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RSTV IAS UPSC – El Nino Effect

El Nino Effect Archives TOPIC: General Studies 3 Conservation, Climate change El Nino is the name given to a slight warming of the surface waters of the Pacific. It is opposite of La Nina, which is a cooling. As the ocean is one of the biggest influences in our weather, both of the phenomena have a dramatic effect on the weather around the globe. Collectively, El Niño and La Niña are parts of an oscillation in the ocean-atmosphere system called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO cycle, which also has a neutral phase. El Nino was discovered far earlier than La Nino, as it had a direct impact on the Peruvian fishermen. They noticed that every three to seven years, in the months of December and January, there would be virtually no fish in the seas. As it was noticed around Christmas time, they named this phenomenon El Nino (Spanish for ‘the baby boy’). What happens ‘normally’, at a time when there is no El Nino or La Nina? The warmest part of the Pacific Ocean is the region near the equator. Due to the spinning of the earth, the prevailing winds flow from east to west. This pushes the warm waters westwards, towards Indonesia. In the east, around the coast of South America, cool waters would normally well up. These waters are rich in nutrients and fish, and provide plenty of food for the Peruvian Fisherman. During a normal year it’s cool and not too rainy along the western coast of the Americas, and warm and wet in the western part of the Pacific. During an El Nino event: But when the trade winds die, two things happen: The wind-forced upwelling that draws cool water to the surface slows down, and the warm water that has pooled up in the western part of the Pacific basin starts to slosh back toward the east. And as the warmth spreads eastward, the trade winds—which are partly controlled by the temperature and air pressure differences between the two sides of the Pacific—get even weaker. So the chilly waters that usually help cool down the South American coast stay trapped deep below the surface, and the winds that would help cool things down stagnate. The prevailing winds across the Pacific weaken, and sometimes they can even reverse and blow the other way. This allows some of the warmer waters to move eastwards, away from Indonesia and towards South America. Easy to explain events: The location of tropical storms shifts eastward during an El Niño because atmospheric moisture is fuel for thunderstorms, and the greatest amount of evaporation takes place above the ocean's warmest water. Waters near the coast of South America are warmer than usual, which makes the weather in the region warmer than usual. This increases evaporation and therefore the region also sees more rain than in a typical year. Because the warmer waters are moving away from Indonesia, the weather here is drier than usual. Difficult events for some: Usually decreases the hurricane activity in the Atlantic Higher global temperatures: During an El Niño, the warmer tropical waters in the Pacific can transfer their energy to the atmosphere. When combined with man-made global warming, this can push global average surface temperatures to new highs. In 2016, Corals, which aren’t great at dealing with either extreme heat or extreme cold, languished in the tepid waters. Stressed by the heat, they started to sicken and bleach, and in some cases die. By the end of the season, vast swaths of the Pacific’s reefs were bleached bone white. The strongest El Niño event that has ever been recorded occurred in 1997- 1998. Its impact was felt in many parts of the world. Droughts hit Indonesia and other islands in the western Pacific, triggering uncontrollable forest fires. Peru suffered deadly flooding. Record-breaking rainfall hit the US state of California, causing mudslides and flooding. Kenya too, was hit by severe flooding. El Nino decreases earth’s rotation rate, the Coriolis force and increases the length of day. (La Nina creates opposite): As it changes the wind pattern, Earth needs a change in speed to conserve its angular momentum of Earth-Atmospheric system. The weak push to Monsoon winds towards India leads to less rainfall or weak monsoon. Rise in prices of commodities (sugar, pulses and edible oil) which leads Government to stock them up and put restriction on exports to avoid the hoarding via black market. This is the case especially in the western regions as the cost of raw materials increases hurting the manufacturing sector. Farmers suffer the most as they have to work on their strategy depending on the drought like situation. Connecting the Dots: What do you understand by an El Nino year? Also explain the mechanism of its occurrence. How does it affect the Indian subcontinent? What is La-Nina? Examine its effects on India’s climate.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 19th April 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Govt. suspends cross-LoC trade in J&K Part of: GS Mains II and III – Centre-State Relations; Security issues; Economy and issues related to it. In news: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade in Jammu and Kashmir, citing “funnelling of illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency” as reasons. The decision is set to impact around 300 traders, and more than 1,200 people who are directly and indirectly associated with the trade on this side. A probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the MHA revealed that trade are being operated by persons closely associated with banned terrorist organisations. And especially after India withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status to Pakistan aftermath Pulwama attack and imposed higher duty, the LoC trade was likely to be misused to a much larger extent. CSIR plans genome sequencing to map population diversity Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology In news: In an indigenous genetic mapping effort, nearly 1,000 rural youth from the length and breadth of India will have their genomes sequenced by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The project aims at educating a generation of students on the “usefulness” of genomics. Globally, many countries have undertaken genome sequencing of a sample of their citizens to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility (and resilience) to disease. This is the first time that such a large sample of Indians will be recruited for a detailed study. Important Value Additions: What is Genome Sequencing? Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome—the order of As, Cs, Gs, and Ts that make up an organism’s DNA. The human genome is made up of over 3 billion of these genetic letters. Pic: https://thesequencingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/seqprocess_blog.jpg Applications of genome sequencing: Forensics: Used in criminal identification since every individual has different genome sequence. It helps to understand and comprehend the internal structure of genes in the DNA. It helps to understand which sequence codes for what kind of proteins. Medicine: The knowledge of sequence can tell you if you have any disease acquired or hereditary. The knowledge of sequence can be used to prepare proteins. The knowledge of sequencing will help to cure many diseases. [which are currently not being solved] Agriculture: Mapping of genome of micro-organism have enabled researches to make it useful for food crops and plants. Do you know? Genome sequencing project is considered to be a boon for mankind. Human Genome Project, a first of its kind was taken up by multi- institutes and took 13 years from 1990 to 2003 to produce a blueprint of the sequence of genes and spaces between genes that make up typical human genome. The human genome sequence of an Indian was mapped during 2009, putting the country in the league of then five others — United States, Britain, Canada, China and South Korea — who had demonstrated similar capabilities. This means the 3.1 billion base pairs describing every function of the body of an Indian are now available for further study and as an important diagnostic tool for predictive healthcare. Devoting over two years on the background work, a team of young scientists from the Indian Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi mapped the genome sequence of a man in his fifties from Jharkhand. The world’s first human genome sequence was completed in 2003 by the International Human Genome Project with scientists from the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan and China. Resource constraints hindered India’s participation in that project. Human Genome Project (HGP) The Human Genome Project (HGP) was a large, international and multi-institutional effort that took 13 years [1990-2003] and $2.7 billion to produce a blueprint of the sequence of genes and spaces between genes that make up a typical human genome. Human Genome Project – Write (HGP – Write) Fast forward to 2016 and another project, called the Human Genome Project–write (HGPwrite), now underway to synthesise a human genome from scratch. The original HGP was a “read” in that it used chemicals and instruments to decipher the genome for the first time. The new project, its proponents say, is to write or build an artificial human genome with sophisticated bioengineering tools. A group of scientists from United States recently proposed an ambitious project named as Human Genome Project-Write (HGP-Write) to create a genetic blueprint or synthetic human genome. The project envisions on the same scale as the Human Genome Project-Read (HGP-Read) which had sequenced human genome in 2003. HGP-Write seeks to reduce the cost of engineering DNA segments synthetically in the laboratory. The potential benefits of HGP-write to India include providing new solutions to diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya. The tools, techniques and technologies that are going to be developed through HGP-write will be universally applicable to all organisms, especially at an earlier stage for organisms with smaller genomes (for example, viruses), towards building individual genes and genomes efficiently and in an inexpensive manner. It also aims at improving the ability to chemically manufacture DNA, with one of the goals being to synthetically create an entire human genome. Plea in SC on voting rights of undertrials and convicts Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Polity; Fundamental Rights; Election and Voting Rights In news: Supreme Court is hearing a plea filed by a law student questioning an electoral law which denies undertrials and convicts their right to vote. The petition highlights how the Section sees both an undertrial and a convicted person equally. The former’s guilt is yet to be proved in a court. A person is innocent until proven guilty by law. Despite this, it denies an undertrial the right to vote but allows a detainee the same. However, a person out on bail is allowed to cast his vote. The plea argued that the provision violates the rights to equality, vote (Article 326) and is arbitrary. It is not a reasonable restriction. Do you know? Section 62(5) of the Representation of People Act of 1951 mandates that “no person shall vote at any election if he is confined in a prison, whether under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custody of the police”. The provisions however exempt a person held under preventive detention from this rigour. Article 326 of Indian Constitution: Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage Indians in Libya told to be careful Part of:  GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Diaspora; International Affairs In news: In view of the worsening security situation in Libya, India asked its nationals to exercise extreme caution and stay in contact with others in the community. The Libyan Crisis (2011 to present) refers to the ongoing conflicts in Libya, beginning with the Arab Spring protests of 2011, which led to a civil war, foreign military intervention, and the ousting and death of Muammar Gaddafi. The civil war's aftermath and proliferation of armed groups led to violence and instability across the country, which erupted into renewed civil war in 2014. The ongoing crisis in Libya has so far resulted in tens of thousands of casualties since the onset of violence in early 2011. Miscellaneous Person in news: Yusuf Hamied Why in news? Scientist and businessman (Cipla chairman) Yusuf Hamied is among a host of Indian-origin experts honoured in the 2019 list of new fellows of the U.K.’s Royal Society. (top U.K. honour) The Royal Society is an independent scientific academy of the U.K. and the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting excellence in science. Among the Indian-origin scientists elected as fellows this year are microbiologist Gurdyal Besra, mathematicians Manjul Bhargava and Akshay Venkatesh and health experts Gagandeep Kang and Anant Parekh. