UPSC Quiz - 2020: IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 167 Archives Important Note 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
UPSC Quiz - 2020: IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 165 Archives Important Note 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
Hidden Secrets of Success: We all know that success is not just a matter of fluke and luck. It takes consistent effort and perseverance in order to succeed at anything. More than anything else, success is a science. It is a precise science of understand you, your life and everything else happening in it accurately. If success is a precise science, then what are some of the hidden secrets of success? Apart from all the obvious things one has to do in order to succeed, there are a few less known but very important aspects to succeeding. Here are some of them: a) Success is defined by you and you alone. The way you define your success actually determines your level of success. You can fail even before you succeed just by the way you define your success. Knowing how to precisely define your success at every step of the journey is extremely important if you have to succeed. b) Knowing your strengths and weaknesses. This might be an obvious one, but very people actually understanding the meaning of knowing your strengths and weaknesses. It is not as simple as listing a few points on your resume. To really know your strengths and weaknesses, you have to systematically test yourself. The results of that testing has to be diligently applied to every aspect of your life. If you don’t know your strengths and weaknesses, you are bound to struggle. c) Application of rational thinking. This again sounds obvious but very few people can truly appreciate the value of rational thinking. Most of the time we are very superstitious in our approach. As the word itself suggests, “superstitious” means a superficial understanding of things, lacking real depth and meaning. Rational thinking is all about going as deep as you can in order to find solutions for your obstacles of success. d) Self-control and discipline. Success requires consistent effort. Just by accident you might succeed once in a while, but if you have to succeed in life, you need great consistency. Self-control and discipline is the only way to remain consistent with your effort. Without self-control and discipline, you will constantly and easily be distracted from your goals. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”
Acidity Archives At the entrance to your stomach is a valve, which is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES closes as soon as food passes through it. If the LES doesn't close all the way or if it opens too often, acid produced by your stomach can move up into your esophagus. This can cause symptoms such as a burning chest discomfort called heartburn. If acid reflux symptoms happen more than twice a week, you may have acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). What causes acidity? Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal Being overweight or obese Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back or bending over at the waist Snacking close to bedtime Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea Smoking Being pregnant Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications What are the symptoms? Heartburn: A burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into your throat Regurgitation: A sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up into your throat or mouth Bloating Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting Burping Dysphagia -- the sensation of food being stuck in your throat Hiccups that don't let up Nausea Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat Can Acid Reflux Disease Be Treated With Diet and Lifestyle Changes? One of the most effective ways to treat acid reflux disease is to avoid the foods and beverages that trigger symptoms. Here are other steps you can take: Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and modify the types of foods you are eating. Quit smoking. Sleep properly Put blocks under the head of your bed to raise it at least 4 inches to 6 inches. Eat at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down. Don't wear tight clothes or tight belts. Lose weight with exercise and diet changes Check if any medication could be triggering your heartburn or other symptoms of acid reflux disease If antacids don't help, your doctor may try other medications. Some require a prescription. Note: Ranitidine Ranitidine is one of the oldest drugs to be used in acidity and upper intestinal ulcers and has been considered to be safer than similar other drugs like proton pump blockers. It is a commonly prescribed medicine for countering acidity and also on the World Health Organisation’s ‘Model List of Essential Medicines’. Following a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning about the presence of low levels of carcinogens in Ranitidine, there are a lot of misconceptions about its use.
IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 25th January 2020 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Establishment of Chairs named after eminent Women in Universities Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Society, GS-II- Education In News Union Ministry of Women and Child Development sets up ten Chairs in different fields with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women. The initiative was launched with the assistance of University Grants Commission on the occasion of National Girl Child Day (January 24). Objective: To highlight and celebrate women achievers of the country to motivate young girls and women towards higher studies. The chairs proposed by UGC and approved by the Ministry are: Administration: Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Literature: Mahadevi Varma Freedom Fighter (North East): Rani Gaidinliu Medicine & Health: Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi Performing Art: Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi Forest/Wildlife Conservation: Amrita Devi (Beniwal) Mathematics: Lilavati Science: Kamala Sohonie Poetry & Mysticism: Lal Ded Educational Reforms: Hansa Mehta Archaea Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Science In News New archaeon was discovered by Indian scientists in Sambhar Salt Lake of Rajasthan Archaea are a primitive group of microorganisms that thrive in extreme habitats such as hot springs, cold deserts and hypersaline lakes. These slow-growing organisms are also present in the human gut, and have a potential relationship with human health. They are known for producing antimicrobial molecules, and for anti-oxidant activity with applications in eco-friendly waste-water treatment. Archaea are extremely difficult to culture due to challenges in providing