May 3, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 3rd May 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) P-8I Patrol Aircraft Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Defence and Security  In news The U.S. State Department approved the proposed sale of six P-8I patrol aircraft and related equipment to India, a deal estimated to cost $2.42 billion. Key takeaways  In November 2019, the Defence Acquisition Council, approved the procurement of the long-range maritime surveillance aircraft manufactured by Boeing. The possible sale comes through the Foreign Military Sale route and requires that the U.S. Congress be notified. With India having signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) foundational agreement with the U.S., the six aircraft will come fitted with encrypted systems. The P-8I is based on the Boeing 737 commercial aircraft and India was its first international customer. Public Buildings and Fire Safety Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Disaster management  In news Over the past year, there have been deadly fires in hospital buildings, including those treating COVID-19 patients. Key takeaways  The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) says 330 people died in commercial building fires in 2019.  Fatalities for residential or dwelling buildings: 6,329. Electrical faults are cited as the leading cause of fires  State governments are widely criticised for being lax with building safety laws and for failing to equip public buildings with modern technology. Hospital ICUs (intensive care units) are a great fire risk because they are oxygen-suffused, and need to meet high standards. Part 4 of the National Building Code of India deals with Fire and Life Safety.  The document provides specifications and guidelines for design and materials that reduce the threat of destructive fires. Hospitals come under the institutional category in the code. Species in news: Xylophis Deepaki  Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III - Biodiversity  In news Herpetologist Deepak Veerappan has a snake named after him. Key takeaways  In the first four months of 2021, the Western Ghats presented new butterflies, frogs, fruit flies, and even a freshwater crab. Joining the list is a tiny snake of just 20 cm length with iridescent scales - Xylophis Deepaki.  It was first stumbled upon in a coconut plantation in Kanyakumari.  It is now reported to be an endemic species of Tamil Nadu and has been sighted in a few locations in the southern part of the Western Ghats. The species is named in honour of Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan for his contribution in erecting a new subfamily Xylophiinae to accommodate wood snakes. Do you know?  Wood snakes are harmless, sub-fossorial and often found while digging soil in farms and under the logs in the Western Ghat forests. They feed on earthworms and possibly other invertebrates. Interestingly, their close relatives are found in northeast India and Southeast Asia and are known to be arboreal. Place in news: Vorukh  Part of: GS Prelims and GS - II - International Relations  In news At least 31 people have been killed in Kyrgyzstan in heavy clashes at its disputed border with Tajikistan.  Key takeaways  More than a third of the two countries’ border is disputed, with the area surrounding the Vorukh, where recent conflict erupted.  It is a regular flashpoint over territorial claims and access to water. Vorukh is a jamoat (administrative division) in northern Tajikistan. It is an enclave surrounded by Kyrgyzstan that forms part of the city of Isfara in Sughd Region. The location of the border of the enclave is disputed by the Tajik and Kyrgyz governments. Putola Nach Part of: GS Prelims and GS – I - Culture  In news The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an Assam-based trust the opportunity to focus on a near-forgotten form of string puppetry called Putola Nach. Key takeaways  It is performed in three areas with distinct characteristics. These areas are Barpeta-Nalbari in western Assam, Kalaigaon in northern Assam and Majuli “island” in eastern Assam. The Ramayana, either in its entirety or by episodes, is performed, as well as scenes from the Mahabharata.  The puppeteers are happy to add dialogues or chants taken from bhaona, the local traditional theatre. Miscellaneous Lag B’omer Festival  Lag B’Omer is an annual Jewish festival observed during the Hebrew month of Iyar. It is celebrated on the 33rd day of the Omer, the 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot. Lag B’Omer is the only day during the 49-day period when celebration is permitted.  Hence, it is common for Jews to schedule weddings on this day every year.  Young boys, who have reached the age of three, are also traditionally brought here for their first hair cut. To mark the occasion, ultra-Orthodox Jewish pilgrims make their way to the base of Mount Meron every year, to pay their respects to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a second century sage and mystic, who is believed to have died on this day. The Rabbi’s tomb is a much revered holy site in Israel (Mains Focus) GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Medical Oxygen Crisis in India Context: Medical oxygen is a critical component in the treatment of COVID affected patients. A shortage of medical oxygen at hospitals in many parts of the country in the wake of the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 infections has caused multiple deaths across country. How much oxygen does India produce? Union Health Ministry has said that India had a daily production capacity of 7,127 metric tonnes (MT) of oxygen, which it asserted was sufficient given that the countrywide medical oxygen consumption as of April 12 was 3,842 MT.  The 7,127 MT capacity that the Ministry referred to was the overall oxygen-producing capacity, including the volumes produced for industrial use,  Recently, the Centre has restricted the supply of oxygen for all non-medical purposes, except a list of exempted industries that includes pharmaceuticals, food, oil refineries and oxygen cylinder makers. This has meant that the major share of output has been earmarked for medical use. PMO has said in release that the production of LMO [liquid medical oxygen] in the country has increased from 5,700 MT/day in August 2020 to the present 8,922 MT (on April 25, 2021). The domestic production of LMO is expected to cross 9,250 MT/day by the end of April 2021. What led to the shortage? Caught off guard by steep demand: While the Union government did constitute an inter-ministerial Empowered Group (EG2) of senior officers in March 2020 to ensure the availability of essential medical equipment, including medical oxygen, to the affected States, the group appears to have been caught off guard by the sheer scale and speed of the rise in infections.  Failure of Demand Forecasting: Oxygen demand projections have woefully lagged behind actual requirements thus causing the crisis. The demand for medical oxygen, which prior to the onset of the pandemic last year was at about 10% of overall output, or 700 MT/day, has skyrocketed in recent weeks, to ~5700MT/day, with the incidence of patients suffering acute respiratory distress having sharply spiked during the current second wave.  Increased Demand by States: while Uttar Pradesh doubled its requirement forecast to 800 MT from 400 MT earlier, Delhi said it would need 700 MT as of April 20, a 133% increase from the 300 MT it had previously sought.  Poor Logistical Preparation: The logistical preparation for a second wave in India appears to have been wholly inadequate. With just 1,224 cryogenic tankers available for transporting LMO, there have not been enough vehicles to carry medical oxygen in quick time to critical locations. As a result, supplies ran out with replenishment not reaching on time and many seriously ill patients gasping to death Why are we facing supply challenges? Prior to the pandemic, a bulk of the health sector’s medical oxygen requirement had been met with supplies delivered either in form of oxygen cylinders containing the element as a high-purity gas or through dedicated cryogenic tankers that transport the oxygen in liquid form and deliver them to storage tanks at hospitals. The stand-alone facilities for the production of oxygen, including the medical variant, have so far been geographically concentrated mainly in clusters in the eastern, southern and western parts of the country, thus necessitating the transportation of the element over distances by road.  What is being done to boost supply? The Centre is taking a multi-pronged approach to address the crisis.  Diversion from Steel Plants: For one, it has decided to deploy surplus stocks of the element available with steel plants across the country, including Public Sector Units.  Logistical Support by Government: The movement of transport tankers for LMO is now being closely monitored and the Indian Railways and the Indian Air Force have been roped in to help ferry tankers by both rail and air  Tankers augmentation: The PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation) has also issued directions to oversee the conversion of argon and nitrogen tankers for use as oxygen tankers. Production of additional cryogenic tankers is also underway to augment fleet capacity.  Usage of Industrial Cylinders: Separately, industrial cylinders have been permitted to be used for medical oxygen after due purging, and the Health Ministry is placing orders for another one lakh oxygen cylinders. Decentralised approach for producing oxygen: Union Health Ministry is also expediting on a war footing the commissioning of 162 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants that can generate oxygen from the air at various hospitals across the country. International Assistance: For now, the government is also accepting assistance from abroad with several countries, including Russia and Singapore, despatching oxygen equipment. GEOGRAPHY/ ENVIRONMENT Topic: GS-1: Geography GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Climate change causing a shift in Earth’s axis Context: Rising sea levels, heatwaves, melting glaciers and storms are some of the well-known consequences of climate change. New research has added yet another impact to this list – marked shifts in the axis along which the Earth rotates. A study published in Geophysical Research Letters of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) says that due to the significant melting of glaciers because of global temperature rise, our planet’s axis of rotation has been moving more than usual since the 1990s. How the Earth’s axis shifts? The Earth’s axis of rotation is the line along which it spins around itself as it revolves around the Sun. The points on which the axis intersects the planet’s surface are the geographical north and south poles. The location of the poles is not fixed, however, as the axis moves due to changes in how the Earth’s mass is distributed around the planet. Thus, the poles move when the axis moves, and the movement is called “polar motion”. According to NASA, data from the 20th century shows that the spin axis drifted about 10 centimetres per year. Meaning over a century, polar motion exceeds 10 metres. Generally, polar motion is caused by changes in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, oceans, or solid Earth. But now, climate change is adding to the degree with which the poles wander. What the new study says? Since the 1990s, climate change has caused billions of tonnes of glacial ice to melt into oceans. This has caused the Earth’s poles to move in new directions. As per the study, the north pole has shifted in a new eastward direction since the 1990s, because of changes in the hydrosphere (meaning the way in which water is stored on Earth).  From 1995 to 2020, the average speed of drift was 17 times faster than from 1981 to 1995. Also, in the last four decades, the poles moved by about 4 metres in distance. The faster ice melting under global warming was the most likely cause of the directional change of the polar drift in the 1990s, the study says. The other possible causes are (terrestrial water storage) change in non‐glacial regions due to climate change and unsustainable consumption of groundwater for irrigation and other anthropogenic activities While ice melting is the major factor behind increased polar motion, groundwater depletion also adds to the phenomenon. As millions of tonnes of water from below the land is pumped out every year for drinking, industries or agriculture, most of it eventually joins the sea, thus redistributing the planet’s mass. Connecting the dots: Paris Climate Deal Carbon Neutrality (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 Consider the following statements: Xylophis Deepaki is endemic species of Tamil Nadu. Subfamily Xylophiinae accommodates wood snakes. Which of the above is/are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.2 Vorukh, recently seen in the news, is a disputed area between which of the following two countries? Russia and Kazakhstan Kazakhstan and  Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Q.3 Patola Nach is a string puppetry of which of the following state of India? Assam Nagaland Bihar Chhattisgarh ANSWERS FOR 1st May 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 B 3 C Must Read On Supreme Court intervention against clampdown on information: The Hindu On India’s COVID efforts: The Indian Express On need for changes in Gender Policy: Deccan Herald