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/HEALTH TOPIC: General studies 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. A manifesto for health Context: In India, health systems are in critical condition and there is significant public discontent over the lack of quality and affordable healthcare. Concerns: In the past five years, The Union health budget has stagnated in real terms and allocations to the National Health Mission do not cover inflation There have been avoidable deaths of scores of children in public hospitals in Gorakhpur and other places that can be ascribed to the lack of material and human resources. Governments have failed to regulate private hospitals There were numerous instances of mismanagement and massive over-charging of patients Ayushman Bharat scheme - An attempt to transform India’s Healthcare Map PM Modi had launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme a year before the elections. The scheme claims to benefit 50 crore Indians Coverage of up to ₹5 lakh a family a year will be provided for secondary- and tertiary-care hospitalization (50 crore beneficiaries) 5 lakh centres health and wellness centres will be established. However, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (component of the Ayushman Bharat scheme) is seriously underfunded (current funds being less than one-fourth of required) and will only scratch the tip of the iceberg of healthcare requirements in India. Given this context, India needs a major health policy reboot.   Suggestions by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan Do you know? The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan is a ‘People’s Health Movement’ in the country, which is aimed at establishing health and equitable development through comprehensive primary health care and action on the social determinants of health. It is a worldwide network of peoples' organizations, NGOs, social activists, civil society organizations, health professionals, researchers, etc. As per People’s Health Manifesto 2019 by Jan Swasthya Abhiyan - There is a need to adopt “Right to Healthcare” legislation at the Centre and state levels. This would ensure that all residents of the country are entitled to healthcare facilities. There is a need to develop a system for Universal Healthcare (UHC) and which would require expansion and strengthening of public health services at all levels. Private providers should also be involved, as per need, to supplement the public health system. There is a need to increase the public health expenditure exponentially through taxation. (as current GDP expenditure on health is just mere 1.2 per cent and it is vital to reach 3.5 per cent of the GDP in the next five years). In order to increase staff and infrastructure, strengthen public health services, major reforms are needed. Guaranteed provision of free essential medicines and diagnostics to all patients. There should be a comprehensive health sector human resource policy, which provides upgraded skill training, fair wages, social security and decent working conditions for all public health services staff. The services of all contractual health workers, including ASHAs and anganwadi workers, should be regularised. Community-based monitoring and planning of health services should be upscaled and user-friendly grievance redressal systems put in place to ensure social accountability and participation. Private hospitals must be brought under the ambit of regulations by modifying and adopting the Clinical Establishments Act in all states. There is a need for effective legislation which ensures the Charter of Patient’s Rights, which provides grievance redressal mechanism to patients, the rates for services must be regulated and standard treatment guidelines should be adopted in healthcare institutions. These initiatives must be accompanied by measures to ensure that people with special needs — women, children, differently-abled persons, people living with HIV — enjoy appropriate health services. Traditional social determinants of health such as nutrition, water supply, sanitation and healthy environment must be ensured. There should be plans in place to tackle new determinants like air and water pollution and addictions. Conclusion: Such a paradigm shift towards a rights-based system for universal healthcare, based on massive increase in health budgets and strengthened health systems, is not an unrealistic dream. Connecting the dots: Ayushman Bharat is one of the most ambitious health schemes ever launched in India. What can be the key challenges in proper implementation of this scheme? What do you understand by universal health coverage? Explain the measures taken by the government to achieve universal health coverage in India. Enacting a Right to Health Act and setting up of an independent regulatory authority to manage and monitor the delivery of health care services are the two most important steps in the direction of universal health coverage. Comment. GOVERNMENT POLICY/SCHEMES 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; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Why Ujjwala LPG scheme is a half-baked programme? Context: We know that, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is a scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas for providing LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. Under the scheme, five crore (now 8 crores) LPG connections are to be provided to BPL households. PMUY aims to safeguard the health of women & children by providing them with a clean cooking fuel. Recently, the Union government claimed that it has provided over 51 million—51,407,565 at last official count—free cooking gas connections, distributed in standard-sized cylinders familiar to most people in India. However, most households in rural Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh—despite having an LPG connection—have not switched over to exclusive use of gas. What RICE survey says? According to Research Institute for Compassionate Economics (RICE), a non-profit research organization, which surveyed 1,550 households in late 2018 to know their cooking fuel choices – Burning solid fuel for cooking causes high levels of indoor air pollution and this smoke is dangerous. Solid-fuel use not only affects the health of the family that uses it, but is also harmful to their neighbours. Between 2014 and 2018, the region saw 44.2 percentage point increase in households with a cooking gas connection. In fact, over three-fourths of all households in Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh now have LPG connections, and 43% of them reported having received one from the government. But almost all households still own a chulha. As many as 37% of the households reported having used both a chulha and LPG stove the day before they were asked as part of the survey exercise. And about 36% were found to be only using solid fuel for cooking. Reasons: Poverty and high cost of LPG – Since they are poor, and the cost of a gas cylinder or re-filling it forms a large portion of their monthly expenditure, Ujjwala beneficiaries are less likely to exclusively use LPG for cooking. Beliefs and attitudes of people – Over two-thirds of the respondents considered cooking with LPG easier and healthier for the person who cooked. However, over 85% of the survey’s respondents also saw solid fuel as a better option for taste and the health of family members eating the food. Therefore, a household’s fuel use is associated with its beliefs. Conclusion: But the effect of air pollution on people’s health is a scientific fact. By delivering so many LPG connections, the government has finished its job. However, the real goal has not, and it may take a long while before it does. If the Ujjwala scheme is to accomplish its goal, which is the improvement of cooking conditions for women and enhancement of Indian citizens’ health, the government needs to work on changing the people’s attitudes and beliefs. This could be a long-drawn process. Connecting the dots: Does there exist a direct relation of smokeless kitchens with economic development. Discuss. Why having an LPG connection important for woman empowerment? In this regard, do you think Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana can make a difference? Examine. Also discuss its other advantages. If the Ujjwala scheme is to accomplish its real goal, then the government needs to work on changing the people’s attitudes and beliefs. 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) Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause under WTO regime is based on the principle of Non discrimination between the member nations Differential treatment between the locals and foreigners Uniform tariffs across commodities Top status in its strategic dealings Q.2) A massive project to sequence, catalog and analyze the genomes of all eukaryotic species on the planet. The project is Human Genome Project Human Genome Project-write Earth BioGenome project Eukaryotic-Genome Project Q.3) Consider the following statements with regard to Human Genome Project (HGP): Goal of the project was complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings. The potential benefits of HGP include providing new solutions to diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya. A group of scientists from India recently proposed an ambitious project named as Human Genome Project-Write (HGP-Write) to create a genetic blueprint or synthetic human genome. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.4) Consider the below statement with regard to human genome sequencing: India is among the league of countries who have demonstrated the capability of mapping all the genes of a human. The world’s first human genome sequence was completed in 2003 by the International Human Genome Project, in which Indian scientists had also participated. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Consider the following regarding Universal Adult Franchise The elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of every State follows adult suffrage Our Constitution which provides for Universal adult suffrage was drafted by a Constituent Assembly that was composed of members elected by restricted franchise The Motilal Nehru report of 1928 advocated unlimited adult franchise and equal rights for women Which of the given statements is/are correct? 1 and 3 2 and 3 1 and 2 1, 2 and 3 Q.6) Article 326 of the Indian Constitution is associated with Bar to interference by courts in certain disputes Universal Adult Suffrage Discretionary power of President Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court MUST READ A struggle to breathe The Hindu Is the Election Commission toothless or is it refusing to bite? The Hindu Coming down from ivory towers Indian Express The enigmatic finances of India’s states Financial Express India’s silent chickpea revolution: How agri-scientists in Andhra Pradesh are resurrecting the crop Financial Express Why a global constitution is an idea whose time has come Livemint

