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UPSC PREPARATION- NEW BATCH: Integrated Learning Programme (ILP-2020) ENROLL NOW! (15% DISCOUNT IN ILP TO OLD USERS)

UPSC PREPARATION-Integrated Learning Programme (ILP-2020) Dear Friends, The wait is finally over! The wait for the most reliable, effective and affordable programme for UPSC Preparation – Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) 2020. Based on numerous requests, we have come up with a new batch starting on 20th NOVEMBER.  Many of you had requested to join the programme at this point. You have sufficient time to cover-up the course syllabus and make your chance count for upcoming attempt. New Batch Students will have access to VAN and other contents in advance and can prepare according to their flexible time-table. You won't have to waste time in content creation and can focus exclusively on preparation. NOTE- OLD USERS OF ILP/AIPTS- 15% DISCOUNT FOR ILP 2020- Use Instamojo ID and Previous Registered Email while making Payment. Or email to ilp@iasbaba.com for assistance.  Let us begin by thanking all of you who have made ILP a grand success beginning from the year 2016. The years 2018 and 2019 is a monument year for IASbaba for two reasons. READ THE TESTIMONIALS ABOUT THE PROGRAMME One, way back in 2015 we had said that ILP would stand out as the most comprehensive tool for UPSC preparation and yes now most of you would have realized the same in 2018. Two, when the storm brews and brews strong, its IASbaba who has been standing tall! 200+ selections in the span of just three years (2016, 2017, 2018) including Ranks 4, 5, 6 and 9 in TOP 10. 100+ selections in ILP alone. This year as well, we have many Ranks from ILP. You can check last year’s result here- Click Here Hundreds of time we have told students not to depend on mere last minute tools, some compilations or series (which UPSC tracks) and blindly trust them and finally end up in the ditch. Aspirants fail to realise that it is not the last minute miracle but consistent effort throughout the journey. It is the process that is important. It is the process that is sustainable. And yes ILP is that!! And this is not a mere coincidence, we have done it year on year from the day of our genesis. Year on Year ILP has proven to be the indestructible tool!! Hitting the bull’s eye year after year: In the last three years, ILP has been bang on target with a hit ratio of more than 65%, a figure remarkably high keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of UPSC. With a knack of getting it right ILP has become a reliable name: 2016 Prelims: 68+ questions 2017 Prelims: 70+ questions 2018 Prelims- 63+ questions 2019 Prelims- 70+ questions Our Hit Ratio in Mains and Prelims- 2017, which is close to 85 % and 70% respectively – How IASbaba was helpful in Mains 2017  and 68+ in UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017-How IASbaba Helped One to Get MAINS Call! Our Hit Ratio in Mains and Prelims- 2018, How IASbaba was helpful in Mains 2018 and 60+ in UPSC Prelims 2018 Our Hit Ratio in Mains and Prelims- 2019, How IASbaba was helpful in Mains 2019 and 70+ in UPSC Prelims 2019 82+ UPSC CSE 2018 TOPPER’S from IASbaba CLICK TO SEE FULL FEATURES & SAMPLES HERE    BASIC FEATURES OF ILP PROGRAMME  Integration of Prelims, Mains and Interview Preparation: Smartness is to integrate your preparation in a common string of theme-based understanding of concepts. ILP has been designed minutely to meet this need. You will prepare for concepts in entirety keeping in mind the needs and orientation required for each stage of the examination. Detailed Study Plan: Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. ILP does the planning for you in the most systematic and logical way. The plans are made to keep you on track as well on your toes. In the plan, you will get pointwise coverage of the syllabus, sources to refer and focus areas. Comprehensive Value Add Notes (VAN): With our value add notes (VAN), you will be able to declutter the complexity of UPSC syllabus. The VANs are high-quality specialised reading materials to give you an edge over your competitors. VANs have been designed intelligently to give separate prelims and mains focus pointers to make your understanding seamless and smooth. You need not look beyond sources other than the standard ones and our VAN. Babapedia for Comprehensive Current Affairs coverage: All your current affairs woes will be gone with Babapedia (PRELIMS)– one of its kind compendium of current affairs. It gets updated on a daily basis. You will never be required to do the drudgery of note making for current affairs. The only thing required of you is to log into your ILP account every morning and go through the precise and crisp current affairs notes updated daily on Babapedia! Isn’t that awesome? Mainspedia (Mains Datahub): One of its kind platform (New Feature this Year) for Mains Answer Writing Skills; best data organisation and usage for examination. It is arranged and organized into various subtopics for all the contemporary aspects related to Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4. Under each topic, various subsections will be created and it will be updated regularly for you to have the best material/data at one place. You can keep making your own notes taking inputs from the data updated in Mainspedia on a regular basis. Mainspedia will have inputs from all possible contemporary issues and from all possible resources like newspapers, government websites etc. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SAMPLE Abhivyakti (The Social Media of ILP) for query resolution and discussions: Each year we have a vibrant and engaging ILP community. Abhivyakti gives the ILP members a platform to get their queries addressed by IASbaba and peers and also initiate discussions/debates on important issues. You can shift your attention away from the time-wasting online forums that take away the sheen from your preparation. Prelims Mock Tests with detailed Solutions: High-quality tests with detailed solutions will help you keep a track on your preparation. You will also get the chance to compete with thousands of sincere aspirants from the ILP community. Mains Mock Tests with detailed Synopsis: What makes ILP even more special is the integration of mains mocks. With the VAN and mains mocks with detailed synopsis, your mains preparation will always be on track. Note that Mains Answers won't be evaluated. Only Synopsis will be provided.  Essay Guidance and many more: We always strive to deliver more than we promise. You will be getting many surprises during your engagement with ILP. DOWNLOAD- ILP 2020-NEW COURSE PLAN DOWNLOAD-MAINSPEDIA DOWNLOAD-TOPIC LISTING FOR PRELIMS NOTE- You can also follow Old Batch (Freshers or Veterans Plan) if wish to. The Old Batch Plan and content will be available on the ILP Platform.  DETAILED STUDY PLAN OF SYLLABUS It is a detailed plan covering the Prelims & Mains Syllabus which will take care of your overall preparation in the form of planned targets, sources to refer and introspective tests. This is the heart and soul of ILP-2020 that needs to be followed with utmost sincerity. Sources- The sources to be referred have been kept to the minimum. It has been done to prevent a candidate from wasting their precious time in going through the repetitive and irrelevant sources available in the market. Revision- Due consideration has been given for Revision that will help to consolidate what you have learnt in a week’s time. Since the process is long and intensive, the lack of revision can be fatal. Therefore, we have given adequate room for revision and consolidation. VALUE ADD NOTES (VAN)- MAINS & PRELIMS MIND MAPS FOR MAINS MAINSPEDIA (MAINS DATAHUB) - ONE OF ITS KIND PLATFORM FOR MAINS ANSWER WRITING SKILL, BEST DATA ORGANIZATION & USAGE FOR EXAM. BABAPEDIA- PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS ABHIVYAKTI (THE SOCIAL MEDIA OF ILP) PRELIMS TEST- 40 General Studies Tests and 10 CSAT Tests. IASbaba is known for its quality coverage and it is a testimony that we have been able to HIT the bull's eye in Prelims and Mains both over the period of last 4 years. The closeness and exact repetition of Questions from our Tests needs no mention. The Prelims Tests are designed carefully and with a lot of efforts to match the standards set by UPSC. Through these tests, the candidates will be able to gauge their performance and standing on a regular basis. Detailed solutions will be provided after the tests. Detailed Solution Techniques to Decipher the Correct Answer (Elimination Technique). Since the scores and ranks will be displayed after every test, one can clearly monitor his/her progress in a continuous manner. All India Ranking and Detailed Assessment of your performance based on Subject Areas will be provided so that one can introspect the strength and weaknesses in their preparation level. REVISION TEST AND FULL MOCK TESTS Tests intended to make the candidates revise the previously covered topics shall be posted on a regular basis along with detailed solutions, scores, and ranking (as per the given Plan) CSAT TESTS-10 FULL MOCKS MAINS MOCKS AND SYNOPSIS- Before and after Prelims (More than 35 in numbers). Note that ILP does not include Mains Answer Evaluation. For Evaluation, interested aspirants can join our C2C Mains Answer Evaluation Programme which will start in November 2019. Till then consolidate your preparation through ILP and Mainspedia. Along with that, you can participate in our flagship TLP program also. ESSAY GUIDANCE- MODEL ESSAY & MAINSPEDIA CONTENT. NOTE- Post-Prelims Plan for Mains will be provided once UPSC finalize the Examinations Dates AFTER MAKING PAYMENT ONLINE It will take a few hours to login once you make an online payment. You will receive a Receipt/Mail with Login Details. Do not worry it may take 2-3 hours time since it is automated. You can always mail for any technical issue on given email ID (below) Login URL- ilp2020.iasbaba.com   FEE DETAILS Like last year, we have not increased the FEE of ILP,  not even the taxable amount. ILP 2020-NEW BACTH- 9999/-+Tax PAYMENT LINK-> CLICK HERE For any query related to ILP 2020 contact us at ilp@iasbaba.com Offline Payment Details: Please mail us the acknowledgement at ilp@iasbaba.com if making offline payment.  Bank details BANK Name CANARA BANK BANK BRANCH BANGALORE KLE SOCIETY ACCOUNT NAME IASBABA ACCOUNT NUMBER 8418201003785 IFSC CODE CNRB0008418 ACCOUNT TYPE CURRENT ACCOUNT So what are you waiting for? Come, join us and let us write your success story! On an ending note, we reiterate our AIM – “To help an aspirant preparing in the remotest part of the country to secure Rank 1” All the best IASbaba Team

