Posts

TLP Public Administration Optional

SYNOPSIS: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OPTIONAL - Paper 2- TLP UPSC Mains Answer Writing [31st August, 2020] – Day 19

For Previous PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE   1. Policemen are civilians with uniform and public are the police without one. Comment;                                                                            15 marks (250 words) Approach The question simply asks to bring out the responsibility of police as a common public; and the responsibility of the public in keeping peace and order in the society. From paper 1 We can bring concepts of conflict management, coordination, participative decision making etc here. Introduction Common Wealth human Rights Initiative has stated, in one of its reports that, “the Indian police are adamant, oppressive, woeful and inefficient”. This attitude of police can be antithetical to a smooth maintenance of law and order in the society, because the public sees police as extortionist and devilish personalities which worsens the current hostility and makes the Public-Police coordination a next to impossibility. Body  Hence there is a need for the police to understand the situations and problems of the public by stepping on their shoes, rather than resorting to penalties and punishments for every small mistakes committed by them. Police as public with uniform; Soli Sorabjee committee on police reforms states that “it is not the business of the police to be in a war condition always and to use its gun on the daily basis”. Thus police are supposed to be the protectors of the public, not the predators. They have to be humane and cooperate with the public and should not punish them for the acts that exceed the reach of human capacities.  Ex: On the spot seizure of vehicles for not carrying the papers, canning the innocent public, beating the under trials inside the prison (Thuhukudi custodial death case), etc Further, assaulting a suspect during investigation; fabricating a false case; using abusive or   threatening language; demanding a bribe; or indulging in unruly conduct are not a part of official duty as per the Human Rights Commission’s guidelines for the police. And this actually creates a wide schism between public and ‘publicness’ of the police. However, there are several incidents wherein police become a part of the public and help the needy people in various situations.  Ex: The heroic scenes of police men acting as steppers for the people to get into the boats during the Kerala flood’s evacuation operations.  Police voluntarily performing the cremation of patients who died due to COVID-19 infection;  The initiatives of Bengaluru Traffic Police to provide snacks to the violators of traffic rules and late guiding them to wear masks and helmets (considering citizens as Abrahams);  Several police departments taking to social media to educate the people and redress their grievance online (client orientation of NPM); These are the exemplary incidents which show that the police are not the authorities who punish and control the public, rather they are the friends and fellow beings who guide, correct and educate them. How publics are the police without uniform; Dismissing the PIL that sought action against the Police’s ruthless actions during the enforcement of COVID-19 lockdown; Supreme Court stated that, it is impossible to maintain the law and order in the society without the cooperation of the public.  Thus, public should understand that laws are best implemented if the public become the police for themselves and abide to the rules and regulations voluntarily.  Ex: In a case study by Transparency International, regarding the corruption in police department, it was found that there was more propensity of public giving the bribes than police demanding it. Further, the incidents like brutal attack on Police Personnel in Delhi in 2019 and the subsequent protest by the Delhi Police indicate that, public are not the police without uniform rather they are the criminals with a civilian faces. However, some of the examples like Mahila Police Volunteers who help the police in investigation of crime against women.  Residence Welfare agencies joining hands with the police and helping them in the night patrols (participative management);  Several voluntary organizations striving to educate the people about various civic rules on behalf of the police, etc, indicate how public behave as the police without uniforms. Conclusion Hence, a mutual coordination, cooperation and collaboration of the public and police augur well for the Indian society. And neither the collision nor the collusion works here.  As put out by RAND on account of the death of George Flyod in US “Communities should rely on police departments to "protect and serve" themselves and the police, in turn, should rely on community support and cooperation for installing peace in the society, and this relation has to be harmonious forever”. 