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TLP Mains 2020

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2 - ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies Paper 3 FULL Length MOCK Questions[2nd SEPTEMBER,2020] - Day 73

For Previous TLP (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Instructions There are 20 questions. All questions are compulsory. Marks and word limit have been indicated against the question.  The duration for the test is 180 minutes.  The answers must not exceed 150 words for 10 markers and 250 for 15 markers.   Content is more important than the number of words. 1. How severe is the unemployment crisis in India? Examine. What measures would you suggest to address the problem of unemployment in India? Discuss.   2. What is ‘Thalinomics’? What are the major findings of this year’s Economic Survey with respect to food affordability? Discuss.  3. What is an expansionary budget? When does an economy normally need an expansionary budget? Explain. How would you assess this year’s budget on the yardstick of ‘reviving demand in the economy’? Critically comment.   4. For debt sustainability, the rate of growth of debt must not be faster than the rate of growth of the economy. Do you agree? Substantiate your assessment?  5. India suffers from the problem of overproduction of cereals. Do you agree? What can be done to make the spread of farm produce more diverse and nutritious? Suggest.  6. What are the conventional means of infrastructure financing? What measures have been taken in recent years to expand and innovate in the area of infrastructure financing? Discuss.  7. How is the global outbreak of the Coronavirus affecting the economy in general and livestock sector in particular? Examine. How can the trends be reversed? Suggest.  8. What is the Kisan Rail proposed in the latest annual budget? How will it be developed and deployed? What advantages would accrue to the farmers of the country by the Kisan Rail?  9. What is deepfake? What technology does it use? Explain. Why is it a cause of serious concern? Examine.  10. What is zero budget natural farming? What are its advantages and limitations? Can it be adopted as a viable farm practice in India? Critically comment.   11. What is the genome mapping project? What are the intended benefits of this project? Discuss.  12. What are the highlights of the World Air Quality Report, 2019? Should the findings be a cause of concern for India? Critically analyse. 13. Why is the bird population dwindling in India? What will be its adverse ecological impacts.  14. What were the factors that led to the disappearance of the Asiatic cheetah from India? Discuss. What are your views on the recent Supreme Court ruling on Asiatic cheetah? Critically comment.  15. What if a global epidemic like the Coronavirus affects India? What are the existing measures and mechanisms in place to mitigate such potential disasters? Critically examine.  16. With the help of suitable examples, examine the role that technology can play in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism measures.    17. How can social media platforms be made to play a more positive and constructive role for India’s internal security? Suggest.  18. What are the prevalent threat perceptions with respect to India’s cyber security? Discuss. What are the measures in place to address the challenges? Examine.  19. Describe the different levels of nexus and types of links between organised crime cartels and terrorist organisations. Why is the nexus a serious internal security challenge? Examine.  20. What are the deficiencies in India’s institutional framework designed to tackle internal security challenges. While identifying at least three such deficiencies, suggest ways that can address these deficiencies.    All the Best :)

MindMaps

MIND-MAPS: ANTI-DEFECTION – General Studies 2

MIND-MAPS: ANTI-DEFECTION – General Studies 2 For Previous Important Topics (Mind Maps) - ARCHIVES Hello Friends, Recently we have come up with a NEW INITIATIVE - BRAINSTORMING THROUGH MIND-MAPS! Mind-map is an incredible powerful thinking tool, an innate human language that will have immense benefit in your preparation. The main idea is to brainstorm different aspects of an issue - think in multi-dimensions; what we call 360 degrees of an issue. The whole of this exercise will unleash your creativity to push your brain cells to recall the data learnt and to make it more relevant for your preparation. It will help you to make your Revision and Retention a far better apart from giving you more Clarity in the topics/issue at hand and improve your Concentration. You can see the drastic impact mind-maps will have in a few weeks, provided you are regular with this exercise. So here we are with Today’s TOPIC! ANTI-DEFECTION - General Studies 2 NOTE – Instructions to download Mind Maps/Images Right Click on the image and ‘Open image in new tab’ Remove/Delete the resolution part from the URL. Eg. “-1536x757” and Press Enter/Load Again Right Click and Save Image As/Download (You’ll get the maximum resolution) ANTI-DEFECTION  YOUR PARTICIPATION? – VERY IMPORTANT Unlike what we were doing before, in this initiative we want students to learn and brainstorm through mind-maps (It is not necessary that you use a software/tool to design mind maps. You can prepare mindmaps using a pen and a sheet of paper). We will share the final printable mind map twice a week. We will also provide specific inputs on your mind maps to improve your skill of mind mapping.  To Know More about the initiative, Benefits and How to use a mind-map ->CLICK HERE Together we can, we will. The strength of the community is more powerful than individual effort. We have started it. You have to strengthen it” You can Start sharing Your Mind-maps (get feedback from IASbaba) & Topics of your interest in the comment section below!!   Thank You IASbaba

IASbaba's Courses

[SESSION 9] - IASbaba's RAPID REVISION SERIES (RRS) of 500 HIGH PROBABLE TOPICS for UPSC PRELIMS 2020 – A FREE YouTube Initiative!