May 3, 2021 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies Paper 1 Questions [3rd MAY,2021] – Day 97

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1- ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – General Studies 1 Questions [3rd MAY, 2020] – Day 97 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. We are giving 5 Mains Questions on a daily basis so that every student can actively participate and keep your preparation focused. 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 Note: Click on Each Question (Link), it will open in a new tab and then Answer respective questions! 1. What makes the Northeast region highly prone to earthquakes? Analyse. पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र में भूकंप की अधिक आशंका क्यों होती है? विश्लेषण करें। 2. Discuss the phenomena of landslides as an ecological hazard. भूस्खलन की परिघटना पर पारिस्थितिक खतरे के रूप में चर्चा करें। 3. Discuss the landforms associated with volcanic activity in India. भारत में ज्वालामुखी गतिविधि से जुड़े भू-आकृतियों पर चर्चा करें। 4. How do temperate cyclones affect the local weather conditions? Illustrate. शीतोष्ण चक्रवात स्थानीय मौसम की स्थितियों को कैसे प्रभावित करते हैं? चित्रण करें। 5. Discuss the origin and propagation of tropical cyclones. How are tropical cyclones named? उष्णकटिबंधीय चक्रवातों की उत्पत्ति और प्रसार पर चर्चा करें। उष्णकटिबंधीय चक्रवातों का नाम कैसे रखा जाता है? P.S: The review from IASbaba will happen from the time the question is posted till 10 pm everyday. We would also encourage peer reviews. So friends get actively involved and start reviewing each others answers. This will keep the entire community motivated. All the Best :)

May 3, 2021 IASbaba Prelims 60 Day Plan

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan - IAS Prelims Test Series 2021 - POLITY, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT [Day 37]

For Previous (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends,  ARCHIVES OF 60 DAYS NOTE: IASbaba's 60 DAY questions will be posted around 10 AM. The solution will be released around 5 PM Daily.  Let us pledge to make it a big game-changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days!  Note- Download the OMR Sheet and attempt the questions exactly like UPSC Prelims. After you are done, please post your OMR in the comment section. Once the solution key is released (around 5 PM), cross-check the answers and, comment the marks (you scored) in the same comment thread. This will keep you accountable, responsible and sincere in days to come.  You can also take part in the discussion with peers.   POLITY [DAY 37] - Click Here NOTE- Follow this for Comments Mention- Time Taken after solving the Test After the release of Solution, Edit your Comment to Mention-  Correct/Incorrect and Score 2 Marks for Correct/0.66 minus for Incorrect. What IMPACT can the ‘60 Day’ have on the final results? We will explain by taking a small example. Imagine you are sitting in the examination hall, appearing in Prelims Paper I. You have attempted 70 questions already but still unsure about a few. Then you stumble upon a question that was asked in 60 Day (and believe us, it has happened to hundreds of students countless times). You choose the right answer and submit your paper hoping for the best! Eventually, you go on to clear Mains as well as Personality Test and secure a good rank as well. When the cut off gets announced by UPSC, you realize that you have scored just one mark more than the cut off! Yes, that one mark can change your life (and it has done so to many of our students in the past). Now, imagine the kind of impact 60 to 80 marks can have! Isn’t that so fascinating to imagine?   One’s level of preparedness is always different for different subjects. Even within a subject, one’s comfort level may vary with topics. For example, one might be more comfortable in solving questions of Polity than Economics and within Polity also, one might be at ease with questions on fundamental rights than Parliament. The level of comfort and ease that one has with a subject/ topic gets manifested in the examination. However, there is no conscious effort by aspirants to micro analyze these aspects. Now, coming to the second aspect i.e. the mistakes that one commits in answering MCQs, it can be said that there are mainly four reasons behind incorrect responses in the OMR sheet. They are: Lack of information Lack of analytical ability Silly mistakes Excessive risk-taking Let’s analyze them one by one: Lack of information: You simply don’t know the information. You are clueless and that’s why you don’t attempt the question. For example, you may have never come across a regime called the ‘Wassenaar Agreement’ during your preparation and you can’t do much about it. The lack of information is pardonable and rectifiable. You can read more and gather more information. That is within your reach. Lack of analytical ability: You know the concept but the question is a twisted one and you are not able to apply the concept. For example, in a question asking you to identify the climate type of a region based on certain given parameters like precipitation, temperature, and air density, you might find it difficult to mark the correct option even if you are aware of all the options given in the question! That is clearly a lack of application and you can overcome it by developing a habit of framing questions in your mind while you study any topic. Silly mistakes: This habit is unpardonable. You know the concept, you become happy, you misread the question, you mark the incorrect answer and you are out of the race! Such mistakes reveal your hurriedness while answering the question. A simple mistake of reading ‘chose the incorrect option’ as ‘chose the correct option’ can destroy your chances. It means that you need to have patience and focus while attempting the paper. Excessive risk-taking: You are confused between the options and just in order to increase your attempts, you make wild guesses and try your luck only to repent eventually. Risk-taking is an art and one must be very careful while doing the guesswork in confusing questions. If you are not lucky enough, it can spoil your chances. You will realize that these problems will have different meanings for different people. For example, one might find a lack of information as the main culprit in answering wrong the questions on Culture while in Polity, lack of analytical ability is usually the culprit. The point here is that you must analyse your preparation on these yardsticks by applying them on different subjects/ topics. If one is having a headache, he/ she can’t have the same medicine for fever. Isn’t it. This is where our revamped '60 Day’ comes into the picture. It will give you an opportunity to micro analyze your preparation and perform better in the examination. Finally, it is up to you to take advantage of this framework. We are sure of only one thing- if you follow this program, assess yourself on the basis of the given framework and keep improving your weaker areas, success will be yours. We are providing you with the right platform, the right guidance, and the right competition. Do you have the right motivation to make full use of this initiative? We think you have. Come, be a part of this initiative and take the first step towards SUCCESS! Importance of self - tracking: We could have provided all of you with login id and passwords to monitor your daily performance in the 60-day program. Instead, a simple and most beautiful way which Disqus provides is profile based commenting! Yes, we have seen the most successful candidates who have taken the maximum benefit from this program monitoring themselves by commenting on their answers in the box given (Disqus comment). And reviewing their performance themselves once in 10 days on the progress meter.  DOWNLOAD THE 60 DAYS PLAN 2021   All the Best! IASbaba    

