Posts

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Vulture conservation centre in U.P. Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment Conservation In News In a major step to conserve the endangered vulture population, the Uttar Pradesh government will set up state's first vulture conservation and breeding centre in Maharajganj district. The new centre would be set up in association with Bombay Natural History Society, a wildlife research organization It will be the first scientific center of vultures in the state to find out which species is most threatened and the locations where these natural scavengers are thriving It will be set up on the lines of Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore in Haryana, which is also the first in the country. The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) found in India, Pakistan and Nepal has been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2002 The population of three species of endangered resident Gyps vultures in India - white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture and slender-billed vulture is 6,000, 12,000 and 1,000, respectively YUWAAH Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I – Social Issues In News UNICEF has launched ‘YuWaah’ Generation Unlimited in India on 1.11.2019. It is a multi-stakeholder alliance which aims to facilitate youth to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work. The target age group of YuWaah includes adolescent girls and boys. Its key mission is to promote access to foundational, transferable and 21st century skills for youth inside and outside formal education systems, which includes defining foundational skills, life skills and flexible learning and identifying and scaling impactful delivery models. YuWaah intends to create platforms to guide youth to market opportunities (career guidance, mentorship, internships, apprenticeships) and facilitate integration of career guidance in school education.  Chagos Islands Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – International Affairs In News Mauritius called the UK an “illegal colonial occupier”, after UK ignored a UN mandated deadline to return the Chagos Islands, a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. Mauritius has argued that the Chagos Islands has been a part of its territory since at least the 18th century. UK broke the archipelago away from Mauritius in 1965 and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from the Seychelles in the region to form the British Indian Ocean Territory.  After Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968, the United Kingdom refused to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius UK claimed in petitions submitted to the Permanent Court of Arbitration(at The Hague) that Chagos island was required to “accommodate the United States’ desire to use certain islands in the Indian Ocean for defence purposes”. The largest island on the Chagos Islands archipelago, Diego Garcia, is where the US and the UK operate a large military base and was also used as a US military base for the US-led attacks against Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s. In June 2017, at the UN General Assembly, 94 countries voted in support of Mauritius’ resolution to seek an advisory opinion on the legal status of the Chagos Islands from the International Court of Justice in The Hague. In February 2019, the UN’s highest court of justice, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), ordered the UK to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius “as rapidly as possible For now, the UK might possibly be searching for reassurance in the fact that the ICJ ruling is not binding and no immediate sanctions or adverse actions will be taken against it. GLOBAL MIGRATION REPORT 2020 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – International Affairs In News The Global Migration Report 2020 was recently released by the UN-affiliated International Organization for Migration (IOM) Of the 272 international migrants worldwide (3.5% of the global population), India accounts for the highest share with 17.5 million Indians living outside the country. India is followed by Mexico (11.8 million) and China (10.7 million). Roughly two-thirds of international migrants are labour migrants. India is the leading recipient of remittances. International remittances in 2018 (2020 report) reached $689 billion, out of which India received $78.6 million from the 17.5 million living abroad. India is currently followed by China ($67.4 billion) and Mexico ($35.7 billion). The top migration corridors for Indians are the United Arab Emirates, the US and Saudi Arabia. The highest number of migrants entering India come from Bangladesh. The top destinations for international migrants is the USA followed by Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russian Federation and the UK Miscellaneous  UDHAM SINGH Udham Singh, born in Sunam in Punjab’s Sangrur district in 1899, was a political activist who got associated with the Ghadar Party while in the US. In 1934, Singh made his way to London with the purpose of assassinating Michael O’Dwyer, who in 1919 had been the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab and unsurprisingly, Singh considered O’Dwyer to be responsible for the massacre. Instead of Dyer, who instructed his men to open fire at the crowd gathered in JallianwalaBagh, O’Dwyer is considered to be the actual perpetrator, since Dyer could not have executed it without his permission. On March 13, 1940 Singh shot O’Dwyer at a meeting of the East India Association and the Royal Central Asian Society at Caxton Hill. Singh was immediately arrested. At the court he referred to himself as Mohamed Singh Azad, to symbolise Hindu-Sikh-Muslim unity in the fight for India’s freedom. He was hanged on July 31, 1940 at Pentonville Prison. For avenging the JallianwalaBagh massacre, Singh is seen by some as a hero.  Gandhi had famously decried Singh’s revenge as an “act of insanity”. In 2018 his statue was installed at JallianwalaBagh during Baisakhi. Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand is named after the freedom fighter. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment India’s first ever slowdown Context: Since Independence, there have been at least eight episodes of significant GDP growth rate declines over two years or more — 1961-62 and 1962-63, 1965-66 and 1966-67, 1971-72 and 1972-73, 1984-85 to 1987-88, 1990-91 to 1992-93, 2000-01 to 2002-03, 2012-13 and 2013-14, and the current one from 2018-19. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5% in the first quarter of FY20, data released by the government showed, marking the slowest growth since the fourth quarter of FY13. GDP growth was 8% in the year-earlier quarter and 5.8% in the preceding one. China’s economy grew 6.2% in the June quarter. [caption id="attachment_53763" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th November 2019[/caption] Src: ET Recession: The technical term for the same is growth recession.  A recession is defined in economics as three consecutive quarters of contraction in GDP. But since India is a large developing economy, contraction is a rarity.  The last instance of negative growth for India was in 1979.  A growth recession is more commonplace where the economy continues to grow but at a slower pace than usual for a sustained period, what India has been facing nowadays. Consumption: The growth of the Indian economy had been predominated by consumption inclusive of both — Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) as well as the Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE). The recent sharp fall in PFCE in the June quarter to 3.1 per cent compared to 7.2 per cent in the March quarter has significantly contributed to the recent slowdown. Investment: Major component of India’s GDP is investment, induced by both — private and government sectors. It has been a key driver of growth since the liberalisation of 1991, fell by 6.2 percentage points in 2014-19 than in 2011-14. Reasons: Partly driven by domestic problems like neglected farmers Weakening global economy  Mr. Trump’s fusillade of trade conflicts. Last weekend’s attack on two Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, which sent the global price of oil soaring, underscored just how vulnerable India and other developing countries are to external factors beyond their control. The overhang of bad bank loans, coupled with recent defaults by nonbank financial firms, has curbed lending to consumers and businesses. Policy decisions by India’s central and state governments have worsened the country’s downturn For example Auto manufacturers: New safety and emissions standards increased the cost of vehicles, nine states raised taxes on car sales, and the banks and finance companies that fund dealers and 80 percent of consumer car purchases were paralyzed by the credit crunch. The textile industry, which employs about 45 million people and is India’s second-largest employer after agriculture, is emblematic of the country’s distress. Conclusion: The slowdown in economy is also expected to adversely affect income growth which, in turn, would further dent consumption demand. A favourable low base effect, however, would be seen third quarter onwards, which will help push the headline growth number higher. Connecting the dots: Unlike all the earlier downturns whose precursors/triggers were supply-side constraints in food and forex, macroeconomic imprudence or external shocks, what we are now experiencing is more of a “western-style” slowdown exacerbated by internal policy misadventures. Analyse ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment COP25 The Climate Conference COP25, is the actual Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, which is tasked with making sure that the Convention, (and now the 2015 Paris Agreement, which strengthens the Convention), are being implemented. Climate change: The world is already 1.1°C warmer than it was at the onset of the industrial revolution, and it is already having a significant impact on the world, and on people’s lives. Global temperatures can be expected to rise by 3.4 to 3.9°C this century, which would bring wide-ranging and destructive climate impacts. Evidence of the impacts of climate change According to the 2019 WMO  levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have reached another new record high.  