Dear Friends, The Last Lap is Here!! Now that there are effectively 30 days left (considering another 10 days for Mocks/Revision/CSAT) before UPSC Prelims 2020, one will find the following strategy useful - Whether you are a first-timer or a preparation veteran, the last 1 Month is the most crucial phase that determines your success in the Preliminary exam. The outcome of preparation you have done in the past 1 year or more depends on how effectively you utilize these last 30-40 days and will have a huge bearing on your confidence levels on the day of the exam. Therefore, the next 30 days will be highly crucial, and time for intensive revision. It is important that all the content learned over the past one or more years to flow effortlessly in your mind. Revision and More Revision is the Key to Success!! We believe that you all have covered the GS syllabus and current affairs at least once and now it is high time that you strive for at least 2 cycles of revision before the exam with special focus on topics which have high probability to appear in UPSC Prelims Question Paper. And in this endeavor of yours, we too will make sure with our FREE YouTube Initiative – “IASbaba's Rapid Revision Series (RRS) of 500 HIGH PROBABLE TOPICS for UPSC PRELIMS 2020” – that the above objective of revising most important topics are met and that too within a very short limited time frame. Each session will be of 20-25 mins would cover rapid revision of 15 high probable topics important for Prelims Exam this year. And trust us! This will make a huge difference in your revision process – in recalling little facts of information, going through important topics and concepts, and retaining the vital content and your final result. [VIDEO] Session 9 (Topics 121-135) - IASbaba's RAPID REVISION SERIES (RRS) of 500 HIGH PROBABLE TOPICS for UPSC PRELIMS 2020     To Download PPT PDF - IASbaba's RRS Session 9   Also, you can take up the Free Full Mocks (GS & CSAT in ENGLISH & (हिंदी)) available on the site. These mocks will give you the examination feel and will help you in coming up with a good strategy for UPSC Prelims. The question paper was made on similar lines of UPSC. The questions were designed with different difficulty levels – easy, moderate, difficult, and very difficult. This was done so that you can understand how to pick the questions for the attempt and how to leave the very difficult ones. You can read the Feedback of Students and Analysis of the Mock Tests here. Please Note that, more Mocks (GS & CSAT) will be announced soon 🙂 It will be available BOTH in English and हिंदी. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative!! Kindly leave your feedback in the comment section below on this new initiative or on our YouTube. We would love to hear from you 🙂 All the Best :)    You can also go through the below important links, especially for aspirants appearing for UPSC Prelims 2020- WEBINAR ON UPSC Prelims 2020 Gunjan Singh AIR 16 (ILP Student), YashPratap Shrimal AIR 192 (TLP Student), Mohan Sir IASbaba Founder today (on 26th August @ 8PM )-> REGISTER NOW!! [IMPORTANT UPDATE] UPSC Prelims 2020: Strategy for Next 50 Days! -> CLICK HERE PRELIMS SIMPLIFIED SERIES (Part 1,2,3): How to crack UPSC PRELIMS- IMPORTANT TIPS & TRICKS (using Common Sense – KCT Approach) by Mohan Sir  -> CLICK HERE MUST WATCH – STRATEGY [VIDEO]: PRELIMS  Tips (Do’s & Don’ts) from Mohan Sir -> CLICK HERE  

TLP [OPTIONAL]: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Paper 2- UPSC Mains Answer Writing [2nd September, 2020] – Day 21

For Previous PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Topics Financial Management: Budget as a political instrument; Parliamentary control of public expenditure; Role of finance ministry in monetary and fiscal area; Accounting techniques; Audit; Role of Controller General of Accounts and Comptroller and Auditor General of India;   To know more about this initiative - Click Here SCHEDULE -> CLICK HERE 1. Question hour is a torch light turned on towards the public exchequer. Explain with the help of suitable examples.                          10 marks (150 words) 2. Parliamentary control over public expenditure is a myth; here nothing happens except a temporary criticism in the parliament. Comment;                                                                                                                                  15 marks (250 words)

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 73]

For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. The topics covered here are generally different from what is being covered under ‘Daily Current Affairs/Daily News Analysis (DNA) and Daily Static Quiz’ to avoid duplication. The questions would be published from Monday to Saturday before 2 PM. One should not spend more than 10 minutes on this initiative. This is a part of our recently launched, NEW INITIATIVE IASbaba’s INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN (IRP) 2020 – Road Map for the next 100 Days! FREE INITIATIVE! We will make sure, in the next 4 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE Important Note: Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) After completing the 5 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken and solutions. To take the Test - Click Here

Daily Static Quiz

UPSC Static Quiz - 2020: IASbaba's Daily Static Quiz - ENVIRONMENT [Day 73]

For Previous Static Quiz (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE DAILY STATIC QUIZ will cover all the topics of Static/Core subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment and Science and technology. This is a part of our recently launched, NEW INITIATIVE IASbaba’s INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN (IRP) 2020 – Road Map for the next 100 Days! FREE INITIATIVE! We will make sure, in the next 4 months not a single day is wasted. All your energies are channelized in the right direction. Trust us! This will make a huge difference in your results this time, provided that you follow this plan sincerely every day without fail. Gear up and Make the Best Use of this initiative. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To Know More about the Initiative -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE Important Note After completing the 10 questions, click on 'View Questions' to check your score, time taken and solutions. Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :) To take the Test - Click Here

COMPILATIONS [WEEK 8]: INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN(IRP – हिंदी & ENGLISH) 2020 – PRELIMS & MAINS!

