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May 15, 2020 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 15th MAY 2020

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 15th May 2020 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Money laundering and fugitive offender issue Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Money Laundering In News: The UK High Court rejected businessman Vijay Mallya's plea for permission to move the UK Supreme Court (SC). He wanted to challenge the lower court’s approval of his extradition to India in the IDBI Bank fraud case. Key takeaways: The UK government may soon issue a directive allowing his extradition. It is important to bring him back within 28 days after he exhausts all legal avenues. He may be brought on board a special plane, as international flight operations have been suspended due to the global lockdown. Important value additions: The case was registered against Vijay Mallya for fraud, misrepresentation to the bank in securing credit facilities, conspiracy and money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India attached assets worth Rs.13,000 crore in connection with the cases against him. On its request, a Mumbai court declared him a fugitive under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Enforcement Directorate It is a law enforcement and economic intelligence agency. It is responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting economic crime in India. It is part of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government Of India. The prime objective of the agency is the enforcement of two key Acts - Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (FEMA) Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 It empowers any special court to confiscate all properties and assets of economic offenders who are charged in offences measuring over ₹ 100 crores and are evading prosecution by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts. Second tranche of economic stimulus package announced Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Economy In News: Second tranche of economic stimulus package was recently announced. This package shall benefit migrant workers, street vendors and small farmers. Key takeaways: MGNREGS workers ₹10,000 crore has been spent in the last two months on creating man-days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) to help migrant workers. The work has been offered to 2.33 crore wage seekers till May 13. About 40-50% more persons have been enrolled as compared to May last year. Universal right to minimum wages and a national floor wage are reforms which will be considered in the coming future. Migrant workers Free foodgrains for an estimated eight crore migrant workers for next two months at a cost of ₹3,500 crore. Migrant workers who do not have either Central or State Public Distribution System (PDS) card would get 5kg grains per person and 1kg of chana for two months. PDS ration cards would be made portable, allowing migrant workers to use their ration cards across States. This would benefit 83% of PDS beneficiaries, in 23 States by August. By March 2021, 100% coverage under ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ will be done. Interest subvention on MUDRA loans A 2% interest subvention (subsidy offered on interest rates) shall be given under the MUDRA-Shishu loans of up to ₹50,000. Housing subsidy scheme extended ₹70,000-crore boost to housing sector by extending the subsidy scheme for affordable housing to the middle-income group by one year to 2021. Street vendors ₹5,000-crore special credit facility for street vendors by providing them with working capital of up to ₹10,000. Farmers ₹30,000-crore additional emergency working capital funding through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). This loan will cover requirements of rural co-op banks and regional rural banks. This would benefit mostly small and marginal farmers. Important value additions: The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) It is a benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana under which housing loan EMIs are reduced by over Rs. 2,000 per month by offering an interest subsidy. It focuses on helping Middle Income Groups Economically Weaker Sections Lower Income Groups Miscellaneous Todas They were recently in news for producing thousands of masks with exquisite embroidery for local residents, police, and sanitary workers. Toda people are a Dravidian ethnic group who live in the Nilgiri Mountains of Tamil Nadu They traditionally live in settlements called Mund. Their huts, called dogles, are of an oval, pent-shaped construction built of bamboo. The Toda lands are now a part of The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated International Biosphere Reserve. Their territory is declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. COVID Kavach ELISA National Institute of Virology, Pune, has developed India’s first indigenous antibody-based ELISA test kit - COVID KAVACH for diagnosis of COVID-19. The kit has displayed high sensitivity and accuracy in the validation tests at different sites. ELISA is routinely used for detecting HIV infection. The test will detect antibodies in blood samples that the body develops in response to COVID-19 INFECTION. The ELISA test gains significance as the rapid antibody tests imported from China were found to be unreliable and hence the States were instructed not to use them. (MAINS FOCUS) HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT Topic: General Studies 2 & 3: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment. Ensuring environment sustainability post COVID-19 lockdown Context: As we all know, the lockdown imposed to contain COVID-19 pandemic has caused a negative impact on the livelihood of the people. However, it had a positive impact on the environment. The air and water quality improved dramatically since major industrial activities were brought to halt and material consumption, water usage and waste production were reduced. The pre-Covid-19 growth was based on blind exploitation of natural resources. The lockdown has given a rare opportunity to move towards the principles of sustainable development in every human action including public policy making. In earlier posts, we have discussed about economy & clean air and also coronavirus impact on Environment. Following on the same lines, this editorial focuses on Effects of the lockdown Ways to maintain the sustainability Effects of Economic Shutdown on Environment Data from the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) shows that pollution level in the Ganges water has significantly reduced. Its Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and total coliform concentration has also fallen indicating improved water quality. Similar positive developments have been reported for the Yamuna. There are several reports that reflect the improved air quality: The Delhi/NCR pollution level has significantly reduced. Dhauladhar ranges from Jalandhar, Mt. Kanchenjunga from Siliguri and Mt. Everest from parts of Bihar were recently visible. Groundwater levels improved with the reduced industrial and commercial activity. Municipal solid waste (MSW) generation got reduced remarkably. Ways to Maintain this Sustainability Nature-Based Solution (NBS): It refers to the sustainable use of nature for tackling socio-environmental challenges, such as climate change, water security, human health, and disaster risk management. Example of NBS may include: Restoration of mangroves Green roofs or walls in cities to moderate the impact of high temperatures. Upsloping vegetation to reduce the risks of landslides. Creating lesser concrete areas to help replenish groundwater in regions facing water scarcity. NBS are an essential component of the overall global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Bio-composites These are structures that have naturally occurring minerals woven together into a matrix of natural fibres, such as cellulose and lignin. Their products are being used as environmentally superior alternatives to traditional raw materials such as wood and plastic due to their strength, lower weight and recyclability. For example, starch-based clay nanocomposites can be a possible alternative for food packaging. Effective Waste Management Waste segregation across urban India at household-level. Generating organic manure and megawatts of bioenergy through cost-effective means by using bio - recycling methods like vermicomposting. For the water-heavy industries of pharmaceuticals, paper, food and beverage, adopting best practices in minimising water consumption would progress them towards Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). Bio-treatment of industrial effluents such as chemicals, detergents and toxic sludge can also be done, but there must be mandatory compliance to keep the rivers clean. Building Natural Infrastructure It is defined as a strategically planned and managed network of natural lands that conserves or enhances ecosystem values and provides associated benefits to human populations. Establishing interconnected networks of green spaces can be one of the ways of building natural Infrastructure. Example: Concept of biosphere reserves. It incorporates core protected areas for nature conservation and buffer zones and transition areas where people live and work in a sustainable way. Conclusion For long-term sustenance, bringing behavioural changes like sustainable consumption, mindful wastage is of utmost importance. Connecting the dots : Lockdown and coronavirus will help achieve sustainable development goals earlier than the targeted years. Analyse. In what ways has COVID-19 pandemic affected the livelihood of the people and the environment? Examine. (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 With regard to Enforcement Directorate, consider the following statements: It deals with money laundering in India. it is an autonomous agency. Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018: Any special Court can confiscate the properties of the offenders. The offences measuring over Rs 100 crores are considered under this act. Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3 Consider the following statements with regard to the stimulus package announced for street vendors and farmers: Rs. 5000 crore special credit facility will be provided for Street vendors. Emergency working capital funding will be provided to the farmers through NABARD. Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4 The Todas are Dravidian ethnic groups belonging to which of the following state of India? Kerala Tamil Nadu Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Q.5 ELISA test is used for detecting which of the following disease? Tuberculosis Malaria HIV Dengue ANSWERS FOR 14th May 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 A 2 A 3 A 4 A Must Read About Asia-Pacific and marine environment The Hindu About India’s unsung heores of the pandemic The Hindu About fund for MSMEs The Indian Express The Indian Express About maternal health services The Indian Express

