May 7, 2018

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2018 HISTORY & CURRENT AFFAIRS [Day 48]

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

May 6, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 5th May 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 5th May 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Key decisions at 27th GST Council Part of: GS Prelims (Indian Economy) and Mains GS III In News: Outcomes of 27th GST Council GST Council decides – to convert the GST Network into a 100% government enterprise. to implement a single form for GST filing from the current three. to create a Group of Ministers to review the plan for imposition of a cess on sugar. to create another GoM to consider implementation of a 2% incentive for digital transactions. Why cess on sugar? The cess was meant to subsidise sugarcane farmers as their production cost is much higher than the selling price. Important Value Additions: About GST Council It is a constitutional body (Article 279A) It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to GST. Composition: The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States. Do you know? As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council which will be a joint forum of the Centre and the States, shall consist of the following members – Chairperson Union Finance Minister Member Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or Finance Members Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by each State Government   Article link: GST Council approves single form for filing of returns Vice President to visit Guatemala, Panama and Peru Part of: Prelims (IR and Geography Map) and GS Mains II (IR, India and the world) In News: Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu to visit Guatemala, Panama and Peru. Article link:  Vice-President to leave for South America tomorrow Important Value Additions: About Gautemala Observe figure below and identify the following – It is in between Pacific ocean and Caribbean Sea (Gulf of Honduras) It is country of Central America. Capital – Gautemala city India and Guatemala Unique features – dominance of an Indian culture within its interior uplands origin of the name Guatemala is Indian volcanic eruptions Both nations are part of the Non-Aligned Movement and G-77 Spice war - There is increased competition between in the production of cardamom between India and Guatemala Illegal immigration - Due to the visa-free entry that Guatemala offers to Indian citizens, human trafficking network operates (which transports people from India to the United States) Important forum – India and Central American Integration System (SICA) About Panama: Observe figure below and identify the following – It is country of Central America. Panama connects other Central American countries with South America It is also in between Pacific ocean and Caribbean Sea Capital – Panama City   India and Panama: Indian-Panamanian connection is the oldest in the Central American region Sikh immigrants worked on the construction of Panama railways and later the Panama Canal in the early 20th century Panama has largest concentration of overseas Indians in Central America Part of India-SICA cooperation Panama papers leak – Undisclosed incomes of Indians in Panama papers Panama is also a member of NAM and G-77 About Peru Observe figure below and identify the following – It is country of South America Capital – Lima Lake Titicaca (borders Peru and Bolivia) - largest lake in South America and world’s highest navigable body of water. Andes Mountain Pacific Ocean India and Peru Peru - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Member (India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. However, officials have decided not to allow India to join for various reasons, considering that India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.) Peru is also a member of NAM and G-77. Windrush Scandal Part of: GS Prelims (International Affairs) In News: Windrush scandal or Windrush Generation is in news often. It deals with scandal over the ill treatment of Caribbean and other Commonwealth nationals by UK’s tough immigration policy. Windrush generation were migrants from the Commonwealth Caribbean who came to Britain before 1973 (1971 legislation no longer gave them automatic settlement after that date). Do you know? The scandal also includes those who came from many other Commonwealth countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and countries in West Africa. Article link: A post-colonial reckoning: on the Windrush scandal Raising fences: on the plight of Britons of West Indies origin - The Hindu GravityRAT Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS III Cyber Security In news: GravityRAT, a malware allegedly designed by Pakistani hackers to infliltrate computers, steal the data of users, and relay it to command and control centres in other countries. The RAT was first detected by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, CERT-In, on various computers in 2017. The ‘RAT’ in its name stands for Remote Access Trojan, which is a program capable of being controlled remotely and thus difficult to trace. Important Value Additions: CERT-In is operational since January 2004. CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur. In the recent Information Technology Amendment Act 2008, CERT-In has been designated to serve as the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of cyber security: Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents. Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents. Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents. Coordination of cyber incident response activities. Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber Incidents. Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed. Article link: A RAT that spies on computers First record of invasive aphid in Kashmir Valley Part of: GS Prelims and Mains Paper III Environment and Biodiversity Key Pointers: It’s bad news for Kashmir Valley, the fruit bowl of India. The brown peach aphid – an insect that attacks temperate fruit trees – has been recorded here for the first time. The spread of the aphid could affect the local economy which is dependant on fruit trees to a large extent. Aphids feed on the saps of plants, attacking plant tissues that transport food to all different plant parts. In India, the aphid was recorded for the first time in the 1970s from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Article link: First record of invasive aphid in Kashmir Valley NASA launches InSight Part of: GS Prelims and Mains III – Science and Tech In News: NASA launched its latest Mars lander, InSight. It is designed to perch on the surface of the red planet and listen for ‘Marsquakes’. The key instrument on board is a seismometer, called the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure. Understanding the temperature on Mars is crucial to NASA’s efforts to send people there by the 2030s, and how much a human habitat might need to be heated under frigid