For Previous IRP (हिंदी & English ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE Hi Babaites, Hope you are learning new concepts, revising on a daily basis, and enjoying the process of our Integrated Revision Plan (IRP) 2020.  Through IRP we have made sure that you stay focused for the next 100 days. Hope your preparation is going great and all your energies are channelized in the right direction. Every single day counts. Make sure you give your 100% every day. Take one day at a time. Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and  EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” To ease your prepartion, we are publishing the 8th Week Compilation of Integrated Revision Plan (IRP) 2020 DOWNLOAD THE WEEK-8 COMPILATIONS Daily Quiz & Static Quiz (Week 8) - ENGLISH FILE - Click Here HINDI(हिंदी) FILE - Click Here TLP Mains (Week 8)  - Click Here   SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE DOWNLOAD THE WEEK-1 COMPILATIONS -> CLICK HERE DOWNLOAD THE WEEK-2 COMPILATIONS -> CLICK HERE DOWNLOAD THE WEEK-3 & 4 COMPILATIONS -> CLICK HERE DOWNLOAD THE WEEK-5 COMPILATIONS -> CLICK HERE DOWNLOAD THE WEEK-6 & 7 COMPILATIONS -> CLICK HERE   Other Important Updates: [VIDEO]UPSC Prelims Exam 2020 New Date (4th October) – What should be your Preparation Strategy for next 4 months? by Mohan Sir Founder IASbaba UPSC PRELIMS 2020: Current Affairs Strategy by Tauseef Sir (Founder IASbaba) PRELIMS 2020: COURSES TO JOIN (PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM (PEP), 12 Current Affairs Session, PRELIMS TEST SERIES, and ILP 2020) GEOGRAPHY OPTIONAL TEST SERIES 2020 (By Atyab Ali Zaidi Sir) [VIDEO] How to Crack UPSC CSE Exam in First Attempt? UPSC Preparation for Beginners by Mohan Sir Founder IASbaba   Thank You IASbaba

RSTV Video

Israel - UAE Historic Peace Deal – The Big Picture – RSTV IAS UPSC

Israel - UAE Historic Peace Deal Archives Topic: General Studies 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests India and its neighbourhood- relations In News: In a joint statement released by the US, Israel and the UAE, the leaders of the three countries agreed to “the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates”, calling the agreement a “historic diplomatic breakthrough” that would “advance peace in the Middle East region”. The agreement that will be called the ‘Abraham Accord’ was brokered by US President Donald Trump. The deal: the UAE will establish diplomatic relations with Israel in return for President Binyamin Netanyahu committing to give up a stated plan to annex the West Bank, the main territory of a state that the Palestinians want. The UAE becomes the third Arab nation to recognise Israel after Egypt (in 1979) and Jordan (1994). In the next few weeks, Israel and the UAE will sit to finalise bilateral ties and cover areas of investment, tourism, the establishment of direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, cultural exchange, environmental issues, and the establishment of embassies, in addition to other areas of cooperation.  The joint statement mentioned that Israel and the UAE would also be “forging closer people-to-people relations”. Israel will “focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world”, and that the US and UAE would be assisting it in achieving that goal. The Significance This move is significant because with the exception of Jordan and Egypt, Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab states owing to its long-standing conflict with Palestinians. Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994. However, despite the absence of official diplomatic relations, Israel has been engaging with its neighbours with regard to issues like trade. The agreement comes after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to suspend plans to annex parts of the West Bank, one that had been bitterly criticised by these Gulf Arab states, Europe and a few other countries around the world. What does it mean for the Middle East? The situation in the Middle East is complex and some observers believe that domestic politics in Israel and the US may also have a little to do with this agreement. Several nations in the Middle East also have contentious relations with Iran and this improvement in relations between Israel and the UAE may be an attempt by the US and Israel to use the leverage to urge other Gulf Arab states to alienate Iran. Netanyahu, who has been facing mass protests for weeks against his mishandling of the coronavirus outbreak, a drop in popularity in his country, and is on trial for corruption, may be banking on this agreement to revive his image. He does, however, risk alienating a significant portion of his voter-base who had supported his plans to annex the West Bank.  Within the region, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and Oman publicly welcomed the Abraham Accord. Saudi Arabia has remained silent, though there is significant speculation among analysts that this nonreaction is a sign that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman supports the agreement but is constrained because his father, the king, opposes normalization with Israel. Iran, Qatar, and Turkey have all criticized the accord, with the latter threatening to withdraw its ambassador from Abu Dhabi. Civil society organizations throughout the region remain steadfast in their opposition to normalizing relations with Israel. These include groups in the Gulf, which have spoken out specifically against the Israeli-Emirati agreement. The Palestinians: Despite the apparent Israeli promise of halting annexation, the Palestinian leadership rejected the accord and recalled its ambassador from Abu Dhabi. From the perspective of the Palestinians and their supporters, the agreement reflects bad faith on the part of Israel, the UAE, and the United States, since the Israelis and Emiratis had been normalizing ties even before the Abraham Accord. For USA: With the US presidential elections around the corner, Trump may consider this agreement to be a foreign policy success. India welcomes full normalisation of ties between UAE, Israel: Underlining that both are “key strategic partners” of India, India said that India has “consistently supported” peace, stability and development in West Asia. However, it also reaffirmed its traditional support for the Palestinian cause and hoped to see early resumption of direct negotiations to find an “acceptable, two-state solution. Do You Know? Except with Jordan and Egypt, Israel does not have diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab states owing to its long-standing conflict with Palestinians Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994. However, despite the absence of official diplomatic relations, Israel has been engaging with its neighbours with regard to issues like trade. Connecting the Dots: Abraham Accord How did Israel and the UAE get to normalising relations? Discuss.