60 Days Plan 2019 - Daily Prelims Test

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019- Science & Technology and Current Affairs (Day 41)

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 - Science & Technology and Current Affairs (Day 41) 60 Day plan has been published on the website (www.iasbaba.com - Click here). Since we have come up with the 'Quiz Format', it will not be feasible to publish it on the app. For feasibility and getting to know where you stand among your peers (we have a leaderboard which gives your marks and rank) it would be advisable to take the test on the website. All the best. make the best use of the initiative ! Before taking the Test, read the post below, ARCHIVES Hello Friends,  The most beloved 60 Days for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019  has finally begun :) Once again the time has come for the battle (Prelims). And who else than your best companion in the last preparatory phase for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 i.e 60 days plan. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.  Hope the message given above makes sense to you all. The productive utilization of this programme demands consistency, honesty, faith and strong determination to be in the process of learning and unlearning. You might not be fully prepared to solve all the questions but the learning and unlearning through these questions will prepare you for the real battle on 2nd June 2019. You have to unlearn your repetitive mistakes, gut feeling on which you mark doubtful questions. You have to learn new things and also those concepts that you were very sure of but somehow because of traps in the option, got it wrong. You have to learn 'how to convert knowledge into marks' (Because most of the times, after ending the exam, you regret making mistakes in known concepts).  Secondly, keep a long distance from following too many things at this point. It will always backfire. Once you are here, put complete faith and follow this initiative along with whatever you were doing. It is very important to consolidate your preparation with many revisions. Simply following many things will leave you in despair. You can cross check this with veterans. Everything that seems attractive is not productive. You should always go for productivity. Be wise! Let us pledge to make it a big game changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days of this plan! Importance of Self - Tracking: Learning from Last Year Last year, aspirants used to type/post their answers in the comment box on a daily basis. There were huge participation and discussion below the test post. Putting answers in the comment box has been very effective to self-track yourself after updating the score. In the end, you can cross check your performance through Disqus profile. It was highly effective in the last edition of 60 Days that propelled aspirants to monitor their performance and learn through discussion. Let you solve these questions with full honesty and write your result in the comment box. Interact with peers to know your mistakes. The importance of this initiative stands time-bound and aggressive reverse engineering to learn the concepts. Many of you must be busy with your own strategy but let us tell you honestly that in the last few months, it is very important to revise and consolidate your learning. Just reading won’t suffice. So, take out a few hours from your schedule and make it a revision exercise. How can you make the best use of it? Be honest to your effort and do not start competing with XYZ aspirants just for the sake of marks. It is more important for you to introspect and check your learning than focusing on others. Try to answer the questions in 25 minutes only.  Do not get into negative feeling that I don’t have enough knowledge to answer these questions. Feel like you are taking the real exam. What would be your response then? The same will be replicated in the UPSC exam. Here, you get marks only and nothing else matters. So, make effort to know the answers to all questions. Do not cheat :P DETAILED MICRO ANALYSIS MATRIX SAMPLE- is given here. You can download this and do an assessment for yourself (the excel sheet must be modified as per this years planning. The provided excel sheet is only for reference).  DOWNLOAD You can copy paste the same format/modify as per your need in Google Spreadsheet and update it on daily basis. Feedback talks about daily test results. Follow-up talks about daily target achieved from sources and the number of revisions to do/done and dates. Sources column is to ensure that aspirants do not run behind various sources and follow the same throughout. Would like to end on this quote:  Either you run the day or the day runs you.  Are you ready? Let's start! Important Note Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :)  You can post your comments in the given format  (1) Your Score (2) Matrix Meter (3) New Learning from the Test

