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IASbaba’s Integrated Learning Programme (ILP)- 2019- Admissions Open Now!

Dear Friends, Yes!! The wait is finally over! The wait for the most reliable, effective and affordable programme for UPSC preparation - ILP 2019. Let us begin by thanking all of you who have made ILP a grand success beginning from the year 2016. Your countless emails and queries about the ILP has made us resolve to make ILP, better and bigger than its previous year. The year-2018 is a monument year for IASbaba for two reasons. One, way back in 2015 we had said that ILP would stand out as the most comprehensive tool for UPSC preparation and yes now most of you would have realised the same in prelims 2018. Two, when the storm brews and brews strong, its IASbaba who has been standing tall!  Hundreds of time we have told students not to depend on mere last minute tools, some compilations or series (which UPSC tracks) and blindly trust them and finally end up in the ditch. Aspirants fail to realise that it is not the last minute miracle but consistent effort throughout the journey. It is the process that is important. It is the process that is sustainable. And yes ILP is that!! And this is not a mere coincidence, we have done it year on year from the day of our genesis. Year on Year ILP has proven to be the indestructible tool!!  UPSC Prelims 2016 UPSC Prelims 2017 UPSC Prelims 2018 UPSC Mains UPSC Mains 2016- Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 UPSC Mains 2017 Check the feedback from our users here And look at the results in mere 3 years we have got all the ranks that others aspire.  Saumya Pandey, Dinesh Kumar, Neha Jain, Tapasya Parihar, Abhijeet Sinha, Abhijit Gupta and hundred others! The above only add to ILP‘s growing phenomena. It is nothing but the GOOD karma we have earned out of our strategy, hard work and your countless blessings! INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMME (ILP)-2019 NOTE- FULL PLAN OF ILP-2019 is shared in the end.  You need to remember that this is not only a PRELIMS TEST SERIES. It is a complete package which will enable/guide you qualitatively/quantitatively through the process of Civil Services Examination. When you subscribe to our ILP-2018 programme, you will have huge expectations on us. On the similar lines, we too have a few expectations like Complete Dedication Consistency Courage to “walk that extra mile” Faith in our program What sets ILP apart from regular online tools! Firstly and most importantly you must understand that it’s the philosophy of IASbaba which has been implemented in the form of ILP. We take no shortcuts, no half measures. We only believe in comprehensive and holistic preparation and that is where ILP includes:  FEATURES of ILP-2019 Programme: ILP 2019 is an integrated programme. ILP will cover Prelims and Mains in an integrated manner. It is not only a Prelims Test Series but consist of both Prelims and Mains aspects of preparation.  Module Wise Learning– Each module will have 4 stages for seven days and every seventh day there will be a test. After 6 modules there will be a revision module which will have 8 stages. CURRENT AFFAIRS FROM BABAPEDIA- Current Affairs will be updated on daily basis on Babapedia. One has to cover daily target and then learn/make notes of current affairs from Babapedia. 52 TESTS for Prelims: Tests will be Stage-Wise + Revision Tests + Subject Wise + Full Mocks + 12 CSAT Full Mocks- A total of 52 Prelims High-Quality Tests. MAINS MOCK and SYNOPSIS– The entire mains syllabus will be finished before Prelims. After every two stages, there will be Mains Mock with detailed synopsis i.e. two Mains mock in each Module. In total, there will be 32 Mains Mocks and Synopsis covering all the GS papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 qualitatively. NOTE that evaluation is not part of ILP. Only Synopsis will be provided.  Post Prelims (Mains)- After Prelims, there will be revision plan for Mains with revision Mocks for all GS papers of Mains along with Synopsis. Essay Guidance- We will be providing quality guidance for Essay along with few Mock Essays from our side. It will help you prepare for Essay in a succinct manner. VALUE ADD NOTES and Mind Maps/Infographics- Regular Value Add notes/mindmaps/infographs will be provided for both Prelims and Mains. All the topics in the syllabus will be covered exhaustively and in a very lucid manner. Value Add will be provided for all the topics of Mains and Prelims.  Discussion Forum - There will be a discussion forum where students will be able to connect with each other as well as with IASbaba. You will be able to ask your queries there. Abhivyakti (Query Resolution)- There will be a forum for addressing your subject related genuine queries. STRUCTURE of the Program -ILP 2019: The complete program is divided into MODULES and each module consists of 4 stages with 7 Days in each stage. In each stage, one has to prepare for Mains and Prelims simultaneously.  ILP 2019 has been designed considering the constraints of “WORKING PROFESSIONALS”. The plan of ILP-2019 is designed in such a way that working professionals can adjust their timings to cover all the topics. Limited standard sources have been mentioned which will be coupled with comprehensive VALUE ADD NOTES (VAN). This will help working candidates to stick to limited sources and maximise their output through multiple revisions.  At the end of each stage, there will be an objective test with questions of varying difficulty level, which will help you judge your understanding of the topics covered and see where you are standing in the competition. The Test Platform is designed to provide timely feedback on your performance and your standing in terms of Rank. A detailed solution will be provided for each test. A total of 52 Prelims Tests including 12 Full-Length CSAT test is part of ILP- 2019. Each Prelims tests can be taken thrice. There is no fixed time for taking tests. It is flexible. But we advice you to take the tests on time to compare your ranking with others. Otherwise, there is no competitive encouragement to continue this journey :) There will two Mains Mock in each Module (every alternate stage) with a detailed synopsis provided for the same. A total of 32 such Mocks is part of ILP-2019. All the Prelims and CSAT Tests of the ILP will be provided in Hindi also. ILP-2019 will commence from 16th July 2018. The validity of the programme is till September 2019.  Prelims Tests will end in April and you will get complete 1 month for revision. The month of May 2019 is given for REVISION so that you consolidate your preparation in a much effective manner for the battle on 2nd June 2019 :) SAMPLES OF VAN AND BABAPEDIA NOTE- Below is just a sample. ILP-2019 will contain a much better and comprehensive Value Add Notes (VAN). This becomes even more important because we do not burden our aspirants with loads of sources/books to read. Our VAN and few standard sources will be more than enough for the qualitative preparation one needs in this journey. VALUE ADD NOTES & MIND-MAPS Click on the image to see complete File Polity Click to Download  Economy Click to Download History Click to Download MAINS MOCK & SYNOPSIS Click to Download BABAPEDIA Note- This time Babapedia will also feature MAPPING initiative. This will help you prepare all IR, Resources, Location-based questions comprehensively. IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ASPIRANTS JOINING ILP-2019 ILP-2019, unlike other programmes, is not only unique for its approach but the dedication of IASbaba towards aspirants. We do not want an aspirant to just join ILP but grow with it. Through ILP, we do not just teach candidates but our aim is to nurture them. And provide them a clear path through which they are not lost. We try to act as a mentor, guide and a motivator. Aspirants who have followed ILP in letter and spirit have made us proud by having their names in the holy PDF of UPSC. More than us, it is you who will define the success. We can be the facilitator as far as quality guidance is concerned. We cannot spoonfeed the process to be inculcated within you if you aren't motivated all the time. This programme will provide everything that you need to qualify this examination. Please Note: ILP being a complete package, We are offering at minimal price possible. Still, We have noticed many aspirants sharing ILP or even Xerox centres illegally publishing the same and this also has been brought to your notice by none other than our students.  ILP Platform is IP protected to avoid such miscreants but it is more about the trust with which IASbaba and you share this journey. In the past IASbaba has taken legal actions. We request all the aspirants to understand that quality requires sustenance. You are the fuel for us! Kindly do not resort to unethical methods. IASbaba has the technology to track the same. However, we want to avoid such situation in your interest!  Kindly remember that all those successful candidates were full-time followers of ILP, not just subscribers or last-minute gamblers who wanted only hit ratio. ILP-2019 starts on 16th July. The ILP Platform will be active few days before that. You will be notified before 16th July once the ILP platform is active.  ILP Connect: Unique mentorship program of IASbaba for aspirants who have taken ILP There is no extra fee for ILP Connect. Based on your profile and performance in ILP, IASbaba will automatically contact you. You can fill your profile here after subscribing to ILP: Fill the form after Subscribing/joining ILP-2019. Use the payment link below to join ILP-2019 first and then fill the form below for ILP Connect.  Click to fill the form Abhijeet Sinha (Rank 19)  and Abhijeet Gupta (Rank 511) were our ILP Connect student from IASbaba’s 1st batch of 2017. FEE DETAILS ILP-2019- 9999+Tax Online Payment - To make the Online Payment - Click Here NOTE: After the successful payment, please check your email (SPAM and JUNK FOLDERS TOO). You will receive an acknowledgement for the fees paid. Also, you can download the PDF after successful payment, it contains your ID and Password, but you will be able to login only when the platform is active.  ILP-2019 starts on 16th July. The ILP Platform will be active on 14th of July. You will be notified before 16th July once the ILP platform is active.  Offline Payment Details: Please mail us the acknowledgement at ilp@iasbaba.com if making offline payment.  Bank details BANK Name CANARA BANK BANK BRANCH BANGALORE KLE SOCIETY ACCOUNT NAME IASBABA ACCOUNT NUMBER 8418201003785 IFSC CODE CNRB0008418 ACCOUNT TYPE CURRENT ACCOUNT We hope, this ILP proves to be much bigger and better in terms of content quality and reach, touching thousands of aspirants devoid of expensive coaching and proper guidance. ILP will prove to be a game changer provided you are honest and sincere with the guidelines to follow it. There is no substitute for smart and hard work. For any query related to ILP 2019 contact us at ilp@iasbaba.com If you restrict yourself to one source and stick to a plan with full effort and trust- You will clear it in a single attempt and won’t have to repeat the process. Yes, this we say with full confidence for our ILP program. Because it is a pedagogic program which is integrated and holistic in nature. On an ending note, we reiterate our AIM - “To help an aspirant preparing in the remotest part of the country to secure Rank 1”   We want to emphasise on a fact that for a healthy growth of a body a complete diet is required which contains all macro and micronutrients. Similarly, in order to get success in UPSC, it is important to emphasise on all aspects of preparation. ILP - 2019 is a complete diet for UPSC. It is designed in such a way that if you stick to this one source honestly, you won’t require anything else. This has been proved time and again by many successful candidates. So have faith and embark on a successful journey with us!! FULL PLAN/SCHEDULE OF ILP-2019- DOWNLOAD P.S- Details of All India Prelims Test Series (AIPTS- 2019) will be shared very soon.  All the Best :) IASbaba Team

