Aug 4, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV- Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018

Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 Archives In News: The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill has been passed by Lok Sabha, and will now have to be passed by the Rajya Sabha. What is the Bill about? The bill empowers authorities to attach and confiscate properties and assets of economic offenders like loan defaulters who flee the country. Aimed at preventing culprits of economic offences from evading the legal process and fleeing the country Re-establish the rule of law as the accused will be forced to return to India and face trial for his offences. This would also help the banks and other financial institutions to achieve higher recovery from financial defaults committed by such fugitive economic offenders, improving the financial health of such institutions. When will this Bill come into effect? Cases in which the total value involved in such offences is Rs. 100 crore or more – in order to ensure that courts are not over-burdened with such cases. Who is a fugitive economic offender? As per the original bill of 2017, the “fugitive economic offender” means any individual against whom a warrant for arrest in relation to a scheduled offence has been issued by any court in India, who: (i) Leaves or has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution; or (ii) Refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution. What comes under Economic offences? Offences under the following Acts: Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; Central Excise Act, 1944; Customs Act, 1962; Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988; Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002; and Indian Penal Code Provisions: Making an application before the special court for a declaration that an individual is a fugitive economic offender; Attachment of the property of a fugitive economic offender and proceeds of crime; Issue of a notice by the special court to the individual alleged to be a fugitive economic offender; Confiscation of the property of an individual declared as a fugitive economic offender or even the proceeds of crime; Disentitlement of the fugitive economic offender from defending any civil claim; and Appointment of an administrator to manage and dispose of the confiscated property under the act. The Way Forward Special court will obviously require a lot of technical expertise. We need to talk about how can we strengthen these special courts, how can we man them with experts how can we get them outside help in terms of consultants or of people who can support them and understand the technicalities. It is important for the time-bound nature of the how these trials are supposed to proceed and how it may get impacted. The capacity of our legal system needs to get better. The issue of lack of time, and domain knowledge and expertise needs to be taken care of. Government needs to focus a lot on how the rules are made and framed in a manner that they reflect the true spirit of the law. Govt. needs to reach out to different countries with whom we don't have as yet the arrangement to have enforcement of the provisions under the law. We need to really expand that list to make sure that very few countries are left; as a matter of fact no country should be left out of the purview of the contracting laws. Refer: Mindmap Connecting the Dots: Critically analyse the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018.

Aug 3, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 03rd August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 03rd August 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Indian Economy; Corruption In news: The prosecution of accused persons (of almost 100 confirmed cases) under Benami Act stuck. Reason: Special courts meant for the purpose have not yet been set up across the country. Assets worth more than ₹5,000 crore have been attached by the Income-Tax Department under the law. Important Value Additions What is a ‘benami’ transaction? When a transaction is done in name of a person other than the one who finances, is called benami transaction. If person A pays the money for Property X, but the property is transferred in name of person B, person B is benamdar and Property X is called benami property. Person A is the real owner About Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act It is an Act to prohibit benami transactions and the right to recover properly held benami. It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Act provides that the Central government, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the respective High Courts, will establish special courts. Special court is to conclude the trial within six months. Similar scheme to curb black money: Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 to catch those with undisclosed foreign assets. SC on Adultery law Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Social issue; Polity In news: It was commonly accepted that it is the man who is the seducer and not the woman. SC has said that the time has changed and the archaic law which makes adultery an offence punishable only for men and not the consenting women needs to stand the test of right to equality. Wife as commodity Section 497 in the Indian Penal Code, which defines adultery, says that a man could be punished up to five years in jail if he has sexual intercourse with another man’s wife. However, it is not an offence if the sexual intercourse is with the “consent or connivance” of the husband of the woman. The above IPC Section treats a married woman as “chattel” (a personal possession) of the conniving husband, which is “absurd”. When a woman is treated as chattel, her right to dignity is affected, SC said. Do you know? The SC bench seeks to strike down the provisions as unconstitutional (decriminalise adultery) and looking to make its provisions gender neutral. Most countries have done away with adultery as a criminal offence, including Bhutan, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea. 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – Indian Polity; Constitutional amendment In news: 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill seeks to grant constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes. A constitutional amendment under Article 368 needs to be passed by both Houses separately with a special majority. The bill if passed will insert Article 338 B in the Constitution, which provides for a Commission for the socially and educationally backward classes with a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other members, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of India. About NCBC NCBC was established in 1993 by an act of Parliament. It is a statutory body. It considers inclusions in and exclusions from the lists of castes notified as backward for the purpose of job reservation. It falls under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Saving Dal Lake Part of: GS Prelims and Mains  - Environment and Biodiversity; Conservation of lakes In news: J&K Governor seeks Navy’s assistance to save Dal Lake Assessments show that the size of the water body has come down by half Encroachments of water channels and clogging have diminished the circulation and inflows into the lake, leading to the extensive growth of hyacinth. Important lakes in Jammu and Kashmir Dal lake Pangong Tso Wular lake Tso moriri (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL/SECURITY TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population and betterment of these vulnerable sections   Security issues and Cyber security Data Protection: Right to Privacy and National Security The draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 It has provisions to protect personal data as an essential facet of information privacy. The objective of the Bill is to balance the growth of the digital economy and use of data as a means of communication. The Bill applies to the personal data which have been processed within India, by persons or agencies governed by Indian Law. The Bill also brings within its ambit the processing of personal data by data fiduciaries or data processors located abroad in connection with business or profiling of data principals within the territory of India. The proposed law defines personal data as information relating to a natural person. Breach of personal data involves unauthorised or accidental processing of personal data that compromises the confidentiality, integrity or availability of personal data to a data principal. Data fiduciaries should retain personal data “only as long as may be reasonably