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Nov 20, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 19th November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 19th November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) National Park/Tiger reserves in news: Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Biodiversity; Animal Conservation; Protected Areas Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in M.P. Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala Why in news? National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has hinted at first-ever inter-State tiger translocation project in Odisha’s Satkosia Tiger Reserve. Odisha’s Satkosia Tiger Reserve planned to get 6 tigers from MP’s Kanha Tiger Reserve. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve was in news for its forest filled with 221 varieties of butterflies (11 of which are endemic to the area). Survey team spotted - Red-disc Bushbrown, a high-altitude species endemic to Western Ghats; rare species — Dark Blue Tiger and Common Crow and also Budha Peacock or Budha Mayoori, which was recently declared as State butterfly of Kerala. Rare bird - Sri Lankan Frogmouth - was sighted in Kerala’s Chinnar sanctuary. About Sri Lankan Frogmouth Sri Lankan Frogmouth (Batrachostomus moniliger) is a relative of Nightjar, a crepuscular and nocturnal bird breeding in Europe and temperate Asia. Its preferred habitat is a dry and open area with some small trees or bushes. It is usually found on the western side of the Ghats but its presence was noticed on the eastern side of the Western Ghats for the first time. (This has sparked much interest among ornithologists) The Sri Lankan Frogmouth, like the Nightjar, eats insects and mainly seeks prey during night time. The main feature is that it lays only one egg a year after the mating season in April-May. The nest is made using moss or leaves of soft plants and the bark of the trees. The male bird destroys the nest and flies away with the new born bird. The bird has a unique habitat in Sri Lanka and is also believed to be present in the Thattekad bird sanctuary. It is also found in Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. It was believed that the species had gone extinct in the State after its presence was not noticed for a long period. IUCN status: Least Concern National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Disaster Management; Government schemes and policies In news: NCRMP was started by the Ministry of Home Affairs to mitigate vulnerability to the cyclone and hazards prone coastal communities. After the formation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), management of the project was transferred to NDMA in September, 2006. NCRMP-I covers States of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. NCRMP-II covers States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and executed by the respective State Disaster Management Authorities at the State level. The project is partly funded by the World Bank. Objectives of NCRMP The overall objective of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project ('NCRMP') is to minimize vulnerability to cyclones and make people and infrastructure disaster resilient in harmony with conservation of the coastal eco-system in the cyclone hazard prone States and Union Territories of India. For more details - https://ncrmp.gov.in/about-ncrmp India steps up agro-diplomacy with China Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – India and its neighbours; Bilateral economic ties In news: As the trade war with the United States continues to impact, China appears to be opening up to non-U.S. imports. India has stepped up its agro-diplomacy with China, as China would look first at its food security by diversifying imports in view of the trade war. India has started exporting soya bean, sugar, black tea, non-Basmati rice etc. after China has imposed more levy on U.S. imports. Quotes: ‘Freedom is that which helps us to break out of the confines of fear and hate, of chauvinism and obscurantism and the shackles of dead habit. Freedom is the atmosphere which enables each individual to grow to his full height. This is the freedom for which we must strive.’ – Indira Gandhi Miscellaneous F1H2O Grand Prix : : Team Abu Dhabi wins powerboat grand prix at Amaravati Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) is released by the NITI Aayog and is published in association with the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Rural Development. CWMI has placed India at a dismal 120 among 122 countries in the water quality index. The CWMI report covers these broad themes — ground water and surface-water restoration; major and medium irrigation; watershed development; participatory irrigation management; on-farm water use; rural and urban water supply; and policy and governance. The CWMI noted that water-scarce States such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana are leaders in the Index. Rohingya relocation plan pushed to 2019 - Bangladesh’s plans to tackle the Rohingya refugee crisis have been stalled until the new year with repatriation and relocation programmes only likely to be revisited following the year-end general election. A small Japanese company founded in 2013, Astroscale, is developing a system to approach and capture space debris and broken satellites. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Judiciary: Functions and appointments A crippling shortage: on vacancies in courts Introduction Other than slow judicial processes, the important reason behind rising number of pending cases in lower judiciary is the chronic shortage of judges and severe understaffing of the courts they preside over. More than a decade after the Supreme Court laid down guidelines in 2007 for making appointments in the lower judiciary within a set time frame, a similar issue is back before the highest court. Current situation There are more than 5,000 vacancies in the subordinate courts. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has pulled up State governments and the administration of various High Courts for the delay in filling these vacancies. Answers provided in the Rajya Sabha reveal that as on March 31, 2018, nearly a quarter of the total number of posts in the subordinate courts remained vacant. The court has put the actual figure at 5,133 out 22,036 sanctioned posts. The State-wise figures are quite alarming, with Uttar Pradesh having a vacancy of 42.18% and Bihar 37.23%. Among the smaller States, Meghalaya has a vacancy level of 59.79%. Reasons behind vacancies Utter tardiness in the process of calling for applications, holding recruitment examinations and declaring the results. A study revealed that the recruitment cycle in most States far exceeded the time limit prescribed by the Supreme Court. This time limit is 153 days for a two-tier recruitment process and 273 days for a three-tier process. Most States took longer to appoint junior civil judges as well as district judges by direct recruitment. Delayed funds to pay and accommodate the newly appointed judges and magistrates. Process of appointments According to the Constitution, district judges are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the High Court. Other subordinate judicial officers are appointed as per rules framed by the Governor in consultation with the High Court and the State Public Service Commission. In effect, the High Courts have a significant role to play. A smooth and time-bound process of making appointments would, therefore, require close coordination between the High Courts and the State Public Service Commissions. Why, vacancies in lower courts, is serious cause of concern? Subordinate courts perform the most critical judicial functions that affect the life of the common man: conducting trials, settling civil disputes, and implementing the bare bones of the law. Any failure to allocate the required human and financial resources may lead to the crippling of judicial work in the subordinate courts. It will also amount to letting down poor litigants and under-trials, who stand to suffer the most due to judicial delay. Way forward The situation demands a massive infusion of both manpower and resources. Public Service Commissions should recruit the staff to assist these judges, while State governments build courts or identify space for them. Connecting the dots: Large number of vacancies in lower courts is one of the important reasons behind the burgeoning burden of pending cases. Comment. INTERNATIONAL 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 