natural conditions in a laboratory setting. New archaea is named Natrialba swarupiae, after Dr Renu Swarup, secretary, Department of Biotechnology, for her initiative in supporting microbial diversity studies in the country Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- Quasi-Judicial Bodies In News It is a quasi-judicial institution set up in 1941 under section 5A of the Income Tax Act, 1922. Initially, it had three Benches at Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. But presently ITAT has 63 Benches at 27 different stations It deals with appeals under the Direct Taxes Acts namely, the Income-tax Act, 1961. The orders passed by the ITAT are final, an appeal lies to the High Court only if a substantial question of law arises for determination. VYOMMITRA Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Space Science & Technology In News It is a half-humanoid designed & developed by ISRO Inertial Systems Unit in Thiruvananthapuram The humanoid will simulate the human functions required for space before real astronauts take off before August 2022 (Gaganyaan Mission) Two trial flights without crew will take place with a humanoid — the first around December 2020 and the second around July 2021. India Climate Collaborative (ICC) Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Environmental Conservation; GS-II- Role of Civil Society In News It is a partnership of philanthropy arms of top corporates including the Tatas, Mahindras, Godrejs and Premjis to minimise the climate change impact. It will be working to strengthen the climate community locally, build a climate narrative and drive solutions that will ensure both the natural world and people thrive NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY (NVD) Part of: GS Prelims In News Celebrated on January 25th since 2011 to mark the Foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was established on 25th January 1950 Objective: To encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrolment, especially for the new voters; To spread awareness among voters for promoting informed participation in the elections. Theme for NVD-2020 is ‘Electoral Literacy for Stronger Democracy (MAINS FOCUS) Economy Topic: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, Telecommunications etc. Adjusted gross revenue (AGR) Crisis Context In Oct 2019, the Supreme Court had directed telecom service providers to pay the pending dues -aggregating to over Rs 1.47 lakh crore - to the government by 23rd January 2020 The decision impacts over 15 telecom firms, both current and defunct, but those with the highest liabilities are Vodafone-Idea Ltd (Rs 53,038 crore), Airtel (Rs 35,586 crore) and Tata Teleservices (Rs 13,823 crore) Brief History of the issue: 1994 - Telecom sector was liberalised under the National Telecom Policy under which licenses were issued to companies in return for a fixed license fee. 1999 - The government gave an option to the licensees to migrate to the revenue sharing fee model, so as to provide relief from high licence fees . Under this, telecos were required to share a percentage of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) with the government as annual license fee (LF) and spectrum usage charges (SUC). The LF and SUC were set at 8 per cent and between 3-5 per cent of AGR respectively, based on the agreement. Department of Telecom’s(DOT) Stand Telecos Stand AGR includes all revenues (before discounts) from both telecom and non-telecom services AGR should comprise just the revenue accrued from core services and not dividend, interest income or profit on sale of any investment or fixed assets. 2005- Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) challenged the government’s definition for AGR calculation. 2015 - TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) ruled in favour of Telecos Oct 2019 – Supreme Court set aside TDSAT’s order and upheld DOT’s definition of AGR Jan 2020 – Supreme Court has accepted petition of Telecos request to extend the deadline fixed at 23rd Jan 2020 to pay up the dues (but not on the definition of AGR) Why the definition of AGR is important? Because it has revenue implications for both government & Telecos. For government – it means increase in its revenue collection which helps maintaining fiscal deficit and undertake welfare measures For Telecom Operators- Added financial burden especially at a time where their assets ae over leveraged and profits are under pressure from severe competition (after Jio’s entry) Implication of the Supreme Court’s 2019 Order On Telecom companies: Increased liability means losses in their operation in short term. It also erodes the telcos’ net worth impacting retail investors On Telecom Sector: It could potentially lead to Vodafone Idea’s exit due to its weak financial position & its inability to pay its dues. This leads to the creation of a Airtel-Jio duopoly which may not augur well for the competitiveness in the sector and thus the government’s vision of Digital India. On Banking Sector: AGR issue has triggered panic in the banking industry, given that the telecom sector is highly leveraged. Vodafone Idea alone has a debt of Rs 2.2 lakh crore. mutual fund industry having exposure to telecom sector will also see erosion of value. On Consumers: Competition in the sector will always lead to better prices and better technology. Possibility of creation of duopoly will impact the competition in negative manner. Way ahead Government should realize the consequences of the failure/weakness of the sector on the broader economy & on its long term vision of Digital India. Therefore, instead of being inflexible on AGR for short term revenue gain, it should accommodate the interests of the telecom operators (like extension of deadline, foregoing interest on dues) so that long term vision is not compromised Connecting the Dots Twin Balance sheet problem Which other sectors have duopoly or oligopoly structures? (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”. Q.1) Consider the following statements Ministry of Human Resources Development establishes 10 Chairs named after eminent Women in Universities with an aim to carry out research activities to encourage women. National Girl Child Day is celebrated on January 24th Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Archaea They are known for producing antimicrobial molecules, and for anti-oxidant activity with applications in eco-friendly waste-water treatment They are also present in human gut and have a potential relationship with human health. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) It is a quasi-judicial institution set up in 1941 under section 5A of the Income Tax Act, 1922. The orders of ITAT are final and cannot be appealed only in Supreme Court of India Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about Vyommitra It is a half humanoid designed and developed by ISRO in collaboration with NASA It will simulate the human functions required for space before real astronauts take off in India’s Gaganyaan mission. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements about India Climate Collaborative(ICC) It is partnership between Confederation of Indian Industry, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and NITI Aayog It will be working to strengthen the climate community locally, build a climate narrative and drive solutions that will ensure both the natural world and people thrive Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 24 JAN 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 A MUST READ About Struggles of Tamilian Refugees in India: The Hindu About India-USA relationship: The Hindu About the debate of dividing UP state: The Hindu
IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 24th January 2020 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) In news: From Prelims Point of View: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Symptoms Mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: fever cough shortness of breath Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum 2020 In news: This year is the 50th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos From Prelims Point of View: The World Economic Forum (WEF) The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation established in 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Major reports published by WEF are: Global Competitiveness Report Global IT Report Global Gender Gap Report Global Risk Report Global Travel and Tourism Report Inland Waterways Authority of India In news: IWAI is the statutory body in charge of the waterways in India. Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP. Its main function is to build the necessary infrastructure in the inland waterways, surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also carrying out administration and regulation. It undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grant received from Ministry of Shipping. Goa Opposition disrupts assembly proceedings over Mahadayi river dispute In news: From Prelims Point of View: Kalasa Banduri project The project involves diverting water from Mahadayi river, the lifeline of Goa, into the Malaprabha river. The Kalasa Banduri project is aimed at providing drinking water to three important districts of north Karnataka — Belagavi, Gadag and Dharwad — which go parched in summer due to acute water scarcity. Mahadayi river originates from a cluster of 30 springs at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. Then it enters Goa and finally drains in Arabian sea. Goa state capital Panaji lies on the banks of Mandovi Mahadayi Water Tribunal (MWT) Award in 2018:Karnataka has been allocated 13.5tmcft of water, Goa has been 24tmcft while Maharashtra has been allocated 1.3tmcft Centre refuses to give more funds to Kerala for flood relief In news: The Centre will not allot any additional assistance to Kerala from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) as it has failed to produce utilisation certificates for 50% of over ₹3,000 crore fund allotted to it after the 2018 floods From Prelims Point of View: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India. The NDMA was formally constituted on 27th September 2006, in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 with Prime Minister as its Chairperson and nine other members, and one such member to be designated as Vice-Chairperson. In recognition of the importance of Disaster Management as a national priority, the Government of India set up a High-Powered Committee (HPC) in August 1999 and a National Committee after the Gujarat earthquake (2001). Mercy petition As per the Constitutional framework in India, mercy petition to the President is the last constitutional resort a convict, when he has been punished by the court of law. A convict can present a mercy petition to the President of India under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. Similarly, the power to grant pardon is conferred upon the Governors of States under Article 161 of the Constitution of India. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act In news: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is making an earnest bid to steer clear of the row over the police slamming the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act From Prelims Point of View: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Seeks to amend the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 UAPA provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities, among other things. Key amendments: To designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds provided in the Act. The Bill empowers the Director General of NIA to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency. The Bill empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism Need for the Amendment India faces one of the highest threats of terrorism in the world and therefore its counter-terrorism mechanism must be stringent. USA has a very successful example of counter-terrorism mechanism, especially after 9/11, and has been successful in curbing terrorist activities. (MAINS FOCUS) Health Topic: General Studies 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health. China’s Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Context: 800+ cases have been reported and at least 25 people have died from a new coronavirus in China following an outbreak in the central city of Wuhan. About Coronavirus According to WHO, coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory illness (like SARS & MERS) The name "coronavirus" comes from the Latin word "corona", meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus is reminiscent of a solar corona. A novel coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on January 7,2020 and currently named 2019-nCoV, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. Little is known about the new virus but it is considered as a relative of SARS Symptoms: Signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Origin: The infection from the new strain was traced to a Wuhan seafood market, which also sold live animals. The WHO also says an animal source appears most likely to be the primary source of the outbreak. Spread: Beyond China, Thailand has reported four cases, while South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the United States have each confirmed one. All these cases involve people who had either come from Wuhan or been there recently. Transmission: Though these viruses are zoonotic – transmitted from animals to humans- there is evidence of respiratory transmission of the novel coronavirus from human to human as well. What is being done to stop it spreading? There is no vaccine for the new