IASbaba's Flagship Course: Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) - 2024  Read Details

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RSTV- The Big Picture : Wombs Not for Rent

Wombs Not for Rent Archives TOPIC: General Studies 1: Social empowerment 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   In News: Union cabinet has given its nod to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, paving way for the regulation of surrogacy by setting up National Surrogacy Board at the centre. The proposed legislation seeks to ensure – Effective regulation of surrogacy Prohibit commercial surrogacy Allows altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian infertile couples Rein in unethical practices so that the exploitation of commercial mothers is stopped National Surrogacy Board: Post its enactment by the Parliament, the National Surrogacy Board will be constituted at the central level, while the states and Union Territories will constitute the State Surrogacy Boards and State Appropriate Authorities within three months of the notification by the Central Government. Note: It will apply to whole of India, except for Jammu and Kashmir. Why is it important? India has emerged a hub for infertility treatment, attracting people from the world over with its state-of-the-art technology and competitive prices initially to treat infertility. With the prevailing socio-economic inequities, underprivileged women found an option to ‘rent their wombs’ and thereby make money to take care of their expenses — often to facilitate a marriage, enable children to get education, or provide for hospitalisation or surgery for someone in the family. The demand also picked up and unscrupulous middle men inveigled themselves into the scene, and the exploitation of women began. Several instances began to emerge and there was an increase in the rate of filing police complaints for – Unethical practices Exploitation of surrogate mothers Abandonment of children born out of surrogacy Rackets of intermediaries importing human embryos and gametes Points of Contention: Surrogacy will only be allowed to Indian couples, who have been married for five years or more, in case one of the partners is infertile. The law not only bans singles and homosexuals from having surrogate children, it also makes it difficult for heterosexual couples with medical indication for surrogacy. The decision to keep live-in partners out of the purview of the bill is indicative of the fact that it is not in consonance with the present day social milieu and is too narrow in its understanding Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees “equality before the law and equal protection of laws to all persons”. Article 21 guarantees “protection of life and personal liberty of all persons”. Restricting conditional surrogacy to married Indian couples and disqualifying others on the basis of nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or age, does not appear to qualify the test of equality and has no connection with the intended objectives of the proposed legislation. The surrogate mother needs to be a close relative of the couple, who has been married and already has a child. Doctors say the law will send surrogacy underground, and there will always be possibilities of blackmail within families. In Indian marital homes, the decision-making power rarely rests with women and not so privileged or financially weak relatives who can be coerced into becoming surrogate mothers with absolutely no bargaining power. No payment of any sort other than medical expenses will be allowed Pregnancy is not a one minute job but a labour of nine months with far reaching implications regarding a woman’s health, her time and her family. It should be a woman’s right to be ‘reasonably and adequately compensated’ for their reproductive labour. Given the patriarchal character of the Indian family, this demanded altruism may reinforce the idea that a woman’s body is not her own. The yardsticks governing domestic altruistic surrogacy will offer an opportunity for corruption and exploitation, pushing surrogacy into unethical hands. It could foster an underground abusive trade in surrogacy. Conclusion: The pursuit of happiness is founded upon autonomy and dignity, and more so when we are talking about ‘women’. The setting up of a national registry of assisted reproductive technology clinics and banks is a good step towards ensuring a creation of a central database and accountability for the actions. Through this, details of these clinics and banks, including the nature and type of services provided by them, can be obtained on a regular basis, and the loopholes could be better managed and plugged. The best safeguards for surrogates would be empowerment rather than relying on the market or the state for protection. Instead of banning commercial surrogacy, the government should work towards Legalizing Regularizing Regulating Connecting the Dots: What are the issues involved with respect to surrogacy? Examine.

