Jul 22, 2019 PIB

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 15th July to 20th July – 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 15th  to 20th July – 2019 ARCHIVES GS-2 Lok Sabha passes The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019, inter alia, provides That a person who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India; To increase the Members of the Commission from two to three of which, one shall be a woman; To include Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as deemed Members of the Commission; To reduce the term of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission and the State Commissions from five to three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment; To provide that a person who has been a Judge of a High Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the State Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of the High Court; and, To confer upon State Commissions, the functions relating to human rights being discharged by the Union territories, other than the Union territory of Delhi, which will be dealt with by the Commission The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 introduced in Lok Sabha (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 that amends the Right to Information Act, 2005 was introduced in Lok Sabha today. What does the RTI Act do?   Under the RTI Act, 2005, Public Authorities are required to make disclosures on various aspects of their structure and functioning.  This includes: (i) disclosure on their organisation, functions, and structure, (ii) powers and duties of its officers and employees, and (iii) financial information.  The intent of such suo moto disclosures is that the public should need minimum recourse through the Act to obtain such information.  If such information is not made available, citizens have the right to request for it from the Authorities.  This may include information in the form of documents, files, or electronic records under the control of the Public Authority.  The intent behind the enactment of the Act is to promote transparency and accountability in the working of Public Authorities.   Who is included in the ambit of ‘Public Authorities’? ‘Public Authorities’ include bodies of self-government established under the Constitution, or under any law or government notification.  For instance, these include Ministries, public sector undertakings, and regulators.  It also includes any entities owned, controlled or substantially financed and non-government organizations substantially financed directly or indirectly by funds provided by the government.  How is the right to information enforced under the Act? The Act has established a three tier structure for enforcing the right to information guaranteed under the Act. Public Authorities designate some of their officers as Public Information Officers.  The first request for information goes to Central/State Assistant Public Information Officer and Central/State Public Information Officer, designated by the Public Authorities. These Officers are required to provide information to an RTI applicant within 30 days of the request.  Appeals from their decisions go to an Appellate Authority.  Appeals against the order of the Appellate Authority go to the State Information Commission or the Central Information Commission.  These Information Commissions consists of a Chief Information Commissioner, and up to 10 Information Commissioners.   What does the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 propose? The Bill changes the terms and conditions of service of the CIC and Information Commissioners at the centre and in states Comparison of the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005 and the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 Provision RTI Act, 2005 RTI (Amendment) Bill, 2019 Term The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners (ICs) (at the central and state level) will hold office for a term of five years.  The Bill removes this provision and states that the central government will notify the term of office for the CIC and the ICs. Quantum of Salary The salary of the CIC and ICs (at the central level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, respectively.  Similarly, the salary of the CIC and ICs (at the state level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Election Commissioners and the Chief Secretary to the state government, respectively.   The Bill removes these provisions and states that the salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs will be determined by the central government.   Deductions in Salary The Act states that at the time of the appointment of the CIC and ICs (at the central and state level), if they are receiving pension or any other retirement benefits for previous government service, their salaries will be reduced by an amount equal to the pension.  Previous government service includes service under: (i) the central government, (ii) state government, (iii) corporation established under a central or state law, and (iv) company owned or controlled by the central or state government. The Bill removes these provisions.   Sources: Right to Information Act, 2005; Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019; PRS. Policy for Digital Economy (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) The Government has recently introduced National Policy on Electronics (NPE) and National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) in 2019 for the growing digital economy.  A draft National e-Commerce policy has been prepared and placed for comments in public domain. The draft National e-Commerce policy has been prepared to create a facilitative regulatory environment for growth of e-commerce sector in India and to leverage access to data such that data of Indians can be used for the growth of digital economy in India. The policy establishes strategies which aim to – Empower domestic entrepreneurs and encourage Make in India Safeguard interests of the consumers Ensure creation of jobs in the digital sphere in the times to come Promote domestic research and development in digital innovation Prevent misuse of data while maintaining the spirit of existing regulations The Government had constituted a committee of expert on data protection, chaired by Justice (Retd) B.N. Srikrishna, Supreme Court of India, to study various issues relating to data protection and come out with the Data Protection Bill.  The Srikrishna committee has brought out a draft Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB).  The framework seeks to put in place a culture of privacy by design and promoting concepts such as consent framework, purpose limitation, storage limitation, and data minimization among various other privacy-oriented concepts.  Wide-ranging consultations have been conducted on the recommendations of the committee with a view to finalizing the draft legislation. Launch of the Broadband Readiness Index for Indian States and Union Territories (2019-2022) (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) By: The Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) Why: The National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) 2018 acknowledged the need for building a robust digital communications infrastructure leveraging existing assets of the broadcasting and power sectors including collaborative models involving state, local bodies and the private sector. Accordingly, the policy recommended that a BRI for States and UTs be developed to attract investments and address Right of Way(RoW) challenges across India. This index will appraise the condition of the underlying digital infrastructure and related factors at the State/UT level. Such an exercise will provide useful insights into strategic choices made by States for investment allocations in ICT programmes.  In the spirit of competitive federalism, the index will encourage states to cross learn and jointly participate in achieving the overall objective of digital inclusion and development in India.  The framework will not only evaluate a state’s relative development but will also allow for better understanding of a state’s strengths and weaknesses that can feed into evidence-based policy making. Digitisation of AYUSH (Topic:  Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) Ministry of AYUSH has conceptualized AYUSH GRID Project for digitising AYUSH healthcare delivery at all levels. The AYUSH Grid Project is the proposed IT backbone for the entire AYUSH sector covering the healthcare systems Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy. AYUSH Grid is envisaged as an omnibus digital eco- system that would lead to all round development of the AYUSH sector in fields of healthcare delivery at all levels, research, education, schemes and various health programs. To develop a network of People, Knowledge and Technology for radical, sustainable and wholesome transformation of AYUSH sector, and play a pivotal role in taking care of holistic health care needs (i.e. curative, preventive and promotive health) and socio- economic wellbeing of Indian citizens and further extending the benefits to entire world population.   To create an organic and dynamic information and communication technology (ICT) powered network interconnecting all streams of AYUSH in their key functional areas viz. health care delivery, capacity building, research & development, AYUSH drug regulation and education. This will be beneficial for all stakeholders of AYUSH and also helpful for effective governance. Strategies for development will be in sync with the national and international policies and health care needs. The main components of AYUSH GRID Project are as under: Health Services Education Research Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes Training Citizen Centric Services Drug Licencing Portal Media Outreach NOTE: Health is a state subject Cabinet approves Inter-Institutional Agreement between India and USA for cooperation in the field of medicine The objective of the Agreement is to contribute towards the development of research and education of both the Institutions through academic collaboration. The general areas of common interest where collaboration and exchange of knowledge are intended for both include: Exchange of faculty members and students for training, study and research especially in the areas on 3D Bioprinting; Execution of joint research projects; and Exchange of information and academic publications Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) The Government has taken various policy initiatives to increase the domestic production of crude oil and natural gas which include: - Policy for Relaxations, Extensions and Clarifications under Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime for early monetization of hydrocarbon discoveries; New Domestic Natural Gas Pricing Guidelines-2014; Marketing including pricing freedom on natural gas production under PSC regime from difficult areas such as High Pressure-High Temperature (HP-HT) reservoirs and deep water and ultra-deep water areas; Discovered Small Field Policy; Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy; Policy for Extension of Production Sharing Contracts; Policy for early monetization of Coal Bed Methane; Setting up of National Data Repository; National Seismic Programme for appraisal of Unappraised areas in Sedimentary Basins; Re-assessment of Hydrocarbon Resources; Policy framework to streamline the working of Production Sharing Contracts in Pre-NELP and NELP Blocks; Policy to Promote and Incentivize Enhanced Recovery Methods for Oil and Gas; Policy framework for exploration and exploitation of Unconventional Hydrocarbons under existing Production Sharing Contracts, Coal Bed Methane contracts and Nomination fields. Encouraging Research for Smaller Companies in Defence Projects (Topic:  General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation General Studies 3: Mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment Indigenization of technology and developing new technology) Government has taken several steps towards simplifying the rules and promotion of research and innovation in respect of MSMEs in Defence Industry. Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) has been revised in 2016 wherein specific provisions have been introduced for stimulating growth of the domestic defence industry with regard to MSMEs. A new category of procurement ‘Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}’ has been introduced in DPP-2016 to promote indigenous design and development of defence equipment. It has been accorded top most priority for procurement of capital equipment. Besides this, preference has been accorded to ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ & ‘Make’ categories of capital acquisition over ‘Buy (Global)’ & ‘Buy & Make (Global)’ categories. The ‘Make’ Procedure has been simplified with provisions for funding of 90% of development cost by the Government to Indian industry and reserving projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 Crore (Government funded) and Rs.3 Crore (Industry funded) for MSMEs. Separate procedure for ‘Make-II’ sub-category has been notified wherein projects will involve prototype development of equipment/system/platform or their upgrades or their sub-systems/sub-assembly/assemblies/components primarily for import substitution/innovation solutions, for which no Government funding will be provided for prototype development purposes. In order to expand the manufacturing infrastructure, Government has decided to establish two defence industrial corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, to serve as an engine of growth of defence industrial base in the country. The Defence Products List for the purpose of issuing Industrial Licenses (ILs) under IDR Act has been revised and most of the components, parts,sub-systems, testing equipment and production equipment have been removed from the list, so as to reduce the entry barriers for the industry, particularly small & medium segment. The initial validity of the Industrial Licence granted under the IDR Act has been increased from 03 years to 15 years with a provision to further extend it by 03 years on a case-to-case basis.The process for export clearance has been streamlined and made transparent & online. An innovation ecosystem for Defence titled Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) has been launched which is aimed at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, Start-ups, Individual Innovators, R&D Institutes and Academia and provide them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D which has potential for future adoption for Indian defence and aerospace needs.  