2. Insurgencies cannot be controlled solely with the application of force; comment. Also discuss some of the creative measures taken up by police forces in order to curb insurgencies in India.               15 marks (250 words)  Approach First part of the question asks to explain how a blend of force as well as humility can go a long way in controlling insurgency in India. For the second part of the question, we need to provide good examples and case studies.  From paper 1 Again here we can bring development administration, good governance, conflict management, coordination integration and others. Introduction Echoing the voice for the repeal of draconian AFSPA; the Justice BP. Jeevan Reddy Commission stated, that our counter insurgency operations in India have become “a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and high-handedness.” Also, Amnesty International, J S Verma Committee and even Santhosh Hegde committee also opposed the use of force as a single most strategy for curbing insurgency.   Body  Sole use of force can be counter-productive; As stated by Supreme Court in the Selva Judum case, the insurgency in India has taken birth due to skewed development and the related inter and intra regional developmental gaps, and the problem of development has to be tackled with the development, and not with the help of force. Further, use of force will only result in the common public developing hostility towards the government; and who in turn support the insurgent groups instead of aligning with the government. Narinder Nath Vohra, the interlocutor to J&K also reiterated this issue when he urged for the phasing out the use of pellet guns in the counter insurgency operations in J&K. Added to it, the excess of power given to the Police and Military forces are often misused by them to commit extra- judicial killings. And also, incidents of gender violence committed by officials are also over heard in the insurgency stricken areas.  This again creates sense hatred against the police in the minds of common people. Ex: The nude protest of Women in Karbi Anglong in 2017 is the extreme form of hatred against the police the nation has ever seen. Lastly, such incidents even nullify some of the developmental activities taken up by the government. Ex: We have seen Naxalites blowing of Schools and Anganwadi Centres in West Bengal, and the insurgents of Northeast blocking the roads and calling to boycott the elections. Hence, insurgency has to be tackled with the multipronged strategies; This should include a shock and awe technique wherein, police use force to bring the situation under control on the one hand; one the other hand it also takes up reconciliatory measures to diffuse the situation and extend bonhomie with the public. Ex: Operation Sadbhavana sponsored by the Indian army in J&K. This is aimed at taking the J&K youths for all India tours so that, they not only develop harmonious feelings and positive attitude towards the army, but also that they mingle with the people of other states (behavioural changes). Also, involvement of local leaders and politicians can help in reconciling with the common people and vein them away from supporting the insurgency groups, providing them shelter and passing on crucial information to them. Ex: Involvement of Naga politicians like S C Jamir and Hokishe Sema in the counter-insurgency operations helped curbing insurgency in Nagaland in 1960s (lynch-pin model) . Further, insurgency groups never come out for full fledged wars, rather they just try to de-legitimize the government by running the parallel governments. This at the best can be tackled well with the help of counter propaganda, i.e. by profound involvement of the government in developmental activities like operation Maitri in Chattisgarh wherein government builds Schools, Primary Health Centres, Haats, Roads and other constructions on a war footing.  Added to it, reconciliation with the insurgent leaders can also help in bringing down the gravity of insurgency; by signing peace accord and cease fire agreements. Ex: Ravi-Muivah accord is the best example for this (communication). The success of some of the counter insurgency operations like the Operation Greyhounds and the CoBRA (Commando Battalion of Resolute Action) owes not just to the use of force; but also to the rehabilitation schemes that are weaved to provide shelter and protection to the insurgents who would like to drop their weapons and surrender to the government. Ex: Art of Living helping the government by providing yoga and spiritual training to the former ULFA gun-slingers. Conclusion Hence, force alone cannot do anything for that matter, forget about curbing insurgencies. What is required is the “strong wits than the iron fists”, and to put it in the words of KPS Gill, “it takes both the physical and the psychological forces for the effective tackling of insurgency in India.” DOWNLOAD- Public Administration Synopsis Day 19 PDF

INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN (IRP) 2020

[Day 72] INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN(IRP – हिंदी & ENGLISH) 2020 – PRELIMS & MAINS – [1st SEPTEMBER, 2020]

For Previous IRP (हिंदी & English ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE   Hello Friends, Welcome to [Day 72] INTEGRATED REVISION PLAN(IRP – हिंदी & ENGLISH) 2020 – PRELIMS & MAINS – [1st September, 2020]   UPSC Static Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba's Daily Static Quiz - ENVIRONMENT [Day 72] UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 72] IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2 - ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies Paper 2 FULL Length MOCK Questions[1st SEPTEMBER,2020] - Day 72 [Day 72] IASBABA का इंटीग्रेटेड रिवीज़न प्लान (IRP) 2020 - [1st SEPTEMBER, 2020]   The Intention behind this Initiative: IRP 2020 – Road Map for the next 100 Days! 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 विस्तृत विवरण के लिए नीचे क्लिक करें -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE Thank You IASbaba

हिन्दी Initiatives

[Day 72] IASBABA का इंटीग्रेटेड रिवीज़न प्लान (IRP) 2020 - [1st SEPTEMBER, 2020]

For Previous IRP (Hindi & English ARCHIVES) - CLICK HERE   हाल ही में UPSC द्वारा COVID-19 को देखते हुए प्रारंभिक परीक्षा-2020 के लिए नई तिथि 4 अक्टूबर, 2020 की घोषणा की गयी है। ऐसे में इन 100 दिनों का सदुपयोग सही दिशा में करना अति महत्त्वपूर्ण हो गया है। इसको देखते हुए IASBABA टीम द्वारा इष्टतम लाभ प्राप्त करने के लिए 10 जून 2020 से इंटीग्रेटेड रिवीज़न प्लान-2020 लांच किया गया है, जिससे एक बार पुनः परीक्षा से संबंधित संपूर्ण पाठ्यक्रम का समुचित रिवीज़न किया जा सके।   इंटीग्रेटेड रिवीज़न प्लान (IRP) 2020 के महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य: IRP 2020 एक निःशुल्क पहल है, जिसे आपको अगले 100 दिनों के लिए केंद्रित रखने के लिए डिज़ाइन किया गया है! कार्यक्रम 10 जून 2020 से आरंभ होगा। यह सप्ताह में 6 दिन चलेगा। रविवार को अवकाश होगा - आप इस समय का उपयोग रिवीज़न और वैकल्पिक विषय के लिए कर सकते हैं। इसमें आपकी प्रारंभिक परीक्षा और मुख्य परीक्षा दोनों की तैयारी शामिल हैं। प्रतिदिन आधार पर - प्रारंभिक परीक्षा - 5 करंट अफेयर्स संबंधी बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न, 10 स्टेटिक भाग जैसे इतिहास, भूगोल, राजव्यवस्था, अर्थशास्त्र एवं पर्यावरण आदि संबंधी बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न होंगे। प्रतिदिन आधार पर - मुख्य परीक्षा - TLP - 3 प्रश्न मुख्य परीक्षा संबंधी GS1, GS2, GS3 को कवर करते हुए पोस्ट किया जाएगा। इन 3 प्रश्नों में से 2 स्टेटिक भाग से और 1 करंट अफेयर्स से होंगे। GS 4 (नीतिशास्त्र) और निबंध पर विशेष जोर - प्रत्येक सप्ताह (शुक्रवार को) 3 प्रश्न पोस्ट किए जाएंगे। इसमें 2 नैतिकता सिद्धांत एवं 1 प्रश्न केस स्टडी पर आधारित होंगे। प्रत्येक शनिवार को 4 निबंध दिए जाएंगे (इसमें 2 सामान्य थीम आधारित और 2 दार्शनिक विषय पर आधारित होंगे) हिंदी माध्यम में प्रश्न शाम 5 बजे (5 PM) अपलोड किए जाएंगे। पहल के बारे में अधिक जानने के लिए -> CLICK HERE SCHEDULE/DETAILED PLAN – > CLICK HERE Do remember that, “the difference between Ordinary and EXTRA-Ordinary is PRACTICE!!” IASbaba's Daily Static Quiz - ENVIRONMENT Q.1) निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: जैविक विविधता पर कन्वेंशन के लिए जैव सुरक्षा पर कार्टाजेना प्रोटोकॉल (Cartagena Protocol) का उद्देश्य जैविक विविधता पर प्रतिकूल प्रभावों का सुरक्षित संचालन, परिवहन और जीवित संशोधित जीवों (living modified organisms- LMOs) का उपयोग सुनिश्चित करना है। नागोया प्रोटोकॉल (Nagoya Protocol) एक अंतरराष्ट्रीय समझौता है जिसका उद्देश्य आनुवंशिक संसाधनों के उपयोग से उत्पन्न होने वाले लाभों को निष्पक्ष और न्यायसंगत तरीके से साझा करना है।  उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही नहीं है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.2) UNFCCC के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: UNFCCC 1997 क्योटो प्रोटोकॉल की मूल संधि है। UNFCCC सचिवालय संयुक्त राष्ट्र का हिस्सा है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.3) जलवायु परिवर्तन पर अंतर सरकारी पैनल (IPCC) के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: IPCC सरकारों का एक संगठन है जो संयुक्त राष्ट्र या विश्व मौसम संगठन (WMO) के सदस्य हैं। IPCC का उद्देश्य विशेष रूप से कम विकसित देशों में जलवायु परिवर्तन के प्रभावों को कम करना है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.4) निम्नलिखित राष्ट्र पर्यावरण कार्यक्रम (UNEP) के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: UNEP का मुख्यालय पेरिस, फ्रांस में है। संयुक्त राष्ट्र पर्यावरण सभा (The United Nations Environment Assembly), पर्यावरण पर विश्व की सर्वोच्च-स्तरीय निर्णय लेने