PIB

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU (PIB) IAS UPSC – 24th August to 31st August – 2020

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 24th to 31st August, 2020 ARCHIVES GS-1 Ministry of Culture announces 7 new circles of Archaeological Survey of India (Topic: Indian culture) Trichy, Raiganj, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Jhansi and Meerut have been announced as new circles and Hampi Mini Circle has been converted into a full-fledged circle Aim: To facilitate and strengthen the process of preservation and registration of archaeological monuments along with registration of artefacts with self-declaration Tamil Nadu has thousands of temples and glorious memories of the Chola kings, Trichy has been made a new circle along with the circle of Chennai. Hampi city in Karnataka is a place of international importance from the point of view of archaeological heritage therefore the Hampi Sub-Circle now has been made a new full fledged circle.  In West Bengal, Raiganj has been made a new circle along with Kolkata, this will eliminate geographical inconvenience in a big state like Bengal.  In Gujarat, Rajkot has been announced a new circle along with Vadodara. Jabalpur has been announced a new circle along with Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. This will include the monuments from Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol and Sagar divisions. Jhansi in Bundelkhand and Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh have been announced two new circles along with Lucknow and Agra in Uttar Pradesh. GS-2 National Council for Transgender Persons (Topic: Social empowerment of vulnerable population) In exercise of the powers conferred by section 16 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (40 of 2019), the Central Government has constituted a National Council for Transgender Persons.  The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment will be Chairperson (ex-officio) and Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment will be Vice-Chairperson (ex-officio). The National Council shall perform the following functions, namely:— (a) to advise the Central Government on the formulation of policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons; (b) to monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes designed for achieving equality and full participation of transgender persons; (c) to review and coordinate the activities of all the departments of Government and other Governmental and non-Governmental Organisations which are dealing with matters relating to transgender persons; (d) to redress the grievances of transgender persons; and (e) to perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Central Government. The other members of the Council include representatives of various Ministries/Departments, five representatives of transgender community, representatives of NHRC and NCW, representatives of State Governments and UTs and experts representing NGOs. A Member of National Council, other than ex officio member, shall hold office for a term of three years from the date of his nomination. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) - National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completes six years of successful implementation (Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) PMJDY is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner. Objectives:   Ensure access of financial products & services at an affordable cost   Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach Basic tenets of the scheme: Banking the unbanked - Opening of basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance & zero charges Securing the unsecured - Issuance of Indigenous Debit cards for cash withdrawals & payments at merchant locations, with free accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh Funding the unfunded - Other financial products like micro-insurance, overdraft for consumption, micro-pension & micro-credit The scheme was launched based upon the following 6 pillars:  Universal access to banking services  – Branch and BC Basic savings bank accounts with overdraft facility of Rs. 10,000/- to every household Financial Literacy Program– Promoting savings, use of ATMs, getting ready for credit, availing insurance and pensions, using basic mobile phones for banking Creation of Credit Guarantee Fund – To provide banks some guarantee against defaults Insurance – Accident cover up to Rs. 1,00,000 and life cover of   Rs. 30,000 on account opened between 15 Aug 2014 to 31 January 2015 Pension scheme for Unorganized sector PMJDY 2.0 In 2018, the government launched PMJDY 2.0 with enhanced features and benefits. Under the new version, the government decided to shift focus from 'Every Household' to 'Every Unbanked Adult' and free accidental insurance cover on RuPay cards doubled to Rs 2 lakh for PMJDY accounts opened after August 28, 2018. At the same time Overdraft (OD) limit too doubled to Rs 10,000 and facility of OD up to Rs 2,000 without conditions was brought in. The number of total PMJDY accounts stand at 40.35 crore Rural PMJDY accounts stand at 63.6 percent while women PMJDY accounts stand at 55.2 percent.  During first year of scheme 17.90 crore PMJDY accounts were opened. The road ahead  Endeavour to ensure coverage of PMJDY account holders under micro insurance schemes. Eligible PMJDY accountholders will be sought to be covered under PMJJBY and PMSBY. Banks have already been communicated about the same. Promotion of digital payments including RuPay debit card usage amongst PMJDY accountholders through creation of acceptance infrastructure across India Improving access of PMJDY account holders to Micro-credit and micro investment such as flexi-recurring deposit etc.   National Recruitment Agency (Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment) Cabinet approves creation of National Recruitment Agency (NRA), paving the way for a transformational reform in the recruitment process for central government jobs NRA: A multi-agency body to encompass the first level test by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and the Institute of Banking Service Personnel (IBPS) Common eligibility Test (CET) to screen candidates at the first level for SSC, RRBs and IBPS A computer based online Common Eligibility Test (CET) for the Graduate, the Higher Secondary (12thpass) and the Matriculate (10th Pass) candidates as a path-breaking reform. CET in Every District: Ease of Access to Rural youth, women and disadvantaged candidates Multiplicity of exams will not be there Robust use of ICT to eradicate malpractices CET Score to be valid for three years, no bar on attempts Recruitment Reform - a major boon for the youth At present, candidates seeking government jobs have to appear for separate examinations conducted by multiple recruiting agencies for various posts, for which similar eligibility conditions have been prescribed. Candidates have to pay fee to multiple recruiting agencies and also have to travel long distances for appearing in various exams. These multiple recruitment examinations are a burden on the candidates, as also on the respective recruitment agencies, involving avoidable/repetitive expenditure, law and order/security related issues and venue related problems. On an average, 2.5 crore to 3 crore candidates appear in each of these examinations. A common eligibility Test would enable these candidates to appear once and apply to any or all of these recruitment agencies for the higher level of examination. This would indeed be a boon to all the candidates. GS-3 NITI Aayog releases report on Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 (Topic: Indian Economy – Export) NITI Aayog in partnership with the Institute of Competitiveness released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020.  