conditions. Do you know? InSight, is short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport. (MAINS FOCUS) INTERNATIONAL TOPIC:General Studies 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx Karl Marx German philosopher and revolutionary socialist Karl Marx 5 March 2018 - 200th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx Important works – He published The Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital Anti-capitalist works that form the basis of ‘Marxism’ Author of Das Kapital and the leading spirit of the International Workingmen’s Association (known as the First International). Key takeaways from the editorial – Karl Marx’s writings had and still have tremendous influence on most important thinkers of the twentieth century. He is regarded as revolutionary prophet. Importance of reading Marx and his theories closely, with precision and patience - The writer of the editorial believes that Karl Marx and his writing still matters. His ideas may help us to understand the economic and political inequality of our time. Is Marx evil? Even today, three decades after the fall of the Soviet empire, many still blame Marx for the cruel atrocities that happened around the world in the name of Marxism. For those who suffered the communist regimes or simply believed in an anti-communist crusade, Marx continues to be a dangerous mind who should be banned from our schools and universities. Recently there were instances of statues of Marx being torn down bitterly and indistinctively. But despite what happened in the past hundred years in the communist countries, Marx remains an important thinker and a central figure of the modern canon around the world. In other words, he should be read closely, with precision and patience. His writings were so complex and so antithetical. Any loosely philosophical approach or iconic view of Marx would turn the critical edge of his analysis of modernity and capitalism into wrong principles of a wrong struggle. Aspirants with following optional subject should therefore read about Marx and his theories – History - Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism. Sociology - Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle; Marxist sociology. Philosophy - Political Ideologies: Anarchism; Marxism and Socialism PSIR - Theories of the Marxist and Marxism (Political ideologies) Marxism–Leninism Marxism believes that ‘capitalism can only thrive on the exploitation of the working class’. Marxism believes that there was a real contradiction between human nature and the way that we must work in a capitalist society. Marxist theories believed – “class struggle is the basic agency of historical change, and that capitalism will ultimately be superseded by communism”. Leninism comprises socialist political and economic theories, developed from Marxism and Lenin's interpretations of Marxist theories, for practical application to the socio-political conditions of the Russian Empire of the early 20th century. Marx remains an important thinker On the one hand, Marx is a philosopher who believes in the autonomy of human beings, since he affirms that human beings make their own history, that the emancipation of the workers will be the work of the workers themselves. On the other hand, he is obsessed by the Hegelian idea of making a total system, dominated by the universal law of social transformations in history. It was precisely this second Marx, the theorist of historical materialism, who was elevated by Engels, Lenin, Stalin and many others as a prophet of a secular religion called socialism. But, the great mistake of several generations of Marxists was to consider Marx’s philosophy of history as a readymade revolutionary recipe for action. In other words, writer believes that - Marxist revolutionaries such as Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro, etc. adapted those ideas of Marx which suited best the needs of their revolutions and bureaucratic powers. They were responsible (in the form of Marxism-Leninism ideology) to turn the materialist and historicist philosophy of Marx into a revolutionary eschatology and in many cases into thermodynamics of terror. Marx should be viewed as a critical mind with the great intellectual courage of a Socratic gadfly ("a person who persistently annoys or provokes others with criticism, schemes, ideas, demands, requests, etc.") who continues to defy our way of thinking and living in a market-driven world. Writer believes that we should celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of a major thinker of human history who has found his place in the pantheon of great philosophers next to Kant, Schelling, Fichte and Hegel. Connecting the dots: 150 years of 'Das Kapital': How relevant is Marx today? Is Karl Marx still relevant today? What are his major contributions? MUST READ Rising Fences The Hindu Karl Marx 2.00 Indian Express Karl Marx’s echo in Ambedkar Indian Express Architecture for privacy Indian Express   (TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE) Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section) Q.1) Consider the following statements with regard to GST Council: It is a constitutional body. Prime Minister is the Chairperson of the Council. Members of the Council include Union Finance Minister and States Finance Minister Which of the statements provided above is/are correct? 1 only 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Q.2) Which among the following is/are countries of South America? Gautemala Panama Peru Guyana Ecuador Choose the correct answer: 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 3, 4 and 5 2, 3, 4 and 5 Q.3) Which among the following countries are located in between and touches both Pacific ocean and Caribbean Sea? Peru Panama Gautemala Nicaragua Choose the correct answer: 2 and 3 3 only 1, 2 and 3 2, 3 and 4 Q.4) Lake Titicaca, largest lake in South America and world’s highest navigable body of water, is located between – Peru and Bolivia Panama and Gautemala Peru and Chile Ecuador and Nicaragua Q.5) Consider the following statements about Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and identify the incorrect statement: It is a regional economic forum established in 1989. India is a founding member of APEC. It is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region. China is also a part of APEC. Q.6) Windrush scandal or Windrush Generation is often in new. It deals with – Corruption in India’s wind energy association, which is accused of blatant fakery. UK’s tough immigration policy and ill treatment of Caribbean and other Commonwealth nationals. OPEC members’ straightforward corruption scandal that started with some of their state-owned oil companies. Agusta-Westland chopper scam or Choppergate Q.7) GravityRAT was in news recently. What is it about? Einstein's theory of general relativity. A RAT that spies on computers. NASA’s latest Mars lander designed to perch on the surface of the red planet and listen for ‘Marsquakes’. The most advanced computer mouse which can work with or without a surface.  