May 2, 2021 TLP Mains Answer Writing

SYNOPSIS [27th April,2021] Day 92: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE   SYNOPSIS [27th April,2021] Day 92: IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1): UPSC Mains Answer Writing (General Studies)   1. With the internal security threats emanating from communication networks, what steps can be taken to regulate their misuse without violating the right to privacy and freedom of expression? Discuss. Approach Candidates are expected to write about internal security threats emanating from the communications networks. And then suggests steps to regulate misuse. Introduction In cutthroat competition and rapidly changing technical environment, there is more economic uncertainty and complexities that afflicting the nation. Security is described by experts as ensuring protected communication among computing/communication systems and user applications across public and private networks, is essential for guaranteeing confidentiality, privacy and data/information protection. Body Recent issues threats emanating from the communication network – Various communication networks are the mainstay of much of the critical infrastructure in many sectors today such as civil aviation, shipping, railways, power, nuclear, oil and gas, finance, banking, IT, law enforcement, intelligence agencies, space, defence, and government networks. The Ministry of Home Affairs notification through its Cyber Coordination Center on ZOOM Application after Computer Emergency Response Team’s (CERT-IN) raised concerns on video conferencing through the app in lockdown situation once again exposed the threats to the internal security through communication networks. The recent digital security breach by a spyware called Pegasus compromised phones of multiple activists, journalists and lawyers in India. The spyware was able to track multiple user applications like messages, emails, audio calls, browser history, contacts including end-to-end encrypted data. The whole incident brought forward the issue of digital security and the ways to achieve it with minimum loopholes.  With the help of social media, people have started attacking each other’s religion on this platform. Sensitive tweets regarding religion are becoming a common phenomenon. Circulation of certain pictures through communication networks also creates a panic among the masses. This is a threat to the internal security of the nation as it disturbs the communal harmony.  Popular communication networks websites are another means of attracting potential members and followers. These types of virtual communities are growing increasingly popular all over the world, especially among younger demographics. This can build Anti-national Sentiments among Society. Hackers write or use ready-made computer programs to attack the target computer. By using communication networks hackers breach the national security and steal important data of defence or other strategic sectors. This can kneel the whole country without using Arms and Ammunition. Steps to regulate misuse without violating the fundamental rights – The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes on the lines of WhatsApp. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has launched an instant messaging platform called Sandes on the lines of WhatsApp. Governments across the world should strengthen their Cybersecurity Framework to deal with the threats posed by dark net. They must cooperate with each other regarding securing the Cyberspaces worldwide through intelligence, information, technology and expertise sharing. Real-time intelligence is required for preventing and containing cyber attacks. To achieve that, India needs to secure its computing environment and Internet of Things (IoT) with current tools, patches, updates and best-known methods in a timely manner. The need of the hour is to develop core skills in cyber-security, data integrity, and data security fields and setting up of stringent cyber-security standards to protect the institutional infrastructure of the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already taken effective measures to strengthen the national security apparatus and communication and information management systems. All internal security activities should be underpinned by vigorous information management to safeguard the effective use of resources and data assets. Nevertheless, security agencies face challenges at every stage of information management such as creation, collection, storage, and communication. To deal with such as challenges, security agencies must develop robust and automated information management and install various protective measures to protect from cyber threats.  Development of Public Private Partnerships is an important strategy under the National Cyber Security Policy 2013. Pursuant to this aim, under the aforementioned Cyber Swachhta Kendra initiative, antivirus company Quick Heal is providing a free bot removal Tool. Conclusion To summarize, internal security organisations in India and around the globe has to undergo unparalleled challenges such as the need to tackle crime, address the increasing challenge of Transnational criminal networks and the ongoing threat of international and domestic terrorism, cybercrime, money laundering, narcoterrorism and human trafficking. 2. Comment on the role played by media and social networking sites during the COVID pandemic. Approach  Candidate with the help of examples and anecdotes from the current happenings can give the picture of role played by traditional media and social media sites during the pandemic outlining positives and negatives of the platforms.  Introduction Human beings, from the history of their existence are connected like never before. Globalisation and communication revolution has drastically changed the way information is processed, received and spread. Covid-19 pandemic brought out some of the unique characteristics of this infodemic. Consistent information, misinformation and fake news have permanently changed the way we receive news. Body The Covid-19 pandemic has caused social and economic disruptions all around the globe. Moreover, the worrisome situation is not just because of the pandemic but the ease at which fake news has been spreading around it. The World Health Organization (WHO) admitted that humanity is fighting two foes — a pandemic and an “infodemic”. What is infodemic? Infodemic is an overabundance of information that makes it difficult for people to identify truthful and trustworthy sources from false or misleading ones. In the present state of emergency, a barrage of information on the virus has deluged the traditional and social media space. Role of media and social networking sites during pandemic – As the cases of covid-19 is increasing day by day, the load of media to entertain people is also increasing. Here the role of Television and radio is very crucial, as most of the medium is not accessible. They are loaded with dual responsibility is not only entertaining the audience but also providing with relevant and genuine data. The initial role of media in this time or anytime is to educate, inform and entertain. And here the credibility arrives, things should be told with facts to avoid further conflict or confusion. It works as breeze between government and general public. Television has robust power to make how we see the world, as it so flexible that could influence the people in a large extent. The issues like tablighi jamaat were blown out of proportion by television media by calling it virus jihad. During the pandemic, sense of helplessness and polarisation was created among the sections of society. The role of television media is to convey the information, with large graphics and loud announcements, media houses declared a kind of apocalypse is here. Even today we see glamorisation of poverty and sufferings of common man, media should be sensitive enough to understand the sufferings of patients and their relatives and choose not to go after sensationalization. Social networking sites – Social Media, with its ability to amplify a message through endorsements and forwards, gives one the tool to reach a potential audience without needing substantial resources or access to expensive media technology. Social media provides the tools for an information cascade. It enables individuals to distribute large volumes of disinformation or fake news. Today's decision-making is not based on individual rationality but from shared group-level narratives. Social media helps in making the false and misleading narratives of some social miscreants. There are rising dangerous conspiracy theories of Covid-19 of being a Bioweapon. A rumour of a lockdown of essential commodities resulted in people hoarding the essential supplies. Social media did played positive role as a crucial conduit between families, friends, office, and a medium of entertainment. A reliable way for the victims of this virus to communicate with the outside world. In response to Covid-19 pandemic, it gave birth to a fair share of online fundraisers. For example, donations in the PM-CARES fund got encouraged by people sharing this on social media.  People are also giving money to financially struggling hospitals, as well as individuals at risk of dying from the disease. From plasma to oxygen cylinders, information is disseminated through social media. Social media displays and strengthens solidarity against this virus. For example, Indian Prime Minister called for lighting lamps to reinforce the public commitment to fight Covid-19. WHO and other public health organizations also use social media to inform the public about the outbreak, and control the panic. It is being used to spread preventive steps that one can take to fight Covid-19. These small changes in behaviours can have enormous consequences. Conclusion Traditional media and in particular social media is a two edged sword. Fake information spreads faster than the virus and it mutates with an enormous speed. To immune ourselves from this virus of misinformation we have to take vaccine of optimum use of social media platforms and be informed from the authentic media platforms and not to run after the sensationalization. 3. Why is fake news considered a serious internal security threat? Analyse. Approach Since the question is asking you to analyse, you are expected to break an issue into constituent parts and explain how these relate to one other and present as one summary. Introduction  The word ‘Fake News’- Word of the Year, 2017 by Collins Dictionary got popularised in the 2016 US Presidential election and Brexit. It is much debated in communication fields and social sciences as it has the potential to polarise public opinion, to incite violence and extremism. Body  WHY FAKE NEWS IS CONSIDERED A SERIOUS INTERNAL SECURITY THREAT? Fake news has the potential to polarise public opinion, to promote violent extremism and hate speech and, ultimately, to undermine democracies and reduce trust in the democratic processes. The countries which are already suffering from ethnic tensions, misinformation can exasperate a lot of tensions and can also generate violence.  Rumours spread through fake news can create a lot of social turmoil in a country or among the countries.  In perhaps, the well-known case, Myanmar during the Rohingya crises Facebook was used as a tool or weapon by the people to incite violence against the Rohingya Muslims.  Buddhists were influenced by the rumors which led them to target Muslims. To retaliate the harm caused on Muslim in Myanmar, Indian Muslim attack Bodh Gaya temple of India.  In India, rumors spread by Whatsapp led to many communal riots. Riot in Muzaffarnagar in 2013 where around 50 people were killed is the example of one such case out of many which takes place every year. Jammu & Kashmir witnessed internet shutdowns quite in high frequency after any military operation takes place or after any act related to the state, which is of sensitive nature, is passed by the legislature in order to restrict the circulation of fake news and misinformation which can make situation worst. Across the country, there is a rise in numbers of mob attacks fueled by rumors spread by using social media handles like Whatsapp, Facebook, twitter etc. Fake news, state-funded disinformation and propaganda directly challenge the question of national security and the democratic set-up of any nation. The whole system and set-up have turned into more complicated and complex state, and the challenges that it present cannot be met by mere simple solutions; they require open, deep and critical analysis.  Conclusion Fake news and disinformation are definitely a threat to a nation’s security both externally as well as internally. There is need of codified rules in order to check the authenticity and reason of arrest of rumor-monger by official.  Online platform, social media or other such private companies that act as a platform to communicate, too has desired role to play in this process of curbing fake news. It is their responsibility to check the validity of information and disclose the details creator before passing liability to government to do the same. It is a responsibility of every individual to combat the scourge of fake news. It can include improving digital literacy among the general public and supporting investigative journalism. 4. What are the security challenges posed by emerging technologies like artificial Intelligence and block chain? Discuss. Approach Question is straight forward in its approach students are expected to write about the security challenges posed by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain technology also it is important to substantiate with examples as well. Introduction Artificial intelligence and block chain are the new disruptive technologies emerging across sectors worldwide Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast evolving as the go-to technology for companies across the world to personalise experience for individuals. The technology itself is getting better and smarter day by day, allowing more and newer industries to adopt the AI and blockchain for various applications. The rudimentary applications AI include bring smarter chat-bots for customer service, personalising services for individuals, and even placing an AI robot for self-service at banks. Beyond these basic applications, banks can implement the technology for bringing in more efficiency to their back-office and even reduce fraud and security risks. Body Security challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence and block chain are as follows – Hackers are embracing the machine learning algorithms behind the technology’s success to create nuanced attacks personalized for specific individuals. Because AI can be “taught” with data sets, hackers can either create their own programs or manipulate existing systems for malicious purposes. Attacks executed with AI tend to be more successful, perhaps because the technology makes it easier to develop malware with the ability to evade even sophisticated threat detection. For example, pairing polymorphic malware with AI allows these programs to change their code rapidly, making them almost invulnerable to existing cybersecurity systems. Massive Data Centres Needed – Achieving the abovementioned objectives, AI requires massive computational capacity, which means more power-hungry data centres and a big carbon footprint. Jurisdictional Issues of Data Pooling – Countries are passing stricter legislations on data security (E.g. EUGDPR) that require citizen data to be stored on servers located domestically, picking colder climates beyond their borders is becoming a difficult option. The increasing accessibility of facial-recognition technology has also increased concerns with respect to privacy, security, and civil liberties. Data immutability has always been one of the biggest disadvantages of the blockchain. It is clear that multiple systems benefit from it including supply chain, financial systems, and so on. However, if you take how networks work, you should understand that this immutability can only be present if the network nodes are distributed fairly. Another problem that it suffers from is the data once written cannot be removed. Every person on the earth has the right to privacy. However, if the same person utilizes a digital platform that runs on blockchain technology, then he will be unable to remove its trace from the system when he doesn’t want it there. In simple words, there is no way he can remove his trace, leaving privacy rights into pieces. 51% attack is sometimes so critical that the intruders can gain control over the system for sure. Such a network will be affected by double-spending too. The security threat is aggravated by the anonymous nature of this bitcoin system. Anonymity is appreciated, but identifying culprits attempting illicit transactions is difficult here. Less Transparency is a downside of blockchain technology so far. In blockchain technology, it is hard to add or modify data once after it is recorded. It is considered as the major disadvantages and advantages of blockchain technology. Considering its downside, the process of data modification needs rewriting codes and indulges in an extensive process. Too much stability can sometimes adversely affect systems. The major disadvantage of blockchain technology here is irreversible records and its demanding modification process. Conclusion Blockchain technology and Artificial intelligence has proven itself robust and secure. It ensures integrity of the data and reduces incidents of fraud. The decentralised nature of the blockchain technology applications makes it a perfect fit for many industries to carry out secure business transactions. The proper use of blockchain technology allows us to avoid the use of middlemen or partner platforms in a peer-to-peer network, reduce reception time, fraudulent proof. Similarly Artificial Intelligence has a promising future and has everything for the benefit of humankind if concerns regarding security are alleviated fully. 5. What are the most common international destinations used for money laundering? What measures have been taken to control it? Approach The candidate needs to elaborate upon the most common international destinations used for money laundering in the first part of the answer while in the second part, one needs to show some measures taken to control it. Introduction Money laundering is the processing of criminal proceeds to disguise their illegal origin. It is the concealing or disguising identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from legitimate sources. It is frequently a component of other, much more serious, crimes such as drug trafficking, robbery or extortion.    According to the IMF, global Money Laundering is estimated between 2 to 5% of World GDP. Body As money laundering is a consequence of almost all profit generating crime, it can occur practically anywhere in the world. Generally, money launderers tend to seek out countries or sectors in which there is a low risk of detection due to weak or ineffective anti-money laundering programmes.  Money laundering activity may also be concentrated geographically according to the stage the laundered funds have reached. At the placement stage, for example, the funds are usually processed relatively close to the under-lying activity. With the layering phase, the launderer might choose an offshore financial centre, a large regional business centre, or a world banking centre – any location that provides an adequate financial or business infrastructure.  Finally, at the integration phase, launderers might choose to invest laundered funds in still other locations if they were generated in unstable economies or locations offering limited investment opportunities. Currently, The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has ‘call for actions’ in Iran and Dem. Rep Korea. These countries are considered very high risk and are not members of any anti-money laundering (AML) organisations, meaning no laws are in place to help combat money laundering.  According to the Basel anti-money laundering index, the top 10 countries currently facing the greatest risk of money laundering are – Afghanistan (8.16), Haiti (8.15), Myanmar (7.86), Laos (7.82), Mozambique (7.82), Cayman Islands (7.64), Sierra Leone (7.51), Senegal (7.30), Kenya (7.18), and Yemen (7.12). Steps Taken to Prevent Money Laundering – The Vienna Convention: It creates an obligation for signatory states to criminalize the laundering of money from drug trafficking. The United Nations office on Drugs and Crime: It proactively tries to identify and stop Money Laundering. The Financial Action Task Force: It has been set up by the governments of the G-7 countries at their 1989 Economic Summit, has representatives from around the world. It monitors members’ progress in applying measures to counter Money Laundering. India is a full-fledged member of the FATF and follows the guidelines of the same. Further, Financial Intelligence Unit-IND is an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister. Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance (XXXVIII of 1944): It covers proceeds of only certain crimes such corruption, breach of trust and cheating and not all the crimes under the Indian Penal Code. The Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976: It covers penalty of illegally acquired properties of smugglers and foreign exchange manipulators and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: It provides for the penalty of property derived from, or used in illegal traffic in narcotic drugs. Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA): It forms the core of the legal framework put in place by India to combat Money Laundering. The provisions of this act are applicable to all financial institutions, banks (Including RBI), mutual funds, insurance companies, and their financial intermediaries. PMLA (Amendment) Act, 2012: Adds the concept of ‘reporting entity’ which would include a banking company, financial institution, intermediary etc. It has provided for provisional attachment and confiscation of property of any person involved in such activities. Enforcement Directorate (ED): It is a law enforcement agency and economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India. Conclusion In addition to creating laws that criminalize the laundering of the proceeds of crime, India must also enact strict compliance programs for the financial industry that make it more difficult to launder money. India must negotiate additional Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with other countries. MLATs are invaluable to international judicial assistance. If India intends to curb its escalating drug problem, it must take an aggressive stance with respect to money laundering.   TLP HOT Synopsis Day 92 PDF