The Indian economy holds immense potential to become a strong exporter on the world stage. To realize this potential, it is crucial that India turns to its states and union territories and makes them active participants in the country’s export efforts. In an attempt to realize this vision, the Export Preparedness Index 2020 evaluates states’ potentials and capacities. The detailed insights from this Index will guide all stakeholders towards strengthening the export ecosystem at both the national and sub-national levels. The Export Preparedness Index is a data-driven effort to identify the core areas crucial for export promotion at the sub-national level. All the states and union territories have been assessed on crucial parameters that are critical for any typical economic unit to achieve sustainable export growth. The Index would be a helpful guide for the state governments to benchmark regional performance with respect to export promotion and thus deliver key policy insights on how to improve and enhance the same. The first report to examine export preparedness and performance of Indian states, EPI intends to  Identify challenges and opportunities;  Enhance the effectiveness of government policies Encourage a facilitative regulatory framework. The structure of the EPI includes 4 pillars –Policy; Business Ecosystem; Export Ecosystem; Export Performance – and 11 sub-pillars –Export Promotion Policy; Institutional Framework; Business Environment; Infrastructure; Transport Connectivity; Access to Finance; Export Infrastructure; Trade Support; R&D Infrastructure; Export Diversification; and Growth Orientation. Findings: Most Indian states performed well on average across the sub-pillars of Exports Diversification, Transport Connectivity, and Infrastructure. The average score of Indian states in these three sub-pillars was above 50%. Overall, most of the Coastal States are the best performers. Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu occupy the top three ranks, respectively. Six of eight coastal states feature in the top ten rankings, indicating the presence of strong enabling and facilitating factors to promote exports. In the landlocked states, Rajasthan has performed the best. Export orientation and preparedness are not just restricted to prosperous states. Even emerging states can undertake dynamic export policy measures, have functioning promotional councils, and synchronize with national logistical plans to grow their exports. Many northeastern states under the Growth Orientation sub-pillar were able to export more by focusing on their indigenous product baskets. This shows that a focused development of such baskets (like spices) can drive exports on one hand and also improve farmer incomes on the other in these states. Export promotion in India faces three fundamental challenges:  Intra- and inter-regional disparities in export infrastructure Poor trade support and growth orientation among states Poor R&D infrastructure to promote complex and unique exports There is a need to emphasize on key strategies to address these challenges:  A joint development of export infrastructure Strengthening industry-academia linkages Creating state-level engagements for economic diplomacy These strategies could be supported by revamped designs and standards for local products and by harnessing the innovating tendencies to provide new use cases for such products, with adequate support from the Centre. Inauguration of Plastic Waste Handling Facility at Kochi (Topic: Environment; Waste Management) Objective: The facility has the capacity to recycle about 150 kg plastic per hour and is capable of processing both soft and hard plastic waste into shredded plastic which can be used for various recycled options. The crisis Initiatives across government and businesses for improving plastic waste management with the help of circularity are attributable largely to the omnipresence of plastics — as product, packaging, or waste. Today, disposable masks and PPEs, made of plastic (most notably single-use-plastics), have been at the frontline of our fight against COVID-19. Single-use plastics (SUPs) are those that are discarded after one-time use. Besides the ubiquitous plastic bags, SUPs include water and flavoured/aerated drinks bottles, takeaway food containers, disposable cutlery, straws, and stirrers, processed food packets and wrappers, cotton bud sticks, etc. Of these, foamed products such as cutlery, plates, and cups are considered the most lethal to the environment. If not recycled, plastic can take a thousand years to decompose, according to UN Environment, the United Nations Environment Programme. At landfills, it disintegrates into small fragments and leaches carcinogenic metals into groundwater. Plastic is highly inflammable — a reason why landfills are frequently ablaze, releasing toxic gases into the environment. It floats on the sea surface and ends up clogging airways of marine animals. A three-pronged strategy can bring us closer to pragmatic and effective action — reduce plastic consumption, recycle, and reuse plastic products and waste to the maximum possible extent, and comprehensively manage plastic waste. 1. Reduce plastic consumption Will require considerable nudging and support from government to push manufacturers to develop products and packaging with use-for-use alternative materials The government may also have to provide support by enabling market access for such products, which if left to their own will face tough competition from cheaper plastic counterparts.  Furthermore, retail units will need to pitch in by using price incentives to encourage consumers to reduce demand for plastic packaging. People will have to adopt more responsible consumption choices even if it entails inconvenience. 2. Recycle and reuse plastic products and waste Needs to be strengthened to bring back used plastic into the manufacturing cycle This strategy will achieve the twin goal of reducing entry of virgin plastics into the market, as well as reducing plastic waste burden in waste dumps, landfills, and oceans.  The recently published Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) draft notification by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change can be leveraged for this. Significantly, EPR places the responsibility of product after-use on the manufacturer. 