May 6, 2018 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Handling Expectations – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Handling Expectations: One of the most difficult things to deal with in human interactions is learning how to handle expectations. It might not seem like a very important issue to deal with, but when looked at closely you will realize that if you have not learnt how to handle the expectations of people around you, it pretty much affects everything you do. Most of the time you might not even be aware that your actions are driven by the expectations of people around you. Expectations go much deeper than the conscious mind, it affects your subconscious. If you don’t observe the expectations that are shaping your thought process and actions, they simply slip into the subconscious and quietly affect all your important actions. Just to give an example. Imagine that there is someone very important in your life who you want to impress; let us say, your father, mother, teacher, wife etc. Without being aware of the fact that it is very important for you to impress this person, you start aligning your life to gain that person’s acceptance. Without your knowledge, almost every single action of yours becomes entangled with the emotion of impressing someone. This will adversely affect your performance. Being creative is very important to be able to deal with daily challenges of preparation. Creativity always expresses itself best through a clear and free mind. When you are constantly entangling yourself with this one dominant emotion of impressing someone, then you cannot take chances and go beyond the way to achieve what you want to achieve. Expectation creates fear and fear is not good for creative thinking. Most people are not even aware that they are not mentally free to think clearly and take decisions boldly. Sometimes the only way out of tricky situations is to think boldly and courageously. You can be courageous only when you are mentally free and not bound by unnecessary expectations. This is where it becomes very important to observe your own expectations and try and see if it is linked to somebody else. When you figure out the source of your expectations and go beyond them, something magically transforms your thinking and actions. When you go beyond expectations, you become tremendously light to move swiftly and creatively. There should be only one motive for your actions; it is to move towards a certain goal. The objective should never be to impress yourself or someone else. When you make this attitude change from working to impress someone, to working for reaching your goals, everything begins to fall into place and align itself. A mind that is not burdened by expectations is free to focus on what needs to be done. When expectation goes, fear of failure goes and mind becomes free to think and act clearly.   “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.”

May 5, 2018 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) : Indo German Relationship

Indo German Relationship ARCHIVES Search 21st April, 2018 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. In News: PM made a last minute stopover in Germany to meet the Chancellor – fairly major indicator of the closeness of the relationship shared with Germany. Germany seems to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to EU. India’s relation, as it gets better with Germany, will help consolidate its position as one of the major players in Asia. Fourth largest economy of the world Major investor in India Issue of Russia: Russia’s issue with the West is deteriorating. Both India and Germany are on friendly terms with the country. Germany can act as a balancing partner with India, to solve the current diplomatic problems that exist. Migration: The German Chancellor was courageous to open German borders for refugees when public opinion in Germany did not support it at that time. Her approach has been empathetic, sympathetic and humanitarian. Beginning of a new chapter of India-Germany relationship Innovation and democracy: Germany is known across the world for its innovation capability as well as its democratic credentials. Under Modi, innovation has also become one of the top priorities for India and both countries can mutually assist each other in this regard. Terrorism: India and Germany have established a joint working group on counter-terrorism which has led to critical sharing of intelligence. On the perception of need to fight international terrorism, Germany is supportive of India’s position. What is currently happening in Afghanistan as well as the reality of Pakistan being a fountainhead of terrorism is also a concern for both the countries. Recently, there have been instances of terrorism on German soil, and PM Modi would want to convince and convey the German leader to take major steps in understanding the root of the problem, and containing it. Skilling India: German partnership is very important for making Skill India Mission successful. If 800 million youth get skill as per the global standards, then the youth power of India can contribute to India’s development. Germany has set global parameters in skill development which are very apt for India. Climate Conservation: Both countries are mutually cooperating in climate protection – there is technological and processes commitment for cleaning the polluting industry, which will prove beneficial to our mission of cleaning the Ganges. Conclusion: In every field of collaboration, India is witnessing an outcome-oriented momentum and a quantum jump in Indo-German economic relationship. But it is important for Germany to understand that India will not be able to open its market completely, especially at the cost of its own manufacturing. German companies should be provided with a conducive environment for investing and producing in India. Only if there is a value addition to the Indian economy, will there exist a win-win situation for both the countries. Connecting the dots: India is increasing its bilateral relations with Germany. Critically examine how this relationship is expected to boost India’s strategic and economic interests. The very fact that Indian interests and German strengths are concurrent is the driving factor for Indo-German ties. Elucidate. Discuss the role that Germany can play in the expansion of India’s renewable energy share in the total energy mix.