Under iDEX, innovative solutions have been successfully identified for 14 problem areas pertaining to national defence requirements. More than 600 startups have been engaged in the process and 44 different solutions have been identified for the problem statements by the innovators. Government has set up the Technology Development Fund (TDF) to encourage participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs, through provision of grants, so as to create an eco-system for enhancing cutting edge technology capability for defence applications. The Ministry has instituted a new framework titled ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ which aims to provide boost to the IPR culture in indigenous defence industry. Prelims oriented News: Limboo and Tamang communities: In Sikkim Dibang Multipurpose Project: In Arunachal Pradesh; a storage based hydro-electric project with flood moderation as the key objective. The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is conferred upon artists below the age of 40 years with the objective of identifying and encouraging outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and giving them national recognition early in their life, so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields.  Restoration work of Markandeshwar temple in Maharashtra by Archaeological Survey of India  Known as the “Khajuraho of Vidarbha”, the temple of Markandadeo is situated on the bank of River Wainganga in district Gadchiroli of Maharashtra.  The temples belong to the Nagara group of temples of North India.   On stylistic grounds, their date ranges in between 9-12th centuries CE.  The temples belong to saiva, vaishnava and sakta faith.  Most of the temples have a simple plan, with ardhamandapa, mandapa, antarala and garbhagriha forming the component of the entire set up. The most striking feature of this temple is the largescale destruction caused on the main shrine (garbhagriha) and the very first recordings made by Alexander Cunningham states that - about 200 years ago the shikhara of the main shrine and mahamandapa was struck by a lightning which led to the partial collapse of the shikhara (the finial, north and south facade). Govt. drafted Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act (DISHA Act): To ensure data privacy, confidentiality, reliability and security of digital health data ‘Paramarsh’ – a University Grants Commission (UGC) scheme for Mentoring National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) Accreditation Aspirant Institutions to promote Quality Assurance in Higher Education  The Scheme will be operationalized through a “Hub & Spoke” model wherein the Mentor Institution, called the “Hub” is centralized and will have the responsibility of guiding the Mentee institution through the secondary branches the “Spoke” through the services provided to the mentee for self-improvement. This allows a centralized control over operational efficiency, resource utilization to attain overall development of the mentee institution. Will target 1000 Higher Education Institutions for mentoring with a specific focus on quality as enumerated in the UGC “Quality Mandate”. Mentor-Mentee relationship will not only benefit both the institutions but also provide quality education to the 3.6 crore students who are enrolling to Indian Higher Education system at present. One Nation One Card This National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) enables seamless travel by metro rails and other transport systems across the country besides retail shopping and purchases.  National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) program, as envisaged by MoHUA (Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs), offers offline transactions independent of network connectivity by utilizing the existing infrastructure with banks.  This card may be used for all payment applications (low value - offline/high value - online) including transit, retail, toll, parking and smart cities.  The stored value of the card offers the offline transaction proposition across all low value segments. Eradicating TB by 2025 The Ministry has developed the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis (2017-2025) with the goal of ending TB by 2025. The key focus areas are: Early diagnosis of all the TB patients, prompt treatment with quality assured drugs and treatment regimens along with suitable patient support systems to promote adherence. Engaging with the patients seeking care in the private sector Prevention strategies including active case finding and contact tracing in high risk / vulnerable population Airborne infection control Multi-sectoral response for addressing social determinants. According to the World Health Organization Global TB report 2018, the estimated number of TB cases in India in 2017 was 27,40,000, amounting incidence of 204 per lakh population. The Central Government administers the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) which allows banks and financial institutions to recover their dues exceeding one lakh rupees by proceeding against secured assets of the borrower/guarantor without the intervention of the court/tribunals. Challenges faced by Jawans at Siachen Glacier The challenges faced by soldiers posted in Siachen Glacier stem from the peculiar terrain and weather conditions. The major challenges due to inclement weather conditions are – Reduced human body efficiency Bright sunlight leading to snow blindness Blizzards White out conditions The troops deployed at forward posts bear the risk of avalanches, crevasses on glaciated surfaces and have to negotiate Ice walls apart from facing the common ailments associated with high altitude and glaciated terrain. Plantation Labour Act: The Government is planning to subsume the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 in the Labour Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Condition Bill, 2019 which inter-alia aims to provide fair wages to plantation workers by limiting the kind component, to provide welfare facilities through the welfare schemes of the government and involve appropriate agencies in providing welfare schemes and enforcement of the provisions of the Act. The proposed Bill also aims to provide better welfare facilities to plantation workers such as medical, drinking water, educational facilities, housing facilities etc. Organic Farming Realizing the potential and benefits of organic farming and to improve the economic condition of farmers in the country, Government of India is promoting organic farming through the dedicated schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) since 2015-16. Under PKVY, flexibility is given to states to adopt any model of Organic Farming including ZBNF depending on farmer’s choice that is free from chemicals, pesticides residues and adopts eco-friendly low cost technologies. Under PKVY,   assistance of Rs. 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years is allowed out of which Rs. 31,000 (61%) is provided to farmer   directly through DBT   for input (biofertilisers, biopesticides, vermicompost, botanical extracts etc) production/ procurement, packing,   marketing etc. Under MOVCDNER , assistance is provided to the farmers in a value chain mode starting from formation of Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs), on/off farm input production, supply of seeds/ planting materials, post-harvest infrastructure including collection, sorting, grading facilities,   establishment of integrated processing unit, refrigerated transportation, pre-cooling/ cold stores chamber, branding, labelling and packaging, etc . Steps to promote and stimulate the growth of MSME sector in the country Simplification of the registration process through a one page Udyog Aadhar Memorandum (UAM) Introduction of the ‘MSME SAMBANDH’ portal for monitoring the implementation of public procurement policy for the MSEs Launching of the ‘MSME SAMADHAN’ portal for enabling MSMEs to directly register their cases relating to delayed payments.  Further, schemes/programmes including Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy-Technological Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) to support MSMEs in their technology up-gradation, Cluster Development Programme, Marketing Development Assistance and Skill/Entrepreneurship Development Programme etc. are also implemented to boost the MSME sector. Nutrition in India As per the Report of Nutritional Intake in India, 2011-12 published under 68th round of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the average dietary energy intake per person per day was 2233 Kcal for rural India and 2206 Kcal for urban India, which is lower than Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 2320 Kcal. The Government has set up POSHAN Abhiyaan in 2017 for a three year time frame, commencing from 2017-18. The Abhiyaan aims to reduce malnutrition in the country in a phased manner, through a life cycle approach, by adopting a synergised and result oriented approach. The Abhiyaan will ensure mechanisms for timely service delivery and a robust monitoring as well as intervention infrastructure.  The target of the Abhiyaan is To reduce stunting in children (0-6 years), under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years) and Low Birth Weight @2% per annum Reduce anaemia among young children (6-59 months), women and adolescent girls @3% per annum across the country.  The major works undertaken under this Abhiyaan are  Ensuring convergence with various other programmes Information Technology enabled Common Application Software for strengthening service delivery and interventions Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy leading to Jan Andolan- to educate the people on nutritional aspects Capacity Building of Frontline Functionaries Incentivizing States/ UTs for achieving goals The Ujjawala Scheme is for prevention of trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. There are 254 projects including 134 Protective and Rehabilitative Homes in the country. The number of beneficiaries are 5,291. ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities towards maintenance of law and order and protection of life and property of citizens rest primarily with State Governments. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK)  To promote or undertake cover activities for the promotion of or to provide credit as an instrument of socio-economic change and development through the provision of a package of financial and social development services for the development of women; To promote and support schemes for improvement of facilities for credit for women: For sustenance of their existing employment, For generation of further employment, For asset creation, For asset redemption and For tiding over consumption, social and contingent needs; To demonstrate and replicate participatory approaches in the organisation of women’s groups for effective utilisation of credit resources leading to self-reliance To promote and support experiments in the voluntary and formal sector using innovative methodologies to reach poor women with credit and other social services; To sensitize existing government delivery mechanisms and increase the visibility of poor women as a vital and clientele with the conventional institutions; To promote research, study, documentation and analysis, including provision of fellowships and scholarships, of credit and its management and of successful experiences at various levels in order to promote replication and dissemination of successful credit extension and management methodologies; To promote the federation and networking of women’s organisations for shaping and to develop skills in response management & social mobilization; To promote and support the expansion of entrepreneurship skills among women; To cooperate with and secure the cooperation of the Central Government, State Governments and Union Territory Administration, credit institutions, industrial and commercial organisation and non-government, voluntary and other organisations and bodies in promoting the objects of the Kosh; To accept subscriptions, grants, contributions, donations, loans, guarantees, gifts, bequests etc. on such terms and obligations not inconsistent with the aims and objects of the Kosh; and To do all such lawful acts and things as may be necessary or conductive for furthering the objects of the Kosh. Upliftment of Women of Backward Communities National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), an organization under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has the following two women specific schemes for targeted women whose annual family income is less than Rs. 3.00 lakh per annum: Mahila Samriddhi Yojana: To provide Micro Finance to women entrepreneurs of Backward Classes. New Swarnima Scheme for Women: Term Loan to inculcate the spirit of self-dependence among the women of Backward Classes Steps for skill development in Higher Education To strengthen the knowledge and skills of the graduates, requisite for the current job market and to make them employable, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has adopted the Learning Outcome Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) at Undergraduate Level as one of its Quality Improvement Programme mandate. The UGC is also providing Skill based education under National Skill Qualification Framework in Colleges and Universities through its scheme of Community Colleges, B.Voc. Degree Programmes and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centres for Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood (DDU KAUSHAL Kendras). Further, a committee under the Chairmanship of Shri B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT, Hyderabad was constituted on 18th October, 2018 for preparing short term and long term perspective plan for the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The committee submitted its report and Executive Committee of AICTE has approved the report. Main recommendations of the committee include (i) courses on emerging technologies namely, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Block chain, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Data Sciences, Cyber Security, 3D Printing & Design & Augmented Reality (AR)/ Virtual Reality (VR); and (ii) greater focus on multi-disciplining courses by reducing the seats in conventional disciplines and converting the existing seats into these courses. Another Committee was also constituted for revamping and attuning curricula of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) to look into the needs of the industry and honing skills of the students coming out of the institutions. The recommendations of the Committee have been accepted by the Council of National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research