New ripples in Andaman Sea Introduction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second visit to Singapore this year is nicely framed by the largest ever naval exercise between the two nations (India and Singapore) in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The exercises, called the Simbex, began 25 years ago as India embarked on the so-called Look East Policy that sought a renewed economic, political and military engagement with South East Asia. The two sides hope that these bilateral exercises will eventually involve the participation of other South East Asian nations and form the basis for a cooperative security framework in the heart of the Indo-Pacific. Indo-Pacific Region: Indo-Pacific is also a sum of its many sub-regions that include the East China Sea, South China Sea and South Pacific to the east of the Malacca Straits as well as the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the waters of Africa to the west. PM Modi outlined India’s broad vision for the Indo-Pacific in his address to the Shangri La Dialogue, an annual forum that brings the region’s defence establishments together. The PM’s speech on the Indo-Pacific helped bring the new geopolitical construct to the centre of India’s worldview. A “stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region” is an “important pillar” of India’s strategic partnership with the United States. The emphasis shown by the US on the ‘Indo-Pacific’ can be termed as its strategic initiative towards India. ASEAN is one of the crucial building blocks of the Indo-Pacific. United States, India, Japan, and Australia the “Quad” group is emphasizing “Indo-Pacific” as a new strategic space. Brief History about Andaman Sea: The consolidation of British hegemony in the Indian Ocean at the dawn of the 19th century and its accommodation with France (in Indo-China) and the Netherlands (in the East Indies, now known as Indonesia) left the Andaman Sea in a tranquil state. The extended peace was shattered during the Second World War when Japan occupied large parts of East Asia, ousted Great Britain from Singapore and raced towards Northeast India through Burma. Imperial Japan also occupied the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It needed a massive collaborative effort to reverse the aggression. After the Second World War, the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal became marginal to the power play between Washington and Moscow during the Cold War. Now, the rise of China and Beijing’s projection of naval power way beyond its home waters is beginning to put the Andaman Sea back in play. Importance of Sub-region of the Andaman Sea: The Andaman Sea is flanked by the Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands in the West, Myanmar to the north, the Thai-Malay peninsula to the east, and the Sumatra island to the south. It funnels into the Straits of Malacca that connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The large amount of shipping that enters the Andaman Sea from the east heads to Singapore, from where it turns the Pacific Ocean. Andaman Sea is rapidly regaining its strategic salience. At the dawn of the modern era, many of the geopolitical contestations involving the Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British took place in the waters of the Andaman Sea. Recent Actions by China in Sub-region of Andaman Sea: Beijing signed an agreement with Myanmar on building a deep-water port at Kyaukpyu. It will be an important part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which would connect Kyaukpyu to the Yunnan Province through rail and highways. China already built an oil and gas pipeline system that moves hydrocarbons from Kyaukpyu to inland China. Thailand ordered a feasibility study of the Kra Canal, which will cut through the Kra Isthmus and link the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. There is a push from china to launch the Project. Beijing has sold submarines to Thailand and Bangladesh and its military cooperation with other littoral states of the Andaman Sea has grown steadily. Recently, China conducted naval exercises with Thailand and Malaysia. Building strategic infrastructure, like China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and the Kra Canal allows Beijing reduce its current dependence on the Malacca Straits and access the Indian Ocean directly. Conclusion: As the waters of the Andaman Sea turn turbulent, India too has begun to accelerate the development of civilian and military infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Island Chain. It has also stepped up political engagement with the Andaman littoral states. But Delhi’s pace might turn out to be too slow to cope with the rapid strategic transformation of the Andaman Sea. Therefore, ASEAN must form the geographic core to any Indo-Pacific architecture. India must increase its strategic alignment with the other countries in Indo-Pacific region in order to balance the security concerns emanating from China’s aggressive stance. Freedom of navigation, unimpeded commerce, and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law will make our sea lanes the pathway to prosperity. Connecting the dots: Briefly examine the geopolitical significance of Andaman Sea for India. (Note: look for Kra Canal, Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. And study the map surrounding this region from prelims point of view.) (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Budha Peacock or Budha Mayoori was recently declared as – State bird of Kerala State bird of Karnataka State butterfly of Kerala State butterfly of Karnataka Q.2) Arrange the following Tiger Reserves of India from North to South direction: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Satkosia Tiger Reserve Kanha Tiger Reserve Select the correct answer using the code given below: 1,4,3,2 3,1,4,2 3,4,1,2 1,3,4,2 Q.3) Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in – Tamil Nadu Kerala Andhra Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Q.4) Consider the following statements about National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) The project is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The project covers only coastal states on eastern side of the country which are prone to cyclones. Select the correct statements 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements: Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) is developed by NITI Aayog. Mihir Shah Committee deals with restructuring the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Centre-RBI tussle: Balance of power, in the balance The Hindu The Trinity Of Power Indian Express Gender of justice Indian Express A thin line divides RBI autonomy, alignment Livemint Heat is an invisible climate risk Livemint

Nov 19, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 111]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 111] Archives Q.1) Which of the following countries do not have a coast on the Adriatic Sea? Italy Albania Croatia Austria Q.2) Where is ‘Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary’ located? Kerala Odisha Karnataka Tamil Nadu Q.3) ‘Hiawatha Glacier’ was recently in news. Where is it located? Greenland Argentina Iceland New Zealand Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Tissue Chips in Space’ initiative It is an initiative by European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) It seeks to better understand the role of microgravity on human health and disease Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘GROWTH-India’ It is a part of the international Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen) network. It is India’s first robotic telescope jointly constructed by Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, and IIT Bombay It is located at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanle in Ladakh Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba

Nov 18, 2018

UPSC PRELIMS TEST SERIES (OFFLINE) -2019 (Starting on 24th November at Vijayanagar Center)