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Cancer Care facilities Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II - Health In News India’s cancer care infrastructure is “highly inadequate” and forces a majority of patients to travel “thousands of kilometres” for treatment The “systematic failure” to address the needs of patients contributes to a 20% higher mortality among Indian cancer patients than in countries with a “high” Human Development Index, said a report by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology and Environment. Mortality to incidence ratio of 0.68 in India is higher than that in very high human development index (HDI) countries (0.38) and high HDI countries (0.57). The committee was constituted to examine an expanded role for the Department of Atomic Energy, through the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), to address India’s rising cancer burden. The committee recommended t a ‘Hub and Spoke Model’(already in practice in Punjab) proposed by the TMC to better reach out to cancer patients nationally. Do You Know? The incidence, or the number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer annually, is about 16 lakh in India.  The disease kills 8 lakh people annually in India. India’s cancer burden is expected to increase from an estimated 13 lakh cases in 2018 to about 17 lakh in 2035, and cancer deaths are expected to rise from 8.8 lakh in 2018 to 13 lakh in 2035. Two-thirds of India's cancer patients were treated in the private sector and this forced 6 crore Indians below the poverty line because of “catastrophic healthcare related expenditure on cancer”. e-NAM Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III –Economy In News States were being “cajoled to reject” the agricultural produce marketing committee (APMC) system in favour of E-NAM i.e. National Agriculture Market which is a pan-India electronic trading (e-trading) portal. It seeks to network the existing physical regulated wholesale market (known as APMC market) through a virtual platform to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. Only 1.6 crore farmers have registered on the portal so far, from among the almost 12 crore cultivators in the country but only about half of those registered have benefited from the platform. Out of almost 2,500 APMCs, 585 in 18 States have been connected to the e-NAM portal so far. Interstate trade, which has the potential to give farmers wider market access and better prices, has 21 APMC mandi participants in 8 States so far. NABARD is now ready to operationalise a ₹2,000 crore agri-market infrastructure fund aimed at upgrading 585 APMCs and 10,000 gramin agricultural markets About APMC It is a statutory market committee constituted by a State Government in respect of trade in certain notified agricultural or horticultural or livestock products,under the APMC Act issued by that state government. The whole geographical area in the State is divided and each one is declared as a market area which is managed by the Market Committee (APMC) constituted by the State Government.  Once a particular area is declared as a market area and falls under the jurisdiction of a Market Committee, no person or agency is allowed to freely carry on wholesale marketing activities.  APMC Acts provide that first sale in the notified agricultural commodities produced in the region such as cereals, pulses, edible oilseed, fruits, vegetables etc., can be conducted only under the aegis of the APMC, through its licensed commission agents.  The producers of agricultural products are thus forced to do their first sale in these markets which in reality works as cartel deny fair price discovery of agricultural produce. Tiger Triumph Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II – International Relations In News Tiger Triumph is the maiden India- US joint Tri services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise. The Exercise is aimed to developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations. Indian Naval ships Jalashwa, Airavat and Sandhayak, Indian Army troops from 19 Madras and 7 Guards, and Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters and Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) would be participating in the exercise. The US would be represented by US Navy Ship Germantown with troops from US Third Marine Division. Pneumonia, diarrhoea still a big threat Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II - Health In News The 10th Pneumonia and Diarrhoea Progress Report was released by the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health This report analyses how effectively countries are delivering 10 key interventions, including breastfeeding, vaccination, access to care, use of antibiotics, ORS, and zinc supplementation. In India, Pneumonia killed more than 1.27 lakh children under five- accounting for 14% of child deaths. India’s has high breastfeeding rate, at 55%, however, the proportion of children receiving important treatments remains below targets. Half of the children with diarrhoea receive ORS (oral rehydration solution) and 20% receive zinc supplementation — to help protect against, prevent and treat pneumonia and diarrhoea Rollout of rotavirus vaccines, beginning in 2016, and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, beginning in 2017, helped India’s improve on these parameters. In 2017, the highest risk factors for child pneumonia death in India were: 53% caused by child wasting, 27% by outdoor air pollution, and 22% caused by indoor air pollution from solid fuels. Globally, pneumonia and diarrhoea led to nearly one of every four deaths in children under five years of age in 2017. Miscellaneous MaulanaAbulKalam Azad National Education Day was celebrated on November 11 to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abu lKalam Azad. He was the first Education Minister of independent India, who served from 15 August 1947 until 2 February 1958. Under his leadership, the Ministry of Education established the first Indian Institute of Technology in 1951 and the University Grants Commission in 1953. He also laid emphasis on the development of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the Faculty of Technology of the Delhi University.  As Chairman of the Central Advisory Board of Education, he gave thrust to adult literacy, universal primary education, free and compulsory for all children up to the age of 14, girls education, and diversification of secondary education and vocational training. (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests 
 Bolivia Crisis Context: The President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, has resigned amid turmoil following his disputed re-election last month. He has been in power for nearly 14 years. He left the post after losing the support of the army and the police. Bolivia has been rattled by weeks of anti-government protests following the reports of election fraud [caption id="attachment_52513" align="aligncenter" width="402"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th November 2019[/caption] Src: Click here The Bolivia is a landlocked country located in South America. It is bordered to the north and east by Brazil, to the southeast by Paraguay, to the south by Argentina, to the southwest by Chile, and to the northwest by Peru. Alongside Paraguay, it is one of the only two landlocked countries in the Americas Rise of Evo Morales – Socialist Leader who enjoyed support from within and beyond Bolivia He rose to prominence as a labour union leader among coca leaf growers, promoting the rights of Bolivia’s Indigenous majority. His passionate defence of the farmers and indigenous people led to clash with the country’s conservative and overwhelmingly white political elite. In 2006, he became Bolivia’s first Indigenous president since the country’s independence from Spain two centuries ago.  He quickly moved to empower Indigenous people, redistribute the nation’s natural gas wealth and bring infrastructure to poor communities, measures that made him the most popular Bolivian politician in decades Unlike his high-spending left-wing allies in Venezuela and Argentina, however, Mr. Morales combined redistribution with maintaining a balanced budget and wooing international investors. Impact of his redistributive Policies Benefiting from the commodity boom in the 2000s, Mr. Morales transformed Bolivia, one of South America’s poorest nations, into one of its most dynamic economies, Under his fairly good track record, Bolivia has seen a drop in extreme poverty, from 33% of the population in 2006 to 15% last year. His government also stepped up public investments, opened more schools and health clinics.  The economy has also seen a steady growth rate (+4%) He easily won two re-elections, bringing political order to Bolivia, which had suffered chronic instability for decades. Beginning of authoritarianism In 2016, his push to end presidential term limits through a referendum failed. He then said he accepted the verdict.  But later, a constitutional court lifted the term limits, allowing the President to seek re-election Cracks began to appear in his Movement for Socialism party when he sought a fourth consecutive term earlier this year (2019), which was seen as Dictatorship by Morales Tensions first flared on the night of the presidential election after the results count was inexplicably stopped for 24 hours. The final result gave Mr Morales slightly more than the 10-percentage-point lead he needed to win outright in the first round of the race There were allegations of electoral fraud, which further weakened him and enraged people to protest against the government. Present Political Vacuum Presently, he is in asylum in Mexico and has vowed to fight the “coup”.  According to the Bolivian Constitution, if the President steps down, the Vice-President should take over. The heads of the Senate and chamber of deputies are the other leaders in the hierarchy who could assume acting presidency.  But in this case, all four officials, all Socialists, have resigned. And it has left a vacuum, which the military could exploit and further plunge the country into chaos. Way forward: Facing protests, Mr. Morales had offered another election. That should have been the way forward.  