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Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th March 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 13th March 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Citizens protest against threat to use Official Secrets Act Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Government schemes and policies; Fundamental Rights; Freedom of Press In news: Eminent personalities across different fields staged a protest and criticised the Central government for threatening to act against N. Ram, Chairman, The Hindu group of publications, and The Hindu for publishing investigative stories surrounding the controversies over the Rafale deal. The Centre had recently threatened to book The Hindu and others under the Official Secrets Act for publishing stories based on Defence Ministry documents. Note: For more about Official Secrets Act, read today’s editorial section. (covered below) Thakurani Jatra festival Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I – Indian Heritage and Culture Key pointers: Thakurani Jatra festival - famous biennial festival celebrated in Odisha’s Berhampur. It includes hoisting of the holy mast or ‘shubha khunti’. Goddess Budhi Thakurani - traditional deity of silk handloom weavers or the Dera community of Berhampur. As homage to the goddess, people of all ages, including children and the elderly, transform themselves into various characters from Indian mythology through body painting. The number of devotees in the garb of mythological characters increase towards the last days of the festival. Hundreds of them come out in processions with different themes making the city colourful. Guided rocket system ‘Pinaka’ Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III –Defence and Security related issues; Missiles and technology In news: DRDO successfully tested-fired the indigenously developed guided rocket system ‘Pinaka’ at Pokhran in Rajasthan. This was the third test conducted by the DRDO. All the three trials were able to meet the mission objectives. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/46038559.cms About Pinaka: It is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 40 km for Mark-I and 75 km for Mark-II,and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralizing enemy positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers. As of 2014, about 5,000 missiles are being produced every year while an advanced variant is under development with enhanced range and accuracy. Animal in news: Starry dwarf frog Part of: Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Animal conservation In news: A “secretive” new species of frog has been discovered on the forest floor in India’s Western Ghat mountain range. Dubbed the Starry dwarf frog after the markings on its dark brown back, Astrobatrachus kurichiyana has an orange underbelly and is just 2cm in length. It has named as Astrobatrachus kurichiyana (genus Astrobatrachus after its starry spots and kurichiyana in honour of the Kurichiya tribal community who live in the area). The frog, whose closest relatives are a group of species native to India and Sri Lanka, is the only member of an ancient lineage dating back millions of years, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. It is unclear yet whether the species descended from African or Asian frogs. Genetic testing and a closer look at its shape, colouring and other features have revealed that it does not match any existing species. Genetic analysis reveal that the species is at least 60 million years old. Miscellaneous: DGCA bars Boeing 737 MAX 8 after global alarm In news: India grounded all Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft “immediately.” The move came after European aviation regulator EASA, the U.K, France, Germany, Australia and Singapore joined a growing number of countries that have barred the aircraft from their airspace following the recent crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane. These planes will be grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken. Do you know? After last year october’s Lion Air crash in Indonesia, investigators said the pilots had appeared to struggle with an automated system designed to keep the plane from stalling, a new feature of the jet. Anti-stall system may be the problem along with other technical issues or human error. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL/SECURITY TOPIC: General studies 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests India and the World ; India and its neighborhood- relations. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. General studies 3: Role of external state and nonstate actors in creating challenges to internal security. Security challenges and their management in border areas; Next steps for Indian diplomacy Context: In the immediate aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack and then the Indian Air Force strike in Balakot, the government has been garnering international support for its case against Pakistan and the need to take direct action against groups there. The below are the next steps for Indian diplomacy: India should focus on keeping the pressure going on Pakistan. It should work to ensure that Masood Azhar is listed as a terrorist by the UNSC. It should work with the Financial Action Task Force [FATF] to keep the lens on terror financing and choking off support that groups like the JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba [LeT] receive in Pakistan.   India should repeatedly raise the Azhar issue with the Chinese government. Core focus should be to ensure Pakistan end cross-border terror. Therefore, India cannot afford to lose focus on that. Garnering support from international community After the Pulwama attack, almost all major nations recognised India’s right to protect itself and take action to prevent terror attacks on its soil wherever it is needed. Three Security Council members led by France have taken up the listing of Azhar at the UNSC 1267 Committee again, and the case on terror funding at the FATF. (Welcome move) International community has affirmed India’s right to protect its citizens from attacks planned across its borders. (That is a net gain.) China’s position China expects enough information to list Azhar and it does take Pakistan’s interests into account.  However, China’s objections are not insurmountable. India was able to bring China around to placing Pakistan on the FATF’s ‘grey list’ by being transactional about it. India’s approach must be to work slowly on China to align itself on terror with our concerns, and then for it to move Pakistan in the direction we want it to go. Like many countries (the U.S., Saudi Arabia and the UAE) which supported India and conveyed to Pakistan that it needs to crack down on terror groups there. India must also hope that China will do the same. China does not wish to be isolated from the rest of the world, especially on the issue of terror. Conclusion: Indian government holds the view that talks and terror don’t go together. As witness in 2016 and 2019, it is willing to take action against those terror groups directly if Pakistan refuses to. Therefore, Pakistan is left with only one choice if it wishes to avoid more such action: to stop the terrorist groups there. Connecting the dots: What strategy should India adopt in order to deal with proxy-wars from the neighbouring countries? NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Fundamental Rights and Freedom of Press To serve the governed: on Official Secrets Act Context: Recently in the Supreme Court, the government threatened to invoke the Official Secrets Act against two publications that had run reports on the Rafale deal, on the basis of documents which, the government claimed, had been stolen from the Defence Ministry. About Official Secrets Act (OSA) Official Secrets Act (OSA) has its roots in the British colonial era. The original version was The Indian Official Secrets Act (Act XIV), 1889. This was brought in with the main objective of muzzling the voice of a large number of newspapers that had come up in several languages, and were opposing the Raj’s policies, building political consciousness and facing police crackdowns and prison terms. It was amended and made more stringent in the form of The Indian Official Secrets Act, 1904, during Lord Curzon’s tenure as Viceroy of India. In 1923, a newer version was notified. The Indian Official Secrets Act (Act No XIX of 1923) was extended to all matters of secrecy and confidentiality in governance in the country. OSA mainly deals with spying or espionage OSA broadly deals with two aspects — spying or espionage, covered under Section 3, and disclosure of other secret information of the government, under Section 5. Secret information can be any official code, password, sketch, plan, model, article, note, document or information. Under Section 5, both the person communicating the information, and the person receiving the information, can be punished. It is the government’s discretion to decide what falls under the ambit of a “secret” document to be charged under OSA. It has often been argued that the law is in direct conflict with the Right to Information Act, 2005. RTI Act and OCA Between the RTI Act and OSA, RTI Act has its primacy. Section 22 of the RTI Act provides for its primacy vis-a-vis provisions of other laws, including OSA. This gives the RTI Act an overriding effect, notwithstanding anything inconsistent with the provisions of OSA. So if there is any inconsistency in OSA with regard to furnishing of information, it will be superseded by the RTI Act. However, under Sections 8 and 9 of the RTI Act, the government can refuse information. Effectively, if government classifies a document as “secret” under OSA Clause 6, that document can be kept outside the ambit of the RTI Act, and the government can invoke Sections 8 or 9. (Legal experts see this as a loophole) Do you know: Major instances when OSA has been invoked One of the oldest and longest criminal trials involving OSA is the 1985 Coomar Narain spy case. Twelve former staff members in the Prime Minister’s Office and Rashtrapati Bhavan Secretariat were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in 2002. They were found guilty of entering into a criminal conspiracy with officials of the French, Polish and German embassies, communicating secret official codes, classified documents and information pertaining to defence, shipping, transport, finance, planning, and R&AW and Intelligent Bureau reports. The other high-profile case was the ISRO spy case targeting scientist S Nambi Narayan. Before his recent acquittal, he had faced a criminal trial under OSA, and was accused of passing on rocket and cryogenic technology to Pakistan for illegal gratification. In another high-profile case, then Kashmir Times journalist Iftikhar Gilani was arrested in 2002 and charged under OSA. Madhuri Gupta case The most recent conviction under OSA came in 2018, when a Delhi court sentenced former diplomat Madhuri Gupta, who had served at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, to three years in jail for passing on sensitive information to the ISI. Past effort to change provisions of OSA In 1971, the Law Commission observed that “it agrees with the contention” that “merely because a circular is marked secret or confidential, it should not attract the provisions of the Act, if the publication thereof is in the interest of the public and no question of national emergency and interest of the State as such arises”. The Law Commission, however, did not recommend any changes to the Act. In 2006, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) recommended that OSA be repealed, and replaced with a chapter in the National Security Act containing provisions relating to official secrets. Observing that OSA was “incongruous with the regime of transparency in a democratic society”, the ARC referred to the 1971 Law Commission report that had called for an “umbrella Act” to be passed to bring together all laws relating to national security. In 2015, the present government set up a committee to look into provisions of the OSA in light of the RTI Act. It submitted its report to the Cabinet Secretariat on June 16, 2017, recommending that OSA be made more transparent and in line with the RTI Act. Concern over Official Secret Act: It is against the Constitutional Freedom to Use and Publicise information (Article 19) Arbitrary discretionary powers: It is the government’s discretion to decide what falls under the ambit of a “secret” document to be charged under OSA. Press, which is considered as the 4th pillar of the governance, had played effective role in cases such as irregularities in Bofors defence deal (during 1980s); 2016 Panama Papers leaks etc. OSA might curb its effective role. Conflict with RTI Act, 2005: As RTI is for transparency whereas OSA is for confidentiality, it gives rise to opacity. Chances of Misuse in Name of National Security: Governments is being accused for misusing the law against journalists and whistleblowers. For instance, ISRO spy case which targeted scientist S Nambi Narayanan. There is high chance of misuse the act by corrupt officials in name of national security. Conclusion: As suggested by 2nd ARC, OSA must be replead and should replaced by a National Security Act where “Security” must be defined objectively so that it cannot be misused. If government is indeed for the people, it has a solemn obligation to keep the people well informed. Connecting the dots: Do you think Official Secrets Act (OSA) should be repealed from our statute books? Critically examine whether the Act has become archaic and irrelevant in recent times. The Official Secrets Act has no place in a democracy. Critically comment. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements Pinaka is Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher developed by DRDO INSAS is a small satellite developed by ISRO Nag is an antitank missile Select the correct statement/s 1 and 3 2 and 3 1 and 2 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) The rise of extremism in India is said to believe to be the reactionary rule of Lord Curzon. Which of the following is associated with him? Division of Bengal Educational reforms The Sedition Act and the Official Secrets Act Rowlatt Act Choose the correct code: 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 1, 3 and 4 Q.3) Thakurani Jatra festival is celebrated in – Assam Telangana Sikkim Odisha MUST READ In the pursuit of four freedoms The Hindu Final showdown: on IS The Hindu A time for her story Indian Express Secrets are not sacred Indian Express The reason India jobs data is not credible Livemint Why the nexus between Pakistan and terrorists persists Livemint