Jul 22, 2019 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 31

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 31 Archives Q.1) ‘Krishna Raja Sagara’ is built on which of the following rivers? Cauvery Krishna Mahanadi Tapi Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)’ It is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory/coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Environment and Forests Select the correct statements  1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Which of the following committees is under the ‘Standing Committees’? Railway Convention Committee Public Accounts Committee Committee on Public Undertakings Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to ‘BlockChain’? It allows designing a secure way to record transactions and circulate it among signatories, or any kind of target group with an Internet connection. Every block in a block chain provides an unalterable document of the history of every transaction.  Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) ‘KAGRA’, is a Gravitational Wave Detector located in India Japan China South Africa To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Jul 21, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 20th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Supreme Court questions the need for re-verification of NRC Part of: GS Mains Paper II – Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation In news: The Centre and the State of Assam had urged the Supreme Court more time to conduct sample re-verification process of NRC. However, the Supreme Court has questioned the need for re-verification of NRC. With exam point of view, one needs to focus on the following – About NRC and background Benefits of NRC Why has the National Register of Citizens (NRC) been in controversy lately? Issues/Challenges with NRC process Conclusion We have already learnt about NRC National register of citizens is a register containing names of all genuine Indians residing in India. Assam faced influx from Bangladesh, to remove the illegal migration from neighbouring countries NRC as prepared in 1951. Benefits of NRC: Detection of illegal immigrants, inclusion will be a shield against harassment and a ticket to enjoying all the constitutional rights and safeguards and the benefits of government schemes. To safeguard the indigenous population and civilization. Illegal activities like terrorism, human trafficking, drug trafficking can be checked. To safeguard Voting rights and properties such as land and house. Controversies related to the National Register of Citizens (NRC): Laborious process: Adding a person to NRC is complex procedure because of presenting many documents and layers of verification. Document verification: “Family tree verification” has become difficult process for left out children. Rejection of certificate: More than 40 lakh people are rejected for panchayath residency certificates. Citizenship related: Failed to ensure legal clarity over the manner in which the claims of citizenship could be decided. Role of Supreme Court: lack of monitoring process, inability to comprehend political and policy actions in case of loss of citizenship. Huge population: Given the size of India’s population, implementation of the NRC will be a mammoth task and demands a detailed analysis. Criticism of the NRC: The first report was announced on December 31-January 1, 2017, the removal of 40 lakh people leads to a major social and political crisis. The mass insecurity and social crisis stalking the 40 lakh people of Assam. Many people are in stake who lives in strategic and sensitive border state. Their documents are being ambiguous. Assam has a peculiar problem of villages getting ravaged, or disappearing, due to annual floods unleashed by the fiery Brahamaputra. Documents get destroyed, geographies shift, addresses change. Several cases of transparent injustice whereby families have been divided – some declared Doubtful Voters and foreigners, others as bonafide citizens. Widespread perception that specifically linguistic and religious minorities are being targeted – namely, Bengali speaking Muslims and Hindus. Conclusion It is important and essential for the union government to proactively come out with an equitable, predictable and transparent plan on the way forward, for those who will be identified as ‘foreigners’. The left out from the NRC must be handled carefully on humanitarian basis. The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2019 Part of: GS Mains Paper II - Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies. Amendments proposed: Sl.No. Provisions under original Act Amendments proposed 1. Under the current Act, the chairperson of the NHRC is a person who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Bill seeks to provide that a person who has been Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or a Judge of the Supreme Court will be the chairperson of the NHRC. 2. The Act provides for two persons having knowledge of human rights to be appointed as members of the NHRC. The Bill seeks to allow three members to be appointed, of which at least one will be a woman. 3. Under the Act, chairpersons of various commissions such as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes(NCSC), National Commission for Scheduled Tribes(NCST), and National Commission for Women(NCW) are members of the NHRC. The Bill provides for including also the chairpersons of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as members of the NHRC. 4. The Act states that the chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC will hold office for five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier. The Bill reduces the term of office to three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.   Do you know? NHRC is established under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. The act defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. The Chairperson and members of the NHRC are appointed by the President of India, on the recommendation of a committee consisting of: The Prime Minister (Chairperson) The Home Minister The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Lower House) The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) Bill to help Transgender introduced in Lok Sabha Part of: Mains GS Paper I - Social empowerment In News: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, was introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister in Lok Sabha The Bill has defined transgenders and has ensured family life for transgender children, made provisions for sex reassignment surgeries, psychological counselling and protection against any form of discrimination against transgender people Highlights of the Bill The Transgender Persons Bill gives a person the right to choose to be identified as a man, woman or transgender, irrespective of sex reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy The government has ensured that a person does not have to appear before a district screening committee to be declared a transgender (This was part of earlier draft that received criticism from human rights activists). The new bills has recognised a person's "right to self-perceived gender identity". The bill de-criminalised begging by transgenders. The bill provide for major education, social security and health facilities for transgender people. The government has decided to pay for medical care facility including sex reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy for transgender people through a health insurance scheme. The Bill also provides protection for transgender children. Section 12 (1) says: "No child shall be separated from parents or immediate family on the ground of being a transgender. Do you know? Transgender was declared as third gender only recently in 2014, through a Supreme Court judgement in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India case. Moreover, the court also held that because transgender people were treated as socially and economically backward classes, they should be granted reservations in admissions to educational institutions and jobs. Miscellaneous Happiness Department of Madhya Pradesh It has always been felt that material prosperity alone can never be the yardstick of measuring happiness and wellbeing. For a holistic and happy human existence, inner wellbeing is of utmost significance along with our material advancement. People need to be exposed to well researched behavioural tools and time tested ethical practices, which would help them stay positive, sustain adversities and lead fulfilling balanced lives. Madhya Pradesh has set a precedence in the country to have a government organization - Rajya Anand Sansthan (State Happiness Department) - dedicated towards the aforesaid purpose. Rajya Anand Sansthan RAS came into existence for this purpose in August 2016 and has since been engaged in providing tools and techniques of incorporating positivity and joyful healthy habits for holistic growth and overall peace. Soothing the tempers of government officials since its inception, the Rajya Anand Sansthan has now opened its doors to the general public. (MAINS FOCUS) AGRICULTURE/ECONOMY TOPIC: General studies 3 Indian Economy, Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management). A Sign of economic growth and Improvement Context: The growth of key sectors by shifting gears as the current economic conditions are smooth in terms of macroeconomic stability to expand growth. The adequate investment reforms in primary sectors. There by, accomplishing the vision of a $5-trillion economy by 2024. Concerns: Adequate Investment in primary sector is the need of hour. Insufficient investment in the agriculture sector in most developing countries over the past 30 years has resulted in low productivity and stagnant production as per FAO. Agriculture remains the most trusted sector in helping alleviate poverty, hunger and malnutrition and ensuring better income distribution. Food and Agriculture organisation: It is a UN body It leads international efforts to defeat hunger Established in 1945 and its headquarters is in Rome, Italy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. There are a total of 197 members comprising 194 member nations, 1 member organization and 2 associate members. India is a member of FAO Key areas of investment Investment is the key to unlocking the potential of a developing economy Investment in Agro-processing, Agro-startups and Agri-tourism Outcomes: Boosts Agri-tourism by attracting tourists towards farm staff and farm operations Generates in-situ employment. Investment in Agri-education and research  Outcomes: It would also serve as a stage to demonstrate resource conservation and sustainable use through organic, natural and green methods, and also zero budget natural farming. Investment in livestock technology Outcomes: Productivity enhancement Conservation of indigenous germplasm, disease surveillance, quality control, waste utilisation and value addition. Investment in renewable energy generation Outcomes: It would help reduce the burden of debt-ridden electricity distribution companies and State governments, Enables energy security in rural areas. Private investment to agriculture Outcomes: Linking Farm business organisations with commodity exchanges would provide agriculture commodities more space on international trading platforms . It reduces the burden of markets in a glut season, with certain policy/procedural modifications Barriers for the Investments: Issues of enumeration, maintenance and accessibility to help maintain agri-data on various fronts. There also needs to be a centralised institutional mechanism to help maintain farm level-data available for real time (virtual) assessment, while also helping plug the loopholes in subsidy distribution, funding and unrealistic assumption in production estimation. It needs dedicated investment in behavioural farm research sets There is a need to converge fragmented investments (public, private and foreign) to address the structural weaknesses in the agriculture sector. Conclusion: Agriculture and its allied sectors are believed to be one of the most fertile grounds to help achieve the ambitious Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs). However, with the current pace of agriculture growth, India requires ‘patient capital’, as financial returns to investment are unlikely to materialise in the initial years. An inclusive business model facilitating strong investor-farmer relations should be created, with a legal and institutional framework for governance. Expanding institutions is essential to accommodate the developmental impacts of foreign agricultural investment. Connecting the dots: Investment is the key to unlocking the potential of a developing economy. 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) Consider the following statements about National Register of Citizens Only once before has an NRC been prepared, in 1951. However, NRC is now being updated in Assam The process of updating NRC is being headed by Chief Secretary of Assam under the overall guidance from Union Home Ministry. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the following statements about National Human Rights Commission NHRC is a Constitutional body It was established through 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 post emergency period which witnessed human rights abuses. The chairperson of NHRC is appointed by President upon recommendations of a committee consisting only of Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Loksabha and Speaker of Lok Sabha. Which of the following statements is/are not correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) It is a statutory body It was established in 1999 post Asian financial crisis for orderly development of securities market in India The penalties levied by the SEBI already goes to general fund of SEBI Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 1 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.4) Which is the first state to establish Rajya Anand Santhan (State happiness Department)? Karnataka Gujarat Madhya Pradesh Delhi MUST READ  Shakti Mills rape case verdict ignores the proportionality principle The Hindu From Plate to Plough: A win-win deal The Hindu  Explained: What changes are being brought in medical education? Indian Express Stopping the spread of superbugs Financial Express Missed shots: Vaccination coverage for four diseases is stagnant since 2010 Financial Express