UPSC PRELIMS TEST SERIES (OFFLINE) -2019 “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in the battle.” Hello Friends, Although to call UPSC PRELIMS a battle would be full of cliche and loaded rhetoric, it won’t be an overstatement to say that it is the most important stage of Civil Services Examination (CSE). Unlike the hand to hand combat between Mountain and Oberyn, it is more like the army of Ramsay Bolton marching towards the lone John Snow! The stakes are really high and of course the competition commensurate to the demographic profile of India! You need the grit and temperament of John Snow and not the misplaced exuberance of Oberyn. Perhaps the years spent protecting the wall had this effect on John Snow. You need something similar. We don’t have a wall for you to protect but we do have seething similar! Yes! The excellence of our online test series will now be available in its offline avatar this year also. For those, who like the smell of ink and intend to sweat in exam-like conditions, not self-induced but pushed externally, the IASbaba All India Prelims Test Series (AIPTS) -2019 is the elixir for them. While there are many such series available in the market, our quality and consistency in hitting the right areas, providing the right guidance and steering your preparation in the right direction make it stand way ahead of others. We are not going to elaborate too much upon the quality of our initiatives as they speak for themselves and you can know that by having a look on the feedback and testimonials on our initiatives like ILP, C2C, online prelims test series etc. However, we want to assure you that the efforts invested in AIPTS would be worth your time and energy. AIPTS will give you the chance to attempt hundreds of high-quality questions (maybe a few notches above UPSC standard), compare your performance with several other sincere aspirants, get high-quality synopsis to rectify your mistakes and forge a capital with your fellow campaigners to achieve your goals. Throughout this journey, Team IASbaba will be there to guide you and let you grow in an ecosystem of quality and excellence. If you have realised that practice does make a man perfect, then IASbaba All India Prelims Test Series-2019 is for YOU. No matter what your level of preparation is, once you begin attempting the questions in simulated exam conditions, you start getting tougher, smarter and better with time. Answering MCQs is an art and it can’t be taught. It comes from the realisation of your mistakes, strong areas and weak spots. To know them you need the only thing- PRACTICE; again a cliche term but true to its core. We have seen brilliant students faltering in UPSC Civil Services Examination because of lack of practice. You might have the sword forged out of Valyrian steel but you must know how to wield it! Right knowledge supplemented with rigorous practice ensures success in CSE and more importantly so in the preliminary stage. So, the stage is set for you! Just go ahead and begin your journey towards success! PROGRAMME DETAILS There will be a total of 35 Tests- 25 General Studies and 10 CSAT (5 Takeaways for practice) 25 General Studies-Paper 1, (5 Full Mocks included) and 5 CSAT-Paper 2 will be conducted at our centre and 5 CSAT tests will be given for practice in the end. First Test is scheduled on 24th November 2018. The Tests will be conducted at our Vijayanagar Center (address is given below) Test timing is 9-11 AM and 11:15 AM-1:15 PM Saturday (Two slots) DOWNLOAD OFFLINE PRELIMS TEST SERIES 2019- SCHEDULE MODE OF ADMISSION AND FEE STRUCTURE Select the Programme named- Offline Prelims Test Series 2019- 25 GS Tests+10 CSAT from the given payment link and subscribe. Payment Link- Click Here Fee is Rs 3600+Tax Send the acknowledgement of payment receipt to offline@iasbaba.com with subject "Offline Prelims Test Series-2019 Payment Made" Bring two passport size photograph and a print out of Identity Card on 25th November (1st Test) Carry your Payment Receipt also. Office Address IASbaba, 1737, MRCR Layout, Vijayanagar Service Road, Vijayanagar, Bangalore - 560040 Near Vijayanagar Metro Station. Email : offline@iasbaba.com Mobile No.: 9035077800 All the Best IASbaba Team

Nov 18, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Liberation of the individual – Inspirational Educative Articles

Liberation of the individual: Spirituality is not an ideology, it is not a concept, and it is not a manmade dream. Spirituality is an existential longing to know who you are. That is why there is no other force more powerful than an individual’s longing. It is more powerful than all of the atomic bombs that man has ever created, because this force, once it takes over an individual, can remove everything out of their path and simply allow them to focus: Who am I? What am I? Why am I? Why am I eating? Why am I breathing? Why am I walking? Why am I dreaming? Until an individual comes to a fundamental questioning of who he is, he is simply lost in the collectivity. A further example of this collectivity is religion. In religion, you cannot recognize an individual because it is just another collective ideology. If you are a Hindu, a Muslim, or a Christian, does it say anything at all about you? No. It can only say something about where you grew up. In fact, everything about you, from the way you look to the language that you use, has been acquired from the outside. And all the accumulation has submerged and hidden the real you. Now, more than ever, the world is moving towards the liberation of the individual. There was a time for kings, there was a time for priests, and there was a time for governments, but now the force is the individual. If you look at what is happening, our innovations and developments are constantly giving the individual the power to express himself. Not too long ago, even to share this simple existential process would have required me to get permission from my religious community. They would have decided whether it made sense or not. Then I would have needed the permission from my country. They would have decided whether what I said was helpful to people or not. Under those circumstances, individuality was completely drowned. Throughout human history, if an individual saw something that sparked his curiosity he would want to express himself, no matter the circumstances. For example, when Galileo figured out that we live on a round planet and that the Earth rotates around the sun, the church considered this to be an absolute heresy. During the time of Galileo, if you were not following the orders of the church you were a heretic, which literally means “one who goes their own way”. Galileo was also considered to be a danger to the church because the church always believed that the earth was flat and that it was created in six days. So the church branded Galileo as a heretic and his papers were not allowed to be published. They went back and forth and finally the church forced Galileo to write at the end of his papers that his findings were only a speculation, not the truth. Only by adding that condition could Galileo publish his papers. In a way, we have come very far. Now an individual is free, theoretically. Psychologically he is still bound by a suppression that has kept him in bondage for so many centuries. Since man comes from this collective consciousness, whether he knows it or not, there is a part of him that knows that his ideas were subjugated at one point in time. At that point in time, man had the fear of expressing himself freely. So in a subtle form, that suppression has continued to this day in the form of the family, the community, the religion, and the ideologies of the country Therefore, an individual is still bound, but he is more bound psychologically than in any other way. He is more bound by his own mental process than by anything else. If an individual can step away from his psychological burden, if he can explore life from the pristine purity of his own consciousness, then the answers he will get will simply astound him. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