May 15, 2020 RSTV Video

Visakhapatnam Gas Leak – The Big Picture – RSTV IAS UPSC

Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3 Disasters and its management In News: A major leak from a polymer plant LG Polymers near Visakhapatnam impacted villages in a five-km radius, leaving at least 9 people dead and thousands of citizens suffering from breathlessness and other problems in an early morning mishap that raised fears of a serious industrial disaster. It has killed eight people and reportedly led to the hospitalisation of more than a thousand. The leak occurred early morning May 7, 2020 at a private plastic making plant owned by LG Polymers Pvt Ltd, a part of South Korean conglomerate LG Corp. The facility is spread over 600 acres of land, that includes nearby residential areas. It is spread over 231 acres, according to terms of reference submitted by the company in 2018. The impact zone has been in the range of 2-3 kilometres. The leak has been plugged and NDRF teams moved into the five affected villages and have started opening the houses to find out if anyone was stranded inside. Covid-19 preparedness helped a lot as dozens of ambulances with oxygen cylinders and ventilators were readily available. The spread of the gas depends on wind speeds. So far it is estimated that areas within a five kilometre radius have been affected. The gas was confirmed to be styrene or vinyl benzene. Steps taken by National Green Tribunal National Green Tribunal (NGT) reportedly took suo motu cognisance of the gas leak incident and on May 8 directed LG Polymers India to deposit an initial amount of Rs 50 crore for the damage caused. The tribunal also constituted a six-member committee headed by Justice B. Seshasayana Reddy, a former judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court, tasked to find the exact sequence of events leading up to the leak, including the cause of failure; persons and authorities responsible; extent of damage to life, public health, and environment; steps taken to compensate victims and restitute damaged property; etc. How did this happen? Styrene monomer (a single unit of styrene) was used at the manufacturing plant to produce expandable plastics. The storage requirement of styrene monomer strictly mentions that it has to be below 17 degrees Celsius. There are clear rules on hazardous chemical storage under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. A possible reason for the May 7 leak accident is that the plant may not have stored styrene gas at the right temperature, causing pressure to build up within the chamber, followed by a valve failure and then leak. Another issue was a defunct volatile organic compound (VOC) detection system at the plant. There is no monitoring mechanism installed to specifically detect styrene. What is the immediate treatment to be given to the affected? The most important immediate treatment is to give oxygen to affected people. The people in the zone also need to be evacuated as long-term exposure can be detrimental to their health. Also, as styrene reacts to form styrene dioxide, the air could remain contaminated for some time. However, the winds blowing from the sea could also help disperse the gas. The factory had submitted a Rs 168 crore proposal in 2018 to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to expand its production capacity by another 250 tonnes per day (tpd) from the current 415 tpd. This permission, as we understand it, has been recently granted. Guidelines on storage of hazardous chemicals in plants After the Bhopal disaster, many legislations were enacted starting from the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991. According to The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989, styrene is classified as a hazardous and toxic chemical. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Omnibus act, which gives sweeping powers to Central government to take all measures to protect the environment Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 Set discharge and product standards – source standards for restricting pollution; product standards for manufactured goods and ambient air and water standards – for regulating quality of life and environmental protection Hazardous Waste (Management Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 1989 Industry required to identify major accident hazards, take preventive measures and submit a report to the designated authorities Manufacture, Storage And Import Of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 Importer must furnish complete product safety information to the competent authority and must transport imported chemicals in accordance with the amended rules. Chemical Accidents (Emergency, Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996 Centre is required to constitute a central crisis group for management of chemical accidents; set up quick response mechanism termed as the crisis alert system. Each state is required to set up a crisis group and report on its work. Factories Amendment Act, 1987 Provision to regulate siting of hazardous units; safety of workers and nearby residents and mandates for on-site emergency plans and disaster control measures Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 Imposes a no-fault liability on the owner of hazardous substance and requires the owner to compensate victims of accident irrespective of any neglect or default. For this, the owner is required to take out an insurance policy covering potential liability from any accident. How styrene affects humans, animals? Styrene is the 20th most-used chemical in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The chemical can be found in air, water and soil once released into the environment. It is used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins. These materials are subsequently used in food packaging, rubber, plastic, insulation, fiberglass, pipes and automobile parts. It is also known as PVC gas (polyvinyl chloride), as it is used in the production of PVC. It is broken down in air in 1-2 days, while it evaporates from soil and shallow water surfaces. It is broken down by micro-organisms if it reaches soil. It can enter the human body through breathing, eating food and contact through skin. Once it enters the human body, styrene takes a few days to break down into other chemicals and pass through urine. It is the most harmful in its most basic form as a monomer (a single unit of styrene), according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States. When humans are exposed to styrene, it causes eye irritation and gastro-intestinal effects. It also impacts the outer layer of tissues in the skin causing erosion and bleeding in the short term. Long-term effects include central nervous system dysfunction, depression, hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy (a numb feeling in the hands and feet). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that styrene is a possible carcinogen and can cause cancer under long exposure. The Way Forward The gas leak tragedy is a reminder that safety is paramount when exiting the lockdown. Immediate directive must go to all units to ensure safety while resuming activity and also in case the lockdown continues, these safety precautions must not be negated. The Andhra Pradesh government must focus immediately on the medical needs of those who have been grievously affected by the gas leak. Solatium payments and compensation for the victims and families are important, but so is access to the highest quality of health care for the victims. India must probe before blaming workers or so called unskilled workers. As India aims for a wider manufacturing base, it needs to strengthen its approach to public and occupational safety. Transparent oversight is not a hurdle to industrial growth. It advances sustainable development by eliminating terrible mistakes. Connecting the Dots: How does styrene, the chemical being blamed for Vizag gas leak deaths, affects human body? Highlight immediate measures to be taken during industrial disasters. Vizag gas leak very similar to Bhopal tragedy. Is it a reminder of the folly of seeing environmental due diligence as an impediment to economic activity? Discuss. Essay: No good lessons have been learnt from the 1984 Union Carbide disaster