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2018 POLITY & CURRENT AFFAIRS [Day 26]

Hello Friends,  The 60 Days Training has finally begun:) Before any competition, there is a preparatory phase. That phase involves a lot of sessions on strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the preparatory phase, the athletes train in a gradual manner. In the last phase, just before the actual competition, the training is done so as to sharpen their skills. This training requires complete focus and dedication. In this phase, the athletes do not try anything new or train in a new fashion rather focus on sharpening of skills, focusing on strength and precision. Similarly, the upcoming 60 days, is like the last phase (training session), just before the actual competition. Here, the focus should be on sharpening the concepts, consolidating the knowledge base and solidifying the learning with loads and loads of revision. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL DETAILS AND SOLVE QUESTIONS

Yojana

YOJANA & KURUKSHETRA Magazine: MARCH 2018

Archives Friends, Here we are with the MARCH 2018, edition of Yojana and Kurukshetra. Yojana/Kurukshetra: MARCH 2018 – Download Download Mind Maps   1. Click Here 2. Click Here 3. Click Here 4. Click Here 5. Click Here 6. Click Here 7. Click Here 8. Click Here 9. Click Here 10. Click Here 11. Click Here

IASbaba's OFFLINE CLASSES-Integrated Learning Programme (ILP)- 2019

  Dear friends, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein In a short period of just 3 years, IASBaba has grown to be a brand of its own. This has been possible because of pure passion, the quality of people at IASbaba, their perseverance, urge to excel and the faith and support that you all have provided. It is nothing sort of a miracle. At IASbaba we have a single guideline before starting any initiative “Can we at IASbaba, do the best in comparison to any existing system, Can we redefine the way things are delivered” Yes, if we are doing a classroom programme, then we would want it to be the best! Most structured and at the same time the one which can bring any ordinary person to UPSC standards in the shortest time. This was the motto with which we started our classes 3 years back. And you can see where IASbaba is today! Every Online and Offline programme of IASBaba is meticulously designed to suit the requirements of UPSC. Why is 60 Day Programme so famous and most trusted? The answer is its QUALITY and its relevance to UPSC Questions and standard. Integrated Learning Programme (ILP) ONLINE– Today it is the number 1 Online Programme that provides the best guidance for not only Prelims but Mains as well. Quality and affordability is it’s USP. Our classroom programme, which is the best programme in terms of quality and largest offline programme in Bangalore is known for imparting individual attention to students. A further testimony to the above has been 60 Day Program, TLP program ILP Program which has now become the biggest online environment for UPSC learning. 120 selections in the span of just two years (2015, 2016) including Ranks, 4, 6 and 9 in TOP 10. Our Hit Ratio in Mains and Prelims- 2017, which is close to 85 % and 70% respectively – How IASbaba was helpful in Mains 2017  and 68+in UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017-How IASbaba Helped One to Get MAINS Call! We have two OFFLINE Class Programme’s conducted by IASbaba - CONNECT TO CONQUER (C2C) and INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMME (ILP) - OFFLINE. Unique features of both the programmes are given below. CONNECT TO CONQUER (C2C): OFFLINE MAINS ANSWER WRITING PROGRAMME   When we started our C2C programme, the intention was very clear and defined. It was solely to focus on answer writing not by merely a named initiative but through imparting true guidance and feedback to all our students on one to one basis. It was to build a strong foundation and in-depth understanding of the subject matter. The programme is nothing short of a SKILL DEVELOPMENT ECOSYSTEM where everything is designed to impart the required skill before you leave the system. No ecosystem works if the ingredients are not properly designed and placed in for the core value building. It is not merely a Test Series where you write and get the review from unknown sources. It is designed to fill the gap of mentorship and guidance at the same time. Since it is Mains Answer Writing, it is expected that students have finished their syllabus at least once and have a basic understanding of Mains as a whole. To reap the dividend of this initiative, it is the core requirement and nothing else. How it differs from others? Students are divided into groups of 15 For every group, a mentor is allotted.Each of the mentor allocated is one high quality The mentor evaluates the answer sheets on an individual basis and sits with you to provide strategic feedback. This process lets you uncover the inherent flaws in your answers. The mentors are hardworking and put extra effort to guide students in all possible ways. They are more like your friend than a teacher. You can reach out to them personally for anything related to preparation. This programme has transformed our students in the following ways With only 2-3 sitting with their mentors, students have understood the nuances of Answer writing. Most of them started off with Ground Zero on Day 1 and now they are able to write good answers From stories and unrelated content to crisp and to the point content in their answers is the reflection of the thought building process that they are undergoing in C2C. The detailed synopsis and discussion with their mentors provide a strong foundational support to them. From inherent fear to attempt a question to attempting them with full confidence and quality is the output that is being worked upon here. In fact, this is the first time anywhere in UPSC coaching an individual mentor is associated with the aspirant. This program is in direct competition and better version of a similar offered and it is offered at HALF the price. Please cross-check with students and make an informed decision. Also, we have heard rumours of competitors wanting to copy this program :) Rather than we boasting about our Offline Classes (unlike other normal institutes which in reality are another way around), you can get the feedback from the horse’s mouth. This is what our students have to say about Connect to Conquer (C2C).   