Jul 21, 2019 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Meditate to stay relaxed – Inspirational Educative Articles

Meditate to stay relaxed: As of now, the mind has become so dominant that it has completely hijacked all of your other senses. Your mind has become your only reality, which means what you think is what you are. That is what your whole life has become. Thinking never allows you to settle into your being, and will never allow you to relax. Thinking is always about either what happened or what’s going to happen. Thinking is not at all concerned about the present moment.  What you’re seeking in meditation is the present moment. Thinking wants to constantly oscillate between today and tomorrow. It wants to constantly oscillate between the past and the future. In the oscillation, it gathers momentum. The farther the mind goes into the past, it flings itself just as far into the future. The more energy that pulls the mind into the future, the same amount of energy is pulling it back into the past. You’re constantly moving between the past and the future, and that’s the nature of the mind. A meditator has to observe this process; observe this oscillation of the mind, and not interfere with it, just observe. Slowly the swinging reduces, the momentum reduces, the intensity reduces. Still, the mind keeps swinging between the past and the future, but now it is not going too far.  Maybe the first day when you sat in meditation your mind was going all over the place. It was going to your childhood, then it was projecting your life twenty years down the lane. It was thinking about the world, everything that is happening, and slowly it started swinging closer and closer to your body and mind, whereyou are, because you are not giving it thoughts. You are not fueling the mind with more thoughts. You are allowing it to settle down. In that settling down, there is no more swinging: That’s the whole objective of meditation. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Meditation Farm and IASBABA.”

Jul 20, 2019 Yojana

IAS UPSC YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine ‘JUNE’ 2019

Archives Friends, Here we are with the JUNE 2019, edition of Yojana and Kurukshetra. Yojana/Kurukshetra: JUNE 2019 – Download

Jul 20, 2019 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC - Infrastructure Sector – Budget 2019

