May 13, 2019 PIB

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 22nd April to 5th May - 2019

Press Information Bureau (PIB) IAS UPSC – 22nd April to 5th May – 2019 ARCHIVES Be Prelims Ready Elections in India Under representation of people’s act: Canvassing (asking public for favourable vote) near the polling booth is a cognizable offense – police can arrest without court permission. No person can publicize election matter through TV, radio etc. 48 hours before the conclusion of polls. Under RPA act, EC is empowered to cancel/countermand polling in case of bribery, muscle power, booth rigging etc. malpractices. It doesn’t need to consult/seek permission from governor or any other authority in such cases. Section 33: Candidate can contest from two Constituencies. Section 70: He has to give up one seat, if he wins both. Indelible Ink: Silver nitrate on skin = Reacts with the salt present on skin and forms silver chloride Not soluble in water, and cannot be washed off with soap, water, alcohol, nail polish removal etc. First president to cast his vote: KR Narayan (1998) Lok Sabha Election cost is borne by: Union government Cost of Law & Order maintenance during election is borne by: State governments Use of form 20 in the elections: To check polling station wise result Right to vote and to be elected in India is a: Constitutional Right Appointed by the President, the Prime Minister is by convention supported by the party or political alliance having a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha or lower house of parliament. BHAVIK (EVM) were first used in the 1997 election and became the only method of voting in 2004. The EVMs save time and report results. NOTA On 27 September 2013, the Supreme Court of India judged that citizens have the right to a negative vote by exercising a "None of the above" (NOTA) option. This was the result of petitioning from the Electoral Commission and the People's Union for Civil Liberties from 2009. Absentee voting: No provision in India VVPAT Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are used during election process to verify that the vote polled by a voter goes to the correct candidate. VVPATs are a second line of verification particularly and are particularly useful in the time when allegations around Electronic Voting Machines’ tampering crop up. Parties have been making regular demands for VVPATs to be used during elections after alleging EVMs may not be completely secure and tamper proof. VVPAT system gives instant feedback to the voter showing that the vote polled has in fact been allotted against the candidate chosen. The introduction: Swamy case – In 2013, in the Subramanian Swamy case, the Supreme Court held that the paper trail through VVPAT of votes cast was an indispensable requirement of free and fair elections. It was the SC which pushed EC into introducing the VVPATs in the first place. Supreme Court had faced stiff opposition from the Election Commission while bringing in VVPATs. Working procedure of VVPATs After a voter presses the button on the EVM against the chosen candidate, the VVPAT prints a slip containing name of the candidate and the election symbol and drops it automatically into a sealed box. The machines give the chance for the voter to verify their vote. The machine is placed in a glass case in a way that only the voter can see it. The slip is displayed to the voter for seven seconds after which the VVPAT machine cuts it and drops in into the storage box with a beep. The machines can be accessed, though, by the polling officials and not by the voter. The Election Commission of India has not conceded to any allegation that the EVMs used for polling can be tampered with. However, VVPATs have been used in some elections in a bid to counter all allegation of tampering. The Supreme Court of India, meanwhile, has for long held a supportive and extra cautious stand when it comes to voting. It had directed the EC in 2013 to introduce VVPAT in Lok Sabha Elections 2014 to improve voter confidence and ensuring transparency of voting. It was used in some phases but not in the entire polling process. Must Read Articles: EC’s new norms laudable Importance of Voting Model Code of Conduct Role of Judiciary in ensuring Free and Fair Election Elections and Women Card State financing for fair and transparent poll funding Election Reporting by Indian Media   Mindmaps: Electoral Bonds Electoral Reforms Qualifications for elections   Cyclone ‘FANI’ In news: Odisha state government evacuated over 11 lakh people from low-lying areas in 15 districts. The administration of coastal states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are bracing up to tackle the “extremely severe cyclone”. Tropical Cyclones Formation Tropical cyclones form over oceans with surface temperatures above 26°C as strong low pressure systems that can reach diameters of more than 500 km. Evaporation of immense amounts of water vapour under these high temperature conditions and the related condensation aloft provide ample energy for the cyclone dynamics, leading to high wind speed and extreme precipitation. These usual natural phenomena are occurring more frequently than usual due to various anthropogenic and changing natural factors. Nature and Particulars: It is a weather system of low pressure, originating in the tropics within a single air mass, but may move into temperate waters if water temperature is high enough to sustain it. Tropical cyclone gets its energy from latent heat of condensation. The energy in an average hurricane may be equivalent to more than 10,000 atomic bomb, the size of Nagasaki bomb. These storms range in size from a few kilometres to several hundred kilometres in diameter. In the middle is an eye that can be as large as 65km across. The total area involved may be as much as 52000 sq km. the tropical cyclones originate between 10o and 25o latitudes in both the hemispheres. Conditions conducive for tropical cyclone: A source of warm, moist air derived from tropical oceans with sea surface temperature normally near to or in excess of 27 °C Winds near the ocean surface blowing from different directions converging and causing air to rise and storm clouds to form Winds which do not vary greatly with height – known as low wind shear. This allows the storm clouds to rise vertically to high levels; Presence of Coriolis force, provides energy to rotate or curve in anti-clockwise (in the northern hemisphere) or clockwise (in the southern hemisphere) How was Titli Cyclone different from usual cyclones? Indian Meteorological Department declared Titli cyclone a rarest of the rare occurrence and categorised it as ‘very severe cyclone’. Wind speed of normal tropical cyclone ranges around 118-120 km per hour. But Wind speed of Titli Cyclone was around 150 km per hour, which is rare occurrence. Reoccurrence or re-emergence: Usually cyclones die after landfall. But Titli Cyclone reemerged again after landfall on Odisha coast. Turned in Northeastern direction: Usually cyclones die after landfall, but Titli took a Northeast turn and continued. These are some of the reasons because of which Titli Cyclone has been declared as rare occurrence. Temperate Cyclones Temperate cyclones are atmospheric disturbances with low-pressure centres occurring in the in the middle latitudes. The polar fronts created due to contrasting air masses (warm tropical air mass & cold, dense polar air mass) are responsible for the origin and development of temperate cyclones. Temperate cyclones are associated with blizzards in North America and western disturbances in India. Different parts of temperate cyclones are associated with varying weather conditions because of different types of air masses and varying temperature conditions. Warm Frontal Precipitation: With the arrival of warm front of the cyclone heavy showers begin with nimbostratus clouds. Warm air rises slowly along the front. Hence the precipitation is slow, gradual but of long duration. Warm sector: Sky becomes cloudless and clear but there may be some occasional drizzles. There is sudden rise in air temperature and increase in the specific humidity of the air but air pressure decreases remarkably. Cold front: With the arrival of cold front temperature decreases. As cold air pushes the warm air upward, sky is again covered with clouds which soon start precipitation. Cold frontal precipitation: Since warm air is forcibly lifted upwards sky becomes overcast with cumulonimbus clouds. Heavy downpour with thunder and lightning. Precipitation is of short duration. Cold sector: Sharp fall in temperature. Sky becomes cloudless and hence clear. How do Cyclones get their names? World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has a process in which countries give a list of name suggestions from time to time. Countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan and Thailand submit a list of names to the regional tropical cyclone committee for the cyclones developing in the North Indian Ocean. All the eight countries have suggested eight names for naming future cyclones. The name Fani for this cyclone was suggested by Bangladesh. Fani means snake. Cyclone Titli which caused damage in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Odisha last year was named by Pakistan. Cyclone Ockhi hit Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu in 2017. It was named by Thailand. The next cyclone will be named Vayu.  Colour coded weather warning system Yellow level weather alerts To notify those who are at risk because of their location and/or activity, and to allow them to take preventative action For weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population, but only to those exposed to risk by nature of their location and/or activity. Orange level Indicates the weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas All recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions. Red level Severe weather warnings (a comparatively rare event) implies that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties. This is usually done by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily (evacuation), by staying indoors or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions. It is in the case of a red weather alert that we could see serious disruption to public transport, road closures and school closures. Pabuk Cyclone: In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where a ‘yellow alert’ was issued Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) It is an international and intergovernmental institution, owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information. RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa and Asia, in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, to establish a regional early warning system within a multi-hazard framework for the generation and communication of early warning information, and capacity building for preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards. RIMES was established on 30 April 2009, and was registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009. RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand. RIMES caters to differential needs and demands of its Member States by enhancing capacities for end-to-end multi-hazard early warning, in particular: Hazard monitoring, detection, analysis, prediction, and forecasting Risk assessment Potential impact analysis Generation of tailored risk information at different time scales Risk communication Application of tailored risk information in decision-making Who currently chairs the RIMES Council: India National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) NCRMP was started by the Ministry of Home Affairs to mitigate vulnerability to the cyclone and hazards prone coastal communities. After the formation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), management of the project was transferred to NDMA in September, 2006. NCRMP-I covers States of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. NCRMP-II covers States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and executed by the respective State Disaster Management Authorities at the State level. The project is partly funded by the World Bank. Objectives of NCRMP The overall objective of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (‘NCRMP’) is to minimize vulnerability to cyclones and make people and infrastructure disaster resilient in harmony with conservation of the coastal eco-system in the cyclone hazard prone States and Union Territories of India. Solve: What makes coastal India more susceptible to tropical cyclones? Discuss. Also examine the strategies to mitigate tropical cyclones.   Note: Indian Automative Industry: Sunshine industry in India contributing to over 7.5% to country's GDP Creation of new automotive test centres in the country under NATRIP project, is an important step forward by the Government to support the need of the automotive industry in the backdrop of tightening regulatory framework and technology shift driven by market forces. ICAT is an important element of the automotive sector, with its world-class infrastructure and domain expertise providing services in development, testing, validation and homologation. ICAT’s vision is to emerge as a leading R&D centre in Asia, working together with the automotive industry in developing state-of-the-art technologies.