Nov 17, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 17th November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 17th November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) 26-week maternity leave law Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social issue; Women issue; Health Issue In news: The Ministry of Labour and Employment is working on an incentive scheme whereby the government would bear the cost of maternity leave wages for seven weeks, subject to certain conditions. In a bid to encourage employers to implement the extended 26-week maternity leave law, the Labour Ministry plans to refund them for seven weeks’ worth of wages for women workers with a wage ceiling up to ₹15,000 a month. (incentive scheme) The financial implication to the Centre is estimated to be ₹400 crore, and the Ministry is in the process of obtaining budgetary approvals. Do you know? In March 2017, the Centre amended the Maternity Benefit Act to increase paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for all women employees in establishments employing 10 or more people. However, implementation was very poor with private sector or contract jobs. Some private entities didn’t encourage women employees because if they are employed, they may have to provide maternity benefit to them, particularly 26 weeks of paid holiday. Women employees were asked to quit or are retrenched on flimsy grounds before they go on maternity leave. Key pointers: Maternity Benefit Amendment Act, 2017, increases the paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks and mandatory crèche facility. Amendments seek to improve infant mortality rate (34 per 1,000 live births) and maternal mortality rate (167 per 100,000 live births). To ensure that working women are not forced to discontinue breastfeeding. To make provision for just and humane conditions for work and maternity relief (Article 42). Making employers solely liable is not a viable option: 2014 ILO report had specially cautioned against making employers solely liable for the cost of maternity benefits. Advocated that maternity benefits should be provided either through compulsory social insurance or public funds. Standing Committee on Labour in 2007 had suggested that the government should create a corpus fund to partially sponsor the costs to be incurred by the employer to provide maternity benefits. Kilogram gets a new definition Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology In news: Scientists have changed the way the kilogram is defined. For more than a century, the kilogram had been defined as the mass of a cylinder of platinum-iridium alloy kept in a high-security vault in France. That artefact, nicknamed ‘Le Grand K’, had been the world’s sole true kilogram since 1889. But now, the kilogram will be defined in terms of a tiny but unchanging value called the ‘Planck constant’. The decision was made at the General Conference on Weights and Measures. Do you know? The ‘Planck constant’, which derives from quantum physics, can be used along with a Kibble balance, an exquisitely accurate weighing machine, to calculate the mass of an object using a precisely measured electromagnetic force. Why kill off the kilogram? Le Grand K has been at the forefront of the international system of measuring weights since 1889. Several close replicas were made and distributed around the globe. But the master kilogram and its copies were seen to change - ever so slightly - as they deteriorated. In a world where accurate measurement is now critical in many areas, such as in drug development, nanotechnology and precision engineering - those responsible for maintaining the international system had no option but to move beyond Le Grand K to a more robust definition. How wrong is Le Grand K? The fluctuation is about 50 parts in a billion, less than the weight of a single eyelash. But although it is tiny, the change can have important consequences. Miscellaneous Person in news: N. Ram In news: N. Ram, Chairman, THG Publishing Private Limited, The Hindu Group’s publishing company, was awarded the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award by Mr. Jaitley for his lifetime contribution to journalism. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Constitution; Separation of powers Judiciary and its functions When judges legislate Introduction In many recent judgments, the Supreme Court has become hyper-activist in making laws. But can judges legislate, remains a question to be discussed. Can judges legislate? This question has been answered in the past by the court. In Ram Jawaya v. The State of Punjab (1955), the court observed that there should be a broad separation of powers in the Constitution of the three organs of the state, and that one organ should not encroach into the domain of another. If this happens, the delicate balance in the Constitution will be upset and there will be chaos. Similarly in Union of India v. Deoki Nandan Aggarwal (1991) court observed that the power to legislate has not been conferred on the courts. In Suresh Seth v. Commissioner, Indore Municipal Corporation (2005), the court observed: “Under our Constitutional scheme, Parliament and Legislative Assemblies exercise sovereign power to enact laws.” Recent example of judicial legislation through judgments - Fixing timings for bursting Diwali fireworks and prohibiting the use of non-green fireworks Direction that no BS-4 vehicle should be sold after March 30, 2020, and that only BS-6 vehicles can be sold after that date Amendment to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Amending section 498A of the Indian Penal Code National Green Tribunal’s order that no 15-year-old petrol-driven or 10-year-old diesel-driven vehicle will ply in Delhi. Do you know? Judicial review: Power of judiciary to examine the constitutional validity of legislative enactments and executive orders of the government. Judicial activism: Proactive role played by the judiciary in protection of rights of citizen and promotion of justice in society. It amounts to the assertive role by judiciary where it forces the other two organs to discharge their constitutional duties. Judicial restraint: Role of judges should be limited to only interpretation of law and should leave the law making business to the legislature and the executive. As it is against the constitutional principle of separation of powers and since judiciary is a non -elective body, it does not enjoy popular will to make laws. Article 50 of the Indian Constitution – Separation of judiciary from the executive – The state shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State. Conclusion Making laws is the function of the legislature. If judges are free to make laws of their choices, not only would that go against the principle of separation of powers, it could also lead to uncertainty in the law and chaos as every judge will start drafting his own laws according to his whims and fancies. Connecting the dots: What is judicial legislation? Explain briefly the separation of powers between various organs of the state. INTERNATIONAL 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 Searching for an elusive peace: The Moscow format on consultation on Afghanistan Introduction Russia hosted a regional conference on Afghanistan - 'Moscow Format' to nudge the reconciliation process between the Taliban and the Afghan authorities. Representatives from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the U.S. and India were also present at the meeting, making it the first time that all stakeholders were present in the same room. Concerns: The Taliban considers the Afghan government as illegitimate and therefore had opposed the Moscow format being co-led by the Afghan government. The Afghan government did not send representative but had Afghanistan represented by the High Peace Council (HPC), which is supported but not part of the Afghan government. India sent two former diplomats as participants as being “non-official”, since India did not want to share the same stage with the Taliban. The U.S. was represented by its Moscow embassy officials wherein it kept an observer status in the meet. The Moscow Format is being led by Russia and has been criticised for not adhering to the 'Afghan led, Afghan owned' principle. Need for Taliban Taliban has now been controlling the major portions of Afghanistan, and has thereby been considered as being legitimate inclusion in 'Afghan led, Afghan owned' principle. The Afghan government under Ashraf Ghani has also invited Taliban for direct talks and in addition, the US has also shown inclination of engaging in talks with the Taliban thereby improving Taliban's legitimacy. The US led forces had on times engaged with the Taliban on local level during the post-War period in Afghanistan. Pakistan continues to maintain support to Afghan Taliban to maintain a stronghold in Afghanistan and ensure Taliban's cooperation in Pak.