NOTE- C2C Phase-II would be launched immediately after prelims. Details of Phase -II will be announced shortly.   FLAGSHIP OFFLINE PROGRAMME-INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMME 2019- FRESHERS   This program is meant for those who have completed 0% of syllabus yet determined to succeed in the first attempt itself. Our flagship program ILP OFFLINE is designed to help freshers learn from first principles and build strong basics. This approach helped our students solve several confusing/ambiguous questions of Prelims 2017. We believe in smart work. Our classes and materials guide aspirants to get the best results with minimal time and effort. Even working professionals who were regularly attending our weekend classes of ILP Offline 2016-17 have given their interview and are waiting for the results. In line with our tagline – “One Stop Destination for UPSC Preparation”, we have created an ecosystem that would stand true to its name ‘One Stop’ for every student who is part of it. The quality and pedigree of IASbaba faculty is unmatched by UPSC standards. Regarding the quality and importance of ILP OFFLINE 2018 programme, you can hear it from the students themselves. Features of IASbaba’s Offline Classes: Integration of Online Programme with Offline Classes – Offline Classes will be complemented by ILP online program which would contain Babapedia (Current Affairs), Value Added Notes (VAN), Test Series. Duration of the programme will be 15 months. The classes will be conducted keeping all the 3 Stages of the examination (Prelims, Mains, Interview) in mind. All GS papers will be covered before Prelims. Prelims (GS + CSAT) and Mains Tests are incorporated in the programme. The tests will be designed keeping a fresher’s preparation in mind. Accordingly, there will be a gradual increase in the difficulty level of the test. In tune with the demand of UPSC, there will be weekly Current Affairs Classes/Discussions and Test. Motivation and Prelims & Mains Strategy class exclusively by Toppers and Founders. We have the best mentors for the programme who will guide you throughout with the best possible support. Library Facility with WIFI and AC. This is where you get to interact with veterans many of them who are rank holders and accelerate your preparation. (It will be separately charged) Note: Optional guidance for subjects like Public Administration, Geography, Anthropology, Sociology is provided. Kannada Literature Optional Classes are charged separately. Eligibility criterion to Join Offline Classes We do not have “X” criterion of the syllabus that needs to be completed and ‘X’ books to be read to join our programme. An aspirant with Basic English and Aptitude is all we are looking forward to. A FRESHER who has the passion, zeal and perseverance to clear the exam in his/her 1st attempt, one who is honest and dedicated to put in that extra effort can join our Offline Programme. There are many students who are in their final year of graduation who joined the weekend batch and are ready to ace. We believe in the practical transformation of an individual who has no skill and want to assist/impart the required skill in the process. All you need to do is fill the form and wait for our call. If we find you eligible we would offer you the invite! How our Offline Classes differs from others? Since we invite Freshers, the programme starts with strategy classes to make you understand the process of UPSC The first few classes will enable you with the proper understanding of Prelims and Mains. We are not selective in the selection of students to boast about the results later. Rather, we want to be part of the real transformation of a person from ‘Nil-UPSC’ to ‘Nail-UPSC’. The cohort group of students encompass a variety of backgrounds and experience to share with. Few of them are experienced/veterans, have joined the programme keeping aside their ego and ready to learn with a fresher as a fresher to get their basics right. Such a group of students act as a catalyst for others to be competitive ILP 2019 will be integrated with Offline classes. Subjects will be covered through short modules followed by regular tests in the end. This will provide double exercise and benefit to offline students, one through conceptual learning in class and the other through the online setup. There will be regular tests for Prelims and Mains both as per the plan. By the end of this programme: You will understand the importance and meaning of smart work How to analyse an issue and present your answer in line with the demand of the question Write UPSC level answers in mere 3 months into the course. Take a stand on diversified opinion & issues which will help you in your Interview In short, you will come to know, on what it takes to be in the coveted list of successful candidates! There is no wishful thinking or claims of ranks in future. We believe that right work in the right direction will definitely be rewarded. We are expecting good news around the corner with 2017 Results. Wait for the Surprise !! We welcome you to come to Bengaluru, talk to our students about the classes and get their feedback before joining. You can also visit different institutes, compare the programs offered, material provided and make an informed choice. Let us share a story with you: One day, a man was walking with his favourite Horse and the Horse fell into a deep precipice. The man was unable to pull it out no matter how hard he tried. He, therefore, decides to bury it alive. The man started pouring the soil on the horse from above. Every time he poured the soil, the Horse felt the load and shook it off his back. As more and more soil was poured, the Horse felt the load, shook the soil off its back and steps on it. The more the load was poured, the higher it rose. By noon, the Horse was out, grazing in green pastures, with its master. Success is like the Horse mentioned in the story. Are you ready to see the dream transforming into reality? If yes, come and join us with the best minds in UPSC preparation and make history!! ***Details will be shared on 7th April with the Registration Form***