May 2, 2021 TLP Mains Answer Writing

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – ESSAY [2nd MAY,2021] – Day 96

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends, Welcome to IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 1 – ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing – ESSAY [2nd MAY,2021] – Day 96 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. There is no world of absolute, complete privacy or a world of complete national security. पूर्ण गोपनीयता या पूर्ण राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा की कोई दुनिया नहीं है। 2. Border security is national security. सीमा सुरक्षा राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा है। 3. No great military power has ever remained so without great economic power.  कोई भी महान सैन्य शक्ति बिना महान आर्थिक शक्ति के कभी नहीं रही। 4. Power exercised in secret, especially under the cloak of national security, is doubly dangerous. शक्ति का गुप्त प्रयोग, विशेष रूप से राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा के लबादे के नीचे, दोगुना खतरनाक है।

May 2, 2021 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – The Power of Awareness – Inspirational Educative Articles

The Power of Awareness: When you do something unconsciously, it goes deep and becomes a part of you. If you think about it, most of your identity is shaped by moments when you were not aware of yourself. When you do something with full awareness, it simply remains as an activity. An activity done unconsciously leaves a residual impact which becomes your personality. This is why it is so difficult to go beyond some of your childhood experiences, or certain traumatic experiences. You will hold on to these experiences, throughout your life, because you were not aware of yourself when they were happening to you. Because you were not aware, and things just happened, you simply assumed that it all happened to you. With awareness, you could have separated the experiences of the mind, body and you. Not everything that has happened to your body or your mind has happened to you. Awareness is a way to constantly keep reminding yourself that you are something separate from the mind and body. You need not carry the baggage of the experiences of your mind and body as if they were yours. Life becomes an enormous burden if you keep accumulating all the experiences of your mind and body, and create your self-identity out of them.  Without awareness, every single experience, good or bad, eventually will weigh you down. It can be an accident or someone willfully hurting you, physically or mentally. Everything becomes a part of you. Without awareness, life is a sheer burden. The solution to all this is awareness. Become aware and you will see that you can move into meditation naturally. People around you will not even know the difference. You will be the same person, the same mind, and the same body, but for the first time, there will be a magnificent glowing presence in everything you do. Life will become a beautiful experience, because you will be there for the first time to experience it all. As of now, you are not there. You are just lost in your thoughts. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Nirvana Foundation and IASBABA.”