-Afghan border areas. An initiative (Quadrilateral Coordination Group), involving the U.S., China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, was launched in January 2016, however it failed in controlling the growth of Taliban. There is emergence of Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan which is in conflict with the Taliban and therefore the Taliban is required by Western allies to combat] the rise of IS in Afghanistan. The conflict with the Taliban has consuming resources of the US and the Afghan government wherein it can be utilised for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, therefore engaging Taliban in peace talks is a better alternative. Way forward for India The Moscow format has the ability to attain the reconciliation process between the Taliban and the Afghan authorities, in consensus of the other stakeholders. India has supported the Moscow Format during the recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin and therefore should continue its commitment to the Moscow Format. India has supported an ‘Afghan-led and Afghan-owned’ peace process where in it should continue to maintain presence in all international peace processes on Afghanistan. India doesn’t have the leverage to play spoiler but its presence is recognition that its economic cooperation programmes make it the most widely accepted development partner. Connecting the dots: What is "Moscow Format"? Do you think it is in line with India's ambitions of ‘Afghan-led and Afghan-owned’ peace process? Critically analyse. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) It is a Maternity Benefit Programme It is in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013 Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW& LM) who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments are excluded Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) What is the value of universal Planck constant? 6.626176 x 10-34 joule-seconds 6.67408 × 10-11 m3 kg-1 s-2 8.314 J / mol. K. 4.184 joule-seconds Q.3) Scientists have changed the way the kilogram is defined. Consider the following statements with regard to it: For more than a century, the kilogram had been defined using ‘Planck constant’. But now, the kilogram will be defined in terms of a tiny but unchanging value called the ‘Le Grand K’. Select the correct statements 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Getting the economy back on track The Hindu Unnecessary, destabilising and expensive The Hindu 'Purchased' and abandoned in Haryana The Hindu Coming full circle Indian Express Don’t Talk, Listen Indian Express Skill India is ailing Indian Express

Nov 17, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 110]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 110] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC)’ It is the legal instrument of the World Customs Organization (WCO) It aims to simplify and harmonize international customs procedures globally, in order to achieve faster, more predictable and efficient customs clearances Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about World Customs Organization (WCO) It is an intergovernmental organisation based in Geneva The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System is developed and maintained by the WCO Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘Nalaban Bird Sanctuary’ is located in Odisha Arunachal Pradesh West Bengal Mizoram Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)’ It is a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare It raises funds from Central Government, Internal Accruals, and market borrowings Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Tall Ship Sail-Together’ Expedition It will retrace the trade links that existed between the erstwhile Malabar Coast and the Persian Gulf. It is held as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS). Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba

Nov 17, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 16th November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 16th November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Can judges legislate? Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Polity; Separation of powers In news: Principle of separation of powers In Ram Jawaya v. The State of Punjab (1955), the court observed: the three organs or part of the state should not encroach into the domain of another. If this happens, the delicate balance in the Constitution will be upset and there will be chaos. In Union of India v. Deoki Nandan Aggarwal (1991), the court observed that the power to legislate has not been conferred on the courts. Making laws is the function of the legislature. In Suresh Seth v. Commissioner, Indore Municipal Corporation (2005), the court observed: “Under our Constitutional scheme, Parliament and Legislative Assemblies exercise sovereign power to enact laws.” However, in many recent judgments, the Supreme Court has become hyper-activist in making laws. In Arun Gopal v. Union of India (2017), the Supreme Court fixed timings for bursting Diwali fireworks and prohibited the use of non-green fireworks, although there are no laws to that effect. In M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (2018), the court annulled the statutory Rule 115(21) of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, when it directed that no BS-4 vehicle should be sold after March 30, 2020, and that only BS-6 vehicles can be sold after that date. In Subhash Kashinath Mahajan v. State of Maharashtra (2018), the court amended the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, by annulling Section 18 which said that no anticipatory bail will be granted to persons accused under the Act; by requiring a preliminary enquiry; and by prohibiting arrest under the Act except with permission in writing by the appropriate authority. In Rajesh Sharma v. The State of Uttar Pradesh (2017), the court felt that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code was being misused. So it amended that Section by requiring complaints under that provision to be sent to a Family Welfare Committee constituted by the District Legal Services Authority, although there is no such requirement in Section 498A. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered that no 15-year-old petrol-driven or 10-year-old diesel-driven vehicle will ply in Delhi, and the Supreme Court has directed impounding such vehicles, though neither the NGT nor the Supreme Court are legislative bodies. Against the principle of separation of powers If judges are free to make laws of their choices, not only would that go against the principle of separation of powers, it could also lead to uncertainty in the law and chaos as every judge will start drafting his own laws according to his whims and fancies. 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the world; international relations In news: PM Modi called for enhancing multilateral cooperation and economic and cultural ties among member-nations. He reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region; strengthening maritime cooperation and commitment to a balanced RCEP. About East Asia Summit (EAS) The EAS consists of 10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. The East Asia Summit is an annual meeting of national leaders from the East Asian region and adjoining countries. (established in the year 2005) EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of ASEAN. The EAS was formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity. The host of the 2018 East Asian Summit is also the Chairperson of ASEAN, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong. Miscellaneous: Fitch retains rating for India at ‘BBB-’ Fitch Ratings retained India’s sovereign rating at ‘BBB-’, the lowest investment grade rating, although maintaining its stable outlook. Trade deficit rises to $17.13 bn India’s merchandise trade deficit widened due to higher oil import bill. Barnard’s star b Astronomers have discovered a frozen planet with a mass more than three times that of the Earth, orbiting the closest solitary star to the Sun. The potentially rocky planet, known as Barnard’s star b, is a ‘super-Earth’ and orbits around its host star once every 233 days. At nearly six light-years away Barnard’s star is the next closest star to the Sun after the Alpha Centauri triple system. Barnard’s star b is the second closest known exoplanet to our Sun. The closest — Proxima b — lies just over four light-years from Earth and orbits around the red dwarf Proxima Centauri. Alpha Centauri It is the closest star system to the Solar System at a distance of 4.37 light-years\ Centauri B together with a small and faint red dwarf, Alpha Centauri C (also named Proxima Centauri. Proxima Centauri Proxima Centauri or Alpha Centauri C, is a red dwarf, a small low-mass star, about 4.25 lightyears (1.30 pc) from the Sun in the constellation of Centaurus. It was discovered in 1915 by the Scottish astronomer Robert Innes, the Director of the Union Observatory in South Africa, and is the nearest-known star to the Sun. International Centre for Interdisciplinary Solutions on AMR in Denmark International research centre to open in Denmark in 2019 which focuses on the fight against resistance to antibiotics. The International Centre for Interdisciplinary Solutions on AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance), financed by Denmark and private investors, will open in 2019 and is expected to employ up to 500 people. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger Setting a proper diet plan: Malnutrition in India Introduction Recently, three girls died of starvation resulting from prolonged malnutrition in the national capital Delhi, which is a high per capita income State. Such paradox of situation is visible in many parts of the country. Despite being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the nutrition condition of India is a serious concern. Some stats India has been ranked at 103 out of 119 countries, with hunger levels categorised as “serious”, in the Global Hunger Index 2018. India’s child malnourishment level is not only the highest in the world but varies considerably across States. As per the National Family Health Survey-2016, the proportion of stunted (low height for age) children under five is significantly higher (38.4%) than global (22.9%) averages. The underweight (low weight for age) children rate (35.7%) is a lot higher than the global average (13.5%) too. India is home to over 53.3 million stunted, 49.6 million underweight and 29.2 million wasted (low weight for height) children under five. Major challenges Economic growth is not an "only" solution There is no doubt that the low income and Empowered-Action-Group (EAG) States face major challenges to improve malnutrition, but, two EAG States, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, have performed better on this front compared to Gujarat and Maharashtra where per capita income is almost double. The development path prevalent in Gujarat is more about growth, development, investment, which has not been able to translate as better nutritional status in the State. Odisha, which is a low income State, has a better network of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), public health facility/workforce per lakh population and educational attainment among women, which have translated into a better nutritional status when compared with Gujarat. Similarly, tribals, rural, poor and illiterate mothers’ children are badly off in so-called developed States of Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab. These groups are also affected in poorer States of U.P., Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. Around two-thirds of stunted/underweight children are from 200 districts of both less developed and developed States. Contradiction: agrarian plenty and malnutrition Estimates show that the malnutrition continues to be high in agricultural surplus States like Haryana (34% stunting and 29.5% underweight). Malnutrition in some of its agriculturally-developed districts (Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak as well as in Gurugram) is even higher than the average of Odisha. Recently, Madhya Pradesh has registered double-digit growth in food grain production making it one of the wheat granaries of India, but acute malnutrition is still critical in most of its districts with a high proportion of underweight (42.8%) and stunted children (41.9%). A solution: diversity in food intake With the increase in diversity in food intake, measured through Food Intake Index using 19 food items in all 640 districts, malnutrition (stunted/underweight) status declines. Only 12% of children are likely to be stunted and underweight in areas where diversity in food intake is high, while around 50% children are stunted if they consume less than three food items. A majority of children across districts in Tamil Nadu consume a reasonably highly diversified food, leading to lower percentage of stunted/underweight children across districts. Children in a majority of districts in West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala and Karnataka consume mediocre level of food items and malnutrition is relatively lower than in Rajasthan, U.P., Jharkhand, M.P., Gujarat, Bihar and Haryana (children in many of their districts consume less diversified food). The diversified food intake is very low in a majority of Indian districts; just 28% of children consumed over five items of the total 19 food items. The way forward An inclusive and holistic approach, including controlling/regulating food price, strengthening the public distribution system (PDS) and income support policies for making food cheaper are important steps. The ICDS was a high impact nutrition intervention, but its universal availability and quality are questionable due to poor functioning. The government must broaden the ICDS programme by ensuring diversity in food items in worst-hit districts. Conclusion Faster economic growth has enormous benefits, but it is by no means sufficient and sustainable if millions of children remain undernourished, as it not only impacts early childhood health and imposes disease burden but also affects education, wages and productivity when they grow up, which will impact India’s growth. The launch of the National Nutrition Mission as a strategy to fight maternal and child malnutrition is a welcome step towards achieving the targets of underweight and stunted children under five years from 35.7% to 20.7% and from 38.4% to 25% respectively by 2022. Connecting the dots: Despite being fastest growing economy and one of the leading producers of food grains, India is home to highest number of malnourished children. Critically analyse. NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 3 Indian Economy and various Issues Full disclosure: Credit rating agencies Introduction From recent the IL&FS crisis, it is evident that credit rating agencies failed to warn investors about the forthcoming risk. The SEBI has issued guidelines to credit rating agencies to improve the quality of their disclosures. Do you know? Credit Rating Credit rating is an assessment of the probability of default on payment of interest and principal on a debt instrument. These debt instruments can be in the form of Bond, Commercial Papers or treasury bills, etc. Credit Rating Agencies A credit rating agency is an entity which assesses the ability and willingness of the issuer company for timely payment of interest and principal on a debt instrument. The rating is assigned to a security or an instrument. The Credit rating agencies are regulated by SEBI. New norms Based on the new norms issued by the SEBI, the credit rating agencies will have to inform investors about the liquidity situation of the companies such as their cash balance, liquidity coverage ratio, access to emergency credit lines, asset-liability mismatch etc. Further, rating agencies will have to disclose their own historical rating track record by informing clients about how often their rating of an entity has changed over a period of time. Concerns to be addressed A lot of the problems with the credit rating industry have to do with structural issues rather than the lack of formal rules. The “issuer-pays” model where the entity that issues the instrument also pays the ratings agency for its services often leads to a situation of conflict of interest. The credit rating market in India has high barriers to entry leading to lack of competition and hence adversely affects the interests of the investors. Better disclosures can increase the amount of information available to investors, but without a sufficient number of alternative credit rating providers, quality standards in ratings will not improve. Another severe problem plaguing the industry is rating shopping and the loyalty of credit rating agencies in general. In other words, it favours Borrowers over investors. Conclusion While rating agencies already make at least some of these disclosures one way or the other, mandating the formal disclosure of these facts is still welcome. The ready availability of information can help investors make better decisions. The Credit rating agencies have to come up with lucrative business models which put the interests of the investors above the interests of borrowers. Such a change requires a policy framework that allows easier entry and innovation in the credit rating industry. Connecting the dots: What is Credit Rating? Why Credit rating agencies failed to predict IL&FS crisis? Critically analyse. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements about East Asia Summit: The East Asia Summit is the premier leaders-led forum in the Asia-Pacific. India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Which of the following are the elements of ‘Basic Structure’ of Constitution Judicial review Freedom and dignity of the individual Unity and integrity of the nation Effective access to justice Separation of powers between the three organs of the state Select the correct code given below: 1, 3, and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4 only 1 and 3 only All of the above Q.3) Separation of powers among the three branches of the government, this feature was borrowed from - British Constitution United States Constitution Canadian Constitution Government of India Act 1935 Q.4) India is a member of – ASEAN East Asia Summit Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) None of the above Q.5) Light year is a unit to measure Time Distance Speed None Q.6) Consider the following statements about ‘Proxima Centauri’ It is the closest star to the Sun It is orbited by the Earth-sized temperate world Proxima b, discovered in 2016 and the closest exoplanet to the solar system Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.7) Which of the following statements is/are correct? Alpha Centauri is the closest star system to the Solar System It consists of three stars: the pair Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B together with a small and faint red dwarf named Proxima Centauri Select the correct code Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Searching for an elusive peace The Hindu The oil & rupee problem Indian Express Republic’s Sentinel Indian Express The impact of World War I on India Livemint Tackling India’s open defecation problem Livemint A concert of Indo-Pacific democracies Livemint

Nov 17, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – The Science of Mind – Ernest Holmes

The Science of Mind – Ernest Holmes “The Science of Mind” is a splendid book on the subject of mind, spirit, consciousness and life. It is a beautiful book that thoroughly explores the connection between science, religion, philosophy and life. Earnest Holmes uses a precise scientific approach to uncover the mystery of the mind. Very rarely do people use a pure scientific approach to understand, condone or exalt the tall claims of religions. This book attempts to do just that. This book is like taking a walk in a religious park wearing scientific spectacles. Everything we knew about religion can be wrong. There might be a totally different way to look at things. “The Science of Mind” not only offers a precise exploration of religion and its hidden truths. It also offers a practical way for people to use certain understanding of ancient religions to better their personal lives. Eventually this book is about practicality and usefulness. The book is intended to be a manual for self-transformation. Read this book with an open mind and you will uncover a wealth of practical wisdom that you use on a daily basis to better your life. When we drop our prejudices about religion and approach it scientifically, we can uncover a wealth of knowledge that can be both enlightening and useful.

Nov 15, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 15th November 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 15th November 2018 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) GSAT-29 and GSLV-MkIII-D2 rocket Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology; Space mission; Achievements by ISRO In news: ISRO successfully placed another communication satellite (GSAT-29) in a geostationary transfer orbit. ISRO also achieved a crucial success of GSLV-MkIII rocket which is slated to launch two big missions --Chandrayaan-2 and the human space mission -- in the next four years. The satellite is equipped with powerful transponders intended to meet the communication requirements of users in remote areas in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir. Do you know? GSLV-MkIII rocket is India’s most powerful rocket, and it lifted off with a 3,423 kg GSAT-29 satellite, heaviest satellite in Indian History that set in orbit. It is an important milestone for the Indian Space Programme towards achieving self-reliance in launching heavier satellites. Pic: https://www.hindustantimes.com/static/ht2018/11/1511flap1.jpg Understanding the basics Geostationary Orbit (GEO) If we need a satellite for the purpose which needs this satellites to remain at a particular distance from earth at all the time, then we need circular orbits so all the points on circular orbit are at equal distance from earth’s surface. The circular equatorial orbit is exactly in the plane of equator on the earth. If the satellite is moving in the circular-equatorial orbit and its angular velocity is equal to earth’s angular velocity, the satellite is said to be moving along with the earth. This satellite would appear stationary from the earth and this orbit would be called Geostationary Orbit. Features of geostationary satellite The orbit is circular The orbit is in equatorial plane i.e. directly above the equator and thus inclination is zero. The angular velocity of the satellite is equal to angular velocity of earth Period of revolution is equal to period of rotation of earth. Finish one revolution around the earth in exactly one day i.e. 23 hours, 56 Minutes and 4.1 seconds There is ONLY one geostationary orbit. Geosynchronous Orbit There is a difference between the geostationary and geosynchronous orbits. We should note that while other orbits may be many, there is ONLY ONE Equatorial orbit, i.e. the orbit which is directly above the earth’s equator. Sometimes we send a satellite in the space which though has a period of revolution is equal to period of rotation of earth, but its orbit is neither equatorial nor Circular. So, this satellite will finish one revolution around the earth in exactly one day i.e. 23 hours, 56 Minutes and 4.1 seconds, yet it does NOT appear stationary from the earth. It looks oscillating but NOT stationary and that is why it is called Geosynchronous. Features of a geosynchronous satellite The orbit is NOT circular The orbit is NOT in equatorial plane i.e. directly above the equator, it’s in inclined orbit The angular velocity of the satellite is equal to angular velocity of earth Period of revolution is equal to period of rotation of earth. Finish one revolution around the earth in exactly one day i.e. 23 hours, 56 Minutes and 4.1 seconds There are many geosynchronous orbits. Person in news: Basant Kumar Rath (J&K IPS officer) Part of: GS Mains IV – Ethics and integrity In news: J&K people rallied in support of IPS officer Basant Kumar Rath following his transfer. He earned himself a following in Kashmir, a place where a significant section of youth is angry against security forces and engages in frequent street battles. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 Constitution; Basic structure Center-state relations, good governance A reality check on cooperative federalism Introduction Since at least 1974, when the Supreme Court commented on the Constitution envisaging a cooperative federal structure, federalism has come a long way in India. Despite federalism being the basic feature of Indian Constitution, central government continues to wield superior legislative powers including residuary powers over states. Among many other, the taxing provisions are also contentious terrain as the Centre is more empowered under the newly enacted Goods and Services Tax law. An example: President's Rule In relation to the imposition of President’s rule under Article 356 of the Constitution, federalism is far more mature. Between 1947 and 1977, there were 44 instances when the power to impose President’s rule was exercised. Between 1977 and 1996, the power was exercised almost 59 times. 