3. Effective management of plastic waste A recent study suggested that the amount of littering in India may be 10–25 per cent of waste generated, far more than the 2 per cent observed in developed nations — a testament and reminder that our waste management, including segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal is just not good enough. Citizens need to help by desisting from littering and diligently segregating waste at source. Our municipalities will have to organise comprehensive waste collection and disposal systems The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 notified by the Centre called for a ban on “non-recyclable and multi-layered” packaging by March 2018, and a ban on carry bags of thickness less than 50 microns (which is about the thickness of a strand of human hair). The Rules were amended in 2018, with changes that activists say favoured the plastic industry and allowed manufacturers an escape route. The 2016 Rules did not mention SUPs. Solve: Plastic is not the problem, our handling of it is. ARIES astronomers trace the mystery behind dwarf galaxy aberrations of massive star formation (Topic: Space) Amidst the billions of galaxies in the universe, a large number are tiny ones 100 times less massive than our own Milky-way galaxy. While most of these tiny tots called dwarf galaxies form stars at a much slower rate than the massive ones, some dwarf galaxies are seen forming new stars at a mass-normalized rate 10-100 times more than that of the Milky-way galaxy. These activities, however, do not last longer than a few tens of million-years, a period which is much shorter than the age of these galaxies - typically a few billion years. Scientists observing dozens of such galaxies using two Indian telescopes have found that the clue to this strange behaviour of these galaxies lies in the disturbed hydrogen distribution in these galaxies and also in recent collisions between two galaxies. Star formation at a high rate requires very high density of Hydrogen in the galaxies. According to the study conducted by the ARIES team, the 1420.40 MHz images of several intense star-forming dwarf galaxies indicated that hydrogen in these galaxies is very disturbed.  While one expects a nearly symmetric distribution of hydrogen in well-defined orbits in galaxies, hydrogen in these dwarf galaxies is found to be irregular and sometimes not moving in well-defined orbits.  Some hydrogen around these galaxies is also detected in forms of isolated clouds, plumes, and tails as if some other galaxy recently has collided or brushed away with these galaxies, and gas is scattered as debris around the galaxies.  The optical morphologies sometimes revealed multiple nuclei and high concentration of ionized hydrogen in the central region.  Although galaxy-galaxy collision was not directly detected, various signatures of it were revealed through radio, and optical imaging, and these are helping to build up a story.  The research, therefore, suggests that recent collisions between two galaxies trigger intense star formation in these galaxies. INSPIRE faculty fellow developing low-cost biodiesel from microalgae (Topic: Science and Technology) While fossil fuels deplete, the fuel potential of algae residing in the vast marine environment surrounding India remains unexplored. Low-cost biodiesel from microalgae of marine origin may soon turn a reality.  A scientist has been working on biotechnological studies and tools for increasing the lipid accumulation in microalgae for biodiesel production. He started exploring alternative fuels from renewable and sustainable sources.  While different types of biofuels that have been explored recently, the use of microalgae has been strongly considered for the production of biofuels since they present a series of advantages over other biofuel feedstock, and this route to sustainable fuels inspired him. In his research he and his team have isolated predominant strains of marine microalgal species namely Picochlorum sp., Scenedesmus sp.,  Chlorella sp., from the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu for their potential in terms of total organic carbon content, and Triacylglycerides(TAG) content for biodiesel production. They are now focusing on other microalgal candidates for their multiple biotechnological potentials and switchable polarity solvent (SPS) system based lipid extraction. SPS is an energy-efficient switchable solvent that can be recovered devoid of any thermal processes and can be reused as green solvent for algal lipid extraction with no effect on the environment.  Metabolic engineering approaches can be used to escalate TAG accumulation for increasing biodiesel yield, and magnetic nanocomposite (MNC) can be used for several cycles of algal dewatering, and its treated culture suspension can be reused to scale down the biodiesel production cost significantly. These three approaches would be considered in their study for sustainable and low-cost production of biodiesel. The group will formulate a roadmap by which biodiesel can be produced commercially and can be put in an energy market sustainably. Prelims oriented News President of India conferred the National Sports and Adventure Awards 2020 on National Sports Day: Read more Online Dashboard of PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) launched: The online dashboard is dynamic, interactive and would provide a one stop solution to all stakeholders looking for information and tracking monitoring of progress of PM SVANidhi up to city level. PM SVANidhi  Launched for providing affordable working capital loan to street vendors to resume their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to Covid-19 lockdown. This scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh Street Vendors who had been vending on or before 24 March, 2020, in urban areas including those from surrounding peri-urban/rural areas.  Under the Scheme, the vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs. 10,000, which is repayable in monthly instalments in the tenure of one year.  On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy @ 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer on quarterly basis.  There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan.  The scheme promotes digital transactions through cash-back incentives up to an amount of Rs. 100 per month. The vendors can achieve their ambition of going up the economic ladder by availing the facility of enhancement of the credit limit on timely/ early repayment of loan. Experts from India – Bangladesh – Nepal and Myanmar come together for enhancing conservation of river Dolphins in the region pavingway for regional cooperation River Dolphins a unique species found mainly in rivers of Asia and South America are vanishing rapidly. Gangetic Dolphin, the national aquatic animal of India has been declared endangered by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Project Dolphin will aim at the protection and conservation of the Dolphins in the rivers and oceans of the country.  The project will involve the conservation of aquatic habitat and Dolphins through the use of modern technology, especially in anti-poaching activities and enumeration. Project Dolphin will engage the fishermen and other rivers and ocean dependent populations to improve the livelihood of the local communities.   The conservation of Dolphin will also envisage activities which will also help in the mitigation of pollution in rivers and the oceans.  This is also a centre of attraction for tourism. Will empower the stakeholders like the river-dependent population in reducing river pollution and allowing sustainable fishery and river-based other livelihood options through scientifically oriented conservation methods. Fishery conservation efforts under Namami Gange through CIFRI would improve prey base in Dolphin habitat leading to enhanced Dolphin population. Dolphin education for students, community engagement and improving overall awareness.  Latest under water acoustic methodology to be applied for Dolphin census. E-flow assessment and implementation from biodiversity point of view. Government of India and AIIB sign agreement for $500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III To improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai The Project is expected to increase network capacity in the region with the reduction in journey time and fatal accidents of commuters.  It is estimated that among primary beneficiaries of the project, 22% are female passengers who will benefit from improved safety and quality of service. National Food Security Act 2013 Government of India enacted the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).  