May 14, 2020 VIDEO:CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS (CAP) - TO THE POINT

[VIDEO] IASbaba Daily CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS (CAP) - TO THE POINT! 14th May, 2020 (Prelims Topics Discussion and MCQ’s)

Dear Students, Previous PRELIMS Topics [VIDEOS] -> ARCHIVES The Prelims Video Discussions are done by Ayman Jamal, IPS 2018. She was the highest scorer (206) in the UPSC 2018 Interview. She has cleared UPSC Prelims 4 times and many other competitive exams like Bihar public service commission exam, Assistant Labour Commissioner Exam, etc. Her knowledge and experience of the competitive exam and especially UPSC Prelims will be a special value add in this series of Video Discussions. ABOUT THE PROGRAM – CAP - TO THE POINT! A video will be uploaded Daily (Monday – Friday)covering the most important Current Affair Topics for Prelims. Daily 5 Most Important topics from Prelims perspective will be covered. The video will also include 5 MCQs on the topics discussed so that you can grasp those concepts clearly and understand the dynamics and demands of the Exam. Each Video will be of 15-20 minutes Duration. The first 12-15 minutes will be on Prelims Topics Discussion, followed by Prelims Mcq's in the last 5 Minutes. In a week we will cover 20 Topics and 20 MCQ's. Coverage will be from The Hindu, Indian Express, and PIB which are the most important sources for the Prelims Exam. Today’s CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS (CAP) – TO THE POINT, 14th May,2020 SUBSCRIBE to IASbaba’s Website (below) and our YOUTUBE Channel for the latest and most important updates!! As per the Students Demand, now you can Download the PPT of the Prelims Discussion below- TO DOWNLOAD THE PPT -> CLICK HERE TOPICS & SOURCES IN TODAY’S VIDEO: 1. PMCARES vs PMNRF THE HINDU https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-how-different-is-the-pm-cares-fund-from-the-pms-national-relief-fund/article31546287.ece 2. Sal Forest Tortoise THE HINDU https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/sal-forest-tortoise-habitat-stretches-over-unprotected-areas/article31544837.ece 3. Mission SAGAR, IORA THE INDIAN EXPRESS https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ins-kesari-sets-sail-on-covid-aid-mission-to-indian-ocean-countries-6403557/ 4. Sohrai Khovar & Telia Rumal THE HINDU https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/gi-tag-for-jharkhands-sohrai-khovar-painting-telanganas-telia-rumal/article31569123.ece 5. Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan PIB https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1623601 To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- 👉 TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount 👉 YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQ 👉 FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/ Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts! Happy learning :) All the best IASbaba

May 14, 2020 60 DAYS PROGRAMME-PRELIMS 2020

MUST WATCH [VIDEO]: How to crack UPSC PRELIMS using Common Sense (Elimination Technique -KCT Approach) & Common Mistakes Committed by students – Part 1

Hello Friends, Have you ever heard of the phrase, ‘Laakhon mein ek’, the Hindi version of ‘One in a million’. Well, it is most fitting for students who qualify the prelims exam of UPSC Civil Services. Mathematically, the odds of qualifying the exam are very low. And since the probability is so low, even the toppers are not sure whether they’ll be able to qualify the exam or not before they get a rank. It is a known fact that only knowledge cannot help you in qualifying the exam. Amidst this uncertainty, it is natural to panic. Also, because of the extension due to lockdown, anxiousness has increased manifolds. However, there are many who have cracked the formula to qualify the exam, and again and again, they crack prelims even when their preparation doesn’t look that sound. So from our experience and understanding of the exam, we have decided to share how common sense and basic understanding can improve your performance in the exam and help you get those 10 – 20 marks extra. We advise you to diligently go through the video and make notes for your reference and try to implement those methods in the next mock test that you take. How to crack UPSC PRELIMS using Common Sense (Elimination Technique (KCT Approach)- These sessions are taken by Mohan Sir (Founder, IASbaba). This is the first part of the discussion session. Basic idea behind this session, is to REMOVE the Fear of Cracking Prelims Exam and Emphasise on using COMMON SENSE to solve UPSC Prelims Exam. These sessions will give you more confidence in attempting UPSC Prelims paper and give you an edge in scoring more than the cut-off and clearing Prelims Exam. IMPORTANT POINTERS DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION: A Well Read Person with a Keen Observation can Crack this Exam Knowledge + Common Sense + Technique (KCT) Approach in Solving UPSC Prelims Question Papers 3A’s to tackle Prelims Attitude Aptitude Absence of disturbance (Calmness/Presence of mind) Common Mistakes Committed by Students and how to overcome them- Not using Common Sense Over-thinking Mohan Sir, will be coming up with 2 More Video Sessions on How to crack UPSC PRELIMS using Common Sense (Elimination Technique) by solving the last 3 Years (2019, 2018 & 2017) UPSC Prelims Questions. Selected questions from these previous years will be picked up and solved using common sense. MUST WATCH: For PRELIMS TIPS/STRATEGY (Do’s & Don’ts), How to Score More, Optimum number of questions to be attempted in the prelims exam? What would be the cut-off this year? How much risk I can take? Time management etc. - by Mohan Sir-> CLICK HERE Thank You IASbaba

