Sep 4, 2019 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 63

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 63 Archives Q.1) ‘ANDREX Project’ was in news recently. What is it associated with? Cryptocurrency Antarctic Arctic Mining Andes Mountain Range Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘AIDA Mission’ It is a joint international collaboration of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) It aims to deflect the smaller part of a double asteroid dubbed Didymos. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission’ is under the aegis of which of the following ministries? Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry of Commerce and Industry Ministry of Jal Shakti Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Q.4) Lake Urmia is located in Armenia Azerbaijan Iraq Iran Q.5) Which one of the following groups of items is included in India's Foreign Exchange Reserves? Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) Foreign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and loans from foreign countries Foreign currency assets, loans from the World Bank and Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) Foreign currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and loans from the World Bank To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Sep 3, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 3rd September 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 3rd September 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:General studies 2 and 3: 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 Arctic Region: Recent developments & India’s position Introduction: Recent developments US President Donald Trump’s recent offer to buy Greenland is an indicative of the emerging geopolitics of the Arctic region, where climate change and China are fast destabilizing the status quo, throwing up political, security, legal, and environmental challenges. Rising global temperatures are causing the frozen Arctic ocean to melt, opening up new sea routes and opportunities to extract hydrocarbons and minerals from the seabed and the newly exposed land surfaces.  Countries of the Arctic are jockeying to take advantage of these opportunities. At the same time, China declared itself a “near Arctic" country and is making determined efforts to extend its footprint in the polar region. Chinese firms have tried to purchase large tracts of land in Iceland, Norway and Denmark. Chinese investments in Greenland’s natural resource economy might persuade the local population to secede from Denmark, creating a Laos-like Chinese satellite state between North America and Europe. Taking into account emerging technology—where autonomous vehicles and robots can populate uninhabitable regions—the next few decades could see the Arctic emerge as a hotspot of great power competition. As the Arctic region witnesses an unprecedented rate of ice-melt because of global warming, new routes are being opened, paving the way for untapped hydrocarbon and mineral resources to be exploited. Unlike the Antarctic, however, the Arctic is not considered a ‘global commons’ and the principle of sovereignty prevents external players from exacting significant gains in the region. About Arctic Council: The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental body set up in 1996 by the Ottawa declaration to promote cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States together with the indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants.  The Council has the eight circumpolar countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark (Greenland and Faroe Islands), Canada, US and Russia) as member states.  Observer status is open to Non-governmental organizations, Non-littoral states as well as to Intergovernmental and Inter-Parliamentary organizations.  India has an observer status in the council. Two issues underlying Arctic politics: How should the region be shared among the eight Arctic countries (Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US), as there are overlapping territorial claims among them.  Should these countries be allowed to assert territorial claims at all? They have formed the Arctic Council to institutionalize their self-assigned rights, but many in China, the European Union, India and elsewhere are against conceding sovereignty to the Arctic countries. Arctic Council members: Russia—the most important Arctic country—is both building up its military capabilities in the region and promoting the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as a new artery of global shipping.  Moscow recently announced that it will impose rules on commercial and naval vessels using the route.  China has declared that it wants to be a polar great power.  India’s position: India is one of the very few countries to set up a permanent station (named Himadri) in the Arctic for the purposes of scientific research. The station has been used to carry out a variety of biological, glaciological and atmospheric and climate sciences research projects in the last one decade. So far, Indian involvement in the Arctic has centered around scientific and environmental studies, mostly in partnership with Norway. Indian and Russian energy companies have signed agreements worth billions of dollars on exploration and joint production.  Way ahead: India must ensure that the environment is strongly considered at the center of all debates at the Arctic Council.  India can take the lead in pursuing scientific research in the region, to understand in particular the correlation between the Arctic ice-melt and Indian monsoons. The Russians are well aware of the Chinese risk and is therefore keen for India to get involved in the Russian Far East and the Arctic. Recent developments include liberalizing visa procedures for India to enter Vladivostok. India must explore this opportunity. Conditions are favorable for private Indian investors to explore fresh pastures in the Siberia and further North. Conclusion: While India has been active in the Arctic for over ten years, it has not fully made use of its Observer status, and it must give new energy to its activities in the region. Connecting the dots: While India has been active in the Arctic for over ten years, it has not fully made use of its Observer status, and it must give new energy to its activities in the region. Comment. Must Read If it is not tackled in time, land degradation can trigger conflict  Hindustan Times Raja Mandala: Reaching out to Europe Indian express Price controls can do more harm than good Live mint