Infrastructure Sector – Budget 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                 ARCHIVES Search 28th June, 2019 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_...      TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes Infrastructure sector is a key driver for the Indian economy. The sector is highly responsible for propelling India’s overall development and enjoys intense focus from Government for initiating policies that would ensure time-bound creation of world class infrastructure in the country. Infrastructure sector includes power, bridges, dams, roads and urban infrastructure development. In 2018, India ranked 44th out of 167 countries in World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2018. Budget 2019 Two king-sized numbers stand out in Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget: Rs 100 lakh crore and Rs 50 lakh crore. The numbers — estimates of investments required for infrastructure development across the country and the railways, respectively — suggest the government is now willing to make enough space for private players who can bring in the money.  Overview Rs 100 lakh crore (roughly $1.45 trillion) is needed for infrastructure development across the country in the next five years. The government would have to bring in Rs 20 lakh crore a year to meet this target. The Economic Survey, presented a day before the budget, had said the country has been able to put in only $100-110 billion (Rs 6.8-7.5 lakh crore) annually into infrastructure when it needs to pump in $200 billion (Rs 13.6 lakh crore).  Transportation infrastructure and allied services are critical growth engines for propelling India's rise as an economic superpower. While the public sector has played a dominant role in investing in infrastructure creation, the government will need increased private sector participation to supplement the rapidly growing industrial demand for a modern and robust transportation and logistics network at par with developed countries. Projects such as industrial corridors, DFC, Bharatmala, Sagarmala and UDAN schemes will continue to improve connectivity and increase competitiveness. Road corridor project Bharatmala, port-linked industrialization plan Sagarmala and UDAN will help in bridging the rural-urban divide and improve transport infrastructure. Setting up of a panel The private sector, which contributes one-third of the investment into the core sector in India, needs to be cajoled a lot to ensure a flood of money comes in. The FM has proposed to set up a panel to do the job.   Roads: The government plans to restructure the national highways programme to create network of highways grid of a desirable capacity for better connectivity. The government has set an investment target of ₹80,250 crore for phase three of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, under which the government wants to build 1,25,000 km of village roads. The earlier phases of this scheme led to the construction of 30,000 km of village roads with green technology. Budget 2019 saw for the first time, government’s intent to have electric mobility by 2030. New India will drive on Electric Vehicles with renewables becoming a major source of energy supply, Waterways: The government envisions using rivers for cargo transportation, a move that will decongest roads and railways. Cargo movement in Ganga will increase four times in four years with the creation of transit hubs at Varanasi, Sahigbanj and Haldia. Railways Railways will be encouraged to make investments and expand network in suburban areas. Railway infrastructure will need investment of ₹50 lakh crore between 2018 and 2030 –Public Private Partnerships (PPP) will be used to unleash faster development and delivery of passenger freight services. Launch of station modernization programme  Replacing walking inspection with automated inspections, upgradation of track management system into a dynamic asset maintenance and management system, improved mechanisation of track maintenance organisation across zones and greater use of RCM/CBM and IoT for real time monitoring and predictive maintenance of assets are a few steps,which would go a long way in ensuring safety. Introduction of semi high speed trains (such as Train 18 and Talgo) on moreroutes as well as fast tracking station redevelopment programme for key metro cities would go a long way in meeting passengers' needs as well as aspirations. Indian Railways should judiciously invest in track creation to strengthen stressed routes and also open up intrinsically remunerative routes.  The government should attract private sector investment in various areas such as station development for effective passenger management and unlocking non-fare revenue, freight terminals for common use mainly through redevelopment of strategic goods sheds, construction of PFT terminals, and owning and maintenance of rolling stock. There has been heightened focus on increasing the modal share of railways for the movement of inland freight. Improving network capacity through signalling projects, upgrading loop line infrastructure to enable running of longer trains (2x-4x of current size) and completing ongoing line expansion projects on time would go a long way in improving average speed of freight trains. The government should create an effective ecosystem for the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) to become game changers in freight logistics. Apart from speedy completion of the eastern and western DFCs as well as sanctioning additional 4 DFCs already planned, there is a pressing need to focus on developing enabling ecosystem such as marketing, commercials and operational strategies to optimize utilization of all this new infrastructure. Aviation To bring down the high taxation on aviation fuel - among the highest in the world, the Government could consider bringing aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and other related fuels (used for commercial scheduled/non-scheduled operations and training purposes) under GST. To provide a fillip to its marquee Regional Connectivity Scheme to improve air connectivity to remote areas, the Government should provide incentives/budgetary support in terms of promoting use of smaller aircrafts under the scheme, providing additional funds for VGF support under the scheme, and developing airport and seaport infrastructure in Tier-II and Tier-III cities of the country. High taxes have led airlines to outsource 80-85% of the country's $1.4 billion MRO business to international providers. The government must focus on reducing the tax burden impacting the growth of MRO industry by reducing GST rates, and removing instances of tax on certainitems which attract an import duty as well as a GST over and above that. Logistics: There has been a thrust on development of multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs) in the past few years to boost multimodality and integration of logistics services in the country. In addition to the proposal for developing 35 MMLPs across the country, the government has also drafted an MMLP Policy to serve as the guiding document for the development of MMLPs in the country. Issues such as regulatory overlap between multiple agencies for MMLP development, acquisition of land for the construction of the infrastructure among others have been impediments to the development process. Some measures that may be undertaken by the government to foster logistics infrastructure development include: Setting up and empowering an independent department for Logistics and Trade/ Freight Facilitation. Instead of the present context wheremultiple agencies undertakedevelopment of MMLPs - leading to inefficiency in infrastructure planning and regulatory delays in approvals, this department should act as the nodal agency for providing approvals for all kind of terminal infrastructure, including MMLPs, ICDs, CFSs, PFTs,and logistics parks. Delineation of a dedicated land bank for logistics facilities could be considered across all states to streamline and speed up the land acquisition process. There is a need to boost private sector participation in logistics infrastructure creation. The focus should also be on developing and operating common user terminals with the government playing a facilitative role for easy access to land, providing road/rail connectivity to the facility, and supporting infrastructure in terms of water, electricity and fuel. The availability and adequacy of storage infrastructure across different commodity groups, especially for industrial goods, is a constraint in the country. Also, the lack of minimum quality standards prescribed by a government agency has led to mushrooming of facilities across the country with sub-optimal utilisation. There is scope for prescribing minimum standards/ norms for establishment of quality facilities, ensuring ease of seeking approvals through a single window mechanism, etc. Focus on “one nation, one grid" The government will introduce policy interventions to revive nearly 24GW of natural gas-powered power plants, currently stranded for the lack of natural gas supply.  The government will also “examine the performance so far of the Ujwal Discome Assurance Yojana (UDAY), which had been introduced to stabilize the financial bearings of state power distribution companies.  The Centre will also look into the electricity tariff policy and tweak it to benefit the sector struggling to sign long-term power purchase agreements with states. The country has raised ₹24,000 crore by monetizing public infrastructure, through infrastructure investment trusts, real estate investment trusts and the toll-operate-transfer scheme of the National Highways Authority of India. To boost investment, the government will encourage foreign portfolio investors to invest in infrastructure debt funds, introduce credit default swaps for the infrastructure sector, deepen the corporate bond market, and encourage equity investment by non-residential Indians. Liquidity is key Emphasis on creating liquidity and capital raising is welcome. Given the global headwinds that India faces due to trade wars and the like, and the slowing domestic economy, liquidity is key to pump-priming the economy. Bank capitalisation of ₹70,000 crore is timely and much-needed, given that the investment cycle is showing green shoots as per the Economic Survey. NBFCs that play such an important role in the unbanked sector clearly need liquidity solutions. The initiative to provide 10% first-loss guarantee to banks for six months against portfolio purchases from NBFCs is a positive initiative. Given that the loan maturity for NBFC is over two years, the guarantee period should cover the loan tenure rather than just six months. Deepening the bond market is a step in the right direction. This reduces corporate’s dependence on banks for the corporate sector. Opening up the economy to global funds in pension, sovereign wealth and venture capital will help broaden the investor basket. Quality of life for all is another positive in the Budget. The target of two crore affordable houses by 2022, along with drinking water, electricity and gas for all is a much-needed infrastructure that has multiple benefits. Conclusion The budget’s focus on comprehensive plans and blue prints for various infrastructure plans/ grids is a welcome one – especially in the context of: considering systemic trade-offs and development of economic and efficient infrastructure, and involving private sector in this area in a bigger way on a long-term basis Fresh PSU bank recapitalisation of Rs 70,000 crore will be a big positive for the banking ecosystem and it came as more than a pleasant surprise. This will go a long way in terms of getting lending back on track to stimulate growth in core sectors like Infrastructure.  For the government, the big challenge would be to walk the talk and recreate a PPP environment that encourages the private sector. This would probably be the only route for Modi government 2.0 to come closer to achieving the two big budget numbers.  Note: India and Japan have joined hands for infrastructure development in India's north-eastern states and are also setting up an India-Japan Coordination Forum for Development of North East to undertake strategic infrastructure projects in the northeast. The vote-on-account is an approval, which the government seeks from the parliament for essential spending for a limited period. Must Read: Infrastructure and North-East Connecting the Dots: How do infrastructure projects strengthen a nation’s geostrategic standing? Examine in the light of strategy adopted by China and India’s response to it.