May 12, 2019 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Staying Relaxed – Inspirational Educative Articles

Staying Relaxed: Very few things are as important as staying relaxed in today’s fast, complex and confusing world. It is very easy to get lost in the constant noise of daily living and forget that the best of who we are comes from a relaxed, calm and composed state of mind. Nothing significant has ever been achieved from a disturbed and agitated state of mind. Relaxation is the key to harnessing the best part of our selves. When we are relaxed, we think clearly, solve problems, act rationally and handle great challenges. On the contrary when we are agitated and disturbed, we more often than not mess up something. How often has this happened in your life when you have done something stupid in a disturbed state of mind and then regretted doing it? Similarly how often have you been able to solve problems and handle situations better when you are in a calm and relaxed state of mind? It is very important to understand that we human beings are products of our emotional states. Nothing determines our course of life more than how we act during different states of our minds. Knowing and understanding the constantly changing nature of our mind will help us deal with it better. There is absolutely no disputing the benefits of having calm and relaxed personality. So, how do we cultivate the habit of staying relaxed? How do we deal with our fast paced modern lifestyle? How do we bring relaxation into our lives? What exactly we can do to relax? First and foremost, the secret of relaxation is learning how to stay in the present moment. Mental disturbance and agitation is simply a result of our mind racing either into the past or into the future. When we are constantly oscillating between the past the future, mental disturbance is a natural consequence. Learning how to focus on the present moment is one of the greatest skills you can develop in order to stay calm and relaxed. Here are a few tips you can use: Be mindful of what is happening around you all the time. This will ensure that you are not being surprised and disturbed. When you are aware of what is happening around you, you will be in more control of your life. Take responsibility for your actions. Instead of indulging in a blame game, accept responsibility and make the necessary changes. When you are in a disturbed state of mind, do not make any important decisions. Learn how to identify disturbed state of mind and slowly transform it into a neutral and then positive experience. Deal with your mind slowly and gradually. “This article is a part of the creative endeavor of Inner-Revolution and IASBABA.”

May 11, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th May 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Gujarat facing massive water crisis Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Conservation In news: Gujarat is facing a massive water crisis due to rising mercury levels and severe heat wave. Water scarcity is acute especially in Saurashtra region, Kutch, North Gujarat and parts of tribal pockets in central and South Gujarat. Gujarat is in the midst of a major water shortage. Except river Narmada, all other water bodies and dams have negligible water. Navy joins exercises in South China Sea Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International affairs; Security/Defence In news: Navy ships INS Kolkata and Shakti carried out Group Sail with the naval ships of Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. in the South China Sea (SCS) from May 3-9. The Group Sail exercise showcased India’s commitment to operating with like-minded nations to ensure safe maritime environment through enhanced interoperability. The coordinated “group sail” included Indian guided missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet tanker INS Shakti, American destroyer USS Williams P Lawrence, Japanese helicopter carrier JMSDF Izumo and destroyer JMSDF Murasame and Philippines frigate BRP Andres Bonifaci. Do you know? Indian Navy warships INS Kolkata and tanker INS Shakti had took part in the Chinese international fleet review. (was held at Qingdao, China on April 23) They later took part in the Phase I of the maritime security field training exercise under the aegis of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) from May 1 to 3 off South Korea. India to add 3 million tech jobs by 2023 In news: According to Indian Staffing Federation (ISF), the apex body for the ‘flexi’ working industry – Indian tech industry will add another three million new jobs in the next five years. With the additions, the size of the country’s tech army will be 7 million by 2023. All these new jobs would come up in digital technology areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of things (IOT), data science, analytics, big data, blockchain and augmented reality. Jobs would also be created in newer technology areas that are presently unknown but are expected to emerge and evolve in the next few years. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/WELFARE 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 PepsiCo versus potato growing farmers Context: Multi-billion dollar conglomerate PepsiCo had sued 11 farmers, asking them to pay ₹1.05 crore each as damages for ‘infringing its rights’ by growing the potato variety used in its Lays chips. Farmers groups had launched a campaign calling for government intervention. According to the farmer groups, the law allows them to grow and sell any variety of crop or even seed as long as they don’t sell branded seed of registered varieties, and warned that the case could set a precedent for other crops. After pressure from farmers’ groups, PepsiCo has decided to withdraw cases against about 10 farmers in Gujarat and Rajasthan who were allegedly cultivating its FC-5 variety — registered by it under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001 (PPVFRA) — for their own use. PepsiCo’s Case The patent is for the potato plant variety FL-2027 (commercial name FC-5). Pepsi’s North America subsidiary Frito-Lay has the patent until October 2023. For India, PepsiCo India Holdings (PIH) has patented FC-5 until January 2031 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR;) Act, 2001. PIH, which has a buyback agreement with Gujarat farmers, accused the 11 farmers — three of whom earlier had contracts with the company — of illegally growing, producing and selling the variety “without permission of PIH”. The agreement was that PIH would collect potatoes of diameter greater than 45 mm from the farmers who had contracts with the company. However, random farmers got registered seeds from known groups and farmer communities. They had been sowing these for the last four years or so, and had no contractual agreement with anyone. They learnt they were growing a registered variety only when they got a court notice on April 11. Current status According to Section 39 of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001 (PPVFRA), “A farmer shall be deemed to be entitled to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected under this Act in the same manner as he was entitled before the coming into force of this Act: Provided that the farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seed of a variety protected under this Act.” (However, the seeds in case, were not sold as branded seeds.) Section 42 says: “A right established under this Act shall not be deemed to be infringed by a farmer who at the time of such infringement was not aware of the existence of such right.” (This makes any claim of damages tenuous.) Indian PPV & FRA law is aimed at facilitating the growth of the seed industry, ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, as well as securing the livelihood and plant varieties of the farmers. Conclusion: Therefore, it was apparent that PepsiCo never had a strong legal case against farmers growing its registered potato variety without entering into a contract. The government should put into place clear mechanisms to avoid a repetition of this episode in future. There should be absolutely no compromise on farmers’ rights and seed sovereignty. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2   International Relations Policies of developed and developing countries and their impact on India’s interests New clouds over the Persian Gulf: Iran threatens to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal Introduction Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran will withdraw partially from the landmark nuclear deal of 2015. Iran’s decision to reduce its commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the P5+1 agreement, comes as a reaction to the U.S.’s attempts in recent weeks to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero. Why the issue? The issue started after US President Donald Trump pulled out from the nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. Iran had the option of walking out too. But it did not. Iran had hoped that the European powers as well as Russia and China might help limit the effects of America’s renewed hostility. Europeans had criticised the US withdrawal, affirmed that Iran was in compliance with the nuclear agreement, and offered to sustain economic engagement with Iran if Tehran stayed true to the deal. China and Russia had also criticised the US decision as unilateral and arbitrary. Trump administration went on to re-impose sanctions on Iran. Now, Iran is demanding the remaining signatories of the deal — the U.K., China, France, Germany and Russia — to ease the restrictions on its banking and oil sectors in the next 60 days. In case the five endorsers of the deal decide not to act in favour of Iran, the authorities of Tehran will remove the caps on uranium enrichment levels and resume work on the Arak nuclear facility. Impacts: Iran’s partial withdrawal from the nuclear agreement is aimed at convincing US's allies in Europe as well as its competitors that time is running out to save the deal. Iran’s plans are very clear, and they put an end to long and laborious multilateral negotiations which put strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in return for lifting most international sanctions. By resuming its uranium enrichment operations, Iran could be taking a huge risk, putting at danger its diplomatic relations with Europe and playing the game of the Trump administration that has been taking a hard line against Tehran. Consequently, Iran might be economically isolated, but the message coming out from Russia is that Iran is not alone. US sanctions against Iran will certainly result in the development of cooperation between Russia and Iran, but also with countries like Turkey which are important to American foreign policy. US sanctions are likely to hit the earnings of Iran’s major metals companies, which will have immediate impact on the Iranian government’s revenues and also will deteriorate the balance sheets of Iran’s heavily indebted metals and mining companies. This situation will be followed by mass unemployment, especially among blue-collar workers employed by state-owned enterprises who form the backbone of Iran’s economy. For Donald Trump and his aides, the outcome of their confrontation with Iran is clearly to deprive the Iranian regime of the funds it can use to impose its hegemony around West Asia, but also to put pressure on the everyday life of Iranian citizens. Troubled times are ahead for Iran, West Asia and the global market. Connecting the dots: Rivalries and tensions between the US and Iran could throw some challenges to India’s dealings in West Asia. Analyse. Discuss the likely causes and impacts of Iran pulling out of historic 2015 nuclear deal or P5+1 agreement. MUST READ Resolving India’s banking crisis The Hindu Picking up the pieces after Cyclone Fani The Hindu  A confession in Iran Indian Express Making contract farming suitable for farmers Financial Express