virus. Chinese authorities effectively sealed off Wuhan on 23rd Jan 2020, suspending flights and trains out of the city and telling residents they could not leave without a special reason Chinese authorities have also stepped up monitoring and disinfection efforts ahead of the Lunar New Year break, which formally starts on 25th Jan during which many of the country's 1.4 billion people will travel domestically and overseas. Airport authorities across Asia have quickly stepped up screening of passengers from Wuhan Health authorities are trying to diagnose and isolate cases as quickly as possible and trace people patients have come into contact with to try to stay on top of the virus WHO’s Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Is it a global emergency? WHO said that though, this is an emergency in China. But it has not yet become a global health emergency i.e. not yet public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). It may yet become one in future. The PHEIC is defined by the WHO as an extraordinary event that is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response. Criticism/Challenges Shutdowns of cities like Wuhan (11 million inhabitants) cannot prevent human-to-human transmission within the cities. Shutting down entire cities go beyond the normal practice of quarantining infected people and might backfire. WHO should actively communicate on the progress of virus control measures and if the virus spreads to other countries, declare the outbreak as PHEIC 25 Indian students are trapped in Wuhan city, thus there is a need for Indian authorities to monitor & cooperate with Chinese counterparts to assure the safety of Indians in China. Impact on the Economy especially on Aviation sector: Since it is period of Chinese New year, the restrictions on travel will impact the tourist sector. Also, the fear of disease spread and suspension of air travel imposed by China in certain cities will have a knock-off international aviation sector (especially Korean, Japanese, Singapore airlines) Do You Know? SARS (Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome), another coronavirus that originated in China, came from bats and the civet cat, which in turn passed it on to humans. The early cases of this new infection were traced to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market. It thus emerged in China in 2002 and spread to 30 countries with 8400+ cases and nearly 800 deaths Connecting the dots Ebola Virus when WHO declared it as PHEIC Wuhan informal Summit in April 2018 – why? Outcome? Any follow up informal summit? Human Rights/ Refugee Topic:General Studies 3: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. ICJ’s ruling on Myanmar Rohingya In an unanimously-ruled order issued by a panel of 17 judges, The Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) upheld the provisions of the 1948 Genocide Convention - saying Myanmar had "caused irreparable damage to the rights of the Rohingya". What is Rohingya issue? An estimated 7.3 lakh Rohingya(Muslim minorities in Buddhist majority Myanmar) have fled to Bangladesh since 2017 The crisis was triggered when the Myanmar military launched a brutal crackdown on Rohingya villages in the country’s coastal Rakhine state. In August 2019, the UN said the army’s action was carried out with “genocidal intent”. Who took the Myanmar to ICJ? It was the Republic of the Gambia which is predominantly Muslim who took Myanmar to ICJ accusing it of genocide on Rohingya Gambia was backed by the 57-member Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) What were the orders of ICJ? ICJ has ordered Myanmar to take emergency measures to prevent genocide of the Rohingya. Myanmar was also ordered to prevent the destruction of evidence and to ensure the preservation of evidence related to the alleged genocide Is the matter closed? The recent order is a restraining order. It is just a provisional measure. The hearings dealing with the main, and more serious allegations of genocide by the Myanmar military, have not even started. This is expected to linger for years with no quick closures Quick Fact: So far, only three cases of genocide worldwide have been recognised since World War II: Cambodia (the late 1970s), Rwanda (1994), and Srebrenica, Bosnia (1995) Proving genocide has been difficult because of the high bar set by its ‘intent requirement’ — that is showing the genocidal acts were carried out with the specific intent to eliminate a people on the basis of their ethnicity Future Course of action Myanmar shall submit a report to the ICJ on all measures taken to give effect to the provisional order within four months, and thereafter every six months, until a final decision is passed. Is the ICJ order binding? The ruling of the court is binding on Myanmar, and cannot be appealed. However, no means are available to the court to enforce it What happens if Myanmar doesn’t comply with the provisional measures? When a state fails to comply with ICJ rulings, the UN Security Council has the power to impose sanctions against it and ensure compliance when international security and peace are at stake. So far, the Security Council has never taken a coercive measure against any country to get an ICJ ruling implemented. Even if it reaches the UNSC, Myanmar has got a friend in China which can veto such proceedings in the council. Implications of the ruling Seen as the first sign of the victory by Rohingya refugees with an added weight of the unanimity of the ruling Dents the image of Myanmar in international Politics Role of Nobel Laurate Aung San Suu Kyi who personally led Myanmar’s defence at ICJ was not appreciated by international human rights groups. She is an ardent champion of Democracy and is presently leading the government with the support of military However, her defence of military actions at ICJ is highly appreciated domestically which will witness the elections by the end of this year. Strengthening of Myanmar-China ties as China has always supported Military regime of Myanmar. Connecting the Dots India’s cases at ICJ India’s stand on Rohingya refugees who entered India’s north-east during this period. (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”. Q1.Where is Davos, the venue of the annual meeting of World Economic Forum; located? France Germany Switzerland Luxemburg Q2.Which of the following gives 'Global Gender Gap Index' ranking to the countries of the world? World Economic Forum UN Human Rights Council UN Women World Health Organization ANSWERS FOR 23 JAN 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 C MUST READ About Budget and FRBM targets The Hindu About India-Brazil ties and losing significance of BRICS: The Hindu About Origin of Constitution: The Hindu About Procedures related to Capital Punishment: The Hindu