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th March 2019

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 12th March 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) 10% economic reservation law Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social/Welfare issue; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population In news: Supreme Court decided to consider the question of whether the challenge to the 10% economic reservation law should be heard by a Constitution Bench.   The court refused to pass any interim order to stay or hamper the implementation of the Constitution (103rd Amendment) Act that provides for 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions to the economically backward in the unreserved category.   The 10% economic reservation law was considered (by the petitioners) to be violating the basic features of the Constitution.  50% quota limit was part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution and the new amendment tinkered with it. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/03/12/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_01/50ea3011_2793288_101_mr.jpg Animal in news: Wood snake Part of: Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Animal conservation In news: A species of wood snake that wasn’t seen for 140 years has resurfaced in a survey conducted by scientists in the Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The species is endemic to the Meghamalai forests and the Periyar Tiger Reserve landscape. (Tamil Nadu) Do you know? The local population of wood snakes was last spotted and recorded by British military officer and naturalist Colonel Richard Henry Beddome in 1878, who went on to describe it as a new species, Xylophis indicus. The rediscovery of the snake indicated that the quality of the habitat was good. The documentation of the existence of this species will aid in both the management and conservation of biodiversity in this region. ‘Sirsi Supari’ gets GI tag Part of: GS Prelims – Indian Economy and development In news: For the first time in the arecanut sector, ‘Sirsi Supari’ grown in Uttara Kannada has received the GI tag. It is cultivated in Yellapura, Siddapura and Sirsi taluks of Karnataka. Its GI number is 464. The arecanut grown in these taluks have unique features like a round and flattened coin shape, particular texture, size, cross-sectional views, taste, etc. These features are not seen in arecanut grown in any other regions. Important value additions: Geographical Indication According to the World Intellectual Property Rights, “Geographical Indication is the sign used on the products that have specific geographical origin and posses’ reputation and some qualities that are due to the origin.” In India Geographical Indication tag is governed by the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registry and Protection) Act of 1999. About GI Act, 1999: GIs indicate goods as originating in a specific geographical region, the characteristics, qualities or reputation thereof essentially attributable to such region. Complying with the World Trade Organisation-Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (WTO-TRIPS) obligations, India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) and has set up a registry in Chennai to register such names. Covering agricultural goods, manufactured and natural goods, textiles, handicrafts and foodstuffs, the GI Registry’s website lists popular GIs like Basmati rice, Darjeeling tea and Pashmina shawls etc. Do you know? Darjeeling tea became the first product to get this tag in 2005. The Pashmina from Kashmir, Nagpur mangoes, Madhubani paintings of Bihar, are some of the examples. Early Harappan ritual site: Khatiya village of Kutch Part of: GS Prelims and Mains I – Indian Heritage and Culture, History In news: Archaeologists unearthed several skeletal remains from a cemetery-like burial site at Khatiya village of Kutch. The rectangular graves, each of varying dimensions and assembled using stones, contained skeletons that were placed in a specific manner. They were oriented east-west with the heads positioned on the eastern side. Next to the legs on the western side, the archaeologists found earthen pots and pottery shards and other artefacts, including conch-shell bangles, beads made of stones and terracotta, numerous lithic tools and grinding stones. The discovery shed light on the custom and burial rituals that were prevalent during the early Harappan phase. India is world’s 2nd largest arms importer Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Defence and Security issues In news: According to the latest report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) – India was the world’s second largest arms importer from 2014-18. India was accounted for 9.5% of the global total. Russia accounted for 58% of Indian arms imports in 2014–18, compared with 76% in 2009-13. Israel, the U.S. and France all increased their arms exports to India in 2014-18. However, the Russian share in Indian imports is likely to sharply go up for the next five-year period as India signed several big-ticket deals recently, and more are in the pipeline. India-Russia defence ties – S-400 air defence systems Four stealth frigates AK-203 assault rifles a second nuclear attack submarine on lease (Akula class) Kamov-226T utility helicopters Mi-17 helicopters Short-range air defence systems etc. Do you know? Despite the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan, arms imports decreased for both countries in 2014-18 compared with 2009-13. Pakistan stood at the 11th position accounting for 2.7% of all global imports. (Its biggest source was China, from which 70% of arms were sourced, followed by the U.S. at 8.9% and Russia at 6%.) The five largest exporters in 2014-18 were the United States, Russia, France, Germany and China together accounting for 75% of the total volume of arms exports in 2014-18. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/03/12/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_10/62aab5fa_2791973_101_mr.jpg India discusses terror with 4 countries Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the World; International Relations; Security related issues In news: India held crucial discussions with Saudi Arabia, United States, Turkey and the UAE on countering Pakistan-based terror groups. India reiterated its position that terrorism “remains one of the gravest threats to global peace and security”. India asked for a united front against terrorism (during its appearance as a “Guest of Honour” at the recent ministerial of the OIC)   Meanwhile, China is still reluctant on listing Azhar. Beijing has thrice blocked efforts to label him a ‘terrorist’. India ranks 11th in gold holding In news: India, which is the world’s largest consumer of gold, has the 11th largest gold reserve, with the current holding pegged at 607 tonnes, as per the latest report by the World Gold Council (WGC). Do you know? India’s overall position in terms of total gold holding would have been tenth had the list included only countries. Since IMF is included in the list, India stands at 11th (IMF stands 3rd with total gold reserves of 2,814 tonnes) US ranks 1st (8,133.5 tonnes) followed by Germany with 3,369.7 tonnes. Meanwhile, among Asian countries, China and Japan have more reserves of the precious metal when compared to India. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/03/12/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_14/8de11abe_2791914_101_mr.jpg WHO strategy to fight flu pandemics Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Health issues; Role of International Organizations - WHO In news: The World Health Organization launched a strategy to protect people worldwide over the next decade against the threat of influenza, warning that new pandemics are “inevitable”. Influenza epidemics, largely seasonal, affect around one billion people and kill hundreds of thousands annually, according to WHO, which describes it as one of the world’s greatest public health challenges. WHO’s strategy WHO’s new strategy, for 2019 through 2030, aims to prevent seasonal influenza, control the virus’s spread from animals to humans and prepare for the next pandemic. The new strategy called for every country to strengthen routine health programmes and to develop tailor-made influenza programmes that strengthen disease surveillance, response, prevention, control, and preparedness. WHO recommends annual flu vaccines as the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease, especially for healthcare workers and people at higher risk of influenza complications. It also called for the development of more effective and more accessible vaccines and antiviral treatments. Due to its mutating strains, vaccine formulas must be regularly updated and only offer limited protection currently. Indians face age-related issues earlier than Swiss Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Health issues In news: People living in India experience the health problems associated with ageing at an early stage than those living in Japan or Switzerland, according to a first-of-its-kind study published in The Lancet Public Health. People living in India experience age-related health problems sooner than other countries. Age-related health problems can lead to early retirement, a smaller workforce, and higher health spending. Government leaders and other stakeholders influencing health systems need to consider when people begin suffering the negative effects of ageing. These negative effects include impaired functions and loss of physical, mental, and cognitive abilities resulting from the 92 conditions analysed, five of which are communicable and 81 non-communicable, along with six injuries. UN Environment Assembly: Focus is on Plastic Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Plastic pollution Key pointers: UN Environment Assembly is the top annual forum on the planet’s environmental crisis. Countries from around the world set their sights on a pivotal deal to curb plastic waste. The UN environment forum was held in Nairobi. The UN wants individual countries to sign up to “significantly” reduce plastic production, including a phasing out of single-use plastics by 2030 — a goal inspired by the 2015 Paris Agreement on voluntary reductions of carbon emissions. Do you know? The world currently produces more than 300 million tonnes of plastics annually, and there are at least five trillion plastic pieces floating in our oceans. Microplastics have been found in the deepest sea trenches and high up the earth’s tallest peaks, and plastic consumption is growing year-on-year. About UN Environment Assembly The UN Environment Assembly has the universal membership of all 193 UN Member States and the full involvement of UN organizations, specialized agencies, inter-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector. In bringing together these varied communities, the Assembly provides a groundbreaking platform for leadership on global environmental policy. Latest Environment Assembly took place in Nairobi, Kenya. DEFENCE/TECHNOLOGY TOPIC: General Studies 2 and 3 Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability Security challenges and their management in border areas Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Indigenous Defence Development Context: Recently, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1, received its long-awaited Final Operational Clearance (combat-ready and can be exploited to the limits). However, a day later, came a rather unwelcome report: a DRDO announcement of its decision to shelve the Kaveri turbo-jet engine project. Do you know? Kaveri engine is supposed to power LCA-Tejas, which is currently powered by US manufactured GE-F404 engine. Two developments are of significance, for India's national security as well as its moribund aeronautical industry. India’s dependence on technology Historically, all major aerospace powers have possessed the capability to design airframes as well as power-plants. Until India can design and produce its own aero-engines, the performance and capabilities of any indigenously designed/built aircraft will be seriously limited by the technology that we are permitted to import. India has already had two bitter experiences in this regard. For example, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s sleek and elegant HF-24 Marut fighter, of the 1960s and 1970s, failed to achieve its huge potential as a supersonic fighter for want of a suitable engine. Similarly, many of the problems the Tejas faced emanate from lack of engine thrust. Even as the Kaveri has failed to make an appearance, U.S.-made alternatives such as the General Electric F-404 engine, or even the more powerful F-414, do not deliver adequate thrust for the Tejas Mk 1, to meet all its missions. For the Tejas Mk I, Mk II, the LCA Navy, and other aircraft programmes such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India will need turbo-jet engines of even greater thrust. Need for Indigenous Aircraft Industry It is vital for India to develop a family of homegrown jet engines to power indigenous combat aircraft as well as re-engine imported ones. In this context, it is necessary to recognise that both the Tejas and Kaveri projects — which have seen more than their share of headwinds and uncertainty — form key components of India’s technological aspirations. Unless carefully guided, protected and nurtured, their failure could spell the end of India’s aeronautical industry, or condemn it forever to licensed production. A long production run of, say, 250-300 aircraft for the Tejas and its advanced derivatives is essential if the industry is to hone its design and production skills. Conclusion: It is still not too late for the government to declare both these projects as ‘national missions’ and initiate urgent remedial actions. The success of both the Kaveri and Tejas programmes will transform the aerospace scene, and put India in the front ranks of aeronautical nations, perhaps even ahead of China, if the desired degree of resolve and professional rigour can be brought to the fore. If we miss this opportunity, we will remain abjectly import-dependent forever in this vital area. Connecting the dots: Does India’s Defence Procurement Policy give impetus to indigenisation? Critically examine. (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) Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is responsible for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) relating to Geographical Indication of goods Copyrights Semiconductor integrated circuits’ layout design Select the correct code: 1 and 2 Only 2 2 and 3 All of the above Q.2) Which of the following statements are true regarding the GI tag? GI tags are given on the basis of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. A GI tag connects the quality and authenticity of a given product to a particular geographical origin, thereby ensuring that no one other than the authorised user can use the popular product’s name. The first product to be included in the GI list was Chanderi Sarees. Select the correct option 1 and 2 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 None of the above Q.3) Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in - Assam Kerala Tamil Nadu Meghalaya Q.4) Consider the following statements about United Nations Environment Assembly: It is the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. It has a universal membership of all UN members. The Environment Assembly meets triennially. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only All of the above MUST READ A case for aggressive diplomacy: on India-Pakistan relations The Hindu The Huawei debate The Hindu Kashmiris must be made to feel so included that Article 370 matters less Indian Express India’s broken criminal justice system cannot support the death penalty Indian Express The fiscal health of states and the limits of federalism Livemint A battle over data is the new front in the US-China trade war Livemint

60 Days Plan 2019 - Daily Prelims Test

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 – Economics and Current Affairs (Day 10)