necessary to satisfy the purpose for which it is processed". The Bill allows processing of personal data for “prompt action” only if it is necessary for any function of Parliament; or any State Legislature to render service or benefit to citizens; or in response to any medical emergency to the data principal; or in cases of epidemic, outbreak of disease, disaster or breakdown of public order. The Bill includes the ‘right to be forgotten’, which is the right of a data principal to restrict or prevent continuing disclosure of personal data by a data fiduciary. The Bill calls for a copy of user data to be mandatorily localised in India, it will “boost” law enforcement efforts to access data necessary for investigation and prosecution of crimes. Criticism on Data localization: The Indian law enforcement relies on an out-dated Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) process to obtain data stored by U.S. This scenario will not change even after technology companies relocate Indian data to India. Localisation can provide data only for crimes that have been committed in India, where both the perpetrator and victim are situated in India. Transnational terrorism, cybercrimes and money laundering that the committee rightly highlights will often involve individuals and accounts that are not Indian, and therefore will not be stored in India.  The data protection bill is an opportunity for India to be a partner under the CLOUD Act What is CLOUD Act? Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act, passed by the U.S. Congress seeks to de-monopolise control over data from U.S. authorities. The law will for the first time allow tech companies to share data directly with certain foreign governments having an executive agreement with the U.S. Such foreign country have to certify that the state has robust privacy protections, and respect for due process and the rule of law. Why India need to partner with US? The Justice Srikrishna Committee in its report accompanying the draft Personal Data Protection Bill released on July 27 notes that eight of the top 10 most accessed websites in India are owned by U.S. entities. The CLOUD Act creates a potential mechanism through with countries such as India can request data not just for crimes committed within their borders but also for transnational crimes involving their state interests. Conclusion: The Bill, while recognising principles of legality, necessity and proportionality for data processing in the interest of national security and investigation of crimes, fails to draw procedural rules necessary for actualising these principles. By improving on short comings of our Data Protection policy we can partner with US under CLOUD Act to have access to data stored with and processed by US fiduciaries and other global partners. Connecting the dots: With the increase in debates on right to privacy verses National Security, there is an urgent need of Data Protection Policy in line with global standards. ECONOMY/TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT TOPIC: General studies 3 Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; developing new technology. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. Draft National Policy on e-commerce Introduction: In India there is no single law or single regulator for multibillion dollar e-commerce business industry. Currently it is being regulated by various laws such as IT Act, 2000 and FEMA, etc. Why we need National Policy on E-commerce? India’s e-tail business, estimated to be worth around $25 billion.  Over the coming decade, it is expected to swell to $200 billion, fuelled by smartphones, cheaper data access and growing spends. First eight months of 2017-18, over 50,000 e-commerce grievances were made to the Consumer Affairs Ministry helpline. Traditional retailers seeking level playing field. Provisions under Draft National Policy on E-commerce: The draft policy proposes the creation of a single national regulator to oversee the entire industry. It also provides for consumer protection norms to guard online shoppers from possible frauds. There is a sunset clause on discounts that can be offered by e-commerce firms and restrictions on sellers backed by marketplace operators. Foreign direct investment restrictions on players who can hold their own inventory are sought to be lifted, but there must be a majority Indian partner and all products have to be made in India. Drawbacks: Licensing and price controls can depress the sector. Government deciding on who can offer how much discount and for how long, instead of letting consumers exercise informed choices, would be a regressive step for the economy. The local procurement diktats that are not easy to meet or monitor, may cause rise in e-tailer costs. Stipulating payments via Rupay cards will raise questions from both consumers and firms. Note: Draft policy is in the nascent stage. Keep following further developments. Connecting the dots: E-commerce should be regulated or should it be left to run on free market mechanism? (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section within 24 hours. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) For which of the following conditions the term parallel economy is used? Online movement of money and transactions Economy of a neighboring country Black market economy Barter System economy Q.2) Which of the following steps has been recently taken by the government with the aim to fight Black Money? GST Demonetisation Voluntary Disclosure scheme No acceptance of party fund in cash over Rs 2000 Select the code from following: 1,2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 1,3 and 4 All of the above Q.3) Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code is concerned with Offences Relating to Marriage Criminal Breach of Contracts of Service Benami Transactions Offences affecting the Human Body Q.4) Which of the following Commissions fall under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment? National Commission for SCs Central Social Welfare Board Central Commissioner for Disabled Persons National Commission for Backward Class Select the code from below: 1, 2 and 3 1, 3 and 4 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 was recently in news. It seeks to Grant constitutional status to the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) Grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Tribal Areas (NCTA Q.6) Which one among the below given bodies is not a statutory body? National Commission for SCs/STs National Commission for Women National Commission for Protection of Child Rights National Commission for Backward Classes Q.7) Consider the following statements about National Commission for Backward Classes Act: It extends to the whole of India including Jammu and Kashmir. Backward classes means such backward classes of citizens other than the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes as may be specified by the Central Government in the lists. The Commission shall examine requests for inclusion of any class of citizens as a backward class in the lists. Which of the statements above is/are correct? 1, 2 and 3 only 2 and 3 only 3 only 2 only Q.8) The name - "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir" or "Srinagar's Jewel" - is associated with Dal lake Pangong Tso Wular lake Tso moriri MUST READ  Managing perceptions: on amending the SC/ST Act The Hindu Wolf in priest’s clothing The Hindu   Import of dual-use tech from US: Dual use, multiple benefits Indian Express  For Assam To Rise Indian Express  For a capitalism less stigmatised Indian Express  Lessons from Tham Luang Indian Express