वाली संस्था है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.5) पर्यावरण की समस्याओं पर वैज्ञानिक समिति (Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment -SCOPE) का प्राथमिक कार्य है प्रमुख पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों पर संयुक्त राष्ट्र के सदस्यों को सलाह देना वैज्ञानिक आविष्कारों के पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव का अध्ययन करना प्रमुख पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों की वैज्ञानिक समीक्षा विकसित करना उपरोक्त सभी Q.6) मरुस्थलीय से लड़ने के लिये संयुक्त राष्ट्र अभिसमय (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification- UNCCD) के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें। यह एकमात्र अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर कानूनी रूप से बाध्यकारी ढांचा है जो मरुस्थलीकरण की समस्या को हल करने के लिए स्थापित किया गया है। यह अभिसमय, भागीदारी, साझेदारी एवं विकेंद्रीकरण के सिद्धांतों पर आधारित है। पार्टियों का सम्मेलन (COP) दो वर्षों पर आयोजित किया जाएगा। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 और 2  केवल 2 और 3  केवल 1 1, 2 और 3 Q.7) अंतर्राष्ट्रीय रसायन प्रबंधन (International Chemicals Management -SAICM) के लिए रणनीतिक दृष्टिकोण के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें। यह रसायन प्रबंधन (ICCM1) पर पहले अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सम्मेलन द्वारा अपनाया गया था। भारत इस बहुपक्षीय पर्यावरण समझौते का सदस्य है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.8) हाल ही में किगाली समझौता (Kigali Agreement) समाचार में था। किगाली समझौते के संबंध में निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा/से कथन सही है / हैं? यह क्योटो प्रोटोकॉल (Kyoto protocol) में एक संशोधन है। समझौते के अनुसार, सदस्य देशों द्वारा 2045 तक हाइड्रॉफ्लोरोकार्बन (HFC) के निर्माण और उपयोग में लगभग 80-85% की कमी लाने की उम्मीद है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा / से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.9) निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: किगाली में मॉन्ट्रियल प्रोटोकॉल की पार्टियों (MoP) की बैठक में, मॉन्ट्रियल प्रोटोकॉल के तहत HFC को रसायनों की सूची में शामिल किया गया है। HFC गंभीर ओजोन घटने वाले पदार्थ हैं। भारत ने 2025 तक HFC के उपयोग और उत्पादन को पूरी तरह से रोकने का वादा किया है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा/से सही नहीं है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 और 3  केवल 3 केवल 1 और 2  Q.10) भारत में संगठित वन्यजीव अपराध से लड़ने के लिए 2007 में वन्यजीव अपराध नियंत्रण ब्यूरो (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) की स्थापना की गई थी। WCCB के संबंध में निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा कथन सही है / हैं? यह एक वैधानिक निकाय है जो वनजीव (संरक्षण) अधिनियम 1972  में संशोधन द्वारा स्थापित किया गया है। यह पर्यावरण और वन मंत्रालय के अंतर्गत आता है। WCCB द्वारा एक केंद्रीकृत वन्यजीव अपराध डेटा बैंक स्थापित किया गया है। नीचे दिए गए कोड का उपयोग करके सही उत्तर चुनें: केवल 1 और 2 केवल 2 और 3  केवल 1 और 3  केवल 2 और 3 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz Q.1) हाल ही में "AITIGA" शब्द को समाचारों में देखा गया है, यह संदर्भित करता है: यह एक मुक्त व्यापार समझौता है यह इसरो द्वारा एक नया मिशन है यह नीति आयोग  द्वारा शुरू की गई एक नई वित्तीय समावेशन योजना है यह एक बौना ग्रह (dwarf planet) है जिसे नासा द्वारा खोजा गया है Q.2) निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा देश कैस्पियन सागर (Caspian sea) के साथ तटवर्तीसीमा (Coastline) साझा नहीं करता है? रूस कज़ाकस्तान ईरान इराक Q.3) कावकाज़ (Kavkaz) के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: कावकाज 2020, आस्थाखान (रूस) में आयोजित होने वाला है यह त्रिकोणीय सेवा अभ्यास, रूसी सेना के प्रत्येक चार साल के अभ्यास का एक हिस्सा है उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा/ से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2  1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2 Q.4) निम्नलिखित में से कौन ‘पीएम यंग अचीवर्स स्कॉलरशिप अवार्ड योजना फॉर वाइब्रेंट इंडिया’ (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India-PM-YASASVI)  की कार्यान्वयन एजेंसी है? कौशल विकास मंत्रालय सामाजिक न्याय और अधिकारिता मंत्रालय मानव संसाधन विकास मंत्रालय शिक्षा मंत्रालय Q.5) पोषण माह (Poshan Maah) के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें: अगस्त का महीना 2018 से हर साल पोषण माह (Poshan Maah) यानी पोषण महीने के रूप में मनाया जाता है। इसे महिलाओं और बाल विकास मंत्रालय के द्वारा कार्यन्वित किया जाता है। उपरोक्त कथनों में से कौन सा/से सही है / हैं? केवल 1 केवल 2 1 और 2 दोनों न तो 1 और न ही 2   उत्तर डाउनलोड करने के लिए नीचे क्लिक करें - Click Here