May 14, 2020 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th MAY 2020

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th May 2020 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan announced Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Economy In News: The Indian Prime Minister recently announced a special economic package worth ₹20 lakh crore known as Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. The aim of the abhiyan is to make India self- reliant. Key takeaways: The abhiyan shall include: new economic package (recently announced by the Finance Minister) earlier government announcements during COVID crisis decisions taken by RBI This is equivalent to almost 10% of India’s GDP India's self-reliance will be based on five pillars - Economy Infrastructure Technology driven system Vibrant demography Demand Image source: Click here Major stimulus package for MSMEs and other sectors announced Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Economy In News: Several relief measures and packages were announced for MSMEs, salaried workers, contractors recently as part of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. Key takeaways: MSMEs ₹3 lakh crore collateral free loan schemes for businesses, especially MSMEs. For 2 lakh NPAs/stressed MSMEs, ₹20,000 crore as subordinate debt will be facilitated. A ₹50,000 crore equity infusion through an MSME fund of funds with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore. The definition of an MSME is being expanded to allow for higher investment limits and the introduction of turnover-based criteria. For salaried workers and taxpayers Income tax returns for financial year 2019-20 have been extended with new due date being November 30, 2020. The rates of tax deduction at source (TDS) and tax collection at source (TCS) have been cut by 25% for the next year. Statutory provident fund (PF) payments have been reduced from 12% to 10% for both employers and employees for the next three months. NBFCs, housing finance companies and microfinance institutions ₹30,000 crore investment scheme fully guaranteed by the Centre. Partial credit guarantee scheme worth ₹45,000 crore. First 20% of losses will be borne by the Centre. Power distribution companies ₹90,000 crore liquidity injection Contractors 6 month extension from all Central agencies Partial bank guarantees to ease cash flows Registered real estate projects 6-month extension, with COVID-19 to be treated as a “force majeure” event Employee Provident Fund EPF provided to low-income organised workers under the PMGKY will be extended for another three months. Mandatory EPF contributions are also being reduced from 12% to 10% for both employees and employers in all other establishments. Important value additions: Employee Provident Fund It is a scheme for providing a monetary benefit to all salaried individuals after their retirement. Tax deduction at source (TDS) As per the Income Tax Act, any company or person making a payment, is required to deduct tax at source if the payment exceeds certain threshold limits. Tax collection at source (TCS) It is the tax payable by a seller which he collects from the buyer at the time of sale. Collateral It means a property or something valuable that one agrees to give to somebody if he/she cannot pay back money that he/she has borrowed. Subordinate debt It is debt which ranks after other debts if a company falls into liquidation or bankruptcy. Such debt is referred to as 'subordinate', because the debt providers have subordinate status in relationship to the normal debt. Statutory provident fund It is meant for employees of Government or Universities or Educational Institutes affiliated to University. Equity It is the value of the shares issued by a company. Image source: The Hindu (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY Topic: General Studies 3: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation Indian economy and mobilization of resources Atma-nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (or Self-reliant India Mission) Context: In his address to the nation, PM Modi observed that - Country should view the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity to achieve economic self-reliance. He stressed on the importance of promoting “local” products. He called it Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (or Self-reliant India Mission) Indian government announced a special economic package — worth Rs 20 lakh crore or 10% of India’s GDP in 2019-20 — aimed towards achieving this mission. It includes the measures earlier announced by the finance ministry and steps taken by the Reserve Bank of India. 5 pillars According to the PM a self-reliant India should stand on 5 pillars - Economy Infrastructure 21st century technology driven arrangements and system Demand Vibrant Demography About the package: As mentioned above, it is worth Rs 20 lakh crore or 10% of India’s GDP in 2019-20 — which is aimed towards achieving economic self-reliance. The package will focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws. It will cater to various sections including cottage industry, MSMEs, labourers, middle class, industries, among others. The package will also focus on empowering the poor, labourers, migrants, etc., both from organized and unorganized sectors. Reforms needed for achieving economic self-reliance Several bold reforms are needed to make the country self-reliant, so that the impact of crisis such as COVID, can be negated in future. These reforms include - supply chain reforms for agriculture, rational tax system, simple and clear laws, capable human resource and a strong financial system. These reforms are expected to promote business, attract investment, and further strengthen Make in India. Also for India to be truly self-reliant and self-confident, public investment in education, human capability and research and development has to increase. 'Coronavirus stimulus packages' The US has committed to the largest rescue package by any country in pure dollar terms of USD 2.7 trillion but as percentage of GDP it trails behind Japan. The US measures work out at an estimated 13 per cent of GDP. Japan has announced a package equivalent to 21.1 per cent of its GDP. It has outlined USD 1.1 trillion recovery package and plans for further spending. Sweden - stimulus equal to 12 per cent of its GDP and Australia (10.8 per cent). Germany has announced a spending of around USD 815 billion, equal to 10.7 per cent of its GDP. Connecting the dots: Highlight the measures announced by the current government to help boost the economy during the COVID-19 crisis. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1 Which of the following is the basic aim of the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan? To make India self-reliant To increase FDI in the country To increase the export capacity of the country To enhance the quality of educational institutes Q.2 With regard to Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, consider the following statements: The package would connstitute 10% of India's GDP. It is based upon three pillars – infrastructure, economy and innovation Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3 With regard to the recent package announced for MSMEs, consider the following: ₹3 lakh crore collateral free loan scheme for businesses, especially MSMEs. A ₹50 crore equity infusion through an MSME fund of funds. Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4 Consider the following statements with regard to the recent announcements made under Atma nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan: EPF contributions have been reduced from 12 % to 10%. EPF provided to low-income organised workers under the PMGKY will be extended for another 5 months. Which of the above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 13th May 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 D 3 C 4 D 5 A Must Read Perilous state: On State finances The Hindu Liquidity lifeline: On Nirmala’s MSME package The Hindu The way forward is graded opening up, not an indefinite lockdown Indian Express

May 14, 2020 Catharsis -Unlock Your Talent and Creativity

Catharsis -Unlock Your Talent & Creativity: POEM by QAMAR NAZMEEN, OMIBHARADWAJ2002 & WRITE Up by SHADOW CHRIS!