A free and fair election being held under the supervision of international electoral monitors would have allowed the Bolivians to choose their legitimate leader Connecting the dots: 21st century Socialist revolution is proving to be a failure in the light of political crisis in Bolivia. Elaborate. POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests BRICS 2020 Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Brazil for the 11th BRICS Summit This year's summit is significant for India as the joint working group on counter-terrorism has decided to constitute five sub-working groups on counterterrorism in areas like terrorist financing, use of the internet for terrorist purposes, countering radicalisation, issue of foreign terrorist fighters and capacity-building. summit will revolve around “economic growth for an innovative future” and focus on “cooperation on digital economy” and “fight against transnational crime” BRICS Business Council will take place, and BRICS MoU among Trade and Investment Promotion agencies will be signed. BRICS: Acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa joined  in 2010 All are members of G20 Represent over 3.1 billion people,  41% of the world population As of 2018 BRICS have US$40.55 trillion (32% of World's GDP PPP)  Bilateral relations among BRICS nations will be conducted on the basis of non-interference, equality, and mutual benefit. [caption id="attachment_52512" align="aligncenter" width="409"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th November 2019[/caption] Src: World economic forum  https://assets.weforum.org/editor/f4GUAPOD1eRPpOBlZ9jJWDgNPpAaK1RTfp2L6s6tb1Y.jpg Origin: The term "BRIC" was coined in 2001 by then-chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O'Neill, The BRIC grouping's first formal summit, also held in Yekaterinburg in 2009, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Dmitry Medvedev, Manmohan Singh, and Hu Jintao, the respective leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China, all attending. The summit's focus was on means of improving the global economic situation and reforming financial institutions Financial system in BRICS: There are two components that make up the financial architecture of BRICS, namely, the New Development Bank (NDB) (BRICS Development Bank) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA).  The New Development Bank (NDB) and Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) were signed into treaty at the 2014 BRICS summit in Brazil. Both of these components were signed into treaty in 2014 and became active in 2015. New Development Bank Based in Shanghai. Multilateral development bank operated by the BRICS states.  The bank's primary focus of lending will be infrastructure projects with authorized lending of up to $34 billion annually. The bank will have starting capital of $50 billion, with capital increased to $100 billion over time. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will initially contribute $10 billion each to bring the total to $50 billion. BRICS CRA: BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement Framework for providing protection against global liquidity pressures. This includes currency issues where members' national currencies are being adversely affected by global financial pressures. The CRA is generally seen as a competitor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and along with the New Development Bank is viewed as an example of increasing South-South cooperation. India & BRICS: India finds itself as one of the emerging economies in the grouping and beyond, especially G20.  BRICS now brings together five economies accounting for 42% of the world’s population, 23% of the global GDP and an around 17% share of world trade. BRICS has emerged the voice of developing countries, or the global south.  These countries face an aggressive club of developed countries, raising challenges on issues from WTO to climate change,  India believes BRICS has to protect the rights of the developing countries. Way forward: India has to maintain the balancing act between Russia-China on the one side and the US on the other.  India has had a growing role in global affairs in the last and is seen to be helping drive the global agenda. Conclusion: The Summit will be an opportunity for India to lay the groundwork for hosting the 2021 Summit scheduled in India. India will also be mindful of the fact that the G20 Summit to be hosted in India will take place in 2022, and this will be an opportunity to synergise the two agendas from New Delhi’s lens as well. Connecting the dots: India finds itself as one of the emerging economies in the BRICS grouping and beyond. Justify (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) National Education Day on November 11 is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of which leader? SarvapalliRadhakrishna Jawaharlal Nehru MaulanaAbulKalam Azad M Visvesvaraya Q.2) Tiger Triumph often seen in news is related to which of the following? Government of India scheme to double Tiger population by 2024 Initiative by West Bengal government to improve relations with neighbouring Bhutan Indo-US joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise. None of the above Q.3) Consider the following statementsabout Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) It is a statutory market committee constituted by a Central Government in respect of trade in certain notified agricultural or horticultural or livestock products APMC Acts provide that first sale in the notified agricultural commodities produced in the region can be conducted only under the aegis of the APMC 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 E-NAM ispan-India electronic trading portal that creates a unified national market for agricultural commodities E-NAM reduces transaction costs and information asymmetry thus enhancing the income for farmers Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 12 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 D 3 A 4 B 5 C MUST READ Anarchy in Bolivia: On Evo Morales’ exit The Hindu The problem with re-basing GDP estimates The Hindu BRICS strategic partnership for global stability, shared security and innovative growth The Hindu An apostle of peace ET Swachh Bharat: Urban areas require a different approach to end open defecation IE SC’s offer of five-acre plot to compensate for Babri demolition is charity by privileged to the underprivileged IE

RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Dairy Industry & FTA

Dairy Industry & FTA Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests  In News: A few days ago India decided against joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership - RCEP which is a free trade agreement between more than dozen counties. In the run up to the RCEP meet, the domestic Dairy Industry has been vocal about its apprehensions regarding this FTA.  Why is the Industry apprehensive? India has been the leading producer and consumer of dairy products with a sustained growth over the years. Estimated production of milk in 2018-19 was 187 million tonnes. Milk is equally important to both farmers and consumers.  Cheaper dairy products from New Zealand would  Worsen the trade deficit Dent the domestic industry – If India signs the RCEP, without exemptions for dairy and its products, it would allow the dairy industry of Australia and New Zealand to unfairly target its huge market. Indian products would start facing stiff competition from Australian and New Zealand products  Will lead to unemployment and worse living conditions - There are 70 million households dependent on dairy in India, the corresponding number is just 10,000 in New Zealand and 6,300 in Australia. The unit cost of milk production is relatively low in countries like New Zealand because of extensive grazing lands (which reduce feed costs), mechanised operations and the advantages of economies of large-scale production, and the high productivity of milch animals According to estimations made by Amul, if free imports of skimmed milk powder from New Zealand are permitted, the average price for milk received by an Indian dairy farmer would fall to ₹19/l (presently it is ₹30/l). In turn, that will lead to decline in the cattle rearing and proper care for them which will lead in the decline of population. India will cease to become self-sufficient – India’s dairy sector provides livelihood to about 70 million households. A key feature of India’s dairy sector is the predominance of small producers. In 2017, if the average herd size in a dairy farm was 191 in the U.S., 355 in Oceania, 148 in the U.K. and 160 in Denmark, it was just 2 in India Yet, due to Operation Flood after the 1960s, India’s contribution to world milk production rose from 5% in 1970 to 20% in 2018. As a result, India does not import or export milk in any significant quantity. In 2033, India’s milk production would rise to 330 MMT while its milk demand would be 292 MMT. Thus, India is likely to be a milk-surplus country by 2033 India’s average bound tariff for dairy products is about 63.8% while its average applied tariff is 34.8%. Joining RCEP would have bound India to reduce that level to zero within the next 15 years.  RCEP could perhaps end up doing to dairy what the free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) did in palm oil, fear many in the industry in India. Way forward: India needs to reduce the unit cost of milk production improved feeds, mechanised operations and increasing the productivity of milch animals. India should ensure that its concerns are addressed if it wants to join RCEP in future, by providing adequate room for India government to protect Indian farmers. Note:  Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its six FTA partners (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand). RCEP member states accounted for a population of 3.5 billion people with a total (GDP) of $49.5 trillion, approximately 39 percent of the world’s GDP Milk in India: Milk is the India’s largest “crop”.  In 2018-19, the estimated production of milk, at 187.75 million tonnes (mt). The value of milk output (Rs 5,63,250 crore at an average farm-gate rate of Rs 30/kg)  Milk is a source of liquidity for farmers, as it is sold daily and generates cash to take care of routine household expenses, unlike other crops that are marketed only once or twice a year. Milk matters equally to consumers in India, because it meets the animal protein/fat requirements of a significant portion of the population that is vegetarian. Connecting the dots: Joining RCEP would have had high socio-economic costs on Indian dairy farmers. Elaborate. Milk and dairy industries are highly developed in the USA, Europe and New Zealand? Why? Also, explain their distribution in these locations.