This continuing long-term trend means that future generations will be confronted with increasingly severe impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, more extreme weather, water stress, sea level rise and disruption to marine and land ecosystems.) The UN Environment Programme (UNEP)  2019 Emissions Gap Report, that greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 7.6 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030 are needed to meet the internationally agreed goal of a 1.5°C increase in temperatures over pre-industrial levels.  September climate change summit: Focusing global attention on the climate emergency and the urgent need to significantly scale up action. Leaders, from many countries and sectors, stepped up. More than seventy countries committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 Small island states together committed to achieve carbon neutrality and to move to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.   Countries from Pakistan to Guatemala, Colombia to Nigeria, New Zealand to Barbados vowed to plant more than 11 billion trees. More than 100 leaders in the private sector committed to accelerating the green economy. A group of the world’s largest asset-owners, controlling $2 trillion, pledged to move to carbon-neutral investment portfolios by 2050.  Importance of COP: UNFCCC had non-binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries, and no enforcement mechanism, various extensions to this treaty were negotiated during recent COPs, including most recently the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, in which all countries agreed to step up efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures and boost climate action financing. COP25 is the final COP before we enter the defining year of 2020, when many nations must submit new climate action plans. Among the many elements that need to be ironed out is the financing of climate action worldwide. Currently, not enough is being done to meet the three climate goals: reducing emissions 45 per cent by 2030; achieving climate neutrality by 2050 (which means a net zero carbon footprint), and stabilizing global temperature rise at 1.5°C by the end of the century. Conclusion: A series of reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other agencies have been reiterating through the year that unless countries scale up their actions significantly, there is little hope of keeping average global temperatures within 2ºC higher than pre-industrial trends. Because the clock is ticking on climate change, the world cannot afford to waste more time, and a bold, decisive, ambitious way forward needs to be agreed. Connecting the dots: The world already endures life-threatening effects of global warming through larger and more powerful storms, droughts and flooding (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 about Yuwaah Initiative The aim of the initiative to facilitate youth to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work It is launched by World Bank in collaboration with NITI Aayog Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre is located in which State/Union Territory of India? Uttar Pradesh Bihar Haryana Andaman & Nicobar Islands Q.3) Global Migration Report is released by which organisation/body? World Economic Forum World Bank International Organization for Migration (IOM) None of the above Q.4) Chagos island often seen in news is located in which water body? Mediterranean Sea Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean Atlantic Ocean ANSWERS FOR 29 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 D 2 C 3 C 4 A 5 A MUST READ Bringing back treasures: On stolen idols The Hindu A political turning point or a pause? The Hindu Getting organ donation to tick again The Hindu Not as you say, but as you do The Hindu First six months of Modi 2.0 showcase the PM’s vision for his second term IE There was another India, reveals a new database of periodicals published between 1857-1947 IE

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – The Present Moment – Inspirational Educative Articles

The Present Moment: In the most simplistic sense, life is too short to be fighting with and changing every behavior of ours. The choice we have is simple: Either we can make this very moment a celebration by accepting ourselves fully, or go on battling internally with what is right and wrong for the rest of our lives. The moment we realize that we are perfect just the way we are, then the change we are seeking is instantaneous. You will also notice that the more you accept yourself, the less there is a need for this internal conflict. Society has one definition of a good man, one definition of a good woman, and one definition of what’s right and wrong. You are too vibrant a phenomenon to walk on this thin fine line drawn by the society.  What you need in order to remain simple, unique, and beautiful is a universal phenomenon such as watching and observing yourself. Meditation is that universal phenomenon. It’s not an ideology, philosophy, religion or something else - it’s just you and your ability to observe your life. Initially, it is difficult to trust your meditation, because there is no one there to provide you guidance and support. It is just you, your mind, your body, and how you deal with them. In this sense, you have total freedom in meditation; so much freedom that for a while you won’t know if you are doing the right thing. Meditation says, “Leave all of this and just become existential. Don’t become philosophical or intellectual; don’t become this or that. Just become existential.” Existential means to be in this moment; that is it. If I am angry in this moment, then I am angry. My anger is okay and I will just watch it. If I don’t need this anger, then it will just go away. If I don’t watch the anger, chances are that it will come back again. The beauty of every experience we have is that the moment we go deep into it, the moment we observe it, it disappears on its own, whether the experience is good or bad doesn’t matter. Meditation simply says, “Keep watching, and whatever change that needs to happen in your life will happen on its own.” “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - 16th India-ASEAN Summit

16th India-ASEAN Summit ARCHIVES Search 3rd November, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.  “ASEAN is core of India’s Act East Policy,” says PM Modi India's Act East Policy is an important part of its Indo-Pacific vision and ASEAN is the core of the Act East Policy. The 16th ASEAN-India Summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 3, 2019. An integrated, organized and economically developing ASEAN will immensely benefit India. A. Connectivity: India is committed to strengthen its partnership with ASEAN through better surface, maritime, air and digital connectivity.  India’s $ 1 billion worth line of credit is expected to be used to boost physical and digital connectivity.  Intention is to increase people-to-people contact for research, study, trade and tourism. B. Partnerships in different areas: India is committed to strengthening and further increase capacity building and partnerships in areas such as agriculture, research, science, engineering and Information and communications technology (ICT). C. Review of India ASEAN FTA: Will improve the economic partnership between the two Balance out their trade relations Strengthen its partnership with ASEAN in areas including maritime security, blue economy and humanitarian aid D. Combat terrorism: The leaders of the ASEAN nations expressed their wish to explore opportunities for strategic cooperation. E. India-Japan: Discussed the progress achieved in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project Reaffirmed their commitment towards creating a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region based on a rules-based order Strengthen the bilateral cooperation to achieve peace in the Indo-Pacific region F. India-Indonesia: Strengthening ties with Indonesia in areas such as defence, security, connectivity, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges Enhance maritime cooperation to achieve peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region Work closely at bilateral and global levels to tackle the issue of extremism and terrorism. Invited the Indonesian companies to use the opportunities presented in India for investment. India and Indonesia are commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2019. G. India-Thailand: The leaders, while noting the enhanced engagement in defence and security, agreed to further explore possibilities of cooperation in the sector.  The leaders further Acknowledged a 20 percent increase in the bilateral trade in 2018 and decided to further enhance trade and investment. Discussed ways to boost connectivity between the two countries and welcome the growth in air connectivity with the start of a direct flight between Guwahati and Bangkok.  More agreements have been finalized for cooperation between Thailand’s Ranong Port and Indian ports in Chennai, Kolkatta and Vishakapatnam. India and Thailand share a close maritime relationship. H. India-Myanmar: Reaffirmed India’s commitment to improve physical connectivity to and through Myanmar to Southeast Asia. The proposed initiatives including building port, road and other infrastructure India also committed to support the expansion of capacity for Myanmar's police, military and civil servants, as well as its students and citizens.  Enhance people to people connectivity, agreeing that it would help expand the base of the partnership. They welcomed the expansion of air connectivity between the two countries and the growing interest of India's businesses in Myanmar.  Agreed to boost cooperation in ensuring that insurgent groups do not find space to operate across the India-Myanmar border PM Modi also highlighted that the speedy, safe and secure return of the displaced Rohingyas to their homes in Rakhine state was not only important in the interest of the displaced community but also the interest of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – The Language of Flowers – Vanessa Diffenbaugh