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 18th April 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Chenchus The Chenchus are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, living in dense jungles spread across Andhra and Telangana. The Chenchus are considered to be the most primitive and one of the two tribes in south India that still largely depend for its survival on food gathering and hunting which are their traditional occupations. The Chenchus speak the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family. Since time immemorial they have inhabited the forest-clad hills on either sides of the Krishna River, and even today the forests are their true habitat. There is no community in India poorer in material possessions than the Chenchus. They are inveterate forest dwellers, who have, over centuries, steadfastly refused to move out of their woods regardless of the perils of such life. If patriotism be defined as love for the land, Chenchus are patriots in true spirit. Mars base simulator unveiled in Gobi desert Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology; Space Missions In news: Mars base simulator was unveiled in the middle of China’s Gobi desert. “Mars Base 1” was opened with the aim of exposing teens — and soon tourists — to what life could be like on the planet. The facility’s unveiling comes as China is making progress in its efforts to catch up to the United States and become a space power, with ambitions of sending humans to the moon someday. The company behind the project, C-Space, plans to open the base — currently an educational facility — to tourists in the next year, complete with a themed hotel and restaurant to attract space geeks. Do you know? As budding astronauts explore “Mars” on Earth, China is planning to send a probe to the real red planet next year. Beijing is pouring billions into its military-run space programme, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022. Earlier this year, it made the first ever soft landing on the far side of the moon, deploying a rover on the surface. (MAINS FOCUS) POLITY TOPIC: General studies 1 and 2 Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. The legacy of Ambedkar Intoduction: B R Ambedkar is regarded as the principal architect of our Constitution. He believed that freedom and democratic values of the people can be protected only when the moral values of a constitution are upheld. Ambedkar also attached great importance to constitutional morality in the working of the Constitution. Below are some of his views on different areas: 1. On the question of whether the President was bound by ministerial advice (whether he could act independently of it or contrary to it) – Ambedkar was of the firm view that “the President could not act and will not act except on the advice of the Ministers. He will never be able to act independently of the Ministers”. Shamsher Singh case – In this case, SC accepted Ambedkar’s above view. 2. On Fundamental Rights and Article 32 Ambedkar was passionate about the guarantees of fundamental rights being appropriately incorporated in the Constitution. He said - guarantees of fundamental rights remain ornamental promises unless they can be judicially enforced. With that objective in mind, the draft Constitution provided that a person can move the Supreme Court directly for the enforcement of his or her fundamental rights without going through the high court. Article 32 - the right to Constitutional remedies to enforce fundamental rights. Commenting about Article 32, Dr. B R Ambedkar said – “If I was asked to name any particular article of the Constitution as the most important—an article without which this Constitution would be a nullity—I would not refer to any other article except this one. It is the very soul of the Constitution and the very heart of it.” 3. On functioning of democracy Ambedkar expressed that if democracy should be maintained, first thing to do is to hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. It means people should abandon the bloody methods of revolution. It means that people should abandon the method of civil disobedience, non-cooperation and satyagraha. Ambedkar felt – where constitutional methods are open, there can be no justification for unconstitutional methods. 4. On religion and politics – Ambedkar warned that Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul. But in politics, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship. 5. On social justice – Social justice was Ambedkar’s mission. He believed that mere equality on paper was not sufficient. He said if equality in our social and economic life is denied then political democracy will be in peril. Therefore, it is important remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of democracy which the Constituent Assembly has so laboriously built up. Conclusion: If Dr. Ambedkar was not there in the formation of constitution, then perhaps the kind of emphasis that social justice got would not have been possible. This explains the importance of Dr. Ambedkar. As was his ideas of nation building so strong, so were his concerns about what was following to be there. He had cautioned fellow legislators against the use of non-constitutional methods of protest and was worried about limitless powers provided to the person whom the people worshipped. He also underlined the importance of creating not just a political democracy, but also a social and economic one. He supported the minority rights and opined that there should be solution wherein existence of the minorities are recognized as well as enable majorities and minorities to merge somebody into one. Being a social thinker, political reformer, philosophical writer with progressive ideas, he has been able to bring forward the basic human survival principles. Unfortunately, many of Ambedkar’s hope and ideas have not fructified. Social justice, the signature tune of our Constitution, still eludes us. The struggle for social justice must continue with determination and its achievement would be the best tribute we can pay to one of the greatest sons of India. Connecting the dots: Examine in detail the ideas and ideals of Dr. Ambedkar to make India a modern nation. What is the meaning and significance of a ‘Modern Nation’? Describe the role of father of constitution to make India into one such nation. NATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Sealed disclosure: SC order on electoral bonds Introduction: Electoral Bonds are instruments for the funding of political parties. It was introduced with following objectives: to ensure that the funds being collected by the political parties is accounted money or clean money it will also boost digital transactions However these bonds raises the question about the anonymity-based funding scheme on the grounds that it promotes opacity, opens up the possibility of black money being donated to parties through shell companies and empowers the ruling party, which alone is in a position to identify the donors and, therefore, well placed to discourage donations to other parties. Recent Supreme Court Verdict: The Supreme Court's interim order asks political parties to disclose to the Election Commission in sealed covers, details of the donations they have received through anonymous electoral bonds. The court notes in its order that the case gives rise to “weighty issues which have a tremendous bearing on the sanctity of the electoral process in the country”. However experts claim that it is an inadequate and belated response to the serious concerns raised about the opaque scheme. Analysis of the interim order: It was considered that the time available was too limited for an in-depth hearing. Hence to address the concern about the dangers of anonymous political funding, it directed political parties to have the names, subscriber of Electoral bonds scheme to the EC, albeit in sealed envelopes, until the court decides if they can be made public. However, the order, unfortunately, preserves the status quo, and any effect that the possible asymmetry in political funding would have on the election process will stay as it is. There is some concern that a disproportionately large segment of the bonds purchased by corporate donors has gone to the party in power because the government can know who donated what money and to whom. This donor anonymity may end if the court decides that the EC should disclose the names at the end of the litigation, but the influence such donations would have had on the electoral outcome would remain undisturbed. Given this premise, it could be asked whether the judicial intervention could not have come earlier. However, all it has done now is to ensure that its interim arrangement does not ‘tilt the balance’ in favour of either side. Conclusion: For the last two decades, the Supreme Court has been proactive in empowering voters and in infusing transparency in the system. It has developed a body of jurisprudence that says the electoral process involves the voter being given information about candidates, their qualifications, assets and crime records, if any. Now that there is no stay on the operation of the scheme, the court must render an early verdict on the legality of the electoral bond scheme. The glass is half filled and half empty. We have very precious things in the parliamentary democracy but we also have a very long way to go. Connecting the dots: How can electoral bonds help in redefining the process of initiating electoral reforms? Examine. The need for transparency in electoral funding for a level playing field in elections is a fundamental requirement. Discuss. Also suggest measures needed to address the problem of unchecked money power visible during every election. There has been an impetus on streamlining political funding in India. In this light, discuss the potential of electoral bonds. MUST READ A crisis of credibility? The Hindu The ethical act of voting The Hindu What a community has lost Indian Express Closing the gender gap Indian Express Mining political gold Indian Express The repeal of Article 370 would harm the children of Kashmir Livemint

Topper's From IASbaba

TOPPER’S STRATEGY: An Inspiring Story of a Parent, a Working Professional – SAURABH BHUWANIA, Rank 113 UPSC CSE 2018, IASbaba’s ILP Student!!