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) IIP shrinks by 4.3% to lowest in 8 years Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Economy In News Industrial activity in September contracted sharply by 4.3%, driven by major contractions in the capital goods (20.7%), mining(8.5%), and manufacturing sectors(3.8%). This is the first time after November 2012 that all three broad-based sectors have contracted and the lowest monthly growth in the 2011-12 base year series While the slowdown is broadbased, including FMCG consumption demand, the largest contributor was mining, the proximate reason being the excess rains this year in the coal and mineral mining belts India’s core sector output contracted 5.2% in September, posting its worst performance in 14 years. The Indian economy may be presently facing a structural growth slowdown originating from declining household savings rate and low agricultural growth About IIP IIP is a composite indicator measuring changes in the volume of production of a basket of industrial products over a period of time, with respect to a chosen base period. The base year used for IIP calculations is 2011-12It is compiled and published on a monthly basis by the Central Statistical Office with a time lag of six weeks from the reference month. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Product, Steel, Cement and Electricity are known as Core Industries. The eight Core Industries comprise nearly 37.9 % of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).  Do You Know? The RBI has cut interest rates by a cumulative 135 basis points this year and will review monetary policy early next month (December 5) Moody’s Investor Service lowered its outlook on India’s sovereign rating (Baa2) to negative from stable, saying that the domestic economic downturn could be structural, as opposed to cyclical, implying that more policy changes were needed in order to revive growth. [caption id="attachment_52470" align="aligncenter" width="487"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th November 2019[/caption] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/img/72015450/Master.jpg Radio channel to guide farmers on climate change Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III –Environment Conservation0 In News The Maharashtra State Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices is planning to start a dedicated community radio channel to inform farmers about climate change and help resolve their problems. The radio station will be based at Lodaga village in Latur district Climate change is a major problem for the agriculture sector in Maharashtra as well as in the country. Maharashtra has experienced a moody climate in past few months, where it saw heavy monsoon rains in Satara and Sangli and the post-monsoon showers damaged crops in Marathwada region. To address the issues of cultivators, the commission will form a committee of five to six members, comprising experts from KrishiVigyan Kendras, the State agriculture department and private companies working in the field of agriculture and technology. KrsihiVigyan Kendra (KVK)  They are agricultural extension centres created by ICAR (Indian Council for Agricultural Research) and its affiliated institutions at district level to provide various types of farm support to the agricultural sector. The first KVK was established during 1974 (Pondichery) . The mandate of KVK is Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development of farmers. KVK would produce quality technological products (seed, planting material, bio-agents, livestock) and make it available to farmers, organize frontline extension activities, identify and document selected farm innovations and converge with ongoing schemes and programmes, so as to improve agricultural productivity. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)  It is an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare , Government of India.  Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.  The ICAR has its headquarters at New Delhi. The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.  SurangaBawadi Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I – Ancient History In News SurangaBawadi, an integral part of the ancient Karez system of supplying water through subterranean tunnels built during AdilShahi era in Vijayapura (Karnataka) is now set to get funding for restoration The monument has been selected under the “Ancient Water System of the Deccan Plateau” by the World Monuments Fund (New York based NGO), which monitors restoration of ancient monuments across the globe With this, the SurangaBawadi is expected to get funds for restoration within the next two years. The NGO would also coordinate with the authorities concerned for restoration and create awareness on its importance. Though the Karez system was built in the 16th century by Ali Adil Shah–I, his successor, Ibrahim Adil Shah–II, brought in several changes by adding more structures to strengthen it. According to historians, the AdilShahis built the magnificent underground system to supply water to the city, which had a population of nearly 12 lakh then. Anaemia Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II - Health In News Anaemia among men in India is an important public health problem with State-level prevalence in men varying from 9.2% in Manipur to 32.9% in Bihar Anaemia a condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of haemoglobin in the blood. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body's organs.Symptoms may include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, light-headedness, dizziness or a fast heartbeat This finding were revealed in a study titled ‘Anaemia among men in India: A nationally representative cross-sectional study’ published in Lancet Global Health. The study is aimed to determine the national prevalence of anaemia among men in India; variation in prevalence of anaemia across States by socio-demographic characteristics; whether these geographical and socio-demographic variations are similar to that among women etc. The study will help to inform whether anaemia reduction efforts for men should be coupled with existing efforts for women. An estimated 21.7% of men with any degree of anaemia had moderate or severe anaemia compared with 53.2% of women with any anaemia. Thallassemia It is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form or inadequate amount of hemoglobin. Thalassemia is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells that make hemoglobin — the substance in your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. The mutations associated with thalassemia are passed from parents to children. This causes anemia. With anemia, the blood doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues — leaving the person fatigued. New National Water Policy (NWP) Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II –Polity & Governance In News The Union Water Resources Ministry has finalised a committee to draft a new National Water Policy (NWP).  The 10-member committee will be chaired by Mihir Shah, who is a former Planning Commission member and a water expert The committee is expected to produce a report within six months. The committee will recommend measures to make key changes in water governance structure and regulatory framework.  A National Bureau of Water Use Efficiencywas mooted during discussion stage. The NWP currently in force was drafted in 2012. Some of the key provisions of NWP 2012 are The concept of an Integrated Water Resources Management approach that took the “river basin/ sub-basin” as a unit for planning, development and management of water resources. It also proposed that a portion of river flows ought to be kept aside to meet ecological needs.  Such an approach led to the government, in 2018, requiring minimum water levels to be maintained in the Ganga all through the year and hydropower projects to refrain from hoarding water beyond a point. The policy also stressed for a minimum quantity of potable water for essential health and hygiene to all its citizens to be made available within easy reach of households. Capacity-building programme for Afghan diplomats Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – International Relations In News Indian and Chinese officials began a course to train diplomats from Afghanistan at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), New Delhi run by the External Affairs Ministry.  The two-week intensive programme is designed to give the visiting Afghan diplomats exposure to Indian diplomatic practices and traditions. FSI and the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) were parties to a BRICS-level MoU to train diplomats The joint training of Afghan diplomats is part of the outcome of the Wuhan Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.  Accordingly, the first joint training programme was held from October 15 to 26 in 2018. 179 Afghan diplomats had been trained at the FSI till date, the largest number of diplomats to be trained from any country at the institute. (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Kalapani issue Context: India has upset Nepal after a new map it released last week showed the disputed Kalapani area as a part of Uttarakhand.  Responding to Nepal’s statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said, “Our map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India. The new map has in no manner revised our boundary with Nepal. The boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing mechanism.” India – Nepal borders: [caption id="attachment_52471" align="aligncenter" width="481"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th November 2019[/caption] Src: Indianepal India shares borders with China, Nepal, Burma (Myanmar), Pakistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan.  Indian states that share border with Nepal are Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal and Bihar.  Uttar Pradesh shares the longest international border with Nepal. About Kalapani: [caption id="attachment_52392" align="aligncenter" width="446"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019[/caption] Src : Indian Express Kalapani is a territory disputed between India and Nepal, but under Indian administration as part of Pithoragarh district in the Uttarakhand state.  It is marked by the Kalapani river, one of the headwaters of the Kali River in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3600 meters.  The Great Sage Vyasa meditated at this place Claimed by Nepal as part of Darchula District,Kalapani is controlled by India's Indo-Tibetan Border Police since the 1962 border war with China. Indian claim: The 1816 Treaty of Segauli, signed between British India and Nepal, defined river Mahakali as the western border of Nepal.  River Mahakali has several tributaries, all of which merge at Kalapani. India claims that the river begins in Kalapani as this is where all its tributaries merge.  The Indian side contends that river Mahakali begins where Lipu Gad meets the Kalapani springs India has presented administrative and tax records dating back to the 1830s.  According to these records since then Kalapani was part of the Pithoragarh district. India has also shown surveys of the upper reaches of river Mahakali conducted by the British Indian government during the 1870s,which showed Kalapani as a part of British Indian territory. Nepal claim: Nepal claims that Mahakali begins from Lipu Lekh Pass, the origin of most of its tributaries Nepal has presented similar maps from 1850 and 1856, showing that river Mahakali begins in Kalapani. Nepali authorities claim that people living in the low-density area were included in the Census of Nepal until 58 years ago. A committee formed by the Nepal government to study this claim submitted a report to Prime Minister Oli during his first tenure. It claimed that India had “occupied” an additional 62 sq km land. Aftermath: Nepalese government was forced to take up the issue given the pressure from rising Nepali nationalism. The two countries had formed the Joint Technical Boundary Committee in 1981 to resolve the dispute.  