15 instances between 1980 and 1984 after the Supreme Court held federalism a basic feature of the Constitution is quite telling. From 1991 till 2016, there have been 32 instances of the exercise of this power — compared to 92 instances in the preceding period. Supreme Court rulings In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court might have placed gentle breaks on exercise of this power (Article 356), but the Centre continues to wield superior legislative powers, including residuary powers and legislative precedence. Recently, in Govt. of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India , the Supreme Court gently tilted the balance of executive power in favour of the Government of the National Capital Territory vis-à-vis the Lieutenant Governor (and by extension, the Centre). However, the court’s observations on cooperative federalism were stating the obvious considering members of both cabinets take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Taxation powers Taxation powers are another contentious issue and the Central government has won most of the disputes purely due to express provisions in the Constitution. In the Goods and Services Tax (GST) scenario, States have foregone some taxation powers (octroi, entry tax, luxury and entertainment taxes, etc.) but have powers to levy taxes through panchayats and municipalities. Such powers can result in an anomalous situation of a transaction being taxed under GST laws and a local law, and this is yet to be tested in court. After the GST amendments to the Constitution, States have power to levy tax on sale of petrol, diesel, etc. and these would be revenues of the respective States. However, the GST Council is yet to recommend inclusion of these items under GST. The Anomaly created by GST Amendment As per Article 269A(1) of the Constitution, the powers to make recommendations in relation to sharing of taxes from inter-State trade has been given to GST Council and not the Finance Commission. However, Article 270(1A) and Article 270(2) provide that taxes levied under the GST laws will be shared in the manner ‘prescribed’ by Finance Commission. Thus, there is an anomaly with respect to roles and powers of GST Council and Finance Commission regarding sharing of tax proceeds. Finance Commission and role of states Involvement of Finance Commission also means making of laws through the Parliament under Article 275 (statutory grant – grants in aid) where states have lesser role to play. Recommendations of the Finance Commission are placed before Parliament and States have no role in the debate. There is also no provision for an aggrieved State to challenge the report of Finance Commission on certain grounds or seek mandatory enforcement of its recommendations. On GST Council As per Article 279A (11) - The Goods and Services Tax Council may decide about the modalities to resolve disputes arising out of its recommendations. If the Centre refuses to make allocations as per the GST Council, or if a State is aggrieved by the recommendations itself, then as of now moving to the Supreme Court for an aggrieved State is the only option. This is because till now, no modality to resolve disputes under Article 279A (11) has yet been finalised. Conclusion States don’t merely seek parity with each other, historically States have also sought parity with the Centre (Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions). In an era of coalition politics, GST will be a true test of cooperative federalism. Connecting the dots: The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings. (UPSC mains 2015) Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss. (UPSC mains 2014) INTERNATIONAL 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 Four corners: Quad grouping Introduction The Quadrilateral Group, which includes India, U.S., Japan Australia, is going to meet in Singapore on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. Their challenge will be to accurately describe their common agenda. The Quad In 2007, when the grouping was first formed following cooperation after the 2004 tsunami, the idea was to better coordinate maritime capabilities for disaster situations. When revived in 2017, the grouping seemed to have become a counter to China’s growing inroads into the region, despite denials that any particular country had been targeted. The Quad democracies have a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. Expectations from the meet The four countries are expected to discuss infrastructure projects they are working on, and building humanitarian disaster response mechanisms. India and Japan have announced they will combine efforts on a number of projects in South Asia, including bridges and roads in Bangladesh, an LNG facility in Sri Lanka and reconstruction projects in Myanmar’s Rakhine province. Australia has unveiled an ambitious $2 billion project to fund infrastructure and build maritime and military infrastructure in the Pacific region, on which it is willing to cooperate with other Quad members. The four countries are expected to talk about regional developments, including elections in the Maldives, the collapse of the government in Sri Lanka and the latest developments in North Korea. With Quad talks being held on the sidelines of the East Asia summit, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership summit and the ASEAN-India informal summit, discussions will include some of the overlapping issues among these groupings. The Quad is yet to define a common agenda Despite the potential for cooperation, the Quad remains a mechanism without a defined strategic mission. Even a common definition of the geographical area encompassed has yet to be found. While Washington sees the U.S. and India as “bookends” of the Indo-Pacific, India and Japan have included the oceans up to Africa in their definition. The entire focus on the Indo-Pacific makes the Quad a maritime, rather than land-based, grouping, raising questions whether the cooperation extends to the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions. Even on maritime exercises, there is a lack of concurrence. India has not admitted Australia in the Malabar exercises with the U.S. and Japan, despite requests from Canberra, and has also resisted raising the level of talks from an official to the political level. The fact that India is the only member not in a treaty alliance with the other Quad countries will slow progress somewhat, although each member is committed to building a stronger Quadrilateral engagement. Conclusion The outcome of the third round in Singapore will be judged by the ability of the group to issue a joint declaration, which eluded it in the first and second rounds. (Note: this news is in transition, we have to wait for further details after the meeting) Connecting the dots: Quad; a land based or maritime grouping? Elucidate. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Which of the following statements are correct comparisons between Geostationary and Geosynchronous satellite? Geostationary orbit is one while geosynchronous orbits can be many. Geostationary orbit is in equatorial plane while geosynchronous orbits are polar. Both the satellites look stationary in the night sky. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Which of the following fuels are used in Cryogenic engines? Ammonium Nitrate Polybutadiene Acrylonitrile Kerosene Liquid Hydrogen Q.3) Communication satellites need to be placed in geosynchronous orbits to be tracked by an Earth station from a fixed place. How high should the geosynchronous orbit be? About 360 km About 3,600 km About 36,000 km Anywhere between 360 km to 3,600 km MUST READ A question of writ The Hindu The gold standard for a Prime Minister The Hindu GSAT-29: Eye on moon, ISRO takes a leap with heaviest satellite Indian Express Demolishing Nehru Indian Express The risk of acceding to a majoritarian demand Livemint What the discomforts of the rich signify Livemint

Nov 15, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 109]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 109] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘ExoMars’ The NASA and Russia's Federal Space Agency have teamed up on ExoMars It comprises of two missions, which includes a trace gas research and communication satellite and a rover. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) The terms ‘Mawrth Vallis’ and ‘Oxia Planum’ is associated with Cryptocurrency Ransomware Onion Websites None of the above Q.3) ‘Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund (EERF)’ was recently in news. Consider the following statements with respect to EERF It aims to expand and sustain investments in the energy efficiency market, build market diversification, and scale up existing technologies. Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) signed a USD 13 million grant to set up the fund. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)’ It is a public sector company that provides services to promote Indian exports, by organising trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, and providing information on produce and market. It is under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL)’ It is a Special Purpose Vehicle which looks into the construction and management of the Strategic Crude Oil Storage facilities It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best IASbaba

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