Aug 3, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 37]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 37] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘Fields Medal’ It is awarded to mathematicians and physicists It is awarded annually at the International Congress of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about Advanced Air Defence (AAD) It is a single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile It can intercept incoming ballistic missile at altitudes of up to 30km Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about ‘Move Hack’ It is aimed at the future of transportation and mobility. It is launched by NITI Aayog in partnership with Government of Singapore. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Corruption Perceptions Index is released by Global Organization of Parliamentarians against Corruption World Economic Forum Association for Social Transparency, Rights and Action (ASTRA) Transparency International Q.5) CLOUD Act enacted by United States is associated with Overseas Use of Data Guns Control Immigrants and Refugees Asylum Seekers To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Aug 2, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 02nd August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 02nd August 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 Part of: GS Mains II – Social issue; Welfare; Dalit issue In news: Expressing concern over rampant misuse of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Supreme Court had introduced the provision of anticipatory bail. It had also directed that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the law and a preliminary inquiry must be conducted by police within seven days before taking any action. The ruling was greeted by a storm of protest from Dalit groups, which said the order diluted the law. However, now Centre has decided to introduce a Bill to restore the original provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 The Amendment Bill seeks to insert three new clauses after Section 18 of the original Act. Preliminary enquiry shall not be required for registration of a First Information Report against any person. Arrest of a person accused of having committed an offence under the Act would not require any approval. Provisions of Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure — which deals with anticipatory bail — shall not apply to a case under this Act. RBI raises repo rates Part of: GS Mains III – Indian Economy; Monetary Policy In news: RBI has cited inflation concerns and raised interest rates (has set repo rate at 6.5%) Increase in repo rate will push up the cost of loans for all borrowers, from consumers looking to finance their purchases of homes and cars to businesses looking to meet their capital needs. Do you know? What is Repo rate? Repo rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country (RBI in case of India) lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds. Repo rate is used by monetary authorities to control inflation. RBI increases the repo rate during inflation and decreases it during deflation. Important value additions: Let’s see what happens when RBI increases and decreases Repo rate – When RBI increases repo rate In order to control excess money supply and inflation in the economy, central bank increases repo rate and lends to commercial banks at a higher rate. Now, because of increased repo rate, funds come to commercial banks at a higher cost, so in order to cover those increased costs of acquiring funds, commercial banks increase their lending rates for loans and advances. Since, lending rates are increased, people abstain from borrowing and postpone their purchases thereby decreasing demand for products and services, consequently it leads to decrease in money supply in economy and decrease in inflation rate. When RBI decreases repo rate: In order to cure depression and lack of effective demand, central bank decreases repo rates and lends to commercial banks at a reduced rate. Because of reduced rates, commercial banks can acquire funds at a lower cost and in order to acquire new consumers and markets they pass their benefit of lower cost to consumers by decreasing their prime lending rates on loans and advances. Since, lending rates are reduced by banks, credit is cheap and this induces people to venture in new business activities and purchase of capital goods leading to increased demand for capital goods and increased employment rates. TRAI’s nod for 5G Spectrum Part of: GS Mains III – Science and Tech In news: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommends the auction of spectrum for offering 5G services for the first time in the country. About 5G 5G is a wireless communication technology. It is the next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks. The final standard for 5G will be set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Advantages of 5G As per the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in increasing GDP, creating employment and digitizing the economy. The 5G technology will offer far greater upload and download speed available today. This will help cloud systems to stream software updates, music, and navigation data to driverless cars. In other words, it will help aid incorporate Artificial Intelligence in our lives. It will enable Smart devices to exchange data seamlessly providing the ecosystem for Internet of Things (IoT). Person in news: Akshay Venkatesh In news: Akshay Venkatesh, Indian-origin mathematician among Fields Medal winners Fields Medal is often described as the Nobel Prize of mathematics. Akshay Venkatesh, Caucher Birkar, Alessio Figalli and Peter Scholze were the recipients The Fields medal is perhaps the most famous mathematical award. It was first awarded in 1936 and since 1950 has been presented every four years to up to four mathematicians who are under 40. As well as the medal, each recipient receives prize money of 15,000 Canadian dollars (£8,750). (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 and 3 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Social issue Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Challenges to internal security through communication networks   Citizenship crisis in Assam after NRC release About: From previous news, we are aware that – Over 40 lakh of the 3.29 crore applicants have been excluded from Assam’s draft National Register of Citizens (NRC). This has sparked concerns about their future and has triggered a nationwide political row. Supreme Court has directed authorities not to initiate any ‘action’ against those 40 lakh persons left out. Even though political leaders and the Supreme Court have assured everyone that this is only a draft and everyone will be given an opportunity to prove his or her citizenship, it has not succeeded in instilling confidence in people. The below article deals with the roots of this NRC process and about the role of Supreme Court. Roots of the NRC process NRC was prepared first in 1951 after the conduct of the Census of 1951. It is used to identify who is a bona fide Indian citizen and those who fail to enlist in the register will be deemed illegal migrants. The NRC which was framed in 1951 and its subsequent iterations were recognised to be faulty. Therefore, in 1970s, All Assam Students’ Union and Assam Gana Parishad demands for up gradation of NRC list. Reason - Original inhabitants of Assam always feared that migrants from Bangladesh would compete them with jobs, land and eventually hamper their culture. Therefore, Assam Agitation (which was started by All Assam Students’ Union) called for the detection, deletion and deportation of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. (Assam Accord) However, for a very long time, the provisions in the Assam accord were not implemented. In 2009, public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court by Assam Public Works seeking the removal of “illegal voters” from the electoral rolls of Assam. It also demanded for preparation of the NRC as required under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and its rules. In 2013, the Supreme Court finally ordered to complete the exercise of updating NRC list by December 31, 2017 (and later to July 31, 2018) - leading to the present updation of NRC in Assam. Concerns: All 3.3 crore residents of Assam were required to submit documents from a list prescribed by the government to prove that they were indeed citizens of India. The process of adding person to NRC list was too complex and confusing. There were instances of arbitrary rejection of the gram panchayat certificates. The process was riddled with legal inconsistencies and errors. Supreme Court’s monitoring of the process would have ensured fairness and transparency. Robust non-transparent “family tree verification” process resulted in numerous instances of parents being on the draft list but children being left out. Each person who is left out will now have to prove not only his or her linkages afresh, but also the documents themselves before the appropriate forum. Role of the top court This ongoing crisis over the NRC is largely the creation of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court was more inclined and concerned about preparation of NRC within a deadline. It failed to ensure legal clarity over the manner in which the claims of citizenship could be decided. Court failed to recognize what next after this exercise and what will be the status of the several lakh individuals who would have suddenly lost Indian citizenship with no recourse in sight? SC also failed to analyze - What action can the government take against those who are unable to prove that they are Indian citizens? Conclusion: As of now, there are some unanswered