Sep 3, 2019 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 62

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 62 Archives Q.1) Which of the following is not a compulsory provision of 73rd amendment of the constitution? Providing reservation of seats (both members and chairpersons) for backward classes in panchayats at any level Reservation of one-third seats (both members and chairpersons) for women in panchayats at all the three levels. Indirect elections to the post of chairperson of panchayats at the intermediate and district levels. Constitution of a State Finance Commission after every five years to review the financial position of the panchayats. Q.2) What does Hague Code of Conduct represents? Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation which are capable of delivering Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil aspects of International child abduction Amendment of the Warsaw Convention  International registration of industrial designs Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding ‘Karewas’: Karewas are found in the Western Ghats  They are famous for areca nut and litchi production. Which of the above statements are correct? 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Which of the following Biosphere reserves in India is the latest addition under UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves? Achnakmar Amarkantak Agasthamalai Nandadevi Khangchendzonga Q.5) Bangkok Agreement, which was signed in 1975 as an initiative of ESCAP, has been rechristened as – ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) BIMSTEC Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) BBIN Corridor To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Sep 2, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 2nd September 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 2nd September 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) KALIMANTAN Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I - Geography In News Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that the nation’s capital will be moved from Jakarta on the island of Java to a yet-to-be-built city in East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The main reason to move the capital is to ease congestion Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo, an island shared with Malaysia and Brunei. Jakarta is crowded with home to more than 10 million people – and has some of the world’s worst air pollution and traffic congestion- estimated to cost 100 trillion rupiah (S$9.73 billion) a year due to lost productivity Poor urban planning in Jakarta, as well as unregulated draining of aquifers, has left 40% of the city below sea level.  The move is part of a broader strategy to decentralise Indonesia’s economic growth – Jakarta is home to 60% of the country’s population and accounts for over half of its economic activity. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/image/11669408/0x0/1600/900/8672b8af994452f5a57e4617d6f09ec/jf/indonesia-explores-new-capital.png Do You Know? In 2005, Myanmar moved its capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw, which was also purpose built as a new capital.  In 1960, Brazil moved its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, another planned city.  Malaysia has also moved its administrative centre to Putrajaya, south of the capital Kuala Lumpur Uranium Corporation of India limited (UCIL) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-I - Geography In News The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into a number of complaints about groundwater pollution caused by the uranium mining and processing project of UCIL in Kadapa district of AP UCIL was incorporated in 1967 as a Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy, for uranium mining and uranium processing.  Do You Know? Jaduguda in Singhbhum Thrust Belt (in the state of Jharkhand) is the first uranium deposit to be discovered in India in 1951. Only 3% of power in India is provided by Uranium. Largest viable deposits of Uranium are found in Australia, Kazakhstan, and Canada. http://www.ucil.gov.in/pdf/myth/Emerging%20trend%20in%20U%20mining.pdf Ek Bharat, Vijayi Bharat Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Society In News Kanyakumari-based Vivekanand Kendra and its state units will launch a year-long nation-wide contact programme to spread the messages of Swami Vivekananda The mass contact programme, titled “Ek Bharat Vijayi Bharat”, coincides with the 50th foundation year of Vivekanand Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari The programme will focus on spreading the messages of Swami Vivekananda, making people aware of the inspiring story of Vivekanand Rock Memorial and the activities of Vivekanand Kendra. Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu at the Tri-junction of Indian ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment at this place in 1892, prior to his famous Chicago trip The memorial consists of two main structures, the Vivekananda Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam. The design of the mandapa incorporates different styles of temple architecture from all over India.  Vivekananda Kendra works in the field of yoga, education, rural development, youth motivation, natural resource development, cultural research among other areas. Mamallapuram Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-II- International Relations In News The historic coastal town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu will be the venue for the second India-China informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled in October this year.  The first informal summit between them was held in Wuhan in China in April 2018. Mamallapuram also hosted the Defence Expo 2018 or known as Defexpo, the Union Defence Ministry’s annual event with international participation. Do You Know? Mamallapuram was one of two major port cities by the 7th century within the Pallava kingdom.  The town has a collection of 7th and 8th century religious monuments that has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Some important structures include: Thirukadalmallai, Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna's Penance, Varaha Cave Temple and Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots).  (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES 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. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Red notices Context: Home Minister Amit Shah has conveyed to Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock that India would like the international police agency to expedite its process of publishing Red Notices Concern: As many as 18 requests for RNs from India are pending with Interpol. What is an RED NOTICE? Criminals or suspects often flee to other countries to evade facing justice. An RN alerts police forces across the world about fugitives who are wanted internationally. Interpol describes an RN as “a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action”. RNs contain information that helps identify wanted persons, such as their names, dates of birth, nationality, and physical attributes such as the colour of their hair and eyes, as well as pictures and biometric data such as fingerprints, if they are available. RNs also mention the crime(s) they are wanted for. An RN is published by Interpol at the request of a member country. The fugitives may be wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. The country issuing the request need not be the home country of the fugitive; Interpol acts on the request of a country where the alleged crime has been committed. Number of Red Notices The Interpol says some 58,000 RNs are currently valid, of which around 7,000 are public. Most RNs are restricted to law enforcement use only. In cases where the help of the public is needed to locate an individual, or if those individuals pose a threat to public safety, a public extract of the RN is published on the Interpol’s website. In 2018, Interpol issued 13,516 RNs Importance of RNs RNs are issued to simultaneously alert police in all member countries about internationally wanted fugitives An RN can help bring a fugitive to justice, sometimes many years after the crime was committed. However, because an RN is not an arrest warrant, action against a fugitive frequently rests on the diplomatic clout that the country making the request has with the country where the fugitive is located. Key notes about Interpol: Interpol is global police co-operation agency and a non-governmental organization (NGO). It was established as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) in 1923. Its headquartered is located at Lyon, France. It is the world’s largest international police organization, with 194 member countries (including India). It is second-largest international organization after United Nations in terms of international representation. Its work focuses on public safety and battling terrorism, crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes, environmental crime etc. It seeks to facilitate international police cooperation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. It ensures that police around world have access to tools and services necessary to do their jobs effectively. It also provides targeted training, expert investigative support, relevant data and secure communications channels. It primarily uses its police expertise and capabilities for these three types of crimes. 1. Counter-Terrorism 2. Organized crime 3. Cyber Crime Interpol works in conjunction with all member countries and international organizations like the United Nations and European Union to combat international crime. India’s membership: India has been a member since 1956. Like any member nation, India maintains a National Central Bureau which serves as the national platform for cooperation between domestic law enforcement units and the international police community. The NCB is the designated contact point for the Interpol. India has collaborated with the Interpol in tackling a myriad of organised crimes such as poaching, wildlife trafficking, spurious drugs and fake medicine rackets, among others. Connecting the dots: What is Interpol’s Red notice and extradition? Explain how it works and what happens if there would be no extradition treaty? CLIMATE CHANGE/ENVIRONMENT TOPIC:General Studies 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Climate Change and Nationalist Ideology In news: Brazil’s Amazon forests are ablaze with dozens of fires, most of them set intentionally by loggers and others seeking greater access to forest land. At this scale the fires are paving the way for a global climate catastrophe.  Meanwhile, many cities in Europe and elsewhere have seen high temperatures never before experienced.  Heat waves have also accelerated melting of glaciers in Greenland at a rate that was not anticipated. Nationalism and climate change: The Brazilian President has stated that the Amazon forest fires is an internal matter. The American President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement stating that it is against the national interests of the U.S. Across the Atlantic. British Prime Minister has received funding from climate science denial groups while saying that he would lobby the U.S. to take climate change more seriously. The burning of the world’s largest forest reserves, the withdrawal of the world’s leading polluter from a major international treaty and the U.K.’s isolationist policies may appear to be the triumph of nationalist ideology. But these actions have consequences that far transcend national boundaries and impact all creatures that share life on the planet. Way ahead: Better land use: Changes in land use pattern and climate change: While energy and transport are mainly responsible for the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, changes in land use patterns too have made significant contributions.  Deforestation, industrial agricultural systems and desertification are major drivers of climate change.  Agriculture, forestry and other land use activities accounted for a little less than a quarter (23%) of the total net anthropogenic emissions of GHGs between 2007-2016. A recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report makes it clear that unless land is managed in a sustainable manner, climate change can’t be tackled. Solution: Managing land better for farming would entail implementing more sustainable agricultural practices. It would mean, for instance, reducing chemical input drastically, and taking the practice of food production closer to natural methods of agroecology, as these would reduce emissions and enhance resilience to warming.  The IPCC report calls for avoiding conversion of grassland to cropland, bringing in equitable management of water in agriculture, crop diversification, agroforestry and investment in local and indigenous seed varieties that can withstand higher temperatures.  