Topper's From IASbaba

Rank 177 DEVAHUTI UPSC CSE 2019 TOPPER- IASbaba’s IMP Student’s TESTIMONIAL!

Heartiest Congratulations to DEVAHUTI Rank 177, UPSC CSE 2019 TOPPER The Mock Interviews at IASbaba as part of INTERVIEW MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME (IMP)  helped her to tackle the Personality Test. As a token of gratitude, she has sent us this testimonial. We at IASbaba, wish her all the success and become a role model for everyone to follow.. and keep us inspiring! You can check Final Results of UPSC CSE 2019 - CLICK HERE 100+ Ranks UPSC CSE 2019 Topper’s from IASbaba – 5 in Top 20 Ranks makes it even more Special! -> CLICK HERE

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 1st SEPTEMBER 2020

Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) India's GDP falls 23.9% in first quarter: NSO data Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Economy In News: As per National Statistical Office (NSO), April-June 2020-21 Quarter GDP growth at constant prices (Real GDP) is -23.9%.  It was measured from the same quarter previous year 2019-20.  Key takeaways  All the sectors have shown negative growth except agriculture where the growth was 3.4%.   India will face negative growth in the present quarter (July to Sept) also measured from July-Sept 2019-20.  As we all know that the Demand of GDP in the economy comes from four sectors: Household (Consumption - C), Private Sector (Investment - I), Government (Consumption + Investment represented by G), Export - Import (X-M) In the Present Scenario, recession has been triggered because due to Lockdown, production was stopped then people lost jobs and their (consumer) demand decreased. Then, the businessmen reduced production and their demand for capital goods/raw material/ intermediate goods decreased. Do you know?  Once a country faces two consecutive quarters of negative real growth (measured from the same quarter previous year), then it is declared recession. India is also expected to see a full year contraction in real GDP in the present year by around 5%. India till now has faced recession four times in 1957-58 (-1.2% - drought), 1965-66 (-3.66% - drought), 1972-73 (-0.32% - Oil crisis) and 1979-80 (-5.2% - oil crisis/drought). Rare Renati Chola era inscription unearthed Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-I – Art and Culture In News: A rare inscription dating back to the Renati Chola era has been unearthed.  Location: Remote village of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.  Image source: Click here  Key takeaways  It was found engraved on a dolomite slab and shale.  It was written in archaic Telugu, which was readable in 25 lines It was assigned to the 8th Century A.D., when the region was under the rule of the Chola Maharaja of Renadu. Important value additions  Renati Cholas The Telugu Cholas of Renadu (also called as Renati Cholas) ruled over Renadu region, the present day Cuddapah district.  They were originally independent, later forced to the suzerainty of the Eastern Chalukyas.  They had the unique honour of using the Telugu language in their inscriptions belonging to the 6th and 8th centuries. The inscriptions at Gandikota at Jammulamadugu and Proddatur are proof of this fact.  Do you know?  Suzerainty is a relationship in which one state controls the foreign policy and relations of a tributary state, while allowing the tributary state to have internal autonomy.  U.S.-Israeli delegation lands in Abu Dhabi on historic visit  Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II – International relations In News: A U.S.-Israeli delegation arrived recently in Abu Dhabi on the historic first commercial flight from Tel Aviv, Israel.  The visit marked the normalisation of ties between Israel and the UAE. Objective of the visit: To boost cooperation in areas including aviation, tourism, trade, health, energy and security. Important value additions  Israel’s Health Ministry updated its list of “green countries” with low COVID-19 infection rates to include the UAE and eight other countries. This means that Israeli officials and journalists travelling to Abu Dhabi would be exempted from 14-day quarantine upon return. The UAE repealed a 1972 law which earlier boycotted Israel.  Now, it will be permissible to enter, exchange or possess Israeli goods and products of all kinds in the UAE and trade in them.  Do you know?  The UAE is the first Gulf country and only the third Arab nation to establish relations with Israel. Egypt made peace with its former battlefield enemy in 1979.  Jordan followed in 1994.  The UAE has never fought a war with Israel.  Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana extended Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II – Policies & GS-III – Employment In News: The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has extended the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana by one year to 30th June 2021. The ESIC has also relaxed eligibility criteria and enhanced the payment of the unemployment benefit under the Yojana.  