The Act covers upto 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population.  The targeted population shall receive subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System, thus covering about two-thirds of the population. Ministry involved: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Jal Jeevan Mission JJM aims at providing potable water at service level of 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd) to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) by 2024. The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. Every village will prepare a Village Action Plan (VAP) which will have three components: Water source and its maintenance Water supply and Grey-water (domestic wastewater) management. National Jal Jeevan Mission andMinistry of Electronics &Information Technology planning to conduct an ICT Grand Challenge. The purpose of the ICT grand challenge is to bring an innovative, modular, and cost-effective solution to develop a ‘Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System’ to be deployed at the village level. Kisan Credit Cards  The Kisan Credit Card Scheme aims at providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system under a single window with flexible and simplified procedure to the farmers to meet the short-term credit requirements for cultivation of crops, investment credit requirements for agriculture and allied activities and other needs. The KCC is necessary to procure good quality inputs to raise productivity and production. In an effort to buffer the agricultural sector from the shock of COVID-19, a special saturation drive is underway to provide concessional credit to farmers through Kisan Credit Card (KCC). 1.22 crore KCCs have been sanctioned with credit limit of Rs. 1,02,065  crore. This will go a long way in reviving the rural economy and accelerating agricultural growth. Mahatma Ayyankali The Prime Minister of India paid tribute to social reformer Mahatma Ayyankali on his 157th birth anniversary. A social reformer who worked for the advancement of deprived untouchable people in the princely state of Travancore, British India. His efforts influenced many changes that improved the social well-being of those people, who are today often referred to as Dalits Formed Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham (SJPS) to work for low castes. In India: Article 17 abolishes the practice of “untouchability”  Article 21 guarantees the right to life and liberty, which includes the right to be free from degrading and inhuman treatment, the right to integrity and dignity of the person, and the right to speedy justice. Article 21: Right to legal aid Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings and other similar forms of forced labor. Article 24 provides that no child under the age of fourteen shall work in any factory or mine or engage in any hazardous employment. Article 15(4) empowers the state to make any special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens, or for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Article 16(4): The state is empowered to make “any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State”. Article 330 provides reservations for seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the Lok Sabha (the House of the People), while Article 332 provides for reservations in the state legislative assemblies. Article 338 established the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Hampi Group of Monuments at Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Located in east-central Karnataka, India It became the pilgrimage cente of the Hindu religion. It was the capital of Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century  Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city near the Tungabhadra River, Hampi-Vijayanagara was the world’s second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, India’s richest at that time,  Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates;  its capital was conquered, pillaged and destroyed by sultanate armies in 1565, after which Hampi remained in ruins Described by UNESCO as an “austere, grandiose site”  Includes “forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, mandapas, memorial structures, water structures and othersthere is evidence of Ashokan epigraphy, and it is mentioned in the Ra Virupaksha Temple, an active Adi Shankara-linked monastery and various monuments belonging to the old city. About Virupaksha Temple Virupaksha Temple is located in Hampi in the Ballari district of Karnataka, India. It is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Shiva. The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the ruler Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire. Recently The Supreme Court  confirmed the Karnataka government authorities’ decision to demolish buildings constructed in Virupapura Gaddi, an oval islet formed by the Tungabhadra and located west of the Hampi World Heritage site. The constructions were in violation of the Mysore Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1961. Hampi has various notable Hindu temples with some vedanta theology inside the temples, some of which are still active places of worship. Among the most notable are: Achyutaraya Temple BadaviLinga: This is the largest Linga image in Hampi. Located next to the Lakshmi Narasimha statue the Linga is housed inside a chamber with an opening in the front. A close look on this icon can reveal three eyes (depicting the three eyes of Shiva) carved on it. Legend has it that this was commissioned by a peasant woman and hence the name (Badva means poor in local tongue).The sanctum in which the Linga is installed is always filled with water as a water channel is made to flow through it.According to Hindu theology the River Ganga (Ganges) was brought from swarga to earth to quench the drought. But the river was so forceful that it could split the earth into two pieces if allowed to fall on earth. Lord Shiva consented to take the impact by allowing the torrent of Ganga to fall on his matted hair. Thus helping to release a smooth flowing river on to earth from his hair. As an iconic representation of this, in Siva temples you can spot a dripping pot hanged over the Linga. Chandramauleshwara Temple Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple was constructed in the ancient style of architecture, the temple of Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy stands 3 km down the road. Its inner walls flaunt peculiar and interesting motifs of fish and marine creatures. Hazara Rama Temple Complex: This ruined temple complex is well known for elaborate frescoes from the Hindu theosophy and a sprawling courtyard well-laid with gardens. It is well known for more than many thousand carvings & inscriptions on & in the temple depicting the mighty story of Ramayana. It has about 1000 carvings & inscriptions depicting the story of Ramayana. Jain Temple: Reliefs of Jain temples are present in this area hat includes Hemkut Jain temples, Ratnantraykut, Parsvanath Charan and Ganigatti jain temple. Most of the idols are now missing from these temples. Ruins suggest that these temples belong to 14th century. Krishna Temple Complex: This temple complex has been recently excavated through the last decade, and restoration work is still in progress. The temple has the Sacred Tank or the Pushkarani located on its eastern side. Solve: The majestic ruins of the Vijayanagar empire in Hampi signify the refined style of temple architecture and sculpture art that was unparalleled. Discuss.