India State of Forest Report 2019 Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3 Environment and Biodiversity; Protecting ecologically fragile areas In news: Forests play an extremely important role in ensuring ecological balance and existence of life on the earth. However, rampant cutting of trees and thinning of forests has been taking place in the country due to activities related to development and infrastructure building, emphasise the environmental experts. Thus, in a bid to keep up the pace of conservation of forests amidst developmental activities, the Forest Survey of India (FSI), an organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), started monitoring forest cover in 1987. Under the same initiative, FSI released its biennial assessment report, India State of Forest Report 2019 on Monday (December 30). India State of Forest Report 2019 states that the forest area in the country has increased by 5,188 square km in the last two years. The green area covers about 25% of the total geographic area of the country. Key Highlights The total forest cover of the country is 7,12,249 sq km which is 21.67 percent of the geographical area of the country. The tree cover is estimated as 95,027 sq km which is 2.89 percent of the geographical area. The total forest and tree cover is 8,07,276 sq km which is 24.56 percent of the geographical area. There is an increase of 42.6 million tonnes in the carbon stock of the country as compared to the last assessment in 2017. The mangrove cover in the country has increased by 54 sq km (1.10 percent) as compared to the previous assessment. The top three states showing an increase in mangrove cover are Gujarat with an increase of 37 sq km, Maharashtra with an increase of 16 sq km and Odisha with an increase of 8 sq km. The top five states in terms of increase in forest cover: Karnataka (1,025 sq km) Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km) Kerala (823 sq km) Jammu & Kashmir (371 sq km) Himachal Pradesh (334 sq km) There are 62,466 wetlands covering 3.83 percent of the area within the Recorded Forest Area/Green Wash the country. Gujarat has largest area of wetlands within RFA in the country followed by West Bengal. Dependence for fuelwood on forests is highest in Maharashtra, whereas, for fodder, small timber and bamboo, dependence is highest in Madhya Pradesh. 21.40 percent of the forest cover of the country is highly to extremely fire prone - forests in Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur. Decline in the forest and tree cover was recorded in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. In these states, a total decline of 955 sq km was observed in forest cover and a decline of more than 740 sq km was recorded in the tree cover in these states. The forest loss was majorly caused by developmental activities like railways and construction of highways and roads. Criticisms: For the Report A. Hidden Figures An analysis by the Legal Initiative on Forests and Environment has shown that over 49,583 ha of forests were approved for diversion in 2017-2018. This land was required for the construction of industries, mines, dams, ports roads, real estate and other infrastructure projects promoted by the Centre and state governments. A recent case allowed for the use of 1,038.18 ha of forests for the expansion of the Talabira coal mine in Odisha, requiring the cutting of over 130,000 trees. Such losses are considered to have “negligible impact” and simply don’t figure in elaborate quantitative accounting of forests in India. Projects that encourage forest grabs by corporate houses that lead to poverty and vulnerability in rural areas give a dismal picture of the state of India’s forests. The “unverifiable” ISFR data confuses more than it clarifies, making impossible to explain why 30% of the recorded forest area, i.e. 215,000 sq. km, has no forest cover. Such data is crucial to evaluate the effect of state development policies on systemic forest loss and degradation. For example, a senior forest official in Maharashtra attributed the increase in the state to more land being officially recorded as “reserved” forests. This includes the land acquired for compensatory afforestation to offset losses due to development projects. These usually are common or revenue lands used for agriculture, grazing or any other livelihood use. B. Greenwashing The methodology relies primarily on remote-sensing techniques that can pick anything that is green and of a certain scale on its radar. This is used to generate data on the extent of ‘green cover’. For years, foresters and ecologists have said that this report, put together by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), does not distinguish between natural forests, commercial plantations, orchards and bamboo groves while enumerating forests. According to them, areas with ‘tree stands’ of over 10% canopy cover are counted as forests, irrespective of whether they function ecologically as forests or not. A 2012 news report by M. Rajshekhar quotes several experts saying plantations can’t perform the tasks of holding soil, retaining moisture or supporting wildlife the way good forests do. The ISFR does include attempts at verification through field-level sample assessments but they don’t seem capable of informing the reader about the challenges that India’s forests face. C. Securitised forests In addition to enumerating forests in India, the report draws problematic inferences regarding who caused the losses. Their singular focus on “forest fringe villages” to understand the extent of dependence and loss of forests is prejudiced and unscientific. It is not backed by any data that persuades the reader to agree that this is indeed the group that deserves attention in such a report. In the 1970s and 1980s, communities of poor people living within and around forests were seen as the destroyers of this resource because they depended on forests for fuelwood and grazing. But this scenario has changed a lot today, when forest areas are increasingly securitised because they are essential to absorb private capital. As a result, Adivasi and other communities that depend on forests have been displaced, state governments have been kept from granting legitimate forest rights to communities, and the basic reasoning behind conservation policies has changed. By placing the onus of forest loss on the poor, the report trumpets the Centre’s schemes for “agroforestry practices, fodder improvement and renewable energy programmes” as solutions to forest loss. There needs to be a way forward – How do you define a “forest?” What are the rules regarding inviolate forests? And when will India get its new national forest policy? Many questions loom even as India pursues its goal of having 33% of its land under forest cover. While the latest data reveals increasing forest cover in the country, will the uptick continue without a comprehensive and focused forest policy?