May 11, 2019 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance: Book Review – The feeling of what happens – Antonio Damasio

The Feeling of What Happens: Antonio Damasio is a brilliant writer who explores the intricate and complex topic of consciousness in this fascinating and revealing book. What is the source of consciousness? How does brain create consciousness? What is the nature of perception and when do we acquire the sense of self? are some of the topics he explores. Antonio Damasio is a professor of neuroscience who studies brain and consciousness. This is an intriguing and engaging book which goes deep into the fundamental questions of thought, emotions, feelings and consciousness. There is so much happening inside us that has to be illuminated. This book illuminates several dimensions of life. It takes years of study and hard work to unravel the mysteries of the mind. Antonio’s experience as a neuroscientist gives him a unique advantage of exploring the nature of the mind first hand. He has shared his experiential learning here for the benefit of all. Read and enjoy this beautiful book.

May 10, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 10th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 10th May 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Chandrayaan-2 will carry 14 payloads from India Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Technology; Space Missions In news: According to ISRO – Chandrayaan-2, the lunar lander mission planned to be launched during July 9-16, will have 14 Indian payloads or study devices. The 3,800-kg spacecraft includes an orbiter which will circle the moon at 100 km; a five-legged lander called Vikram that will descend on the moon on or around September 6; and a robotic rover, Pragyan, that will probe the lunar terrain around it. ISRO has chosen a landing area at the hitherto unexplored lunar south pole, making it the first agency to touch down at the south pole if it succeeds in its first landing attempt. Do you know? Chandrayaan-2 will be India’s second outing to the moon. ISRO will send the mission on its heavy lift booster, the MkIII, from Sriharikota. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/05/11/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_05/d15da60b_2930604_101_mr.jpg Fani’s fury creates four new mouths in Odisha’s Chilika Lake Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology In news: The extremely severe cyclone Fani has created four new mouths in Chilika Lake connecting to the Bay of Bengal. Chilika Lake is considered to be Asia’s largest brackish water lake. Chilika Development Authority (CDA) officials have started studying the impact of saline ingression into the lake. Do you know? Rise in salinity would alter Chilika’s ecosystem, as it will lead to increase in productivity. Trump raises tariffs on Chinese goods Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – International affairs; Economy and related issues In news: The trade war between the U.S. and China took a turn for the worse as the Trump administration increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods. Trade war has been haunting the global economy since 2018, hurting investors’ confidence worldwide. Do you know? One of the big immediate risks of the U.S.-China trade war for India and a number of other countries may be “trade diversion”. That means products and merchandise, hit with retaliatory or counter-retaliatory tariffs by the U.S. and China respectively, will get diverted or even dumped on markets like India. Miscellaneous: Amazon unveils space vision, moon lander In news: Jeff Bezos, who heads both Amazon and space company Blue Origin, unveiled a lunar lander that he said would be used to transport equipment, and possibly human beings, to the south pole of the moon by 2024. Space agencies prepare to return humans to the moon and top engineers are racing to design a tunnel boring machine capable of digging underground colonies for the first lunar inhabitants. Harsh conditions on the surface of the moon mean that, once up there, humans need to be shielded from radiation and freezing temperatures in structures which maintain atmospheric pressure in a vacuum. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology EVs are an idea whose time is yet to come Introduction: Electric vehicles (EVs) are hailed as the future of mobility, considering its important role in containing carbon emissions and hold off global warming. India has an EV conversion policy in place. Last month, the Indian government announced the second phase of its Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles (FAME-2) scheme, aimed at weaning various modes of public transport off fossil fuels. About FAME India Scheme and 1st phase of FAME FAME India Scheme [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India] was implemented with the objective to support hybrid/electric vehicles market development and Manufacturing eco-system. The phase-I of the scheme was designed for a period of 2 years i.e. FY 2015-16 and FY 2016-17 commencing from 1st April 2015. However, the scheme, which was initially upto 31st April 2017, was extended upto 31st March, 2019 or till Notification of FAME-II, whichever is earlier. Department of Heavy Industry implemented FAME-1. The Phase-II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME-India) Scheme proposes to give a push to electric vehicles (EVs) in public transport and seeks to encourage adoption of EVs by way of market creation and demand aggregation. Total outlay of Phase-I of the FAME-India Scheme was enhanced from Rs. 795 Crore to Rs. 895 Crore. However, Fund allocated was 580 crores. FAME-2 Under FAME-2, incentives are offered to manufacturers of three-wheelers, four-wheelers and buses that run on electric power. Department of Heavy Industry to implemented FAME-2. Do you know? The latest guidelines issued by the department of heavy industries insist that to avail of the benefits under the scheme – Half of all EV components (especially, lithium batteries and charging units) must be manufactured within the country. (to boost domestic production) However, for local companies, it remains risky to invest a lot of money in plants to make such products without clarity on the specifications that are likely to become industry standards across the world. This is an emerging industry even for western countries or China. The Chinese government has provided generous tax incentives and subsidies to car makers and consumers alike to make things happen. It also restricted the sale of fossil-fuel cars. Its EV industry is set to boom. India’s position India has no major firm making controllers, batteries or magnet motors; nor has sufficient lithium reserves. Therefore, EV success is hard and calls for an entirely new strategy. EVs are still too costly to replace fossil fuel vehicles in the broad consumer market. Local EV makers would be better off waiting for component standardization and then forging tie-ups with successful foreign players to achieve volumes and the viability granted by economies of scale. Instead of an incentive scheme that tries to electrify public transport systems and prod the local manufacturing of parts, Indian policy would achieve more by assessing the global state of play, working out which battery and motor designs will come to dominate, and then setting up a grid to support a market switchover bit by bit as EV costs fall. Also interchangeable batteries would ease the process, as would a reliable network of charging stations where drained batteries could be swapped with fully-charged ones in a jiffy, as a plug-in-and-wait model would demand too much patience. Indian policy should finely calibrate interplay of regulatory and market forces. Premature electrification is best avoided. As of now, India’s goal of clearing its city streets of fumes looks a distant dream. Connecting the dots: Discuss in brief how vehicular pollution can be controlled by adopting a strategic roadmap. Also suggest measures to boost hybrid/electric vehicles in India. India’s automotive industry is headed for an inflection point. To make India an EV hub setting up the required infrastructure is most crucial. Discuss. NATIONAL/HEALTH ISSUE TOPIC: General studies 2  Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources Issues and policies related to health Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate What a new Lancet study reveals about HIV and ART? Introduction: According to a new Lancet study – Extending anti-retroviral therapy (ART) outreach with early testing and support for HIV treatment could help eradicate the disease. Condomless sex between serodifferent couples in which the HIV-positive partner was receiving virally suppressive ART didn’t result in HIV transmission from seropositive partner to the seronegative one. Serodifferent couple means one person is living with HIV and the other person is HIV-negative. In simple words, if the person living with HIV is on effective ART treatment, his viral load will drop and he will be HIV-undetectable. This means he cannot pass on HIV. Therefore, a HIV negative person will not be at risk if they have sex with someone who is HIV-undetectable. Significance of Lancet study to India Approximately 2.1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in India, and only 79% are aware of their HIV status—and just 56% receive ART. Build awareness that ART intervention at an early stage could help stop transmission, and thus, preventing new infections altogether could become easier. The finding by Lancet helps to remove stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease. Measures taken by India In 2017, India moved to the ‘test and treat’ protocol prescribed by the WHO, which meant every HIV-positive individual within the country was to be put on ART treatment. India had adopted the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goal, under which, by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all people with HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. NACO’s Link Workers Scheme under which volunteers from at-risk groups were trained to link their communities with HIV information, commodities and services. Conclusion: Despite a marked rise in ART coverage, many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are unable to access the clinics. India needs to make the most of ART by ensuring a 100% outreach, and adherence. Connecting the dots: What is HIV and how is it a life threatening disease? How has India battled against HIV? Critically examine. Discuss some of the provisions of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act of 2017. Elaborate on the Policy actions initiated by the government w.r.t. HIV AIDS and the necessary concerns associated. Highlight the provisions of the recent legislation. MUST READ By established law and procedure The Hindu Endless war: on U.S. putting pressure on Taliban  The Hindu Soldiers for peace Indian Express SC must re-examine procedure to probe allegations against CJI Gogoi Indian Express Economic data: Govt should focus on accuracy than speed Financial Express How US steadily upping the game to counter China Financial Express