Though the committee managed to resolve a large part of the dispute, they failed to reach a final settlement It  emerged as a contentious issue between India and Nepal after the two countries signed the Treaty of Mahakali in 1996. The Prime Ministers of the two countries discussed the issue in 2000, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee assuring Nepal that India would not occupy even an inch of Nepal. Crux: Apart from Kalapani, another unresolved issue involves a vast area along the Nepal-Uttar Pradesh border.  During his visit to Nepal in 2014, Prime Minister Modi had said that the Susta and Kalapani issues would be sorted out. Connecting the dots: Sensitive issues such as border need to be handled carefully and India has to be mindful of Nepal’s concerns. Analyse POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests H-1B, H-4 visas Context: A United States court ruled that a group of American-born tech workers have faced heightened job competition from work authorisations given to the spouses of H-1B visa holders(H-4).  The judges gave Indian workers living in the US short-term breathing room by leaving the final decision of the ongoing lawsuit up to a lower court. Law suit: The “Save Jobs USA” suit was originally filed in 2015 by two IT workers and one systems analyst against the US Department of Homeland Security.  Their affidavits stated that they worked for more than 15 years at Southern California Edison until they were fired and replaced by H-1B visa holders. The suit argued that the H-4 work authorisation violates immigration law and exceeds Homeland Security’s authority. Homeland Security maintained that the damage done to the plaintiffs was due to the H-1B programme, not the work authorisation given to the spouses.  They argued that there was no direct competition between the tech workers and the H-4 visa holders. Judgement: The judges disagreed with Homeland Security that the H-4 work authorisation is also not at fault H-1B visa: The H-1B is a visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act Allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.  A specialty occupation requires the application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or the equivalent of work experience. The duration of stay is three years, extendable to six years Laws limit the number of H-1B visas issued each year: 85000 Employers must generally withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from the wages paid to employees in H-1B status. H-4 visa: An H-4 visa is a visa issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to immediate family members of the H-1B visa holders. These visas are usually issued at the local US consulate office abroad.  Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amended the regulations to allow these H-4 dependent spouses to accept employment in the United States.  H-4 dependent spouses are also eligible to receive social security numbers•(Barack Obama-era 2015) India and H1- B visa: Since the law was instituted, a total of 1,20,514 H-4 visas have been granted, of which 1,10,649 have come from India.  Out of the 90,946 that were initially approved, 84,935 were for women.  Out of the 4,19,637 H-1B applications in 2018, 74% came from India. (most from IT) [caption id="attachment_52472" align="aligncenter" width="405"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th November 2019[/caption] Src: Indian Express H-1B visa in trump administration: Higher H-1B denials, under the executive order “Buy American and Hire American”. H-4 visas issued at a much lower rate, with initial approvals dipping from 31,017 in 2016 to 27, 6,800 in 2019. Indian outsourcing corporates such as Tata, Infosys, and Wipro faced denial rates of 28%-46% from 2015-19.  U S-based companies such as Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and Cognizant saw 18%-52% rejection rates Big Tech companies like Apple, Google and Facebook faced little change in H-1B visa. Connecting the dots: Trump administration wants to make it more difficult for well-educated foreign nationals to work in America in science and engineering fields and it will have a negative impact on India too. Substantiate (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) SurangaBawadi system of water management found in Northern Karnatakawas built during which ruler’s period? Rashtrakutas Kakatiyas AdilShahis Chalukyas Q.2) Which of the following are the focus areas of research of ICAR? Genetic potential enhancement of agricultural commodities. Agricultural productivity, efficiency and profitability improvement. Improve Nutritional food, and health security. Bio-security emerging from gene piracy and cross-border vector borne diseases. Select the correct answer from codes given below 1,2 and 3 Only 2,3 and 4Only 1,3 and 4 Only 1,2,3 and 4 Q.3) Index of Industrial Production is released by which body/ministry? Central Statistical Organisation Ministry of Commerce and Industry NITI Aayog None of the above Q.4) Consider the following statementsabout KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK) They are agricultural extension centres created by erstwhile Planning Commission The mandate of KVK is Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development of famers. 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 National Water Policy 2012 Major innovation of this policy was the concept of an Integrated Water Resources Management approach that took the “river basin/ sub-basin” as a unit for planning, development and management of water resources. It proposed that a portion of river flows ought to be kept aside to meet ecological needs. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 11 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 B 2 B 3 D 4 B 5 B MUST READ The extra mile: on Kartarpur corridor The Hindu Casting the Net wide: on Kerala’s plan for free Internet roll-out The Hindu A missed opportunity in Ayodhya The Hindu Revoking citizenship: on the Aatish Taseer case The Hindu An apostle of peace ET A path to hope via Kartarpur corridor? ET Award of five acres for masjid in Ayodhya is an effort to do complete justice IE

RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Archives TOPIC: General studies 2 International Relations  Policies of developed and developing countries and their impact on India’s interests  In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday proposed a new initiative to create a safe and secure maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific, indicating India's readiness to play a bigger role in the region where China has been expanding its military assertiveness.  PM Modi floated the idea of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative during his address at the 14th East Asia Summit, a premier forum in the Asia-Pacific region dealing with issues relating security and defence.  The ASEAN's current chair Thailand and Australia welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal. Reflecting growing congruence of interests in the region, senior officials of the Quad' countries also held consultations on the situation in the Indo-Pacific. The Focus areas include creating partnerships among interested states in  Enhancing maritime security Sustainably using marine resources Disaster prevention & management Capacity-building Cooperation in trade and maritime transport India’s Stand India’s Act East policy remains the bedrock of the national Indo-Pacific vision and the centrality of ASEAN is embedded in the Indian narrative.  India views the Indo-Pacific as a geographic and strategic expanse, with the 10 ASEAN countries connecting the two great oceans. Inclusiveness, openness, and ASEAN centrality and unity, therefore, lie at the heart of the Indian notion of Indo-Pacific. India has consistently been indicating that it was keen on playing a larger role in the Indo-Pacific region. The US has also been pushing for a greater role for India in the Indo-Pacific in an effort to contain China's growing clout in the region. In November last year, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending Quad Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence. PM Modi has also proposed an EAS seminar on maritime security in Chennai next year. India has been an active participant in mechanisms like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), in ASEAN-led frameworks like the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, the ASEAN Regional Forum as well as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and the Mekong-Ganga Economic Corridor. India has also been convening the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, in which the navies of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) participate. India has boosted its engagements with Australia and New Zealand and has deepened its cooperation with the Republic of Korea. Australia has already indicated its interest in working with India to develop the initiative. Through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, India is stepping up its interactions with the Pacific Island countries. India’s growing partnership with Africa can be seen through the convening of mechanisms like the India-Africa Forum Summits. India’s multi-layered engagement with China as well as strategic partnership with Russia underlines its commitment to ensuring a stable, open, secure, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Geo-strategic significance of Indian Ocean: Huge resources: The Indo-Asia-Pacific region is the greatest maritime-littoral space that has the largest concentration of population, resources, developing economies, congested sea lanes, and contested territorial spaces. Choke points: The Indian Ocean is home to many choke points, such as the Straits of Hormuz, Straits of Malacca, Lombok and the Sunda Straits. Any disruption in traffic flow through these points can have disastrous consequences. Muslim population: The region is home to most of the world’s Muslim population as well as India, one of the world’s likely “rising powers.”  Nuclear weapon states: The Indian Ocean also is home to the world’s two newest nuclear weapons states, India and Pakistan, as well as Iran, which most observers believe has a robust program to acquire nuclear weapon. Communication: The Indian Ocean is home to important SLOCs and maritime choke points. A large volume of international long haul maritime cargo from the Persian Gulf, Africa and Europe transits through this ocean. Economic significance of Indian Ocean: Fisheries: The people of Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka get more than half of the animal protein in their diets from fish. Mineral resources: Indian Ocean is rising and strengthening because its littoral states possess more than 2/3 of world’s oil reserves and roughly 35% of world’s gas reserves, 60% of Uranium, 40% of gold and 80% of all diamond deposits. Indian Ocean is also important because of the industrial raw materials it possesses including lithium, nickel, cobalt, tin, manganese, phosphate etc Offshore oil: Forty per cent of the world’s offshore oil production takes place in the Indian Ocean basin About East Asia Summit: It is a leaders-led platform, where discussions are held on various developments in the region.  The agenda for this edition of the summit was to review the future direction of East Asia Summit co-operation and exchange views on regional and international issues. Apart from the 10 ASEAN member states, East Asia Summit includes India, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Russia. Connecting the Dots: Analyse new initiative to secure the maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific. The quadrilateral posturing by India, the US, Japan and Australia in the Indo-Pacific is critical to counter the aggression of China in the region. Comment. The increasing geo-strategic and economic significance of the Indian Ocean realm has necessitated the development of a robust coastal security ecosystem. Do you agree? Substantiate your response. What is the significance of the Pacific region for India? Why is India increasing its engagement with the Island nations of the Pacific?