The Language of Flowers – Vanessa Diffenbaugh: Flowers have always played an important role in the history of mankind. They have been a source for expression emotions of love, grief and joy for centuries. There is another mysterious side to flowers that is rarely explored and understood; the personal connection people have with them. Flowers are not just beautiful decorative objects. They are not just a source of joy and beauty. They can also be deep companions. Vanessa explores the side of flowers that very few people are aware of. In a world that is becoming increasing alien and weird, flowers can mean very many things to individuals who are seeking love and connection. This is a beautiful book that explores the relationship of an individual with flowers. The book is entrancing and engaging. Vanessa explores the mistrust and solitude that flowers help to communicate. It is a strange but a beautiful book to read.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Ministry forms expert committee to review Sports Code Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II - Governance In News Olympic bronze-medallist shooter Gagan Narang, former football captain Bhaichung Bhutia and national badminton coach P. Gopi Chand have been named in a 13-member expert committee formed by the Sports Ministry to review the Draft National Sports Code 2017. The expert committee will be headed by Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) Mukundakam Sharma as its chairman. The draft code proposes drastic changes in the 2011 Code, including barring of ministers, members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies and government servants from holding office in the IOA and NSFs, tenure restrictions and age cap of 70 years. The panel will also feature a representative from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which has rejected the code in current form as it seeks to put an age and tenure cap on sports administrators The committee will try to strike a balance between autonomy of National Sports Federations vis-a-vis need for transparency and autonomy Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Indian Polity In News Lok Sabha passed the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has just one district while Daman and Diu has two. The combined population of the two UTs is 5 lakh 80 thousand. Having two separate constitutional and administrative entities in both the Union Territories leads to a lot of duplicacy, inefficiency and wasteful expenditure and causes an unnecessary financial burden on the government.  In view of the policy of the government to have 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance', considering small population and limited geographical area of both the Union Territories and to use the services of officers efficiently, government has decided to merge the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu into a single union territory, The Bill amends the First Schedule to merge the territories of the two UTs: (a) Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and (b) Daman and Diu. At present each UT has one seat in Lok Sabha and the Bill provides for the allocation of two Lok Sabha seats to the merged UT. The Bill provides that the jurisdiction of the High Court of Bombay will continue to extend to the merged UT. U.S. to cut spending on NATO budget Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – International Affairs In News The U.S. is to cut its contribution to NATO’s operating budget with Germany increasing payments. Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticised European members for freeloading on the U.S., singling out Germany for lagging behind on an alliance commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence. Washington currently pays 22.1% of the NATO budget — which totalled $2.5 billion in 2019 — and Germany 14.8%, under a formula based on each country’s gross national income. Under the new agreement, the U.S. will cut its contribution to 16.35% of the total, Germany’s will rise to the same level and other allies will pay more. About NATO NATO also called the North Atlantic Alliance isbased on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed in 1949.  It is an intergovernmental military alliance between North American and European countries.  It constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.  The National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2020 was passed by the United States Senate recently. This legislative provision gives India NATO ally-like status; it brings India at par with America's NATO allies and countries like Israel and South Korea for increasing defence cooperation.  National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Education In News The Parliament has passed the National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019. It declares the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad as an institution of national importance. It also seeks to declare 4 National Institutes of Designas institutions of national importance. They are located at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Jorhat in Assam and Kurukshetra in Haryana. Currently, these institutes are registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas. On being declared institutions of national importance, the four institutes will be granted the power to grant degrees and diplomas. Significance of National Importance Tag It will help to produce highly skilled manpower in design sector which in turn, will create job opportunities, both direct and indirect.  It will also provide sustainable design interventions for handloom, crafts, rural technology, small, medium (SMEs) and large scale enterprises (LSEs); and outreach programmes for capacity, capability and institution building. NuGen Mobility Summit-2019 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Infrastructure In News Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, NuGen Mobility Summit-2019 (to be held from 27 to 29 November 2019) at International Center of Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar, Haryana.  It is the largest automotive technology event covering relevant topics of alternate fuel systems and E-Mobility Theme of event is setup around new generation topics like: e-mobility, Hydrogen Mobility, Connected Vehicles and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).  It focuses on developing new technological solutions according to global requirements. Automotive technology experts from 15 countries including India will be presenting more than 120 technical research papers. Over 200 companies producing vehicles and components will display their products. Significance: The benefits of event will be found in finding suitable alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) running for about 125 years in country and world as well as emphasizing on New Generation Mobility which shall be Green, safe and affordable ICAT, Manesar is a division of NATRIP (National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project) Implementation Society (NATIS) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. India-Chile double taxation avoidance treaty Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III - Economy In News The Union Cabinet has approved the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Chile.  The tax agreement helps tax-payers in these countries avoid being taxed twice for the same income.  This will help in elimination of double taxation as well as prevention of fiscal evasion and avoidance with respect to taxes on income. A DTAA applies in cases where a tax-payer resides in one country and earns income in another. Clear allocation of taxing rights between contracting states through these type of agreement will provide tax certainty to investors and businesses of both countries, thus attracting foreign investment.  The agreement will implement minimum standards and other recommendations of G-20/OECD Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project About BEPS Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) refers to tax planning strategies used by multinational enterprises that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to avoid paying tax.  Developing countries’ higher reliance on corporate income tax means they suffer from BEPS disproportionately. BEPS practices cost countries USD 100-240 billion in lost revenue annually.  Working together within OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS, over 130 countries and jurisdictions are collaborating on the implementation of 15 measures to tackle tax avoidance, improve the coherence of international tax rules and ensure a more transparent tax environment. FASTags Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Economy/Science & Technology In News From December 1, lanes on national highway toll plazas across India will accept toll only through FASTag.The objective is to remove bottlenecks and capture all toll electronically. FASTag is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology sticker that can be installed on the windshield of any vehicle. By this, toll payments can be made directly from the pre-paid account linked to it, thus avoiding the need of vehicles to stop at toll plazas for payment of fees. RFID technology is similar to that used in transport access-control systems, like Metro smart card. Under a new “One Nation One FASTag” scheme, the NHAI is trying to get states on board so that one tag can be used seamlessly across highways, irrespective of whether it is the state or the Centre that owns/manages it (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Locals First Policy Context: The Maharashtra government, has promised to enact a law to reserve 80 per cent of jobs in the private sector for “local/domicile” youths. Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh also reserved 75 per cent jobs factories for Andhra Pradesh youths, making it the first state in the country to introduce such a provision in the private sector.  Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nathalso  announced that his government was considering a quota for locals in private sector jobs in the state.  