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 14th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 14th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Downturn in India-Maldives ties Part of: GS Mains Paper II – India and its neighbours; International Relations In news: Applications for work permits of around 2,000 Indians are pending with the Maldivian Embassy. During February, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen had ordered an Emergency, which India took a strong position against it. After that incident, the Maldives Immigration Authority has reportedly held up thousands of work permits to Indians. Important Value Additions: Key concerns: Turbulent Maldivian politics: Maldives continues its descent into political anarchy with democratic institutions facing an unabated onslaught under the authoritarian regime of President Abdulla Yameen. Maldives growing “closeness” with China: Both China and Pakistan stepping up their strategic inroads into the Maldives Religious radicalization: The island-nation (Maldives) is being radicalized by the Saudi funds and influence ISIS threat: Growing Islamic radicalisation in the tiny island-nation of about four lakh people once known for its tolerant practices has many foreign governments, including India, deeply concerned. No FTA with India: Maldives and India do not have a Free Trade Agreement. However Maldives and China entered into Free Trade Agreement. Yameen government asked India to remove its Dhruv advanced light helicopters from Maldives (which India had gifted in 2013). Yameen government has alleged that tensions over the presence of the two Indian helicopters in two strategically important locations in the Laamu and Addu atolls have been growing. Work permits are not currently being issued to Indian Nationals. Article link: Downturn in ties with Maldives hits Indians' job opportunities Green ambitions — on renewable energy targets Indian government had set a target of achieving 175 gigawatts (GW) of capacity from renewable energy sources by 2022. Recently, Union Power Minister said India would overshoot its target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity to 225 GW. However, this is a tall claim, considering India has missed several interim milestones since it announced its 175 GW target in 2015. Do you know? 175 GW renewable energy targets by 2022 – 100 GW Solar 60 GW Wind 10 GW Biomass and 5 GW Hydro Concerns: Despite renewable capacity being augmented at a blistering pace targets are missed. Technological and financial challenges remain: both wind and solar generation could be erratic, and India’s creaky electricity grid must be modernised to distribute such power efficiently. To hit its 2022 target of 175 GW, 106 GW will have to be added in four years, more than twice the capacity added in the last four. Of the current goal of 100 GW from solar energy by 2022, 40 GW is to come from rooftop installations, and 60 GW from large solar parks. Despite being the fastest-growing renewable-energy segment so far — rooftop solar clocked a compound annual growth rate of 117% between 2013 and 2017 — India only hit 3% of its goal by the end of 2017, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report. Homeowners aren’t buying the idea of installing photovoltaic panels on their terraces because the economics does not work out for them. Article link: Green ambitions — on renewable energy targets Combating cyber threat: Government initiatives Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Cyber security Key pointers: To combat cyber threat, the government is coming up with more cyber security labs. The government has earlier launched Digital Investigation Training and Analysis Centre (DITAC) to tackle these crimes. The government launched its first DITAC in Gurugram, Haryana in 2016 in collaboration with National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The second one is being set up in Mohali, Punjab. DITACs will monitor and police cyber crimes committed through different platforms such as mobile, email, computer and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Apart from DITACs, the government also established National Cyber Coordination Centre, an operational cyber security and e-surveillance agency in India. National Informatics Centre opened the fourth new data centre in Bhubaneswar, the second largest after the one in New Delhi, recently. Background: Cyber attacks have grown in terms of sophistication and reach in the recent times. The country is witnessing growing cyber crime ranging from fraud calls to malwares that bring banking systems to a standstill. India was one of the worst hit countries by the WannaCry ransomware malware affecting sectors such as banking, finance and manufacturing last year. Dam Safety Bill 2018 Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure Key pointers: The Bill proposes to help all the States and Union Territories adopt uniform dam safety procedures, which will ensure safety of dams and safeguard the benefits from them. It will also help in safeguarding human life, livestock and property. The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning. It also talks about the constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which will evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required. It prescribes setting up a National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which will discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam safety in the country. There will also be State-level committee on Dam Safety to be set up by each State Government. Background: There are over 5,200 large dams in India and about 450 are under construction. In addition, there are thousands of medium and small dams. Due to lack of legal and institutional architecture, dam safety is an issue of concern. Unsafe dams are a hazard and dam break may cause disasters, leading to huge loss of life and property, a Government statement said. Restructuring of the North Eastern Council Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Polity Key pointers: North Eastern Council The Cabinet has decided that Home Minister will now head the North Eastern Council (NEC) while Minister-in-Charge of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) will be the co-chair. Under the new arrangement with Home Minister as Chairman and Minister of DoNER as Vice-Chairman, NEC and all the Governors and Chief Ministers of the North-Eastern States as members would provide a forum for discussing inter-State matters more comprehensively and also consider common approaches to be taken in the future. NEC can now perform the tasks undertaken by the various Zonal Councils to discuss inter-State issues as drug trafficking, smuggling of arms and ammunition, boundary disputes etc. About NEC: The Council is a statutory body with Governors and Chief Ministers of all the eight North-Eastern States as its members. NEC implements various projects through the State and Central agencies. U.S. nod for six more Apaches In news: U.S. State Department has approved the sale of six additional AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to India. The Army will operate them. Key points: Defence deals between India and US AH-64 Apache attack helicopters Chinook heavy-lift helicopters C-130J Hercules M777 howitzer Harpoon anti-ship missile system Article link: US nod for six more Apaches Person in news: Bindeshwar Pathak Part of: Prelims In news: Noted social reformer and founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak was  with Japan’s prestigious ‘Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture and Community’ for his significant work in tackling poor hygiene and discrimination. The award honours people in Asia who have made significant contributions in one of the three areas: regional growth; science, technology and innovation; and culture and community. Former PM Manmohan Singh and Infosys chairman N. R. Narayana Murthy are among the few Indians who have won the prize in the past. (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 1: Urbanization, their problems and their remedies General Studies 2: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Municipal governance: An analysis About: It’s been 25 years since decentralised democratic governance was introduced in India by the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments, which came into force on April 24 and June 1, 1993, respectively. Central Government’s Smart Cities mission completes three years this month. Therefore the below article examines India’s tryst with municipal governance. Analysis: We know from ARC reports and previous articles that – Local governments (esp. Panchayats) are financially constrained and do not have the administrative capacity to carry out its functions. It is also important to explore how urban local governments are actively disempowered and depoliticised as an institution. How are urban local governments disempowered and depoliticized? The disempowerment and depoliticisation has happened in multiple ways. First, elected representatives at the city-level are rendered powerless by making them subservient (subordinate) to the State government. i.e. in most municipal corporations, while the mayor is the ceremonial head, the executive powers of the corporation are vested with the State government-appointed commissioner. This disjuncture in municipal governance has been exploited by State governments to ensure that no city-level politician challenges their control over a city. Municipal corporations are further denied their political role by the continued operation of various parastatal agencies created by the State government. These may take the form of urban development authorities (which build infrastructure) and public corporations (which provide services such as water, electricity and transportation). These agencies, which function with a certain autonomy, are accountable only to the State government, not the local government. Even urban planning and land-use regulation (globally a quintessential local government function) is with State government-controlled development authorities. Two, new Central government programmes are further making local governments powerless and depoliticized. While parastatal agencies and unelected commissioners are pre-74th Amendment legacies that have not been undone, what is also worrying is the further depoliticisation of local government in recent years. Central government programmes such as the Smart Cities Mission seek to ring fence projects from local government. This programme mandates the creation of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) for Smart Cities which will have “operational independence and autonomy in decision making and mission implementation”. It further “encourages” a State government to delegate “the decision-making powers available to the ULB (urban local body) under the municipal act/government rules to the Chief Executive Officer of the SPV”. The creation of parallel institutions that disempower the elected local government shows how higher levels of government distrust local politics and craftily retain control of a city’s reins. Even for performing functions that are within its purview (such as levying local taxes or undertaking civic projects above a certain budget) the local government requires State government permissions. Hence, municipalities are not yet autonomous units that can be genuinely called as the “third tier” of government in India’s federal system. Even after the 73rd and 74th Amendments, India has effectively only two levels of government — Union and State. Three, inherent limitations in 74th Amendment provisions While the 74th Amendment has become a guide or inspiration for civic activism in many cities, however it has certain inherent limitations. Many of its key provisions are not mandatory for the State government. The functions listed under the 12th Schedule — which a State government is expected to devolve to the local government — do not include essential civic issues such as urban transportation, housing or urban commons. The 74th Amendment also contains an industrial township exception whereby a municipality need not be constituted in areas which are declared as industrial townships. These provisions have been employed by State governments to keep local governments weak. Four, over-reliance on semi-representative bodies Civic activism has often been focussed on the creation of two bodies mandated by the 74th Amendment — ward committees and metropolitan planning committees. However, an over-reliance on such semi-representative bodies does not augur well for creating a genuinely democratic city government. In fact, civil society’s fixation with nominating its members into ward committees can further depoliticise local governments and make them captive to the interests of certain elite resident welfare associations. Instead of distrusting them, we must acknowledge that local governments are inherently political spaces where multiple interests compete. The way ahead: As cities struggle to meet the basic needs of their inhabitants, it is important to re-examine the existing modes of organising power in urban India. Unlike the 73rd Amendment which provides for three levels of panchayats (village, taluk, and district levels), power in urban areas is concentrated in a single municipal body (whether it is a municipal corporation, municipal council or town panchayat). However, as Indian cities have grown exponentially over the last 25 years, with some crossing the 10 million population mark, it is important that policy makers rethink the present model of urban governance that vests power in a singular municipality. While urban governance reforms can take multiple shapes, they must be foregrounded in the political empowerment of local government that furthers local democratic accountability. Final crux – Powerless mayors and city councils, severe fragmentation of governance – multiple civic bodies, parastatals – multiple civic bodies with frequent change of toothless mayors, commissioners. Local government has the least amount of capability, quality of delivery and poor processes that are being followed. Most of the laws and policies that they are following are archaic. All these have resulted in urban local governments’ active disempowerment and depoliticisation. Connecting the dots: For India to make urbanisation sustainable, it must first tackle the problems of multiplicity of jurisdictions, weak revenue base and human resource capacity deficit that impact most of its cities. Analyse. Urban local governments are actively disempowered and depoliticised as an institution. Do you agree?  Elucidate. NATIONAL TOPIC:General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary Making government litigation more efficient: LIMBS Introduction: LIMBS stands for Legal Information Management and Briefing System. It is a Ministry of Law and Justice initiative. The idea is to reduce government litigation, or in other word to make government litigation more efficient. At the moment, this is about civil cases (not for criminal cases) and is about the Union government (not the state governments). LIMBS is still a work in progress (not every ministry/department is part of LIMBS yet). Background: The LIMBS project began internally at the ministry of railway sometime in 2013, but was soon expanded as a single platform across ministries. In July 2015, it was hosted on the NIC (national informatics centre) server. The law ministry, by a gazette notification in February,206, formally launched LIMBS to monitor cases filed against the Union government. Benefits of LIMBS: Earlier, information about cases involving 64 ministries/departments was scattered in different places, typically in the form of physical files. That information is now available on a single platform, in electronic form. Once data are available in this form, several questions can be asked. What types of cases are these? How old are they? What is the financial implication? Can cases be clubbed? Can some disputes be settled outside court? Why did the government lose a case? Should more resources be devoted to certain courts? Is distribution of cases even across advocates? What is the track record of specific advocates? It will thus help reduce delays in filing responses in cases , contempt notices because of such delays and consequent monetary penalties. LIMBS is meant to improve the Union government’s handling of cases. An advocate, an arbitrator, or a new user from a ministry/department can log in. Ministry’s designated nodal officer authenticates the user’s credentials and only authenticated users are allowed to access the website and enter the case details. Government being biggest litigant: A sample survey conducted in Karnataka found that in 65 per cent of civil cases, the government was a litigant, sometimes on both sides. Government litigation crowds out the private citizen from the court system. Much of this government litigation is in the form of appeals and this survey again found that 95 per cent of government appeals fail. In a way, they are appeals that shouldn’t have been made in the first place. One way of reducing the load on courts is to reduce the quantum of cases that come to the courts. Conclusion: LIMBS provides benefits ranging from advocates getting paid on time to figuring out whether government should litigate (not just appeal). It also identifies petty cases the government can simply drop. However, its scope must now be increased to include all the government departments and having similar system at states- level too. Connecting the dots: Legal Information Management and Briefing System is a project to make government litigation more efficient. Its scope must now be broadened. Discuss. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Consider the following pairs and choose the correctly matched pair/s from below options: Defence deal : : Associated country C-130J Hercules : : India-US S-400 Triumf: : India-Russia Harpoon : : India-Israel Choose appropriate code from options below: 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Consider the below statements with regard to renewable energy policy of India: Indian government has set a target of achieving 225 gigawatts (GW) of capacity from renewable energy sources by 2022. It has set a target to achieve 100 GW solar power capacity till 2022. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) The Government of India has set a target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022. In this context, arrange the following renewable energy sources in the decreasing order of their specific targets: Small hydro power Solar power Biomass power Wind power Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 2-4-3-1 4-2-1-3 1-3-2-4 4-2-3-1 Q.4) Which Schedule of the Constitution contains provisions of Municipal Corporation? Schedule Eleven Schedule Five Schedule Twelve Schedule Six Q.5) Consider the following statements in regard to local governments in relation to 73rd and 74th Amendments: Local government is enumerated in concurrent list. The amendment made a provision for the mandatory creation of the Gram Sabha. One third of the positions in all panchayat institutions are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Which of the above given statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only 1 and 3 2 and 3 MUST READ An improbable friendship The Hindu The missing tiers The Hindu Green ambitions The Hindu Trump's disruptions Indian Express More power to the farmer Business Line