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 4th April 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 4th April 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India and Nepal to jointly lay 900 MW Hydropower Project Part of: Mains GS Paper II- International relations Key pointers: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart KP Sharma Oli will jointly lay the foundation stone of the 900 MW Arun III hydropower project. The foundation stone of the hydroelectricity project will be laid in Sankhuwasabha district of eastern Nepal. The power project has been developed by Sutlej Jala Vidhyut Nigam (SJVN), an Indian state-run utility. This is the largest hydroelectric project undertaken by the India government in Nepal and it gained momentum after Modi came to power in 2014. India will provide a total of $ 1.5 billion for the project which is being constructed on the build, operate, own and transfer ( BOOT) model. Article link: Click here NAM Conference, Azerbaijan Part of: Mains GS Paper II- International relations Key pointers: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj has embarked a three-day official visit to Azerbaijan's capital city Baku to participate in Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Conference. The NAM Mid-Term Ministerial Conference will be held in Baku on 5-6 April under the theme of "Promoting international peace and security for sustainable development". India and Azerbaijan: During the visit, EAM will hold bilateral consultations with her Azerbaijani counterpart. The two sides will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. India and Azerbaijan enjoy warm and friendly relations based on historical and cultural ties. They have growing bilateral cooperation in many areas including energy, transportation, and capacity building. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Introduction: Financial inclusion has been recognised as a key building block which will form the foundation for achieving several of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As a construct, it provides much more than access to financial services. Steps taken in promoting financial inclusion: The first step towards achieving financial inclusion was to begin with providing a bank account to a majority of our population. This was enabled through the Jan Dhan Yojana under which the government has opened over 30 crore accounts with almost 60 per cent being in rural areas. Importantly, the zero balance accounts amongst these have declined from 77 per cent in 2014 to 20 per cent nowshowing that the government has been successful in getting unbanked people to actively use it. Part of this has been driven through the linking of Aadhaar and doing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to these Jan Dhan accounts. The next step was to create an infrastructure which could handle all aspects of servicing such a large segment of the population. A multitude of solutions, be it UPI, BHIM, NeSL and BBPS amongst others have been created. Progress: All the above changes have started showing results. About a month ago, Crisil disclosed the findings of its Inclusix financial inclusion index for FY2016 reporting an improvement in the overall score for India. The index gives us a rough indicator of how we have accelerated the path to financial inclusion in the last few years. The score has moved from 50 in FY2013 to 58 in FY2016 and would have been much higher at 62 this year, were it not for the re-basing and inclusion of insurance data. More needs to be done: Despite the improvement, credit penetration remains low at 56 per cent compared with 78 per cent deposit penetration. By providing bank accounts and establishing the requisite infrastructure, the government has created a strong foundation and ensured the availability of the bare minimum. . It now needs to gear up for the next stage in this evolution. Way ahead: Democratisation of credit: Availability of credit remains a major roadblock for a vast majority of the population. The biggest deterrent to resolving this has been the lack of tangible data points, which can help the credit bureaus put together better underwriting models for these unbanked customers. This problem is now slowly being resolved as these bank accounts are linked to Aadhaar providing a consistent flow of payments data, an increasingly important parameter whilst underwriting individual credit. Financialisation of savings: The last couple of years have seen intensive flows into investment avenues like mutual funds. The challenge will now be to translate this model to the bottom of the pyramid. However, a one-size-fits-all approach will not work here. With the investible surplus being much lower for this segment, innovation will hold the key in