It also recommends practices that increase soil carbon and reduce salinisation. An inclusive land use policy: To make these significant changes and reduce inequality and poverty, land use policy should incorporate better access to markets for small and marginal farmers, empower women farmers, expand agricultural services and strengthen land tenure systems.  Sustainable land management can reduce multiple stressors on ecosystems and societies. It will also help societies adapt better to warmer climates and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Establishing sustainable food systems: Reducing food waste, which is estimated to be a quarter of the food produced. It also necessitates eating locally grown food and cutting meat consumption. Alongside these changes, it is important to put an end to deforestation, while conserving mangroves, peatland and other wetlands. Addressing the transnational challenges of climate change and land: The narrow lens of nationalism is no longer serving us. We need a new planetary ethics that supports alternative systems for the future, for a sustainable earth. Focus has to be on the following: Gowth of ecological sensibilities. Supporting pluralism. Enhancing quality of life. Shifting values away from consumerism. Creating new identities and cultures that transcend conventional boundaries. Conclusion: Viewing the transnational challenge of climate change through the narrow lens of nationalism will only spell disaster. A sense of solidarity across boundaries needs to be created, instead of building fortress worlds, will contribute to the path we build. Connecting the dots: Viewing the transnational challenge of climate change through the narrow lens of nationalism will only spell disaster. Comment. (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) The descent of the Ganges and Arjuna's Penance are portrayed in which of the following India’s heritage site Ajanta Caves Ellora Caves  Mahabalipuram None of the above Q.2) Uranium deposits are located at which among the following places in India Mahadek Basin in Meghalaya Singhbhum belt in Jharkhand Bhima basin in Karnataka Aravallis in Rajasthan Select the correct answer from the codes given below. 1,2 and 3 only 2,3 and 4 only 1,2 and 3 only 1,2,3 and 4 Q.3) Consider the following statements  Ministry of Culture is lauching “Ek Bharat Vijayi Bharat”, a mass-contact programme to spread the teachings of Swami Vivekananda  Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a monument in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu at the Tri-junction of Indian ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar? Sumatra Borneo Java Sri Lanka Must Read: A misguided stimulus plan to revive our economic growth Live Mint A new ethics for a sustainable planet The Hindu Redesigning medical education  The Hindu Nation’s orphans Indian express Irresponsible rhetoric The Hindu

Sep 2, 2019 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 61

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 61 Archives Q.1) ‘Jaduguda Mine is known for Bauxite Uranium Gold Mica Q.2) ‘Punnamada Lake’ was in news recently. Where is it located? Kerala Odisha Rajasthan Goa Q.3) ‘Automatic Exchange Of Information (AEOI)’ is associated with ASEAN OECD CITES INTERPOL Q.4) The ‘Sudeten Crisis’ is associated with which of the following countries? Sudan South Korea Germany Brazil Q.5) ‘Corruption Perception Index’ is published by Transparency International World Economic Forum World Bank International Monetary Fund To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Sep 2, 2019 Yojana

IAS UPSC YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine ‘JULY’ 2019

Archives Friends, Here we are with the JULY 2019, edition of Yojana and Kurukshetra. Yojana/Kurukshetra: JULY 2019 – Download Download Mind Maps - Click here Click here Click here

Sep 1, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 31st August 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 31st August 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Angikaar campaign Part of: GS Prelims In News The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry has launched the 'Angikaar campaign'. The campaign aims for social behaviour change, focusing on issues such as water & energy conservation, waste management, health, tree plantation, sanitation and hygiene for beneficiaries of completed houses under PMAY (U). The campaign will include door to door activities, ward and city level events. For this purpose, the campaign will converge with schemes and Missions of other Ministries dealing with these subjects, especially Ujjwala yojana for gas connection and Ayushman Bharat for health insurance. It will be initiated in all target cities on 2nd October 2019 and culminate on the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10th December, 2019. Do You Know? PMAY- Urban envisions provision of Housing for All by 2022, when India completes 75 years of its Independence The scheme has following four verticals Slum rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers with participation of private developers using land as a resource. Promotion of Affordable Housing for weaker section through credit linked subsidy. Affordable Housing in Partnership with Public & Private sectors. Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual house construction /enhancement. Fit India Movement Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-II – Issues relating to Health In News Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Fit India Movement on the occasion of National Sports Day. The campaign is aimed at encouraging people to integrate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives. Technology has contributed to a sedentary lifestyle which has led to increase in lifestyle diseases like diabetes & hypertension, thus fitness is the need of the hour. The 28-member government committee headed by Sports Minister has been formed to take the movement forward.  