May 5, 2018 Topper's From IASbaba

Rank 1 UPSC 2017 : Durishetty Anudeep - Strategy and Role of IASbaba in his Success!

Hello Friends Success comes in installments and may be an installment or two are left before final success comes to you. Even though, there are many examples of such candidates but who better than All India Rank 1 to share his experience. Here we are pleased to present the interview of Durishetty Anudeep, AIR 1 in CSE 2017 with IASbaba on his strategy, Role of IASbaba on his success, Dealing with unpredictability nature of the exam, Tackling certain Grey areas like Science &  Technology,  Environment,  Art & Culture, Current Affairs and many more. Watch the video and get inspired.  Thanks IASbaba Team

May 4, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 4th May 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) India doing "extremely well" on electrification: WB Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure, Inclusive growth Key pointers: India is doing "extremely well" on electrification with nearly 85 per cent of the country's population having access to electricity, the World Bank has said. Between 2010 and 2016, India providing electricity to 30 million people each year, more than any other country as per the latest report of the World Bank. While challenges still remain to provide electricity to the rest of the 15 per cent of the 1.25 billion population, India is all set to achieve the target of universal access to electricity before the 2030 target date. The report comes less than a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that all the villages in the country have been electrified. The report said that nearly 85 per cent of the country's population has access to electricity. In absolute terms, India is doing more on electrification than any other countries. However, India is not the fastest country in electrification. Bangladesh and Kenya, for example are faster in electrification than India, she noted. However, reliability of service is an area of concern for India. In some parts of India or having the connection doesn't necessarily guarantee the energy's reliable supply. Article link: Click here NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 3: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. 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 Minimum Support Price: How effective it has been? Background: Under Indian conditions, agriculture faces several risks — weather, production, quality and market, to name a few. While crop production is often seasonal and regional, consumption is round the year and across the country. Because of this, market prices usually tend to be volatile. For instance, prices tend to collapse during the harvest season glut and heavy arrivals. The rationale behind minimum support price (MSP): It provides the assurance of a minimum price that ensures the farmer recovers his cost of production and receives a decent return on investment. MSP is a kind of sovereign guarantee that farmers will not be allowed to suffer losses if crop prices fall below the specified minimum price. MSP works as an options contract. If price were to fall below the specified MSP, the government has the obligation to purchase from farmers at the MSP. At the same time, the farmer is under no obligation to sell to the government if the price stays above MSP. In the event, the farmer is free to sell in the open market at price higher than MSP. Calculating MSP: For arriving at the MSP, the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) (formerly, Agricultural Prices Commission set up in 1965) undertakes an exercise every year examining the cost of production of select crops (numbering about 23), overall demand-supply, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agri and non-agri sectors, and so on. According to the government, the CACP also ensures rational utilisation of production resources like land and water. However, the CACP’s recommendations on MSP are not binding on the government. Although often accepted, the government occasionally tinkers with the recommended prices. Ineffective instrument: Over the years, MSP has ceased to be an instrument to influence crop diversification or area allocation. Often, growers do not get to know the MSP as there are challenges relating to information dissemination; and when growers get to know, they do not care because it didn’t mean much to them. What has the MSP regime achieved so far? Little. A majority of growers in the country do not receive the specified MSP (barring, of course, for wheat and rice that too in some States). They are upset and disillusioned and the farm crisis is worsening. There is a mistaken belief that higher MSP will translate to higher production. MSP not backed by a robust procurement policy and associated logistics is doomed not to succeed, especially in the context of our production-centric approach. In the case of rice and wheat, grain mono-cropping and open-ended procurement at support price in agriculturally important States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are leading to disastrous environmental impacts. Soil health has deteriorated and the water table has gone down to alarmingly low