UPSC Quiz - 2020: IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 165 Archives Important Note 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
IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd January 2020 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Blue Corner notice, issued against Nithyananda Part of: GS Prelims Polity and GS Mains II–International organization In news: The Interpol has issued a blue corner notice to help locate self-styled godman Nithyananda Prelims Point of View Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information. There are seven types of notices — Red Notice, Yellow Notice, Blue Notice, Black Notice, Green Notice, Orange Notice, and Purple Notice. Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd January 2020 https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcT41MvioL3SxsdYkIZw3B8p9NwvUrnv8ytb7V5misjIiKLhcZof China Myanmar Economic Corridor Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II– Foreign relations In news: China’s President Xi Jinping will be visiting Myanmar to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar. President’s visit will focus on the three pillars of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC)— the Kyaukpyu Special Economic Zone, the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zone and the New Yangon City. From Prelims Point of View China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) is a number of infrastructure projects supporting connectivity between Myanmar and China. It is an economic corridor of the Belt and Road Initiative building road and rail transportation from Yunnan Province in China through Muse and Mandalay to Kyaukpyu in Rakhine State. Rakhine state is also in news due to Rohingya crisis Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd January 2020 https://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1579249718_image3.jpg United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) Part of: GS Prelims Polity and GS Mains II–India’s Neighborhood relations In news: Imran Khan asks US and United Nations to help de-escalate tension between India, Pakistan From Prelims Point Of View: India took Jammu Kashmir matter to the UN Security Council which established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to investigate the issues and mediate between the two countries. Following the cease-fire of hostilities, it also established the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to monitor the cease-fire line. India drops 10 ranks in Democracy Index Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II– Democracy In news: India slipped 10 places in the 2019 global ranking to 51st place. The average global score also recorded its worst value ever, down from 5.48 in 2018 to 5.44, driven by a sharp regression in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, a lesser one in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and by stagnation in the remaining regions that were covered. The report, “A year of democratic setbacks and popular protest”, was done by The Economist Intelligence Unit — the research and analysis division of The Economist Group. Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd January 2020 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) vvDaily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd January 2020 Miscellaneous Topics for Prelims Brahmakalashothsava Brahmakalashothsava festival is celebrated in the ancient Chandkuru Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple annually in Polali, Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka Mein Kampf Mein Kampf (My Struggle or My Fight) is a 1925 autobiographical manifesto by Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler. The work describes the process by which Hitler became antisemitic and outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. On Speakers and disqualification Landmark judgment in Kihoto Hollohan (1992) Upheld the validity of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule, or the anti-defection law. This verdict had also made the Speaker’s order subject to judicial review on limited grounds. Constitution Bench judgment (Rajendra Singh Rana, 2007) The Uttar Pradesh Speaker’s order refusing to disqualify 13 BSP defectors was set aside on the ground that he had failed to exercise his jurisdiction to decide whether they had attracted disqualification, while recognising a ‘split’ in the legislature party. (MAINS FOCUS) Indian Polity Topic: General Studies 2: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. Speaker’s role in disqualification Context: The Supreme Court’s latest decision on the Speaker as the adjudicating authority under the anti-defection law. About Anti-Defection Law The anti-defection law is contained in the 10th Schedule of the Constitution and was enacted by Parliament Constitution (52nd Amendment) Act, 1985. Legislators used to change parties frequently bringing in Political Instability and was also considered as betraying the mandate of voters (who voted for the legislator considering his political party) The purpose of 10th Schedule is to curb political defection by the legislators. There are two grounds on which a member of a legislature can be disqualified. One, if the member voluntarily gives up the membership of the party, he shall be disqualified. Second, if a legislator votes in the House against the direction of his party and his action is not condoned by his party, he can be disqualified. However, there is an exception - The 10th Schedule says that if there is a merger between two political parties and two-thirds of the members of a legislature party agree to the merger, they will not be disqualified. The Presiding officer of the House (Speaker/Chairman) is the adjudicating authority with regard to disqualification of legislators under the Tenth Schedule Criticism of the anti-defection Law Curbs the freedom of speech & expression of law makers Tyranny of Political Parties: Legislators have to abide by the line taken by Political parties even it is against their own stand or against the interest of her constituency Role of the Speaker is biased: Speaker who is a member of a political party is often not neutral and comes under the influence of his political party instead of deciding the cases on merit Delay in decision making: several presiding officers have allowed defectors to bolster the strength of ruling parties and even be sworn in Ministers by merely refraining from adjudicating on complaints against them Supreme Court Judgements in Kihoto Hollohan (1992) case: Five Judge Bench of SC upheld the validity of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule, or the anti-defection law. It was also held in this case that a Speaker or a Chairman, acting Tenth Schedule, is a Tribunal and thus his discretionary powers were protected by Constitution.