National Sports Day is celebrated on 29th August, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. On this Day, President confers the National Sports Awards, National Adventure Awards, Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, Dronacharya Award and Dhyanchand Award to recognise the exceptional achievements of Indian sportspersons. https://static.toiimg.com/img/70891964/Master.jpg UN Population report Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains I - Society In News The World Population Prospects 2019 which gives global population estimates and projections was released by United Nations The world’s population is expected to increase from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050 and the overall growth rate will continue to fall. The countries expected to show the biggest increase in population are India, Nigeria and Pakistan Also, fertility rates are falling worldwide from 3.2 in 1990 to 2.5 in 2019, and is projected to fall further to 2.2 births by 2050. In 2018, for the first time, persons aged 65 years or over worldwide outnumbered children under age five.  By 2050, the number of persons aged 65 or over will also surpass the number of adolescents and youth aged 15-24. Life Expectancy (LE): Although overall LE will increase (from 64.2 years in 1990 to 77.1 years in 2050), LE in poorer countries is projected to continue to lag behind.  Sex ratio: Males are projected to continue to outnumber females until the end of the century, but the gap will close https://images.indianexpress.com/2019/06/one.jpg Do You know? Early marriage, absence of reproductive and sexual rights has a major and negative repercussions on Indian women’s education, income, safety and their overall empowerment.  India’s Maternal mortality ratio in 2015 was 174 deaths per lakh live births (down from 448 in 1994) while the global MMR in 2015 was 216.  While 28 of every 1,000 Indian adolescent women (age 15-19) gave birth between 2006 and 2017, the global adolescent birth rate was at 44 per 1,000.  India’s fertility rate in 2019 is 2.3 births per woman, compared to 2.5 worldwide Mergers of Public sector banks(PSB) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-III - Economy In News Government announced mega bank amalgamation plan that merged 10 PSBs into four larger entities Banks have been merged on the basis of likely operating efficiencies, better usage of equity, geographical synergies and their technological platform There are four new sets of mergers  Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India to merge to form the country’s second-largest lender. These three banks are technologically compatible as they use Finacle Core Banking Solution platform. Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank to amalgamate;  Union Bank of India to acquire Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank;  Indian Bank (Strong presence in South India) to merge with Allahabad Bank (strong presence in East & North India) – To maximise geographical synergies. Government also announced to infuse 55,250 crore in these banks to enable them to grow their loan book The government also unveiled governance reforms in PSB, providing their boards greater autonomy, flexibility to fix sitting fee of independent directors, longer term to directors at management committee of boards etc. Do You Know? Out of the 10 banks that the government has decided to merge to create four, nine have net non-performing assets (NPAs) of over 5%. Government had merged Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda on January 2019, creating the third-largest bank by loans in the country. With these series of mergers, the number of state-owned banks is down to 12 from 27. Narasimham Committee of 1998 had proposed a three-tier banking structure for India - Three large banks of international size, eight to 10 national banks and a large number of regional banks. https://www.thehindu.com/business/5vg8pr/article29302645.ece/alternates/FREE_615/REV-Banking-on-mergerscol (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. The public sector bank merger Context: The Centre Friday announced a mega amalgamation plan, the third in a row, that merged ten public sector banks into four larger entities, alongside board level governance reforms aimed at improving their financial health and enhancing their lending capacity to support growth. The public sector bank merger The merger announcement was followed by an equity infusion move of Rs 55,250 crore in these banks to enable them to grow their loan book. With these series of mergers, the number of state-owned banks is down to 12 from 27. There are four new sets of mergers —  Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India to merge to form the country’s second-largest lender; Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank to amalgamate;  Union Bank of India to acquire Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank; and  Indian Bank to merge with Allahabad Bank. The biggest merger out of the four was Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank merging into Punjab National Bank to create a second largest state-owned bank with Rs 17.95 lakh crore business and 11,437 branches. These three banks are technologically compatible as they use Finacle Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform The merger of Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank will create the fourth largest public sector bank with Rs 15.20 lakh crore business and a branch network of 10,324 branches. Canara Bank will get capital infusion of Rs 6,500 crore. Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank’s merger with Union Bank of India will create India’s fifth largest public sector bank with Rs 14.59 lakh crore business and 9,609 branches. The government announced capital infusion of Rs 11,700 crore for the Union Bank of India. The merger of Allahabad Bank with Indian Bank will create the seventh largest public sector bank with Rs 8.08 lakh crore business with strong branch networks in the south, north and east of the country. Indian Bank will get equity infusion of Rs 2,500 crore. The logic behind the mergers According to the government, banks have been merged on the basis of likely operating efficiencies, better usage of equity and their technological platform.  But the move marks a departure from the plan to privatise some of the banks or bringing in a strategic investors to usher in reform in the sector.  The government, after consultations, decided that amalgamation is the “best route” to achieve banking sector scale and to support the target of achieving a $5 trillion economic size for India in five years Previous bank mergers Last year, the government had merged Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda, creating the third-largest bank by loans in the country. Earlier, the State Bank of India had acquired its associate banks How this move will help? The Banking sector as a whole will get strengthened due to obvious efficiencies and will lead to enhanced productivity and better results thereby leading to better lending too The mergers should help create stronger institutions thereby leading to efficiencies of scale and stronger balance sheets.  