designing products which are suitable for this segment. Promoting financial literacy: Increasingly enhancing financial literacy across society is critical for the success of any other inititatives for financial inclusion. This needs to be achieved across all age groups, for the younger populace through school education and through special programmes for the adult population. A financially literate society makes the job of financial inclusion that much easier. Conclusion: A lot of efforts have been put in creating widespread access and the infrastructure backbone. The next steps mentioned above requires concerted efforts, not just by the government but equally importantly by the regulators and the financial services participants. Connecting the dots: India has come far ahead in its path of financial inclusion. The next steps to achieve the goal should be- democratisation of credit, financialisation of savings and promoting financial literacy. Discuss. NATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 1: Effects of Globalization on Indian Society; Urbanization and related issues General studies 2: Important aspects of governance and e-governance Issues regarding services relating to Health, Education, Human Resource Improving public spaces in India Introduction: Public spaces are defined by UN-Habitat as “all places, including streets, publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive”. Public spaces yields benefits of greater inclusion, safety, democratic engagement, quality of life, gender parity and economic returns. Sustainable Development Goal 11, sustainable cities and communities, focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by providing “universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces”. Sorry state of public spaces in India: A study on public spaces in Mumbai highlights that merely 1.28 sq. m of the city’s public space is available per person whereas all major global cities provide healthy public space: for instance, London (31.68 sq. m), New York (26.4), and Chicago (17.6). There is a growing and palpable demand that India should expedite its efforts on the availability of, and access to, public spaces. Issue: The real problem lies in identifying the policies that could achieve the desirable level of public space. In 2015, UN-Habitat also launched the “Global Public Space Toolkit: From Global Principles To Local Policies and Practice”. However, the trouble lies in picking practical, actionable and realistic policy measures and replicating them as per the Indian local context. What needs to be done? Cities should direct meaningful focus and resources towards non-motorized transport (NMT). Cities can identify key markets, bustling roads and transport junctions and only allow non-motorized transport during one day of the week. This will unleash the humanist element of our cities, where people would gather, but without the symbol of exclusivity and private space—automobiles. The city administration can identify streets, sidewalks, neighbourhoods, marketplaces and places of historical importance, and allocate them for cultural expression. Reviving the cultural scene can usher gains in tourism, social cohesion, and liveliness. The state and local governments should work on leveraging privately-owned public spaces (POPS), also referred to as pseudo-public spaces. These are owned and managed privately but provide access to the public. Shopping malls are an example of such spaces. Private neighbourhoods should be encouraged by municipalities to adopt nearby public spaces. This could be a win-win situation, since there is evidence that well-managed and planned public spaces bolster the prices of nearby residential neighbourhoods. We need to rejuvenate the existing inventory of public spaces- parks, beaches, historical landmarks, places of worship, and centuries-old architecture. Indian public spaces can be revived if the government addresses the four basic needs of infrastructure, hygiene, security, and accessibility. Cities should target the conversion of old infrastructure, wastelands, landfills and other such places into public places. Such a move will minimize the cost of developing a new public space. This effort should also involve reversing the encroachment of city water bodies such as ponds, beaches, mangroves and seafronts. Conclusion: With the above mentioned measures, the state of public spaces in Indian cities can be improved. These measures provide early and easy gains on the issue of public spaces in Indian cities. Connecting the dots: Discuss the importance of improving public spaces in India. Also suggests ways to do so. MUST READ The data sets stack up The Hindu Fair justice The Hindu Dangers of the 'lynch mob' mentality Business Line River of discontent Business Line