The Assam government had made similar attempts for reservation in state government jobs, legislative assembly and local bodies for indigenous Assamese people The Locals First Policy Why? With the growth in industries, the demand for land for industrial use has been increasing. Since most of the requirement is met by acquiring private agricultural lands, the owners are being displaced and deprived of their livelihood. Therefore, there is a demand from land losers, apart from the local population, to provide employment. Though there were promises by the industrial managements to meet these demands at the initial phases of setting up of their industries, more often than not, the objectives are not met. In some instances, even though the local people are employed as per the initial commitments, they are generally employed as gardeners, house-keeping personnel and other low income jobs. This is causing dissatisfaction in the local community and leading to industrial unrest Define ‘local’ If the company doesn’t find suitable persons in the immediate vicinity, they need to try to look for candidates in the neighbouring villages. The scope will then expand to the district and finally to the entire state, where they will be able to find a suitable candidate for any job profile. There is therefore a need to collaborate on training the locals with skills required for the jobs they provide. Criticisms While the legislation only generally talked about 75 per cent jobs to be filled by locals and makes no mention about the cadres within these jobs in a factory, it has, however, left the issue open for a future debate by pointing out that only low-paying jobs were being given to locals in certain instances. Under the law, if skilled personnel are not available for the jobs at hand, these industrial units cannot ‘import’ labourers from elsewhere; the burden of imparting the requisite skills to, and of employing, locals will fall on the units. It will almost certainly push up the cost of doing business in such geographical entities that embrace this policy, and make a mockery of the concept of the ‘Indian Common Market’, which rests on the foundational premise of unfettered labour mobility. Significantly, a reservation for local populations is also a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right of every citizen to work, live and move freely within the country. Interstate Movements: The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of movement and consequently employment within India through several provisions. Article 19 ensures that citizens can “move freely throughout the territory of India". Article 16 guarantees no birthplace-based discrimination in public employment.  Article 15 guards against discrimination based on place of birth and  Article 14 provides for equality before law irrespective of place of birth.  Some of these Articles were invoked in a landmark 2014 case—CharuKhurana vs. Union of India—when a trade union had declined membership to a make-up artist because she had not lived in Maharashtra for at least five years, as per the union’s rules. The trade union lost the case. [caption id="attachment_53692" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 29th November 2019[/caption] SRC: Live Mint Conclusion Providing vocational training and education — responsibilities of the State — could have been a long-term solution. But with the mandatory reservation of 75 per cent of all jobs for local people, the state government has shifted this responsibility onto the industrial sector. Further, mobility of labour is necessary to give industries the opportunity to select the best talent and remain competitive. A reservation such as the one in Andhra Pradesh will thus hamper the ease of doing business, discouraging industrial investment in the state and causing unemployment to shoot up further. Affirmative action was once a tool to bring the most economically and educationally backward sections on a par with the rest of the population. At the hands of populist governments, it has been turned into an assurance — albeit a false one — of a shortcut to success. The reservation for Marathas — an economically and socially dominant segment — in Maharashtra is a case in point. The underlying causes for demands for reservation are, among other factors, agricultural and economic crisis, the lack of social security nets, unemployment and iniquitous access to education. Connecting the Dots: Will jobs-for-locals quota set off a wave of parochial politics? Discuss. ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference Context: The 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP25, is to be is planned to be held in Madrid, Spain, from 2 to 13 December 2019 The conference will incorporate the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 15th meeting of the parties for the Kyoto Protocol (CMP15), and the second meeting of the parties for the Paris Agreement (CMA2). will be the role of market-based mechanisms for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon offsets Negotiators in Madrid are set to discuss what kind of offsets, if any, should be used to meet the targets set out in the 2015 Paris agreement and how they should be monitored, following some cases where emissions cuts did not materialise. Significance: Carbon offsetting allows a country to help reach its own emissions reduction targets by funding emission reductions in another country.  Companies are also increasingly using carbon credits to offset their emissions. The first major offsetting scheme, the U.N.s clean development mechanism (CDM), was set up under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, in which 190 countries agreed country-by-country emission reduction targets. Underlines India’s leadership in the comity of nations committed to global cause of environmental protection and climate justice. Implementation of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects under commitment period in accordance with Sustainable Development priorities will attract some investments in India as well. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries.  Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets. The mechanism is seen by many as a trailblazer. It is the first global, environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, providing a standardized emissions offset instrument, CERs. A CDM project activity might involve, for example, a rural electrification project using solar panels or the installation of more energy-efficient boilers. The mechanism stimulates sustainable development and emission reductions, while giving industrialized countries some flexibility in how they meet their emission reduction or limitation targets. Background The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) seeks to stabilise Green House Gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would minimize interference with the climate system. Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) in the atmosphere, the Kyoto Protocol places commitments on developed nations to undertake mitigation targets and to provide financial resources and transfer of technology to the developing nations. Developing countries like India have no mandatory mitigation obligations or targets under the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 First commitment period was from 2008-2012. At Doha in 2012, the amendments to Kyoto Protocol for the 2nd commitment period (the Doha Amendment) were successfully adopted for the period 2013- 2020. Developed countries have already started implementing their commitments under the ‘opt-in’ provisions of the Doha Amendment. India has always emphasized the importance of climate actions by developed country Parties in the pre-2020 period. Besides, it has advocated climate actions based on the principles and provisions of the Convention, such as the principle of Equity and Common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR & RC) Connecting the dots: Critics say offsetting emissions reduces incentives for the drastic emissions cuts needed to slow global warming and does not always bring the intended benefits. Analyze (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 about NuGen mobility Summit 2019 It is held in Pune which is the largest automotive technology event in country so far. Automotive technology experts only from SAARC countries except Pakistan are participating in this summit. Which of the 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 Double Taxation Avoidance agreement (DTAA) A DTAA applies in cases where a tax-payer resides in one country and earns income in another. It will help in elimination of double taxation as well as prevention of fiscal evasion and avoidance with respect to taxes on income. 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 Fastags It employs Radio Frequency Identification technology which is similar to that used in transport access-control systems, like Metro smart card It will help to remove bottlenecks at tolls and capture all toll payments electronically. 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 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) It constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.  Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium India which was earlier not a part of NATO has now become a member of NATO after signing foundational agreements like COMCASA, LEMOA and BECA with USA Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.5) Consider the following statements about The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (merger of union territories) bill, 2019 The two Union Territories are being merged for better administration and to prevent duplication of work in line with government’s policy of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance The Bill provides that the jurisdiction of the High Court of Delhi will continue to extend to the merged UT. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 28 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 D 3 C 4 A 5 B MUST READ Widening gap:  On UN’s Emissions Gap Report The Hindu Not as you say, but as you do The Hindu India’s food basket must be enlarged The Hindu Should life convicts be denied remission? The Hindu With Sri Lanka, Delhi must be seen as a friend of all communities IE Three years on, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is learning from outcomes, growing stronger IE