Jul 20, 2019 RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – DNA Technology Bill

DNA Technology Bill Archives TOPIC: General studies 2 Important aspects of governance, social justice Justice System General studies 3 Technology Security issues, Disaster Management In News: The DNA Technology Regulation Bill, which seeks to control the use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of a person, was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid questions being raised by opposition parties on its provisions. A similar bill was passed in Lok Sabha in January but it could not be cleared in the Rajya Sabha. The bill had then lapsed with the dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha.  The proposed law, which has been in the making since at least 2003, is the third attempt by the government to enact a law to regulate the use of DNA technology in the country after an earlier version of the Bill had been finalised in 2015 but could not be introduced in parliament. The congress was against the introduction of the bill, raising privacy and other concerns.  Opposing the introduction of the bill, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, the bill violates fundamental rights as DNA of undertrials can be collected without court orders. Describing the draft law as "flawed", he said there is no provision of consent on the storage of DNA data. Shashi Tharoor (Cong) alleged that the bill will institutionalise a "surveillance state" and suggested that first a data protection law should be put in place. "You cannot put the cart before the horse," he said. The Minister for science and technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan, who introduced the Bill however rejected the concerns raised by the opposition saying there is “no serious substance”.  Ministry: Science and Technology and Earth Sciences DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 The primary intended purpose of  “The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019” is for expanding the application of DNA-based forensic technologies to support and strengthen the justice delivery system of the country. The Bill seeks to create a regulatory framework for obtaining, storing and testing of DNA samples of human beings, mainly for the purposes of criminal investigations, and with the objective of establishing the identity of a person. DNA testing is already being used for a variety of purposes, such as criminal investigations, establishment of parentage, and search for missing people. The proposed law seeks to bring in a supervisory structure to oversee these practices, and frame guidelines and rules so that the DNA technology is not misused. To achieve these objectives, the bill proposes to set up two institutional structures — a DNA regulatory board, and a DNA data bank — at the national level.  Regional centres of the board as well as the data bank can be set up at the state level as well. DNA Data Bank: The bill envisages that every data bank will maintain indices like the crime scene index, suspects' or undertrials' index, offenders' index, missing persons' index and unknown deceased persons' index.  DNA Regulatory Board: Every laboratory that analyses DNA samples to establish the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the board. By providing for the mandatory accreditation and regulation of DNA laboratories, the Bill seeks to ensure that with the proposed expanded use of this technology in this country, there is also the assurance that the DNA test results are reliable, and furthermore that the data remain protected from misuse or abuse in terms of the privacy rights of our citizens. Under the bill – A written consent by individuals is required to collect DNA samples from them. Consent is not required for offences with punishment of more than seven years of imprisonment or death.  DNA samples can be collected from the objects found at the crime scene, or from the body of the accused or volunteer. The samples, collected by an authorised technician or medical practitioner, would have to be sent to an accredited laboratory for tests and analysis. The information generated from these tests would have to be mandatorily shared with the nearest DNA data bank, which in turn, would be required to share it with the national data bank. It also provides for removal of DNA profiles of suspects on filing of a police report or court order, and of undertrials on the basis of a court order. Profiles in the crime scene and missing persons' index will be removed on a written request. Under the provisions, the data banks are required to store the information under one of the five indices — a crime scene index, a suspect or undertrial index, an offenders’ index, a missing persons’ index, and an unknown deceased persons’ index. Although information from DNA can yield a lot of information about the person, the data banks are supposed to store only that information that is necessary to establish the identity of the person. While the information in the crime scene index can be stored permanently, entries in other indices can be removed through processes prescribed. People whose DNA samples have been collected, either from the crime scene, or through voluntary written consent, can also request the removal of their information from the index. DNA samples of people who are not suspects or undertrials cannot be matched with already stored information in the suspects/undertrial index or the offenders’ index. The proposed legislation will empower the criminal justice delivery system by enabling the application of DNA evidence, which is considered the gold standard in crime investigations. Establishment of the National and Regional DNA Data Banks, as envisaged in the Bill, will assist in forensic investigations. The debate The main debate over the proposed law has been around three issues —  Whether the DNA technology is fool-proof Whether the provisions adequately address the possibility of abuse of DNA information Whether the privacy of the individual is protected DNA information can be extremely revelatory. It can not only establish a person’s identity but also reveal a lot about physical and biological attributes of the person like eye, hair or skin colour, susceptibility to diseases, possible medical history, and possible clues to biological relatives. For years, critics of the Bill have been claiming that collecting and storing such intrusive information could lead to abuse, besides being violative of a person’s privacy. The government, on the other hand, has been arguing that since DNA tests are already happening, and frequently used as the most reliable tool to establish identity, it would be better to have regulatory safeguards so that it is carried out only in prescribed manner and by authorised personnel and institutions. The text of the Bill has undergone several changes over the years to address some of the concerns on privacy and the possibility of abuse. Conclusion:  The proposed Bill will give a fillip to the development of uniform code of practices in all laboratories involved in DNA testing throughout the country .This  will aid in scientific up gradation and streamlining of the DNA testing activities in the country with appropriate inputs from the DNA Regulatory Board which would be set up for the purpose. It is expected that the expanded use of this scientifically driven technology would empower the existing justice delivery system. Do you know? The genes encoded in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which can be collected from blood, hair, skin cells and other such bodily substances, have undoubtedly proven to be an important tool in forensic science. Much like fingerprints, a person’s DNA profile is unique (except in the case of identical twins) and can, therefore, help in establishing the identity of, say, a suspect. Code of Criminal Procedure in 2005 authorises investigating officers of a crime to collect a DNA sample from an accused with the help of a medical practitioner. Connecting the dots: The DNA technology (use and application) Bill, 2018 can establish a balance between right to privacy and right to justice. Evaluate with suggestions.