IASbaba’s Bimonthly Gist of Economic and Political Weekly (EPW)- Edition 8

Hello Friends,  Continuing our effort towards right guidance and quality coverage to assist you in all possible ways, we are glad to introduce this new initiative where Frontline, IDSA and Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) will be covered considering the relevance of UPSC Examination. This initiative will also help you in Essay, Sociology and PSIR Optional as well. This is the Eighth edition of Economic and Political Weekly (EPW)- Bimonthly Magazine. Hope you all like it  DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2018 POLITY & CURRENT AFFAIRS [Day 25]

Hello Friends,  The 60 Days Training has finally begun:) Before any competition, there is a preparatory phase. That phase involves a lot of sessions on strengths and weaknesses. Throughout the preparatory phase, the athletes train in a gradual manner. In the last phase, just before the actual competition, the training is done so as to sharpen their skills. This training requires complete focus and dedication. In this phase, the athletes do not try anything new or train in a new fashion rather focus on sharpening of skills, focusing on strength and precision. Similarly, the upcoming 60 days, is like the last phase (training session), just before the actual competition. Here, the focus should be on sharpening the concepts, consolidating the knowledge base and solidifying the learning with loads and loads of revision. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL DETAILS AND SOLVE QUESTIONS

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 3rd April 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 3rd April 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Softbank and China's Joint Solar Venture to come up in India Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Energy security, Infrastructure Key pointers: Japan’s SoftBank Group has signed an agreement with China’s Golden Concord Group Ltd (GCL) to set up a joint venture firm with a $930-million investment. The JV firm will manufacture and sell solar equipment in India. The firm, which intends to work on the photovoltaic (PV) technology that is used in solar panels, will manufacture PV ingots, wafers, batteries and component. Softbank Investment Advisors will fund the project through its Softbank Vision Fund, which is the world’s largest technology investment fund, with backing from Apple, Foxconn and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund among others. Background: In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set a target of achieving 100 GW of solar power by 2022, out of the total 175 GW of electricity the country intends to produce from renewable. This was termed as the world’s largest renewable energy expansion programme. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC : General Studies 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social sector or Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. What happened? Question papers for few subjects of Class 10 and Class 12 board exams were leaked recently. The lowest moment in the 55-year-old existence of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is ongoing. Background: The CBSE has assiduously built a great reputation since 1962 as one of the most credible examining bodies in the world. Its reputation and conduct explains its expansion from a body that catered initially to the educational needs of students, whose parents were employed in the central government and had transferable jobs, to an agency that has 19,350 schools in India and 211 schools abroad under its ambit. The use of NCERT’s standardised syllabus and globally acceptable grade point system have enhanced the board’s reputation. Today, it conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which determines admission to IITs and other top engineering colleges. Issue: The sacred thread that binds a student, her faith in examinations and the fairness with which it is conducted, can never be traded. If question papers are leaked, the children feel deeply cheated by the system as they see the perpetrators benefiting either a small or a large group from amongst them and gaining an unfair advantage over the others. Children and parents invest everything when the examinations are a major event in a student’s life. Immediate remedy: As per the Board, In the case of Class 12 Economics paper, a repeat examination is to be held throughout the country while the re-examination of the Class 10 Maths paper is being limited to only Delhi, NCR and Haryana. Repeat examinations should be held within a week’s time in order to mollify the children’s examination trauma and better plan the future. Holding it a month or two later would subject them to great stress. Besides, there are several other tests leading to professional studies, all in the months of May and June. We need student-centric solutions. Making them administrator-centric or even technology-centric can be counterproductive and unfair to say the least. Way ahead: Preventing leakage: There are some age-old methods to prevent such occurrences like: Setting multiple papers by unrelated examiners from different places. Using encrypted codes. Using special sealing techniques, which when broken leave a trail. Pro-actively substituting a paper at the hint of trouble and so on. Setting multiple papers stored at two to three locations and changing the paper sets at the last minute as a practice. Judiciously avoiding paper setters and examiners who either coach at home or outside for a fee. Using hexa-decimal mnemonics randomly generated to code and encrypt the papers. Bar coding and use of light-sensitive paints that leave a tamper trail. All this requires training and a greater understanding of the art of paper setting so that the level of difficulty of each set of papers is assuredly similar. Using technology: The use of technology where paper sets reach various centres through the Internet and are only made available through an encrypted code a few minutes before the examination. The requirement for a robust internet system and sufficient bandwidth would