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019 Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Security. In News Based on the recommendations of the BirbalNath committee report, SPG came into existence in 1985.  From 1985 to 1988, SPG was governed by an Executive Order and only in 1988 the SPG Act came into existence to provide security to the Prime Minister and his/her family. Under the Act, the Special Protection Group (SPG) provides security to the Prime Minister and his immediate family members. SPG doesn't only provide physical security, but it takes care about protection of Prime Minister’s office, his/her communication systems, foreign tours and issues pertaining to his/her health and well being. It also provides security to former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members for a period of one year from the date on which they cease to hold the office. Beyond this period, the SPG security is provided based on the level of threat as decided by the central government.  The threat must: (i) emanate from a military or terrorist organisation, and (ii) be of a grave and continuing nature. Provisions of new bill SPG will now protect only the Prime Minister and members of his immediate family residing with him at his official residence. It will also provide security to former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members staying with them at the residence allotted for a period of five years from the date on which they cease to hold office. If the SPG security is withdrawn from a former Prime Minister, it will also be withdrawn from his immediate family members EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI-VII: 2019 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – International relations In News The seventh edition of India-Sri Lanka joint training exercise, Exercise MITRA SHAKTI– 2019 is scheduled to be conducted at Foreign Training Node (FTN), Pune from 01 - 14 December 2019. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of India & Sri Lanka. The aim of this joint training exercise is to build close relations between armies of India and Sri Lanka with focus on sub unit level training for counter insurgency & counter terrorism operations.  India a major gold smuggling hub Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Economy & Security In News International non-government organisation IMPACT, in its latest report, has said that India has become one of the largest gold smuggling hubs in the world with One-third of the world’s gold passing through India Gold, possibly tied to conflict, human rights abuses and corruption in Africa and South America, is entering legal international markets through India The NGO said it had uncovered how the country imported about 1,000 tonnes of gold per year — a quarter more than the official figures indicated Actors across India’s gold industry are failing to do proper checks on where gold comes from to ensure it’s not financing conflict and human rights violations Three primary factors for smuggling are: tax breaks, falsified origin documents and complicit allies Refined gold was being smuggled into India primarily from the United Arab Emirates, while key traders and refiners in Africa’s Great Lakes region, with links to India, were identified as being part of the illicit gold trade Govt. extends 15th finance panel term Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Indian Polity In News The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the term of the 15th Finance Commission, which will now submit two reports. The term had been extended till October 30. The first report, for financial year 2020-21, will be submitted in the coming months before the Union Budget, and the second report for the period 2021-26 will be presented by October 30, 2020. This will effectively mean the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations will be applicable for six years and not the conventional five-year period. 15th Finance Commission has seen its terms of reference expanded and the reorganisation of J&K;, and so, an extension of the term. The 9th Finance Commission under the chairmanship of N.K.P. Salve also saw its recommendation period extended to six years from the conventional five. It has happened before in the 14th Finance Commission when Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were split Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Geography In News According to study, Global warming has altered a key weather system and that may be whetting cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, decreasing winter rain in north India and altering global rainfall patterns The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) can be defined as an eastward moving 'pulse' of clouds, rainfall, winds and pressure near the equator that typically recurs every 30 to 60 days. MJO is a moving band of rain clouds that travels around the globe spanning 12,000–20,000 km across the tropical oceans.  In its journey, it interacts with surface waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, the largest pool of warm water in the globe, and due to this the lifecycle of the MJO gets affected. The MJO clouds on average are spending only 15 days, instead of 19, over the Indian Ocean. This is affecting the global climate and thus rainfall over India. Phases of Madden-Julian Oscillation The MJO consists of two parts or phases.  Enhanced rainfall (or convective) phase: winds at the surface converge, and the air is pushed up throughout the atmosphere. At the top of the atmosphere, the winds reverse (i.e., diverge). Such rising air motion in the atmosphere tends to increase condensation and rainfall. Suppressed rainfall phase: winds converge at the top of the atmosphere, forcing air to sink and, later, to diverge at the surface. As air sinks from high altitudes, it warms and dries, which suppresses rainfall. It is this entire dipole structure, that moves west to east with time in the Tropics, causing more cloudiness, rainfall, and even storminess in the enhanced convective phase, and more sunshine and dryness in the suppressed convective phase Impact on Indian Monsoons he Indian subcontinent. On the other hand, when it witnesses a longer cycle and stays over the Pacific Ocean, MJO brings bad news for the Indian Monsoon. Src: Click here QS Rankings: 8 India universities in Asia top 100 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II - Education In News In the latest QS World University Rankings for Asia, 96 Indian institutions rank among 550 for the continent, out of which 20 are brand-new entries. While Mainland China has four in the top 10 this year, India does not yet have a university among the top 30.  The best performing institution from India is IIT Bombay, which drops one place to 34th position. It is followed by IIT Delhi at 43rd place and IIT Madras at 50th. The QS Rankings use a methodology based on 11 metrics: Academic reputation (30%); Employer reputation (20%); Faculty/student ratio (10%); International research network (10%); Citations per paper (10%) and papers per faculty (5%); Staff with a PhD (5%); Proportion of international faculty (2.5%) and proportion of international students (2.5%); Proportion of inbound exchange students (2.5%) and proportion of outbound exchange students (2.5%) India dominates the ‘Staff with PhD’ indicator with seven institutions achieving the perfect 100.00 score and raking No. 1 tied in this metric. IIT Bombay is the best Indian university in the ‘Academic Reputation’ indicator. Do You Know? The Indian higher education system has grown exponentially over the past decade. The number of universities has nearly doubled, and the number of colleges has grown by 50 per cent.  Nevertheless, the domestic demand for tertiary education of its young population — which is estimated to become the world’s largest by 2030 — is growing more rapidly than the expanded provision Miscellaneous Mannequins with cameras to scan Bengaluru traffic In News Bengaluru Traffic Police department has installed as many as 200 life-size mannequins at trouble-prone junctions in Bengaluru. The mannequins have been outfitted with standard police uniforms, reflector jackets, hats, boots, masks and even sunglasses, in an attempt to trick motorists into believing that it is a real cop. Nudge theory:Studies show that there are fewer violations at manned junctions compared to unmanned ones. The behaviour of motorists changes automatically when they see a traffic policeman. The mannequins, dressed as traffic police, will thus deter repeat offenders. The idea is apparently inspired by farmers using scarecrows. (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 Context: The Rajya Sabha passed the Transgender Persons’ (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, even though several opposition members urged the house to send the bill to a committee for further scrutiny.  Since its introduction in 2016, the legislation has come under heavy criticism from transgender rights activists. Objective : To provide for protection of rights of transgender persons, their welfare, and other related matters. Definition of a transgender person:  Transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth.   It includes trans-men and trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons with socio-cultural identities, such as kinnar and hijra.   Intersex variations is defined to mean a person who at birth shows variation in his or her primary sexual characteristics, external genitalia, chromosomes, or hormones from the normative standard of male or female body. Highlights: Prohibits the discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment  Every transgender person shall have a right to reside and be included in his household.   If the immediate family is unable to care for the transgender person, the person may be placed in a rehabilitation centre, on the orders of a competent court. Educational institutions funded or recognised by the relevant government shall provide inclusive education, sports and recreational facilities for transgender persons, without discrimination. The government must take steps to provide health facilities to transgender persons including separate HIV surveillance centres, and sex reassignment surgeries.      