(dissenting minority view by Justice JS Verma who questioned the fairness of speaker in adjudication) This verdict had also made the Speaker’s order subject to judicial review on limited grounds and that mere procedural infirmities could not prompt judicial intervention. It was also held that judicial review cannot be available at a stage prior to the making of a decision by the Speaker/Chairman. Recent Supreme Court judgement on the role of Speaker Background: The top court was hearing the appeal of Congress leader against the Manipur High Court order. The High had refused to direct Speaker to decide on disqualification of another Congress legislator who had defected to BJP & made minister. Following are the pronouncements of the SC in this case The Speakers should decide Tenth Schedule disqualifications within a reasonable period. Unless there were “exceptional circumstances”, disqualification petitions under the Tenth Schedule should be decided by Speakers within three months (This question on time period raised by two judge bench of Supreme Court in S.A. Sampath Kumar vs. Kale Yadaiah, 2016 case) Asked the Parliament to consider having an independent and permanent body to decide disqualification petition. Given the fact that a Speaker belongs to a particular political party, the Court mooted this idea, which requires an amendment to the constitution. Also, Speaker wasn’t adjudicating election disputes or disqualification of members under Articles 103/ 192/ 329 for good reason, because their fairness could be suspected. Way Forward: The Constitution is called a living document because of its ability to grow and change with time and circumstances. Clearly, the Tenth Schedule has fallen short in fulfilling its objective of preventing defections and needs a relook. Parliament must fix this flaw and institute a tribunal recognising the significance of anti-defection provisions in upholding the sanctity of Parliament. Connecting the dots Speakers role in deciding whether the bill is money bill or not Britain’s model of Speaker’s post Agriculture & Environment Topic: General Studies 3: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Awareness in the fields of Bio-technology Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd January 2020 Source:The Hindu India’s Cotton Story India’s Cotton Productivity is low in comparison to other major cotton producing nations in spite of India expected to be world’s largest cotton producer this year surpassing China Genetically Modified (GM) pest resistant Bt cotton hybrids have captured the Indian market since their introduction in 2002. These now cover over 95% of the area under cotton, with the seeds produced entirely by the private sector. India’s cotton production in 2019 is projected as the highest ever: 354 lakh bales. This threefold increase in cotton production during past two decades is used by proponent of GM crops to extend the technology to other crops as well India is the only country that grows cotton as hybrids and the first to develop hybrid cotton back in 1970 Difference between hybrids and varieties Varieties (Used in Brazil) Hybrids (Used in India since 1970s) Varieties are those for which seeds are produced by self-fertilization. Hybrids are made by crossing two parent strains having different genetic characters. These plants have more biomass than both parents, and capacity for greater yields Varieties can be propagated over successive generations by collecting seeds from one planting and using them for the next planting; Hybrid seeds have to be remade for each planting by crossing the parents. So for hybrids, farmers must purchase seed for each planting. Increased dependence on seed companies High Density Planting (HDP) Methodology: These varieties are planted at high density (5 kg seeds/acre) Hybrids are planted at ten-fold lower density (0.5 kg seeds/acre). They are compact and short duration. hybrids in India are bushy and long duration Lower boll production by compact varieties (5-10 bolls per plant) – compensated by high density High boll production (20-100 bolls/plant) Cotton is a dryland crop; therefore, shorter duration variety has a major advantage as it reduces dependence on irrigation 65% of area under cotton in India is rain-fed. Farmers with insufficient access to groundwater in these areas are entirely dependent on rain. Thus risk associated with hybrid cotton cultivation is higher due to unpredictability of rains Low requirement of fertilizer (100 kg/ha for varieties) High fertilizer requirement: 200 kg/ha for hybrids lLess vulnerability to damage from insect pests due to a shorter field duration. High vulnerability to damage from insect pests due to a longer field duration. Low water requirement High water requirement Low cost of seeds High Cost of Hybrid seeds. Increased yield from a hybrid is supposed to justify the high price Hybrid model is inferior to the HDP model being used in other countries on three important counts: much lower productivity; higher input costs; and increased risk particularly for low resource farmers in rain-fed areas. The steep increase in productivity for Brazil, from 400 to 1,000 kg/hectare lint between 1994 and 2000 coincides with the large-scale shift to a non-GM compact variety. Why HDP model not adopted despite having advantages for India? During First Phase (From 1980 to 2002): Hybrids were promoted at the cost of Compact varieties. This was primarily due to weakness of agricultural research establishment who failed to identify the benefits of compact varieties Second phase (2002 onwards): During introduction of GM Bt hybrid seeds. However, the scope of evaluation by the GM regulatory process in India was narrow and did not take into account on the form in which it would be deployed (hybrids versus varieties) Consequently, commercial Bt hybrids have completely taken over the market, accompanied by withdrawal of public sector cotton seed production. The Indian cotton farmer today is left with little choice but to use Bt hybrid seed produced by private seed companies. The current annual value of cotton seed used for planting is about ₹2,500 crore, and that of lint cotton produced is ₹68,000 crore. It is likely that production levels could have been much higher, with considerably lower risk and input costs, had compact varieties been developed and used in India, especially given the agricultural distress faced in India. Conclusion We must be clear that the outcome of using a technology such as Bt is determined by the context in which it is deployed, and not just by the technology itself. Brazil (until 2012) and Turkey (up to the present) have achieved high productivity without the use of GM cotton by using alternative pest-management approaches. There is a need for better consultation in policy, be it agriculture as a whole or crop-wise. Socioeconomic and need-based considerations should be a part of GMO regulatory process in India. Connecting the Dots Bt Brinjal Controversy Genetic Engineering in other fields – Medicines, disease prevention and cure. (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) Other than India and China, which one of the following groups of countries border Myanmar? Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh Q.2) Consider the following pairs: Community sometimes in the affairs of mentioned in the news Kurd Bangladesh Madhesi Nepal Rohingya Myanmar Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? 1 and 2 2 only 2 and 3 3 only ANSWERS FOR 22 JAN 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 D 3 A MUST READ About reviving Economy: Indian Express About Myanmar’s growing dependence on China: The Hindu About WHO: The Hindu About Climate Action: The Hindu
