare a National Action Plan for Migrant Workers. Key takeaways  Composition: Members from various Ministries, subject experts, NGOs, and civil society organisations.  Objective: To prepare a tangible action plan to address issues related to migrant workers. Important value additions  OSH Code Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 was subsumed in the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code)  The Code was notified in September 2020  Provision of OSH Code: Decent working conditions, minimum wages, grievances redressal mechanisms, protection from abuse and exploitation, enhancement of skills, and social security. Target: All categories of organised and unorganised workers including Migrant workers. Applicability: Every establishment in which 10 or more inter-state migrant workers are employed or were employed on any day of the preceding 12 months. World Unani Day Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – Health  In news World Unani Day was celebrated on February 11, 2021. Objective: To spread awareness about health care delivery through the Unani system of medicine through its preventive and curative philosophy. Important value additions  World Unani Day is celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan. Principles of Unani System: It postulates the presence of four humor in the body: dam (blood), balgham (phlegm), safra (yellow bile) and sauda (black bile). The quality and quantity of four humor affect the state of health and disease in the body. Origin: Greece.  In India, it was introduced by Arabs and Persians sometime around the 11th century. India’s First CNG Tractor to be launched Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Environment; Infrastructure; Agriculture In news India’s first-ever diesel Tractor, converted to CNG, will be formally launched on February 12, 2021. Ministry: Ministry for Road Transport and Highways Key takeaways The conversion will help farmers increase their income, by lowering costs, and help to create job opportunities in rural India. It is also reported that the retrofitted tractor produces more power/equal in comparison to Diesel-run engine. Overall emissions are reduced by 70% as compared to Diesel. It will help farmers to save up to 50% on the fuel cost. Miscellaneous International Day Of Women & Young Girls In Science International Day of Women & Young Girls in Science was recently celebrated by launching an online campaign. Ministry: Ministry of Women & Child Development in association with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Electronics and Information technology  Objective: (1) To celebrate women who have carved a niche for themselves in the field of STEM; (2) To encourage young girls who aspire to excel in STEM and contribute towards nation building; (3) To promote full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls It is observed after the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 2015. The day recognises the critical role women and girls play in science and technology. (Mains Focus) ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE Topic: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment; Infrastructure: Ports GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 Context: Parliament has passed landmark Major Port Authorities Bill,2020  The Bill seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in India and provide greater autonomy to these ports.  It seeks to replace the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963.   Key features of the Bill include: Application of Act: The Bill will apply to 12 major ports — Deendayal (erstwhile Kandla), Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (earlier Ennore), V O Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia). These together had handled 705 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in 2019-20. Major Port Authorities Board: The Bill provides for the creation of a Board of Major Port Authority for each major port.  These Boards will replace the existing Port Trusts. Composition of Board: It will comprise of a Chairperson and a deputy Chairperson, both of whom will be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of a selection committee. Board will include one member each from state government, Railway & Defence Ministry and Customs department. Additionally, 2-4 independent members and two members representing interest of employees of Port authority will be part of Board. Powers of the Port Board: The Bill allows the Board to use its property, assets and funds as deemed fit for the development of the major port. To meet its capital and working expenditure requirements, the Board may raise loans from banks, financial institutions and from abroad. Autonomy to Board: They have been delegated full powers to enter into contracts, planning and development, fixing of tariff except in national interest, security and emergency arising out of inaction and default. In the present MPT Act, 1963 prior approval of the Central Government was required in 22 instances. Push to Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects:  The Bill defines PPP projects as projects taken up through a concession contract by the Board.  For such projects, the Board may fix the tariff for the initial bidding purposes but the appointed concessionaire will be free to fix the actual tariffs based on market conditions Corporate Social Responsibility: The Bill provides that the Board may use its funds for providing social benefits. This includes development of infrastructure in areas such as education, health, housing, and skill development.    Adjudicatory Board: The Bill provides for the constitution of an Adjudicatory Board by the central government.  