A revised certificate may be obtained only if the individual undergoes surgery to change their gender either as a male or a female.  It must also take steps for their rescue and rehabilitation, vocational training and self-employment, create schemes that are transgender sensitive, and promote their participation in cultural activities. Recognizes the following offences against transgender persons: (i) forced or bonded labour (excluding compulsory government service for public purposes), (ii) denial of use of public places, (iii) removal from household, and village, (iv) physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic abuse.   National Council for Transgender persons (NCT):  The NCT will consist of:  (i) Union Minister for Social Justice (Chairperson);  (ii) Minister of State for Social Justice (Vice- Chairperson);  (iii) Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice;  (iv) One representative from ministries including Health, Home Affairs, and Human Resources Development. Other members include representatives of the NITI Aayog, and the National Human Rights Commission.   State governments will also be represented.  The Council will also consist of five members from the transgender community and five experts from non-governmental organisations.  The Council will advise the central government as well as monitor the impact of policies, legislation and projects with respect to transgender persons. It will also redress the grievances of transgender persons.  Controversies:  Following protests by the queer community against the 2016 and 2018 bills, the bill tabled in 2019 did away with few of the severely criticised provisions of the 2018 bill, such as criminalisation of begging and the establishment of a District Screening Committee to process applications for issuance of transgender person certificates. It failed to incorporate yet other principles in line with the Supreme Court judgment in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA v. UOI) in 2014, such as the right of transgender persons to self-perceived gender identity without undergoing sex reassignment surgery, and mandatory reservations in jobs and educational institutions. Criticism was also made of the lesser punishment for crimes against transgender persons compared with punishment for crimes against cisgender persons. No government or private entity can discriminate against a transgender person in employment matters, including recruitment, and promotion.  SC  Judgements: In 2014, the Supreme Court of India delivered its judgment in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (also known as, NALSA v. UOI), in which it recognised the rights of the transgender persons in India and laid down a series of measures for securing transgender persons' rights by mandating prohibition of discrimination, recommending the creation of welfare policies and reservations for transgender persons in educational institutions and jobs. The judgment upheld the right of a transgender person to self-perceived gender identity, guaranteed by the Constitution of India, in the absence of sex reassignment surgery. Conclusion: With the Bill becoming law, unaltered in any significant form, in the face of such strident opposition, the community is seething at being ignored.  Its only hope is that the National Council for Transgender Persons, which is supposed to provide the institutional framework for implementing the Act, might allow more latitude for incorporating genuine demands. Otherwise, this Act might well be a glove that ill fits the hand it was tailored for. Connecting the dots: The Transgender Persons Act should have factored in suggestions from the community. Critically analyse SCI & TECH TOPIC: General Studies 3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights. Cartosat-3 Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s successful launch of Cartosat-3, along with 13 other small U.S. satellites, marks a major technological milestone for India. An advanced Indian Earth Observation satellite built and developed by ISRO, which will replace the IRS series. It has a panchromatic resolution of 0.25 metres making it the imaging satellite with highest resolution and Mx of 1 metre with a high quality resolution which is a major improvement from the previous payloads in the Cartosat series. [caption id="attachment_53673" align="aligncenter" width="194"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th November 2019[/caption] Src: TOI Cartosat, then and now Cartosat-3 has been developed as an improvement over the Cartosat-1 and Cartosat-2 series satellites, though ISRO has not yet revealed the full specifications of this satellite. Cartosat-1, launched in May 2005, was the first Indian remote sensing satellite capable of taking three-dimensional images.  With a resolution of 2.5 metres, which meant it could identify a car on the ground from space, Cartosat-1 helped in creating new digital maps of over 150 towns and cities in the country at a scale of 1:10,000. Earlier maps were of a scale of 1:50,000 or even lower.  Data from this satellite were also used to a do an inundation vulnerability assessment of the Indian coastline in the event of a tsunami or a major cyclone, and even for estimating the status of irrigation potential created by the large number of projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme. Cartosat-3 Cartosat-3 is capable of unprecedented image resolution of nearly 25 cm on the ground as against the best global military-grade satellites that can provide a 10 cm resolution.  The best satellite images commercially available are between 25-30 cm. Applications Data from most of the Cartosat satellites are exclusively used by the armed forces. However, an existing policy allows only government and government authorised agencies to access ISRO's high-resolution imageries below a resolution of 1 metre.  Cartosat-3’s optical imaging will also help to detect precise cartographic or mapping activities. The imageries are also used for urban and rural infrastructure planning, coastal land use and regulation, utility management such as monitoring road networks, water grids or distribution, creation of land use maps, disaster management, etc. Connecting the dots: ISRO’s credentials as a poster child for India’s technological abilities have been fortified, it still has a long way to go in terms of its reputation as an enabler of local business. Analyse (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 about Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) Indian Ocean Dipole and El-Nino remain over their respective positions, while MJO is a traversing phenomenon When MJO is over the Indian Ocean during the Monsoon season, it brings good rainfall over the Indian subcontinent. Which of the 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 Finance Commission It isa statutory body established under Finance Commission Act, 1951. The term of 15th Finance Commission has been extended whose recommendations will be now applicable for six years, which has happened for first time in India’s history. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Mitra Shakti is a military exercise conducted between India and which other country/countries? USA, Japan and Australia Nepal Sri Lanka None of the above Q.4) Consider the following Statements about Special Protection Group (SPG) SPG came into existence in 1985 based on the recommendations of BirbalNath committee report From 1985 to 1988, SPG was governed by an Executive Order and only in 1988 the SPG Act came into existence to provide security to the Prime Minister and his/her family. SPG provides only physical security to Prime Minister but protection of Prime Minister’s office, his/her communication systems, foreign tours and issues pertaining to his/her health and well being are taken care by Indian Army Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.5) Consider the following statements UNESCO, in its latest report, has said that India has become one of the largest gold smuggling hubs in the world with one-third of the world’s gold passing through India Three primary factors for smuggling gold through India are: tax breaks, falsified origin documents and complicit allies Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 27 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 A 3 D 4 D 5 A MUST READ Gubernatorial restructuring The Hindu Stubble burning is not the only culprit The Hindu A blow to disclosure norms The Hindu A revival of battles already fought and lost The Hindu In Gotabaya’s Lanka: Many fear the rise of majoritarian sentiment in Sri Lanka IE Viable solutions to PDS portability are being ignored in the push for Aadhaar IE

AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Significance of BS VI vehicles for cleaner air