ARCHIVES 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 POEM by QAMAR NAZMEEN, OMIBHARADWAJ2002 & WRITE Up by SHADOW CHRIS! Well done, Keep it up !! POEM by QAMAR NAZMEEN "SILENCES" Silences speak. Like a faithful friend they meet. They meet quietly, without a whisper. Silences walk in pride, In darkness they have authority to ride. Riding in silent nights, They hide their dark lights. Walking straight they find a place, Where rests their solace. Silences are mute talks, That travel through long walks. Far from the wounds of sound, Sing silences whole world around. Silences are louder than words, They are silent as they don't want to hurt. They are misread, Though unheard. They are capable of making their place, As silences rule the space. By - Qamar Nazmeen POEM by OMIBHARADWAJ2002 Title- अभी हालात कैसे हैं ? कि ज्यों उत्तर सवालों के, परीक्षा में नहीं सूझे । कि तूफां में कोई कश्ती, फंसी हो बीच दरिया में ।। किसी मनहूस बारिश में, सभी फसले बही जैसे । कि हो बेचैन, खोई चीज़, अपनी ढूढता तब सें ।। समय पर सर्द कोहरा है ।। WRITE Up by SHADOW CHRIS! “They say world has come to an end, Animals are being brutally killed and eaten like never before, but isn't it happening all this while.. Humans are dying of reasons beyond their so called broad yet narrow understanding, Life and work has stopped like it has never been, And we are feeling the trenched depths of helplessness....!! Yet the coexistence and conflicts of homo sapiens with other species ain’t new, We created the idea of supremacy and thought of it to be true as if all the universes let alone this one revolves around the humanly desires, We seldom learn our lessons yet we record our mistakes not to seem like fools by repeating them but making new ones, Disaster it may seem to us because we are the ones getting adversely affected yet it’s a festival for some who got the much desired break from humans’ chaos, Every ending is a new beginning, may be this is the time to put all our differences away and embrace the value each of us holds, This might be our only hope.” 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 on the website. We believe each one of you have some hidden talent. It’s time that you explore more about yourselves and remain positive throughout this journey. Make the best use of this opportunity! Thank You IASbaba

May 14, 2020 Important Articles

How to Study Modern History for UPSC Civil Service Exam (Prelims & Mains)-by ABHIJIT GUPTA (ABG) IRPS 2017 Batch, Rank 53 in IFoS, Rank 45 in Indian Engineering Services