IASbaba's OFFLINE CLASSES

ADMISSIONS OPEN: IASbaba’s OPTIONAL Mains Mentorship based Test Series and Discussion Classes 2018 – GEOGRAPHY, ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, KANNADA LITERATURE

Dear Aspirants, We are opening the admissions for UPSC OPTIONAL 2018 Mains Mentorship based Test Series and Discussion Classes. In the paras to follow, you can find the Optional Subjects that will be taken at IASbaba, along with the Schedule. Students who are interested in joining the Test Series and Discussion Classes for Mains 2018, can fill the Registration Form, which is provided at the end of the post. ANTHROPOLOGY OPTIONAL  Anthropology optional, under the guidance of  Mr Gagan Sir, who is considered the best by those who have secured ranks. The success of Sachin Gupta (AIR 3, CSE 2017), Naveen Bhat (AIR 37) and Nimishamba (Rank 386) and Sharath Chandra (Rank 425) in CSE-2016,  is the testimony for the focused guidance and strategy provided by Gagan Sir. For Sample Anthropology answers of Sachin Gupta (AIR 3, CSE 2017)-> CLICK HERE To Download the Anthropology Optional Schedule Mains 2018 -> CLICK HERE P.S: 1st Test is on 1st July, 2018 (Sunday) GEOGRAPHY OPTIONAL Geography is undoubtedly one of the most popular optionals in CSE. What gives Geography an added popularity is the overlapping of it’s syllabus with that of GS. Indeed, everything related to Geography included in GS papers I and III can be answered without any extra effort by a Geography optional candidate. Moreover, with effective strategy and preparation, one can score really good marks in this optional. So if you are appearing in CSE, 2018 with Geography, CHEERS!!! You already have an edge.   For the last two years, we have been conducting Offline Test series and Discussion Classes for Geography Optional. This year also, we are glad to announce Geography Offline for CSE Mains, 2018. To Download the Geography Optional Schedule Mains 2018 -> CLICK HERE P.S: 1st Strategy Class is on 24th June, 2018 (Sunday) SOCIOLOGY OPTIONAL Sociology Optional under the guidance of Mr Vamshi Krishna Sir (a Topper himself in Sociology in UPSC 2014, 2015), BDS, M.A in Sociology from IGNOU. Working as assistant administrative officer at CSIR NAL. Writes on social issues on blogs. Regular contributor to Research gate website on social issues. To Download the Sociology Optional Schedule Mains 2018 -> CLICK HERE P.S: 1st Test is on 1st July, 2018 (Sunday) KANNADA LITERATURE OPTIONAL   Kannada literature optional, under the guidance of Dr.Rakesh Sir .E.S MSc, PhD. (a Topper himself in Kannada Literature in UPSC 2008, 2010). He has been guiding, teaching and mentoring students since 2010. Famously called by the students fraternity as a one-stop destination for Kannada literature Optional subject. His rich experience in teaching, his depth of understanding the subject and his interpretation skills in literary context has helped many students to get into the All India Services, Central Services and State Civil services. The one-one discussion sessions of Dr.Rakesh is well appreciated across by the students fraternity because of its fruitfulness with respect to doubt solving nature. Right now Dr.Rakesh is teaching in the reputed institutes of Delhi and Bangalore for both U.P.S.C &  K.P.S.C. His list of successful students includes Chanappa IPS, GuruPrasad IRS, Anoop Shetty IPS, Vishnu Gowda IRPS, Dyamappa IRS and many more! For the Detailed write-up of IASbaba’s Kannada literature Optional -> CLICK HERE To Download the Kannada literature Optional Schedule Mains 2018 -> CLICK HERE P.S: 1st Test is on 1st July, 2018 (Sunday) For the Detailed write-up of IASbaba’s Connect to Conquer (C2C) -Offline Mentorship Based Mains Guidance Programme for General Studies and Essay -> CLICK HERE MODE OF ADMISSION: Interested students can fill up the registration form. Once registered you will get an invite, with the payment link. Once the payment is done, send the acknowledgement to offline@iasbaba.com. This confirms your enrollment to the program.  (OR) You can directly come to the office and make the payment and confirm your admission. The Office address is mentioned @ the end of the post. REGISTRATION FORM –> CLICK HERE FOR QUERIES: Office Address: No. 1737/37, MRCR Layout, Vijayanagar Service road, Vijayanagar, Bangalore – 560040. Landmark: Vijayanagar Metro station or Above Apple Showroom Office timings: 10.30 am – 4.30 pm Mail: offline@iasbaba.com Mobile No- 9035077800/6362224637 (10 AM to 5 PM) Thank You IASbaba

Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 1]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 1] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission’ It is a statutory body It is under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce and Industry It is entrusted with the task of providing financial assistance to institutions and individuals for development and operation of Khadi and village industries Select the correct code: 1 Only 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.2) The term, ‘KATRIN’ was in news recently. It is associated with Cyber Security Hurricane near Florida, USA Space Junk Neutrino Q.3) ‘Vallarta Mud Turtles’ are generally found in Chambal River Gahirmatha Beach Rann of Kutch None of the above Q.4) Consider the following statements about 'Seva Bhoj Yojana' Under the scheme, Centre's share of GST charged on the raw food materials purchased by the religious institutions will be refunded It has been notified by the Union Ministry of Culture Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) Recently signed ‘Qingdao Declaration’ is associated with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) BRICS ASEAN Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) To Download the Solution – Click here All the Best  IASbaba