Hi Friends, TOPPER’S STRATEGY: An Inspiring Story of a Parent, a Working Professional – SAURABH BHUWANIA, Rank 113 UPSC CSE 2018, IASbaba’s ILP Student!! A real inspiration – MUST READ for all the UPSC Aspirants, especially Married and Working Professionals! I can in no words show my gratitude for the support from IASbaba in this journey of mine of having secured Rank 113 in CSE 2018. I am writing now to ensure that all the Working Professionals who are in full-time job can breathe easily and can be single-mindedly focused at their goal. In fact, I must admit that being in full-time job, at times, inspired me to push myself extra hard in order to ensure that I am ready for the challenge. In no time I will give my background so that it might be easy for you to relate to my situation. I began my preparation when I was approaching 30 (years old), I was married for more than 7 years and was about to be a father in next few months and had no choice but to be in a full-time job at RBI. So, despite these, if I could manage to find my name in pdf, there is no reason for anyone else to do the same. As for my strategy, I was too determined to study minimum 4-5 hours daily on weekdays and 7-9 hours on weekends. I also tried to squeeze some 15 minutes here and there at offices in bunches to be more effective. The time in transit can be used optimally by listening to story-type videos on Modern History or World History. Also, I divided my papers into three tranches - 1. Essay and Ethics 2. GS1, GS2 and GS3   3.Optional papers. I ensured that I am being very regular with 2 and 3 on all weekdays and on weekends and holidays I devoted 2-3 hours on tranche 1. I have demonstrated this to show that a proper plan is very much needed before we embark on this journey. Cost-benefit analysis, not getting bogged down by the syllabus, maintaining mental fitness, curtailing the sources to just enough and remaining firm are certain traits which worked wonders for me. My association with IASbaba was so helpful in the terms that I had to rely on very less material which will be just enough for the examination as I did not have the luxury to go deep in the subjects. PDFs, questions in prelims and mains and a directed approach helped me all through these 2 years to remain focused. For me, there was no choice to keep on compiling notes from various sources and in fact, this worked in my favour. I focused less on reading stuff and instead was working hard on how would I present my answer in the best possible way. I dwelt a lot on solving questions in prelims and doing answer writing practice in mains. For the once who are married, support of their spouses plays a big role in determining the consequences. I did my entire preparation being at home and my spouse took the responsibility as a single mother all this while. The likes of us need to stop comparing with the ones who are doing coaching and studying 10-14 hours a day and instead need to see the positives of being in the job. I was less anxious in mains and interview just because I had a job in hand in case I don't make it to the list. This sense of security cannot be discounted at any cost. In nutshell, all we need to do is to make the most out of which is there at our disposal. Collect all the energies, stay focused, draw a strategy, don't get cluttered with too much material and read and write and read and write. In the contemporary state of UPSC examinations, questions seem to have got more generalized which works in favour of working professional. So, just count on the positives and embark on the journey. All the best! Below is my Detailed Strategy: Background: I am Saurabh Bhuwania and have secured Rank 113 in CSE 2018. My journey to UPSC has a great deal of destiny in it and will need some background. I was born and brought up in Dumka, Jharkhand before I came to Kolkata for further studies. I am a commerce graduate from St Xavier’s, Kolkata and also have completed CA and CS. Even after I did MBA from FMS Delhi in 2015, I was cruising for a career in bank or investment firm. It was my selection in RBI which allowed me a faint thought of preparing for this exam. Joining RBI and coming across so many serious aspirants and at the same time a great deal of self-contemplation helped me figure out Civil services as my prime goal. I was almost 30 when I started and so I can talk on behalf of a person who wants to be a Civil servant and is also in a full-time job, is nearing the deadline age, is married for many years and a father of a child. My first attempt was in 2017 and due to a multiplicity of reasons including lack of writing practice, I failed to clear mains examination. My optional is Commerce & Accountancy. Mistakes in my First Attempt and Learnings: In my first attempt, I was definitely underprepared as it was less than 10 months with a full-time job since I started preparing. But the biggest crime according to me was lack of writing practice. I felt like a novice in the examination hall where I was searching for the right words, structure, balance in answers and also right speed. I was very determined to rectify this in 2018. I did a great deal of writing and even joined a test series for practice. Daily questions of IASbaba were a daily ritual for me. And I also used to read others' answers as a matter of reflection. My General Studies (GS) Strategy: I had to be very smart about these things. I had only 4 to 5 hrs at my disposal on weekdays. I had selected a few books and sources which I'll refer to. I avoided any duplicity just because I need to read more books. UPSC is more about wide coverage and not about research on all topics. I could not afford to make notes but relied a great deal on PDFs of online platforms like IASbaba and Vision IAS. Prelims: Basics have to be covered and practising question-solving (Tests) is super helpful. It helps to develop a knack for eliminating the wrong options. Mains: Write more and read less. I was more mindful of the way I will write an answer whenever I used to read any topic. Most of the times, I used to imagine a question and just roughly write it down on paper. It helped me develop the spontaneity during the exam hall where time is not a luxury. One needs to balance the cost-benefit analysis topic wise and subject wise. In my case, I could not have dwelt much on Art and Culture. But I managed to have a fair idea by watching videos on YouTube and reading online PDFs from IASbaba. So, understanding the significance and ensuring that the preparation is exam-oriented holds the key. My Optional Strategy – Commerce: Commerce was an automatic choice for me. I was a CA and an MBA already and almost entire syllabus was within my reach. I simply focused on relying on my background instead of looking for an alternate lucrative optional. I will also advise believing in your strength and area of interest for choosing optional instead of a trend analysis of marks given by UPSC. Paper 1: For any chartered accountant,  this will not be much of a challenge given the fact that the difficulty level of this paper is not more than PE II exam or B.Com. However one needs to respect the fact that almost everyone who has taken commerce optional is a commerce graduate or have some background in the paper. So it becomes important to emphasize on what UPSC is demanding. There are more theory questions in exams than practical ones which are not usual for a CA student. So being thorough with the theoretical part becomes pivotal. I depended primarily on Ranker's/Topper's notes and also took help from CA PE2 study material. Working on x-factors like structure notes to accounts, diagrams etc might add good value to the answers. Paper 2: It is almost entirely theoretical in nature and for this paper, I depended again on Ranker's/Topper's notes. I also did some work on diagrams, charts, etc to enhance the quality of my answers. Small concise notes can do wonders in this paper given the fact that those last minutes notes can add value to the answers. Time Management – between GS and Optional: This question has to be the highlight of my preparation. My best time management could leave me with only 4-5 hrs of tangible study hours. However, I ensured that be it any festival or family occasion or mild health issues, I won’t lose the momentum. So, consistency holds the key for someone who is starved of time. Even while going for my child vaccination, I could sneak in some prelims questions on the mobile app. This gave me the feeling that I am doing my optimum which helped in keeping my morale high. The balance between GS and Optional is significant because GS normally fetches 40 to 45 per cent marks while Optional have the potential of 60% or more marks. Also, Ethics and Essay, though seem routine, are too technical and marks can improve if one keeps on practising and keeps on getting the feedback. Role of IASbaba in my Preparation: For a novice like me, something as readymade as Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) in 2017 was so important that I cannot stop thanking for. Even in 2018 preparation, I enrolled for the same and also wrote all the questions which were made available for practice. Significance of ILP: In my case, I couldn't afford any coaching which always leads to fear of going directionless while preparing such a myriad syllabus. ILP helped me set targets, maintain sanity in my routine and also helped me assess the level of preparation. Even for revision, I found the Value Added Notes (VAN) very useful for both Prelims and Mains. Within 2-3 months of starting preparation, I had started feeling that I have gained momentum and a lot of credit for that has to go to this program. I stayed very regular with the course structure which was set by them and it helped me remain in the domain of confidence during preparation. My Final Gyan and few tips related to Prelims: Don’t see it as 1-year process and don’t bother about the next process, next day or next anything. Life, if led in small fragments, becomes very easy. I was simply concerned about ensuring my daily target of studying whole-heartedly for 4-6 hrs and never cared about the lengthy process of this examination. Instead of reading or dwelling on bulky motivational quotes, one needs to stay simple and pragmatic. Prelims has become trickier in the last few years. Practising Prelims questions (AIPTS/ILP of IASbaba) is important according to me along with regular revision. Mental health has to be ensured so that the efforts materialise in reality. I was one of the most unlikely aspirants who began preparation at the age of 30. If I could manage to do it with a full-time job and a small kid, so can you! Wish you all the best!! MARKSHEET: MAINS MARKSHEET : PRELIMS Regards, Saurabh Bhuwania