Jul 19, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Centre had announced hike in surcharges paid by high net worth individuals Part of: GS Mains Paper III – Government Budgeting In News Centre had announced hike in surcharges paid by high net worth individuals. The increase in surcharges effectively increases the combined tax rate by 2% for those earning between Rs.2 crore and 5 crore and by 7% for those earning more than Rs 5 crore annually. The higher tax will only apply to individuals and FPIs registered as trusts, which are also treated as individuals. However, the FPIs that are registered as companies will not be affected. The decision to increase rates drew criticism that it would lead to outflow of foreign funds from India because there would be decreased income as they have to pay more taxes now. Do you know? Surcharge is an additional charge or tax levied on an existing tax. For Example: A surcharge of 10% on a tax rate of 30% effectively raises the combined tax burden to 33% Cess is also tax on tax. However, the difference is that Cess is levied temporarily for a specific purpose. Once the purpose has been fulfilled, cess is no longer levied. However, surcharges are general and permanent in nature. The revenue earned via surcharge is solely retained by the Centre and, unlike other tax revenues, is not shared with States. The proceeds of surcharges flow into Consolidated Fund of India. Surcharges, in India, are used to make the taxation system more ‘progressive’ (average tax rate increases as the income increases) as they are generally levied on wealthy individuals and companies. Foreign Portfolio Investments are those investments which hold less than 10% in a company, beyond which it is regarded as FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). FPI hold a short term view on the company and generally participate through the stock markets and gets in and out of a particular stock at much faster frequencies. They are volatile in nature. The authority monitoring the guidelines for FPI regulation is the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Misuse of Money Bills Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and issues arising out of these. In News: The opposition has charged that the 2019 finance bill had provisions to amend a number of laws including the Benami, SEBI and PMLA Acts and that these amendments to laws were not related to finance but brought as part of financial bill to avoid proper scrutiny. Types of Bills Constitution Amendment Bills: These are Bills which seek to amend the Constitution. Money Bills: A Bill is said to be a Money Bill if it only contains provisions related to taxation, borrowing of money by the government, expenditure from or receipt to the Consolidated Fund of India. Article 110 deals with Money bills. Do you know? Money bill can only be introduced only in Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of the President and must be passed by simple majority. Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes to the bill, which Lok Sabha may reject if it chooses to. If such recommendations are not given within 14 days, it will have deemed to be passed by Parliament Who decides if a Bill is a Money Bill? The Speaker certifies a Bill as a Money Bill, and the Speaker’s decision is final. Financial Bills: A Bill that contains some provisions related to taxation and expenditure, and additionally contains provisions related to any other matter is called a Financial Bill. Article 117 deals with Financial bills. There are two categories of Financial bills under Article 117 Article 117(i) – Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with prior recommendation of President. Rajya Sabha can reject or modify it Article 117(iii) – Can be introduced both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha with prior recommendation of the President. Rajya Sabha can reject or modify it. Ordinary Bills: All other Bills are called ordinary bills. This can be introduced in either of the Houses of Parliament. No prior recommendation of President is required and requires simple majority to pass the bill Man-made highlands come to rescue of animals during floods Part of: Main GS Paper III - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Disaster management In News: During monsoon season, Brahmaputra rivers overflows and floods the adjacent regions including the Kaziranga National Park. As a result, most of the animals seek safe places during these floods. In order to keep animals above the water level, forest department has constructed highlands which were designed scientifically with provision of adequate grass and plants yielding fruits. These islands have turned into islands of relative safety whereby animals move to such highlands during floods. This has prevented huge loss to wildlife and sustenance of Kaziranga ecosystem. Do you know? Floods are considered as necessary evil in Kaziranga, which comprises mix of wetlands, grasslands and forests. The flood water flushes out the aquatic plants and weeds that choke its ecosystem. Kaziranga National Park is known for being the residence of 'Big Five' animals, ie, Great Indian One horned Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Eastern Swamp Deer and Wild Water Buffalo. Structural reforms in Agriculture Part of: Main GS Paper III – transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers In news: CM’s panel tasked with recommending sweeping reforms in the agriculture sector has suggested the following measures at the recently held NITI Aayog meet: Scrapping of the Essential Commodities Act for the food sector Review of agricultural subsidies (The total outlay on fertilizer subsidy alone is around 70,000 crore rupees in 2018-19) Dismantling of market monopolies (which ensures that farmer’s bargaining power increases fetching him more price for his produce) Steps to increase private investment and investment credit in the sector (through tax benefits and subsidised credit). This will enhance private sector’s participation in supply chain infrastructure thereby reducing wastages and leakages in the process. Obstacles to the implementation of the digital e-NAM system to be removed. Do you know? National Agriculture Market (eNAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which networks the existing APMC mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. More Information about Essential Commodities Act The ECA was enacted way back in 1955. It has since been used by the Government to regulate the production, supply and distribution of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ in order to make them available to consumers at fair prices. The list of items under the Act include drugs, fertilisers, pulses and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products. Here’s how it works: If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period. Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity , be it wholesalers, retailers or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity. It thus empowers authorities to crack down on hoarders and black-marketeers of such commodities during crisis period. The ECA gives consumers protection against irrational spikes in prices of essential commodities. Miscellaneous Gender Equality Part of: Main GS Paper I – Role of women and women’s organization In News Presently women officers cannot be posted immediately on board ships as there are no separate facilities. In order to induct more women into services, Navy has recently issued tender for cadet training ships which has facilities catered for women This initiative will go a long way in increasing women participation in Navy who presently constitute only 6.7% of the Navy officers National Parks in news: Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh and Bandipur wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka India is spending 1300 Crore rupees to build 9 kilometres underpass on National Highway passing through Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh to provide safe passage for wildlife (especially Tigers) in the region. Similar demand is being made to build underpass on the National Highway between Mysuru and Waynad to protect tigers in Bandipur wildlife sanctuary. Concerns In a developing country like India with limited resources and nearly 23% of our population living below poverty line, we need to balance our developmental needs with our responsibility to protect the ecology. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests India and the World ; India and its neighbourhood- relations. 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 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) report to Xinjiang on Uighurs  Context: The below article deals with OIC record on China’s Xinjiang province, which is in the news on account of alleged violations of human rights and curbs on religious freedom of Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic groups. A Human Rights Watch report issued in September 2018 had also criticised Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang. About OIC The OIC, represents 57 member states and a population of about 1.8 billion people. It is the world’s second-largest intergovernmental organisation after the UN It is committed to protect the interests of the Muslim world. It routinely expresses solidarity with Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Bosnia, as well as with the peoples of the Turkish Cypriot state, Kosovo and Jammu and Kashmir Who are Uighurs? The Uighurs are a minority Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. The Uighurs have been recognized as native to only one region, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China Indian and OIC: India became the ‘Guest of Honour’ at the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Abu Dhabi in March. The final declaration ignored the customary reference to Jammu and Kashmir. Reasons for the ignorance The strong personal and state-to-state ties built by the Indian government with important OIC states, especially the UAE. However, one of the resolutions did refer to Kashmir and expressed concern at the situation of Muslims in India. OIC’s report on China’s Xinjiang province: The main Abu Dhabi declaration, like the Dhaka Declaration, made no reference to China or its Muslim minorities. It is fascinating to come across the resolution passed at Abu Dhabi which chose to commend the efforts of the People’s Republic of China in providing care to its Muslim citizens. China has defended its policies and claimed that it’s so-called ‘internment camps’ are actually vocational centres meant to “to educate and save the local people of Xinjiang who were influenced by religious extremism”. Reasons for favouring China: China is a major power It is a permanent member of the UN Security Council It has a large market for hydrocarbons and a source of arms and investment Moreover, China refrains from preaching to others about human rights or systems of governance. As China’s continued import of oil from Iran suggests, countries under U.S. pressure and sanctions often turn to China for relief. In return, they do their best to guard China’s interests at the OIC. Do you know? Recently Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs urged China to lift restrictions on Muslims in Xinjiang. Pakistan chief raised concerns about the Uighur issue with the Chinese Ambassador that has cone has deep embarrassment to the OIC. Connecting the dots: What is Organisation of Islamic Cooperation? Discuss its objectives and also discuss the significance of OIC’s first-time invitation to India. (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 Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI): Returns in FPI are in the form of dividends and interest payments Investment through FPI entails control of the management of the company FPI is the passive holding of securities and other financial assets by a foreign firm Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only All of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements: Kaziranga National park is a Ramsar site. Kaziranga National Park is a 117-year-old park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Rajya Sabha has equivalent powers as that of Lok Sabha with respect to which of the bills Ordinary Bills Money Bills Financial Bills Constitutional Amendment Bills Select the correct answer using the codes given below : 1 and 3 only 1,3 and 4 only 1 and 4 only 1,2,3 and 4 Q.4) Consider the following statements Proceeds from cess and surcharges form a divisible pool of Central resources. Only Centre can levy cess Which of the following statements is/are not correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ The threat of Ebola The Hindu Does the anti-defection law serve any purpose? The Hindu  Surely, 50 years is a good time to review bank nationalisation Indian Express  An AI innovation engine for New India Financial Express  An Ayushman Bharat database is a good step Financial Express

Jul 19, 2019 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IAS Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 30