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 11th March 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) National Park in news: Orang National Park Why in news? A Royal Bengal tigress, F103, strayed out of north-central Assam’s Orang National Park 16 months ago. Despite a 16-month trapping operation, a tigress from a reserve in Assam remains elusive. Karnataka set to tap the clouds yet again In news: As 176 taluks reel under drought, the Karnataka government is hoping to influence the upcoming monsoon and capture as much water as possible from the rain clouds. Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department called for cloud seeding operations to enhance rainfall during the monsoons of 2019 and 2020. The project is expected to cost ₹50 crore each year. Do you know? Cloud seeding uses planes to spray clouds with chemicals to condense smaller particles into larger rain droplets. The department is aiming to replicate the ₹35-crore ‘Varshadhare’ project two years ago that was called a success by an independent evaluation committee. The most common chemicals used for cloud seeding include silver iodide, potassium iodide and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). Liquid propane, which expands into a gas, has also been used. This can produce ice crystals at higher temperatures than silver iodide. After promising research, the use of hygroscopic materials, such as table salt, is becoming more popular. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/03/11/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_05/90f6171f_2790787_101_mr.jpg India asks Saudi to invest in strategic oil storage Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the World; International Relations; Bilateral ties In news: India invited Saudi Arabia to invest in its strategic oil storage even as it looks to resurrect a $44 billion refinery project with the world’s largest oil producer after the Maharashtra government denied land at the initial site. Saudi Oil Minister Khalid Al Falih, on his second visit to India, discussed with his Indian counterpart the 60-million-tonne (MT)-a-year mega oil refinery-cum-petrochemical complex. India has built 5.33 MT of emergency storage, enough to meet its oil needs for 9.5 days, in underground rock caverns in Mangalore and Padur in Karnataka and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/GOVERNANCE TOPIC: General studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. EC’s new norms laudable, now to implement them well Introduction: Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora announced that Elections to the 17th Lok Sabha will be conducted in seven phases across the country from April 11 to May 19. The counting will be on May 23. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect immediately on the announcement of the schedule. Do you know? The MCC lays down a list of do’s and don’ts for leaders and parties ahead of elections. Amongst other things, the code bars the government from announcing policy decisions. It is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. The rules range from issues related to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, content of election manifestos, processions and general conduct, so that free and fair elections are conducted. The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, the party in power, and election manifestos. The party must also avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections. Is the Model Code of Conduct legally binding? The fact is the MCC evolved as part of the ECI’s drive to ensure free and fair elections and was the result of a consensus among major political parties. It has no statutory backing. Simply put, this means anybody breaching the MCC can’t be proceeded against under any clause of the Code. Everything is voluntary. The EC uses moral sanction or censure for its enforcement. The ECI can issue a notice to a politician or a party for alleged breach of the MCC either on its own or on the basis of a complaint by another party or individual. Once a notice is issued, the person or party must reply in writing — either accepting fault and tendering an unconditional apology or rebutting the allegation. New regulations: All the election management related news would be monitored vigorously on all the major national and regional news channels for immediate action against any violation. Various social media platforms shall also remain under the close and stringent vigil of the Commission for any content aimed at vitiating the electoral process or designed to disturb peace, tranquility, social harmony and public order. The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) responded and confirmed its eagerness to cooperate with the EC to uphold the integrity and legality of the political campaigns conducted on the platforms of the intermediaries. The intermediaries have already started awareness campaigns for users highlighting the EC activities. The exercise will cover awareness campaigns regarding unlawful conduct during election, particularly the prohibited period of 48 hours under Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act. The platforms have appointed grievance officers and will deploy fact checkers to identify fake news and other malpractices. Conclusion: The above MCC just announced by the ECI and the Government decision earlier to make it compulsory for candidates in polls to submit details of I-T returns for the past five years and disclose details of wealth held overseas, are a resounding vote for transparency and accountability.   ECI also requires candidates with criminal charges against them to declare the particulars of the charges thrice in newspapers and news channels should give voters an idea about the antecedents of the person hoping to represent the public interest in Parliament. The ECI will now require all EVMs to carry pictures of the candidate along with the party symbol. This will help the voter be sure that her electoral choice is not tampered with. The new norms draw up an environment in which the voter is able to make an informed choice. Connecting the dots: What is the model code of conduct during elections? Does Election Commission have adequate powers to enforce it? Discuss. What do you understand by the Model Code of Conduct. Discuss its significance and drawbacks. Many Indian states are undergoing assembly elections. Analyse the role of Election Commission in organising fair and peaceful elections. Can you discuss some of the landmark achievements of this constitutional body? EDUCATION/SOCIAL ISSUE TOPIC: General Studies 2 Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Parliament and State Legislatures, structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these 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. The flawed unit of academic quotas Introduction: Recently, the Union government promulgated an ordinance to undo the Allahabad High Court's judgment in Vivekanand Tiwari (2017) which had relied on a number of other High Courts and a few apex court judgments such as Suresh Chandra Verma (1990), Dina Nath Shukla (1997) and K. Govindappa (2009) that had made ‘department’ rather than ‘university’ as the unit of reservation in universities. Ordinance to restore the 200-point system The Cabinet cleared an ordinance to change the formula for implementing reservations in teaching posts in universities. The ordinance seeks to bring back the older system of taking the entire college/university as the unit for implementing reservations (the so-called ‘200-point roster’), rather than the individual department (’13-point roster’ system), as prescribed by the Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court. Rational of Judiciary for Department rather than University as Unit of Reservation: Judiciary criticised the UGC for applying reservation in teaching jobs in a “blanket manner”. The Judiciary held that – “If the University is taken as a ‘Unit’ for every level of teaching and applying the roster, it could result in some departments/subjects having all reserved candidates and some having only unreserved candidates. (This) would be discriminatory and unreasonable (and)... violative of Article 14 and 16”. Our courts have used the differences between ‘cadre’, ‘service’ and ‘post’ to arrive at the conclusion that ‘department’ should be unit of reservation. So though lecturers, readers and professors in a university have the same scale and allowances in their respective cadres, they cannot be clubbed together. Since there is no scope for interchangeability of posts in different disciplines, each single post in a particular discipline is be counted as a separate post. Issues with Reservation based on Department: Reservation based on department or subject as unit means the number of reserved posts at the level of, say, assistant professor, will be determined separately for each department — based on the total assistant professor posts in each department. Therefore, a department that has only one professor cannot have reserved posts — which will have the effect of drastically reducing the number of SC, ST, and OBC teachers in higher education. Also, departments with two or more faculty posts, but fewer than 15 in a cadre, will have only one reserved for an SC candidate at serial number 7, and for an ST candidate at serial number 14. So, if a department has only six associate professor-level posts, none will be reserved for SC and ST candidates. Reservation will only be implemented by rotation, which experts say could take years. A projection presented by BHU to the HRD Ministry last year showed that if the university were to use the 13-point formula, the posts reserved for SCs would be reduced by half, those for STs by almost 80%, and those for OBC teachers by 30%. The government used this projection before the Supreme Court, and argued that the Allahabad HC judgment “drastically reduces, and, in many departments completely wipes out, the representation of members of SC/ST community”. According to data compiled by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on teaching posts generated across several universities since the UGC order of March 2018 (13 point formula), of the 706 vacancies advertised by 11 central universities, only 2.5% posts were for SCs and none for STs. It is to change this situation that the present ordinance has been brought. If SC/ST candidates do not become professors, they cannot become vice-chancellors as only a professor with 10-year experience is eligible for this. In 2018, out of some 496 vice-chancellors of Central and State universities, there were just six SC, six ST and 48 OBC vice-chancellors. Moreover even with the 'university’ as the unit, in over 40 Central universities we have huge under-representation of SCs and STs especially at the level of professor and associate professor. Do you know? Judiciary and Legislature Tussle over reservation in History: The 77th constitutional amendment of 1995, which was recently extended to Kashmir, restored reservation in promotions as a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court in lndra Sawhney (1992) while upholding Other Backward Classes reservation based on Mandal Commission recommendations had prohibited Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) reservation in promotions. The 81st constitutional amendment was made to overturn the Supreme Court's decision against the ‘carrying forward’ rule, which permitted the filling of unfilled reserved seats in subsequent years. Similarly, the 85th constitutional amendment was passed in 2001 to restore consequential seniority to promote SC/ST employees as a ‘catch-up’ rule introduced by the court in Ajit Singh (1999) was causing hardship to SC/ST employees. Conclusion: The government deserves appreciation for the ordinance, though brought in belatedly on the eve of the elections to garner Dalit votes. But more needs to be done to improve diversity, with more SCs, STs, OBCs, Muslims, persons with disabilities and sexual minorities being recruited as faculty. The score on the diversity index should be given a major criterion while giving grants to universities. Connecting the dots: The representation of SCs, STs, and OBCs among teachers in higher education is abysmal. Discuss what measures need to be taken to overturn this situation. (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) Which of the following compounds are used for Cloud seeding? Sulfuric acid Mercury oxide Nitric Acid Silver Iodide Q.2) Orang National Park is located in Assam Manipur Mizoram Nagaland Q.3) Consider the following statements about Cloud Seeding It is a kind of weather modification procedure that attempts to enhance the amount of precipitation from the clouds to generate more rain ‘Varshadhare’ is a cloud-seeding project by Maharashtra Solid form of carbon dioxide is used for cloud seeding Select the correct statements 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Consider the following statements: The Model Code of Conduct for guidance of candidates and political parties comes immediately into effect after the Election Commission announces the schedule of elections Once the polls are completed and result declared, the Election Commission cannot review any result on its own Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Chronologically arrange the following events happening during election process. Enforcement of Model Code of Conduct Announcement of election schedule Filing of nominations Scrutiny of nominations Select the correct code 2-3-4-1 2-1-3-4 3-4-2-1 3-2-4-1 MUST READ Bringing politics back in The Hindu Resolution, at last: on Essar Steel case The Hindu Losing the information war The Hindu The reducing likelihood of a no-deal Brexit Livemint The mediation trap Indian Express The Post-Balakot challenge Indian Express