ABHIJIT GUPTA is presently serving in Railways (IRPS 2017 Batch -Rank 511). Amazingly, he has the distinction of qualifying all the top 3 examinations conducted by UPSC- Civil Services Exam, Rank 53 Indian Forest Services (IFoS), Rank 45 in Indian Engineering Services (IES) He was our ILP Student (2017), and used to write Mains Answers on our TLP Platform. He has been a guiding light for many in our TLP Mains Answer Writing Programme (a Free initiative). He was not only known for his answer writing skills but also for his helping attitude for others -through peer reviews and guiding others in answer writing. He is more famous as ABG (his Disqus name). Most of you must be aware of it, as he was one of the most active student on the platform. To Watch Abhijit Gupta's Strategy -> CLICK HERE Recently he had also written a strategy on- How to Study a NEWSPAPER for CIVIL SERVICE PREPARATION – by ABHIJIT GUPTA (ABG) How to Study Modern History for UPSC Civil Service Exam? Modern history is a highly scoring subject. Moreover, one can expect around 6-7 questions (on average) in CSE prelims and 3-4 questions out of 20 in GS 1 paper of MAINS. The issue faced by many aspirants is that they find it difficult to remember the dates, committees, details of movements, etc. However, if one prepares Modern history smartly, it is one of the easiest subject to prepare. I will cover the strategy to prepare Modern History in two parts - 1. How to prepare MOVEMENTS that form important topics in Modern history ? 2. Importance of preparing chronology of events in modern history? Part 1 - How to prepare any movement in Modern History? It is important to analyse the movement in detail. 1. Causes of the movement 2. Participants in the movement 3. Nature of Movement - Was it violent or non violent ? 4. Important leaders of the movement 5. Relevant Congress session 6. Achievements of the movement 7. Drawbacks 8. Reasons for failure/withdrawal of the movement 9. What happened after withdrawal of movement This year marks the 100th anniversary of Non Cooperation Movement. Let us take example of Non Cooperation Movement (NCM) Causes of NCM - Political - Indians were disappointed by Government of India Act 1919 , no self government granted to Indians Economic - Economic hardship post World War 1 made life miserable for common man Social - Brutality of British administration - Jallianwala Bagh massacre, extremely repressive Rowlatt Act Religious - After World War 1, Ottoman Empire was dismembered and Caliphate removed from power. This incensed Muslim all over the world, including India. Participants in the movement 1. Peasants - massive participation - turned against landlords, traders along with British rule 2. Students - left government schools and colleges and joined national schools and colleges 3. Muslim community 4. Women - picketed shops selling foreign cloth and liquor 5. Middle class and Business class Important leaders of the movement 1. Gandhi ji (main force behind this movement) 2. Motilal Nehru 3. Jawahar Lal Nehru 4. CR Das 5. Subhash Chandra Bose 6. Sardar Patel 7. Ali Brothers (Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali) 8. Lala Lajpat Rai Veterans such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and Annie Besant opposed the idea outright. The All India Muslim League also criticized the idea. Relevant Congress session Nagpur Congress Session (December 1920) Congress goal changed to attainment of Swaraj through peaceful and legitimate means from attainment of self government through constitutional means. Features of the movement Gandhi's call was for 1. A nationwide protest against the Rowlatt Act. 2. Closing of all offices and factories. 3. Indians encouraged to withdraw from Raj-sponsored schools, police services, the military, and the civil service, and lawyers were asked to leave the Raj's courts. 4. Boycott of Public transportation and English-manufactured goods. 5. Indians returned honours and titles given by the government NON VIOLENT in nature Achievements 1. Hindu Muslim Unity - Communal harmony 2. Use of Passive Resistance on a national scale 3. Truly mass movement - Nationalised sentiments reached every nook and corner of the country 4. Movement established Gandhi ji as a true leader of the country 5. Involvement of women in the movement Reasons for withdrawal of NCM 1. Chauri Chaura incident - movement turned violent - against tenets of Gandhiji 2. Movement showing signs of fatigue 3. Central theme of the agitation for Khilafat movement dissipated soon - with Mustafa Kamal Pasha rising in Turkey, depriving Sultan of political power and making it a secular state. Drawbacks 1. Communalised the national politics to some extent 2. Response to call for resignation from government services was very limited 3. Business class - Some big businesses were afraid of labour unrest in their factories, and hence remained sceptical of movement. 4. Many zamindars did not join the movement. Post Non Cooperation Movement 1. Debate started among Congressmen on what to do in passive phase of the movement - Swarajists and No Changers factions. 2. Rise of revolutionaries - Second phase of revolutionary era started in 1920s. Ex - Bhagat Singh launched HSRA. Sample MCQs based on NCM Q.1) Which of the following were the probable causes of Non Cooperation Movement ? 1. Economic hardships faced by Indians post World War I 2. Failure of Britishers in providing complete independence to India post World War I 3. Repressive Rowlatt Act A. 1,2 B. 2,3 C. 1,3 D. 1,2,3 Answer - C Hint - Complete independence (Purna Swaraj) was demanded by Indian National Congress in 1929 Lahore session. Before 1929, main demand was some form of self government. So, it was failure of British government to provide some sort of self government through Government of India Act of 1919, that formed one of the causes of NCM. Q.2) Which of the following leaders actively participated in Non Cooperation Movement ? 1. Bipin Chandra Pal 2. Annie Besant 3. Subhash Chandra Bose 4. Motilal Nehru A. 1,2 B. 2,3 C. 3,4 D. All of the above Answer - C Hint - Those who did not participate in Non Cooperation Movement - Annie Besant In 1920, when Mahatma Gandhi launched the non-cooperation movement Besant opposed the means adopted by the Mahatma even while agreeing with the objective of the movement. This sharp difference of opinion had an adverse effect on her popularity and she gradually withdrew from the political field. Bipan Chandra Pal He opposed Gandhiji’s non-cooperation Movement of 1920. His criticism of Gandhi was persistent beginning with Gandhi’s arrival in India and open in 1921 session of the Indian National Congress where he delivered in his presidential speech a severe criticism of Gandhi’s ideas as based on magic rather than logic Those who participated actively Jawaharlal Nehru - Encouraged the formation of Kisan Sabhas. He was against Gandhi’s decision to withdraw the movement. Subhash Chandra Bose - He resigned from the civil service. He was appointed as the principal of the National College in Calcutta Motilal Nehru - He renounced his legal practice and joined the movement. Sample Mains Questions Q1 - What reasons led to withdrawal of Non Cooperation Movement by Mahatma Gandhi ? (10 marks, 150 words) Q2 - What were the causes of Non Cooperation Movement ? What was the significance of Non Cooperation Movement in Indian freedom struggle ? (15 marks, 250 words) Q3 - Critically analyse the move of Gandhi ji to include Khilafat issue under Non Cooperation Movement. Did it succeed in the aim of Gandhi ji of securing communal harmony in India ? (15 marks, 250 words) Part 2 - How to take care of chronology while studying Modern history? Most of aspirants take history preparation as fact memorising activity. But it is more than just facts. It is as logical as science. Every event which took place had some causes and subsequently inspired many other events. One needs to connect the dots while studying history. The chronology of events become very important. This write up will focus on how to study history keeping tab on year of occurrence of event. Along with it, always try to question yourself - WHY the event took place ? Let us take an example of the events which took place in India during World War II (WW II) Germany attacked Poland in September 1939 which led to WW II. British declared war against Germany and declared India's support for the war without consulting Indian opinion. Congress offer to Viceroy in return of support 1. Constituent assembly after war 2. Immediately, some form of responsible government. Offer rejected by Lord Linthgow, the then Viceroy October 1939 - Resignation of Congress Ministeries Lord Linlithgow announced August Offer in August 1940 Proposals - 1. Dominion status as objective for India 2. Expansion of Viceroy's executive Council 3. Setting up of a constituent assembly after the war comprising MAINLY Indians Nehru said - "Dominion Status concept is dead as a doornail" August offer failed, but for the first time DOMINION STATUS was explicitly offer and for the first time, the inherent right of Indians to frame their constitution was recogined. End of 1940 - INDIVIDUAL SATYAGRAHA - Gandhi ji decided to initiate a limited Satyagraha by a selected individuals in every locality. Question for readers - Why Gandhiji launched individual satyagraha instead of nation wide satyagraha? By May 1941, 25000 people had been convicted for individual civil disobedience. Early 1942 - There was pressure on Britain from the Allies (USA, USSR, China) to seek Indian cooperation. So Cripps Mission was sent to India in March 1942. Proposals 1. Dominion status 2. Consituent assembly to frame constitution after war 3. Provinces not willing to join Union could have separate constitution, form separate union 4. Defence of India to remain in British hands Cripps mission failed Question for readers - Reasons for its failure Quit India Movement - August 1942 After Cripps' departure, Gandhi framed a resolution calling for British withdrawal and a non violent, non cooperation movement against any Japanese invasion. August 8, 1942 - Quit India resolution was ratified at the Congress meeting at Gowalia Tank, Bombay Task for readers - Prepare notes on QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT as described for Non Cooperation Movement above. Meanwhile, efforts to solve ongoing constitutional crisis 1. C Rajagopalachari (CR) formula for Congress League cooperation in 1944. 2. Desai Liaqat Pact 3. Wavell Plan in June 1945 After this, one has to prepare Post WWII national scenario Note: I have just provided outlines of major events. An aspirant needs to analyse each of the mentioned events as 1. What were the main proposals ? 2. Which parties accepted and who rejected the offer ? 3. Reasons for failure of offer/formula Sample MCQ Q) Arrange the following events in chronological order 1. Launch of Individual Satyagraha 2. August Offer 3. Launch of Quit India Movement 4. Cripps mission A. 2 - 4 - 1 - 3 B. 1 - 2 - 4 - 3 C. 2 - 1 - 3 - 4 D. 2 - 1 - 4 - 3 Answer - D A question on chronology was asked in CSE 2018 prelims Q) Which among the following events happened earliest? A. Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj. B. Dinbandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan C. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath D. Satyendra Nath Tagore became the first Indian to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination Answer - B Hint - Arya samaj was established by Swami Dayanand in 1875 Dinbandhu Mitra wrote Nildarpan in 1860, a play based on Indigo Rebellion in Bengal at that time Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya wrote Anandmath in 1882, based on Sanyasi rebellion. Satyendranath Tagore was selected for the Indian Civil Service in June, 1863 Concluding Remarks: A lot of people ask - Why to study history? What is the relevance of history in modern world? 1. History is the mirror to our civilisation and society. Ever thought why India ended up as a constitutional democracy. How did civil services evolve? Answers to all these questions are hidden in history. 2. History is a great teacher. It is always better to learn from others' mistakes than to learn after committing mistakes. 3. Good understanding of history helps in policy making process. So the next time you get bored of history, realise that it is more than memorising facts. It is a story which has influenced our present and has power to influence our future. Thank You ABG :)