UPSC Quiz - 2020 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz Day 30 Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’ It has a membership of governmental and non-governmental organizations. It works on the basis of four-year programs, determined by the membership. It runs field projects for habitat and species conservation around the world. Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Doklam’ It is strategically located at the tri-junction of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China Hunza Valley is located in this region bordering with the Wakhan Corridor Select the correct statements  1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Ebola’ It spreads through direct contact with body fluids It is a viral haemorrhagic fever of humans and other primates 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 ‘Deeksharambh’ It targets Higher Education Institutions for mentoring with a specific focus on quality as enumerated in the UGC “Quality Mandate”. It is a Student Induction Programme to help new students adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the institution. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) ‘Mauritania’ is NOT bordered by Senegal Mali Algeria Nigeria To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Jul 18, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th July 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th July 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Kulbhushan Jadhav case and ICJ ruling Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbourhood- relations; India and Pakistan relations In news: The International Court of Justice ruled that Pakistan should “review and reconsider” Kulbhushan Jadhav’s conviction and death sentence. ICJ also ruled that Pakistan should give the Indian government consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. Do you know? Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of “espionage and terrorism” after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India. India moved the ICJ in the same year for the “egregious violation” of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to the 48-year-old Indian national. Important Value Additions: ICJ is the “principled judicial organ of the United Nations” (ICJ, 1945), and is based at the Hague in the Netherlands. Statute of the International Court of Justice, which is an integral part of the United Nations Charter established the ICJ. The ICJ is made up of 15 jurists from different countries (elected to nine-year terms by Permanent members of the UNSC) and no two judges at any given time may be from the same country. The court’s composition is static but generally includes jurists from a variety of cultures. The function of the ICJ is to resolve disputes between sovereign states. Karnataka crisis: What’s a ‘whip’, and what does it do? Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Polity; Parliament - Whip In news: Amid a looming trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly, former chief minister Siddaramaiah appealed to postpone the motion of confidence as the Supreme Court’s decision did not shed light on his rights to issue a whip. What is a whip? A whip in parliamentary parlance is a written order that party members be present for an important vote, or that they vote only in a particular way. The term is derived from the old British practice of “whipping in” lawmakers to follow the party line. In India all parties can issue a whip to their members. Parties appoint a senior member from among their House contingents to issue whips — this member is called a Chief Whip, and he/she is assisted by additional Whips. Do you know? The office of ‘whip’, on the other hand, is mentioned neither in the Constitution of India nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government. Every political party, whether ruling or Opposition has its own whip in the Parliament. He is appointed by the political party to serve as an assistant floor leader. He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers and securing their support in favour of or against a particular issue. He regulates and monitors their behaviour in the Parliament. The members are supposed to follow the directives given by the whip. Otherwise, disciplinary action can be taken. Kinds of whips A whip can be classified into three types, based on the number of times it has been underlined. One-line whip A one-line whip, which is underlined once, is issued by the party to inform its members of an important vote in the pipeline, so that a quorum can be established. (A quorum is the minimum number of legislators that need to be present do that a vote can be held.) A one-line whip allows the legislators to abstain from voting if they decide to go against the party line. However, they cannot, under any circumstance, vote against the party. Two-line whip A two-line whip, which is underlined twice, demands that party members be present in the House at the time of voting. Abstention from voting, in this case, invites more scrutiny from party’s high command as compared to a one-line whip. Three-line whip A three-line whip, which is underlined thrice, is the gravest of the whips. This places the party members under an obligation to toe the party line and is usually employed when critical bills are tabled in the House or during a motion of no-confidence. What happens if a legislator does not follow the whip? Defying a three-line whip can not only lead to expulsion of the member from the party, but also risk his/her membership in the House. Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the Speaker of the House can disqualify a member who goes against the party line under the anti-defection law. The only exception is when more than one-third members decide to vote against the directive. Bimal Jalan committee on RBI’s economic capital framework (ECF) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Indian Economy and issues related to it; RBI In news: Bimal Jalan panel was formed to address the issue of RBI reserves, one of the sticking points between the central bank and the government. The expert panel to suggest how the central bank should handle its reserves and whether it can transfer its surplus to the government. Jalan panel to submit its report soon. Issue: The government has been insisting that the central bank hand over its surplus reserves amid a shortfall in revenue collections. Access to the funds will allow finance minister to meet deficit targets, infuse capital into weak banks to boost lending and fund welfare programmes. Therefore, the Jalan panel was set up to decide whether RBI is holding provisions, reserves and buffers in surplus of the required levels. Ebola outbreak a global health emergency: WHO In news: World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. About Ebola Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The Ebola virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. There are currently no licensed Ebola vaccines but 2 potential candidates are undergoing evaluation. Dam Safety Bill Part of: GS Mains II and III – Government schemes and policies; Disaster Management In news: The Centre is set to introduce the Dam Safety Bill, 2019. The Bill aims to put in place a systematic procedure to ensure that India’s 5,600 dams are made and maintained safely. The Bill provides for establishment of a National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body to implement the policy. The Bill lays the onus of the dam safety on the dam owner and provides for penal provisions for wilful “commission and omission of certain acts.” National Medical Commission Bill Part of: GS Mains II – Health sector; Education reforms; Government schemes and policies In news: Centre plans to introduce the National Medical Commission Bill (NMC Bill) and repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. NMC Bill was first introduced in Parliament in December 2017 and had provoked widespread protests over a proposal for bridge courses to allow AYUSH practitioners to prescribe allopathic medicines. However, the 2017 bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. The current Bill proposes to convert the final year MBBS examination into a licentiate exam, which will be a requirement for doctors to practise medicine. The examination, to be called the National Exit Test (NEXT), will also be used for entrance into post-graduate medical courses, and act as a screening test for foreign medical graduates. Miscellaneous Person in news: Hafiz Saeed In news: Pakistan recently arrested Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Hafiz Saeed has been declared a global terrorist by the U.S. and the UN He is currently held in terror financing case. Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh In news: Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the ₹1,600-crore pre-investment expenditure for the Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, India’s largest hydropower project. Dibang River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra that originated and flows through the Mishmi Hills & northeast India from the state of Arunachal Pradesh. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Role of UNSC; International organization International Relations India and the World India’s agenda as an UNSC member Context: India secured UNSC non-permanent membership for 2021-22 with support from Asia-Pacific group including Pakistan and China. Each year the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA) elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term at the high-table. India has been at the forefront of the years-long effort to reform the security council saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member of the council, which, in its current form, does not represent the geopolitical realities of the 21st Century. Concerns: Currently, the world is in a greater state of disorder than at any time since the end of World War II. Fear, populism, polarisation, and ultra-nationalism have become the basis of politics in many countries. The benign and supportive international system that followed the Cold War has disappeared. India finds itself in a troubled region between West and East Asia - a region with insurgencies, terrorism, human and narcotics trafficking, and great power rivalries (ranging from turmoil in Gulf, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Daesh), Iraq and Syria issue to Afghanistan’s peace process). India also faces issues in Asia such as strategic mistrust or misperception, unresolved borders and territorial disputes, the absence of a pan-Asia security architecture, and competition over energy and strategic minerals. Role of UNSC: Prime function of the UNSC should be to maintain international peace and security. It should also focus on shared goals, especially international social and economic cooperation. Try to bring coordination between 193 sovereign member nations. To this end, the permanent members (P-5) as also other UN members must consider it worth their while to reform the Council. What should India aim to do? Studies and reports predict that – by 2050, China will be the world’s number one economic power, followed by India.  UNSC permanent seat will come India’s way more by invitation and less by self-canvassing. As a non-permanent member of UNSC, India’s objectives should be – to help build a stable and secure external environment to promote regional and global security to promote growth and its own people’s prosperity to promote a rule-based world order to emerge as a partner of choice for developing and developed countries alike India must leverage this latest opportunity to project itself as a responsible nation. Agenda as a member of UNSC Increase financial contribution India will have to increase its financial contribution, as the apportionment of UN expenses for each of the P-5 countries is significantly larger than that for India. Although India has been a leading provider of peacekeepers, its assessed contribution to UN peacekeeping operations is minuscule. Provide effective leadership At a time when there is a deficit of international leadership on global issues, especially on security, migrant movement, poverty, and climate change, India has an opportunity to promote well-balanced, common solutions. Responsibility to Protect India must help guide the Council away from the perils of invoking the principles of humanitarian interventionism or ‘Responsibility to Protect’. Work towards rules-based global order Given the fragile and complex international system, which can become even more unpredictable and conflictual, India should work towards a rules-based global order. Sustainable development and promoting peoples’ welfare should become its new drivers. Ensure sanctions India should push to ensure that the UNSC Sanctions Committee targets all those individuals and entities warranting sanctions. Rational internationalism Having good relations with all the great powers, India must lead the way by pursuing inclusion, the rule of law, constitutionalism, and rational internationalism. India should once again become a consensus-builder, instead of the outlier it has progressively become. It should find a harmonised response for dealing with global problems of climate change, disarmament, terrorism, trade, and development. Conclusion: A rules-based international order helps rather than hinders India. India will be a rich country in the future and will acquire greater military muscle, but its people will remain relatively poor. India is a great nation, but not a great power. India cannot stride the global stage with confidence in the absence of stable relations with its neighbours. Besides whatever else is done within the UN and the UNSC, India must lift its game in South Asia and its larger neighbourhood. India must prepare for this contingency, but, at the same time, it must champion a return to the older rules-based global order. Connecting the dots: What do you understand by the term or concept – “Rules-Based International Order”? Also discuss the challenges to the rules-based international order and its impact on India. India is a great nation, but not a great power. Do you agree? Elucidate your opinion. Does the composition and rights in the Security Council represent 21st century world dynamics? Critically examine. Why is the permanent membership in UNSC so important for India? Do you think India’s claim to permanent membership is valid? 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) Consider the following statements about ‘International Court of Justice (ICJ)’ Statute of the International Court of Justice, which is an integral part of the United Nations Charter established the ICJ It is composed of fifteen judges elected to nine-year terms by Permanent members of the UNSC Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) The office of the ‘Whip’ is mentioned in: Constitution of India Rules of the House In a separate Parliamentary Statute None Q.3) Based on the conventions of Parliamentary government, we have an office of ‘Whip’ in Indian parliament. Every political party has its own whip. What is the function of a ‘whip’? He is responsible for ensuring the attendance of his political party members. He decides the agenda of his party on the floor of the parliament. He ensures the support of his party members in favour or against a particular issue. Select the code from following: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Zoonoses are infectious diseases of animals (usually vertebrates) that can naturally be transmitted to humans. Which of the following are zoonoses? Ebola virus disease Bird flu Swine influenza Zika fever Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 1, 2 and 3 only 2 and 3 only 2, 3 and 4 only All the above MUST READ Takeaways from the Kulbhushan Jadhav case ruling The Hindu The benefits of blockchain The Hindu New Education Policy will ensure our higher education system remains a client of global science Indian Express Testing the waters: Mention of Blue Economy in budget must serve as an impetus for the sector Indian Express  Scientists create Ramanujan Machine: what’s it for, why name it after him? Indian Express