levels. So, the lesson is: MSP alone will achieve little. We need a holistic approach. Along with MSP we need a robust procurement system. We need an appropriate foreign trade (export/import) policy and tariff (Customs duty) policy in a way that will protect domestic growers without compromising the interests of consumers. OECD experience: For our policy-makers, there is a lot to learn from the OECD experience. The OECD countries (30 of the wealthy industrialised nations) support agriculture with a humongous $500 billion a year. Of this, about $80-90 billion is invested in what is described as general services — agri infrastructure and innovation systems, inspection and control systems, market development, and so on. These are crop-neutral initiatives that seek to build lasting assets as well as scientific post-harvest systems. Conclusion: In sum, we need an integrated approach to agriculture and food policies; and a lack of it will continue to result in uncertain output, suspect quality, price volatility and distorted markets. Connecting the dots: What is the rationale behind MSP? How is it calculated and how effective it has been for Indian farmers? Discuss. NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests Free Trade Agreements: An analysis Introduction: Eminent economist Jagdish Bhagwati in his 2008 book, Termites in the Trading System: How Preferential Agreements Undermine Free Trade, lamented how an ever-increasing number of free trade agreements (FTAs) are a threat to the world trading system. But why does Bhagwati consider FTAs to be bad? In an FTA, two or more countries agree to lower import tariffs and other trade barriers on each other’s products. Good for them at one level but bad for the overall trade, because of the two effects that take place as a result. Economists term these trade diversion and trade creation. Trade diversion favours less efficient producers while trade creation stresses local producers. Example: Diversion and creation To understand, let us take the example of a shirt. Trade diversion: Let’s presume that all shirts are identical and have the same quality and a consumer will buy from the cheapest source. Cost of one shirt sold by the US is Rs. 1,000 and the EU, Rs. 1,100. If the import duty in India on the shirt is 20 per cent, cost of one shirt imported from the US will be Rs. 1,200 and that from the EU, Rs. 1,320. Now, since the price of shirts from the US is lower, Indian consumers will prefer to buy them. The game changes if India signs an FTA with the EU and eliminates import duty on shirts from the EU. So, shirts from the EU can now enter India at Rs. 1100, while shirts from the US will continue to come at Rs. 1,200. So, India will stop buying from the US and start buying from the EU. As the shirts from the EU cost more, but duty elimination through the FTA makes them less expensive. Since the India-EU FTA diverted trade from the more efficient US to less efficient EU producer, the effect is termed trade diversion. It is considered bad as the FTA rewards a less efficient producer. Trade creation: Let us now understand the impact of an FTA on the local industry. Consider the shirt example again. A shirt produced in India sells at Rs. 1,150. Pre-FTA, no imports will take place as this price is lower than the duty paid price of shirts from the US ( Rs. 1,200) and EU ( Rs. 1,320). But position changes after the FTA. Now the shirts from the EU (at Rs. 1,100 per piece) will cost less than the shirts produced in India ( at Rs. 1,150 per piece). The phenomenon is called trade creation as the FTA created new trade in the form of imports from the EU. Soon imports from the EU will replace locally produced shirts. After some time, Indian shirt makers would shut shop. To what extent these effects distort world trade: Since FTAs allow trade at zero import duty on most products and world over 280-plus FTAs are operational, it is widely believed that most world trade happens through the FTA route. A data check shows that the share of most countries’ trade with their FTA partners is 20-40 per cent of their total global trade. But even most of this trade takes place outside of the FTA. Global and bilateral export-import data show that much of world trade takes place outside the FTAs. Conclusion: Above analysis shows that the FTAs had the potential to damage the multilateral trading system and world trade, they could not. Reason: Most (about 83-85 per cent) world trade takes place outside the FTAs. Only 15-17 per cent of trade is on preferential terms. But as the US action of increasing the tariffs and China’s response shows tariffs are still the central means of regulating imports. And these should be reduced through the FTAs only when economic benefits can be clearly demonstrated. Connecting the dots: What are free trade agreements? How does FTAs create trade diversion and trade creation? Should be considered as a threat to world trade? Discuss. MUST READ A pattern of impunity The Hindu Emerging irritant The Hindu Making a composite culture Indian Express Rooted in the past Business Line 

May 4, 2018 Topper's From IASbaba

UPSC Topper 2017 Sachin Gupta, Rank 3, Mains Strategy-IASbaba's Offline Mains Classroom Cum Test Series Student