May 9, 2019 Topper's From IASbaba

TOPPER'S STRATEGY: Rohit Kumar, Rank 469 UPSC CSE 2018 –a Regular Follower of IASbaba's initiatives (IASbaba’s TLP Student)!

TOPPER'S STRATEGY: Rohit Kumar, Rank 469 UPSC CSE 2018 –a Regular Follower of IASbaba's initiatives (IASbaba’s TLP Student)!   "Hard work beats talent if talent doesn't work hard".  This is very true in case of UPSC preparation. Irrespective of our background, we need to word hard to achieve the feat in this examination. We may be competing with the guy who is a working professional or IITian or IIM pass out. We should keep this in mind, this examination is a good level setter so we get a fair chance of selection irrespective of level of competition, if we are honest to ourselves. Coming from humble background and very little exposure to English as a medium of writing and speaking it was a mammoth task before me to even thinking about cracking this examination. This is because of popular perception about the examination that it needs very good English. But, these difficulties were the part of preparation and with the kind support of family, friends and platforms like IASBABA, it became a reality for me. Background: I am Rohit Kumar and secured 469th rank in CSE 2018. I am from a small town in Hamirpur District of Uttar Pradesh. I did my primary and secondary education from the government school in my village. Then, due to unavailability of higher secondary schools in neighbourhood, I shifted to Kanpur. I completed by secondary education from M. D. B. Inter College Umri Kanpur (Nagar). After completing this, I sat for JEE examination but couldn't clear with a wide margin. Then I joined coaching in Kanpur itself and cleared it. I got IIT Delhi as my first preference. I also did job as software developer in Vmock Inc in Gurugram for 3 months so as to get exposure of private sector and have financial ease. I started preparing for UPSC since September 2016. I joined coaching (Vajiram for GS and DIAS for Chemistry) because till last year of my graduation, I didn't even know the basics of UPSC like who elect President ? Or What is capitalism?  You are amazed, right ?  But what can you expect from a person coming from a rural background and have never read anything other than what is written in syllabus. Preparing for just 8 months or so, I had written prelims in 2017 with very much lack of confidence and result was expected. I couldn't clear prelims by 2 marks.   Mistakes in my First Attempt and Learnings: There was the only one mistake that I sat for examination. One is not expected to clear prelims with just 8 months of preparation and specially the person like me who doesn’t know A B C D of UPSC. I feel, one should sit the examination only when he is confident enough otherwise why to waste attempt. Anyway, one can clear prelims with bit of a luck, but Mains will be a big hurdle for him since it require good understanding of concepts. Apart for this, I did not attempt good number of questions in  that attempt and did only one test series. My learning is that we should do two test series of any institutes for prelims and keep revising the questions which we are not able to do. We should be well versed with the NCERTs (specially modern history, Ancient History, Geography). For Current Affairs, I followed Vision monthly CA. I kept my sources limited but revised them for good number of times. In last month, I followed IASBABA 60 days plan so that important topics are not left. Apart from doing hard work, we should also keep ourselves energetic by participating in any one sports, talking to loved one. This is necessary in prelims because we have to keep so many things in mind and it is possible only when we are stress free. Further, try to attempt as many questions as you can. This strategy worked for me, I attempted 92 questions this year. And during examination, keeping believing in yourself, take deep breath, these things really work !!   My GS strategy: Before starting for mains, please have a look on the syllabus. This will guide your preparation and help in writing questions according to need. For mains, two things are needed, first is to complete the paper in time and second is to write quality answers. While former can be managed via test series, later can be managed by writing in peer review platform. IASBABA helped me in writing quality answers by providing review of answers and motivating me for best answer 'Award' (For beginners, If you will write best answer, your answers will be highlighted and will be given place in compilations). Paper1: mostly covered by NCERTs. For history (modern, ancient, world), social issues, geography NCERTs are enough. But this basics should be supplemented by the current event. (For example: if you read migration topic from NCERT then should cover issues of migration from CA such as Gujrat violence, fake news etc.) Try to give as many examples as you can. Paper2: Polity (LaxmiKant is just enough), IR (mostly CA) and Governance (I read ARC reports, NITI Aayog three Year plan and CA) Paper3: Economy (my coaching notes + CA + budget), Environment (Shankar book + CA) Paper4: Lexicon book (revised for 5-6 times, made short notes), IASBABA TLP compilation for last one year (I gained lot of confidence of writing answer of ethics and got examples for several issues) I would recommend to do preparation in integration rather than separately studying for prelims for 3 months before prelims and then starting for mains. This is because of the nature of exam these days, we find many questions in prelims which can be solved only when we have deeper knowledge of syllabus of mains. Other than this, making short notes of each material that you read is very much needed. This saves time for us and help in recalling all the important points during revision. For a beginner, it is necessary to go through all the basic NCERTs so that we can get the feel of syllabus and key terms which play vital role in writing mains answers. My strategy was to divide equal time among all GS (2 Hrs each) and Optional (4 Hrs) + 4 Hrs (For answer writing and newspaper). This was the broader time division and it fluctuated specially one month before mains. I kept Sunday easy for me with target of writing two essays, just to regain energy for next whole week.   My Optional strategy:  My optional is Chemistry. I chose this because had interest in this subject since my JEE preparation. While choosing optional, apart from performance of optional (give this less preference),  interest is very much required. It is because, you have to read it for 2-3 years regularly and this is not possible without interest.  For optional, I did coaching from DIAS chemistry in Delhi. Apart from coaching, Basic NCERTs and required books I read. If anyone interested in detailed strategy for chemistry, mail me at below address.   Role of IASBABA: During this attempt, this platform helped in Prelims and Mains preparation. For prelims, I followed 60 days plan of IASBABA and made short notes out of it. For Mains, it helped me a lot. I liked the TLP platform (Mains Answer Writing Platform) very much, here one can write 5 questions daily and these answers will be reviewed by peers and BABA itself. I feel it is like fun to write in this platform because of several other aspirant like us. They keep me motivated not only by reviewing but also by guiding me at every steps. For ethics, TLP platform is unique because it helped me to get several examples for particular question by viewing others' answers. And everyone know ethics paper is all about examples. Here, I would like to thank mona sharma (@disqus_5OJJlWz6nx), @disqus_ISHAQ_ALI @ZyotiSingh and IASBABA for all the support and motivation. (please tag all if possible).   My suggestions and few tips before prelims: Don't forget your true friends, family and loved ones even during preparation because they give positive energy to us. Further, keep limit to your sources and keep revising them. Make small targets and complete them, this will not let stress win over you. In prelims, most of the aspirants are able to solve 50 questions, but key lies to solve other 20 or 30 questions. Here comes the role of educated guesses that we make. It is the need of examination I feel, it is very difficult to get cutoff marks without this. For educated guess, apart from knowledge, confidence and alertness is the key. So, night before prelims sleep well, take some energy drink with you during examination  and finally don't fear too much. If prelims is tough, then it is tough to all and if easy then easy for all, so be balanced.   Prelims Marksheet:   Mains Marksheet:   Thank You Rohit Kumar