questions – Will the government adopt crude, communal rhetoric doing the rounds on social media and “push them out”? Will Supreme Court take responsibility for the protection of the basic rights of those who have been rendered stateless and defenceless? Or will it wash its hands of the whole matter? Do you know? During the Constituent Assembly debates, R. Ambedkar remarked that the provision relating to citizenship in the Constitution caused the Drafting Committee the most headache. Vallabhbhai Patel had then said, India’s Constitution-making process, and especially its citizenship clause, was going to be scrutinised all over the world. Seventy years later, India’s approach to citizenship is once again going to be scrutinised by the world. South Asia has seen many crises over citizenship. The Supreme Court must ensure there isn’t another one in Assam. Connecting the dots The draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens has sparked concerns and faces many challenges. Discuss these concerns and challenges. NATIONAL TOPIC: General studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Social issue; Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice(Social Services related to Education and Human Resources) Need for Educational Reforms in India In News: Draft Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill put out for public consultations. (Details covered in 30th June 2018 DNA) Right to Education (Amendment) Bill 2018, passed by Lok Sabha, and is now before Rajya Sabha. Key Points under RTE (Amendment) Bill 2018: To do away with No-Detention Policy. States will have options to hold regular examinations either at the end of the Class V or Class VIII, or both. Students who fail this examination would be given a chance to re-appear after two months from the date of declaration of results. In case if they still cannot pass, States will have the option of detaining them. What is no detention policy? According to RTE Act 2009, No student until the Class VIII should be detained in the same class on the basis of examination result. It practically ended the convention system of regular written examination system at elementary level. Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE): It is an alternative to regular examination, in which pupil will be comprehensively evaluated on the basis of his/her curricular, co-/extra-curricular activities and his behavioral But none of the students will be detained. This evaluation is based on grading system rather than Marks or percentage. This provision is not being implemented Criticism: This would push out those children who are not able to meet the standards due to poor quality of education provided to them. This may discourage students and would increase dropout rates. Scrapping the no-detention policy itself is not going to improve the learning ability of the students; rather quality of education provided should be focused on. Why No-detention policy seems a practical failure? It is the no-detention policy because of which we have achieved near universalization of enrolment at elementary education level. It is a successful policy in this sense. But for improved learning outcomes, this policy needs to be supplemented by other provisions of RTE Act, 2009, such as; Pupil teacher ratio (PTR) Infrastructure Separate Toilets for Girls and Boys Funding in Education: It is another reason why RTE is not being implemented in true letter in spirit. Allocation of funds for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan always remained below the actual estimated requirements. Quality related intervention accounted only for 9% of the total approved budgets in FY 2016-17. States like Kerala spent nearly all their allocated budget for education on quality in 2016-17. Way forward: There is a need to find long term solution to the issues plaguing the education system in India. RTE Act 2009, needs to be implemented in its true letter and spirit. New Education Policy is need of the hour. Keeping in view the targets under SDG4: Quality Education, there is need to increase budgetary allocation for Education. Connecting the dots There is a need of far reaching reforms in India’s higher education sector. Comment. India needs to urgently address equity, access and affordability in higher education. Highlight how the education system of India has failed on these fronts and also suggest a reform strategy for the same. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section within 24 hours. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) Consider the following statements with reference to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 It was enacted to give effect to provisions of Article 17 of the Constitution. It extends to whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir. It is applicable to both public servants and private individuals. Which of the statements given above are correct? 1 and 2 1 and 3 2 and 3 1,2 and 3  Q.2) Which of the following is/are not a Fundamental Duty as mentioned in Indian constitution to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India to provide alms to beggar and the needy poor to prevent atrocities committed against dalits to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture  Choose the correct answer from the codes given below 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 4 only 1, 2, 3 and 4  Q.3) Which of the following is correct about ‘Repo Rate’? It is the rate charged by the central bank for lending funds to commercial banks. It is the rate at which scheduled banks can borrow funds overnight from RBI against government securities. It is the rate at which banks lend funds to RBI. It is the rate at which RBI borrows from its clients generally against government securities. Q.4) 5G is a wireless communication technology and the next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks. Consider the following regarding this: 5G will help aid incorporate Artificial Intelligence in our lives. It will create the ecosystem for Internet of Things (IoT). Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1 only 2 only Both 1 and 2 None MUST READ  Scaled-up solutions for a future of water scarcity The Hindu  No easy head counts The Hindu Polio jitters The Hindu  The soundtrack of democracy  Indian Express The limp arm of the law Indian Express

Aug 2, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 36]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 36] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statement with respect to Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) It can increase or decrease the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) The Governor of Reserve Bank of India is the chairperson ex officio of the committee Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘Perform Achieve and Trade Scheme (PAT)’ It aims to improve energy efficiency in industries by trading in energy efficiency certificates in energy intensive sectors It is a component of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) Consider the following statements about Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) It was established in pursuance of the recommendations of the Gajendragadkar Committee. It is under the aegis of Ministry of Human Resource Development Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.4) Consider the following statements about NASA’s ‘TESS’ It is an all-sky survey mission that will discover thousands of exoplanets around nearby bright stars TESS detected its first confirmed exoplanet, a super-Earth named HIP 116454b in 2014 Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.5) The debt service ratio in government finance measures Overall public debt liability of the Union Government Contribution of Service sector in debt management of the country Burden of external debt None of the above To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Aug 1, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 1st August 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 1st August 2018   Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) National Register of Citizens (NRC) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Welfare and Social issue; Internal Security Fast recap: NRC is the register containing names of Indian Citizens. Prepared first in 1951 (after Census of 1951) – to identify who is a bona fide Indian citizen Those who fail to enlist in the register will be deemed, illegal migrants. The demands to update the NRC of 1951 were raised in Assam as a lot of controversy regarding illegal migration and citizenship issues. In 2013, the Supreme Court finally ordered to complete the exercise by December 31, 2017, leading