May 1, 2021 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 1st May 2021

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Drone Delivery Of Covid-19 Vaccines Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II - Health; Governance In news Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption for drone deployment to the Government of Telangana for Experimental delivery of Covid-19 Vaccines. Key takeaways The permission has been granted within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Range using drones. It is valid for a period of one year or until further orders. Earlier this month, similar permission was granted to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting feasibility study of Covid-19 vaccine delivery using drones in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. The grant of these permissions is intended to achieve the dual objectives of faster vaccine delivery & improved healthcare access by: Ensuring primary healthcare delivery at the citizen’s doorstep Limiting human exposure to COVID congested or COVID prone areas through aerial delivery Ensuring access to health care to the last mile, especially in remote areas Possible integration into the middle mile of medical logistics for long range drones Improving medical supply chain, especially with a third vaccine expected to be commissioned and millions of doses to be transported across India Scheme For Special Assistance To States For Capital Expenditure For 2021-22 Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III - Economy In news The Ministry of Finance, Government of India has decided to provide an additional amount of upto Rs. 15,000 crore to States as interest free 50 year loan for spending on capital projects. Key takeaways The Department of Expenditure has issued fresh guidelines in this regard on the “Scheme of Financial Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure” for the financial year 2021-22. Under the Scheme, financial assistance is provided to the State Governments in the form of 50-year interest free loan.  An amount not exceeding Rs.12,000 crore was earmarked for the scheme for the financial year 2020-21, and a sum of Rs.11,830.29 crore was released to the States. This helped to sustain state level capital expenditure in the pandemic year. In view of the positive response to the scheme and considering the requests of the State Governments, the Government has decided to continue the scheme in the year 2021-22. Do you know? The Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for 2021-22 has three Parts: Part-I: It is for the North-East and Hill States  Part-II: It is for all other States not included in Part-I. This amount has been allocated amongst these States in proportion to their share of central taxes as per the award of the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2021-22. Part-III: It is for providing incentives to States for monetization/recycling of infrastructure assets and disinvestment of the State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs). An amount of Rs.5,000 crore is allocated for this part of the scheme. Under this part, States will receive interest free 50 years loan ranging from 33% to 100% of the amount realised by them, through assets monetization, listing and disinvestment. Legal Metrology (Packaging Rules 2011) Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Economy  In news According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Importers of medical devices, used particularly for providing oxygen support to Covid-19 patients, are now allowed to import these devices without prior mandatory declaration for the next three months, the said in a notification. Key takeaways  The importers can make all necessary declarations after the custom clearance, but before they are sold to consumers.  The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, make it mandatory to get the approvals prior to the import. Department of Consumer Affairs administers the Legal Metrology Act 2009.  Do you know?  The act provides for application of legal requirements to measurements and measuring instruments. The objective of Legal Metrology is to ensure public guarantee from the point of view of security and accuracy of the weighments and measurements. The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities), Rules 2011 are primarily intended to ensure that the consumers are able to make informed choices by being informed of essential declarations on the pre-packed commodities. Quality standards for four spices finalised Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Economy  In news The Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) has finalised and recommended quality standards for four spices; cloves, oregano, basil, and ginger, during its fifth session held recently.  Key takeaways  The committee forwarded these four new standards to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) for adoption as full -fledged Codex standards. New work items were also taken up: To develop Codex standards for small cardamom and turmeric, and to develop the first group standard for spices that fall under the class 'dried fruits and berries'. Do you know?  CCSCH is the youngest of the Codex Commodity Committees.  The Committee is Chaired by India Spices Board India is its Secretariat. Mandate: To elaborate worldwide, science-based quality standards for spices and culinary herbs, in accordance with the Codex principles of consumer protection and fair trade practices.  Dr M.R. Sudharshan is the current Chairman of the Committee. Launch of Operation Samudra Setu-II Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II - International Relations In news Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu-II to augment the ongoing national mission for meeting the Oxygen requirements. Key takeaways Mission deployed Indian Naval warships will undertake shipment of liquid Oxygen filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment in support of India’s  fight against COVID-19. Two ships INS Kolkata and INS Talwar have entered port of Manama, Bahrain for embarking and transporting 40MT of liquid oxygen to Mumbai.  INS Jalashwa is enroute to Bangkok and INS Airavat to Singapore for similar missions. Last year Indian Navy had launched Operation Samudra Setu as part of the Vande Bharat Mission and repatriated approx 4,000 stranded and distressed Indian citizens from Maldives, Sri Lanka and Iran. (Mains Focus) GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. India’s Broken Sanitation System Context: Newly-built “dry latrines” and “hanging toilets” in rural India are the result of the lockdowns of 2020-21 despite the Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, and a strict ban Issues Decline in Usage: Sanitary toilet usage has declined because of the COVID-19 scare as, currently, more than six lakh toilets in rural India have acute water shortage Emergence of Open-defecation: Small pits filled with human excrement near construction sites in Uttar Pradesh highlight the re-emergence open-defecation pattern in India Issue of “hanging toilets”: In West Bengal, more toilets are found to be constructed as “raised beds with small holes” at the centre. These confinements, known as hanging toilets, are built by families who do not want to use sanitary toilets as they are always filled with excrement and faeces. Substandard Materials Used: In Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the toilets in villages have become “death traps” because of the usage of substandard material for construction.  Poor Upkeep of Toilet Infrastructure: Around 1,20,000 toilets have no water supply and thousands of toilets are completely abandoned, with collapsing roofs, water pipes in poor shape and soggy, broken doors. Hotbeds of disease: The usage of both dry latrines and hanging toilets puts the communities around them at high risk of illness, beyond COVID-19.  Increasing Burden on Sanitation Workers: In rural India, long power cuts with no water coverage amidst the pandemic have again put the burden of maintaining sanitary toilets on sanitation workers. “Dry latrines”(toilets without flush or pit latrines) have been the biggest curse for India’s sanitation workers for it becomes additional burden for them to maintain it. Gender-Based Sanitation Insecurity: There is a disproportionate burden faced by women regarding shortage of or the non-availability of sanitation facilities. Women face threats to their life and feel unsafe while seeking a toilet facility or while going out for open defecation. Corruption: Forfeited bills and corruption by contractors keep toilets from having long-lasting infrastructure.  Impact of Lockdown: The lockdowns have again multiplied the sanitation struggle in India, so much so that people are fearing the outcome of using these toilets every day. Way Ahead Re-Evaluating the State of Toilets: The dependence on unimproved water sources in rural India even within sanitary toilets increases the need to re-evaluate the obsession with toilet construction in India.  Reforms for Sanitation Labours: The sanitation system needs to go hand in hand with the water system, combined with an assessment of sanitation behaviour and sanitation labour reforms in India, at every single step. Eradication of Dry Latrines and Hanging Toilets: The usage of both dry latrines and hanging toilets puts the communities around them at high risk of illness, beyond Covid-19. Therefore, both the construction and usage of these units needs to be eradicated. Conclusion Instead of focusing so heavily on building new toilets, we need to address the problems of actual toilet usage in rural India. Connecting the dots: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) About The phenomenon by which bacteria and fungi evolve and become resistant to presently available medical treatment is known as anti-microbial resistance. It is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. Drug resistance in microbes emerges for several reasons. These include  The misuse of antimicrobials in medicine Inappropriate use in agriculture Contamination around pharmaceutical manufacturing sites where untreated waste releases large amounts of active antimicrobials into the environment.  Concerns Undoes Medical Progress: AMR represents an existential threat to modern medicine. AMR is a slow tsunami that threatens to undo a century of medical progress.  Increased Mortality: AMR is already responsible for up to 7,00,000 deaths a year. Neonatal and maternal mortality will increase due to AMR. Economic Loss: Unless urgent measures are taken to address this threat, we could soon face an unprecedented health and economic crisis of 10 million annual deaths and costs of up to $100 trillion by 2050. Increased Vulnerability to infections: Without functional antimicrobials to treat bacterial and fungal infections, even the most common surgical procedures, as well as cancer chemotherapy, will become fraught with risk from untreatable infections.  Disproportionate Burden on Poor Economies: The low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of Asia and Africa are at severe risk of being overrun by untreatable infectious diseases. Way Ahead Comprehensive Surveillance Framework: To track the spread of resistance in microbes, surveillance measures to identify these organisms need to expand beyond hospitals and encompass livestock, wastewater and farm run-offs.  Sustained Investments: Finally, since microbes will inevitably continue to evolve and become resistant even to new antimicrobials, we need sustained investments and global coordination to detect and combat new resistant strains on an ongoing basis. Managing Pharmaceutical Waste: Given the critical role of manufacturing and environmental contamination in spreading AMR through pharmaceutical waste, there is a need to look into measures to curb the amount of active antibiotics released in pharmaceutical waste. Controlled Prescription & Consumer Awareness: Efforts to control prescription through provider incentives should be accompanied by efforts to educate consumers to reduce inappropriate demand. Multi-sectoral Coordination: AMR must no longer be the remit solely of the health sector, but needs engagement from a wide range of stakeholders, representing agriculture, trade and the environment. Solutions in clinical medicine must be integrated with improved surveillance of AMR in agriculture, animal health and the environment.  (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 Which of the following operation has been launched to augment the ongoing national mission for meeting the Oxygen requirements? Operation Raahat Operation Samudra Setu Operation Samudra Setu-II Operation Madad Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC): It was established by WHO alone.  Its objective is to To protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade. Which of the above is/are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  Q.3 Consider the following statements regarding Codex Committee On Spices And Culinary Herbs (CCSCH): India is the host country.  The committee has developed and finalized standards for cloves, oregano, basil, and ginger in its recently held fifth session Which of the above is/are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2  ANSWERS FOR 1st May 2021 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 C 3 C Must Read On silent pandemic of anxiety and mental ailments: The Indian Express On Supreme Court intervention against clampdown on information: The Hindu On India-Japan relationship: The Hindu