PIB

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 5th November to 10th November – 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 5th to 10th November, 2019 ARCHIVES GS-2 National Hydrology Project (NHP) (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Implemented by: Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation with support from World Bank The project has a coverage on pan India basis and intends to set up of a system for timely and reliable water resources data acquisition, storage, collation, management and dissemination.  NHP would also be a platform to develop tools and systems for informed decision making in field of flood management, reservoir operations, drought management, etc. The project also seeks to build capacity of the State and Central sector organisations in water resources management through the use of Information Systems and adoption of State-of-the-art technologies.  To achieve the objectives as above, NHP contemplates to promote international level knowledge exchange, solutions exchange and networking necessary to realize these changes. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has declined by 8 points in one year as per the latest Special Bulletin on MMR released by the Registrar General of India. This decline is important as it translates to nearly 2000 additional pregnant women saved annually. MMR has declined from 130/ lakh live births in 2014-16 to 122/ lakh live births in 2015-17 (6.2% decline). With this persistent decline, India is on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for reducing MMR by 2025, five years ahead of timeline of 2030 11 States have achieved the ambitious target of MMR of 100/lakh Live Births by 2020 set under the National Health Policy 2017: Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Karnataka and Haryana. The most important feature of this bulletin is that MMR for the States of Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been published independently for the first time.  A total of seven States, namely Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana have shown a decline in MMR that is greater than or equal to the national average of 6.2%. What contributed to it –  This has been possible in view of the gains made in institutional deliveries and focused approach towards High Priority Districts and inter-sectoral action to reach the most marginalized and vulnerable population.  Focus on quality and coverage of health services through public health initiatives under the National Health Mission such as Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and Janani Suraksha Yojana have contributed to this decline New initiatives in the form of LaQshya, POSHAN Abhiyan and SUMAN (Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Initiative) will help to ensure that all pregnant women receive quality maternal care with dignity and that no mother or newborn dies due to a preventable cause. Way Forward: Four states namely Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will have to intensify their efforts to accelerate the MMR decline to achieve the SDG target. Steel Scrap Recycling Policy (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Steel Ministry’s endeavor is to develop a globally competitive steel industry by adopting state of the art environment friendly technologies.  Ferrous Scrap being the primary raw material for EAF/ IF based steel production, the policy envisages a framework to facilitate and promote establishment of metal scrapping centers in India. This will ensure scientific processing & recycling of ferrous scrap generated from various sources and a variety of products. The policy framework shall provide standard guidelines for collection, dismantling and shredding activities in an organized, safe and environmentally sound manner. Steel is a material most conducive for circular economy as it can be used, reused and recycled infinitely. While iron ore remains the primary source of steel making, used or re-used steel in the form of Scrap is the secondary raw material for the steel industry. National Steel Policy 2017 (NSP-2017) aims to develop a globally competitive steel industry by creating 300 Million TPA Steel production capacity by 2030 with a contribution of 35-40% from EAF/IF route. Although, scrap is the main raw material for secondary sector but primary sector also uses Scrap in the charge mix of BOF to the tune of 15% to improve efficiency, minimize cost of production and other process needs. The availability of raw materials at competitive rates is imperative for the growth of the steel industry and to achieve NSP-2017 target. Thus, the availability of right quality of scrap, in adequate quantity is one of the critical factors for the future growth for both EAF/IF sector & primary sector. Further, Scrap based steel making technologies have been envisaged as one of the important options to reduce GHG emission intensity. This shall feature as an important initiative of the steel sector to minimize Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. This shall also contribute in adopting the principle of 6Rs i.e. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Redesign and Remanufacture to avoid any adverse impact on the environment and strengthening the foundation of sustainable development. Features: To promote circular economy in the steel sector To promote a formal and scientific collection, dismantling and processing activities for end of life products that are sources of recyclable (ferrous, non- ferrous and other non-metallic) scraps which will lead to resource conservation and energy savings and setting up of an environmentally sound management system for handling ferrous scrap. Processing and recycling of products in an organized, safe and environment friendly manner. To evolve a responsive ecosystem by involving all stakeholders. To produce high quality ferrous scrap for quality steel production thus minimizing the dependency on imports. To decongest the Indian cities from ELVs and reuse of ferrous scrap. To create a mechanism for treating waste streams and residues produced from dismantling and shredding facilities in compliance to Hazardous & Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 issued by MoEF & CC. To promote 6Rs principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Redesign and Remanufacture through scientific handling, processing and disposal of all types of recyclable scraps including non-ferrous scraps, through authorized centers / facility. Cabinet Approves MoU between India and Maldives on Training and Capacity-Building Programme for Maldivian Judicial Officers in India: The MoU will promote cooperation between India and Maldives in judicial and other legal areas, and enable exchange of knowledge and technology in training and capacity building. MoUs signed between India and German Agency in the field of Occupational Diseases, Re-habilitation and vocational training: Exchange of information and collaboration will enable capacity building and social re-habilitation of Insured Persons with disabilities, besides prevention, detection and treatment of occupational diseases. MoU signed between India and Bangladesh on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from Feni River by India: As on date, there is no water sharing agreement on Feni river between India and Bangladesh.  The present supply of drinking water to Sabroom town is inadequate. The ground water in this region has high iron content.  Implementation of this scheme would benefit over 7000 population of Sabroom town. MoU between India and Paraguay for Strengthening Cooperation in the field of Tourism:  Expansion of bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector; Exchange of information and data related to tourism; Encouraging cooperation between tourism stakeholders including Hotels and Tour Operators and airlines; Establishing exchange programmes for cooperation in Human Resource Development; Investment in the Tourism and Hospitality sectors; Exchanging visits of Tour Operators/Media/Opinion-Makers for promotion of two-way tourism; Exchange of experience in the areas of promotion, marketing destination, development and management; Participation in travel fairs/exhibitions in each other’s country; and Promoting safe, honourable and sustainable tourism. MoU between India and Brazil on Cooperation in the field of Health & Medicine: The bilateral MoU between India and Brazil will encourage cooperation between the two countries through joint initiatives, technology development in the health sector and development of research in the health sector. It will facilitate in improving the public health status of people of both the countries. . It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Brazil. Protocol amending the Convention between India and Brazil for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income:  Through updation of the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention’s (DTAC's) provisions to international standards, the Amending Protocol between India and the Federative Republic of Brazil will facilitate elimination of double taxation.  Clear allocation of taxing rights between Contracting States through DTAC will provide tax certainty to investors & businesses of both countries.  The Amending Protocol will augment the flow of investment through lowering of tax rates in source State on interest, royalties and fees for technical services.  The Amending Protocol implements minimum standards and other recommendations of G-20 OECD Base Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project.  Inclusion of Preamble Text, a Principal Purpose Test, a general anti abuse provision in the DTAC along with a Simplified Limitation of Benefits Clause as per BEPS Project will result in curbing of tax planning strategies which exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules MoU between India and Switzerland on Technical Cooperation in the field of Climate Change and Environment:  Capacity-building on Climate Change and Sustainable Water management; Sustainable Forest Management; Sustainable development of mountainous regions; Environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development; Addressing issues of Air, land and water pollution; Focussing on Clean and Renewable Energy; and Climate change risk management MoU signed between India and Guinea in the field of Renewable Energy To establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship To encourage and promote bilateral technical cooperation in the field of renewable energy on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity between the Parties. Areas of cooperation include Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Bio-energy, and Waste to energy, Small Hydro Storage and Capacity Build Ayodhya Verdict (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) India finally found closure in a 500-year old dispute on the birthplace of Lord Ram, who is a deity, hero and icon to the majority of over 1.3 billion Indians. The day is also historic because almost all parties to the dispute have pledged to accept the need for reconciliation and unity and the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has come to a unanimous decision underlining the secular character of India while accepting Ramlalla Virajman as a legal entity in the Ayodhya context.  Crux of the dispute: Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya on the banks of the river Sarayu, according to the Ramayana. This place is identified with Ayodhya in present-day Uttar Pradesh. As per Hindu beliefs, an ancient temple stood at the birthplace to mark the spot. And that it was demolished in 1528 by first Mughal emperor Babur when he built a mosque - Babri Masjid - which was subsequently demolished by kar sevaks on December 6, 1992. A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, has delivered its verdict in the Ayodhya case. The other judges on the bench included justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer. The court has based its assessment mainly on the Archaeological Survey of India findings that there is a structure underneath the Babri mosque built 500 years ago by Mir Baqi, the General of Babar. The Supreme Court has asked the centre and Uttar Pradesh government to find a suitable, prominent five acre land as an alternative site for Muslims to build a new mosque. The 2.77 acre land where the disputed structure existed will now become the site for a temple under a trust to be constituted by the centre. The Court recognises demolition of the mosque in 1992 as a crime. This should preclude any notion that the verdict gives licence for fresh acts of vandalism against places of worship. It directed the Centre and the UP government to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque. The court said the mosque should be constructed at a “prominent site”.  The demolition of the Babri masjid was a violation of law, the Supreme Court held. The Muslims were dispossessed upon the desecration of the mosque on 22-23 December, 1949, which was ultimately destroyed on 6 December 1992, the top court said. Three-way bifurcation of the land by the Allahabad High Court was legally unsustainable. Even as a matter of maintaining public peace and tranquillity, the solution which commended itself to the High Court is not feasible, the court said, LiveLaw quoted. Modi, in the middle: Two of the three core promises of the party over the last seven decades have been fulfilled in a brief span of just three months of PM Modi's re-election, which is historic Abrogation of Article 370 (end of special status to Jammu and Kashmir) Building of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya through an amicable court verdict Now what remains is the Uniform Civil Code. RCEP & India (Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests) India’s economic interests and national priorities come first and the concerns of the farmers, dairy sector, MSMEs and domestic manufacturing will be addressed and these sectors will be protected.  