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 13th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 13th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) National Parks/Tiger Reserves in news Part of: Prelims - Environment and Biodiversity; Animal Conservation; Mapping Know these names and associated states Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh Jharkhand’s Palamu Tiger Reserve Uttarakhand Corbett Tiger Reserve Rajaji Tiger Reserve Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary Why in new? Elephants have been imported to the above national parks or tiger reserves from Karnataka. Karnataka, which has the largest elephant population in the country, captures and confines elephants in conflict with humans. Called Kumki elephants, they are tamed and trained in forest camps, and are now in demand in other States, for patrolling duties in forest reserves. Article link: The elephant ambassadors of Karnataka Indigenously made lithium ion batteries technology In news: ISRO offers indigenously made lithium ion batteries technology to firms Qualified companies or competent Indian industries/start-ups can now use its power storage technology to produce a range of Li ion cells for many purposes, mainly EVs or electric vehicles. ISRO’s rocket sciences node Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre will transfer its in-house technology non-exclusively to each qualified production agency for a one-time fee of ₹1 crore. Do you know? The Li ion cell production initiative is part of the government’s plan to achieve 100% EVs in the country by 2030. Li ion battery is much in demand for use in handy consumer electronics goods too. Currently the batteries are imported mostly from China, South Korea and Taiwan. NITI Aayog has also earlier called for setting up local production. https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/13/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_05/715eff52_2169160_101_mr.jpg Important Value Additions: Some of the advantages of LIBs are: A typical LIB is able to store 150 watt-hours electricity per kg of battery, compared to 100 watt-hours electricity in a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, and only 25 watt-hours electricity in a lead-acid battery. LIBs hold a charge well. They usually lose approximately 5% of their charge each month, against a 20% monthly loss for NiMH batteries. LIBs do not require complete discharge prior to recharging. LIBs are able to handle more charge/discharge cycles. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are less environmentally damaging than batteries containing heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury, but recycling them is still far preferable to incinerating them or sending them to landfill. Some of the disadvantages of LIBs are: LIBs start to degrade the moment they leave the factory. They usually last for only two to three years from the date of manufacture, regardless of whether used or unused. LIBs are highly sensitive to higher temperatures. Higher temperature leads to a much faster degradation rate than normal. If a LIB is fully discharged, it gets totally damaged. LIBs are comparatively expensive. There exists a small possibility that if the LIB pack fails, it may burst open into flame. Article link: Karnataka ISRO offers battery technology to firms SEBI panel to study option of direct overseas listings Part of: GS Prelims – Indian Economy In news: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted an expert committee to examine the possibility of allowing unlisted Indian companies to directly list equity overseas while also allowing foreign companies to list directly on the Indian bourses. Do you know? Companies incorporated in India can today list their debt securities on international exchanges (Masala Bonds) but their equity share capital can be listed abroad only through the – American Depository Receipt (ADR) or Global Depository Receipt (GDR) – ADR/GDR route. Similarly, companies incorporated outside India can access the Indian capital markets only through the IDR route. Thus, presently, direct listing of equity share capital of companies incorporated in India is not permitted on foreign exchanges and vice versa. Considering the evolution and internationalization of the Capital Markets, it would be worthwhile to consider facilitating companies incorporated in India to directly list their equity share capital abroad and vice versa. In this regard, it has been decided to constitute an Expert Committee to look into this aspect in detail. Important Value additions DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS Depository Receipt is a mechanism through which a domestic company can raise finance from the international equity market. Companies of a country can go abroad to sell their shares in foreign capital market. When a foreign investor buys shares of domestic companies abroad (in capital market), he is issued a receipt by a custodian Bank. This receipt represents a certain number of underlying shares of domestic companies and hence they are called Depository receipts. The depository receipts raised by Indian companies in American market are called American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and those that are raised in some other countries are called Global Depository Receipts (GDR). The depository receipts raised by foreign companies in Indian market are called Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs). Article link: SEBI panel to study option of direct overseas listings Trump-Kim meet Part of: GS prelims – International Relations Key points: Summit was held in Sentosa island in Singapore North pledges to move towards denuclearization U.S. assures its old foe of security guarantees However sanctions on North Korea would stay in place for now (MAINS FOCUS) GOVERNANCE TOPIC:General Studies 2: Role of civil services in a democracy. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability and institutional and other measures. Lateral Entry: Civil Services Reform In news: The government has mooted the idea of allowing lateral entry from academia and the private sector at the joint-secretary level. The department of personnel and training’s call for applications to fill 10 joint-secretary level posts in various departments. This is both welcome and inadequate to address India’s governance challenges. Reference article: Lateral entry into civil services Background: The idea of lateral induction is not new. It was recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reform Commission, high level committees appointed by different governments and a plethora of think tanks. Lateral entries in past: The Indira Gandhi government started this in the 1970s, when Yoginder K Alagh, then a teacher in Ahmedabad, was appointed the head of the Perspective Planning division of the Planning Commission. Other “outsiders” of note are former prime minister Manmohan Singh, economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who ushered in transformative economy reforms, Sam Pitroda, credited for the telecom revolution in India, and more recently, Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of Infosys, whom the UPA brought in to head the UIDAI project. The case for lateral entry is strong: Civil servants enter public service as generalists and gain experience through district and state level postings. While this offers strong grounding in grassroots realities and effective coordination, building specific domain expertise starts quite late for career bureaucrats. Frequent transfers discourage specialized knowledge. Short tenures provide little opportunity for it. The function and form of any governance institution is shaped by the political and economic contexts it works within. These contexts have changed dramatically over the decades. Vallabhbhai Patel’s conception of the Indian Administrative Service’s (IAS’) role as a binding agent in a newly independent nation that was wildly heterogenous and traumatized was of its time. The old, existential threats no longer exist. Indian federalism has changed accordingly, both politically and economically. The bureaucracy is in many cases, ill-suited to the rapidly changing nature of technology-fuelled economic progress and governance. Lateral entry is essential to infuse fresh vigour into this closed “mandarin” system. Positive: The opening up of the services is a chance to induct talented individuals who have experience and specialisation in the exact field they will be hired for. Those hired would be experts in their domains, would have a proven record of competence, coming from the private sector, will bring in fresh perspective and new ideas.   People hired this way will always have the option of going back to their old jobs, and thus can stand up to their political bosses in a way that is difficult for government servants. The new move gives the people, who do not have the luxury to devote years to preparing for one exam, a fresh chance to serve the nation, after honing their talent in the private sector. At present, the numbers to be inducted are relatively small – around 40. However, this may help tide over the current deficit of middle level officers in the central government. It is both a workaround for the civil services’ structural failings and an antidote to the complacency that can set in a career-based service. Criticism: This would open a side door for the government to appoint its favoured people to important posts, would promote nepotism, and could even be a way to bypass reservation for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe candidates. Way ahead: Lateral entry shouldn’t descend into nepotism and politicisation of bureaucracy. The recruitment and selection process must be transparent and involve an autonomous body like the Union Public Service Commission to minimize the risk of political considerations trumping merit. This is the route the UK, Australia and New Zealand have taken, and the second administrative reforms committee has recommended as much. The inevitable push-back from the IAS will also have to be managed. Lateral entries are not a panacea: Lateral entries can buttress the IAS. They cannot replace it. Technocratic skills are important. But so is the IAS’ unduplicable experience of ground-level governance in India. From rewarding performance to curbing the culture of political patronage—reforms are necessary. Without this, the private sector talent will not be able to make up for the deficiencies of a bureaucracy low on morale, performance and reputation. Administrative reforms must accompany lateral entry. There should be periodic reviews of mid-career officers to weed out underperformers. IAS monopolies in ministries like home, S&T, sports, etc must go and other cadres deserve consideration too. Connecting the dots: The IAS has long been an ivory tower. Opening a new door to it will prove to be a good idea, for the bureaucracy and for the country. Comment. HEALTH/ETHICS TOPIC:General Studies 2 and 4: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability; institutional and other measures. Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen's Charters, Work culture Ethics first: Organ transplant racket Introduction: Yesterday, we read about Organ transplant racket which has surfaced in Tamil Nadu. It is alleged that International patients are getting more priority in cadaver transplants, bypassing long list of Indians. Three of four hearts harvested from brain-dead patients were given to foreign nationals, bypassing Indian patients on the waiting list. We know that, Health is a state subject, therefore State governments have responsibility for health care provision. They are expected to ensure that the organs that are altruistically donated by families of brain-dead people are given to recipients ethically, and as mandated by law. As long as there is a shortage of organs for transplantation, there will be a requirement that those organs be offered to patients on the waiting list in an ethical manner. The allocation system should be “fair.” Next course of action: There must be an inquiry into how allocations for organ transplants are made. Any inquiry into the allocation of hearts and lungs to foreigners should, therefore, shed light on the factors that led to the decisions, including whether registered citizens were overlooked. It should cover such issues as the capacity of district-level hospitals to perform transplants, and arrangements to air-lift organs, since domestic patients are unable to afford flight facilities. Such measures will make it possible to utilise more hearts and lungs, and offer them to domestic recipients. Enrolling all domestic patients through State registries should be the priority for the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, set up by the Centre with that mandate. Ethics first: Hospitals and professionals who engage in commerce or unethical behaviour should have no place in the system. Connecting the dots: What are the Reasons behind the imbalance between the number of organs donated and the number of people waiting for a transplant? “Making organs a commodity is fraught with erosion of social, moral, and ethical values and is not an alternative that can be acceptable to meet organ requirements in a civilized society”. Critically analyze. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I                              List II Rajaji Tiger Reserve         1. Uttarakhand Palamu Tiger Reserve      2. Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa National Park    3. Jharkhand   A-B-C 1-2-3 3-2-1 1-3-2 3-1-2 Q.2) Consider the below statements with regard to lithium ion batteries: They have high energy density compared to lead-acid battery or nickel-metal hydride battery. They have relatively low self-discharge rate compared to nickel based batteries. These batteries are less environmentally damaging than batteries containing heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.3) Consider the below statements: Companies incorporated in India can today list their equity share capital abroad through IDR route only. Companies incorporated outside India can access the Indian capital markets only through the ADR/GDR route. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q4.) Consider the following statements about Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs): An IDR is a mechanism that allows foreign investors to invest in Indian listed companies in Indian rupees. IDRs are Indian version of Global Depository Receipts (GDRs). Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None MUST READ Historic handshake The Hindu A plastic charter The Hindu Polls are best kept apart Indian Express

IASbaba's OFFLINE CLASSES

ADMISSIONS OPEN: For KANNADA LITERATURE OPTIONAL Mains Mentorship based Test Series and Discussion Classes 2018 and 2019 OFFLINE Classroom Programme

Dear Friends, The mentorship programme for Kannada Literature OPTIONAL subject -2018 Mains Examination will be conducted by a renowned faculty Dr.Rakesh.E.S MSc, PhD. (a Topper himself in Kannada Literature in UPSC 2008, 2010). He has been guiding, teaching and mentoring students since 2010. Famously called by the students fraternity as a one-stop destination for Kannada literature Optional subject. His rich experience in teaching, his depth of understanding the subject and his interpretation skills in literary context has helped many students to get into the All India Services, Central Services and State Civil services. The one-one discussion sessions of Dr.Rakesh is well appreciated across by the students fraternity because of its fruitfulness with respect to doubt solving nature. Right now Dr.Rakesh is teaching in the reputed institutes of Delhi and Bangalore for both U.P.S.C &  K.P.S.C. His list of successful students includes Chanappa IPS, GuruPrasad IRS, Anoop Shetty IPS, Vishnu Gowda IRPS, Dyamappa IRS and many more!   UPSC, KANNADA LITERATURE: MAINS 2018-TEST SERIES & CLASS DISCUSSION PROGRAMME Key Highlights:  Programme is designed to aim for 320+ score in Mains examination. The skill of utilising the syllabus of Paper-1 in writing the answers of Paper-2 will be developed among the students. Discussion classes will be held after each Mock test. For further indepth understanding one-one discussion with the teacher is organised. Supporting reading material is provided to the students. To enhance the answer writing skills of the students KPSC syllabus will be discussed. Before jumping into answers directly, the skill of understanding the questions by deconstruction technique will be imparted to the students. Guidance session for answer writing from the successful candidates will be organised. 4 unit wise tests from both the papers and 2 comprehensive tests from each paper, total 12 tests are part of the programme. 1st Test is on 1st July (Sunday), 2018   CLICK HERE –> Kannada Literature Mains 2018 Test Series Schedule   MODE OF ADMISSION: Interested students can fill up the registration form. Once registered you will get an invite, with the payment link. Once the payment is done, send the acknowledgement to offline@iasbaba.com. This confirms your enrollment to the program.  (OR) You can directly come to the office and make the payment and confirm your admission. The Office address is mentioned @ the end of the post. REGISTRATION FORM –> CLICK HERE     UPSC, KANNADA LITERATURE: 2019 OFFLINE Classroom Programme Key Highlights:  Two and Half months (AUGUST 6th TO OCTOBER 15th)   The optional subject Kannada Literature will be taught in the philosophical and literary context to ensure, the students develop the critical analytical ability while writing answers. The techniques of answer writing by utilizing the principles and ideologies mentioned in the Paper – 1 will be taught in the class room sessions. Since many students from Non-Literary backgrounds (Science & Commerce graduates) are opting for Kannada Literature, for in depth understanding of the subject in a comprehensive way and to solve the doubts, the class room teaching involves discussions and debates. The study materials (Notes) issued in the class room includes the : Critical analysis of the best books Notes of the Mysore university Model answer of the selected candidates in U.P.S.C Examination. Unit tests will be conducted after completion of each unit of the syllabus.(Total 8 tests from both the paper will be conducted). To enhance the answer writing capability of the students discussion sessions are held after evaluating the papers. Since personality tests is a part of the examination process to infuse philosophies & thoughts through literature guest lecturers will be taken by Senior writer, intellectuals. Interaction sessions with the successful candidates of the U.P.S.C Exam will be organised in the class room teaching programme.   For the PLAN/SCHEDULE –> Kannada Literature Classroom Program 2019 Schedule   MODE OF ADMISSION: Interested students can fill up the registration form. Once registered you will get an invite, with the payment link. Once the payment is done, send the acknowledgement to offline@iasbaba.com. This confirms your enrollment to the program.  (OR) You can directly come to the office and make the payment and confirm your admission. The Office address is mentioned @ the end of the post. REGISTRATION FORM –> CLICK HERE   FOR QUERIES: Office Address: No. 1737/37, MRCR Layout, Vijayanagar Service road, Vijayanagar, Bangalore – 560040. Landmark: Vijayanagar Metro station or Above Apple Showroom Office timings: 10.30 am – 4.30 pm Mail: offline@iasbaba.com Mobile No- 9035077800/6362224637 (10 AM to 5 PM)   Thank You IASbaba