Catharsis -Unlock Your Talent & Creativity: SKETCHING by SNEHA PANDEY & POEM by VARSHA SINGH!

Hello Friends, You must be aware of the term ‘catharsis’. It is the process of releasing and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. Recently we have launched a new initiative by the name Catharsis -Unlock Your Talent & Creativity! Today's work is SKETCHING by SNEHA PANDEY & POEM by VARSHA SINGH! Well done, Keep it up !! SKETCHING by SNEHA PANDEY POEM by VARSHA SINGH on Why we need to co-exist with our nature   AAJ TUJHE KARIB SE DEKHA HAI   DUNIYA KI JIMMEDARIYON NE BAANDH AISA RAKHA THA KI ZINDAGI KE KARIB HOKAR BHI BAHUT DOOR SA LAGTA THA EK KE BAAD EK MUKAAM KAI HAASIL KIYE AUR JO HAASIL NA KAR PAAYE, UNHE APNE HISAAB SE BADAL DIYE PAR PHIR BHI NA JAANE KYU ADHURA SA LAGTA THA MAKAAN KO GHAR BANAYA AUR GHAR KO APNE LIYE SWARG KISI KONE KI SAJAWAT NAHI CHODI, KAI RANGEEN PARDE BHI LAGA DIYE PAR PHIR BHI NA JAANE KYU SAB KHALI KHALI SA LAGTA THA PAR HUA PHIR KUCH AISA JISNE MUJHE TUJHE KARIB SE DEKHNE KA DIYA EK MAUKA MAUKA, GHAR KI KHIDKI KE PAAS BAITHKAR, TUJHE KARIB SE DEKHNE KA MERE KHALI SE MAN KO DOBARA BHAR DENE KA PAANI KI US DHAAR KO JISE MAIN BINA SAMJHE KABHI YUHI PEE JAYA KARTA THA THAMKAR USKI THANDAK KO DEKHNE KA ZAMEEN PE CHALTE,PHONE PE BAAT KARTE KARTE UPAR DEKH NAHI PAATI THI MERI NAZRIEN AAJ US KHULE NEELE AASMAN KO JEE BHAR KE DEKHNE KA UN PANCHIYON KO UDTE DEKHNE KA AUR BINA KARAN UNKE JAISE UDNE KI KALPANA KARNE KA ZINDAGI KI RACE ME SABSE AAGE REHNEKE CHAKKAR ME JISKE VAJAH SE MERI SAANSEIN CHAL RAHI HAIN, UN PE TO BAHUT KAM HI GAYA MERA DHYAAN AAJ MILA HAI MAUKA, TUJHE CHUKAR EK THANKYOU BOLNE KA MAIN INSAN BADA HU YA TU AUR TERE YE AUZAAR IS CHAKKAR ME BHUL HI GAYA KI HUM DONO HI HAIN EK DUSRE KE JEEVAN KA AADHAR KITNA SWARTHI NIKLA MAIN KI TERI AHMIYAT SAMAJ HI NA PAAYA PAR DEKH TERA KARISHMA, MUJHE APNE KARIB TU LE HI AAYA JAB SUBAH KA BHULA SHAAM KO GHAR AA JAYE TO NAHI KEHLATA VO BHULA ITNA SUKOON ITNI SHAANTI SACH BATAU TO MUJHE TERE ALAWA KAHI AUR MIL HI NAHI PAAYA LOG CHAHE TUJHE JO BULAYE, KUDRAT, PRAKRITI, SRISTI PAR ABSE TU HAMESHA RAHEGA MERA SAAYA HAA, AAJ TUJHE KARIB SE MAINE DEKHA HAI AAJ TUJHE KARIB SE MAINE DEKHA HAI Be creative and find your catharsis in whichever form of creativity you are comfortable with.  It could be anything- a song, a painting, a poem, a story, a dance performance, rangolis, jokes/humor, culinary skills, mimicry and whatnot. There is no limit to creativity. Just unleash and share it with everyone! Why don’t you share your moments of catharsis with us? UPSC is not only about academics but personality as well. And your personality is shaped by the creativity that you possess.   We encourage you to keep the comment section alive by sharing your talents and also by commenting and encouraging the talent of your peers. We are also going to be a regular visitor here and will keep on posting the creative works by our talented team members and staff. NOTE- You can also nominate by tagging anyone (if you know about the talent of your friend or anyone) ? You can share your talent/creativity with us on support@iasbaba.com P.S: Kindly share it in a format that can be published