May 9, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th May 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Iran says it will not honour nuclear curbs Part of: GS Mains II – International affairs; Security issues In news: Iran said it had stopped respecting limits on its nuclear activities agreed under a 2015 deal with major powers until they find a way to bypass renewed U.S. sanctions. The announcement came as the US imposed sweeping unilateral sanctions against Iran. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said that it no longer considered itself bound by the agreed restrictions on stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Part of: GS Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Human impact on biodiversity and ecosystem In news: According to global assessment report of the (IPBES) – Human beings have aggressively exploited nature. Species belonging to a quarter of all studied animal and plant groups on earth are gravely threatened (due to human impact). Ecosystem losses have accelerated over the past five decades universally Any devastation to tropical areas, which are endowed with greater biodiversity than other regions, is worrisome. If the world continues to pursue the current model of economic growth without factoring in environmental costs, one million species could go extinct, many in a matter of decades. Concerns: Catastrophic erosion of ecosystems is being driven by – unsustainable use of land and water direct harvesting of species climate change pollution and release of alien plants and animals in new habitats The global rate of species extinction is at least tens to hundreds of times higher today than the average rate over the past 10 million years, and it is accelerating alarmingly. Marine plastic pollution has increased tenfold since 1980, affecting at least 267 species, including 86% of marine turtles, 44% of seabirds and 43% of marine mammals. Ecological economists have always warned about ever-increasing consumption which courts modifying terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems to suit immediate needs, such as raising agricultural and food output and extracting materials. Such modifications severely affect other functions such as water availability, pollination, maintenance of wild variants of domesticated plants and climate regulation. US and China account for half of world’s military spending Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International affairs; Defence/Security issues In news: According to think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) – Total world military expenditure rose to $1,822 billion in 2018, representing an increase of 2.6% from 2017. The five biggest spenders in 2018 were the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, India and France, which together accounted for 60% of global military spending. Military spending by the US increased for the first time since 2010, while spending by China grew for the 24th consecutive year. In 2018, India increased its military spending by 3.1% to $66.5 billion while military expenditure by Pakistan grew by 11% (the same level of growth as in 2017), to reach $11.4 billion in 2018. Pic: https://images.indianexpress.com/2019/05/defence.jpg In news: Pattachitra paintings Context Cyclone Fani teared down artists’ village in Odisha. Many pieces of art (especially Pattachitra, a traditional cloth-based scroll painting) in heritage hub have been damaged. About Pattachitra Pattachitra is a general term for traditional, cloth-based scroll painting, based in the eastern Indian state, Odisha. In the Sanskrit language, "Patta" literally means "cloth" and "Chitra" means "picture". Most of these paintings depict stories of Hindu deities. The Pattachitras are known for its intricate designs and was given the GI tag in 2008. These paintings are made on a canvas, which is prepared by mashing an old cotton cloth and palm leaves. When the canvas dries up, it is hardened using a paste of tamarind, turmeric, chalk and granite powder. The colours used in these paintings are made from from coal, conch shells, turmeric, chalk powder, leaves of selected plants and soft stones. Person in news: Subhash Kapoor ASI identifies rare Indian artefacts seized from smuggler In news: A range of Indian antiquities and artefacts that were smuggled by Subhash Kapoor have been identified by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) during a team’s recent visit to the United States. Idols dating back to the Gupta period (5th-6th Century AD) to terracotta objects of the Harappan culture were seized by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of U.S. Department of Homeland Security from the storage of Kapoor. The smuggler was extradited to India and is currently in the custody of Tamil Nadu police, the ASI said. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2  Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate India-US ties face tough terrain Below are some of the major issues between India and US Issues in India-US trade 1. U.S.’s decision to not extend Iran sanctions waivers to India This decision will have notable implications for India-U.S. relations, given the importance of New Delhi’s energy relationship with Tehran. 2. U.S.’s decision to withdraw GSP benefits for Indian exports Trump administration decided to withdraw GSP benefits for Indian exports in retaliation for Indian tariffs that the U.S. deemed to be prohibitively high US has also expressed deep discontent over India’s policies on e-commerce, intellectual property rights and data localisation. 3. India’s tariff structure According to Trump administration, India was at number 13 in the list of US export markets because of its “overly restrictive market access barriers”. India’s average applied tariff rate was “the highest of any major world economy”. According to World Trade Organisation (WTO) data, India’s average applied tariff is now around 13.5% — and there are plans to move towards ASEAN tariff rates progressively (approximately 5% on average). Over the last five years, however, there has been a move by the government to increase duties on a number of items. 4. Disputes under the WTO Seven disputes between India and US are at various stages of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism under the WTO. These pertain to – poultry and poultry products from the US countervailing duties against India’s export of steel products measures against import of solar cells and modules under the National Solar Mission, the US’s Sub-Federal Renewable Energy Programmes US measures concerning non-immigrant visas India’s export promotion schemes and the US tariff hike on steel and aluminium products. 5. Capping prices of cardiac stents and knee implants In 2017, India capped the prices of cardiac stents and knee implants, slashing prices by over 70% and 60% respectively. The move impacted US giants like Abbott, Medtronic and Boston Scientific. 6. Walmart issue and data localization Two other issues that the US side has specifically raised during the latest round of negotiations are the “treatment of Walmart after their acquisition of Flipkart”, and the problems on data localisation reportedly faced by companies such as MasterCard and Visa. Impact: India will scale up oil imports from other top producers GSP withdrawal will have minimal impact on India’s economy (we have covered comprehensively in previous month DNA articles) S.-India CEO Forum and the India-U.S. Commercial Dialogue is expected to ease tensions However, a full-fledged strategic partnership, which both countries endorse, will be difficult to achieve amid such multiple and long-standing disconnects on the trade and economic side. Conclusion: Bilateral ties should go beyond technology transfers, arms sales, joint exercises, and foundational agreements on defence in order to achieve a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership. India-U.S. relations have potential to extend well beyond security, especially initiatives ranging from clean energy to innovation. The U.S. and India have long struggled to agree on what a strategic partnership should look like. Any strategic partnership must be broad-based, with trust and cooperation present across a wide spectrum of issues and not just limited to close collaborations in the guns-and-bombs category. In this regard, a true strategic partnership remains, at least for now, elusive between India and the U.S. Connecting the dots: India’s “US” policy has seen both continuity and change. Comment. India and US share a strong strategic partnership in the changing global order. Critically analyse. Has the dynamics of Indo-US relations changed after the election of Donald Trump as the President? Critically evaluate. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.  Q.1) Pattachitra is A cloth-based scroll painting of Odisha A traditional dance form of Odisha Block painting of Buddhism faith Paintings done on dry leaves and preserved Q.2) With regard to ‘Pattachitra’ consider the following statements These are paintings based on Hindu mythology and specially inspired by Jagannath and Vaishnava sect. Pattachitra is registered under the identity of Odisha Pattachitra (GI tag). Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None MUST READ A travesty of justice The Hindu A wake-up call on proprietary seeds The Hindu Forcing a woman to adhere to purdah system is unconstitutional, so is dragging one out of it  Indian Express How China, followed by India, has led greening efforts across world  Indian Express Democratic values and the role of our educational institutions Livemint