RSTV Video

RSTV- Dangers of Plastic

Dangers of Plastic Archives TOPIC:General Studies 3 Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment In News: June 5 is marked by the United Nations as World Environment Day, a day set aside since 1974 to promote “worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.” This year’s theme is “beat plastic pollution.” Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern that requires our collective action. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres urged all people to reject single-use plastic items, and warned that growing levels of plastic waste were becoming unmanageable, saying “every year, more than eight million tons end up in the oceans.” “There is no Plan B because we do not have a Planet B.” India’s Stand: India went big in their commitment to Beat Plastic Pollution today, with an announcement to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022. This unprecedented ambitious move against disposable plastic will drastically stem the flow of plastics from 1.3 billion people and business in the fasted growing economy in the world. India has 7,500 km of coastline – the 7th longest in Asia. As part of this commitment, the government will establish a national and regional marine litter action campaign as well as a program to measure the total marine plastic footprint in India’s coastal waters. Partnership between UN Environment and BCCI to ‘green cricket’ across the country – aims to reduce cricket's environmental impact by greening operations and engaging fans and cricketers in green initiatives Government to begin a five-year exercise to compute district-level data of the country’s environmental wealth. The data will be used to calculate every State’s ‘green’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) The government has also launched a ‘green skilling’ programme - Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP), under which youth, particularly school dropouts, would be trained in a range of ‘green jobs’. GSDP aims to get 80, 000 people imparted green skills and in filling the skill gaps in the environment sector. Green Skill Development Programme will go a long way in reaping the demographic dividend of the country; GSDP to cover nearly 5 lakh people by 2021. Pledge to make 100 national monuments litter-free. Why #BeatPlasticPollution? Globally, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. A report produced by the World Economic Forum (2018) found that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans due to 13 million tonnes of plastic ending up in the ocean each year. Managing plastic waste is increasingly becoming a global environmental and economic challenge. Most used plastic materials are non-biodegradable and decompose at different rates - they threaten marine life and the well-being of people, as microplastics are now found even in drinking water. Plastic waste is a risk to public health as it enters our food chain, creates congestion problems in drains, causing flooding, ends up in river beds and oceans, depleting ecosystems and marine biodiversity, and makes solid waste management more expensive as landfills and open incineration do not provide an acceptable solution for disposal. The production process for plastic produces greenhouse gas, thus contributing to climate change. In India, Both the Solid Waste Management Rules and the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016, which built on previous regulations, mostly remain on paper. State governments have simply not given them the necessary momentum, and the producers of plastic articles have shown little concern about their negative environmental impact. The Centre’s somewhat liberal estimate shows over 60% of about 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated daily is collected. That essentially means a staggering 10,000 tonnes of trash is being released into the environment, a lot of it going into the sea. Also, not every piece of plastic collected by the system is scientifically processed. What is the way forward? As individuals: We can reduce our plastic pollution and be more environmentally conscious by avoiding single-use plastics (e.g. straws, cups, cutlery, etc.) and packaging materials (e.g. polybags). Instead we can use jute bags, glass bottles or jars, steel or ceramic cutleries and utensils, and paper-made tetra packs. The private sector needs to invest more in producing alternatives and biodegradable plastics and in phasing out the production of plastic. More research and technology investment and development is required to make alternatives to plastic that are economically viable and affordable. The government should play a leading role by Enacting strong policies and regulations that will encourage a more sustainable model for the design and production of plastics - Local bodies mandated under rules to ensure segregation, collection and transfer of waste to registered recyclers have spectacularly failed to fulfil their responsibilities. The State Level Monitoring Committees provided for under the rules have not been made accountable. The waste management framework is dysfunctional Technical and financial incentives from the government are instrumental for the transformation of the existing production system to a more sustainable one. Must Read: Link 1 + Link 2 + Link 3 Connecting the Dots: “India’s environmental diversity and riches are universally recognised but have never been quantified.” Discuss this in context of the decision taken to calculate every State’s ‘green’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). What do you mean by plastic roads? What are its benefits?

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 12th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 12th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Organ transplant racket surfaces in Tamil Nadu Part of: Prelims and GS Mains Paper II and IV – Health; Welfare and Ethical concerns In news: An organ transplant racket has surfaced in Tamil Nadu. International patients get priority in cadaver transplants, bypassing long list of Indians. Three of four hearts harvested from brain-dead patients were given to foreign nationals, bypassing Indian patients on the waiting list. Key Pointers: About National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is an all-India apex body for coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of organs/tissues and transplantation. NOTTO functions under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Protocol of organ transplant – The protocol is that an organ should first be offered to an Indian. If no Indian is available, an NRI should be considered. The question of an international patient arises only when both decline an organ offer. Going by the rule book, allocation of organs to recipients on the waiting list is based on criteria that include the date of registration and the medical condition of the recipient. The wealth, race or gender of a person on the waiting list has no bearing on when and whether a person will receive a donated organ. According to the Indian law, organ sales are banned and therefore no foreigner can get a local donor. Human organ transplant laws are very strict in India and the penalty incurred for organ trade is also very high. About Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THO) The legislation called the Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THO) was passed in India in 1994 to streamline organ donation and transplantation activities. The aim of the THO Act is “to provide for the regulation of removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and for the prevention of commercial dealings in human organs”. Despite the THO legislation, organ commerce and kidney scandals are regularly reported in the Indian media. Important value additions: The growing disparity between the rich and poor, demand for human organs and availability of technology in the country makes the trading of organs a quick means to riches for some and a relief for others. Invariably Organ trade leads to exploitation of the poverty-stricken people by tempting them with financial gains to meet their immediate short-term financial needs. The sad reality is that India has one of the lowest organ donation rates among developed and developing nations. Article link: In Chennai, the hearts beat for foreigners Animals/Species in news: Black Softshell turtle Part of: Prelims - Environment and Biodiversity; Animal Conservation In news: Nilssonia nigricans or Black Softshell turtle, which is declared extinct in the wild by the IUCN Red list, was sighted in sacred waters of temple ponds across northeast India. Tests at the Nagshankar temple pond in Assam have confirmed the presence of two more species — Nilssonia gangetica or Indian softshell turtle, classified as Vulnerable, and Chitra indica or South Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle, listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/12/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_01/6c9f05c2_2166606_1_mr.jpg Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/12/CNI/Chennai/TH/5_01/6c9f05c2_2166606_2_mr.jpg Key pointers: Black Softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) : : IUCN status ‘Extinct in the wild’ Indian softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) : : IUCN status ‘Vulnerable’ South Asian narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra indica) : : IUCN status ‘Endangered’ Do you know? Use of Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology – This fast emerging testing tool monitors the biodiversity of an area without physically collecting specimens. eDNA is DNA that is collected from a variety of environmental samples such as soil, seawater, or even air rather than directly sampled from an individual organism. Article link:Under divine care, turtles swim on in Assam's temple tanks India to host first BIMSTEC war games Part of: Prelims and GS Mains Paper II – India and its neighbours; International Relations In news: India will host the first military exercise of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) group focussing on counter-terrorism in September. The exercise is scheduled to be held in Pune. The theme includes counter-terrorism in semi-urban terrain and cordon and search, and each side will bring in some 30 soldiers. BIMSTEC countries held a disaster management exercise in 2017, but this is the first military exercise of the grouping. Important Value Additions About BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC was set up in 1997 and includes India, Bangladesh, Bhutan Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. (7 nations) The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an organization of South Asian and South East Asian countries which are dependent on the Bay of Bengal. Leadership is rotated in alphabetical order of country names. The permanent secretariat is in Dhaka. Article link: India to host first BIMSTEC war games in September Maldives asks India to remove its helicopters from Maldives Part of: Prelims and GS Mains Paper II – India and its neighbours; International Relations In news: Maldives government led by Yameen made it clear that it would like India to remove copters located in Maldives. India had gifted two Dhruv advanced light helicopters in 2013, of which one was operated by the Indian Coast Guard and the other by the Indian Navy, manned by six pilots and a number of maintenance ground staff. Yameen government has alleged that tensions over the presence of the two Indian helicopters in two strategically important locations in the Laamu and Addu atolls have been growing. Frayed ties Relations between New Delhi and Male have been frayed since last year, when the Maldives rushed through a free trade agreement with China, and plummeted further after President Abdulla Yameen declared an Emergency in the country in February. Article link: Remove copters by June-end: Maldives - NATIONAL - The Hindu Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) Part of: Prelims and GS Mains Paper II – Government schemes; Welfare and Health About PMMVY It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme Ministry of Women and Child Development Maternity Benefit Programme would be implemented in all the districts of the country in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013. It would provide grants-in-aid to the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations (UTs) in a dedicated Escrow account for the purpose of direct benefit transfer to the beneficiaries. PMMVY is implemented using the platform of Anganwadi Services scheme of Umbrella ICDS under Ministry of Women and Child Development. PMMVY shall be implemented through a centrally deployed Web Based MIS Software application and the focal point of implementation would be the Anganwadi Centre (AWC) and ASHA/ ANM workers. The scheme is being implemented on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis with the State governments. Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/12/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_11/5945ef25_2167321_101_mr.jpg Under the scheme, pregnant women and lactating mothers are offered a cash incentive of ₹6,000 on the birth of their first child as partial compensation for wage loss, to reduce maternal mortality and malnutrition levels among children. For more, refer to the link – http://www.wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/PMMVY%20Scheme%20Implemetation%20Guidelines%20._0.pdf Article link: PM's maternity scheme benefits 23.6 lakh Lateral entry into civil services Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Civil services reform Key pointers: The government has opened the doors of bureaucracy to skilled people from the private sector, inviting applications for 10 senior-level posts. The post of the joint secretary -- crucial to policy making and implementation of government programmes -- is filled by career bureaucrats, who usually join the service after passing exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Those eligible includes "Individuals working at comparable levels in Private Sector Companies, Consultancy Organisations, International/Multinational Organisations" above the age of 40 years and with a minimum of 15 years' experience. The posts are also open to officials of any state or union territory government who are already working at equivalent level, and individuals working at comparable levels in public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies, universities and research institutes. The recruitment will be done on contract basis for three to five years. Recruitment will be made for 10 departments -- including Revenue, Financial Services, Economic Affairs, Commerce and Civil Aviation. The idea of lateral entry into bureaucracy has been under discussion on and off for years, but this is the first time it has been acted upon. The government has said it is keen on it to bring in "fresh ideas and new approaches to governance". The step has been hailed as a welcome step that would bring in the much-needed field experts in governance, but critics have pointed out the system can only work if the method of selection is impartial, objective and transparent. Rs 500 crore fund to facilitate infrastructure investment Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure Key pointers: The government is planning to launch the Rs 500-crore fund next month to facilitate infrastructure investments by big players like insurance and pension funds. A credit enhancement fund provides an additional source of assurance or guarantee that the borrower will service their loan. It can also help borrowers raise loans at lower interest rates. The dedicated fund will operate as a non-banking financial company (NBFC) with 49 per cent government stake. It has got support from investors such as India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The initial corpus of the fund will be Rs 500 crore, and it will operate as a non-banking finance company. Currently, only $ 110 billion is being invested in infrastructure, against a requirement of $ 200 billion, leading many analysts to classify India as an infrastructure deficit country. However, he said there is a need for the private sector to be more active on the infrastructure investment front. (MAINS FOCUS) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TOPIC:General Studies 3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Kickstarting the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem in India Background: We have already covered AI - very comprehensively: What is AI? Real-world examples from around us Applications of AI With regard to Indian context, what are the applications of AI and challenges Summary of Potential Benefits of AI and Risks Refer to this link and revise once – Artificial Intelligence: Potential Benefits & Risks You should be able to connect the dots - What is Artificial Intelligence? Discuss what the potential benefits are and associated risks? Also what the challenges are in adoption of AI in Indian context? Therefore, among the challenges, we had highlighted that India fares average in the surging competition for AI technology development. There is no clearly stated policy document or vision statement for AI development. We also know that, in February 2018, the Department of Defence Production had constituted a 17-member task-force to study the use of AI for both military applications and technology-driven economic growth. In news: NITI Aayog has published an ambitious discussion paper on kickstarting the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem in India. The paper talks of powering five sectors — agriculture, education, health care, smart cities/infrastructure and transport — with AI. It highlights the potential for India to become an AI ‘garage’, or solutions provider, for 40% of the world. Can India win the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) race? The below article provides the concerns/challenges that India face today with regard to AI. Concerns For India, in order to catch up with China or U.S., it would first have to resolve some stumbling blocks, such as poor data quality and lack of expertise in this field. India would have to develop AI tools for a range of applications: reading cancer pathology reports, rerouting traffic in smart cities, telling farmers where to store their produce, and picking students at high risk of dropping out from school, among them. The U.S., Japan and China have published their AI strategy documents and, importantly, put their money where their aspirations are. China, for example, plans to hand out a million dollars in subsidies to AI firms, as well as to run a five-year university programme for 500 teachers and 5,000 students. The NITI Aayog does not talk about how India’s ambitions will be funded, but proposes an institutional structure to get things going. This structure includes a network of basic and applied research institutions, and a CERN-like multinational laboratory that would focus on global AI challenges. India hardly has any AI expertise today. The paper estimates that it has around 50 top-notch AI researchers, concentrated in elite institutions like the IITs. Further, only around 4% of Indian AI professionals are trained in emerging technologies such as deep learning. India also lacks quality data in building smart AI tools and insufficient research support, especially in sectors like agriculture and health. India is lagging the global dominance presently in the AI space ... It will take time before (it) positions itself at a global standing. Conclusion: India's efforts come as the AI competition between China and U.S. intensifies, with China aiming to be the world leader in the space by 2030. India, meanwhile, is late to the game, and will probably not dominate in the field except in a few areas. India stands a chance to compete at a global level, provided the above listed hurdles are overcome. Despite these formidable challenges, the scope of NITI Aayog’s paper must be lauded. The trick will be to follow it up with action, which will demand a strong buy-in from policymakers and substantial funds. The coming years will show if the country can manage this. Connecting the dots: India is lagging the global dominance presently in the AI space. Do you agree? Suggest what policy actions are needed for India in order to dominate the global AI race. India aspires to become an AI ‘garage’, or solutions provider, for 40% of the world. Critically examine where does India stand in the global race and will India succeed to become an AI ‘garage’? AGRICULTURE/ECONOMY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment Comprehensive Plan for Dairy Development: An assessment Background: A sustained growth of milk production in India, growing at a CAGR of 5 per cent between 2010-16, and the leading position of milk among all the agricultural commodities have placed dairy in the forefront of the government’s commitment to double farmers’ income by 2022. Vision 2022: National Action Plan on Dairy Development (NAPDD) In order to bring dairying in sync with its grand vision of doubling farmers’ income, the government formulated a comprehensive plan for dairy development — Vision 2022: National Action Plan on Dairy Development (NAPDD) — in 2017. It envisages increasing milk production to 300 million tonnes by 2023-24. To realise the desired milk production targets, the plan projects to increase the in-milk bovine population from 88 million to 116.38 million and average milk yield per bovine from 4.35 kg/day to 7kg/day between 2015-2023. Is it feasible? Enhancing the herd efficiency ratio: The plan is to enhance the herd efficiency ratio (Herd Efficiency Ratio is defined as the ratio of in-milk bovine population to total bovine population) from 27 per cent to 40 per cent by 2023. At present, only Punjab has herd efficiency as high as 39 per cent. Challenge: Considering the today’s political environment (Many State governments enforcing restrictive rules on cattle slaughter and private vigilantism on the rise causing interference with the established system of disposal of unproductive bovines), disposing of unproductive animals has become a big challenge for the farmers. Increasing the milk yield per bovine: Vision 2022 puts special focus on increasing the milk yield of low-yielding, non-descript local cattle from 2.15 kg/day to 5 kg/day by 2023-24. It plans to upgrade 50 per cent of non-descript cattle using seven indigenous dairy breeds and another 50 per cent using 33 indigenous dual-purpose breeds. Concern: The plan doesn’t conside upgradation by using exotic breeds such as Holstein Friesian. According to Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2016, the average milk yield per day of crossbreed-exotic is more than 7 kg/day; which is the required target of Vision 2022. States such as Punjab and Kerala have exhibited commendable achievements in milk production by grading up their local cattle with exotic breeds. Way ahead: Re-visioning the dairy plan In its present form, Vision 2022 has several infirmities and appears unrealistic in its commitment of doubling the milk production by 2023-24. The plan doesn't reflect the ground realities of milk production in India and ignores the wide inter-state gaps present. The entire eastern India have both herd efficiency and average milk yield below the national average of 27 per cent and 1,600 kg per year respectively. States such as Chhattisgarh, Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand are at present in a position where the rest of India was four-five decades back in terms of herd efficiency and average milk yield. Instead of bringing the rest of India on the same footing as Punjab in a short span, Vision 2022 should follow a more equitable and pragmatic approach to accelerate dairying in the country. It should first prioritise its energy and resources in shifting bovine functions more towards dairying in the eastern geography. Just by taking up the herd efficiency ratio and milk yield to the national average in the eastern States (Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal) alone could bring additional 35-40 million million tonnes of milk to the national milk pool. Conclusion: The hike in milk production especially in eastern states will have far-reaching socio-economic and livelihood impacts, which pragmatically should be the vision for India’s dairy development. Connecting the dots: The government must be more pragmatic in its dairy targets and must promote dairying in a big way in the Eastern States. Comment. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Consider the below statements: Health is a state subject. National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation is an all-India apex body for coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of organs/tissues and transplantation. NOTTO functions under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List I                                         List II Black Softshell turtle                 1. Endangered Koalas                                        2. Vulnerable Chitra indica                              3. Extinct in the wild A-B-C 1-2-3 3-2-1 1-1-2 3-1-2 Q.3) Consider the below statements with regard to BIMSTEC: It was set up in 1997 and includes all the South Asian and South East Asian countries. The permanent secretariat is in Dhaka. India will host the first military exercise of the BIMSTEC Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.4) Laamu and Addu atolls – these 2 strategically important locations were in news recently. It belongs to which among the following countries? Sri Lanka Australia Maldives Indonesia Q.5) Which of the following statements is/are correct about Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)? It is a cash incentive scheme for pregnant women and lactating mothers It is a pension scheme exclusively for the senior citizens aged 60 years and above It provides an assured return of 8% per annum for 10 years Both (b) and (c) Q.6) Consider the below statements with regard to Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, i.e 100% cost by Central government. It is implemented in all the districts of the country in accordance with the provision of the National Food Security Act, 2013. It is implemented using the platform of Anganwadi Services scheme of Umbrella ICDS under Ministry of Women and Child Development. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only 2 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.7) Which of the statements given below is/are correct about Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)? Under this scheme, monetary benefits are extended to BPL pregnant women and lactating mothers. Beneficiaries will get Rs. 6000 each in three installments. Choose correct answer: 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 MUST READ To the brink and back The Hindu The story of the two ceasefire The Hindu India redefines its regional role The Hindu When gun falls silent Indian Express The age of surplus Indian Express