Hi all! I am Sachin Gupta from Sirsa, Haryana. I have secured Rank-3 in UPSC CSE 2017 in my third attempt. During the course of three years, I have gone to many places for guidance in different things, but one thing that I would like to highlight at the end of the days -it’s the hard work and self-study along with self-belief which helped me in clearing this examination. The journey from Engineer to Civil Services Aspirant I came from a Middle-class background with my father as farmer and mother as government school teacher, have seen the difference of schools in which I studied and in which my mother used to teach. Although at that time I was just a child, things changed when I accidentally went for teaching children from deprived sections of society, it changed everything. I started relating this experience to my childhood observations of difference. It changed the overall thought process from building a career in Engineering towards aspiring for bringing change in society. I always believe there is a supernatural power that somehow helps us out in every situation, we just need to be prudent enough to do the right things. Tryst with UPSC-CSE I had started preparation after my college while working in Corporate Sector, although at that time not many platforms like IASbaba or Insights were available, neither was I aware of any such. But at that point of time, Mrunal kept me going along with a small institute near my workplace to keep things in place for preparation. Finally, I gave my first attempt in 2015 but missed Mains cut off by 10 marks and realised may be I am not that good in optional to score high marks, thereby I changed my optional and took help of VAID Sir. He contributed a lot in not only preparing the subject for Civil services but also gave the feeling of what Anthropology is all about. My score increased in optional from 175 to 311 in one year (Although i changed my optional as well). That lead me to clear Civil Services in my second attempt in 2016 with 575 Rank. But I found that I seriously need to improve my marks in General Studies and Essay, particularly in answer writing. I went to Bangalore just for that purpose. I followed Mains Test series at both IAS Baba and Insights together. I found both of them complementary to each other. Although i don't know my marks this year in General Studies and Essay but I am very hopeful it will be good only. I sincerely express my gratitude to both IAS Baba and Insights for putting efforts in improving my answer writing that helped me in boosting my Rank from 575 to Rank 3!   Mains Strategy I believe this is the most important stage in terms of scoring maximum marks as personality test may or may not go the way we want it to be. Lots of external factors came into the picture at that stage. But trust me if you work really hard especially at Mains Stage, one can score good marks. Here I would be sharing what I did and how I approached the Mains Examination, that comes out to be the game changer in my final year. Before moving forward, I would like to highlight - try to chalk out your own strategy as each one of us is unique, try to see your own strengths and weaknesses, build your own study plan accordingly. Here, I would be sharing what worked with me and what I feel is important to do at Mains Stage. This is the stage where you need both, to be persistent in your answer writing and also be smart to know how to study the particular topic in the syllabus that I have learnt after going to Bangalore last year. It changed my approach towards Mains tremendously. Firstly we will talk about Art of Answer Writing I believe everybody knows the importance of answer writing at Mains, at the end of a day, one would be evaluated not on how much he knows but on how good he/she wrote an answer and expressed himself/herself best in those 150-200 words. This is the stage where hard work and to be persistent in answer writing matters. I know sometimes we get demotivated, don't feel like writing answers or try to focus on reading more content. It happened with me also but here is what the role of a peer group or study environment came into the picture. I went to Bangalore for this purpose only, fortunately, at Insights I was able to get that environment which pushed me to write test in a disciplined manner. Slowly after 8-10 tests, one is able to find what to do and what not to do, how to write an answer. I used to interact with Vinay Sir a lot to understand this. But actual struggle after that was to internalise the answer writing pattern in your heart & soul and make it a natural way of answer writing. For that one should do intensive answer writing practice. Some of the key things that I learnt in Bangalore under the guidance of Insights and IASBaba: Importance of Reading the Question: Most of the time what happens we use to write whatever we know about 2-3 keywords written in question but try to read the question twice or thrice at least. Try to understand what actually examiner wants to know and write that only. I also used to write whatever I knew about the question in my first two attempts that probably was the reason behind low marks in GS. Here i would like to express my gratitude to Vinay Sir, who helped me a lot, I used to show him my copies and I must appreciate the kind of personal attention he gave me. It was tremendous and probably made me where I am today! , Introduction: is one of the most crucial parts of answer writing and I believe it left the first impression on the examiner, try to write in a proper manner. I used to follow mainly 4-5 ways to write it : Definition: If I know the definition of the crux of an issue let’s say Food security I tried to introduce my answer with the definition of food security and interlink with the subparts being asked in the question. It will not only give a good flow to your answers but also structure your answer properly. This I have learnt from ForumIAS open video by Ayush Sir available on youtube as well. I would suggest everyone do go through it. Recent Events: Let’s say the question was asked in the simultaneous election. Then one can start with Prime Minister or President’s Speech where they have supported the