May 1, 2021 IASbaba's Courses

[QUICK UPDATE] – ORIENTATION SESSION of Baba’s FOUNDATION COURSE 2022 (FC 2022) on 2nd May (SUNDAY) at 10:30 AM

Dear Students Baba’s Foundation Course (Baba’s FC) is a Comprehensive Classroom and Mentorship-Based programme designed to meet all your preparation needs starting from prelims, through mains till interview in an integrated manner! The Orientation Session for Baba’s Foundation Course 2022 (FC 2022) - Online will be held on 2nd  May 2021 (Sunday) at 10:30 AM. The Session will be taken by Ms. Neha Jain, IAS (Rank 14, CSE 2017), and Mr. Akash S, IAS (Rank 78, CSE 2018). All the enrolled students will be notified via e-mail and calls. To Know More about Baba's Foundation Course (Baba's FC)  - CLICK HERE For any queries/doubts, you can contact us at Email ID: offline@iasbaba.com / support@iasbaba.com Mobile No: 84296 8885 / 91691 91888 (Please call between 10 am – 6 pm ONLY) You can also call on the Hotline to speak with the Core Team Members - 8882913399

May 1, 2021 PIB

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB) IAS UPSC – 18th April to 25th April – 2021

ARCHIVES GS-1 Khajuraho – Temples of Architectural Splendour (Topic: Ancient History) Made in the tenth century; UNESCO World Heritage Site Temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures The erotic expression is given equal importance in human experience as spiritual pursuit, and it is seen as part of a larger cosmic whole. Many Hindu temples therefore feature mithun (embracing couple) sculptures, considered auspicious. Usually, they are placed at the entrance of the temple or on an exterior wall or they may also be placed on the walls between the mandapa and the main shrine. Socio-economic status of women: Khajuraho complex of temples is yet another excellent example of sculptures representing women in different roles. For example on Kandariya laxmana temple we can see a women with a purse in hand purchasing stuff from market showcases economic independence and her ability to make choice. We can also see women are supremely confident when it comes to exploring their sexuality. Practice of polyandry is evident on temple walls The other notable example at Khajuraho is Kandariya Mahadeo temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are many temples at Khajuraho, most of them devoted to Hindu gods. There are some Jain temples as well as a Chausanth Yogini temple, which is of interest. Predating the tenth century, this is a temple of small, square shrines of roughly-hewn granite blocks, each dedicated to esoteric devis or goddesses associated with the rise of Tantric worship after the seventh century.Several such temples were dedicated to the cult of the yoginis across Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Hindu Temples: Kandariya Temple, Mahadev Temple, Devi Jagadamba Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Vishwanatha Temple, Parvati Temple Lakshmana or Chaturbhuja Temple, Varaha Temple, Chaunsat Yogini Temple Jain Temples - Parshvanatha and Ghantai temple The Lakshmana temple  Dedicated to Vishnu is the grandest temple of Khajuraho, built in 954 by the Chandela king, Dhanga. Its construction was completed by 954, the year as per the inscription found at the base of the temple, by Yashovarman, the seventh ruler of the Chandella dynasty. The temples at Khajuraho are all made of sandstone. They were patronized by the Chandella dynasty. The temple plan is of a panchayana type. The temple is constructed on a heavy plinth. It consists of an ardhamandapa (porch), mandapa (porch), the maha mandapa (greater hall) and the garbhagriha with vimana. Many erotic sculptures are carved on the plinth wall. Some erotic sculptures are carved on the actual wall of the temple. An image of Chaturmukha Vishnu is in the garbhagriha. There are images of Vishnu in three shrines and Surya in one, which can be identified by the central image on the lintel of the shrine-doors. A nagara temple, it is placed on a high platform accessed by stairs. There are four smaller temples in the corners, and all the towers or shikharas rise high, upward in a curved pyramidal fashion, emphasising the temple’s vertical thrust ending in a horizontal fluted disc called an amalak topped with a kalash or vase.The crowning elements: amalak and kalash, are to be found on all nagara temples of this period. The temple also has projecting balconies and verandahs GS-2 Cabinet approves  A. Amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 The Government amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 shall provide equity and inclusiveness to all the taxpayers by addressing stakeholders concerns arising out of amendments proposed in the Bill. The Government amendments to the Finance Bill, 2021 are tax proposals which shall generate timely revenue for the Government and streamline existing provisions by addressing grievances of the taxpayers. B. Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand The MRA intends to develop mutually beneficial relationship in the best interest of members, students and their organizations and is expected to provide an opportunity to the ICAI members to expand their professional horizons and to foster working relations between the two accounting institutes. The two accountancy institutes will have an opportunity to play the leadership role in addressing new challenges facing the profession in a globalized environment. Benefits: The engagement between the two Institutes is expected to result in greater employment opportunities for Indian Chartered Accountants and also greater remittances back to India. C. MoU between Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Administrative Council for Economic Defense of Brazil (CADE): Section 18 of the Competition Act, 2002 permits CCI to enter into any Memorandum or arrangement with any agency of any foreign country for the purpose of discharging its duties or performing its functions under the Act. Accordingly, CCI has entered into the following six MoUs: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ), USA Director General Competition, European Union Federal Antimonopoly Service, Russia Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Competition Bureau, Canada and BRICS Competition Authorities. MoU between the India and Bangladesh on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures The primary objective of the MOU is to promote cooperation between the two countries in the area of Trade Remedies, covering the broad activities related to exchange of information, undertaking capacity building activities and activities in accordance with various provisions of World Trade Organization in the area of anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures in bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh. The MOU seeks to foster better cooperation between the relevant authorities of both the countries so as to discourage unfair trade practices and promote rule based bilateral trading between the two countries. India and Germany sign agreement on ‘Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment’ (Topic: India and its relations with Germany) The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety signed an agreement on Technical Cooperation titled ‘Cities Combating Plastic Entering the Marine Environment’. This project is envisaged under the contours of the Joint Declaration of Intent regarding cooperation in the field of ‘Prevention of Marine Litter’ signed between Republic of India and Federal Republic of Germany in 2019. The project, aimed at enhancing practices to prevent plastic entering the marine environment, will be undertaken at the national level (at MoHUA), select states (Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and in the cities of Kanpur, Kochi and Port Blair for a period of three and a half years. The importance Marine litter threatens ecosystems and adversely affects fishery and tourism industries around the globe. In addition to negative economic impact, it affects public health with increased concerns about micro-plastic and risk of particles entering the food chain. In recent times, the level of plastic waste that has accumulated in our oceans and marine ecosystems through the increasing production and use of durable synthetic materials has alarmed the public and policy makers alike. It is estimated that 15-20% of all plastics are entering oceans via riverine ecosystems of which 90% are contributed by 10 of the world’s most polluting rivers. Two of these river systems are located in India, namely Ganga and Brahmaputra. Whilst accurate data on plastic waste and marine litter in particular is largely unavailable for most parts of the country, this project will support the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban’s implementation with special focus on preventing plastic litter entering the rivers and water bodies at source. To this end, cities will be enabled to improve collection, segregation and marketing of plastic waste, to prevent plastic disposal to water bodies, and to improve handling of port and marine waste. This will be combined with data management and reporting systems, civil society involvement and increased cooperation with recyclers and the recycling industry through a digital platform. This is expected to foster improvements in segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste in municipalities, thereby establishing an efficient system, which ensures no waste finds its way into rivers or oceans. GS-3 Leaders’ Summit on Climate  (Topic: Climate change) The Summit is a part of a series of global meetings focusing on climate issues, being held in the run up to COP26 in November 2021. Launch of the India-US Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership - The Partnership will proceed along two main tracks: the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership and the Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue, which will build on and subsume a range of existing processes. Through this collaboration, India and the United States aim to demonstrate how the world can align swift climate action with inclusive and resilient economic development, taking into account national circumstances and sustainable development priorities. The US Pledged to cut emissions by 50 to 52 per cent of its 2005 levels by 2030. This is double the 2015 goal set by former President Barack Obama. The US rejoined the Paris Agreement three months ago, after former President Donald Trump’s decision to leave the multilateral forum made it the only country in the world to do so. Biden’s announcements re-assert the US’s commitment in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November in Glasgow. US will double its public climate financing development to developing countries and triple public financing for climate application in developing countries by 2024. China We must be committed to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities… Developing countries now face multiple challenges to combat Covit-19, grow the economy, and address climate change. We need to give full recognition to developing countries’ contribution to climate action and accommodate their particular difficulties and concerns. Developed countries need to increase climate ambition and action. At the same time, they need to make concrete efforts to help developing countries strengthen the capacity and resilience against climate change, support them in financing, technology, and capacity building, and refrain from creating green trade barriers, so as to help developing countries accelerate the transition to green and low-carbon development. Promoted China’s “green Belt and Road Initiative” and announced efforts to “strictly control coal-fired power generation projects” and phase down coal consumption.  