Article 131 - Special Powers of Supreme Court Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 Indian Polity Judiciary Recent suits under Article 131 Kerala: Kerala became the first state to challenge the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) before the Supreme Court. However, the legal route adopted by the state is different from the 60 petitions already pending before the court. The Kerala government has moved the apex court under Article 131 of the Constitution. Chhattisgarh: The Chhattisgarh government filed a suit in the Supreme Court under Article 131, challenging the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act on the ground that it encroaches upon the state’s powers to maintain law and order. Article 131 of the Constitution. Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute between the Government of India and one or more States; or between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other; or between two or more States, if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends: Provided that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to a dispute arising out of any treaty, agreement, covenant, engagements, and or other similar instrument which, having been entered into or executed before the commencement of this Constitution, continues in operation after such commencement, or which provides that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to such a dispute In simplest terms, this gives Supreme Court original jurisdiction—meaning the Supreme Court can hear the case first-hand rather than reviewing a lower court's judgment—to mediate disputes between states or between the Centre and states. For a dispute to qualify as a dispute under Article 131, it has to necessarily be between states and the Centre, and must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence of a legal right of the state or the Centre depends. Article 131 cannot be used to settle political differences between state and central governments headed by different parties. In a 1978 judgment, State of Karnataka v Union of India, Justice P N Bhagwati had said that for the Supreme Court to accept a suit under Article 131, the state need not show that its legal right is violated, but only that the dispute involves a legal question. How is a suit under Article 131 different from the other petitions challenging the CAA? The other petitions challenging the CAA have been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, which gives the court the power to issue writs when fundamental rights are violated. A state government cannot move the court under this provision because only people and citizens can claim fundamental rights. Under Article 131, the challenge is made when the rights and power of a state or the Centre are in question. However, the relief that the state (under Article 131) and petitioners under Article 32 have sought in the challenge to the CAA is the same — declaration of the law as being unconstitutional. But can SC test validity of law under Article 131? In 2011, in State of MP v Union of India, the Supreme Court held that validity of central laws can be challenged under Article 32 of the Constitution and not under Article 131. In the case, Madhya Pradesh had sought to challenge — under Article 131 — the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, asserting that they violated Article 14 of the Constitution. The two-judge bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and B.S. Chauhan, however, felt that a petition under Article 32 would’ve been more appropriate for the challenge. Three years later, in 2014, another two-judge bench — hearing the case of State of Jharkhand v State of Bihar — disagreed. This bench, comprising Justices J. Chelameswar and S.A. Bobde, held that Article 131 could be used to examine the constitutionality of a statute. The question was then referred to a three-judge bench, headed by Justice N.V. Ramana. It is currently pending there. Is it unusual for states to challenge laws made by Parliament? Under the Constitution, laws made by Parliament are presumed to be constitutional until a court holds otherwise. However, in India’s quasi-federal constitutional structure, inter-governmental disputes are not uncommon. The framers of the Constitution expected such differences, and added the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for their resolution. The quasi-federal structure envisaged in 1950 has consolidated into defined powers of the states. Kerala's arguments The Kerala government has sought from the apex court that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 be declared as violative of Articles 14 (Equality before law), 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) and 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion). CAA is violative of the basic principle of secularism enshrined in the Constitution. The Passport (Entry to India) Amendment Rules, 2015 and Foreigners (Amendment) Order are ultra vires (beyond Centre's authority) the Constitution and be declared void. The CAA, the amended Passport Rules and Foreign Order are class legislations harping on the religious identity of an individual, thereby contravening the principles of secularism, which has been recognised by the court as a basic structure of the Constitution. These amendments make religion and a person's country of origin a criteria for grant of citizenship and result in classifications based on religion and country, which are discriminatory, arbitrary, unreasonable and have no rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved. The religious classification brought forth violates the twin test of classification under Article 14, the protection of which is not limited or restricted to citizens alone and extends to all persons. The CAA and rules and orders are bereft of any standard principle or norm in discriminating migrants from other countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bhutan, which are sharing international borders with India and to which and from which there has been trans-border migration. If the object of the CAA is to protect the minorities who faced religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, then the Ahmaddiyas and Shias from these countries are also entitled to treatment equal to that being now extended to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities. In accordance with the mandate of Article 256 of the Constitution, the plaintiff state (Kerala) will be compelled to ensure compliance of Impugned Amendment Act (CAA) and the Rules and Orders, which are manifestly arbitrary, unreasonable, irrational and violative of fundamental rights. "Thus, there exists a dispute, involving questions of law and fact, between the plaintiff state of Kerala and the defendant Union of India, regarding the enforcement of legal rights as a State and as well for the enforcement of the fundamental, statutory constitutional and other legal rights of the inhabitants of the State of Kerala. Hence, this Original Suit under Article 131 of the Constitution is being preferred," the plea said.
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