to the present updation of NRC in Assam. After final updation, over 40 lakh out of 3.29 crore applicants were left out of draft NRC in Assam. Today’s news: Supreme Court directed authorities not to initiate any ‘action’ against those 40 lakh persons left out of the draft NRC. Rohingya in India Part of: GS Mains III - Internal Security In news: Union Home Ministry has advised state governments to enumerate, observe and collect biometric data of Rohingya migrants living in India. The Ministry has received reports of their involvement in illegal activities. The government also made it clear that the Rohingya were “illegal migrants” and not “refugees.” Do you know? Rakhine, the province in Myanmar - is from where the Rohingya hail. India is not the signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which help define the legal obligation of states to protect refugees. The Foreigners Act (1946) and the Registration of Foreigners Act (1939) currently govern the entry and exit of all refugees. Both these legislations treat refugees as foreigners without due consideration of their special circumstances. Rajasthan first State to implement National Biofuel Policy Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Environment and Ecology; Pollution; Clean Energy In news: Rajasthan has become the first State in the country to implement the national policy on biofuels. National Policy on Biofuels was unveiled by the Centre in May 2018. Rajasthan to lay emphasis on increasing production of oilseeds and establish a Centre for Excellence in Udaipur to promote research in the fields of alternative fuels and energy resources. Do you know? The Policy categorises biofuels as – "Basic Biofuels" viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel and "Advanced Biofuels" - Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable an extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category. Salient features: Seeks to promote biofuels in the country Seeks to help farmers dispose of their surplus stock in an economic manner Seeks to reduce the country’s oil import dependence Expanded the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing the use of sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials, starch containing materials and damaged foodgrains like wheat, broken rice and rotten potatoes for ethanol production. Encourage women’s self help groups to explore the scope for additional income through the supply of biodiesel. Important Value Additions: A biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes, such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion, rather than a fuel produced by geological processes such as those involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, from prehistoric biological matter. Earlier Bio-fuel policy had proposed an indicative target of 20% blending of biofuels, both for bio-diesel and bio-ethanol, by 2017. MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains – Health; Women and Child welfare; Social issue In news: MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection) is a nationwide program to promote breastfeeding launched by Ministry of health and family welfare. Government of India declared National breast feeding week 1st to 7th August 2018 Why Breast Feeding? It Promotes brain development Provides Optimal nutrition Boosts child immunity Protects child against pneumonia diarrhoea Better bonding between mother and baby Reduces risk of non-communicable diseases Person in news: Gopalkrishna Gandhi In news: Rajiv Sadbhavana Award for Gopalkrishna Gandhi (Former West Bengal) For promoting communal harmony and peace The award carries a citation and a cash award of ₹10 lakh. The award will be presented on August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. It was instituted to “commemorate the lasting contribution made by him to promote peace, communal harmony and fight against violence.” Former recipients of the award include Mother Teresa, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Mohammed Yunus, Lata Mangeshkar, Sunil Dutt, Dilip Kumar, Kapila Vatsyayan, Teesta Setalvad, Swami Agnivesh, K.R. Narayanan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Muzaffar Ali and Shubha Mudgal. (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. Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections Assessment: Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee recommendations Introduction: India is one of the few major democracies in the world without a national privacy and data protection framework. 2017 Supreme Court’s ‘Right to Privacy’ judgment (K. Puttaswamy v Union of India case) clarified that we have a fundamental right to privacy, and also, that the state has an obligation to protect this right by enacting appropriate legislation. Union government tasked a committee headed by Justice B.N. Srikrishna to formulate such a law. It was created to deal with the judicial concerns triggered by the Union government’s arguments against the fundamental right to privacy in the Supreme Court’s Aadhaar hearings, as well as concerns about the lack of effective regulation of private sector use, transfer, abuse of data that arose in the Supreme Court hearings on the challenge to the transfer of Indian user data from WhatsApp to Facebook, following its acquisition. (It is in this context that the below article tries to critically examine the report’s recommendations and its draft Data Protection Bill.) Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee Srikrishna panel submitted a draft “The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018” It recommended that critical personal data of Indian citizens be processed in centres located within the country. The government should notify categories of personal data that will be considered critical. The draft bill also provides for penalties for the data processor as well as compensation to the data principal to be imposed for violations of the data protection law. Analysis: The report is just a small step and leaves too many exceptions. It has repeatedly focused on ensuring that the government prioritise the interests of the “digital economy” — and the wide loopholes that it leaves — is concerning. For example, the model for data protection that the committee has proposed leaves too many exceptions, especially when the government is the data collector and user. In doing the so, the report attempts to open the right to privacy to allow the state the most convenient means by which to realise its regulatory agenda. It proposes that the basic requirement of notice-and-consent could be lowered or waived altogether for “state functions” or social welfare purposes, among others. These are broadly-worded carve-outs that can be abused and need to be carefully reviewed. One more important issue is about surveillance reform. Any data protection law will be incomplete without considering the vital question of surveillance which, at present, is conducted free of judicial oversight and at the near-arbitrary will of bureaucrats. In Puttaswamy ruling, the court cited the global legal standards on privacy, including the International “Necessary and Proportionate” Principles pertaining to communication surveillance, which requires the application of judicial pre-approval for surveilling our protected information. Consequently, there is also an urgent need for clear, effective institutions tasked with surveillance oversight. Conclusion: The draft and report are steps in the right direction, but they are not giant strides. The Union government — including the cabinet — must consult all stakeholders, and send a stronger bill to Parliament. It must allow MPs to carefully study, openly deliberate, and finally enact the stronger legal standards on privacy that several of them — and countless Indian citizens, lawyers, and judges — have been demanding. Connecting the dots: The dawn of the information age has opened up great opportunities for the beneficial use of data. However, it has also enhanced the perils of unregulated and arbitrary use of personal data. Discuss. Also, examine the need of framing a robust law to protect individual data. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC: General Studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests India and the World India and US: Defense and Strategic Relations Introduction: India finally joins the elite group of allies of the US Now it is set to get access to 90 per cent defence technology and equipment, all of them for dual use from the US In other words, Indian defence industry can get licenses to import sensitive US dual-use items and technology The below article gives the glimpse of India-US Defense relations in context of dual use technology History Prominent leaders of India’s freedom struggle had friendly relations with the United States of America which continued well after the independence of India. Since independence, India has been reluctant to maintain close ties with the US due to its non-alignment policy (to avoid involvement in the Cold War power-play between the US and Soviet Union) and closed economy. From the 1990s, with the fall of the Soviet Union and LPG reforms of the Indian economy, India started to develop closer ties with the US. After India’s nuclear test in 1998, under George W. Bush India started to build nuclear relations with the US, which were further strengthened in 2008 by 123 Agreement under the Barak Obama administration. Taking Defense relations to further heights, in 2016 India-US signed Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), which subsequently gave India status of Major Defense Partner to the United States. Import of Dual-Use Tech from the US: Strategic Trade Authorization Countries come under Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) list when US is reasonably sure that technology will not endanger regional stability, does not pose a threat to US national security and has minimum to zero risk of proliferation. STA-1 list consists of 36 countries - either they are major US allies or NATO allies or members of all four multilateral export control regimes. India is neither ally of US nor of NATO and is a member of only three out of four multilateral export control regimes. India will be third Asian country after Japan and South Korea to avail exemptions under STA-1 list. So far India has been part of STA-2. This list has eight countries. China, Pakistan and Russia are not part of either of the lists. Benefits for India/Conclusion: Companies will be more ready to import and manufacture defence and dual-use tech without having to go through complex licencing procedures. Since 90% of the technology is going to be licence free. Trade and commerce in defence equipment is likely to go up. This progress will help in not only achieving objectives of Make in India in defence sector but also contribute in making India more self-reliant. India’s part to this club is the reaffirmation of her impeccable record of being a responsible member of the concerned multilateral export control regimes. Connecting the dots US is India’s one of the most important trade partner with respect to the Defence sector, but this strategic relationship should not affect the sovereignty of India. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in the comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) ‘Rakhine State’ has been in the news for quite some time for large scale exodus of migrants and severe human right violations. In which of the following countries does it exist? Palestine Syria Yemen Myanmar  Q.2) ‘Rohingyas’ are Muslim refugees from eastern Sri Lanka settled in Tamil Nadu An anti-communist political group in Syria A political group fighting for autonomy in Catalonia Muslim refugees migrating from Myanmar to Bangladesh Q.3) Rohingya refugee issue is related to which of the following countries Myanmar and Bangladesh North Korea and South Korea Thailand and Cambodia Myanmar and Thailand Q.4) Consider the following statements regarding ‘Refugees’ India has recently signed  the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention on the Status of Refugees World Refugee Day is celebrated on 20th June The 1951 Convention the only instrument relevant to the rights of refugees Select the incorrect code 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 Only 1 Q.5) The nine-judge constitution bench has declared that ‘Right to Privacy’ is a Fundamental Right in Constitution. According to SC, Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of Right to freedom of Speech and Expression Right to Life and Personal Liberty Right to Equality Right against exploitation Q.6) K. Puttaswamy v Union of India case deals with – Right to Privacy Reservation LGBT rights issue Labor Reforms MUST READ The public-private gap in health care The Hindu  India should not depend on other countries The Hindu   Friends or Seoul-mates? The Hindu  The new reservation Indian Express Who is a citizen Indian Express Managing the run-off Indian Express

Aug 1, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 35]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 35] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘BRICS PartNIR’ It is aimed at deepening BRICS cooperation in digitalization, industrialization, innovation, inclusiveness, investment and addressing the challenges arising from the 4th Industrial Revolution. It was established during the Xiamen Declaration at 9th BRICS Summit Select the correct statement 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)’ It is under the aegis of Ministry of Finance The share for each infrastructure areas and projects from the CRIF shall be finalised by a Committee headed by Ministry of Finance Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘PRASHAD Scheme’ is associated with Tourism Textiles Skill Development Solar Pumps and Irrigation Q.4) Dhangar Community is primarily found in which of the following regions? Marathwada Budelkhand Marwar Saurashtra Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘Additional Surveillance Measures (ASM)’ It is a surveillance method by SEBI in which exchanges impose trading curbs on excessively volatile stocks. Once a stock is caught in the ASM net, it attracts a bunch of stricter exchange rules on intra-day price movements. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Jul 31, 2018 RSTV Video

RSTV- Gender Equality vs Religious Practices

Gender Equality vs Religious Practices Archives TOPIC: General studies 1: Role of women and women’s organization, women related issues, Social empowerment General studies 2: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. In News: Supreme Court of India has observed that the right of a woman to pray is a constitutional right and does not depend on laws. Observations There is no concept of a private temple in a public place and therefore there could be no discrimination on the basis of gender and physiology. The age notification is arbitrary and conveniently leaves out the girl who is nine years old or the woman who is 51 years. Restricting women’s entry into religious spaces is not only against the principle of equality as enshrined in the Indian Constitution but also acts as a barrier to their socio-cultural development. The question of equal rights for women in religions seems to have ambushed us with the eruption of activism and debate around Shani Shingnapur and Sabarimala, temples where women are not allowed to enter, and the Haji Ali shrine, where women worshippers are not allowed into the saint’s mausoleum since 2011. The Supreme Court’s observation that the ban on entry of women aged between 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala is “against the constitutional mandate’’ is a welcome assertion of equality between men and women. Women ‘polluting’ religious spaces: How the idea came about? Attitudes developed around patriarchal interpretations of religious belief have defined and shaped the social and cultural contexts of Indian women resulting in their disempowerment and second-class status. In India, where politics uses religion as a tool to manipulate the masses, women bear the brunt of the consequences of cultural attitudes and the impact of religion and politics in their particular milieu. Patriarchy: Premised upon the notion of women’s inferiority and impurity, which then becomes a justification for their subordination. Menstruation and pregnancy are most commonly cited as the factors causing ‘pollution’. One main notion is about menstruation, in which it is believed that women are unclean, filthy and possess negative energy during this time, so they should be in solace or must remain outside or far away from any worship place. Threat to the Religious structure: The other popular myth associated with the denial of entry is that women who are ‘sexually needy and mischievous’ are a threat to the religious structure and the men associated with it. A common way of controlling the sexuality of women was by referring to the innate “wicked nature of women” which if left uncontrolled could lead to chaos in society. A large number of texts of the period starting from the middle of the first millennium BC carry explicit references to the evil character of women. Internationally: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), of which India is a signatory, requires that it gives to its citizens freedom of religion, and the right against