It will help rationalize costs across many areas including branches, people, technology etc. The branch network would become larger so access to bank branches would become easier provided the merged entity does not shut down all branches of merging banks  Connecting the dots: More than banks, it is the operation of banks is what creates the financial inclusion. Discuss the impact on banking sector with merging Why is the government keen on consolidating the banks? Are there any merits of merging the banks to create banking behemoths? Critically evaluate (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 Merging of Public Sector banks will improve operating efficiencies, lead to better usage of equity, enhance geographical synergies and helps tackle rising NPA problem. With the recent mergers of Public sector banks, the number of state-owned banks is reduced from 27 to 12. Narasimham Committee of 1998 had proposed a two-tier banking structure for India - Three large banks of international size and eight to 10 national banks Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following statements  The World Population Prospects 2019 which gives global population estimates and projections is released by World Economic Forum India’s present Maternal Mortality ratio and adolescent birth rate is higher than the corresponding global ratio/rate. India’s fertility rate in 2019 is 2.3 births per woman, compared to 2.5 worldwide Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1,2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements  Fit India movement is aimed at encouraging people to integrate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives.  National Sports Day is celebrated on 29th August, the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Angikaar campaign is being implemented by which Union Ministry? Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry of Tribal affairs Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry None of the above Must Read GDP growth contracts to 5%, slowest in six years; Govt says more boosters coming  Indian express Liberalism runs into national populism The Hindu Hope and hurt in Ladakh The Hindu What’s Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy? The Hindu

Sep 1, 2019 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Out of the box thinking – Inspirational Educative Articles

Out of the box thinking: How often have we heard people talk about the importance of out of the box thinking and yet how often have we actually given it any serious consideration. We know that there is such a thing called as out of the box thinking – people talk about it as a way of problem solving and yet why is it that we know so little about how exactly it works. Whatever the reason might be for us to ignore the concept of out of the box thinking, we cannot deny its usefulness. Out of the box thinking is more important than we think it is. It helps us to get out of difficult situations, it helps us to understand life better, it helps us to break out of fixed limiting mindsets, and it helps us to solve important problems and so much more. So let us see what exactly is out of the box thinking. Well, the fact is almost all our thinking is sought of out of the box. We have fixed boxes of ideas, which we use to pull out ideas from. The box is made up of our emotions, circumstances, people etc. There is really no independent thought process, all our thoughts are based on a particular situation and context. When all our thinking is out of the box, there is a particular type of thinking that can be categorized as out of the box thinking. It is the ability to completely disassociate oneself from the situation and circumstances around and re-look at a problem or a situation by using the power of imagination. Imagination is the key differentiating factor between ordinary thinking and out of the box thinking. While everybody, including some of the famous scientists of his time was thinking in a fixed and narrow way, Einstein was able to think out of the box and that is what made him a genius. The difference between ordinary thinking and out of the box thinking is the difference between everybody else and Einstein. Some of the greatest minds of the world have used the power of imagination to re-imagine a situation to find solutions nobody else was able to see. Most often we are simply unable to see solutions because we are blinded by our circumstances and conditioning. Out of the box thinking by using imagination helps you to go beyond all conditioning and apply a thought purely to solve problems, sometimes unsolvable problems even. Out of the box thinking can be used in handling relationships, managing work, solving problems, be creative and inventive, and so much more. In its simplest sense, out of the box thinking is creative thinking by using the power of imagination. When people had hardly contemplated on the properties of light, Einstein used his power of imagination to travel on a light particle and look at reality from a completely different perspective. That ability to say let me see what might happen if I travel on a light particle at the speed of light! – Now that is pure genius, or rather simply out of the box thinking. All great inventions have come about mainly because of an individual’s ability to think out of the box. It is one of the greatest skills you can possess. If you feel you are stuck in life and you are unable to do certain things, try and step away from the circumstance, clear out your mind and re-imagine the problem completely. More often than not, out of the box thinking will give you the solutions you are looking for. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”

Aug 31, 2019 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Ban on Crypto Currency