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th March 2019 Archives (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS) Only 3.32 lakh MSME jobs created in last four years: CII survey Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Indian Economy and issues related; Unemployment issues In news: According to Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) survey – The number of net jobs created in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in the last four years stood at just 3,32,394, which is 13.9% higher than the base four years ago. CII survey also indicated that 5,70,804 new jobs are likely to be created over the next one year, marking an increase of 21 per cent over the current employment base. The CII survey shows that micro enterprises were the largest job creators in the past four years and will continue to be so in the next three years. This holds true for both exporters and non-exporters. MSMEs growth is pivotal to jobs creation. Government initiatives such as 2 per cent interest subvention scheme, the Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS) and enabling ease of doing business needs to be promoted to MSMEs who are not taking benefit of these initiatives, it said. Do you know? The top job generating sectors were hospitality and tourism followed by textiles, apparel and metal products. Machinery parts along with transport and logistics were the next significant job creators. The survey shows just three States — Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana — accounted for over 50% of the jobs created in this period (2015-16 to 2018-19). ‘Do forest surveys separately’ Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Protecting ecologically fragile areas In news: A high-power committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended that forest surveys explicitly demarcate trees grown in forests from those grown outside (in plantations and private lands) Forest surveys are biennial exercise conducted by the government to estimate forest cover. Do you know? Currently, the government counts both towards estimating the portion of India’s geographical area covered by forest. Independent critics have for long pointed out that including both isn’t an ecologically sound principle. India posted a marginal 0.21% rise in the area under forest between 2015 and 2017, according to the India State of Forest Report (SFR) 2017. India has about 7,08,273 sq. km. of forest, which is 21.53% of the geographic area of the country (32,87,569 sq. km.). Getting India to have at least 33% of its area under forest has been a long-standing goal of the government since 1988. The total tree cover, according to this assessment, was 93,815 sq. km. or a 2% rise from the approximately 92,500 sq. km. in 2015. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2019/03/09/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/43a05378_2785628_101_mr.jpg SC on ecologically fragile Aravali Hills Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Biodiversity; Protecting ecologically fragile areas In news: Supreme Court cautioned the Haryana government against doing “anything” to harm the ecologically fragile Aravali Hills. The court has threatened the Haryana government with contempt if it went ahead with the amendments virtually allowing massive scale of construction in the Aravali Hills. Pic: http://www.nirmancare.com/blog/content/public/upload/ix%20-%20map%20work%20(chapter%202)%202017-18_0_o.jpg Do you know? SC had passed series of orders over the years to protect the Aravali and Shivalik ranges from builders and indiscriminate mining. Once lush Aravali region is devastated after years of indiscriminate and illegal mining. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) reported continued illegal mining at more than 3,200 sites in Aravali. The degradation of the Aravalis on such a huge scale is also eroding its ability to act as a green barrier against the creep of the Thar Desert towards the highly fertile plains of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. The Aravali range needs to be conserved because it is a rich biodiversity hotspot, hosting many rare species of flora and fauna. Several rivers and rivulets, including the Sabarmati, Luni, Chambal and Krishnavati, originate here. Pic: http://indpaedia.com/ind/images/9/91/What_are_the_Aravalis%3F_II.jpg UIDAI to levy fees for verification Do you know? Aadhaar authentication services to be charged soon. Business organisations will now need to shell out ₹20 for each customer verification and 50 paise for authentication of each transaction done using Aadhaar, according to a notification by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Government entities and the Department of Posts will be exempt from authentication transaction charges. Banks are also exempted from charges. (MAINS FOCUS) WOMEN ISSUE   TOPIC: General Studies 1 Role of women and women’s organization, women related issues, Social empowerment General studies 2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Women Safety still a distant dream Context: In previous day's DNA we read about issues with Sexual Harassment at the Workplace Act and UN strategies to deal with sexual harassment. In below article, we will see why women safety is still a distant dream. According to a study conducted by Thomson Reuters Foundation (in 2018) – India is ranked as the most dangerous place because of its high incidences of sexual violence, lack of access to justice in rape cases, child marriage, female feticide and human trafficking. India outranked countries like Syria (2nd) and Afghanistan (3rd) that are currently at war. India had topped the list because its government has done little to protect women since the controversial rape and murder of a young student in 2012 which prompted widespread outrage and changes in the country’s rape laws. Gang rapes are reported day in, day out. India has miserably failed to provide the most basic right to women and girls — the right to live in a safe environment. Concerns: Physical mobility is the primary and first capability that enables an individual to avail opportunities, enhancing his/her chances of moving ahead in life. Studies have confirmed that in comparison to boys, our girls have extremely low access to these opportunities, be it in education, technology, employment or life skills. A number of girls after being sexually violated by their close relatives or strangers fail to lead a ‘normal’ life, both sexual and social. Such is the damage caused by these heinous acts that it is often irreparable, leaving the victim mentally paralysed for life. Not only the poor victim, but also her parents and siblings get labelled and stigmatised by the community at large for generations to come. The moment a girl is sexually violated, the process of ‘shaming’ her and her family begins, making it often unbearable for them, too intimidating to fight the case. Ironically, the victims or their relatives commit suicide, while it is the rapists who should be killing themselves. A rape trial happens to be more traumatic for the victim and her family than for the offender and his kin. Crux – Failure with gender sensitization It indicates that masculinity continues to draw its meaning from holding power over the female body, either within the home or outside. Our legal deterrents have failed to scare away the rapists. The Criminal Amendment Act of 2013 has failed to make people realise that ‘staring’ and ‘stalking’ a girl amount to threatening her, which is a criminal offence. Focus should be on boys and men, who continue to live with a feudal mindset, with the rotten ideas of masculinity and femininity, which have become obsolete. A society that tolerates persistent sexual violation of its daughters can certainly not be called developed, nor can it claim to be a great society with a rich cultural heritage. We have terribly failed in providing a safe environment to our girls and women, and that is a reality which negates all the tall claims of gender equality in education, employment and politics.   Connecting the dots: The status of women in India had been declining from ancient to medieval times – before promotion of equal rights by various reformers. But even today, women face inequality and subjugation. Do you agree? Critically comment. Discuss the provisions in the Indian Constitution to safeguard women’s rights. Also examine why there is a need for a National Policy for Women? NATIONAL/DIASPORA TOPIC: General Studies 2 Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Draft Emigration Bill 2019 Context: The below article deals with the draft Emigration Bill 2019 which was recently released by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and is currently pending for parliamentary approval. Do you know? The draft Emigration Bill proposes a new legislative framework for matters related to emigration of Indian nationals. It is set to replace the extant one under the Emigration Act of 1983. The intention of replacing the old Act is consistent with the government’s effort to weed out anachronistic laws and update them in line with modern conventions. India is among a handful of countries that has explicit legislation for promoting emigration. Adhering to SDG goal The United Nations’ “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" has for the first time recognized migration as a core element of the global development agenda, and has set several targets that relate to it.   These cover student mobility, human trafficking and exploitation, labour migration and employment, migration governance, remittances and migration data. Therefore, the new legislation aims to draw up appropriate regulations that would conform to the contemporary global agenda on these matters. Why the new emigration bill is important? As mentioned above, it helps to weed out anachronistic laws and update them in line with modern conventions. Conform to SDG goals and draw up appropriate regulations. Since 1983, there has been a structural shift in the quantum, nature, pattern and direction of emigration from India. Therefore, the 1983 Act falls short in addressing the wide geo-economic, geo-political and geo-strategic impact that emigration has today. The government’s attitude towards international migrants has changed over time. From labelling NRIs as “non-required Indians" at the height of the “brain drain" in the 1970s and 1980s to addressing them as “India’s brand ambassadors" and “symbols of our capacities and capabilities". The proposed bill, with its thrust on strengthening the institutional framework for emigration management, affirms that shift in outlook. Do you know? As per the latest World Migration Report published by the International Organization for Migration, India features as the largest country of origin for international migrants (about 30 million in 2017); the largest recipient of remittances (about $80 billion or ₹5.6 trillion in 2018); and figures in five of the top 20 migration corridors from Asian countries. The draft bill proposes a three-tier institutional framework – With the MEA as the nodal ministry. At the top, a central Emigration Management Authority (EMA) has been proposed for policy guidance and supervision. In the middle, a Bureau of Emigration Policy and Planning, and a Bureau of Emigration Administration shall handle day-to-day operational matters and oversee the welfare of emigrants. At the bottom, nodal authorities in states and union territories shall coordinate aspects of management related to both emigrants and returnees. This could allow vertical policy coherence on emigration matters—particularly in promoting and managing safe, orderly and regular emigration. Conclusion: For the Indian diaspora, it is a welcome sign. The Emigration Act of 1983 had many anomalies like not being migrant-friendly and was not representative of the the multi-layered immigration problems and challenges. Well-managed migration brings development to both India and the countries of destination. In this perspective or guiding principle, the new comprehensive migration Act should be developed. Connecting the dots: Discuss why there is need for a Comprehensive Migration Management Act that can address every aspect of the exploitation of migrant workers. What are the most pressing problems being faced by India’s diaspora across the world? Analyse.   (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 Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) It is a digital platform where small businesses (MSMEs) can get access to capital by auctioning their trade receivables. Only MSMEs can participate as sellers, while banks, non-banking financial companies and factoring companies are permitted as financiers. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the below statements with regard to Forest Survey of India (FSI): It is involved in forest cover assessment of the country on biennial basis. Assessment of tree cover outside forests is not part of the activity of FSI. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements: A wildfire is a fire in an area of combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or rural area. It is caused only by anthropogenic means. 50% of forest area in India is fire prone. Which of the above statements are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) According to the National Forest Policy of India, how much land area should be under forest cover? 24% 33% 15% 50% Q.5) On the basis of prominent relief features consider the following statements on Central highlands The Satpura range lies to the eastern most end of the Central Highlands The Central Highlands are bounded to the North-West by the Aravali range. Central Highlands are wider in the West but narrower in the East. Which of the following statements(s) is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 only 3 only Q.6) Which one of the following mountain ranges is spread over only one State in India? Satpura Aravalli Sahyadri None of the above Q.7) Which of the following statements are correct regarding the ‘Aravalli’ ranges of India? It is the oldest block mountain range of India It is highly denuded because of erosion. The highest peak of Aravallis is Guru Shikhar Select the code from below: 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.8) Which of the following mountain ranges is/are folding mountain ranges? Aravalis Himalayas Western Ghats Eastern Ghats Select the code from following: 2 only 1 and 2 3 and 4 1, 2 and 4 MUST READ A peace movement is needed The Hindu Strange turn: on SC's order regarding Ayodhya dispute The Hindu Road through Rome? The Hindu A slim chance: On Ayodhya dispute Indian Express The road to a closure: On Ayodhya dispute Indian Express The Delta 32 effect Indian Express Misuse of economic data Indian Express