May 14, 2020 RSTV Video

Smart Cities & Managing COVID-19 – COVID-19: India Fights Back – RSTV IAS UPSC

Smart Cities & Managing COVID-19 Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 Global crisis – COVID-19 Governance – Smart Cities India's Smart cities have used various technological solutions to tackle Covid-19 and manage the situation on the ground. Slowing down the spread of Covid-19 is going to require, among other things, a heavy reliance on India’s data infrastructures – providing real-time data readings for critical decision making - and its Smart Cities Mission. India launched the Smart Cities Mission in 2015 to deliver liveability, economic-ability and sustainability to its urban residents through adoption of context-specific solutions supported by robust IT connectivity, digitalization, and improved e-governance in 100 cities. India’s response to Covid-19 now depends on the successful use of its smart cities investment. Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) As of today, 45 cities have operational Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) set up under the smart cities mission, a further 31 cities are in the process of constructing theirs, and 18 more are issuing tenders. ICCCs act as 24/7 nerve centres for city managers creating a situational awareness and real-time coordination of emergency response services. Cities are having to creatively deploy the ICCC infrastructure - control rooms, web portals, sensors, drones, public address systems, surveillance cameras – to coordinate activities related to information, awareness, collaboration, management, predictive analysis and implementation of lockdown. Covid-19 tracker applications, monitoring quarantine/isolation cases, apps for coordinating city departments and logistics, and telemedicine for medical appointments, are some of the manifestations of technology which stand out. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh are among the states that are using the command centres for closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance of public places, geographic information system (GIS) mapping of Covid-19 positive cases and global positioning system (GPS) of healthcare workers. India’s response to Covid-19 spearheaded by few of its smart cities Tracing and treating the affected: Most smart cities have leveraged their citizen engagement tools at the ICCC comprising city portals, citizen apps, variable display boards, public address systems, push notifications on mobiles from citizen database to disseminate information and create awareness amongst the citizens on the disease. Some cities have introduced apps through which citizens can respond to 4-5 questions, based on which it can be determined whether they are at risk. If any respondent is assessed to be at risk, connects are made for digitally consulting a doctor over phone or meeting platforms and if required, guiding the person to testing centres in their locality. Accordingly, city health workers engage with the person identified at risk and guide them on isolation, quarantine or hospital facilities, which are already mapped across the city, by location. The concerned city health workers remain connected with the person and monitor & record his progress till the person is given an all clear. The information from the app is aggregated at the ICCC for city authorities to get a city / specific location wide view of the status of persons identified at risk and determine the hotspots for further action which includes sanitizing the neighborhood, informing citizens staying in vicinity of hotspots, taking decisions on containment measures, etc. Smart cities like Pune, Surat, Bengaluru, etc. are tracking the status of the disease spread and identifying localized hotspots through integrated data analytics monitored at their respective ICCCs. Planning response through coordination amongst various state/ city authorities is being supported through the ICCC. Analysis of data integrated at the ICCC is also helping the cities with predictive analytics for containing the spread of the virus. Managing lockdown: To get citizens to comply with lockdown, city authorities have to ensure that essential services including groceries, milk supply, medicines are made available at the citizen’s doorstep. This requires that neighborhood shops providing these goods are provided with necessary permits by city authorities for bringing in stock and citizens are aware of the stores which are operating along with timings. The registration, permit issue, and dissemination of information to citizens is being done through the citizen portals, apps such that citizen have view only of operating stores within the vicinity of their residences. The cameras across the city meant for traffic and safety & surveillance are being used to monitor vehicular and people movement in the lockdown areas at the ICCC. Based on incidents of lockdown violations viewed at the ICCC in particular locations, police are informed for ensuring enforcement. Some examples… Vadodara – Smart surveillance Installation of a helium balloon attached with two cameras for surveillance on lockdown violators. The balloon also has a public address system attached to it. Bengaluru – Real time dashboard Model COVID-19 War Room at Bengaluru – COVID-19 data dashboard of Karnataka inaugurated. This dashboard will be the single source of all COVID-related data which includes people under quarantine, their contacts, medical personnel on the ground, hospitals, taluk-wise & City-wise data & beyond. This real-time data is being put together with a host of software and applications Kalyan Dombivali – Social Media usage Awareness videos are published on KDMC (Kalyan Dombivali municipal corporation) Facebook page To constantly keep citizens engaged, the Facebook page has published a daily routine of activities has been designed from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The city has identified local experts from different fields such as Yoga, Culinary Art, Aerobics, music, poetry, ghazal, Kathak and Bharatanatyam, philosophy and allotted time slots to each of them, in which they come live in Facebook Page of KDMC during scheduled time slots. Agra – Tele-medicine E-Doctor Seva a tele-video consultation facility launched with medicine delivery from the Smart Health Centre-Pharmacy. Smart Health Centers established under Smart City scheme help in spreading awareness about various Do & Don’ts of Corona, 1015 sanitizers and 935 masks were distributed at subsidized rates Launched an innovative video surveillance solution to effectively monitor the various locations in Agra city to manage the crowd and fight COVID 19. The latest in this effort is the AI-based Analytics, the first of its kind combat COVID 19 in Agra. An alert is instantly generated to help the authorities to strictly maintain social distancing in Agra. The alerts are configured through an App on the field staff Mobile phones and help the Police Administration on the ground. Agra lockdown monitor App will be available to all thana in-charges and any other police personnel as required. The Way Forward Spatial analytics, likely aided by drones and high-res satellite imagery, is critical to aid isolation strategies. To determine wash-sites, in responding to critical patients, and to do all this in real-time and in light of the impact of the impending monsoon. The rains will change drainage and access patterns, and soil conditions, particularly in informal settlements, and will increase the risk of other vector borne disease, such as malaria or cholera. Spatial analytics will also be essential in planning, designing, and building urban infrastructures over the longer term. E-Governance and e-Banking will be essential in dealing with the aftermath of the lockdown. With livelihoods on hold, and destitution in slums rising, savings are being depleted but a temporary spike in prices and a breakdown in market supply chains is expected when lockdowns end. This means cash transfers and access to credit will be essential. Distribution and monitoring cash transfers will need to be agile, while eGovernance infrastructures will need to be relied upon to identify and address grievances as they arise. Categories of technology-based Covid-19 proposals and ideas are emerging Contact tracing; testing and responder capacity Early warning and surveillance Quarantine and social control Research Cure Smart cities need to invest in safeguarding citizen rights and in trust building so that we emerge sager and more resilient, and avoid draconian surveillance. ICCCs can become the centres of coordination and consensus building that they were originally conceived to be. Challenges vary from one city to another and so do solutions. Key capacities must be reserved to document best practices and for open-source platforms to share and scale up initiatives. Lesson sharing across countries and continents will be key to the global fight against Covid-19. It is expected that the experience gained in responding to this pandemic situation will help cities further develop the capabilities of their ICCC to become responsive and resilient in any challenging situations that may be faced in future. Connecting the Dots: The Smart Cities Mission of India seeks to experiment with a new grammar in our urban governance narrative. Discuss. How was the technology infrastructure of Smart cities repurposed for containing COVID-19? The new War Room: Smart Cities Essay: Responsible residents are not asking what their city can do for them but asking what they can do for their city.