China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged that its emissions will peak by around 2030. From that point, the country will then aim to get down to net zero emissions by 2060. China has also laid out some concrete targets, such as getting one-quarter of its electricity from low-carbon sources like wind, solar or nuclear power; planting vast new forests; and curbing the use of hydro-fluorocarbons, a powerful greenhouse gas used as a refrigerant. Britain Britain was first country to pass legislation for net zero, have the biggest offshore wind capacity of any country in the world. The country is halfway to net zero. The UK had announced a target of 78 per cent emission reductions by 2035 (compared to 1990 levels). Germany The country wants to reduce emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 as compared to 1990 levels. PM Modi – “Together we will help mobilise investments, demonstrate clean technologies, and enable green collaborations… India’s per capita carbon footprint is 60 per cent lower than the global average. It is because our lifestyle is still rooted in sustainable traditional practices. Today, I want to emphasize the importance of lifestyle change in climate action. Sustainable lifestyles and guiding philosophies and back to basics must be an important feature of our economy in the post-Covid era,” Modi said. “We in India are doing our part. Our ambitious renewable energy target of 450 gigahertz by 2030 shows our commitment. Despite our development challenges, we have taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, deforestation, and biodiversity. That is why we are among the few countries whose NDCs are 2 degrees Celsius compatible.” Emphasized India’s encouragement of global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure. Note:  Nationally Defined Contributions (NDCs) are each country’s goals towards achieving the Paris Agreement target of limiting rising temperatures to less than 2 degrees Celsius. Currently, the United States uses far more fossil fuels per person than almost any other country in the world, although China is quickly narrowing the gap. Promotion of Hydrogen based technologies (Topic: Climate change; New technology) Eminent Experts, Scientists, and Technocrats from India and Japan discussed the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, and solutions adopted in the field of decarbonisation and promotion of Hydrogen based technologies at the India-Japan Webinar on De-carbonisation: Exploring the Hydrogen Prospects and Innovative Technologies. Why with Japan: Japan is the first country to formulate a basic hydrogen strategy. Hydrogen is included in the fifth Energy plan of Japan. The country thus has a good ecosystem for R&D and commercialization, which could be used by the Scientific and Commercial Communities of the two countries. India and Japan have strategic relationships, and this has to be elevated to a strategic partnership enabling sharing of knowledge without any inhibition on Hydrogen and utilization of H2 in future What has happened so far in India - DST, GoI has initiated several programmes to develop technologies to reduce the cost of hydrogen production, distribution, storage, diversify the feedstock available for hydrogen production, for example, biomass, agricultural waste and so on. DST has supported about 30 projects in last few years related to Hydrogen production, distribution, and storage at a cost of 5 Million US$, looking into new catalysts like producing hydrogen from water splitting. Hydrogen has a potential role to play in major sectors in India. Given the scale of future demand, India should be proactive in manufacturing electrolysers to produce green hydrogen. A greater cross-sectoral coordination between the governments can help realize the economy benefits of hydrogen fuel. The key industries need to come together to catalyse decarbonisation allowing risk-sharing and minimizing the burden at the individual company level Hydrogen Energy Mission (Hydrogen Economy) To be launched in 2021-22 for generating hydrogen from green power sources The demand: Demand for hydrogen is at around 6 metric tonne (MT) per annum, mainly from industry sectors, such as fertilizers and refineries. This can increase to around 28 MT by 2050 mainly due to cost reductions in key technologies and a push to reduce carbon footprint. Demand will mainly grow in steel and road transport, shipping and aviation sectors. The report also projected that India would require 40 MT of green hydrogen to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060. Production: Typically, hydrogen can be produced in one of three ways, i.e., from fossil fuels (grey hydrogen), through carbon capture utilisation & storage (CCUS) application and fossil fuels (blue hydrogen), or by using renewable energy (green hydrogen). In the case of green hydrogen, electricity generated from renewable energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen in an electrolyser. This is by far the cleanest and perhaps the most expensive method of producing hydrogen at the moment. Majority of the hydrogen production in India takes place via fossil fuels and is used primarily in the chemical and petrochemical sectors. Focussing on the production of green hydrogen in India would mean significantly ramping up the current renewable energy infrastructure across the country. Hydrogen Fuel Hydrogen does not occur freely in nature in useful quantities. It can be made from natural gas or it can be made by passing electric current through water. When hydrogen is burned, it only emits water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2) is not produced.  It is more efficient than internal combustion engine.  Although hydrogen is a clean molecule, the process of extracting it is energy-intensive. Also, manufacturing hydrogen fuel based vehicle is expensive. The sources and processes by which hydrogen is derived, are categorised by colour tabs.  Hydrogen produced from fossil fuels is called grey hydrogen; this constitutes the bulk of the hydrogen produced today.  Hydrogen generated from fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage options is called blue hydrogen;  Hydrogen generated entirely from renewable power sources is called green hydrogen. In the last process, electricity generated from renewable energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The case for green hydrogen Green hydrogen has specific advantages.  Environment Friendly: Green Hydrogen as energy source is seen as the next big thing as its usage would lead to zero emissions Potential to Decarbonise various sectors: It is a clean burning molecule, which can decarbonise a range of sectors including iron and steel, chemicals, and transportation.  Efficient utilization of Renewable Energy: Renewable energy that cannot be stored or used by the grid can be channelled to produce hydrogen. Reduced Dependence on Rare Minerals: Green Hydrogen also holds the key to clean electric mobility that doesn’t depend on rare minerals. Green Hydrogen helps achieve long-term vision of reduced dependency on minerals and rare-earth element-based battery as energy storage. Helps Achieve Paris Goal: Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability Energy Security: Green energy helps reduce import dependency on fossil fuels Prelims-oriented News EXERCISE VARUNA – 2021: Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise World Liver Day: 19th April; According to the Health Ministry, India has become the first country in the world to identify the need for action for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Operational guidelines have been launched for the integration of NAFLD with the National Programme for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke. NAFLD is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol.  Main characteristic of NAFLD is too much fat stored in liver cells. It is becoming increasingly common around the world, especially in Western nations. Some individuals with NAFLD can develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).  NASH is an aggressive form of fatty liver disease, marked by liver inflammation which may progress to advanced scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure. India’s Agriculture trade grows during 2020-21 Despite the pandemic export of Agri and allied commodities during Apr, 2020 - Feb, 2021 shows an increase of 18.49% India has witnessed tremendous growth of 727% for Wheat export and 132% for (Non-Basmati) Rice export during 2020-21 Launch of e-property cards under SWAMITVA scheme 4.09 lakh property owners were given their e-property cards on this occasion, which also marked the rolling out of the SVAMITVA scheme for implementation across the country. SVAMITVA, a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Panchayati Raj was launched by the Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day, 24th April 2020.  The scheme aims to provide the ‘record of rights’ to village household owners in rural abadi areas and issuance of Property cards. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme The Fund aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization. Rs. 945 Crore corpus will be divided over the next 4 years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators across India. The scheme is expected to support an estimated 3,600 startups through 300 incubators. SISFS will Secure seed funding, Inspire innovation, Support transformative ideas, Facilitate implementation, and Start startup revolution. Will create a robust startup ecosystem, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns of India, which are often deprived of adequate funding. 12th National Panchayati Raj Day 24th April, 1993 marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of power to the grassroots, with the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj, through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 which came into force with effect from that day.  Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates 24th April of every year as the National Panchayati Raj Day (राष्ट्रीय पंचायती राज दिवस) (NPRD), as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force on this date. This occasion provides an opportunity for direct dialogue with Panchayat representatives from all over the country as well as recognizing their achievements to empower and motivate them further. Every year, on this occasion, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been awarding the best performing Panchayats/States/UTs across the country under the Incentivization of Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public goods. Awards are given under various categories namely, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP), Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP), Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA), Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) Award and e-Panchayat Puraskar (given to States/UTs only). Mahavir Jayanti The festival is considered to be the most important one for Jains and marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. Lord Mahavir was one of the most charismatic and influential spiritual leaders to have walked the earth. His messages of nonviolence, truth, honesty, selflessness and sacrifice are timeless and full of universal compassion. He preached the gospel of universal love and emphasized that all living beings, including plants and animals, are equal and deserved to be treated with love and respect. We must draw inspiration from Lord Mahavir’s life, his practice of austerity, his stress on the need to adopt a positive attitude towards life and his messages of love, tolerance and peace, especially now, when humanity is facing a formidable health crisis of the spread of COVID-19. Lord Mahavira was born at Kundagrama, Vaishali in present day Bihar. Siddartha and Trishala are parents of Mahavira Mahavira was associated with Makari Gosala Putta for 6 years, but later departed due to serious philosophical differences.  Then Mahavira joined Nigrantha sect, while Makari Gosala Putta started Ajivika religion. After Mahavira, Jainism came under the control of 11 disciples of Mahavira, namely Ganadharas Associated symbol: Lion The three principles of Jainism, also known as Triratnas (threegems), are: Right faith Right knowledge Right conduct Note: Jainism predates Buddhism, while Buddha was older than Mahavira. According to Mahavira, a person is born in a high or in a lower varna in consequence of the sins or the virtues acquired by him in the previous birth. The Hathigumpha Inscription proves that Jainism entered Orissa and probably became the state religion within 100 years of death of Mahavira. The teachings of the Parshvanatha are collectively known as Chaturyama. It is the the “four-fold teaching” of the Parshvanath. The Mahamastakabhisheka, refers to the abhiṣheka of the Jain images when held on a large scale. The most famous of such consecrations is the anointment of the Bahubali Gommateshwara Statue located at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka, India. It is an important Jain festival held once in every 12 years. Spread of Jainism Through Sangha, Mahavira spread his teaching that consists of women & Men in the organized sangha.  Under the patronage of Chandragupta Maurya, Kharaveli of Kalinga and the royal dynasties of south India such as the Gangas, the Kadambas, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrkutas. There are two sect of Jainism- Svetambar (White Clad) and Digambar (Sky clad or Naked). First Jain Council was convened at Patliputra presided by Sthaulabhadra who was the leader of Shwetambar during 3rd century BC. It resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas replacing the lost 14 Purvas. Second Council – Second Jain Council was held at Vallabhi under the chairmainship of Devardhi in 521 A.D. Additionally –  What is Tirtha? A Tirtha is a religious pilgrim place.  Most tirths in India of any religion are based upon the banks of Rivers. The idea of a Tirtha is to cross the river of human miseries. A Tirthankara is a founder of a Tirtha. He achieves the enlightenment and then shows the path to others.  A Tirthankara achieves Moksha or liberation at the end of his human life.