60 Days Plan 2019 - Daily Prelims Test

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 – Economics and Current Affairs (Day 9)

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

RSTV Video

RSTV IAS UPSC – Shifting Magnetic North Pole

Shifting Magnetic North Pole Archives TOPIC: General Studies 1 Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.   In News: Recently, it was observed that the Earth’s north magnetic pole had been exhibiting strange behavior and quickly moving away from Canada, even crossing the International Date Line last year. As of now, this pole has been redefined by the World Magnetic Model because of its rapid movement. This extreme wandering has caused increasing concerns over navigation, especially at high latitudes. Earth’s Magnetic Field Earth's magnetic field surrounds and protects our planet from the hottest, most statically charged particles that the sun can throw our way. This shield -- the natural product of molten iron swirling around the planet's core – has had our backs for billions of years and has prevented Earth from becoming an irradiated, electrified wasteland. The World Magnetic Model records those changes. The model is a joint product of the British Geological Survey and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The two agencies were planning to report changes in the magnetic north pole, as they do every five years, at the end of 2019. But the pole has moved so quickly they had to release the information much sooner. Scientists have found that the magnetic north pole is moving at a speed of about 55 kilometres every year. One hundred years ago, the pole was located near the coast of northern Canada. It crossed the International Date Line, the imaginary line running through the Pacific Ocean from the North Pole to the South Pole, in 2017. Now, the magnetic north pole is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean and moving towards Russia. Why could this phenomenon be occurring? Researchers have suggested that it may be because of the deeply embedded hydromagnetic waves, the movement of liquid iron in the Earth’s core, climate change, or a combination of all these factors. The Earth's physical structure is behind all this magnetic shifting. The planet's inner core is made of solid iron. But the reason is turbulence in Earth's liquid outer core. There is a hot liquid ocean of iron and nickel in the planet's core where the motion generates an electric field. The Earth itself spins on its axis. The inner core spins as well, and it spins at a different rate than the outer core. This creates a dynamo effect, or convections and currents within the core. This is what creates the Earth's magnetic field -- it's like a giant electromagnet. Exactly how the dynamo effect changes the field isn't widely understood. Shifts in the core's rate of spin and the currents within the molten material most likely affect the planet's field and the location of the poles. In other words, the poles move because the convection in the core changes. These changes might also cause the poles to switch places. Irregularities where the core and mantle meet and changes to the Earth's crust, like large earthquakes, can also change the magnetic field. Uses of World Magnetic Model The military uses the WMM for undersea and aircraft navigation, parachute deployment, and more. Other governmental organizations, such as NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, US Forest Service use this technology for surveying and mapping, satellite/antenna tracking, and air traffic management. The constant shift is a problem for compasses in smartphones and some consumer electronics. Airplanes and boats also rely on magnetic north, usually as backup navigation. GPS isn't affected because it's satellite-based. But airplanes and boats do depend on magnetic north in emergencies. Airport runway names are based on their direction toward magnetic north and their names change when the poles move. For example, the airport in Fairbanks, Alaska, renamed a runway 1L-19R to 2L-20R in 2009. Migratory animals that use the Earth's magnetic field would find it difficult to orient themselves. Is Earth's Magnetic Field About to Flip? While the rapid movement of Earth's magnetic North Pole may cause concern over the potential flip of magnetic poles, there is no evidence that such a flip is imminent. Geologists can interpret magnetic minerals in rocks around the world to reveal the history of magnetic reversals on Earth. Earth's magnetic poles have flipped many times in its history, with the latest reversal occurring 780,000 years ago and 183 times in the past 83 million years. When Earth's magnetic poles do flip, it won't be a catastrophic "end of the world" scenario. From examining fossil records, there is no evidence that a magnetic field reversal causes increased extinctions, volcanic activity, etc. Note: The phenomenon called Aurora The magnetic North Pole is responsible for more than just the direction a compass points. It's also the source of the aurora borealis, the dramatic lights that appear when solar radiation bounces off the Earth's magnetic field. This happens at the South Pole as well. In the southern hemisphere, the lights are called the aurora australas. Connecting the Dots: What do you understand by the term ‘geomagnetism’? What causes the earth to behave as a magnet? Has earth’s magnetic field changed in it’s geological past? Discuss its implications. What is aurora australis? How does it occur? Also examine its effects.