Significance of BS VI vehicles for cleaner air ARCHIVES Search 29th Oct, 2019 Public Speak here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General studies 3 Pollution and related technological policies and development  What are Bharat Stage norms? The ‘BS’ in BS VI stands for ‘Bharat Stage’ which signifies the emission regulation standards set by Indian regulatory bodies. The ‘VI’ is a roman numeric representation for six (6). The higher the number gets, the stricter the Bharat Stage emission norms get which eventually means it becomes trickier (and costlier) for automakers to meet them. The Bharat Stage are standards instituted by the government to regulate emission of air pollutants from motor vehicles.  The norms were introduced in 2000.  With appropriate fuel and technology, they limit the release of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter (PM) and sulphur oxides from vehicles using internal combustion engines.  As the stage goes up, the control on emissions become stricter. Thus Bharat Stage VI norms are two stages ahead of the present Bharat Stage IV norms in regulating emissions. These norms are based on similar norms in Europe called Euro 4 and Euro 6. Differences between two stages The extent of sulphur is the major difference between Bharat Stage IV and Bharat Stage VI norms.  BS-IV fuels contain 50 parts per million (ppm) sulphur, the BS-VI grade fuel only has 10 ppm sulphur.  BS VI can bring PM in diesel cars down by 80 per cent and nitrogen oxides from diesel cars by 70 per cent and in petrol cars by 25 per cent.  BS VI also make on-board diagnostics (OBD) mandatory for all vehicles. OBD device informs the vehicle owner or the repair technician how efficient the systems in the vehicle are. However, when we talk air pollution, particulate matter like PM 2.5 and PM 10 are the most harmful components and the BS VI will bring the cancer causing particulate matter in diesel cars by a phenomenal 80%. Impact on automakers Compliance with BS-VI norms will require higher investment in technology to upgrade vehicles in stock and making new vehicles. Takes years for automakers to develop a new kind of an engine or to tweak around with the current ones used in their vehicles - Once the research and development is over, the task of setting up full scale production comes up. All of this comes at a cost which eventually makes the vehicle more expensive for the end customer of the product and that can be a cause of concern for automakers given how price sensitive the Indian market is. This will also mean fewer launches till the deadline. This will require a huge amount of investments to make the oil refineries capable of producing a better quality of fuel and also investments in the infrastructure to make that fuel available across the country. Then, the automakers will have to make investments on their end too in order to speed up the research and development process and improve their own infrastructure – like the manufacturing plants – to make their offering BS VI compliant. This, eventually, will make owning an internal combustion engine powered car more expensive to own, and maintain. Conclusion: The need of the hour is to control the pollution levels by all means possible and since globally, countries are implying Euro 6 levels of emission regulations, India needs to step up its game and hence the BS IV to BS VI emission norm implication. Connecting the Dots: What is BS VI and how does it differ from the earlier emission norm? Discuss.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Golden Rice Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Science & Technology In News In the late 1990s, German scientists developed a genetically modified variety of rice called Golden Rice.  It was claimed to be able to fight Vitamin A deficiency, which is the leading cause of blindness among children and can also lead to death due to infectious diseases such as measles. Rice is naturally low in the pigment beta-carotene, which the body uses to make Vitamin A.Golden rice contains this, which is the reason for its golden colour. The claim has sometimes been contested over the years, with studies showing that the variety may fall short of what it is supposed to achieve. Now, Bangladesh could be on the verge of becoming the first country to approve plantation of this variety. In Bangladesh, over 21 per cent of the children have vitamin A deficiency. The Golden Rice that is being reviewed in Bangladesh is developed by the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute. Saakshar Bharat Mission (SBM) Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II - Education. In News In Telangana, 41,000 women learn the Telugu alphabet from their own children and clear exam The Saakshar Bharat Mission (SBM) imparts functional literacy and numeracy, but faced a shortage of coordinators in Telangana’s Sangareddy district. In order to overcome this obstacle, the district administration in 2017 developed ‘AmmakuAkshara Mala’ (alphabet garland for mother) and roped in students in Classes VII to X. They were asked to teach their mothers to read and write the Telugu alphabet at home Of 48,000 women who took the exam in March 2018, 41,000 passed in writing, reading and numerical skills About SBM This programme was formulated by Ministry of Human Resource Developmentin 2009 with the objective of achieving 80% literacy level at national level, by focusing on adult women literacy seeking – to reduce the gap between male and female literacy to not more than 10 percentage points . It has four broader objectives, namely  imparting functional literacy and numeracy to non-literates;  acquiring equivalency to formal educational system;  imparting relevant skill development programme; and  promote a leaning society by providing opportunities for continuing education.  The principal target of the programme is to impart functional literacy to 70 million non-literate adults in the age group of 15 years and beyond. The Programme goes beyond ‘3’ R’s (i.e. Reading, Writing & Arithmetic) ; for it also seeks to create awareness of social disparities and a person’s deprivation on the means for its amelioration and general well being 2018 Romania referendum on Marriages Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Culture In News The two-day referendum held on October 2018, which cost $40 million, aimed to change the constitution to define marriage as strictly between a man and a woman from the present gender-neutral “spouses.” Civil society group Coalition for the Family had secured 3 million signatures to trigger the vote aimed at preventing gay couples winning the right to marry in the future. Religiously conservative Romania, which decriminalized homosexuality in 2001 decades after neighbouring countries, bars marriage and civil partnerships for same sex couples. But just 20.4% of eligible voters cast ballots - short of the 30% needed, despite a push from the Orthodox Church. The constitution thus retained its neutral wording - that a family "is founded on the freely consented marriage of the spouses". Had the measure been passed, it would have made same-sex marriage unconstitutional in the country. Kolleru lake Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I - Geography In News Not less than 6,000 grey pelicans and nearly 1,200 painted storks have made the Atapaka sanctuary their winter home for breeding.  Atapaka Bird Sanctuary, located in Kolleru Lake on the borders of Krishna and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh has been identified as the largest spot-billed pelican home in the world. The sanctuary, surrounded by an artificial pond, has a good vegetation cover supporting nests for the avian guests. Kolleru lake is located between Krishna and Godavari deltas.It spans into two districts of Andhra Pradesh- Krishna and West Godavari. Kolleru lake was declared as wildlife sanctuary in November 1999 under Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and designated wetland of international importance in November 2002 under Ramsar Convention. Action to combat global warming inadequate: UNEP Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-III- Environment Conservation In News Ahead of the 25th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP) in Madrid in December, the UNEP has warned that countries’ action to combat global warming is inadequate. Unless global greenhouse gas emissions fall by 7.6% each year between 2020 and 2030, the world will miss the opportunity to get on track towards the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement The report finds that greenhouse gas emissions had risen 1.5% per year over the last decade and emissions in 2018, including from land-use changes such as deforestation, hit a new high of 55.3 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent.  On the whole, countries must cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at least three-fold to have a fighting chance at containing the severest effects of global warming. India is the third-largest emitter behind the United States and China respectively. India’s per capita emissions, however, are significantly below the United States, China and many others. Do You Know?  The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Global Environment Outlook (GEO) is released by UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Logo, motto introduced for Lokpal Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – Governance In News Lokpal Chairman Justice (retired) Pinaki Chandra Ghose launched the new logo for the apex anti-corruption ombudsman.  A new motto, ‘Ma GridhahKasyasvidhanam (Do not be greedy for anyone’s wealth)’, was also adopted. An open competition was conducted, inviting entries for the logo and the motto. A total of 2,236 entries for the logo and 4,705 entries for the motto were received. The logo symbolises how Lokpal protects and cares for the people of India by establishing justice as per law The logo figuratively symbolises the essence of Lokpal, with the inclusion of shapes such as the ombudsman [Judges’ Bench], the people [three human figures], vigilance [an Ashoka Chakra forming an eye], the law [a shape of a book] and the judiciary [two tri-color hands placed below, forming a unique balance] The Lokpal has decided its motto/slogan based on their own inputs and discussions [caption id="attachment_53602" align="aligncenter" width="331"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th November 2019[/caption] Src: Click here Cartosat-3 Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Space Science & Technology In News The PSLV-C47 will launch Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites into Sun Synchronous orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. CARTOSAT-3 is a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability. CARTOSAT-3 would address the increased user's demands for the large scale urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover.  At 1,625 kg, Cartosat-3 is unusually heavy and more than double the mass of the previous eight in its class The mission life of CARTOSAT-3 would be for five years One of Cartosat-3’s cameras offers a ground resolution of 25 cm — this means it can pick up an object of a minimum of that size from a height of around 500 km. An existing policy allows only government and government authorised agencies to access ISRO's high-resolution imageries below a resolution of 1 m Currently, WorldView-3, a satellite owned by U.S. company Maxar, has the best ground resolution of 31 cm. (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Investment models. Government Budgeting. Disinvestment in India Context: The government announced that it would sell stakes in several public sector undertakings (PSUs) and even give up management control in some.  Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR). The government will transfer its 74.2% stake in THDC India Limited (formerly Tehri Hydro Development Corporation of India). Its 100% stake in North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) to another public sector unit and power distribution major, NTPC Ltd. Disinvestment: Disinvestment is the action of an organization or government selling or liquidating an asset or subsidiary. Also refers to capital expenditure reductions, which can facilitate the re-allocation of resources to more productive areas within an organization or government-funded project. Objective of Disinvestment: To maximize the return on investment (ROI) on expenditures related to capital goods, labor and infrastructure. Disinvestment is carried out for a variety of reasons, from strategic to political and environmental. For example, several institutional investors have begun divesting their holdings in fossil fuels under pressure from customers and non-profit organizations. Why do governments disinvest? Some believe that “the government has no business being in business”.  Government’s role is to facilitate a healthy business environment but the core competence of a government does not lie in selling fuel or steel at a profit With governments always having to spend more than they earn through taxes and other means, additional income from the proceeds of a stake sale is always welcome.  In the case of India now, it has fallen to the government to spend higher amounts on infrastructure to boost economic growth, along with its commitments on health and education. Disinvestment in India: Under then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, the country saw a steady flow of disinvestment decisions.  Privatisation, where buyers took over management control, began later under the National Democratic Alliance governments.  Arun Shourie, the country’s first Disinvestment Minister, gave an impetus to the exercise.  He is credited with the privatisation of Maruti, Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd., Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited and Hindustan Zinc through the strategic sale process. Major divestment steps were taken in past by BJP-led NDA government (1999-2004), made four strategic disinvestment's - in Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and Hindustan Zinc (both to Sterlite Industries), Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (to Reliance Industries) and VSNL(to the Tata group), While track record and future of these companies were good. BJP led NDA Government (1999-2004) has also been criticized for divestment of IPCL, in which Reliance industries bid very high as compared to other competitors. Again in starting from 2014 to 2018 BJP led NDA government divested total Rs 1,94,646 crore , which also includes minority and majority stake sale of most profitable Public sector undertaking companies, like ONGC-HPCL deal worth Rs 36,915 crore.  In budgetary announcement of financial year 2017-18 The Finance Minister noted that the government initiated strategic disinvestment in 24 PSUs, including Air India, this fiscal.  Current situation: India is currently facing an economic slowdown in which indirect tax collections are below par.  The government has cut corporate tax rates hoping that companies will use these savings for price cuts or dividend payouts, or for investments that create jobs.  As consumption is highly muted, the Central government may look to place more disposable cash in the hands of the taxpayer through lowering personal income tax rates.  As a result of cut and to-be-cut tax rates, the government would have less and less cash for its own expenditure in infrastructure and the social sector. If the fiscal deficit goes out of hand, lowering the country’s investment grade — could fall on India’s neck.  This would make any future foreign currency loans costlier, both for the country and for large Indian conglomerates whose fortunes rise and fall with the local economy. Conclusion: Meeting the year’s disinvestment target, if not exceeding it, would give the government some respite from the string of bad fiscal news that has been flowing its way. Connecting the dots: Why do governments divest stake in public sector undertakings? Examine POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Floor test in Maharashtra Context: The Supreme Court had ordered the floor test in Maharashtra on Monday.  In its order, it referred to cases in the past where it had directed the holding of a floor test to establish whether the political party/alliance that staked a claim for government formation had the requisite majority. Here is a recap of these cases from various states and the circumstances that led to the Supreme Court court’s intervention. Floor test: A floor test can be explained as a motion initiated by the government in position seeking to know if it enjoys the confidence of the legislature.  As part of this procedure, the chief minister appointed by the governor will be asked to prove majority on the Legislative Assembly’s floor. How is a floor test conducted? When a floor test is called for in the assembly of a state, the chief minister will move a vote of confidence and prove that he has the majority support. If the floor test fails, the chief minister will have to resign.  The whole idea of a floor test is incorporated in the constitution of India to ensure transparency in the constitutional process. How is the voting done? These are the modes by which voting can be conducted: Voice vote: In a voice vote, the legislators respond orally. Division vote: In case of a division vote, voting is done using electronic gadgets, slips or in a ballot box. Ballot vote: Ballot box is usually a secret vote - just like how people vote during state or parliamentary elections.  If there is a tie: Following the vote, the person who has the majority will be allowed to form the government. In case there is a tie, the speaker can cast his vote Pro-tem speaker : The pro-tem speaker's role is crucial in conducting a floor test. Conventionally, the longest serving House member is nominated as pro tem speaker, whose role is limited to administering oath to new MLAs and conducting the election of the full-time speaker. S R Bommai v Union of India (1994) The concept of floor test was first established by the Supreme Court in 1994 in the landmark case of S R Bommai.  In this case, it was alleged that the Janata Party government led by Bommai did not enjoy a majority in the Karnataka legislature.  The court held that, wherever a doubt arises whether the Council of Ministers has lost the confidence of the House, the only way of testing it is on the floor of the House. Jagdambika Pal v Union of India (1999) The events that led to this case coming before the Supreme Court were less than pleasant. In 1996, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections resulted in none of the contesting parties winning a clear majority.  The Supreme Court then ordered a composite floor test to determine who enjoyed a majority in the UP Assembly. The court also gave specific instructions about how the test should be conducted. Union of India v Harish Chandra Singh Rawat (2016) The case in Uttarakhand was a little different. Here the controversy regarding a majority did not occur after the elections to the state legislature. The Congress government led by Harish Rawat had been in power since 2012.  It was towards the end of its tenure in 2016, that controversy erupted on the floor of the House. A few rebel MLAs from the Congress party alleged that an appropriation Bill was passed without the government enjoying a majority in the legislature. Thereafter, President’s Rule was imposed in the State.  In response, Rawat approached the Supreme Court, which ordered an immediate floor test, after suspending President’s Rule for two hours. A gain the Supreme Court ordered video recordings of the floor test proceedings and also asked that the result of the floor test be brought before it. Chandrakant Kavlekar v Union of India (2017) This case from Goa was a result of the Governor inviting Manohar Parrikar of the BJP to form the government in the State.  The BJP had won 13 of the 40 seats in the Goa legislature and had claimed the support of smaller parties for forming the government.  The Supreme Court, while ordering a floor test in this case, held, “The holding of the floor test would remove all possible ambiguities, and would result in giving the democratic process the required credibility.” Connecting the dots: The vacuum is unhealthy for democracy as it inevitably leads to horse trading. The only way to end the imbroglio is to hold a floor test. 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) Consider the following statements about Saakshar Bharat Programme The principal target of the programme is to impart functional literacy to 70 million non-literate adults in the age group of 45 years and beyond. It is being implemented by Ministry of Human Resource Development Which of the 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 Golden Rice It is claimed to be able to fight Vitamin A deficiency, which is the leading cause of blindness among children Indiais on the verge of becoming the first country to approve plantation of this variety. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Atapaka Bird Sanctuary is located in which State of India? Tamil Nadu Karnataka Odisha Andhra Pradesh Q.4) Global Environmental outlook is released by which Organisation/body? UNESCO World Economic Forum Greenpeace International (NGO) United Nations Environment Programme Q.5) Consider the following statements about Cartosat-3 It is a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability. It will be launched by GSLV MK-III from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 26 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 C 3 A 4 A 5 A MUST READ Not so swachh: On sanitation goals The Hindu The misadventure of a new citizenship regime The Hindu Buoyant Market, Sullen Economy ET The results of the NSO survey 2017-18 are truly bizarre IE

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