Important value additions  Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana  It was introduced from 1st July 2018. Under it, unemployment benefit is paid to the workers covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme. The benefit is paid in the form of cash compensation upto 90 days, once in a lifetime.  It can be claimed after three months (90 days) in one or more intervals for being unemployed. INS Viraat Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Security In News: INS Viraat will be scrapped at a ship breaking yard at Alang in Gujarat soon. INS Viraat holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest serving warship of the world. It is a Centaur class aircraft carrier.  It played a major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 during the Sri Lankan Peacekeeping operation.  It also saw action during Operation Parakram in 2001-2002, post the terrorist attack on Parliament. The indigenous Advance Light Helicopters ‘Dhruv’ and the Russian twin rotor Kamov-31 have also operated from the ship. It was decommissioned in March 2017.  Miscellaneous Kavkaz 2020 India has announced its withdrawal from multilateral Military Exercise Kavkaz 2020.  It is to be held in Astrakhan region in southern Russia from 15th to 26th September. Both China and Pakistan are going to be a part of the multinational exercise. China's participation in the exercise was also a reason for India to pull out of the multilateral tri-services military exercise. India is locked in a military conflict with the Chinese in eastern Ladakh and on high alert all along the 4,000 kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC).  (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY/ FEDERALISM Topic: General Studies 2,3: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.  GST reform needs a new grand bargain Context: 40th GST Council meeting and growing voices about compensation to states. Do you know? Before GST, States had the power to levy some indirect taxes on economic activity. Therefore, after GST regime was introduced (in 2017), the Centre promised guaranteed compensation to the States for the first five years, for the revenues they lost after the shift from the earlier system.  The compensation is calculated at a growth rate of 14% keeping 2015-16 as the base year. Challenges for GST during the times of Pandemic Shortfall: The tax collection has dropped significantly, while expenditure needs are sharply higher, especially at the frontline of the battle, at the State level. Centre abdicating responsibility: Using an equivalent of the Force Majeure clause in commercial contracts, the Centre is abdicating its responsibility of making up for the shortfall in 14% growth in GST revenues to the states (compensation amount) States are left for themselves: It seems that the States have been told that they are on their own to meet the shortfall in revenues. Why is Centre putting onus on States to finance themselves considered wrong? Limited Avenues: States do not have recourse to multiple options that the Centre has, such as issue of a sovereign bond (in dollars or rupees) or a loan against public sector unit shares from the RBI.  Less bargaining Power: The Centre can anyway command much lower rates of borrowing from the markets as compared to the States.  Rating Agencies don’t differentiate: In terms of aggregate public sector borrowing, it does not matter for the debt markets, nor the rating agencies, whether it is the States or the Centre that is increasing their indebtedness. Macroeconomic Stability is Centre’s domain: Fighting this recession through increased fiscal stimulus is basically the job of macroeconomic stabilisation, which is the Centre’s domain.  Erodes Federal Trust: Most importantly, breaking the important promise of compensation, using the alibi of the COVID-19 pandemic causes a serious dent in the trust built up between the Centre and States. Way Forward – GST 2.0 Widening of Tax Base: GST is a destination-based consumption tax, which must include all goods and services with very few exceptions, such as food and medicine Low and stable single rate: Widening of the tax base itself will allow us to go back to the original recommendation of a standard rate of 12%, to be fixed for at least a five-year period. Some extra elbow room for the States’ revenue autonomy can be obtained by allowing the States non VATable surcharges on a small list of “sin” goods such as liquor, tobacco, polluting goods such as SUVs, and industrial fuels such as diesel, aviation turbine fuel and coal.  Sharing with Third Tier of Government: Of the 12% GST, 10% can be equally shared between the States and the Centre, and 2% must be earmarked exclusively for the urban and rural local bodies, which ensures some basic revenue autonomy to them. The actual distribution across panchayats, districts and cities would be given by respective State Finance Commissions. Conclusion GST is a crucial and long-term structural reform which can address the fiscal needs of the future, strike the right and desired balance to achieve co-operative federalism and also lead to enhanced economic growth.  Connecting the dots: Lessons from GST for One Nation One Ration Card ECONOMY/ GOVERNANCE/ INTERNATIONAL Topic: General Studies 2,3: Important International institutions, agencies  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.  