idea. Then immediately try to connect with the issue being asked in the question Facts/Figures: Third way was to start a question with some important fact or figure. Let's say the question is about underemployment in India, one can give the reference of Niti Aayog’s Three Year Action plan and quote some facts or figures. Location: It is generally helpful while answering history and geography questions. For example, the question asked on the decline of Indus Valley civilisation, one can start with the location of IVC and its timeline , then straight-forward go to answering what is asked in the question. Interlinking: Fourth way could be to interlink all the subparts asked in a question and write about the crux of your answer in one line and straight forward jump to  subtopics Break the Question into subparts:  Generally, UPSC asks 2-3 questions in one question itself try to break it and address it properly. Visibility: After breaking the question into subparts asked in the question, try to highlight it while writing. So that examiner will easily find out where and how you addressed different parts of the questions. It helps in two ways, first one would be answering all the subparts asked and ensure flow in the answers. Point Format:  Try to write most of the answers in point format especially in GS 1,2,3 and while answering any subparts, make subheading in front of every question, so that it's easy to make out what one is going to write. And after writing, argument/ statement try to substantiate your statement, let's say one gave an argument in favour of strengthening of the federal structure in recent past, then substantiate with financial independence ensured by 14th Finance Commission and so on! Smart Answering: While answering a question, just try to think of where this question would have been asked, then answer it accordingly. In 2016 Mains, a similar question was asked on Urban floods in GS1 and GS3, but try to think under which topic it would have been asked. In GS1 it relates more to problems of Urbanization, impact on various sections of societies and so on. While in GS 3, it could be from infrastructure or disaster management topic. Just try to include points accordingly. I have previously done the mistake of not thinking where the question was asked, and I don't know if this is the right way or not but I believe that questions are made out of syllabus and we should address it accordingly. Importance of making flowchart/ Diagram / Map:  While writing answers just try to make the flowchart in two or three questions, somewhere make diagrams or make a map if required (especially in geography and location factors of industries). Conclusion:  While writing the conclusion, be very clear what you want to communicate and answering all the subparts in 1-2 lines. One may give solutions just before concluding the answer but it depends upon the nature of the question asked. One can also link DPSPs if writing an answer of GS 2. But be very clear in your conclusion. I know the paucity of time in the actual exam but try to conclude the question at the end. It gives an edge over others. Here I would also like to caution you, I have seen many copies where sometimes aspirants try to make these things in every question. Please don’t over do it. It makes the answers too mechanical. Try to stick to the basics that is addressing the question properly and convincing examiner you know the things and your opinions are based on facts. I must thanks Insights again as well as my peer group that we formed there to discuss the question that built a conducive environment and especially to Vinay Sir whose constant feedback improved my answer writing tremendously. How to Study Particular Topic UPSC Syllabus: First and foremost have the UPSC syllabus with you always and this should be the ultimate source around which our preparation should revolve. Read it as many as times you can, it helps you in internalize it and connect with topics while reading the newspaper or current affair magazines Strategy to prepare particular topic something that I learnt from Yeshwanth Sir from IASBABA: Definitions: Make a separate copy of each paper and find out important keywords like for GS 2: Constitution, Governance, Poverty, Hunger, Accountability, Citizen Charter and so on. And write a good definition of each of it. Cram it by heart and understand the crux of each of it. Generally, the question revolves around it only. For instance, a question on Poverty was asked again and again in the previous year so was on Secularism. Have clear idea and definition which will help you while writing answers Mindmaps/Charts: Try to make mind map or charts on each of the topics and cover particularly various dimensions, important facts, figures, case studies in a concise manner. It will help you a lot at the last moment for revision as well as gives you confidence after doing it. Collect important Facts and Figures: It’s really important while reading a particular topic and make a note of it in a notebook or in a mind map so that you will be able to revise it and remember it exam Notes of Important Historic Personalities: Helps you in covering history portions UPSC in recent past tend to ask comparison between personalities. Important Judgments: Collect important judgements it will help you in writing GS 2 answers a lot, like on Privacy, Misuse of Ordinance Power, Centre-State Relations, Basic Structure Doctrine, Environmental Justice, Electoral Reforms and so on. Here again, I would like to say again, don't overburden yourself. The purpose this article was not just to share my strategy but express the things that I feel are important for preparation in Mains. Before going through this understand your strengths and weakness, I did all these things because I felt my weakness in this part. ANd this journey has told me the recipe of any success story lies in knowing thyself and working over one’s weakness & capitalizing the strengths. It has been a very long article, although many things are still left like Essay & Ethics Strategy, Optional Subject Strategy and Personality test, I will try to cover that also very soon! Till then,, GoodBye, Wish all of you Good Luck!