60 Days Plan 2019 - Daily Prelims Test

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019- Geography and Current Affairs (Day 40)

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 - Geography and Current Affairs (Day 40) 60 Day plan has been published on the website (www.iasbaba.com - Click here). Since we have come up with the 'Quiz Format', it will not be feasible to publish it on the app. For feasibility and getting to know where you stand among your peers (we have a leaderboard which gives your marks and rank) it would be advisable to take the test on the website. All the best. make the best use of the initiative ! Before taking the Test, read the post below, ARCHIVES Hello Friends,  The most beloved 60 Days for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019  has finally begun :) Once again the time has come for the battle (Prelims). And who else than your best companion in the last preparatory phase for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 i.e 60 days plan. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.  Hope the message given above makes sense to you all. The productive utilization of this programme demands consistency, honesty, faith and strong determination to be in the process of learning and unlearning. You might not be fully prepared to solve all the questions but the learning and unlearning through these questions will prepare you for the real battle on 2nd June 2019. You have to unlearn your repetitive mistakes, gut feeling on which you mark doubtful questions. You have to learn new things and also those concepts that you were very sure of but somehow because of traps in the option, got it wrong. You have to learn 'how to convert knowledge into marks' (Because most of the times, after ending the exam, you regret making mistakes in known concepts).  Secondly, keep a long distance from following too many things at this point. It will always backfire. Once you are here, put complete faith and follow this initiative along with whatever you were doing. It is very important to consolidate your preparation with many revisions. Simply following many things will leave you in despair. You can cross check this with veterans. Everything that seems attractive is not productive. You should always go for productivity. Be wise! Let us pledge to make it a big game changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days of this plan! Importance of Self - Tracking: Learning from Last Year Last year, aspirants used to type/post their answers in the comment box on a daily basis. There were huge participation and discussion below the test post. Putting answers in the comment box has been very effective to self-track yourself after updating the score. In the end, you can cross check your performance through Disqus profile. It was highly effective in the last edition of 60 Days that propelled aspirants to monitor their performance and learn through discussion. Let you solve these questions with full honesty and write your result in the comment box. Interact with peers to know your mistakes. The importance of this initiative stands time-bound and aggressive reverse engineering to learn the concepts. Many of you must be busy with your own strategy but let us tell you honestly that in the last few months, it is very important to revise and consolidate your learning. Just reading won’t suffice. So, take out a few hours from your schedule and make it a revision exercise. How can you make the best use of it? Be honest to your effort and do not start competing with XYZ aspirants just for the sake of marks. It is more important for you to introspect and check your learning than focusing on others. Try to answer the questions in 25 minutes only.  Do not get into negative feeling that I don’t have enough knowledge to answer these questions. Feel like you are taking the real exam. What would be your response then? The same will be replicated in the UPSC exam. Here, you get marks only and nothing else matters. So, make effort to know the answers to all questions. Do not cheat :P DETAILED MICRO ANALYSIS MATRIX SAMPLE- is given here. You can download this and do an assessment for yourself (the excel sheet must be modified as per this years planning. The provided excel sheet is only for reference).  DOWNLOAD You can copy paste the same format/modify as per your need in Google Spreadsheet and update it on daily basis. Feedback talks about daily test results. Follow-up talks about daily target achieved from sources and the number of revisions to do/done and dates. Sources column is to ensure that aspirants do not run behind various sources and follow the same throughout. Would like to end on this quote:  Either you run the day or the day runs you.  Are you ready? Let's start! Important Note Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :)  You can post your comments in the given format  (1) Your Score (2) Matrix Meter (3) New Learning from the Test

Topper's From IASbaba

Kanishak Kataria, Rank 1 UPSC HIGHLY RECOMMENDS IASbaba's TLP Answer Writing Programmme as the Best ONLINE Platform!!!

Heartiest congratulations to Kanishak Kataria, Rank 1 UPSC CSE 2018. The difference in MAINS marks between Rank 1 and Rank 2 is 60 marks, which is no small feat in the race of UPSC Examination which is considered to be the toughest exam to crack. He secured Rank 1, in his 1st attempt. The entire credit goes to his hardwork and determination! On behalf of IASbaba team, we congratulate Kanishak and wish him to reach greater heights in his career. At IASbaba we have a single guideline before starting any initiative “Can we at IASbaba, do the best in comparison to any existing system, can we redefine the way things are delivered”.  Kanishak’s words as 'Iasbaba as the Best ONLINE platform' stands testimony to the efforts and Vision of IASbaba. We are humbled to have such self driven and genuine feedback from Rank 1 himself! As we always say " It's quality that matters , not quantity"  With Iasbaba we always believe in least efforts and high rewards .This has been the guiding force of Integrated Learning Programme (ILP),and C2C -Mentorship Based Answer writing Programme, Think Learn and Perform (TLP).   In the words of Kanishak Katria, the feedback on ONLINE platforms: 1. Unacademy: tried in my 1st month of preparation. Didn't find it relevant for me. Sometimes had a look if I had to find some information. NOT A REGULAR LEARNER. 2. IASbaba: Followed TLP Platform for Answer Writing Practice (AWP) after Prelims. It helped me get into the AWP groove. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND to those who want to get started with AWP. Quality of Questions is good. But feedback is difficult as many peple upload their answers. If you are able to get in touch with 3-4 people, it'll certainly be mutually beneficial. Otherwise you might get a little lost. 3. Insightsonindia: utilised for prelims (as explained earlier). Didn't find Mains answer writing platform relevant for me. Preferred IASbaba more for their quality of questions. 4. ForumIAS: ustilised for prelims and few offline tests at home.     For the Complete Strategy and Notes of Kanishak Kataria Rank 1 , you can join the Telegram channel @Kanishak2018NotesAndStrategy   MARKSHEET - PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION MARKSHEET -  MAINS EXAMINATION