Commerce and Industry Minister informed that throughout the seven year long negotiations in RCEP India has consistently stood its ground to uphold its demands particularly over controlling trade deficit, stronger protection against unfair imports and better market opportunities for Indian goods and services. The opening up of the Indian market must be matched by openings in areas where our businesses can benefit and India will not allow its market to become a dumping ground for goods from other countries said the Minister. Commerce and Industry Minister further informed thatthe Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries are being reviewed.  The review of the FTA with South Korea, which began 3 years back, is being fast tracked. India has already secured agreement in ASEAN for a review of the FTA and a Joint Working Group (JWG) is discussing the issues to be addressed in Japan FTA. GS-3 ‘Wastelands Atlas’ – 2019 (Topic: Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment) India with 2.4% of total land area of the World is supporting 18% of the World’s population.  The per capita availability of agriculture land in India is 0.12 ha whereas World per capita agriculture land is 0.29 ha.   Unprecedented pressure on the land beyond its carrying capacity is resulting into degradation of lands in the Country. Therefore, robust geospatial information on wastelands assumes significance and effectively helpful in rolling back the wastelands for productive use through various land development programmes/schemes. This Wastelands Atlas-2019 provides district and state wise distribution of different categories of wastelands area including mapping of about 12.08 Mha hitherto unmapped area of Jammu & Kashmir.  The changes in wastelands between 2008-09 and 2015-16 have been presented in the Atlas. A reduction in wasteland area was observed in the categories of land with dense scrub, waterlogged and marshy land, sandy areas, degraded pastures / grazing land and gullied and / or ravinous land. Prelims Oriented Notes: November 5, 2019: 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji President of UAE: President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’: Indian Navy – Indonesian Navy Bilateral Maritime Exercise Most recent cyclone in the month of November over west-central & adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal: Cyclone Bulbul - Very Severe Cyclonic Storm No separate environmental clearance is required to produce additional ethanol from B-heavy molasses as it does not contribute to the pollution load. Sugar mills are expected to undertake production of ethanol from B-heavy Molasses and other by-products/products, resulting in incidental increase in the production of ethanol without any increase in the total pollution load in the existing distilleries or sugar mills to which environmental clearance have already been granted. Khadi gets separate unique HS code: Khadi has once again come out of its customary veil, marking its presence in the exclusive HS code bracket, issued by the central government on 4th Nov’19 to categorize its products in export. Earlier, Khadi did not have its exclusive HS code. As a result, all the data regarding export of this signature fabric used to come as a normal fabric under the textile head. Now, we will be able to keep a constant eye not only on our export figures, but it will also help us in planning our export strategies. Khadi and Village Industries products are eco-friendly and natural, and are in great demand in the International Markets. Recognizing its potential to generate exports and its eco-friendly importance, the Ministry of Commerce had accorded deemed Export Promotional Council Status (EPCS) to KVIC in 2006, to boost the export of Khadi products. However in the absence of separate HS code, the export of Khadi products was difficult to categorize and calculate. HS Stands for Harmonized System and it is a six digit identification code. It was developed by the WCO (World Customs Organization) and custom officers use HS Code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international border. Quotes Vice President calls for collaboration between musicians & scientists to enhance the harmony of Indian musical instruments Launching a monograph on the “Musical Excellence of Mridangam” at a function, the Vice President described it as a path-breaking effort in which tools of modern science were brought to bear service to an ancient instrument, Mridangam. Lauding the authors--eminent Mridangam artiste, Dr.Umayalpuram K Sivaraman, scientists Dr. T. Ramasami and Dr. MD Naresh, the Monograph proved scientifically that our ancestors were able to design, develop and demonstrate musical excellence through human ingenuity. The book serves three purposes –  First, it makes a strong case for collaboration between music and science Secondly, it opens up new opportunities for future research on Mridangam Thirdly, it is an outreach of South Indian music to the global musical community Described the monograph as the footprint of such connectedness without borders and continuation of the Indian tradition of knowledge creation. It is like an isthmus which connects music and science. It strives to enable but not replace tradition with modernity. Pointing that the roots of Indian music can be traced to Vedic literature, Sama Veda in particular, he said that every note and cadence associated with our ancient music systems has to be preserved and propagated. Personality in News Guru Nanak Devji Born in 1469 in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan He advocated nirguna bhakti He firmly repudiated practices of religions around him like sacrifices, ritual baths, idol worship, austerities, and scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims. He took the god as formless which has no gender and proposed a simple way to connect to him by just remembering and repeating his name. He set up rules for congregational worship (sangat) involving collective recitation. He appointed Angad to succeed him as the Guru. He never wished to establish new religion, but after his death his followers consolidated his practices and distinguished from both Hindus and Muslims by calling themselves ‘Sikhs’. Fifth Guru Arjandev Ji compiled Guru Nanak, his successor, and other religious poets teaching in Adi Granth Sahib. Values & teaching of Guru Nanak and present social challenges — The time in which Guru Nanak lived and present time are not very different. Back then, caste system, idol worship, exploitation of poor and women, intolerance towards other religions, fraud godman, addiction of drugs and other problems were prevalent. Unfortunately, all of them are present today also. Some basic teachings of Guru Nanak were — Submission to the will of God (Waheguru) One God Goodwill for all Speaking truth Social Service Overcoming 5 evils — Ego, Anger, Greed, Attachment and Lust Adopting 5 virtues — Truth, Compassion, Contentment, Discipline and Contemplation No discrimination Stop following rituals/idol worship/superstitions Guru Nanak opined that moral principles have great value not just in thinking but also in practical orientation in society. Therefore, social philosophy of Guru Nanak was primarily based on moral philosophy with support of religious outlook. His teaching hold great value today in overcoming caste and religious discrimination, intolerance of other views, corruption, addiction of alcohol and drugs, clash of civilisations, terrorism and other social evils. Problem with today’s generation is we have limited Guru Nanak and his teaching just to Guru Granth Sahib and have not adopted it, i.e., moral philosophy is lacking. Therefore, there is a strong need to revive the values and teachings of Guru Nanak. Sikh women to sing hymns in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple in Amritsar Only Sikh men perform ‘kirtan’ at the Golden Temple as of now. The resolution passed states that “Guru Nanak Dev had visualised a society in which there would be no place for discrimination or distinction on the basis of caste or creed, social status or gender, a society that is to be based upon the principle of egalitarianism and committed to welfare of all” Ik Onkar In a unique gesture to mark 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, Air India has depicted Sikh religious symbol ‘Ik Onkar’ on the tail of one of its aircraft. The national carrier has put the symbol on its Boeing 787 aircraft which will fly on October 31 from Amritsar to Stansted, UK. Ek Onkar means “God is One”. The symbol is an emblem of the Sikh religion and is found on Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) around the world. The gesture is unique as the national carrier has never depicted any religious symbol on its planes Kartarpur corridor Founding stone for the four-lane “human corridor” i.e. Kartarpur corridor was laid; it is hoped that the corridor would pave the way for peace and greater progress of all people. The corridor will drastically cut down the journey pilgrims have to make from more than 200 km to just 6 km. The gurdwara in Kartarpur stands on the bank of the Ravi, about 120 km northeast of Lahore. It was here that Guru Nanak assembled a Sikh community and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539. The shrine is visible from the Indian side, Sikhs gather in large numbers for darshan from the Indian side, and binoculars are installed at Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak. Access to gurdwaras in Pakistan: Sikh jathas from India travel to Pakistan on four occasions every year — for Baisakhi, the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev. These Indian pilgrims are given access to all gurdwaras in Pakistan. Must Attempt: In the context of the Kartarpur Corridor, consider the following statements. The gurdwara in Kartarpur stands on the bank of the Ravi. It was here that Guru Gobind assembled a Sikh community and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Kalapani Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International Relations In News The new political map of India, recently released by the government to account for the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, shows Kalapani as part of Indian territory. Kalapani is a 372-sq km area mapped within Uttarakhand, bordering far-west Nepal and Tibet. While the Nepal government and political parties have protested, India has said the new map does not revise the existing boundary with Nepal and accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India.  The Nepal’s Western boundary with India was marked out in the Treaty of Sugauli between the East India Company and Nepal in 1816.  However,Nepali authorities claim that people living in the low-density area were included in the Census of Nepal until 58 years ago. In 2014, Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pande claimed that the late King Mahendra had “handed over the territory to India”. By some accounts in Nepal, this allegedly took place in the wake of India-China War of 1962. A committee formed by the Nepal government to study this claim submitted a report to Prime Minister Oli during his first tenure. It claimed that India had “occupied” an additional 62 sq km land. Bilateral talks: The Prime Ministers of the two countries discussed the issue in 2000, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee assuring Nepal that India would not occupy even an inch of Nepal.  Apart from Kalapani, another unresolved issue involves a vast area along the Nepal-Uttar Pradesh border. During his visit to Nepal in 2014, Prime Minister Modi had said that the Susta and Kalapani issues would be sorted out. [caption id="attachment_52392" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019[/caption] https://images.indianexpress.com/2019/11/map-1.jpg?w=759&h=736&imflag=true HS code Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III - Economy In News The Ministry of Commerce and Industry allocated a separate Harmonised System (HS) code for Khadi. The Harmonised System, or simply ‘HS’, is a six-digit identification code developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Called the “universal economic language” for goods, it is a multipurpose international product nomenclature. Over 200 countries use the system as a basis for their customs tariffs, gathering international trade statistics, making trade policies, and for monitoring goods.  