May 4, 2018

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2018 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & CURRENT AFFAIRS [Day 47]

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

May 4, 2018

IASbaba’s Bimonthly Gist of Frontline and IDSA-Edition 8

ARCHIVES   Hello Friends,  Continuing our effort towards right guidance and quality coverage to assist you in all possible ways, we are glad to introduce this new initiative where Frontline, IDSA and Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) will be covered considering the relevance of UPSC Examination. This initiative will help you in Essay, Sociology and PSIR Optional as well. This is the 8th edition of Frontline/IDSA- Bimonthly Magazine. Hope you all like it 🙂 DOWNLOAD THE MAGAZINE

May 3, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 3rd May 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Draft National Telecom Policy, 2018 Part of: Mains GS Paper III- Infrastructure, Inclusive growth Key pointers: With the goal of making the nation’s telecom infrastructure and services ready for a digital future, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has laid out a blueprint for large-scale reforms in the existing policy framework. If the National Telecom Policy (NTP), 2018, aka the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 framework achieves its objectives, India will move from the 134th rank into the top 50 in the ICT Development Index of the International Telecommunication Union, by 2022. The policy aims to provide broadband connectivity for all, generating 40 lakh jobs and requiring an investment of $100 billion in the next four years. The Policy also aims to increase the contribution of the digital communications sector to GDP to 8 per cent, from the estimated 6 per cent in 2017. The NTP also proposes to set up a new National Fibre Authority to ensure efficient rollout of broadband infrastructure. Universal broadband: The policy aims to provide universal broadband coverage with 50 Mbps speed to every citizen. It also envisages 1 Gbps connectivity to all gram panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022 under the National Broadband Mission, fixed-line broadband access to 50 per cent of households, and a ‘unique mobile subscriber density’ of 55 by 2020 and 65 by 2022. Public Wi-Fi hotspots: Other key highlights include deployment of public Wi-Fi hotspots to reach 50 lakh users by 2020 and 1 crore by 2022. The policy is committed to providing high-speed internet to all by various initiatives such as BharatNet, GramNet, NagarNet and Jan Wi-Fi. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) NATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 3: Infrastructure: Energy Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme: An analysis Introduction: The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme is a programme launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to reduce energy consumption and promote enhanced energy efficiency among specific energy intensive industries in the country. In the first cycle of this scheme from 2011-14: 478 energy-intensive units from eight large industrial sectors, namely thermal power plants, fertilisers, cement, aluminium, pulp and paper, iron and steel, textiles, and chlor-alkali were given specific energy reduction targets to be achieved. Those that overachieved the targets were awarded Energy Saving Certificates or ESCerts, each equal to 1 metric tonne of oil (MTOe). Those unable to meet their assigned targets were required to purchase ESCerts (from the overachievers) through a centralised online trading mechanism hosted by the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). Cumulatively, this was meant to achieve an energy savings of 6.68 MTOE by the end of 2014-15. Performance assessment: India has committed to a 20-25 per cent emission intensity reduction target as compared to 2005 levels in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) as per the Paris Agreement. According to the BEE, PAT Cycle 1 has achieved more than 30 per cent of this targeted energy saving, along with an almost 2 per cent reduction in emissions. With Cycle 1 being completed, this is an opportune moment to evaluate the experience of the scheme, so that future versions of PAT benefit from the learnings of PAT Cycle 1. Moving forward: Those who didn’t achieve their targets in cycle 1 were able to continue to delay investments in energy efficiency, and those who achieved their targets failed to gain supplementary finance. This situation needs to be fixed in PAT Cycle 2. It was stated that facilities that didn’t achieve their targets would be liable to pay an additional penalty of Rs. 10,00,000 if they failed to purchase ESCerts. In the case of continued failure to meet targets, further penalties would be levied. However, there is no clarity on enforcement or timelines for defaulters to make these applicable. This needs to change. Bringing more transparency and clarity in the trading mechanism and regulations will build confidence amongst industries, and control liquidity interactions and balance in the system. India could learn from similar efforts in other countries including, Italy’s 2017 rules for white certificate trading to control effective obtainment of energy savings; liability for the implementation of energy efficiency interventions, stricter rules to calculate the baseline energy and associated energy savings. This is expected to maintain the liquidity and stability of the white certificate in market. Conclusion: While PAT Cycle 1 was a good start, Cycle 2 should see benefit from the lessons and experience of Cycle 1, while also lessons from similar efforts in other countries attempting to enhance their energy efficiency, and to design future policies in an effective and efficient manner. Connecting the dots: What was the objective of the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme? Analyse the success of cycle 1 of the PAT scheme and how cycle 2 should be tweaked and implemented. 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