Criticism of WB’s Ease of Doing Business Report Context: World Bank’s decision to halt its annual ‘Doing Business’ report on account of data authenticity issues of some countries. It has also decided to audit the ‘Doing Business’ report for the last five years  India and Ease of Doing Business India has sought to improve its ease of doing business index ranking, as a means to attract investments to achieve the targets set for ‘Make in India’ India’s success in boosting its ease of doing business ranking is spectacular, to 63rd rank in 2019, up from the 142nd position in 2014.  Criticism of World Banks Ease of Doing Business report The report is Politicised  Chile’s global rank went down sharply, from 34th position in 2014 to 67th in 2017.  Chile’s former Socialist President (2014-18), Michelle Bachelet, accused the World Bank of manipulating the index methodology to show her presidency in poor light, while showing improvement in the ranking during the regime of the right-wing party. Admission by WB Chief Economist (Paul M. Romer) to the mistakes In 2017, he said, “Based on the things we were measuring before, business conditions did not get worse in Chile under the Bachelet administration” He further added, “I didn’t do enough due diligence and later realised that I didn’t have confidence in the integrity of the report’s data.” The World Bank’s own internal watchdog, the Independent Evaluation Group, in its 2013 report, has widely questioned the reliability and objectivity of the index.  Robustness of methodology & calculation of Index is doubted Analytical and empirical foundations of the index are weak, if non-existent.  The index is based on de jure measures, and not on de facto conditions. Example: The data for computing the index for India is obtained from larger enterprises in two cities only, Mumbai and Delhi, by lawyers, accountants and brokers — not from entrepreneurs. Utility of the Index is questionable There is no credible association between improvement in ranking and a rise in capital formation & output growth. Russia’s ease of doing business rank jumped from 120 in 2012 to 20 in 2018 ahead of China, Brazil, and India, but without becoming a magnet for investment inflows.  China, on the contrary, attracted one of the highest capital inflows but its ease of doing business ranking was low and hovered between 78 and 96 for the years between 2006 and 2017. Index is an ideologically loaded measure against the interest of workers To meet the ease of doing business targets, labour rights and safety standards of factories are often compromised.  In 2016, the Maharashtra government abolished the annual mandatory inspection of steam boilers under the Boilers Act of 1923 and the Indian Boilers Regulation 1950. There is little economic evidence to suggest that minimally regulated markets for labour and capital produce superior outcomes in terms of output and employment Implications for India Since 2015, the government has invested considerable political and administrative capital to improve India’s ranking. While its Ease of Doing Business rank improved, it has meant nothing on the ground.  The share of the manufacturing sector has stagnated at around 16-17% of GDP, and 3.5 million jobs were lost between 2011-12 and 2017-18.  India should do some soul searching as to why the much trumpeted rise in global ranking has failed miserably on the ground. Connecting the dots: World Competitive Index (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 Recently India's GDP fell by 23.9% in the first quarter of 2020. Consider the following statements:  All the sectors have shown negative growth except agriculture.  Once a country faces three consecutive quarters of negative real growth it is declared recession. Which of the above is/are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2 Recently Renati Chola Era inscription has been unearthed in which of the following state of India?  Karnataka  Kerala  Tamil Nadu  Andhra Pradesh Q.3 Consider the following statements regarding Renati Chola:  They ruled over Renadu region.  They were forced to the suzerainty of the Eastern Pallavas. They used Telugu language in their inscriptions between 6th and 8th centuries. Which of the above is/are correct?  1 and 2 only  2 only  1 and 3 only  None of the above Q.4 Consider the following statements regarding INS Viraat:  It holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest serving worship of the world.  It played a major role in Operation to Jupiter during Bangladesh peacekeeping operation. Which of the above is/are correct?  1 only  2 only  Both 1 and 2  Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5 India recently announced its withdrawal from multilateral military exercise Kavkaz 2020. In which of the following country is it going to be held?  Russia  Japan  China  USA ANSWERS FOR 31st August 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 A 3 D 4 D Must Read About Environment as National Issue: The Hindu About English language training for CISF personnel: The Hindu About dealing with Chinese power: The Indian Express