discrimination on the basis of gender. India is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 (ICCPR). India is also a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, 1979 (CEDAW), which requires India to eliminate discrimination against women and recognize that they should be treated at par with men in the eyes of the law. The Way Forward: There is a pressing need for the legislature to create a central law which outlines the rights and duties of administrators and worshipers, especially women. This law should elaborate upon the right to worship and the right against discrimination available to all Indians in the context of entry into places of worship of all religions. The judiciary should strike down all laws and customs which allow for such discrimination against women and declare them unconstitutional. Customary international law as well as the various treaties that India is a signatory to bind the nation to the mission of providing its citizens protection against discrimination and the right to worship and practice their religion. Note: Article 25 (1) which mandates freedom of conscience and right to practise religion. “All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion…” Article 51A(e): Prohibition of women’s entry to the shrine solely on the basis of womanhood and the biological features associated with womanhood is derogatory to women

Jul 31, 2018 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 34]

UPSC Quiz- 2019 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 34] Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about ‘National Register of Citizens (NRC)’ It is being updated to weed out illegal immigration from Bangladesh and neighbouring regions It is the list of Indian citizens of all the North Eastern States Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following statements about ‘International Seabed Authority’ It is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea It has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.3) ‘e-participation index (EPI)’ is released by NITI Aayog United Nations World Economic Forum International Monetary Fund Q.4) ‘India Stack’ is concerned with Defence Manufacturing Industrial corridors National Waterways Application programming interface Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘Madhuca longifolia’ It is used to produce local alcoholic drink It found largely in the central and north Indian plains and forests Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 To Download the Solution - Click here All the Best  IASbaba

Jul 31, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 31st July 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 31st July 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Private sector participation in defence equipment manufacturing Part of: GS Prelims and mains III – Defence and Security In news: Major step towards boosting private sector participation in domestic defence manufacturing: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the implementation of Strategic Partnership guidelines. Strategic Partnership model aims to revitalise defence industrial ecosystem and progressively build indigenous capabilities in the private sector to design, develop and manufacture complex weapon system for future needs of armed forces. The SP model has four segments — submarines, single engine fighter aircraft, helicopters and armoured carriers/main battle tanks — which would be specifically opened up for the private sector. Under this policy one Indian private company would be selected in each segment which would tie-up with shortlisted global equipment manufacturers to manufacture the platforms in India under technology transfer. Pic: https://d39gegkjaqduz9.cloudfront.net/TH/2018/07/31/DEL/Delhi/TH/5_07/7613786d_2285133_101_mr.jpg Ban of Oxytocin Part of: GS Prelims and Mains – Health issue In news: Government had banned oxytocin. The move came into effect from July 1, 2018. It is intended to curb the hormone injection’s misuse in cattle but the impact is being felt by pregnant women, who require the medication the most. Often called the “love hormone”, oxytocin is released naturally in human bonding activities such as sex, childbirth and breastfeeding. However, oxytocin was misused in the livestock industry, where activists say it causes hormonal imbalances and shortens the lives of milch animals. National Register of Citizens (NRC) Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Welfare and Social issue; Internal Security In news: In previous article, we read about NRC, Why is the NRC is being updated in Assam? (30 July 2018 DNA) Over 40 lakh out of 3.29 crore applicants were left out of draft NRC in Assam The five year exercise was completed at a cost of ₹1,220 crore. The draft NRC was released in Guwahati by Registrar General of India and NRC State Coordinator. The remaining 40,007,707 applicants, whose names didn't figure in the list will be given ample opportunity through a process of claims and objections till September 28, and their citizenship status will not be questioned till the final, error-free draft is prepared. Miscellaneous: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is in the Philippines The Economic Survey 2017-18 recommended a number of steps to acknowledge the “feminisation” of Indian agriculture. Department of Biotechnology (DBT), a Science Ministry body plans to send women farmers to be trained in IRRI. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS TOPIC:General Studies 2 India and its international relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. 10th BRICS Summit Johannesburg Declaration Introduction: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have existed as a coherent economic group since 2009. BRICS has grown in influence, expanded the arc of its interests, and established new institutions and partnerships in its first decade. More importantly, it has created for its members the habits of working together. Intra-BRICS cooperation is on a rising trajectory. Yet, the fact remains that BRICS is still far from achieving its initial goals: reform of global financial governance, democratisation of the United Nations, and expansion of the Security Council — partially because two of its members (China and Russia) do not want the other three members (India, South Africa and Brazil) to obtain parity in the global pecking order. 10th BRICS Summit Highlights: The summit saw the BRICS leaders discuss various international and regional issues of common concern and adopted the 'Johannesburg Declaration' by consensus. The declaration reaffirms principles of democracy, inclusiveness and agrees to fight unilateralism and protectionism. 10th summit framed its deliberations against U.S. President Donald Trump’s unconventional approach on world affairs, particularly the looming trade wars. Stressed for rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading based on the World Trade Organisation. Broader commitment to cooperate for strengthening multilateralism, the rule of law and an equitable international order. To help nations to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Articulated the need for a new strategy on employment, education and skill development as the digital revolution unfolds. BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) to engage with the private sector and young innovators working at the cutting edge of technology today. BRICS Business Council to enhance trade and economic cooperation in diverse sectors ranging from manufacturing and energy to financial services and regional aviation. Commitment towards an inclusive and “people-centred approach” on development. Steady progress in interactions through sports, films, education, culture and tourism. Africa and BRICS Plus BRICS outreach to Africa began at the last summit hosted by South Africa, in 2013 and has picked up momentum now. African nations expect BRICS to play more crucial and broader role. African nations requested for big loans from the New Development Bank (NDB) for their infrastructure projects. So far, the NDB has dispersed loans totalling $5.1 billion — all to its members only. China introduced “BRICS Plus” format last year by inviting a few countries from different regions – Argentina, Jamaica, Turkey, Indonesia and Egypt. BRICS Plus has potential to evolve and an immediate benefit is the immense opportunities it provides for networking among leaders. Conclusion: BRICS will continue to be an influential voice as long as its convergences prevail over its divergences. Changing power equations within BRICS By lowering China’s dominance (esp. China-Russia proximity) Brazil played a low-profile role Sovereign equality of all members