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 17th April 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 17th April 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) SC to decide on entry of women into mosques Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I and II – Indian Society; Women issue and empowerment; Secularism; Fundamental Rights In news: Supreme Court to consider a plea by a Muslim couple to lift the ban on Muslim women’s entry into all mosques across the country. The court issued notice to the government and various bodies, including the National Commission for Women. Muslim couple told the court that the ban was illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of their dignity and right to equality. Tackling hate speech Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I and II – Polity;  Communism; Secularism In news: There were many instances of leading politicians involved in communally provocative and divisive speeches. Below are some laws that can be used in speeches that are communally sensitive or incite religious feelings. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/04/17/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/17960ce8_2876028_101_mr.jpg (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests Clouds on the horizon: IMF forecast on global growth and India’s GDP growth Introduction: At recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meeting, Finance Ministers and central bank Governors by and large played down fears about a slowing global economy. Pause in the U.S.’s interest rate policy in February, ease in the country’s trade tensions with China, and receding risk of a hard Brexit have brought some respite. However, IMF has consistently emphasised a cautious stance on the current growth trajectory for some months. Key points: IMF has projected that global growth will be 3.3% in 2019, down from 3.6% in 2018 and 4% in 2017. This lower projection is due to a slower global expansion in the second half of 2018 caused by U.S.-China trade tensions, macroeconomic stress in Turkey and Argentina, growing uncertainty over Britain’s exit from the European Union, tighter credit policies in China and financial tightening, apart from a normalisation of monetary policy in advanced economies. World has witnessed deteriorating trade climate in the last two years. The pace of exports and imports was 4.6% in 2017, the strongest since the rebound after the 2007-08 financial crisis. But the 2018 figures were a modest 3% and could fall much further this year, says the WTO. Beyond 2020, the report said global growth would be sustained at about 3.6% because of the increase in the relative size of economies such as China and India, which are projected to have robust growth. IMF on India India GDP growth seen at 7.3% in 2019-20 and 7.5% in 2020-21, 20 basis points lower than earlier IMF estimates. Continued economic reforms, with efforts to reduce public debt, is essential to Indian economy’s growth, says IMF. The IMF report emphasized enhancing governance of public sector banks and reforms to hiring and dismissal regulations that would incentivize job creation and absorb the country’s large demographic dividend. Also efforts should also be enhanced on land reform to facilitate and expedite infrastructure development. This should be supported by strengthening Goods and Services Tax compliance and further reducing subsidies. IMF commended the government for taking steps to strengthen financial sector balance sheets through accelerated resolution of non-performing assets (NPAs) under a simplified bankruptcy framework. Pic: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/incoming/xepon0/article26785348.ece/alternates/FREE_435/Growth-chart Connecting the dots: Enumerate the list of various reports and their importance released by IMF World Bank World Economic Forum Critically examine the reasons for slowdown in the global economy with special reference to US and China. NATIONAL/ENVIRONMENT 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 Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Water Pollution, Wastewater management How to deal with India’s imminent water crisis? Introduction: Recently, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has projected that more than 60 large and small cities in India are on the verge of water scarcity. According to the NITI Aayog report published last year – Many Indian cities to face water supply crisis soon. Delhi and 20 other large cities are going to run out of water by 2020. The reason for this imminent crisis is an over-reliance on groundwater extraction, for most Indian cities are simply unable to meet their water demand with existing supply. This rampant extraction will likely lead to zero groundwater levels in Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad by 2020. Major Concerns: Excess groundwater extraction Excess groundwater extraction has already led to a 61% decline in groundwater level in wells in India between 2007 and 2017. The depth of this crisis will only grow severe, if we do not take immediate action. Do you know? Today, nearly three-fourths of Indian households do not have access to drinking water supply at home. Nearly 70% of water is contaminated and, as a result, India is placed 120th amongst 122 countries in the water quality index. Poor agriculture practices Poor agriculture practices can be blamed for the most part for depleting groundwater reserves. As of today, use of water for irrigation accounts for 80% of the total available water. Water-intensive crops like rice and sugar cane are widely grown in many northern states, often in blatant disregard to the available water supply. The dominance of paddy-wheat crop rotation in Punjab is a case in point—it led to a rapid decline of water table. Free or cheap electricity As per a recent study, on average, a 10% reduction in electricity subsidy generated a 6.7% increase in groundwater extraction. In order to make this move go down well with farmers who are used to free electricity, governments can incentivise power saving per unit with cash compensation for farmers. The way ahead: To avert or postpone this crisis, we need to act. The government must disincentivise paddy and sugar cane cultivation in areas where soil and water supply conditions are not conducive for these crops. States with sinking groundwater need to appropriate those cropping patterns that suit their agro-climatic zones. Switching to less water-intensive crops will enhance their irrigation water efficiency. Policymakers at both the Centre and states must encourage adoption of precision farming technologies, such as laser-guided land levelling, which can cut water use by as much as 30%. At the same time, drip or micro irrigation ought to be incentivised amongst farmers in severely water-deficient states, like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Tamil Nadu. Another key focus point can be command area development (CAD). Now a part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, the CAD initiative centres on “more crop per drop” to increase water-use efficiency in irrigation. Promoting rainwater harvesting and conducting systematic analysis of groundwater conservation methods. Connecting the dots: Many parts of the country are facing severe water crisis and drought conditions. There are many traditional water harvesting and conservation practices in various parts of India which can be employed locally to fight the ongoing crisis. Can you identify few such practices? Also mention the states where they are more prevalant. Why has water become a stressed resource in many parts of the world? Analyse. MUST READ Indian elections, South Asian concerns The Hindu Sealed disclosure: SC order on electoral bonds The Hindu Reviving growth requires better coordination between fiscal and monetary policies  Indian Express Monetary policy: Smaller rate revisions may not gain traction Financial Express How India-US partnership can steer the global economic future  Financial Express Let’s get back to being globally competitive Livemint A single-rate GST is neither doable nor desirable in India Livemint

60 Days Plan 2019 - Daily Prelims Test

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019- Geography and Current Affairs (Day 39)