May 8, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 8th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 8th May 2019 Archives (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/POLITY TOPIC: General studies 2  Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Need for Judicial Reforms Context: The below article highlights why there is a need for judicial reforms and how judiciary and its judges have become even more powerful than ever before, and the institution even more opaque. We are aware that Indian judiciary is facing its worst hour of crisis. Below is a look at some of the issues or incidents where the judiciary has been in the news for all the wrong reasons – Sexual harassment allegation against CJI The manner in which the sexual harassment allegation against CJI is handled and the opaque in-house committee findings has brought the judiciary to a tipping point. The announcement of constituting an internal Supreme Court committee to examine the sexual harassment charges against CJI was always a bad idea since, at the end of the day, the judges reported to the CJI. In addition the in-house committee was an all-male bench (headed by the CJI) The complainant was not allowed to have her lawyer with her; she wasn’t even given a written copy of her statement to the committee, and there was no audio/video recording of the proceedings which is critical to ensure that all witnesses were interviewed and that their statements were taken into account by the committee. With the in-house committee giving the CJI a clean chit, definitely proves that judges have become more powerful than ever before, and the institution even more opaque. Appointment process In the 1990s, over the course of three cases, the judges created the collegium which had the sole right to recommend appointing/promoting judges. Till then, this was done by the government, and when the government tried to strike a balance by proposing a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) which gave both the government and the Supreme Court an equal say in selecting judges – and both had a veto – the SC struck this down even as its own judgment made it clear the collegium system had serious shortcomings. Not open to any reforms Recently, four judges went public with their protest against the then CJI and a letter written by Justice CS Karnan gave a list of 20 corrupt sitting/retired Supreme Court and high court judges. While the letter spoke of the need to “revisit the process of appointment of judges and to set up a mechanism for corrective measures other than impeachment”, nothing of the sort took place. A Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill was brought into Parliament in 2000 to address these issues by setting up a National Judicial Oversight Committee, a Complaints Scrutiny Panel and an Investigation Committee, but nothing came of it. Lack of gender diversity The judiciary is one of the least diverse institutions in India. Since 1950, the SC has had only eight female judges out of 239, with the present three out of 27 being the highest concurrent representation women have ever had on the SC bench. In the subordinate judiciary, merely 27.6 per cent of the judges are female. Even if a female advocate crosses many barriers and thrive in her profession, the current collegium system for the appointment of judges is simply not designed to ensure her elevation to the bench. This appointments process in itself is severely lacking in women’s representation. This lack of women on the bench, at all levels of the judiciary, is at the very root of the impunity with which the top court has, in a single stroke, destroyed decades worth of progress made in deterring sexual harassment of women from all walks of life. Conclusion: The present calamity in the judiciary provides an unprecedented opportunity to course correct on several accounts. Judiciary is now left with no choice but to undertake a massive exercise in introspection and reform. Effective reforms are essential to keep the judiciary from becoming irrelevant and severed from the idea of justice. And, in the absence of that, it is difficult to see how the dignity of the Supreme Court and the judiciary can be restored. Connecting the dots: If the judiciary is strong, the constitutional values of India can be successfully upheld. Critically examine. Judiciary is no longer a ‘secret’ organisation when it comes to its functioning. Discuss the various transparency initiatives taken by Indian judiciary. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3  Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Technology as an agent of social change India’s digital pathway Context: India is digitising faster than almost every other country. Roti, kapda, makaan … and internet – is now the updated version of an Indian’s bare necessities of life Supreme Court even granted Indians the internet as a fundamental right. India’s digital future 40% growth in internet users expected in the next five years Absence of connectivity for 65% of the country Worrisome challenges on infrastructure readiness and shortcomings in policy approaches Inadequate progress to implement the policy items There is much to be done – India needs humongous investments and critical infrastructure to realise our true potential as future leaders in digital communications. Concerns India’s mobile broadband speeds are only about one-third the global average of 23.6 Mbps (EY). With regard to fixed broadband speeds, India ranks a low 67 in the world (according to Speedtest Global Index). High broadband speeds are required to extract maximum economic benefits from broadband and reduce the quality issues that plague us. Only 7% of our country has internet through fixed-line connections (TRAI). The world average is 46%. Top quality downloads at high speeds with minimum delay need fixed-line internet. Mobile internet cannot shoulder this burden alone. India’s mobile broadband is crunched at over 90% utilisation. The international best practice is 60-70% to ensure a high quality with next-generation services. India has to augment resources to enhance its mobile broadband capacity. One reason for the capacity crunch is the limited broadband spectrum allocation. As much as 40% of unused spectrum is lying idle at unrealistically high reserve prices that inhibit spectrum take-up. Enormous value loss to the economy. Consumers, businesses and individuals only get limited access to high-quality, high-speed fixed-line internet, thus hindering productivity. If reformed, we can create 60-65 million jobs across sectors by 2025 (according to McKinsey). Measures taken or needed: National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP 2018) gazette-notified recently has outlined a clear way forward with goals to fiberise India, improve spectrum usage and satellite communications, and get 5G-ready. (Need effective implementation) There is a need to improve broadband speed and capacity to enhance economic benefits. While fiberising India is imperative, we need to upgrade the quality of our fibre networks, and provide fibre-to-home services. It is difficult to envisage digital leadership without domestic manufacturing capacity growing concurrently with foreign players in India. Both customer-facing equipment like smartphones and the digital network infrastructure need to be fully developed and operational. India has more than 150 domestic units producing mobile phones, but a closer look reveals that these are mere assembly units and the value added is in single digits. We need to move up the value chain rapidly or else India will continue to slide behind its global peers. Ensuring a digital future does not come cheap. India needs an investment of Rs 4.2 lakh crore just to get India 5G-ready (EY). Added to this the costs of smart cities, fiberisation, satcom modernisation and digital skill-building. India would be needing nearly Rs 1 lakh crore over the next five years. Significance of high-speed broadband It will help the IT, BPM, digital communications services, and electronics manufacturing sectors to double their GDP contribution to $435 billion in the five years. Newer sectors are digitising at a rapid pace and can accelerate productivity. Agriculture, education, energy, financial services, healthcare, logistics, retail, government services and labour markets could create $10-150 billion of incremental economic value. Do you know? Indian telecom service providers (TSPs) offer lowest user tariffs but are laden with some of the highest levies in the world. Licence fees and 12% levies of revenue, GST and exorbitant spectrum auction reserve prices make it prohibitive for the businesses to operate. In most countries, such regulatory fees are negligible. A reduction in levies and duties will allow TSPs to compete freely, embrace innovations, and invest in infrastructure to move forward. India’s overwhelming percentage of data usage is video—which is mostly entertainment. Policies should focus to proactively boost the amount of digital business-to-business, financial, industrial and other data transactions. We need government initiatives to educate and bring awareness about the benefits of digitising to the agriculture, healthcare, public safety, logistics management and other sectors. Only then will we see strong benefits across sectors. Connecting the dots: Discuss the significance of improving broadband speed and capacity in India. Can a digitally backward India ensure financial inclusion? Examine. MUST READ The National Register of Cruelty The Hindu Belt and Road 2.0 The Hindu Surveillance wars in space The Hindu Ranked-choice voting system could deepen democracy, prevent polarization Indian Express  India needs national and state missions to modernise the brick sector Financial Express