May 1, 2021 IASbaba Prelims 60 Day Plan

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan - IAS Prelims Test Series 2021 - ENVIRONMENT, CURRENT AFFAIRS & CSAT [Day 36]

For Previous (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hello Friends,  ARCHIVES OF 60 DAYS NOTE: IASbaba's 60 DAY questions will be posted around 10 AM. The solution will be released around 5 PM Daily.  Let us pledge to make it a big game-changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days!  Note- Download the OMR Sheet and attempt the questions exactly like UPSC Prelims. After you are done, please post your OMR in the comment section. Once the solution key is released (around 5 PM), cross-check the answers and, comment the marks (you scored) in the same comment thread. This will keep you accountable, responsible and sincere in days to come.  You can also take part in the discussion with peers.   ENVIRONMENT [DAY 36] - Click Here NOTE- Follow this for Comments Mention- Time Taken after solving the Test After the release of Solution, Edit your Comment to Mention-  Correct/Incorrect and Score 2 Marks for Correct/0.66 minus for Incorrect. What IMPACT can the ‘60 Day’ have on the final results? We will explain by taking a small example. Imagine you are sitting in the examination hall, appearing in Prelims Paper I. You have attempted 70 questions already but still unsure about a few. Then you stumble upon a question that was asked in 60 Day (and believe us, it has happened to hundreds of students countless times). You choose the right answer and submit your paper hoping for the best! Eventually, you go on to clear Mains as well as Personality Test and secure a good rank as well. When the cut off gets announced by UPSC, you realize that you have scored just one mark more than the cut off! Yes, that one mark can change your life (and it has done so to many of our students in the past). Now, imagine the kind of impact 60 to 80 marks can have! Isn’t that so fascinating to imagine?   One’s level of preparedness is always different for different subjects. Even within a subject, one’s comfort level may vary with topics. For example, one might be more comfortable in solving questions of Polity than Economics and within Polity also, one might be at ease with questions on fundamental rights than Parliament. The level of comfort and ease that one has with a subject/ topic gets manifested in the examination. However, there is no conscious effort by aspirants to micro analyze these aspects. Now, coming to the second aspect i.e. the mistakes that one commits in answering MCQs, it can be said that there are mainly four reasons behind incorrect responses in the OMR sheet. They are: Lack of information Lack of analytical ability Silly mistakes Excessive risk-taking Let’s analyze them one by one: Lack of information: You simply don’t know the information. You are clueless and that’s why you don’t attempt the question. For example, you may have never come across a regime called the ‘Wassenaar Agreement’ during your preparation and you can’t do much about it. The lack of information is pardonable and rectifiable. You can read more and gather more information. That is within your reach. Lack of analytical ability: You know the concept but the question is a twisted one and you are not able to apply the concept. For example, in a question asking you to identify the climate type of a region based on certain given parameters like precipitation, temperature, and air density, you might find it difficult to mark the correct option even if you are aware of all the options given in the question! That is clearly a lack of application and you can overcome it by developing a habit of framing questions in your mind while you study any topic. Silly mistakes: This habit is unpardonable. You know the concept, you become happy, you misread the question, you mark the incorrect answer and you are out of the race! Such mistakes reveal your hurriedness while answering the question. A simple mistake of reading ‘chose the incorrect option’ as ‘chose the correct option’ can destroy your chances. It means that you need to have patience and focus while attempting the paper. Excessive risk-taking: You are confused between the options and just in order to increase your attempts, you make wild guesses and try your luck only to repent eventually. Risk-taking is an art and one must be very careful while doing the guesswork in confusing questions. If you are not lucky enough, it can spoil your chances. You will realize that these problems will have different meanings for different people. For example, one might find a lack of information as the main culprit in answering wrong the questions on Culture while in Polity, lack of analytical ability is usually the culprit. The point here is that you must analyse your preparation on these yardsticks by applying them on different subjects/ topics. If one is having a headache, he/ she can’t have the same medicine for fever. Isn’t it. This is where our revamped '60 Day’ comes into the picture. It will give you an opportunity to micro analyze your preparation and perform better in the examination. Finally, it is up to you to take advantage of this framework. We are sure of only one thing- if you follow this program, assess yourself on the basis of the given framework and keep improving your weaker areas, success will be yours. We are providing you with the right platform, the right guidance, and the right competition. Do you have the right motivation to make full use of this initiative? We think you have. Come, be a part of this initiative and take the first step towards SUCCESS! Importance of self - tracking: We could have provided all of you with login id and passwords to monitor your daily performance in the 60-day program. Instead, a simple and most beautiful way which Disqus provides is profile based commenting! Yes, we have seen the most successful candidates who have taken the maximum benefit from this program monitoring themselves by commenting on their answers in the box given (Disqus comment). And reviewing their performance themselves once in 10 days on the progress meter.  DOWNLOAD THE 60 DAYS PLAN 2021   All the Best! IASbaba