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 - Geography and Current Affairs (Day 39) 60 Day plan has been published on the website (www.iasbaba.com - Click here). Since we have come up with the 'Quiz Format', it will not be feasible to publish it on the app. For feasibility and getting to know where you stand among your peers (we have a leaderboard which gives your marks and rank) it would be advisable to take the test on the website. All the best. make the best use of the initiative ! Before taking the Test, read the post below, ARCHIVES Hello Friends,  The most beloved 60 Days for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019  has finally begun :) Once again the time has come for the battle (Prelims). And who else than your best companion in the last preparatory phase for UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 i.e 60 days plan. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.  Hope the message given above makes sense to you all. The productive utilization of this programme demands consistency, honesty, faith and strong determination to be in the process of learning and unlearning. You might not be fully prepared to solve all the questions but the learning and unlearning through these questions will prepare you for the real battle on 2nd June 2019. You have to unlearn your repetitive mistakes, gut feeling on which you mark doubtful questions. You have to learn new things and also those concepts that you were very sure of but somehow because of traps in the option, got it wrong. You have to learn 'how to convert knowledge into marks' (Because most of the times, after ending the exam, you regret making mistakes in known concepts).  Secondly, keep a long distance from following too many things at this point. It will always backfire. Once you are here, put complete faith and follow this initiative along with whatever you were doing. It is very important to consolidate your preparation with many revisions. Simply following many things will leave you in despair. You can cross check this with veterans. Everything that seems attractive is not productive. You should always go for productivity. Be wise! Let us pledge to make it a big game changer (better than last year) in the next 60 days of this plan! Importance of Self - Tracking: Learning from Last Year Last year, aspirants used to type/post their answers in the comment box on a daily basis. There were huge participation and discussion below the test post. Putting answers in the comment box has been very effective to self-track yourself after updating the score. In the end, you can cross check your performance through Disqus profile. It was highly effective in the last edition of 60 Days that propelled aspirants to monitor their performance and learn through discussion. Let you solve these questions with full honesty and write your result in the comment box. Interact with peers to know your mistakes. The importance of this initiative stands time-bound and aggressive reverse engineering to learn the concepts. Many of you must be busy with your own strategy but let us tell you honestly that in the last few months, it is very important to revise and consolidate your learning. Just reading won’t suffice. So, take out a few hours from your schedule and make it a revision exercise. How can you make the best use of it? Be honest to your effort and do not start competing with XYZ aspirants just for the sake of marks. It is more important for you to introspect and check your learning than focusing on others. Try to answer the questions in 25 minutes only.  Do not get into negative feeling that I don’t have enough knowledge to answer these questions. Feel like you are taking the real exam. What would be your response then? The same will be replicated in the UPSC exam. Here, you get marks only and nothing else matters. So, make effort to know the answers to all questions. Do not cheat :P DETAILED MICRO ANALYSIS MATRIX SAMPLE- is given here. You can download this and do an assessment for yourself (the excel sheet must be modified as per this years planning. The provided excel sheet is only for reference).  DOWNLOAD You can copy paste the same format/modify as per your need in Google Spreadsheet and update it on daily basis. Feedback talks about daily test results. Follow-up talks about daily target achieved from sources and the number of revisions to do/done and dates. Sources column is to ensure that aspirants do not run behind various sources and follow the same throughout. Would like to end on this quote:  Either you run the day or the day runs you.  Are you ready? Let's start! Important Note Don't forget to post your marks in the comment section. Also, let us know if you enjoyed today's test :)  You can post your comments in the given format  (1) Your Score (2) Matrix Meter (3) New Learning from the Test

RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Model Code of Conduct

Model Code of Conduct Archives TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. Elections; Role of media and social networking sites in Elections What is Model Code of Conduct? Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions and general conduct. This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures. These set of norms has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code in its letter and spirit. The philosophy behind the MCC is that parties and candidates should show respect for their opponents, criticise their policies and programmes constructively, and not resort to mudslinging and personal attacks. The MCC is intended to help the poll campaign maintain high standards of public morality and provide a level playing field for all parties and candidates. When does it come into force? The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on announcement of the election schedule by the commission for the need of ensuring free and fair elections. At the time of the Lok Sabha elections, both the Union and state governments are covered under the MCC. Evolution: A form of the MCC was first introduced in the state assembly elections in Kerala in 1960.  It was a set of instructions to political parties regarding election meetings, speeches, slogans, etc. In the 1962 general elections to the Lok Sabha, the MCC was circulated to recognised parties, and state governments sought feedback from the parties.  The MCC was largely followed by all parties in the 1962 elections and continued to be followed in subsequent general elections. In 1979, the Election Commission added a section to regulate the ‘party in power’ and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage at the time of elections. In 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to include guidelines regarding election manifestos (introduced Part VIII), which it had included in the MCC for the 2014 general elections. Part I deals with general precepts of good behaviour expected from candidates and political parties. Parts II and III focus on public meetings and processions. Parts IV and V describe how political parties and candidates should conduct themselves on the day of polling and at the polling booths. Part VI is about the authority appointed by the EC to receive complaints on violations of the MCC. Part VII is on the party in power. Part VIII provide that election manifestoes shall not contain anything repugnant to the ideals and principles enshrined in the Constitution and further that it shall be consistent with the letter and spirit of other provisions of Model Code. Key provisions of the Model Code of Conduct? The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, party in power, and election manifestos.   General Conduct: Criticism of political parties must be limited to their policies and programmes, past record and work.  Activities such as: (a) using caste and communal feelings to secure votes, (b) criticising candidates on the basis of unverified reports, (c) bribing or intimidation of voters, and (d) organising demonstrations or picketing outside houses of persons to protest against their opinions, are prohibited. Meetings: Parties must inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any meeting in time to enable the police to make adequate security arrangements. Processions: If two or more candidates plan processions along the same route, organisers must establish contact in advance to ensure that the processions do not clash.  Carrying and burning effigies representing members of other political parties is not allowed. Polling day: All authorised party workers at polling booths should be given identity badges.  These should not contain the party name, symbol or name of the candidate. Polling booths: Only voters, and those with a valid pass from the Election Commission, will be allowed to enter polling booths. Observers: The Election Commission will appoint observers to whom any candidates may report problems regarding the conduct of the election. Party in power: The MCC incorporated certain restrictions in 1979, regulating the conduct of the party in power.  Ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same.  The party must avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections.  Ministers and other authorities must not announce any financial grants, or promise any construction of roads, provision of drinking water, etc. Other parties must be allowed to use public spaces and rest houses and these must not be monopolised by the party in power. Election manifestos: Added in 2013, these guidelines prohibit parties from making promises that exert an undue influence on voters, and suggest that manifestos also indicate the means to achieve promises. Is the Model Code of Conduct legally binding? The MCC is not enforceable by law.  However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Election Commission has argued against making the MCC legally binding; stating that elections must be completed within a relatively short time (close to 45 days), and judicial proceedings typically take longer, therefore it is not feasible to make it enforceable by law. On the other hand, in 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended making the MCC legally binding.  In a report on electoral reforms, the Standing Committee observed that most provisions of the MCC are already enforceable through corresponding provisions in other statutes, mentioned above. It recommended that the MCC be made a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. But how does the EC enforce the MCC without statutory backing? There are examples of the EC taking punitive action against violators. For instance, during Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh in 2003, the then Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh used state government aircraft to travel from Chandigarh to Indore for an official purpose. From there he travelled to Bhopal to campaign. The EC forced him to pay the government the cost of the entire air journey from Chandigarh to Bhopal and back for having violated the provision of the MCC that forbids ministers from combining official work with electioneering. Among the strictest of punitive actions under the MCC was taken by the EC during the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, when it banned BJP leader Amit Shah and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, and ordered criminal proceedings against both politicians for making “provocative” and “prejudicial” statements while canvassing. The ban on Shah was lifted after he apologised and promised to not violate the MCC again. Khan showed no remorse, and he remained banned from campaigning for the rest of the election season. Is social media covered under the MCC? The Election Commission has taken the view that the MCC will also apply to content posted by political parties and candidates on the Internet, including on social media sites. On October 25, 2013, the Commission laid down guidelines to regulate the use of social media by parties and candidates. Candidates have to provide their email address and details of accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., and add the expenditure on advertisements posted on social media to their overall expenditure for the election. Must Read: Election Code and New Age Media Connecting the Dots: What is the model code of conduct during elections? Does Election Commission have adequate powers to enforce it? Discuss.

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