May 13, 2020 VIDEO:CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS (CAP) - TO THE POINT

[VIDEO] IASbaba Daily CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS (CAP) - TO THE POINT! 13th May, 2020 (Prelims Topics Discussion and MCQ’s)

Dear Students, Previous PRELIMS Topics [VIDEOS] -> ARCHIVES The Prelims Video Discussions are done by Ayman Jamal, IPS 2018. She was the highest scorer (206) in the UPSC 2018 Interview. She has cleared UPSC Prelims 4 times and many other competitive exams like Bihar public service commission exam, Assistant Labour Commissioner Exam, etc. Her knowledge and experience of the competitive exam and especially UPSC Prelims will be a special value add in this series of Video Discussions. ABOUT THE PROGRAM – CAP - TO THE POINT! A video will be uploaded Daily (Monday – Friday)covering the most important Current Affair Topics for Prelims. Daily 5 Most Important topics from Prelims perspective will be covered. The video will also include 5 MCQs on the topics discussed so that you can grasp those concepts clearly and understand the dynamics and demands of the Exam. Each Video will be of 15-20 minutes Duration. The first 12-15 minutes will be on Prelims Topics Discussion, followed by Prelims Mcq's in the last 5 Minutes. In a week we will cover 20 Topics and 20 MCQ's. Coverage will be from The Hindu, Indian Express, and PIB which are the most important sources for the Prelims Exam. Today’s CURRENT AFFAIRS PRELIMS (CAP) – TO THE POINT, 13th May,2020 SUBSCRIBE to IASbaba’s Website (below) and our YOUTUBE Channel for the latest and most important updates!! As per the Students Demand, now you can Download the PPT of the Prelims Discussion below- TO DOWNLOAD THE PPT -> CLICK HERE TOPICS & SOURCES IN TODAY’S VIDEO: 1. Pangong Tso lake & dispute between India and China The Indian Express https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amid-tension-on-ladakh-lac-iaf-sent-su-30s-army-says-no-build-up/ 2. India State Level Disease Burden InitiativeReport, Under 5 mortality rate & neonatal mortality rate The Hindu https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/68-of-under-5-deaths-in-india-due-to-child-maternal-malnutrition/article31570050.ece 3. Household level survey by ICMR The Indian Express https://indianexpress.com/article/india/icmr-starts-household-survey-to-gauge-prevalence-of-coronavirus-6407146/ 4. CHAMPIONS Portal PIB https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=203958 5. COVID19 vaccine & Human Monoclonal Antibodies The Hindu https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/coronavirus-icmr-bharat-biotech-tie-up-for-indian-covid-19-vaccine/article31547614.ece https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/bharat-biotech-to-lead-human-monoclonal-antibodies-project/article31538128.ece To get Regular Updates from IASbaba, follow- 👉 TELEGRAM Channel – https://t.me/IASbabaOfficialAccount 👉 YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvbVdio9Wgj7Z3nQz1Q0ZQ 👉 FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/iasbaba/ Also, SUBSCRIBE to the WEBSITE Below, so that you don’t miss out on important posts! Happy learning :) All the best IASbaba

May 13, 2020 MindMaps

MIND-MAPS: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS – General Studies 3

MIND-MAPS: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS – General Studies 3 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! INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS - General Studies 3 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) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 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 on every Wednesday and Sunday (2 times a week). We will also provide specific inputs on your mind maps to improve your skill of mind mapping. So, Enlist the topics you feel as important for MAINS Issues in Current Affairs you find difficult to understand Share your own mind-maps on the given topics in the comment section of the post published on Wednesdays and Sundays (every week). We will 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

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