May 7, 2019 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 7th May 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 7th May 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Tiger Reserve in news: Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Conservation; Protected areas Why in news? NGT constituted a committee to provide it a factual report on alleged illegal construction of a road for use by commercial vehicles in the ecologically sensitive Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand. Petitioner has alleged that road is being built in the tiger reserve without statutory clearances and requisite safeguards. And the construction of the road may potentially damage the biological diversity and resources of the reserve. Animal in news: grizzled giant squirrel Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Conservation of Animals; Protected areas In news: For the first time, researchers have sighted as many as 363 nests of the grizzled giant squirrel at Pakkamalai Reserve Forests near Gingee in the Eastern Ghats. Several diverse and endangered species including the Golden Gecko, Bamboo Pit Viper and Mouse Deer have also been spotted in the Pakkamalai Reserve Forests. Conservationists argue that the government should immediately declare the forests as a sanctuary for the grizzled giant squirrel. About grizzled giant squirrel It is an endangered species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The grizzled giant squirrel is usually known to nest in the Western Ghats in Southern India ranging from Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary in Kerala to Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Palani hills in Tamil Nadu. Owing to habitat loss and poaching, the species has been categorised as near threatened by the Red List and listed under Schedule II of CITES. (IUCN Status: near threatened) 1 million species at risk of extinction: UN Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Climate change In news: According to UN report – Relentless pursuit of economic growth and impact of climate change has put an ”unprecedented” one million species at risk of extinction. This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world. The report said that the world may need to embrace a new “post-growth” form of economics if it is to avert the existential risks posed by the mutually-reinforcing consequences of pollution, habitat destruction and carbon emissions. Profound economic and social changes would be needed to curb greenhouse gases quickly enough to avert the most devastating consequences of a warming world. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/05/07/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_12/7458af30_2920807_101_mr.jpg Justice Bobde panel gives CJI a clean chit Part of: GS Mains II – Credibility of Supreme Court; Women/Social issue; Judicial reforms In news: The Justice S.A. Bobde in-house committee has found “no substance” in the sexual harassment allegations levelled by a former Supreme Court staff member against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Protection of primitive tribes Social issues; vulnerable sections of the society Policy interventions and issues arising out of their design and implementation Environment conservation; Community-led conservation Conservation minus the people? Introduction: In February, India, one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, issued a court order which stood to evict more than a million forest-dwelling people from their homes. But, India, a state that supports about 8% of global species diversity and over 100 million forest-dwellers, did not even put up a legal defence before its top court. However, this court order was subsequently stayed temporarily. The above incident provides valuable insights into India’s conservation objectives and approaches. Given the country’s size and biodiversity-richness, a decision of this nature has consequences for global natural heritage. International and Domestic laws that deals with involving communities living in and around natural resource-rich areas Involving communities living in and around natural resource-rich areas in the management and use of these resources is an effective tool of conservation that has been recognised across the world. International conventions – 1980 World Conservation Strategy of IUCN Earth Summit’s 1992 Statement of Forest Principles and Convention on Biological Diversity IUCN’s Policy Statement on Sustainable Use of Wild Living Resources in 2000 Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2004 Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. Domestic legislations – Indian Forest Act, 1927 Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 1988 National Forest Policy 1990 Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM) 1992 National Conservation Strategy National Environment Policy of 2006 and 2006 Forest Rights Act 2007 Biosphere Reserves Guidelines Concerns: India has been a vocal member of above conventions. But at home, things operate rather differently, despite there were a number of policies that mirrored the global shift towards inclusive conservation. For instance, India’s different laws Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 create different types and grades of protected areas, and contain provisions to restrict or outlaw local use of natural resources and landscapes. 1990 Joint Forest Management Guidelines (JFM) created community institutions for co-management, in collaboration with the forest bureaucracy. Although it initially registered some success stories in certain parts of the country, JFM committees are widely critiqued as being bureaucracy-heavy, with little real devolution of powers to local communities. 2006 Forest Rights Act went beyond sanctioning local usage, to conferring rights to local communities over forest land and produce. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was mandated with operationalising the Act, while conservation remained under the domain of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. However, given a hostile bureaucratic environment, the legislation faltered, except in certain pockets. The Third National Wildlife Action Plan, introduced in 2017, is categorically of the view that locals hinder conservation. Where communities are to be involved, it distinctly avoids the attribution of rights and instead frames usage within a bureaucracy-controlled format. The 2018 Draft National Forest Policy left little room for communities. The Supreme Court’s order in early 2019 mandated the eviction of those forest-dwellers whose claims under the Forest Rights Act have been rejected, in disregard of the bureaucratic violations, lapses and technical constraints that have played a part in such rejections. In March 2019, amendment to Indian Forest Act was proposed for extinguishing rights granted under the Forest Rights Act. Further, it grants the forest bureaucracy unprecedented powers to enter and search the premises of forest-dwellers on suspicion, arrest without warrant and use firearms to meet conservation goals. Conclusion: India’s conservation policies and legislation over the years reveal a dichotomy of intent and action. While other countries are recognising the value of community-involved conservation models, India is stridently and steadfastly moving in the opposite direction. Certain progressive policy documents are put in place on lines of international commitments. However, a wholly different picture emerges during the course of its operation on the ground. Connecting the dots: Do you think unlike the rest of the world, India is stridently moving away from community-involved conservation models? Substantiate. India’s conservation policies and legislation over the years reveal a dichotomy of intent and action. Elucidate. “Conservation is best achieved by those who know the forest”. In the light of the statement, critically discuss the present status and issues related with Forest Right Act. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2  Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests Way forward for RCEP Introduction: Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and the six states with which ASEAN has existing free trade agreements (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand) Do you know? Talks have been under way for over six years now, with over 25 rounds of negotiations between all FTA partner countries. The 16 member countries have now set a deadline of end-2019 to conclude the negotiations. India is among the countries that will have to take a call at this point considering the seriousness of the situation. The negotiations, until now, have been fraught with difficulties, with India accused of being ‘conservative’ in its approach towards tariff negotiations. Concerns with respect to India and RCEP India is the one country that doesn’t have an FTA with China. The greater access Chinese goods will have to the Indian market, bigger the problem given India’s massive trade deficit. To circumvent this, the government has proposed a “differential market access” strategy for China, which others are inclined to accept. Both Indian negotiators and the domestic industry have been vocal about their discomfort with respect to opening up of the domestic market to Chinese exports. This is because of the massive Chinese overcapacity in key manufacturing industries, and major support programmes in the form of financial, non-financial and trade measures for the domestic industry, which give an edge to Chinese producers over other trade partners. There are also demands by other RCEP countries for lower customs duties on a number of products and greater access to the market than India has been willing to provide. The more developed RCEP countries such as Australia and Singapore have been unwilling to accommodate India’s demands to liberalise their services regime and allow freer mobility of Indian workers. The way ahead: India suggests for appropriate safeguard clauses need to be put in place within RCEP in case injury to domestic industry is found, resulting due to impacts of massive support that China offers its industries, leading to overcapacity and price undercutting. India suggests introduction of clause on provisional safeguard measures. Also, given the current state of Indian industry, phased elimination of tariffs is necessary, especially with respect to some key manufacturing industries that have long gestation periods until they start running on full capacity. Therefore, at least a 15-25 years’ tariff elimination schedule should be negotiated for key sectors like chemicals, metals, automobiles, machinery, food products and textiles, which individually contribute more than 5% to India’s manufacturing GDP and employment, respectively. Phased elimination of few key manufacturing industries is absolutely essential with respect to China. Policymakers should be cognisant of the use of non- tariff barriers (NTBs) by China. Even though China has agreed to open almost 92% of their tariff lines, expecting India to reciprocate in the same manner, India’s concerns over China’s complex NTBs merit serious attention. Conclusion: Indian negotiators bargain hard for an inclusive and balanced RCEP. However, domestically India must fiercely focus on problems plaguing manufacturing sector and exports. RCEP is an opportunity for India to play a greater role in Asia-Pacific, the fastest growing and developing region the globe. India must not take the easiest way out on the trade deal and walk out of talks, rather it should move forward and fill the vacuum being created by the protectionism of US. If negotiated well, the RCEP has the potential to be a game-changer for India. Connecting the dots: India with RCEP, critically examine the challenges and opportunities ahead. Do you think RCEP is a must for India? Analyze. (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 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) It is associated with ASEAN All the members of RCEP are members of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Cambodia is the only land-locked country among RCEP members Select the INCORRECT statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 Only 2 Q.2) Which of the following countries is NOT a part of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)? Myanmar Japan Bangladesh Singapore Q.3) Which of the following countries is/are NOT a part of RCEP? India Russia China Japan Select the appropriate option using the code below 2 only 1 and 4 only 2 and 3 only 2 and 4 only Q.4) Rajaji Tiger Reserve is located in Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand MUST READ A miscarriage of justice The Hindu The Election Commission must act tough The Hindu The Supreme Court belongs to everyone The Hindu The quest for a military footprint  Indian Express Can India learn from the US and get public healthcare right?  Financial Express The motives behind India’s A-SAT experiment? Financial Express Power sharing: Why states are failing decentralization Financial Express

May 7, 2019 Topper's From IASbaba

TOPPER’S STRATEGY: Abhishek Kumar Singh, Rank 244 UPSC CSE 2018- a Regular Follower of IASbaba’s initiatives (IAS baba’s TLP Student)!