PIB

IASbaba PIB Weekly : Press Information Bureau – 3rd June to 9th June, 2018

IASbaba Press Information Bureau 3rd June to 9th June, 2018 ARCHIVES GS-2 Launch of ‘JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA’ – Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health) Why: According to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, about 58 percent of women aged between 15 to 24 years use locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins and tampons. Further, about 78 percent women in urban areas use hygienic methods of protection during menstrual period; only 48 percent women in rural areas have access to clean sanitary napkins. Under: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Affordable sanitary napkins at Rs. 2.50 per pad now available at over 3600 Janaushadhi Kendras functional in 33 States/UTs across India Ensure Affordability, Hygiene as well as Ease of use and disposal for them Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded. This would ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged Women of India The average price of sanitary napkins available in the market today is around Rs. 8 per pad, whereas now with the launch of the SUVIDHA napkins at Rs. 2.50 per pad, this will go a long way in making the basic hygiene requirement aid for Women affordable for the underprivileged sections. One of the most important requirement in ensuring the Health Security to that section of Women in India who still use unhygienic aids during menstrual period due to non-affordability of some of the popular brands of sanitary napkins available in the market today. Such unhygienic aids cause fungal infections, Reproductive Tract Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Cervical cancer and also make women vulnerable to infertility. Ministries of MSME and Ayush Sign MoU for the Development of Ayush Enterprises (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health) The MoU will create synergies through the institutions and schemes of both ministries for the development of AYUSH enterprises in the country. Objective: To position India as a world leader in “Holistic Healthcare”. AYUSH is a rising sector, having immense potential for preventive, curative and rehabilitative health and has been part of India's socio-cultural heritage. AYUSH industry include the Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy drug manufacturing units as well as the healthcare delivery centers in public & private sectors and are essentially dominated by MSMEs, which need handholding support in the areas of entrepreneurship development, capacity building and financial assistance in order to grow and increase the market share of AYUSH. The domestic market for AYUSH sector has been increasing steadily over the past decade. There is also an acceptance of traditional medicines worldwide. Therefore, export of AYUSH products like food supplements, nutraceuticals and herbal extracts has increased significantly. In order to benefit from this the Ministries of MSME and AYUSH have agreed to join hands for developing enterprises in this sector. Both Ministries will organize regional workshops for entrepreneurship development in AYUSH sector and Ministry of MSME will frame new schemes for AYUSH industries to get the benefits of SIDBI. Cabinet Approves Extension of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Netherlands on technical cooperation in the field of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management: to promote and strengthen the collaboration between the signatories in the areas of Spatial Planning, Water Management and Mobility Management on the basis of equivalence, affordable housing, smart city development, geographical information system (GIS) for water supply & sewerage system, waste water reuse and recycle, conservation of fresh water by artificial recharge of aquifer, integrated  solid waste management and heritage conservation and mutual benefit, taking into account the practical needs of both the countries. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Denmark on technical cooperation in the field of Sustainable and Smart Urban Development: To promote bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable and smart urban development on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit through exchange of knowledge, institutional cooperation, research & development and commercial relations on related issues. Areas of cooperation include smart urban solutions, liveability, sustainable and integrated urban planning, re-development and land use, integrated solid waste management including waste to energy, sustainable transport systems, water and sanitation management, energy efficiency, resource mobilization and other related areas mutually agreed upon. Between India and United Kingdom on technical cooperation in the field of Sustainable Urban Development: To facilitate and strengthen India-UK institutional cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development. The areas of cooperation include smart cities development, solid waste management, green affordable housing, waste water management, capacity building of urban institutions, skill development in urban areas, urban mobility, intelligent transport system and transit-oriented development, innovative access to finance and other related areas as mutually agreed upon by the Contracting Parties. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III Continuation Programme – Phase 6 – Thirty Operational Flights of PSLV: The Programme will also meet the launch requirement of satellites for Earth observation, Navigation and Space Sciences. This will also ensure the continuity of production in Indian industry. Memorandum of Understanding between India and Oman on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space: Enable the following areas of cooperation such as, space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology. Agreement between India and France on technical cooperation in the field of Sustainable Urban Development: To promote technical cooperation in the areas of smart cities development, development of urban mass transportation systems, urban settlements and utilities (water supply and sewerage systems), disposal and treatment of solid waste, landfill remediation, management of non-revenue water, water reuse & recycle, technology transfer, conservation of fresh water by artificial recharge of aquifer, circular economy, mass housing, green housing, urban planning, heritage, human resource development, capacity building and other related areas as mutually agreed by the Contracting Parties. GS-3 Achievements of Power Ministry during last 4 years (Topic: Infrastructure: Energy) (i) Generation capacity- 1 Lakh MW generation capacity added. (2,43,029 MW in March 2014 to 3,44,002 MW in March 2018) India emerges as net exporter of electricity. 7203 MU supplied to Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar in FY 2017-18. Energy deficit reduced from 4.2 per cent (in FY 2013-14) to 0.7 per cent (in FY 2017-18) (ii) One Grid One Nation- Expansion of transmission grid by 1 lakh ckm Highest ever transformation capacity addition of 86,193 MVA in FY 2017-18 26 projects worth Rs. 48,427 crore awarded through Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Inter-regional transfer capacity addition more than tripled (16,000 MW in FY 2010-14 and 50,500 MW in FY 2014-18) (iii) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGKY) 100 per cent of village electrification Outlay of Rs. 75,893 crore Funds to states increased by 2.5 times (Rs. 10,873 crore in FY 2010 -14 and Rs 24,890 crore in 2014-18) 2,56,750 km HT and LT lines 4,09,989 distribution transformers (viii) Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) Outlay of Rs. 65,424 crore 1376 towns IT enabled 1900 additional towns under progress 1156 towns reported reduction in AT&C losses 1,29,093 km HT and LT lines 66,947 distribution transformers (vii) UDAY More than Rs 20,000 crore interest cost saved by DISCOMs under UDAY Reduction in AT&C losses in 17 states within one year of operation Revenue gaps bridged by 33 per cent in one year of operation India’s rank improved to 29 in 2018 from 111 in 2014on World Bank’s Ease of Getting Electricity Ranking. (vi) SAUBHAGYA Launched for universal electrification Camps organised at village level. Minimum documentation required Special drive for economically weaker sections under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan 60.34 lakh households electrified since 11th Oct, 2017 (ix) Power for All 24*7 – Joint initiative of Govt. of India and State Govts. Roadmap for 24*7 power supply prepared. States ready to ensure 24*7 Power for all from 1st April, 2019. (x) Focus on North-East region- Electrification of 5855 villages and intensive electrification of 9004 villages completed. 130 towns IT enabled. 52.28 lakh LED bulbs distributed under UJALA Rs. 9866 crore projects undertaken for strengthening/development of intra-state transmission (iv) UJALA 107 crore LED bulbs distributed 30.01 crore LED bulbs distributed under UJALA resulting in saving of 15,500 crore per year 77.99 crore additional LED bulbs distributed by industry. 87 per cent reduction in LED bulb procurement cost through demand aggregation. (v) 4376 MW hydel capacity addition (FY 2014-18) Innovations and Initiatives- Electric vehicles – No licence required for charging stations Procurement of 10,000 e-vehicles for Government institutions Smart Metering- Procurement of 50 lakh smart meters done. 1 crore prepaid meters under procurement Energy efficiency- Star labelling program saved energy worth Rs. 22,500 crore. Energy efficiency measures through PAT in large industries saved energy worth Rs. 9500 crore Energy Conservation Building Code for energy efficient buildings launched in June, 2017 Digital initiatives- e-Bidding and e-Reverse Auction for short and medium term procurement of power. Enabling payments through NPCI platforms such as BHIM, BBPS, Bharat QR etc. More than 24 crore digital transactions in FY 2017-18 for electricity bill payments. To bring transparency and to disseminate information to public at large following Apps are launched by the Ministry of Power: SAUBHAGYA – App for tracking household electrification. VidyutPravah – The Mobile/Web App provides real time information of current demand met, shortages if any, surplus power available and the prices in Power Exchange. UJALA (UnnatJyoti by Affordable LED`S for All) – App provides real time updates on the LED distribution happening across the country. UrjaMitra – monitoring of power availability and sending power cut information through SMS MERIT– information pertaining to marginal variable cost and source wise purchase of electricity. UDAY- Allows people to compare DISCOMs on the basis of 26 major performance parameters. URJA (Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan) – It is an informative App for Urban Distribution Sector. It captures Consumer centric parameters from the IT systems created under IPDS. TARANG (Transmission App for real time monitoring & Growth) – It is an IT Web/mobile based platform to provide status of both inter and intra state Transmission Projects in the country. This platform also shows the prospective interstate as well as intra state Transmission Projects. DEEP e-bidding (Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price) – The portal will provide a common e-bidding platform with e-reverse auction facility to facilitate nation-wide power procurement through a wider network so as to bring uniformity and transparency in the process of power procurement. Ash Track- linking fly ash users and power plants for better ash utilisation. “Methanol Economy”: NITI Aayog (Topic: Infrastructure: Energy) What is it? Methanol Economy is the “Bridge” to the dream of a complete “Hydrogen based fuel systems”. Methanol is a scalable and sustainable fuel, that can be produced from a variety of feedstocks like Natural Gas, Coal (Indian High Ash Coal), Bio-mass, Municipal Solid waste and most importantly from CO2. The Concept of “Methanol Economy” is being actively pursued by China, Italy, Sweden, Israel, US, Australia, Japan and many other European countries. 10% of fuel in China in transport Sector is Methanol. Why? Methanol is an alternative fuel for internal combustion and other engines, either in combination with gasoline or directly ("neat"). Methanol is less expensive to produce sustainably and is a less expensive way to reduce the carbon footprint. Methanol burns efficiently in all internal combustion engines, produces no particulate matter, no soot, almost nil SOX and NOX emissions (NEAR ZERO POLLUTION). The gaseous version of Methanol – DME can blended with LPG and can be excellent substitute for diesel in large buses and trucks. To adopt Methanol as a transport fuel, it requires minimal infrastructure modifications and capital both in vehicles and in terminal and distribution infrastructure. Why does Methanol have the potential to be an enduring solution to human energy needs? Because the beltched out C02 (greenhouse gas emission) both from using Methanol and while producing Methanol can be tapped back to produce Methanol. Thereby a seamless loop of CO2 sequestration cycle is created to perpetually burn fuels without polluting the environment at all. NITI Aayog’s plan NITI Aayog has drawn out a comprehensive plan to replace 20% of crude imports from Methanol alone. Adopting Methanol in this scale would bring down pollution in the country by more than 40% and not to forget the benefits from import substitution. Indian Railways alone burns three billion litres of diesel every year. Plans are in place to convert 6000 diesel railway engines to work on 100% Methanol and make railways a carbon neutral organisation. India by adopting Methanol can have its own indigenous fuel at the cost of approximately Rs. 19 per litre at least 30% cheaper than any available fuel. Methanol fuel can result in great environmental benefits and can be the answer to the burning urban pollution issue. Please Note: June 21st: International Yoga Day June 5th: World Environment Day; Prime Minister’s ‘mantra’ of 6 Rs – Reduce Recycle Reuse Retrieve Recover Redesign Remanufacture First World Bicycle Day: 3rd June Gulf of Aden Also known as the Gulf of Berbera Amidst Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea and Guardafui Channel to the east, Somalia to the south, and Djibouti to the west In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and in the southeast, it connects with the Indian Ocean through the Guardafui Channel Socotra, Yemen - A very Severe Cyclonic Strom Mekenu – Operation NISTAR Agni-5 missile: Long range ballistic missile Intercontinental ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India Other intercontinental missile countries: P5+Israel Canister based (Road mobility, all weather, flexible launching) [Others: Shaurya, Brahmos (Only supersonic cruise missile in the world)] Range: >5ooo km 3 stage solid propellant Nuclear warhead Usage: small satellites, shoot down enemy satellites in short range Ganga Praharis:  A new grassroot-level volunteer workforce is out there to protect the bio-diversity of river Ganga. A group of 427 trained volunteers are reaching to each and every house in areas along river Ganga to educate them about the importance of protecting river’s bio-diversity. They are spread over Ganga basin states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal. Zigzag technology: To reduce carbon emissions from burning of bricks in brick kilns As part of the Nationally Determined Contributions, India is committed to reducing thirty-three to thirty-five percent of emission intensity of its GDP during 2005 to 2030. India’s Journey in Renewable Energy Globally, India stands 4th in wind power 5th in renewable power and 6th in solar power installed capacity. India is well on track to achieving 175 GW target of installed renewable energy capacity. KUSUM – Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Scheme SRISTI - Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India – new scheme for solar rooftop Transparent bidding and facilitation for procurement of solar and wind power through tariff based competitive bidding process have led to significant reduction in cost of solar and wind power. Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) One of the several initiatives that are part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change To establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible 21 MW Solar PV projects have been undertaken with meticulous planning by Indian Navy towards achieving the GOI target of 100 GW by 2022 Ministry of Railways PSU IRCTC introduces bagasse based food packaging to commemorate World Environment Day 2018 – Bagasse, the fibrous remains left behind after extracting sugarcane juice, is being used to make disposable cutlery and containers in which meals will be served. Provision will be made to collect the used packaging which will then be processed for disposal through composting to ensure environmental sustainability. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the largest behavior change programme in the world, the rural sanitation coverage of India has now risen to 85%. Through mobilization of rural communities, 7.4 crore toilets have been built across rural India, and as an outcome, over 3.8 lakh villages and 391 districts have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). This is significant because, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), sanitation coverage has increased to more than double the coverage at the time of the launch of the Mission. Krishi kalyan Abhiyaan: To aid, assist and advice farmers on how to improve their farming techniques and raise their incomes Will be undertaken in 25 Villages with more than 1000 population each in Aspirational Districts identified in consultation with Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog. In districts where number of villages (with more than 1000 population) is less than 25, all villages will be covered. Various activities to promote best practices and enhance agriculture income: Distribution of Soil Health Cards to all  farmers 100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in each village 100% coverage of Sheep and Goat for eradication of  Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR ) Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all Distribution of Horticulture/Agro Forestry/Bamboo plant @ 5 per family(location appropriate) Making 100 NADAP Pits in each village Artificial insemination saturation Demonstration programmes on Micro- irrigation Demonstrations of integrated cropping practice Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – For extending the coverage of irrigation ‘Har Khet ko pani’ and improving water use efficiency ‘More crop per drop' in a focused manner with end to end solution on source creation, distribution, management, field application and extension activities PMKSY has been formulated amalgamating ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR,RD&GR) Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) of Department of Land Resources (DoLR) On Farm Water Management (OFWM) of Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) President Approves Promulgation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018: Link 1 + Link 2 Drop in Maternal Mortality Rate: According to the just released SRS bulletin (2016), India has shown impressive gains in reduction of Maternal Mortality with 22% reduction in since 2013. Nearly one thousand fewer women now die of pregnancy related complications each month in India. Maternal Mortality Ratio of India has declined from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016. Consumer Protection Bill, 2018: The Bill provides for setting up of an executive agency to be called Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which will look into unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements etc., provision for 'mediation' as an alternate disputes resolution mechanism to facilitate quick disposal of consumer disputes, provision for product liability action arising out of injury to a consumer from a defective product and several provisions relating to simplification of the adjudication process in the consumer Commissions. New Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016: The new Act has provisions of bringing under compulsory certification regime any goods or article of any scheduled industry, process, system or service which it considers necessary in the public interest or for the protection of human, animal or plant health, safety of the environment, or prevention of unfair trade practices, or national security. It also provides for notifying multiple types of conformity Assessment Schemes, including Self declaration of conformity, to facilitate ease of doing business for the manufacturers. It has provision for making hallmarking of the precious metal articles mandatory. INGRAM under National Consumer Helpline launched to provide a common IT platform for various stake holders involved in the Consumer Grievance Redressal Mechanism and for disseminating information to consumers. About Cyclone: Link 1 + Link 2 + Link 3 + Link 4 + Link 5