Daily Static Quiz

UPSC Static Quiz - 2020: IASbaba's Daily Static Quiz - ENVIRONMENT [Day 72]

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

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 72]

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

IASbaba's Courses

[SESSION 8] - 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 8 (Topics 106-120) - IASbaba's RAPID REVISION SERIES (RRS) of 500 HIGH PROBABLE TOPICS for UPSC PRELIMS 2020     To Download PPT PDF - IASbaba's RRS Session 8   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 Mains 2020

IASbaba’s TLP (Phase 2 - ENGLISH & हिंदी): UPSC Mains Answer Writing - General Studies Paper 2 FULL Length MOCK Questions[1st SEPTEMBER,2020] - Day 72

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. What are the different ways through which citizenship can be acquired in India? How is the process different from other democratic nations? Illustrate with the help of suitable examples. 2. The Supreme Court shouldn’t blur the line between executive and judiciary. Policy must remain govt’s domain only. Do you agree? Critically comment.  3. What challenges does India’s federal polity pose to good governance and reforms in the fields of agriculture, policing and ease of doing business? Analyse with the help of suitable examples.  4. Do you think electoral democracy at the grass-root addresses the challenges posed by regional consciousness and identity assertion? Critically examine.  5. Do you think the Election Commission of India (ECI) as an independent and impartial body has been excessively and unnecessarily  politicised by the political class? What can be its long term implications. Discuss.  6. There has been a remarkable improvement in terms of last mile delivery of critical public services in the last few years. Do you agree? With the help of suitable examples, bring out the most vital factors that can be attributed for this change.  7. Do you think strategic disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings is antithetical to the constitutional idea of a welfare state? Critically examine.  8. Government is the biggest litigant in Courts. Why? Can you identify at least three prominent factors that lead to high number of litigations involving the Government in different courts of law? What measures can be taken to address that? Suggest.  9. There are allegations against some NGOs that they are driven by vicious agenda. What are your views on this? What measures have been taken by the Government to regulate the funding and activities of NGOs in India? discuss.  10. Do you think the model of governance adopted and implemented by the Delhi State Government, particularly in the fields of education and healthcare are worth emulating by other states? Share your views.  11. How is the Ujjwala Scheme transforming the lives of rural women in India? What are the positive spillover effects of this scheme? Analyse.  12. How is technology positively transforming governance in India? Illustrate with the help of at least three recent and ongoing examples.  13. Why is micro-finance? How does the SHG model aid in micro-financing? What are the challenges of this model? Examine. 14. Examine the significance of a quick, robust and effective grievance redressal mechanism for good governance. In this light, critically evaluate the status of various grievance redressal forums in India.  15. For India’s 21st century priorities, the civil servants can’t afford to be oblivious to the power of technology in general and ICT in particular. Discuss. Do you observe any behavioural transformation on the technology front? Examine.     16. The decision to revoke Article 370 and the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have affected India’s soft power image globally. Critically comment. What steps has the Government taken to address it? Examine.  17. Now that India is out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), what should be the key priority areas to focus on the trade and commerce front? Suggest.   18. Despite being natural partners, there are critical irritants in Indo-Us relations that aren’t letting the full potential of the cooperation being realised. Elucidate.  19. India’s diaspora has the power and numbers to alter the political discourse on foreign soils also. Do you agree? Substantiate your response with with the help of recent examples.   20. What is G-20? What is the mandate and role of G-20 in global affairs? Has it been a success? Critically analyse.    All the Best :)

Website
Terms and Conditions Privacy Refund Policy Learning Management System by Testpress