Ban on Crypto Currency ARCHIVES Search 23rd July, 2019 Money Talk here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3 Indian Economy, Banking Development in IT In News: A government panel had proposed a draft bill titled Banning of Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2019. The move will make it illegal to deal in any cryptocurrency in India, which is not regulated by the government. That will include currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and more. Cryptocurrencies enable some level of anonymity in transactions, operate on decentralised networks outside central banking systems, and are subject to fluctuation. Naturally, consumer and market protection, and lack of accountability of users and exchanges are relevant triggers for regulation. While the recommendations elaborate on some of these concerns, they make a limited case for regulation and not a blanket ban. What are cryptocurrencies? Cryptocurrencies are digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds.  Cryptocurrency has been defined as "any information or code or number or token not being part of any official digital currency, generated through cryptographic means or otherwise, providing a digital representation of value which is exchange with or without consideration, with the promise or representation of having inherent value in any business activity which may involve risk of loss or an expectation of profits or income, or functions as a store of value or a unit of account and includes its use in any financial transaction or investment, but not limited to, investment schemes." Benefits Reduces administration and transaction costs Obviates duplication and improves accuracy of data Improves the speed and efficiency of transactions and detecting fraud Potential use cases for blockchain technology Payments systems including cross-border and small value payments Data identity management or know-your-customer requirements by various financial entities Insurance Collateral and ownership (including land) registries Loan issuance and tracking E-stamping Trade financing Post-trade reporting Securities and commodities Internal systems of financial service providers Problems plaguing the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry  Lack of regulations Illegitimate transactions Evasion of taxes Lack of talent  Certain justifications provided by the committee merit scrutiny. Excessive power consumption for cryptocurrency mining has been provided as a reason for the ban. The total global power consumption of banks and the internet is approximately 100 TWh and 2,500 TWh per year, respectively. Bitcoin uses 66.7 TWh per year globally. Therefore, this claim appears to be conjecture and perhaps merits a separate evaluation for India. Similarly, the committee points out China as an example that has banned the use of cryptocurrencies. Recently, a Chinese court recognised cryptocurrency as digital property. While countries such as China have adopted harsher regulation in the past, their changing approach to cryptocurrencies cannot not be ignored. The Case against Cryptocurrencies All the cryptocurrencies have been created by non- sovereigns and are in this sense entirely private enterprises. There is no underlying intrinsic value of these cryptocurrencies back they lack all the attributes of a currency. There is no fixed nominal value of these private cryptocurrencies i.e. neither act as any store of value nor are they a medium of exchange. Since their inceptions, cryptocurrencies have demonstrated extreme fluctuations in their prices. These crytocurrencies cannot serve the purpose of a currency. The private cryptocurrencies are inconsistent with the essential functions of mon- ey/currency, hence private cryptocurrencies cannot replace fiat currencies. A review of global practices show that they have not been recognised as a LEGAL tender in any jurisdiction. Committee also recommends that all exchanges, people, traders and other financial system participants should be prohibited from dealing with cryptocurrencies. The committee proposes a new form of digital currency — the Digital Rupee — which will be the only digital currency permitted under Indian law. The recommendations lack clarity on its implementation, scaling for billions of Indians, inclusion of the unbanked, and whether India possesses the necessary infrastructure for rolling out a digital currency of this magnitude. Against the Bill The draft law proposed by the committee raises significant questions of implementation and enforcement. Policymakers must first assess whether the police and traditional investigation tools are equipped to investigate crimes of this nature. Crypto is just one manifestation of the technology. The regulation takes India away from speculative use of technology and paves the way for beneficial use of technology and thereby propagates auditable, secure digital business ecosystem. The blockchain technology adopted in these virtual currencies was not disputed and, therefore, a blanket ban was "arbitrary, unfair and unconstitutional".  The Way Forward In order to address concerns regarding protection of users and fraud prevention, existing laws can be revisited.  Cryptocurrency exchanges, users and other market players can be brought under the purview of anti-money laundering laws or KYC norms.  Like the US, sectoral regulators can monitor aspects of cryptocurrency for the purpose of taxation or monitoring large transactions. The government should work towards developing a risk-based framework to regulate and monitor cryptocurrencies and tokens. A ban would inhibit new applications and solutions from being deployed and would discourage tech startups. It would handicap India from participating in new use cases that cryptocurrencies and tokens offer. To solve the issue of evasion of taxes, the government could collaborate with cryptocurrency exchanges to bring in transparency. All legitimate cryptocurrency exchanges would be ready to collaborate with the government. To address consumer protection concerns, cryptocurrency-based businesses can be tested in the regulatory sandboxes being launched by the financial sector regulators across the country. We should work towards creating a regulatory framework that will constantly monitor and prevent illegal activities. Regulating would allow the law enforcement agencies to be better equipped to understand these new technologies, enable them to gather intelligence on criminal developments and take enforcement actions Undoubtedly, a case can be made for making reasonable regulation to ensure that block chain-based cryptocurrencies don’t upend the existing financial security of the country, but the way forward isn’t a ban. As the government mulls its next move, it is important to consider a reasonable policy that suitably balances technological innovation and protection of users and economic interests. Do you know? Facebook’s own cryptocurrency: Libra Must Read: Virtual Currencies Connecting the Dots: What are Cryptocurrencies? How Do Cryptocurrencies work? Are there risks involved in cryptocurrencies? Examine