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 8th March 2019 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Cabinet Okays ECHS facilities for veterans Part of: GS Mains II - Social/Welfare issue; In news: The Cabinet approved the grant of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to Second World War veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers, Short Service Commissioned Officers and premature retirees. This would benefit over 43,000 individuals who were so far not covered under the ECHS. About ECHS facility: The facility allows them to get cashless medical treatment through a network of over 425 ECHS polyclinics, 2,500 empanelled private hospitals and all government hospitals throughout the country, subject to certain conditions. Also, as a special dispensation, war-widows will be exempt from one-time contribution to join the ECHS. Launched by the NDA government in April 2003, the facility provides quality medicare to 54 lakh ex-servicemen pensioners, their dependants and a few other categories. Funding period extended to boost regional air connectivity Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Infrastructure; Government schemes and programmes In news: The Union Cabinet gave its approval for extending the “time and scope” of financial support of ₹4,500 crore to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the revival of small airports for the regional connectivity scheme (RCS). The need to seek these extensions was felt because the duration of the RCS programme according to the scheme document is 10 years. The scheme was launched in March 2017 after the first set of RCS routes were awarded. The AAI has developed 38 unfrequented and less frequented airports since the launch of the scheme in March 2017. As many as 750 routes have been awarded for connecting 77 un-served airports, 21 under-served airports, ten waterdromes and 31 helipads. Important Value Additions: Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) The Civil Aviation Ministry launched Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) in 2017. UDAN is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market. It is a market-based mechanism in which airlines bid for seat subsidies. This first-of-its-kind scheme globally will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns. About the Scheme: The UDAN scheme seeks to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. This first-of-its-kind scheme will ensure affordability, connectivity, growth and development. It aims to increase ticketing volume from 80 million to 300 million by 2022. Under it regional connectivity will be developed on market-based mechanism under which Airlines will bid for seat subsidies. It will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns. Under it, airlines will have complete freedom to enter into code sharing with larger airlines for connectivity and they will be exempted from various airport charges. Airlines will have exclusive rights for three years to fly on a particular regional route. On these routes for regional flights Airfares will be capped at 2500 rupees for an hour’s flight. Central and State governments and airport operators will provide a financial stimulus in the form of concessions to airlines The mechanism of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) will be provided to interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports so that the passenger fares are kept affordable Government will provide subsidy to airlines for first three years of operations when they will have exclusive flying rights on the selected routes. Once the market in these routes gets jump started, it will operate on a commercial basis as per market forces of supply and demand. Cane growers get a sweet deal Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III - Social/welfare issue; Farmer's issue; Indian Economy and development In news: In a bid to boost sugar mills’ ethanol-production capacity and help them pay off mounting arrears to cane farmers, the Union government has approved ₹3,355 crore in incentives. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved ₹2,790 crore for bank loan interest subvention to mills, and ₹565 crore for loan interest subvention to the molasses-based standalone distilleries. Banks will be able to extend soft loans worth ₹15,500 crore to mills and distilleries under the scheme. This is likely to benefit 268 mills and create an additional 300-400 crore litres of ethanol capacity, according to industry estimates. Record harvests and sugar recovery have caused a glut in sugar production and brought the prices down. Cash-starved mills owe farmers more than ₹22,000 crore in arrears for the current season, with almost half the sum owed to farmers in the politically significant parts of Uttar Pradesh. Do you know? India is second largest producer of sugarcane after Brazil and Sugarcane accounts for 6.0 percent of the total value of agriculture output in India. Over the years production has continuously increased. However, sugarcane farmers still face many problems. Sugarcane farmers in India are facing a payments crisis running into thousands of crores. Emergence of alternative sweeteners replacing sugar and increasing health consciousness, slowdown in the pace of demand growth while continuous increase in overall production (crossed 30 million tonnes in recent years) has led to demand-supply mismatch. While sugarcane is procured at minimum prices declared by Government (Fair and Remunerative Price- Central Government, State Advised Price- State Government), market forces determine the price of sugar. Demand-Supply mismatch has caused fall in sugar prices which makes it difficult for Sugar Mills to clear payments of farmers. Army to undergo major reforms Part of: GS Mains III - Defence and Security related issues In news: In a major move, Defence Minister approved the first batch of reforms in the Army Finalized after 12 independent studies, the reforms are intended to make the 1.3 million-strong force leaner and meaner The reforms include - relocation of 229 officers from the Army headquarters creation of a new post of Deputy Chief for Military Operations and Strategic Planning setting up new wings for vigilance and human rights issues Restructuring the Army’s officer cadre Bringing down age of key commands Arresting rising revenue expenditure and “rightsizing” the force Do you know? The number of officers being moved out was 20% of the number of officers in the Army headquarters in the national capital, and they would be deployed in forward locations along the borders with China and Pakistan. The post of Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, Strategy, is being created to deal with military operations, intelligence, strategic planning and operational logistics. India, Russia sign deal on nuclear submarine Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – India and the world; International Relations; Defence/Security ties In news: India sealed a $3-billion deal with Russia for leasing a nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy for a period of 10 years. The two countries signed an inter-governmental agreement capping months of negotiations on price and other aspects of the deal. Do you know? Under the pact, Russia will have to deliver the Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. It will be the third Russian submarine to be leased to the Navy. New hydroelectric policy and ‘renewable energy’ status to large hydro projects Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Renewable energy In news: The Union Cabinet approved a new hydroelectric policy aimed at boosting the sector, including according large hydro projects the status of renewable energy projects. According to the new policy, large hydro projects will also be designated as renewable energy projects. So far, only smaller projects of less than 25 MW in capacity were categorised as renewable energy.   With the removal of this distinction, large hydro projects will be included as a separate category under the non-solar renewable purchase obligation policy. Under this policy, power purchasers will have to source a portion of electricity from large hydro projects. The new policy had increased the debt repayment period for hydro projects to 18 years from the current 12 years with the provision to introduce an escalating tariff of 2%. Miscellaneous: Teachers entitled to gratuity, rules SC In news: In a rare move, the Supreme Court altered its judgment and said teachers were entitled to claim gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act. The court had earlier held that teacher is not an 'employee' under the Payment of Gratuity Act,1972. Person in news: Soumya Swaminathan Why in news? Soumya Swaminathan is WHO chief scientist She will head the division created to strengthen the organisation’s core scientific work and ensure the quality and consistency of its norms and standards. First Indian to hold the post. (MAINS FOCUS) WOMEN ISSUE   TOPIC: General Studies 1 Role of women and women’s organization, women related issues, Social empowerment General studies 2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Combating Sexual harassment at the workplace Context: March 8 - International Women’s Day Important to achieve women empowerment and gender equality Key issues which needs top priority – Sexual harassment at the workplace Obstacles to women’s participation at all levels of the workforce, including political representation Sexual harassment at the workplace Much remains to be done in this area Year 2017-18 witnessed explosion of the #MeToo movement across social media Countless cases of unreported sexual harassment and assault were uncovered It led to the resignations or firing of dozens of prominent men, mostly politicians, actors and journalists. It also prompted a range of public and private organisations to examine the internal institutional cultures surrounding sexual harassment, gender parity, and gender equity. (including the UN) UN strategies to deal with sexual harassment UN Secretary-General António Guterres has been a staunch supporter of women’s rights and had stated for the need for “benchmarks and time frames to achieve gender parity across the system, well before the target year of 2030”. In September 2017, the UN released a System-wide Strategy on Gender Parity to transform the UN’s representation of women at senior levels. (Today the UN’s Senior Management Group compromises of 23 women out of 44 top employees.) In response to the MeToo movement, the UN recently conducted a system-wide survey to gauge the prevalence of sexual harassment among its more than 200,000 global staff. UN Survey pointed out that – Only 17% of UN staff responded and one in three UN women workers reported being sexually harassed in the past two years. The inter-governmental UN is affected by prevalent national cultures and UN has to find a way through contending blocs of countries that support or oppose women’s rights’ goals. Tracking performance on the Sustainable Development Goals will provide useful pointers for policymakers and advocates going forward. Bringing the issue of gender inside the organisation, to reform its practices, will enable the UN to stand as an example of the rights it advocates. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 It lays down that every office in the country must have an internal complaints committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment. However, with thousands of offices across the country, and barely any employee trained to handle sexual harassment, the Act suffers from certain infirmities. Indian political parties are proposing for broader structures, such as district or regional complaints committees, to play the role of office ones. (on the lines of UN Secretariat’s single window structure for such complaints) However, UN Secretariat’s single window structure does not apply across the organisation, UN agencies, including the multi-institute UN University that aims to achieve gender parity at the director level by end 2019. In India, despite a large jump in complaints recorded, convictions have not shown a proportionate rise, largely due to poor police work. Therefore, clearly both UN and India need further research. Gender reforms begin at home, not only in the family but also in the workplace. Connecting the dots: The #metoo campaign is a reflection moral decline of Indian society. Comment. The Verma committee report noted that an internal complaints committee as laid down under the then proposed law would be “counter-productive” as dealing with such complaints in-house could discourage women from filing complaints. Do you agree? In your opinion what measures are needed to make Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act effective? NATIONAL/POLITY TOPIC: General Studies 2 Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions. The imperial cabinet and an acquiescent court Context: In the last six months, the Supreme Court has frequently found itself in the headlines. It handed down many landmark judgments on fundamental rights: Decriminalising same-sex relations and adultery Opening up Sabarimala to women of all ages, and Upheld Aadhaar (though partially) However, some of its judgments related to Rafale and Central Bureau of Investigation were subjected to intense scrutiny, and continue to be debated. The below article deals with – balance of power between the different organs of the state, the federal character of the Republic, and fundamental questions of democratic accountability. We know that Constitutionalism puts limitation on the authority to check against totalitarianism tendencies by following ways: Fundamental rights to enjoy rights and freedom and the Independent judiciary to enforce it against the state; By dividing and distributing political power between state organs in order to avoid concentration of authority, and To ensure that these different organs act as checks and balances upon each other. However, recent majority judgment in the Aadhaar case, which, allowed the Act to stand as a money bill (after taking out a provision allowing private party use), may undermine the Rajya Sabha’s role in the democratic process and increase the concentration of power in the hand of executive, because in future, governments wanting to bypass Rajya Sabha scrutiny on a range of important issues can simply insert a provision specifying that money for a project is to come from the Consolidated Fund. Importance of Rajya Sabha: Bicameralism, in our parliamentary democracy, requires that a bill must be scrutinised and passed by both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law. The Lok Sabha represents the voice of the democratic majority. The Rajya Sabha represents the interests of the States, as well as perspectives free of immediate, electoral interests. The basic idea is that law-making is a balanced and deliberative process, not an exercise in pure majoritarianism. The crucial purpose of the Rajya Sabha is to act as a check and a balance upon the Lok Sabha, by scrutinising bills in a more deliberative and reflective manner, and raising concerns that may have been glossed over or evaded in the Lower House. The role of the Rajya Sabha becomes even more important when we consider a unique Indian innovation: anti-defection, which effectively undermine the intra-party democracy as individual MPs could no longer vote according to their conscience, and had to follow the diktats of the cabinet. With the Lower House no longer able to check the government, the only remaining legislative forum that can then do so is the Rajya Sabha. How Passing of Aadhar Bill undermine Bicameralism Structure? Aadhar act is passed as a money bill and money bill takes the Rajya Sabha out of the equation, it only needs Lok Sabha approval. And in combination with the anti-defection law, this places absolute power in the hands of the executive, and skews the democratic process. Hence, its use must be restricted to the most limited of circumstances as enshrined in Constitution (Article 110) mandated that money bills be narrowly limited to those that fell exclusively within the categories set out in Article 110. The Aadhaar Act, which established a biometric database and set up an authority (the UIDAI) to administer it, raises question mark to passing it as a “money bill” simply because the funds for the Authority came from the Consolidated Fund of India. The verdict on Aadhar case, may motivate the governments, which does not enjoy majority in the upper house to bypass Rajya Sabha scrutiny on a range of important issues by simply inserting a provision specifying that money for a project is to come from the Consolidated Fund. Conclusion: In 1973, the American historian Arthur M. Schlesinger coined the term “Imperial Presidency”, to characterise the increasing concentration of power in the office of the President, at the cost of other democratic institutions (such as the U.S. Congress and the Senate). Over the last few decades, many scholars have noticed this drift towards the increased powers of the political executive, across liberal democracies. The Supreme Court’s decisions on Articles 110 (money bills) have concentrated greater power in the hands of the executive. By expanding the scope of what counts as money bills, the court has set the cabinet down the road of transforming itself into a Roman-style imperator. Connecting the dots: The doctrine of separation of powers is imperative for the smooth functioning of a vibrant democracy. Substantiate. Separation of powers is not a possibility in Indian governance. Comment. The doctrines of ‘separation of power’ and ‘checks and balances’ enshrined in the Indian Constitution are dotted by contradictions. Do you agree? Substantiate by taking suitable examples. (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) Which of the following statements are correct regarding Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme? EBP is cheaper than petrol as alcohol is cheaper. Ethanol burns more cleanly and completely as compared to petrol. Calorific value of Ethanol is higher than Petrol Select the code from following: 1 and 2 2 only 2 and 3 All of the above Q.2) In India, Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is used for: Pulses Sugarcane Bamboo Gram Q.3) Consider the following statements: Molasses is a by-product of sugar production process. Bagasse obtained in the sugar mills is used as a fuel in the boilers to generate steam for the sugar factories. Sugar can only be produced from sugarcane as the raw material. Which of these statements are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.4) Which of the following is the only state to sign an MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India for Regional Connectivity Scheme to develop 10 districts? Telangana Maharashtra Odisha Rajasthan Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘INS Chakra’ It is an Arihant class submarine It is a nuclear-powered submarine which was taken by India on lease from Russia Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ Probing the press The Hindu Breathing clean The Hindu Being global: on World Bank presidency The Hindu The UN test Indian Express The Lab-newsroom disconnect Indian Express After empowerment, freedom and dignity Indian Express Making the world a meaningful place Indian Express This country does not need thought control Livemint

IASbaba's Monthly Current Affairs Magazine

IAS UPSC Current Affairs Magazine FEBRUARY 2019

IAS UPSC Current Affairs Magazine FEBRUARY 2019   ARCHIVES Hello Friends, This is the 45th edition of IAS UPSC Current Affairs Magazine for FEBRUARY 2019. And Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Examination is an important factor in this preparation. An effort towards making your Current Affairs for IAS UPSC Preparation qualitative. We hope you make the best use of it! This edition covers all important current affairs issues that were in news for the month of FEBRUARY 2019 DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE- CLICK HERE  

60 Days Plan 2019 - Daily Prelims Test

60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019 – History and Current Affairs (Day 8)

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

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