TOPPER’S STRATEGY: Abhishek Kumar Singh, Rank 244 UPSC CSE 2018- a Regular Follower of IASbaba’s initiatives (IAS baba’s TLP Student)! Hello fellow aspirants, My name is Abhishek Kumar Singh (IAS baba TLP Student 2018), I have secured an All India Rank 244 in the Civil Services Examination 2018, and this feeling after failing twice in this examination before finally securing a rank is both overwhelming and incredibly rewarding at the same time. I am here to discuss my saga of efforts that helped me crack this examination. Before I start, I would recommend every fellow aspirant to not to be driven by the strategy of other successful candidates, because your strategy and your success story should be unique and just yours. So why not create our own? Ofcourse, knowing about others and their personal battles can generate motivation and zeal to serve the country as a part of our bureaucracy.   MARKSHEET: MAINS BACKGROUND: I belong to the city of Munger in Bihar and I come from a modest family background with just enough resources to make both ends meet. I had my schooling from Sainik School Tilaiya and Sainik school Kapurthala. With failures knocking the doors quite early in my career, I could not crack the UPSC NDA examination due to medical reasons. But the dream of serving the country runs deep in my family line, and that pushed me to aspire differently. I pursued Engineering in Bionformatics from Amity University, Uttar Pradesh and later joined various software firms post graduation. Preparations along with work comes with its own set of challenges but the very dream of serving the country kept my hopes high and my heart ignited.   Learnings from my Previous mistakes: Previous Attempts : I have seen my fair share of failures in CSE examination, twice(UPSC) and otherwise, but it was very important for me to know why I failed and I worked on that constantly. It is okay to fail, but never let your instincts say that you can not clear this exam. I can tell this as I have always been an average student and had to work very hard to even get recognised as a good student at school and college level. So believe in your potential and do a regular SWOT analysis of yourself.   My Driving Force: Your self-belief and the belief that the nation needs your services and you have a role to play if you dream of a better society for tomorrow. Plus a small pool of family and friends who are there to have your back when you fall is very crucial. My father always said this and it became a MANTRA for my preparation: this examination is all about knowing your country, understanding our hurdles and having a vision for your motherland and its issues. While I studied, I used to keep this in mind, it actually made my answer writing skills better with each passing day.   GENERAL STUDIES (GS) Preparation: MOST Critical part of preparation is mock tests and writing practise, target should be at least 10000 MCQs practise for prelims in these 12 months and at least 1 mains full length test series every week, for mains. Habit of writing even 2 answers daily and sticking to time limits, structure and demand of question will have a monumental impact on your mains Marks-sheet. Prelims: Over the last couple of years, prelims has become more challenging, making informed guesses is a very important part of this. Solving mock question papers will nurture that aptitude that helps one attempt the right questions. One undermined aspect is the role of NCERTS. It is fundamental to our understanding of any question asked in prelims, the better one reads and understands NCERTS, better are his/her chances of solving even the questions which one is doubtful about. Mains: Writing, reviewing and writing again, is the only mantra, sticking to time, well structured answers covering every dimension that is demanded in the question comes only when answer writing is done on a daily basis. Ethics: Creating a set of examples, quotes and poems from school days books on each topic mentioned in the syllabus, and using them in answer writing practise is very crucial. Case studies need a well structured writing approach, real-life examples and giving a bureaucratic solution if possible in your answers will boost the quality of answers.   Interview: My interview was on 14th feb afternoon session. I was the first candidate. It was around 30 -35 minutes long. It was solely about my DAF and a few standalone current affairs questions. The Idea behind PI is solely to see the spark in you that says you have a bureaucrat in you. You have a vision and you possess officer-like qualities. Its a personality test and not a knowledge test. Be true to the best of your knowledge, in DAF and work on individual elements you have mentioned in DAF. Have a confident body language and maintain a humble and cheerful eye contact with all the panel members. Making notes: The best study materials are your own notes. Use the least number of books to cover specific topics which is in the syllabus, more than reading a 1000 books, this exam is about your writing skills and to-the-point knowledge. REDUCE the habit of buying every book suggested by toppers every year. Stick to one good book for each subject, may be 2  if you have a passion for reading. REVISE NCERTs again and again, they are the key. RETAIN the summary of every topic you read in the form of your own notes. During exam days going through your notes eases the stress and saves you a lot of time.   Sources and BOOKS: GEOGRAPHY GS: NCERT 11 and 12 , 6th 7th and 8th if you want to start from scratch. GC Leong if you have enthusiasm and need more clarity. History : NCERT 11th 12th, tamilnadu board history book is also very brief and good for revision, Spectrum for modern India or Bipin Chandra along with playlist on modern history of India by fantastic fundas and crash course world history (youtube) Economy: Shankar Ganesh and NCERT MACROECONOMICS for basics, economic survey summary is a must read from any portals, and mrunal Patel sirs’ playlist on surveys from youtube can be helpful in understanding few topics that are in focus. Science and technology: basics from NCERTs 8th 9th 10th and biology from 12th, IAS BABA Daily current affairs and IASBABA Daily Quiz cover comprehensively S&T related topics in news. Environment: any good theory book published by various institutes, and more importantly current affairs and MCQs practise is a must. Polity: M. Lakshmikant is the most popular book, for GS answer writing in mains book on governance by Lakshmikant and Subash Kashyap is also a good read. Others: International Relations- keep a tab on current affairs, use atlas on daily basis even for 10 minutes.  Generate a habit of map making. Art and Culture: CCRT website, current affairs newspaper readings of tribes, festivals, researches if any on daily basis (Tally own notes). For GS mains: Dutta and Sundaram is very helpful in GS paper 1,2 and 3. For ethics: I focused on understanding and answer writing more than books. Lexicon is the only book I read a few times before exam. Current affairs: make it a habit to read current affairs compilation of any renowned website like IAS BABA on daily basis. Also during the short time before prelims read any one good monthly CA booklet rather than many different institutes'. If time permits revise the same over and over again but do not change the source.     GEOGRAPHY OPTIONAL Preparation: I chose Geography my optional subject due to my understanding that a logical and scientific discipline like geography seemed more relatable and relevant. 3 things one should keep in mind while choosing optional subject especially if your subject of specialisation is either not in the list of optionals or you do not feel too comfortable with it. Familiarity : Going through the syllabus, keyword to keyword, and the previous year question papers of the subject, how familiar and comfortable you are with the demand of the subject. Aptitude: While writing a specific subject’s answer, your verbiage needs to conform to the technical language of the subject. This comes from reading and covering the syllabus. (For e.g.: a Law optional answer will have more legal terms and verbiage that gives it a legal outlook, while geography will have scientific-geographic terminologies and verbiage). You need to be aware whether you can develop and hone that skill after reading a certain subject you want to choose. Interest: Perhaps the most important of all the three. How interested you remain in the subject as you proceed through the months of preparation, and how you handle temptation to switch from one subject to another just because you hear that a particular subject/faculty/institute has provided the topper this year, or any other fellow aspirant says that his optional subject is easy or interesting. Nevertheless, selection of optional subject is one of the most important decisions you have to make as it will impact the majority of your marks and probably your final results the maximum. Physical Geography: Savindra Singh Human Geography : Majid Hussain  Indian geography: Khullar's (do not switch from one book to another from time to time due to nervousness and fears read and re read) Examrace playlist on geography optionals also.   Role of IASbaba in my Success: It is important here to mention how IAS BABA and fellow aspirants help on a portal-based writing challenge like TLP. While you get reviewed instantly for what you have written, you learn a lot more from the answers of fellow aspirants on daily basis and that help one get better day after day. Being a TLP student, this portal was one of the best things I banked on for my mains preparation. it is like a mentorship on the go and freely available to one and all. I used to write answers and make a diary of feedback given by fellow aspirants and faculties on daily basis. The goal was to keep in mind that specific feedback next day while writing answers.  It helped me improve on daily basis and seeing myself improve, it made me confident of good outcomes. If coaching is compulsory for working aspirants: Not at all, but guidance is surely required. A good guide and a mentor is sin qua non to success in Upsc examination.   Time Management: How long is it sufficient to prepare for CSE: For an average student who is willing to work hard and is motivated, 12 months are sufficient to be ready to take this exam. How many hours of study: this is quite a common question and quite exaggerated one too but I seriously feel, 6 hours of studies plus an hour of current affairs daily upto 50 days from prelims examination and 10 hours (3 optional + 3 GS + 3 hours of answer writing + 1 hour for self review/ essay/ map work Diagrams for geography optional) is sufficient.  During exam days as well one should study only as much as our mind can retain. NOTE: Number of hours are not important, sticking to a daily plan and finishing what you started is. Time management: can be best learned by setting a 2 and half hours deadline to full length tests for mains. And writing on a daily basis will only help you reach that feat. It is most important to not leave any question in mains examination. Stick to word limits in every question. For working professionals, it is very important to stick to to daily goals and not worry about number of hours one studies. Our daily target of covering certain topics should be met. Make a planner for a week and try to stick to it religiously. Review your plan in 15 days, make amendments and be very disciplined towards your daily targets.   My personal thoughts: Everyday that one does not study or meet his/her targets, deducts 10 ranks from the top(in your mind), charge yourself up to cover up for that lethargy and get back to the goal of this dream opportunity. Stress/personal problems and the rollercoster of emotions: This examination is not just a career option, its a life lesson. To be a better citizen, a balanced individual and an emotionally intelligent human being are some of the other takeaways. Never forget the fact that the fear and stress of failing, losing your job, family and financial issues, lacking motivation for a few days are some of the challenges every single one of us face while preparing, even the toppers, you are not alone and so just like the toppers, you can handle them too. Never let that instinctive voice say to you that you can not clear this examination, and if your inner voice believes in your potential you will keep going. Draw on motivations from your dreams rather than drawing fears out of your dreams. IF you are brave enough to dream of this pristine goal, YOU and only you can achieve it. Say this to your self “My country needs me, if not me, then who else?”. JAI HIND Regards, ABHISHEK KUMAR SINGH