Aug 30, 2019 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Bilateral ties between India and Bhutan

Bilateral ties between India and Bhutan ARCHIVES Listen to the 17th August 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx  TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Bhutan was aimed at re-engaging with the Himalayan neighbour during his second term in office as part of his ‘neighbourhood first’ policy. It has signalled a deepening of the bilateral ties with both sides making efforts to diversify and develop their ties to a wider variety of sectors that go much beyond the traditional cooperation in the hydropower sector. Background Modi’s trip is his first to Bhutan since the China-India military face-off in 2017, triggered by an intrusion by Chinese troops into territory claimed by Bhutan. It aims to diversify India’s partnership with the kingdom from cooperation in the hydro-power sector to enhanced trade and linkages in space and education. It comes in the backdrop of efforts by Beijing to woo Thimphu as well as calls within sections of the Bhutanese political establishment for stronger diplomatic ties with China and a shift away from its hydel power ties with India. Agreements and MoU Signed Trade & Exports: India will provide ₹400 crore for a trade support facility to encourage Bhutanese exporters, a special focus and a special package is being given in this five-year plan as trade support for companies and manufacturers to incentivise them to export more to India Hydropower: India is providing ₹5,000 crore for Bhutan’s 12th five-year plan that began in 2018, the same as the allocation for the previous plan. Hydro-power, however, will continue to be an important sector of cooperation between the two neighbours with the two sides looking to start discussions on the 2,500 MW Sankosh project Space: The two prime ministers inaugurated ₹7-crore ground earth station built by India’s space agency to allow Bhutan to use a transponder on the South Asian Satellite for broadcast services and disaster management – will enhance the communication, public broadcasting and disaster management coverage in Bhutan. Digital Finance: India launched its Rupay card in Bhutan that would boost tourism and lead to shared spiritual heritage and strong people-to-people relationship. Education: Unveiled e-plaque of the interconnection between India’s National Knowledge Network and Bhutan’s Druk Research and Education Network. Collaboration and relationship between Royal Bhutan University and IITs of India and some other top educational institutions are in line with today’s requirements for education and technology. Inauguration of Mangdechhu hydropower project: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 720-MW Mangdechhu hydropower project during his two-day visit to Bhutan, one of the major projects under Bhutan's initiative to generate 10,000 MW hydropower by 2020 with the Indian government's support. The Rs 4,500-crore hydroelectric plant, touted as a Bhutan-India friendship project, is a 720MW run-of-river power plant built on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan. It was developed by the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA), which was jointly constituted by the Indian and the Bhutanese governments. China in Bhutan Tourism stands to be the second greatest economic contributor to Bhutan’s GDP and China has resorted to using tourist trends as economic leverage. There has been a significant increase in Chinese tourists to Bhutan, but this fastest growing industry witnessed a major drop in tourist arrivals after the Doklam standoff. This came as a warning to Bhutan about the country’s vulnerability. There are also concerns about Bhutan’s economic progress under India’s umbrella. The current Bhutanese government faces major challenges with respect to rising unemployment and rising foreign debt to India. As the government seeks to shift away from a dependence on hydropower for economic growth, Chinese investment has caught the attention of both young people and the private sector as offering a better future – but India still stands as the major hurdle to realizing that dream.  There is a growing interest in Bhutan for diplomatic relations with China. The issue has now become a part of the public debate and the government is facing large-scale pressure from the private sector to establish economic relations with China. Bhutan would like to benefit from the growing Chinese ties in the region as well but the pressure from India seems to be choking the country today. The Way Forward India and Bhutan celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2018. Now it is time for New Delhi to level up its relationship with Thimpu. In this pursuit, the focus should not only be on government-to-government engagement but also on people-to-people interaction and development.  The fundamental area of cooperation is the hydro power sector but both sides needed to deepen the relationship in other areas — education, health care, science and technology. It can also stem out from regional diplomacy with Indian Himalayan states, such as Ladakh, which shares common religious and cultural ties with Bhutan dating back centuries. This must be supplemented by institutions and policies that could ease the people-to-people connectivity between the two Himalayan regions. It is time for India to take Bhutan seriously, with a more mature and coherent policy. India’s casual dealings with Bhutan could be detrimental to its security and economy under the present geopolitical dynamics steered mainly by China. Do you Know? PM Modi plants a Cypress tree sapling at Bhutan's historic Simtoka Dzong in Thimpu: Built-in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, a Tibetan Buddhist lama who is regarded as the unifier of Bhutan as a nation-state, Simtoka Dzong is one of the oldest fortress in the Himalayan nation and functions as a monastic and administrative centre. Must read: India Bhutan Relations  + Mindmap Connecting the Dots: India-Bhutan partnership today is of a special character and substance and forms an important pillar of Government of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Discuss. Himalayan linkages can be seen as a constraining factor or as a great regional foreign policy connector. What do you think? Explain. Bhutan is India’s most trusted partner but it shouldn’t be taken for granted. Critically analyse relation between both countries.