India is playing “a delicate geopolitical game with the U.S., China and Russia as their spheres of influence wax and wane” across regions. No decision was taken to set up the BRICS credit rating agency that India favours. The India-South Africa partnership helped to ensure that the Johannesburg Declaration was balanced and well-rounded in its orientation. The critical question is whether BRICS’s exertions will have appreciable impact on G-7 (the grouping of the developed countries), which is in disarray and especially on the US Administration. Connecting the dots: Why is BRICS and its Bank important for developing countries, especially India? Critically evaluate. The Johannesburg Declaration in the recently concluded BRICS summit is a diplomatic win for India and holds immense significance to obtain parity in the global pecking order. Do you agree? Comment. NATIONAL  TOPIC: General studies 2 Social Justice; social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population and betterment of these vulnerable sections SC walking on tight rope between the narrow and the transformative approach Introduction Supreme Court is in the spotlight with cases dealing with – Aadhaar and relationship between the individual and the state challenge to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code Sabarimala case constitutional challenge to adultery All the above cases have placed the court at the heart of the culture wars. While the Aadhaar challenge was argued on the relatively straightforward basis of when and to what extent the state can exercise its coercive power over individuals, the other 2 cases (section 377 and Sabarimala) have seen clashes between the invocation of personal rights and the claims of cultural and religious groups. This is set to continue with the forthcoming adultery hearings, where the state’s objection to the decriminalisation of adultery is premised on the argument that it would destroy the institution of marriage. Supreme Court dealing with complex task With cases dealing with constitutional rights of an individual against the state, the task of the court is clear: the Court can strike down laws or rules if it is breaching the constitutional rights. However, when the Court is called upon to settle a battle in the culture wars, the task is filled with greater complexity. This is because these conflicts often represent deep, long-standing and irreconcilable divisions in society, touching issues of personal belief and conviction. Any indecisive or ill-suited resolution by the apex court in matters involving personal belief will create anger and frustration (especially in alienated communities) and risks an erosion of faith in the neutrality and impartiality of state institutions. The framers of the Constitution consciously refrained from such complex situation by not addressing them directly. For instance, the framers deliberately placed the provision for a uniform civil code in the unenforceable “Directive Principles” chapter, thinking that it was too divisive to be made a fundamental right. Following a narrow approach In order to avoid the complexity and risk, there is a popular school of thought that asks the court to tread with particular caution when questions of culture are at stake. According to this school of thought, the court while dealing with such sensible matters should limit its reasoning to technical points of law, avoid constitutional questions, decide only the case before it consciously and refrain from expressing any opinion on the validity of any personal belief or conviction. The role of the court, in short, is to do everything it can to lower the stakes, and take a pragmatic, problem-solving approach to the conflict rather than an ideal-oriented, expansive one. Adopting the transformative approach There is, however, a rival philosophy of constitutional adjudication. This philosophy holds that the Constitution is a transformative document, whose goal is to erase and remedy long-standing legacies of injustice. A particular feature of these injustices is their deep-rooted, social and institutional character. In the Indian context, the most obvious example is that of caste. The pervasive and corrosive influence of caste-discrimination in our society not only prompted the inclusion of a specific article in the Constitution abolishing untouchability (Article 17), but over and above that, gave rise to a constitutional vision of equality that specifically included affirmative action. Conclusion: In both the 377 and Sabarimala hearings the transformative approach was articulated. Arguments presented by mental health professionals (that decades of social exclusion and ostracism of the LGBT community could not be remedied simply by “decriminalisation”) were accepted. The counsel declared that no institution — public or private — would henceforth be permitted to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation, or deny any person their civil rights. By doing this, it would accomplish two crucial things: a small step towards removing the structural and institutional barriers that continued to stand between the LGBT community and equal moral membership in the community it would serve as a public acknowledgement of a wrong that society had been complicit in, and which society was not determined to remedy Similarly, in the Sabarimala case, counsel have urged the court to hold that religion cannot be invoked to shield a discriminatory practice from constitutional scrutiny; and that, at the end of the day, constitutional morality must prevail over precepts that are rooted in any particular religion. In these cases, therefore, the court is faced with a stark choice between the narrow and the transformative approaches to navigating the choppy waters of culture and the Constitution. Which direction it chooses to take depends upon what it believes the Constitution is for — and will have profound consequences in the years to come. Connecting the dots Judiciary should consciously refrain itself from complex cases that can instigate clashes between the invocation of personal rights and the claims of cultural and religious groups. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer with suitable examples. (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Note: Featured Comments and comments Up-voted by IASbaba are the “correct answers”. IASbaba App users – Team IASbaba will provide correct answers in comment section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers. Q.1) The hormone acts on the smooth muscles of our body and stimulates their contraction. In females, it stimulates a vigorous contraction of uterus at the time of child birth, and milk ejection from the mammary gland is Oxytocin Gonadotrophin Somatostatin Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Q.2) To increase yield, the cows are injected with Oxytocin, a hormone banned in India under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and section 12 of Food and Drug Adulteration Prevention Act, 1960. Oxytocin is banned because: Milk produced from such cows is unfit/harmful for human consumption. Cows injected with Oxytocin have a greater incidence of abortions, mastitis and lower conception rates. Cattle feel immense pain as the uterus contracts due to injection of Oxytocin. Select the code from below: 1 only 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.3) A regional centre for International Rice Research Institute is being established in India to improve rice yields and quality. In which of the following cities is it being established? [IRRI South Asia Regional Center (ISARC)] Chandigarh Chennai Varanasi Kolkata Q.4) Given below are the statements regarding BRICS. Select the correct statements among them 10th BRICS summit 2018 was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The theme of the summit was "Stronger partnership for a bright future" Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) is related to BRICS. Select the code from following 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 All of the above Q.5) IBSAMAR is a naval exercise between members of which of the following groupings? BRICS ASEAN BIMSTEC Andean Community (CAN) Q.6) Which of the following is/are NOT members of New Development Bank (NDB) India China South Africa Russia Singapore Select the correct code: 3, 4 and 5 2, 3 and 4 1 and 3 Only 5 MUST READ A good beginning: on draft data protection bill The Hindu A balancing Act The Hindu   The case for increasing the retirement age of judges The Hindu Longevity science The Hindu The little done, the great un-done Indian Express Who is a citizen Indian Express Raja Mandala: Imran Khan’s Afghan call Indian Express A RERA for the shareholder Indian Express