This Board will replace the existing Tariff Authority for Major Ports(TAMP) constituted under the 1963 Act. This Board look into disputes between ports and PPP concessionaires and also reviews stressed PPP projects Significance of the Bill Similar to Global Institutional Structure: It modernises the institutional structure of these ports. The bill reorients the governance model in central ports to landlord port model in line with the successful global practice Decentralisation: The bill aims at decentralizing decision making and to infuse professionalism in governance of major ports.  Transparency: It imparts faster and transparent decision making benefiting the stakeholders and better project execution capability.  Compact Board: A simplified composition of the Board of Port Authority will comprise of 11 to 13 Members representing various interests (earlier 17 to 19 Members). A compact Board with professional independent Members will strengthen decision making and strategic planning. Boost to Port Sector: This will empower the Major Ports to perform with greater efficiency on account of full autonomy in decision making which in turn promotes the expansion of port infrastructure and facilitate trade and commerce. It ensures optimum utilisation of the coastal line in the country through competitive ports. Not Privatisation: The new Act is not intended to privatise major ports but aimed at boosting their decision-making powers in order to compete with private ports. It is seen as the first step in the corporatisation of Ports and then enabling them to list on stock exchange Connecting the dots: Corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE Topic: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. On cryptocurrencies and regulation Context: Government has proposed bringing in a law on cryptocurrencies so as to put an end to the existing ambiguity over the legality of these currencies in India.  What is cryptocurrency? A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend.  Many cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers Regulation of Cryptocurrencies The government has, from time to time, suggested that it does not consider cryptocurrencies to be legal tender.  The disapproval of cryptocurrencies by government is due to fact that such currencies are highly volatile, used for illicit Internet transactions, and wholly outside the ambit of the state. In 2018, the RBI did send a circular to banks directing them not to provide services for those trading in cryptocurrencies.  Those challenging the RBI Circular in Supreme Court had argued that these were commodities and not currencies. Therefore, RBI did not have the jurisdiction. The circular was set aside by SC, which found it to be “disproportionate”. Regulatory bodies like RBI and Sebi etc also don’t have a legal framework to directly regulate cryptocurrencies as they are neither currencies nor assets or securities or commodities issued by an identifiable user Challenges This legal ambivalence has not, however, been able to prevent cryptocurrencies from having a growing user base in India.  Their attraction may only grow now, given that the most well-known of them as also the most valuable, Bitcoin, has hit new peaks in price and is gaining influential followers such as Tesla founder Elon Musk.  Cryptocurrency exchanges, which have sprung up, are reportedly lobbying with the government to make sure these currencies are regulated rather than banned outright. Way Forward Smart regulation is preferable, as a ban on something that is based on a technology of distributed ledger cannot be implemented for all practical purposes. Even in China, where cryptocurrencies have been banned and the Internet is controlled, trading in cryptocurrencies has been low but not non-existent,. The government must resist the idea of a ban and push for smart regulation. Connecting the dots: Blockchain and Voting: Click Here (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note:  Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.  Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Pre And Post Matric Scholarship Schemes for SC and OBC students come under which of the following Ministry?  Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry of Education  Ministry of Minority affairs  Ministry of Women and Child development Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code): The Code caters to all  categories of organised workers only.  It applies to every establishment in which 10 or more inter-state migrant workers are employed.  Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3 Which of the following scheme/schemes promote organic farming?  National Mission on Soil Health Card Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) PM-Fasal Bima Yojana Both (a) and (b)  ANSWERS FOR 11th February 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 B 3 B 4 D Must Read On India’s digital services tax: The Hindu On disengagement at the LAC: The Hindu About how India’s farm crisis is of middle peasant and not of chhota Kisan: The Indian Express

मासिक पत्रिका दिसंबर 2020- हिन्दी IASbaba सामयिकी

ARCHIVES Hello Friends,   Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation. An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it! This Hindi edition covers all important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of दिसंबर/DECEMBER 2020. Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on the new design and presentation of the magazine. We would love to hear from you 🙂 DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE- CLICK HERE To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount YOUTUBE  –  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQ FACEBOOK  – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/ Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts! Thank You IASbaba