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 11th June 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 11th June 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) 18th SCO summit in Qingdao Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper II- International relations; India and its neighbours Fast recap: About SCO SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organisation. It was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The headquarters in Beijing, China. June 2017, at a summit in Astana, India and Pakistan officially joined SCO as full-fledged members. Currently, China is the host and chair of the SCO. In news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain met in 18th SCO summit in Qingdao. After engaging with China in Wuhan and Qingdao, India appeared to be rebalancing its ties with Pakistan in order to build bridges with Eurasia, within the framework of the eight-nation SCO. India is exploring the possibility of connectivity to Central Asia through the Pakistan-Afghan corridor, under the SCO framework. SCO has resolved to fight terrorism, separatism and extremism with a renewed vigour in the next three years, and called for a unified global counter-terrorism front under the coordination of the UN [UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism]. In the summit, the leaders also talked about the special role of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure in the fight against “the three evils” — terrorism, extremism and separatism — to ensure regional security. Pic link: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/06/11/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_11/2e527882_2165210_101_mr.jpg SECURE PM Modi also spelt out his new mantra applicable to the SCO, which he termed as SECURE: ‘S’ for security of citizens, ‘E’ for economic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty and integrity, and ‘E’ for environmental protection. Do you know? India and Pakistan relations have been strained after an attack on an Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based terror organisations in 2016. Article link: India rebalancing ties with Pak. to open path to Eurasia India refuses to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper II- International relations; India and its neighbours Key pointers: More than a year after boycotting the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, India again refused to endorse the ambitious Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). After the two-day SCO summit, the eight full members signed the Qingdao joint declaration but India was missing from the section that referred to the BRI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India welcomed connectivity projects that respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations. Background: The BRI, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes. India has staunchly opposed the project citing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – an important part of the BRI – that goes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Citing its opposition to the CPEC, India had skipped the Belt and Road Forum in May last year, which 29 state heads had attended. Rise in India-ASEAN naval games Part of: Prelims and Mains GS Paper II and III - International relations; India and the World; Defence and Security In news: India is instituting a series of bilateral and multilateral naval exercises with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries as part of the increasing military-to-military cooperation. This is in addition to assisting the countries in capacity-building and sale of military hardware. Key points: Navies of India and Indonesia to hold their first bilateral exercise in the Java Sea. India will stage a new trilateral exercise with Thailand and Singapore soon. Navy recently conducted maiden bilateral exercises with Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) Naval exercise between India and Indonesia India has deployed INS Kulish, a Kora class missile corvette, and one Dornier maritime patrol aircraft in recent CORPAT exercise. Article link: Rise in India-ASEAN naval games - NATIONAL Insolvency Code: what’s new Part of: GS prelims - Indian Economy In news: Last week, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his nod to promulgate the Insolvency and Bankruptcy code (Amendment) Ordinance 2018. In a major change, homebuyers would now be treated as financial creditors or, in other words, on par with banks. The amendment enables homebuyers (either as an individual or group) to initiate insolvency proceedings against errant builders. Homebuyers shall have the right to be represented in the committee of creditors (CoC), which takes the key decision regarding revival of the company or its liquidation. Just know that homebuyers now treated as financial creditors. Article link: Economy Insolvency Code: what's new (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security Implementing the Forest Rights Act in true spirit In news: As per a report- Official figures say 62 per cent of land claims made by tribals were rejected in Maharashtra. Such rejection, though not uncommon, is against the spirit of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA). The FRA: The Act vests a number of rights with forest-dwelling communities, including rights over forest land for habitation and cultivation, right of ownership, access to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce, right to govern and manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally conserving for sustainable use. Historically, during the colonial and post-colonial periods, forest management and access to forest resources like non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was largely driven by the principles of centralisation, exclusion and exploitation. The FRA envisages to change this and ensure that the economic benefits of NTFPs accrue to tribal people — this is one reason that claims on forest resources should be addressed without bias. Importance of the NTFPs: The report of the sub-group on NTFPs and their sustainable management in the 12th Five Year Plan highlighted that NTFPs constitute one of the largest unorganised sectors in India. Almost 275 million people depend on NTFPs with a turnover of at least Rs 6,000 crore per annum. There is a strong potential to scale up NTFP collection and processing. However, NTFPs potential as a source of development and poverty alleviation has been deeply neglected. Role of the FRA: Prior to the enactment of the FRA in 2006, forest laws nationalised non-timber forest produce and regulated the market process, creating severe inefficiencies. The FRA provides the legal basis of ownership rights over NTFPs to forest dwellers. Case study- Vidarbha region: The remarkable impact of ownership rights over these forest products in terms of incomes and empowerment can be observed in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region. In the region, the community rights under FRA have been implemented at scale, with almost 5.86 lakh hectares of forests being transferred to the jurisdiction of gram sabhas. Ownership over minor forest produce, specially tendu leaves and bamboo, has improved the economic condition of forest dwellers. There is a significant change in their socio-economic condition due to the additional income from NTFPs. Migration has reduced and, in some areas,, reverse migration has started. Villagers also report that dependence on middlemen for loans has come down drastically as the payment for NTFPs like tendu leaves and bamboo is made before June, which helps them in their agricultural activity. Investment in education and health by the villagers has increased. The improvement in their economic condition has empowered the poor, marginalised tribal and forest dweller to be more assertive in the decision-making process at the gram sabha and panchayat level. These are remarkable developments, wherein recognition of rights over forests and forest products seem to have kick-started a process of economic development and empowerment in one of the poorest, left-wing extremist affected parts of India. Positive developments due to the FRA: The recognition of rights over forests and forest products has transferred the decision-making power to communities to decide when, where, how and to whom to sell their non-timber forest products and how to govern their forests. The FRA also fosters democratic control over customary forests by forest-dependent communities, ensuring more effective, sustainable and people-oriented forest conservation, management and restoration. For instance, in the Vidarbha region, the recognition of community rights over forest resources and land has led to dramatic reduction in incidence of forest fires. The forest cover regeneration has improved and indiscriminate felling and diversion of forests has been contested. Concern: Unfortunately, above mentioned positive developments have been largely confined to Vidarbha, a few villages in Kalahandi district of Odisha and Gujarat’s Narmada and Dangs districts. In the rest of the country, state governments continue to resist and create hurdles in the implementation of community rights over NTFPs and forests. Despite several orders from the nodal agency, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the implementation of the provision of collective rights over NTFPs under the FRA has been weak and ineffective. The failure to recognise access rights of forest dwellers over NTFPs is a perpetuation of the historical injustice on India’s forest-dwelling communities and a missed opportunity to democratise forest governance and improve the economic condition of marginalised forest communities. Conclusion: A report of the Rights and Resources Initiative (2015) suggests that if the FRA is implemented properly, it could lead to the recognition of the rights of at least 150 million forest-dwelling people over 40 million hectares of forestland in more than 1,70,000 villages. The economic impact of this could be huge in rural areas as NTFPs constitute about 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the annual income of forest dwellers. It provides them critical subsistence during the lean seasons, particularly for tribal groups such as hunter-gatherers, and the landless. Given that most of the NTFPs are collected, used and sold by women, it would also lead to financial and social empowerment for millions of women. Connecting the dots: A report suggests that if the Forest Rights Act is implemented properly, it could lead to the recognition of the rights of at least 150 million forest-dwelling people over 40 million hectares of forestland in more than 1,70,000 villages. The socio-economic impact of this could be huge in rural areas. Discuss. ECONOMY TOPIC:General Studies 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Government Budgeting. e-technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. Open data, open government Introduction The new wave of a technological revolution will not be from pure data or access to consumer behaviour, but the application of data and their assimilation with solving social problems, enabling better governance and powering elected governments to serve their citizens better. Key pointers: Data-driven governance is ushering in a new revolution. A real paradign shift has begun – due to integration of Artificial Intelligence and open data. Consumer-behaivour is being redefined as most of the companies have access to customer’s choice and information-sharing and they embrace data-driven innovation. Concerns around privacy and consent This “datafication” of businesses has also brought to the fore the criticality of developing data management, storage and privacy laws. For instance, European Union introduced General Data Protection Regulation. India has adopted a collaborative model to develop privacy laws, which includes deliberations with creators of data (the consumer) and users (corporates). Open government data Open government data is a silent but powerful movement unfolding globally. Over 100 governments have already signed a charter to proactively share data collected by various government departments, for public consumption. Fostering collaboration, enabling creative innovations and collective problem-solving are giving accountability and transparency a shot in the arm. Open government data means publishing information collected by the government in its entirety, such as government budgets, spending records, health-care measures, climate records, and farming and agricultural produce statistics. If the advent of data-driven business models was a watershed moment, this is the real pot of gold. Unfortunately, the potential of this national asset is being grossly underutilised. Significance of open government data Such data collected by governments are for citizen welfare; hence they have an implicit right to benefit from the information. Data sets such as government budget usage, welfare schemes and subsidies increase transparency and thereby build trust. It paves the way to develop technology-led innovations which can unlock massive economic value, thereby benefitting even the poorest of poor, the under-represented and the marginalised. Availability of data on yearly produce of crops, soil data health cards and meteorological data sets can help companies develop customised crop insurance solutions with specific risk-based pricing. Data points around progress in literacy rates, demographic data and density of educators can help develop customised solutions for villages. Similarly, information on availability of facilities in public hospitals, current occupancy rates, hospital and demographic data can pave the way for curated health-care applications. It can help India achieve its stated objectives to double farmers’ incomes by 2022 and provide universal health coverage and micro loans to micro, small and medium enterprises among others. Open data can add an additional 1.5% to the country’s GDP. (about $22 billion) India’s current position The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has made some laudable efforts, including a policy around open data. India currently houses more than 1.6 lakh data resources and has published over 4,015 application programme interfaces (APIs) from across 100-plus departments. As a result, India’s global ranking by the Global Open Data Barometer has jumped. Open Data project shows good intent but sporadic execution. Even though India publishes data points, very little of it is getting utilised by data consumers, scientists and corporates. Naturally, the socio-economic impact is limited. The way forward: Five-point framework 5C framework can help to address the current underlying execution gaps of the Open Data project The first step is to ensure completeness of data stacks opened for use either through machine-readable formats or direct APIs. Completeness would imply a data set. For example, soil data cards will have data on all relevant aspects as well as current emerging technologies such as Blockchain and the Internet of Things to provide the opportunity to automate data collection. Comprehensiveness of a data stack or various data sets is essential. For example, a comprehensive agri-data set would have digitised data sets on soil data, rainfall, crop production as well as market rates. Currently, data sets shared in India are somewhat disjointed and not comprehensive. Clustering of relevant data sets and APIs would be the next step. This would mean combining data sets which can lead to the creation of applications such as farm insurance from weather, soil and crop cycle/sale data. Therefore, technology developers have a road map of “innovations in focus” for national development. The fourth step is building anchor cases or use-cases to encourage data usage. A case in point is Aadhaar/identity data which has seen exponential growth (post identification in e-KYC). Taking the Aadhaar case further, its API has led to the development of market applications, an Aadhaar-enabled payment system, and direct benefit transfers among others which are clearly pushing the “financial inclusion” drive. The final step would be setting up a comprehensive governance framework which includes an open data council with cross-sector representation to monitor, regulate and build usage after proportionate oversight. The time is now ripe for the government to create a data-driven governance architecture by building digital trust in the economy and its intent. Connecting the dots: Data-driven governance is ushering in a new revolution. Do you agree? Discuss how Artificial Intelligence coupled with Open data can help in good and open governance? (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) The Qingdao Declaration is related to which of the following organsiations: Select the correct option SAARC G7 SCO None of the above Q.2) ‘Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure’ is associated with which of the following organsiations: SAARC G7 SCO UN Q.3) Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) is associated with which of the following countries: India, Thailand and Singapore India and Japan India and ASEAN India and Indonesia MUST READ Open data, open government The Hindu Draw the line for the speakers and governors Indian Express In good faith: Saving planet, looking within Indian Express Digital revolution will transform India Business Line

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