be a non-negotiable for the success of this practise. A significant reform would be to re-look at the entire paradigm of examinations and assess if the whole or a part of the process can be completely engaged as a proctored online event in the future, as the IT infrastructure ramps up. Granting autonomy to the CBSE: The CBSE is not created by an act of Parliament. Its overall controlling authority is vested with the Secretary, School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. The Board is answerable to its governing body and functions through various committees that are advisory in nature. A proposal to make the CBSE autonomous, with a pan-India jurisdiction covering schools affiliated to it, was mooted in 2012. But this piece of legislation never saw the light of Parliament. If we need a credible system in place, making the CBSE an autonomous body, headed by eminent academics of impeccable reputation and track record, is of utmost importance. Conclusion: As the CBSE focuses on the next step, the agency should not lose sight of the task of fixing accountability. This concerns the lives of students who are the future of this country. Nobody should be allowed to trivialise this. Connecting the dots: Recent CBSE board exams paper leakage raises questions regarding credibility of the examination system in India. Suggest measures to avoid occurrence of such incidents in future. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC : General Studies 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. 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 Introduction: U.S. President Donald Trump and the North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un are planning a summit in May which according to Mr. Trump could lead to “the greatest deal in the world”. This will be the first summit meeting between the U.S. and North Korea. Korea, caught between China, Japan, Russia and America, the Korean Peninsula has been a plaything of the great powers. But since the beginning of this year ,the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the South Korean president Moon Jae- have repeatedly surprised the world with their diplomacy across the divided peninsula. Recent timeline: Since 2011 when Mr. Kim took over, North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests; the first two were conducted in 2006 and 2009. The sixth test, last September, had a yield more than six times the Hiroshima bomb. In his New Year address, Mr. Kim conveyed two messages — that the entire U.S. was within range and the nuclear button was on his table, and that he was open to dialogue with Seoul. South Korea responded positively and reaffirmed willingness to talk with North Korea at any time and anywhere. In early March, a South Korean delegation visited Pyongyang to explore the idea of talks. China and North Korea: China has long been North Korea’s political ally and economic lifeline, accounting for 90% of North Korea’s foreign trade. It has often resisted tightening of sanctions that could lead to the collapse of the regime. Relations between the two countries have soured since 2013. Missile tests when China was hosting the G20 summit in 2016 and the Belt and Road Forum in 2017 together with a nuclear test during the BRICS summit in 2017 were embarrassments for China. As sanctions tightened under successive UN Security Council resolutions, North Korea blamed China for ‘dancing to the tune’ of the U.S. However, Mr. Kim realises that he needs help to handle U.S. pressure. His China visit acknowledges Mr. Xi’s extension in power beyond 2022; and for China, it reflects its pivotal role in any negotiations regarding North Korea. Reconciling objectives: Mr. Kim’s objectives are clear — securing regime legitimacy, regime security and sanctions relief. A summit with Mr. Trump provides legitimacy as long as it begins a dialogue process leading towards diplomatic recognition. Way ahead: Having achieved a certain threshold in its nuclear and missile capabilities, North Korea can afford a pause in testing in return for sanctions relief. For ‘denuclearisation’ to happen, a long-drawn process involving discussions regarding the U.S. nuclear umbrella for South Korea will be required. South Korea would like to ensure that it has a veto over U.S. decisions regarding North Korea and gaining operational control over its own military forces, both of which will require protracted negotiations. North Korea’s aggressive testing provided justification for the deployment of the THAAD missile defence system aggravating Chinese concerns. China would prefer lowering tensions though it is in no hurry to see Korean unification. Indian context: India should stop being a passive observer of the Korean geopolitical theatre. While Delhi is in no position to influence the outcomes in the current diplomacy, a more active engagement with the leadership of the two Koreas would better prepare India for potential historic changes in the region. The importance of effective neighbourhood diplomacy- Kim and Moon have shown that relaxation of tensions between North and South can give both of them a greater say in regional affairs. If it makes creative moves in the neighbourhood, Delhi could find it a bit easier to cope with the penetration of rival powers into the Subcontinent. Conclusion: Major compromises will be needed for reconciling interests of all the key players for the high stakes summitry on the Korean peninsula to succeed. The success as of now hinges on multiple factors. Connecting the dots: The recent developments in Koran peninsula is a welcome change. Discuss. 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MindMaps

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Wastewater Management

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Wastewater Management Archives NOTE – Instructions to download Mind Maps/Images Right Click on the image and ‘Open in a new tab’ Remove/Delete the resolution part from the URl. Eg. “-1024×869” and Press Enter/Load Again Afterwards the URL will look something like this – “iasbaba.com/…./…/..-IASbaba.jpg” Right Click and Save As/Download (You’ll get the maximum resolution)