The system helps in harmonising of customs and trade procedures, thus reducingcosts in international trade The absence of a separate HS code hindered Khadi from achieving its full potential, as its exports were difficult to categorise and calculate. The latest move is expected to help resolve this issue. Zero Carbon Law Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Environment Conservation In News New Zealand’s Parliament passed The Zero-Carbon Act, which will commit New Zealand to zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner, as part of the country’s attempts to meet its Paris climate accord commitments. This is the first legislation in the world to make a legally binding commitment to living within 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming. The key aims of the Act include:  Reduce all greenhouse gases (except methane) to net zero by 2050, Reduce emissions of biogenic methane (produced from biological sources) up to 24-47 percent below 2017 levels by 2050 and to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2030 Establish an independent Climate Change Commission  Establish a system of emissions budget. About Biogenic methane  It is emitted by livestock, waste treatment and wetlands. The Act proposes separate targets for biogenic methane because methane is a short-lived gas and degrades into the atmosphere over the decades even though it is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide Do You Know? New Zealand is well positioned to undertake steps to mitigate climate change. Its capacity to generate electricity from renewable resources is at 80 per cent, and it is working towards phasing out the use of offshore oil and gas. New Zealand government anticipates that GDP and household incomes in New Zealand will continue to rise, minimising the cost of adapting to climate change for the citizens. Globally, there are over 1500 laws on climate change, over 100 of which were introduced after the introduction of the Paris Agreement and over 28 of them explicitly reference the agreement. World’s first CNG port terminal Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III – Energy In News The Gujarat government gave approval to a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) terminal at Bhavnagar port with a proposed investment of Rs 1,900 crore. Bhavnagar Port is being administered by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), which signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Foresight Group during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit held in January 2019 The proposed CNG terminal will have a cargo capacity to handle of 1.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA).  The consortium of company will also develop facilities like Ro-Ro terminal, liquid cargo terminal and container terminal at Bhavnagar port The GMB manages the existing port at Bhavnagar, having a capacity to handle three MMTPA cargo, and the new terminals would take the overall capacity to nine MMTPA. About CNG CNG is made by compressing natural gas, (which is mainly composed of methane, CH4), to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. CNG is a fossil fuel substitute for petrol, diesel, or LPG. CNG is cheaper - CNG is almost one third the price of super petrol, resulting in substantial savings in fuel costs. CNG reduces maintenance cost - CNG contains no additives and burns cleanly leaving no by-products of combustion to contaminate your spark plugs and engine oil. CNG is more environment friendly - Harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2 and nitrous oxide (N2O) can be reduced by as much as 95% when compared to gasoline powered vehicles. Maternal death rate declining Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains II -Health In News India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has seen a decline from 130 per 1 lakh live births in 2014-2016 to 122 per 1 lakh live births in 2015-2017. As per the WHO maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes. The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal deaths are: severe bleeding, infections (usually after child birth), high blood pressure during pregnancy, complications from delivery and unsafe abortion. The WHO says the MMR dropped by 38% worldwide between 2000 and 2017. However, an estimated 810 women died every day in 2017 from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. In India, from 2015 to 2017 shows 68% of deaths were among women in the age group of 20-29. Nearly 4% of deaths were in the age group of 15 to 19 which highlights the problem of early marriages and teenage pregnancies in India. Do You Know? Public health initiatives under the National Health Mission such as LaQshya, Poshan Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, Janani Suraksha Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have contributed to decline of MMR in India. India is now committed to ensuring that not a single mother or newborn dies due to a preventable cause and move towards zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths through the recently launched Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Initiative (SUMAN). The WHO had last year lauded India’s progress in reducing the MMR, saying the progress puts the country on track towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of an MMR below 70 by 2030. [caption id="attachment_52393" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019[/caption] https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/11/11/MUM/Mumbai/TH/5_05/ebc8e699_3313150_101_mr.jpg T.N.Seshan Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains IV – Ethics In News Mr. Seshan belonged to the 1955 batch of Tamil Nadu cadre officers of the IAS. At the Centre, Mr. Seshan held several positions, including Environment and Forests Secretary, Defence Secretary and later, Cabinet Secretary When Chandra Shekhar became Prime Minister with the support of the Congress, Mr. Seshan was made CEC in December 1990 T.N. Seshan, as CEC during 1990-96, initiated the process of cleaning up the electoral system. The introduction of electors’ photo identity cards was a measure towards this direction. He also saw to it that the model code of conduct, till then considered a document of academic interest, was taken seriously by the parties and candidates In the mid-1990s, Mr. Seshan was seen as a crusader against corruption and electoral malpractices.  His work was recognised internationally when he was given the Ramon Magsaysay award for 1996. In July 1997, Mr. Seshan unsuccessfully contested the presidential election against K.R. Narayanan. (MAINS FOCUS) SOCIETY TOPIC: General Studies 1: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. Ayodhya dispute  Context: A five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court has allowed the construction of a temple in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya,  Also ordered  the grant of a five-acre plot to the U.P. Central Sunni Wakf Board for the construction of a mosque. Back ground: The Ayodhya dispute is a political, historical and socio-religious debate in India, centred on a plot of land in the city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.  The Babri Masjid was destroyed during a political rally in December 1992.  Crux: Hindus believed  that the Babri Masjid, was built in Ayodhya after destroying a Ram Temple that marked the birthplace of the deity.  The Hindu parties wanted the land to themselves, contending that Lord Ram was born at a spot on which later the central dome of the mosque was built.  The Muslim parties, believed that the mosque was constructed in 1528 by Mir Baqi, a commander of Babur’s army, without demolishing any place of worship and the space was rightfully theirs. First time court: The matter went to court as far back as 1885.  Mahant Raghubar Dass filed a suit as “mahant of the janmasthan” for permission to build a temple on a 17 feet x 21 feet Chabutra (platform) outside the mosque. Dismissed the suit. Landmark events: Surreptitious planting of the idols in 1949 A local court ordered that the locks be opened for Hindu worshippers giving a big push to the temple movement Allahabad high court judgement 2010: Allahabad High Court ruled that the 2.77 acres (1.12 ha) of Ayodhya land be divided into three parts, with ​1⁄3 going to the Ram Lalla or Infant Rama represented by the Hindu Maha Sabha, ​1⁄3 going to the Sunni Waqf Board and the remaining ​1⁄3 going to Nirmohi Akhara. The judgment affirmed that the disputed land was the birthplace of Rama as per the faith and belief of Hindus, and that the Babri Masjid was built after the demolition of a Hindu temple, noting that it wasn't built in accordance with the tenets of Islam. SC Judgment 2019: Vacated the previous decision and ruled that the land belonged to the government per tax records. It further ordered the land to be handed over to a trust to build the Hindu temple.  It also ordered to the government to give alternate 5 acre land to Sunni Waqf Board to build the mosque. Status of Ayodhya: Lack of development, despite the town being located just 125 km from the State capital. Lack of jobs and investment Poor infrastructure  Underdeveloped tourism economy have kept Ayodhya far behind other important Hindu religious centres like Mathura and Varanasi. The high-pitched events not only disrupted daily life and business, but also endangered communal harmony in the region. Connecting the dots: Ayodhya became the centrestage for communal politics and a tool for polarisation before elections. Analyse IR 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. Protests in Chile  and Lebanon  Chile: [caption id="attachment_52394" align="aligncenter" width="544"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019[/caption] Img: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/south-america/chile/map_of_chile.jpg Civil protests throughout Chile in response to a raise in the Santiago Metro's subway fare, the increased cost of living, privatisation and inequality prevalent in the country The situation escalated as organized bands of protesters rose in rebellion across the city, seizing many stations of the Santiago Metro network President of Chile Sebastián Piñera announced a state of emergency The protests have been considered the "worst civil unrest" having occurred in Chile since the end of Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship Over a million people took to the streets throughout Chile to protest against President Piñera, demanding his resignation Human rights organisations have received several reports of violations conducted against protesters by security forces, including torture, sexual abuse and rape Causes for protests: Rise in public transport fares Rising cost of living Income inequality Privatisation Corruption scandals Goals of protests: Reversal of public transport fares Reforms in education, healthcare, and pension systems Better wages, minimum wage increase Resignation of President Sebastián Piñera Draft a new constitution Lebanon: [caption id="attachment_52395" align="aligncenter" width="428"] Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th November 2019[/caption] Img: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d4/cf/37/d4cf37fc6b4b8dfae17d654946df8d04.jpg The 2019 Lebanese protests  are a series of country-wide  protests.  The protests are motivated by the Lebanese government's failure to find solutions to an economic crisis that has been looming for the past year. Causes for the protest: A reaction against sectarian rule Endemic corruption in the public sector,  Failures from the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water and sanitation. Taxes on gasoline, tobacco and online phone calls such as through WhatsApp. Economic crisis: The Lebanese economy has a growth averaging 9.1% between 2007 and 2010 After 2011 the economy was affected by the Syrian civil war, by a yearly average of 1.7% on the 2011-2018. Lebanon is the third-highest indebted country in the world in terms of the ratio of debt-to-GDP.  Limited the government’s ability to make needed investments in infrastructure and other public goods. Connecting the dots: Compare the economic situation in Chile and Lebanon with the current state of economy of India. Elucidate (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) World’s first CNG(Compressed Natural Gas) port terminal is being developed at which place? Mundra Port Bhavnagar Port Kolkata Port Mangalore Port Q.2) Consider the following statements about HS (Harmonised system) code. It is a six-digit identification code developed by the World Economic Forum. It helps in harmonising of customs and trade procedures between nearly 200 countries, thus reducing costs in international trade  Ministry of Commerce and Industry has recently allocated a separate Harmonised System (HS) code for Khadi. 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.3) Susta and Kalapani often seen in news are contentious issues between which two countries? Nepal and China India and Bhutan India and Myanmar India and Nepal Q.4) Consider the following statements Methane is a long-lived gas and degrades into the atmosphere over the thousands of centuries and thus it is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide Biogenic methane is the methane emitted by livestock, waste treatment and wetlands. 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 Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Initiative (SUMAN) It is being implemented by Ministry of Women and Child Development. Its objective isto provide quality healthcare at zero cost, to pregnant women, new mothers and newborns. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 ANSWERS FOR 09 Nov 2019 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK) 1 C 2 B 3 B 4 C 5 B MUST READ No more pro-India voices in the Valley The Hindu After RCEP reticence, need for reform recalibration The Hindu Renovate, not rebuild The Hindu Thumbs down: On Moody’s negative rating The Hindu From Plate to Plough: A crop for clean air IE Ayodhya verdict nudges us to look back at how much we have lost over years of conflict IE