Apr 4, 2018 IASbaba's OFFLINE CLASSES

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

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

Apr 4, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

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

Apr 4, 2018

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

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

Apr 4, 2018

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

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

Apr 3, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

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

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

Apr 3, 2018 MindMaps

IASbaba’s MINDMAP : Issue – Wastewater Management

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

Apr 3, 2018 AIR

All India Radio (AIR) : e-Way Bill

e-Way Bill ARCHIVES Search 18th March, 2018 Spotlight here: http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation What is e-Way Bill? An electronic ticket which is generated online for movement of goods costing over INR 50,000/- One of three tools for tackling tax evasion under the GST regime, along with invoice matching and the requirement of large businesses sourcing products and services from micro and small businesses – To collect taxes from them and pay to the government on their behalf under a “reverse charge mechanism” Help boost tax collections by clamping down on trade that currently happens on cash basis A single electronic way (e-way) bill will apply even in cases of a break in journey to destination and where more than one transporter is involved in the transportation of goods under e-way bill system. Division between Industry and Government Manner in which the idea of it has been conceived: This is a device that has been put into functioning to plug revenue gaps as almost 84% of returns not tallying. This will allow the government to identify the movement of goods leaving a factory gate and reaching the consumer/dealer, and the form in which they are travelling. Introduction of inspector raj, random checks leading to entry barriers. Speed of logistics might be impacted: This methodology should not mean a return of Inspector Raj. If that happens, it will lead to congestion at the border due to random physical checks. This means harassment and delay that needs to be eliminated from the entire system. Not a robust technology platform: There have been reports of collapse of the website due to inability of taking on the load. Backup for generation of new e-Way bills need to be ensured. Also, there must be a provision made to generate the bill offline. The Way Ahead For successful implementation of the e-Way Bill, Government needs to ensure the following: The Bill should be implemented in its entirety that should address the concerns of the industrial community The measures and guidelines should be streamlined and needs to be elaborated so that the rules are transparent and there is no scope of discretion. Usage of e-tag should be introduced and be made a reality. Government officials at ground level should be sensitised There definitely will be new challenges that would require to be addressed quickly that should not add further to the complexities.

Apr 3, 2018

IASbaba’s 60 Day Plan- Prelims Test 2018 POLITY & CURRENT AFFAIRS [Day 24]

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

Apr 2, 2018 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs [Prelims + Mains Focus] - 2nd April 2018

IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs (Prelims + Mains Focus)- 2nd April 2018 Archives (PRELIMS+MAINS FOCUS) Bringing private banks under the watch of CVC Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Key issues related to governance Key pointers: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has urged the Prime Minister’s Office to bring private sector banks under its watch, citing the fact that they have been involved in many recent instances of malfeasance. Present system: Vigilance officers in all State-owned public sector banks are required to report irregularities and possible wrongdoing to the CVC, India’s apex body for checking corruption in the government. Private sector banks are out of the CVC’s purview, but are subjected to statutory audits from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Deviating from norms: Private banks have deviated from norms that govern the disclosure of non-performing assets (NPAs), leading to under-reporting. The processes followed for lending decisions among private lenders have also come under the scanner. Article link: Click here Increasing casualties among children in J&K Part of: Mains GS Paper II- Internal security Key pointers: At least 318 children have been killed in J&K in 14 years — from 2003 up to 2017 — and constitute 6.95% of the casualties in the ongoing conflict in the State, according to a study by the J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). The report, titled ‘Terrorized: Impact of Violence on the Children of Jammu and Kashmir’, says that children (less than 17 years old) “were not viewed differently by armed forces” and have been targeted as part of the offensive. At least 144 children were killed by the security forces and the State police, “which alone accounts for 44.02% of the total [number of] children killed”. Article link: Click here (MAINS FOCUS) DEFENCE/SECURITY TOPIC: General Studies 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3: Mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment Indigenization of technology and developing new technology. New Defence Production Policy 2018: Where did we fail in past? Introduction: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently released the draft of a new defence production policy 2018. It seeks to replace the policy announced in 2011. The ministry has asked for comments on the draft from the stakeholders by March 31, 2018. The draft: The goal is to achieve self-reliance in development and manufacture in thirteen major areas of production, a turnover of Rs 1,70,000 crore, involving an investment of nearly Rs 70,000 crore and the creation of two to three million jobs, and exports of Rs 35,000 crore by 2025. The objective is to make India a global leader in Cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence technologies. Issue: The provisions mentioned under the draft policy will not be easy to implement. The proposed increase in the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence, originally fixed at 26 per cent in 2001, is a case in point. In 2010, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) had suggested the removal of the cap altogether. Subsequently, in 2013, the then Commerce Minister had also recommended raising the FDI cap to 74 per cent. But it was only in 2014 that the cap was raised, that too to 49 per cent, by the present government. There are sharply divided views on raising the cap beyond 49 per cent. The promises contained in the recently released draft are so intertwined that a comprehensive action plan would be required to implement all of them almost simultaneously for achieving the policy objective. Experience shows that policy decisions often get derailed by delays in working out the modality of implementing them or because many loose ends are left untied while notifying the scheme. Disjointed efforts and promises cannot form the basis of a robust policy. Poor progress on past initiatives: New impetus was given to defence production under the ‘Make in India’ programme through initiatives such as the introduction of ‘Make I’ and ‘Make II’ sub-categories in DPP 2016. Introduction of the Strategic Partnership Model in 2017. The increase in FDI to 49 per cent in 2014. The easing of the industrial licensing process during the last couple of years. All the above initiatives have been facing strong headwinds: The process to identify the Indian entities under the Strategic Partnership Model is yet to begin. Just about Rs 1 crore has been received by way of FDI in defence in the last four years. Industrial licenses were held up for a long time because of the row between the DIPP and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the question of jurisdiction to issue the license. Way ahead: The MoD should back up the objectives mentioned in the new policy with adequate budget outlays. If Indian companies must become self-reliant in making fighter aircraft, warships, combat vehicles, and the like, there has to be a market for their products. Defence being a monopsony, MoD will need to sustain domestic production by buying their products in large numbers. The achievability of the stated objectives and goals in the draft policy does not seem to be in sync with the current trajectory of defence budget outlays. The credibility of the new defence production policy is inextricably interlinked with the financial viability of the roadmap envisaged therein as well as the ability of the MoD to take hard decisions to remove programme-specific roadblocks. Conclusion: Self-reliance has been the goal of India’s defence production strategy since the 1960s. The fact is that more than five decades later India has emerged as the largest importer of arms. The problem all along has been that policies, strategies and procedures have seldom been based on lack of understanding about issues afflicting defence production: disjointed efforts, never factoring financial viability, and tardy implementation – all largely because of structural issues within the MoD. The above problems should to be resolved so that the objectives mentioned under the new policy are achieved. Connecting the dots: Self-reliance as a goal of India’s defence production strategy since the 1960s remains unachieved. The problem all along has been that policies, strategies and procedures have seldom been based on lack of understanding about issues afflicting defence production.Discuss. INTERNATIONAL TOPIC: General Studies 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests India and Pakistan ties: Improving channels of communication Background: Recently India and Pakistan have not fired at each other across the border in Jammu and Kashmir barring one exception, a welcome calm after several weeks of incessant ceasefire violations. Poor handling of diplomats: Disagreements and spats stemming from these issues, in the generally tense atmosphere of ceasefire violations and the resultant political rhetoric, have led to highly undesirable acts of harassing diplomatic personnel who are protected under the 1961 Vienna Convention. Aggressive surveillance of each other’s diplomatic personnel is nothing new in the India-Pakistan context. Unless the two governments are willing to discuss and resolve the triggers that have in past and in recent times too led to a series of incidents of harassment of diplomatic personnel, we may see a repeat of such incidents. Harassment of High Commission personnel requires critical attention because maintenance of diplomatic courtesies is not just a matter of instrumentality and convenience, but also represents the civility of the host state and its people. Dealing with spies: We must admit and acknowledge that first, our countries spy. Espionage is very much part of statecraft that all modern states engage in, as do India and Pakistan. Those engaged in espionage should be expelled rather than tortured or killed. India and Pakistan should also, therefore, look at the issue of espionage as part of essential statecraft and deal with spies in a professional and humane manner. Enhancing and improving communication: The state of communication between India and Pakistan is at its lowest ebb in more than a decade: The Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) have not considered it appropriate to meet despite constant firing across the J&K border. Contacts between the respective High Commissions and the host governments have been reduced to ‘demarches’, ‘summons’, ‘notes verbale’ and stern warnings. High-level political contacts, such as the visit of Pakistan's Commerce Minister Pervaiz Malik to India, have been called off. Given that the year ahead is critical for India and Pakistan and the bilateral relationship, the focus should be on enhancing and improving communication. Conclusion: Recent statements by Pakistan’s army chief suggests that there is a desire on the part of the Pakistan army to normalise relations with India. The decision-makers in New Delhi should capitalise on this. Pakistan should also initiate tough action against anti-India terrorist groups based in Pakistan. The channels of communication should begin to open up and the two sides must build on it. Connecting the dots: It is time India and Pakistan normalise relations with India keeping the communication channel open and Pakistan taking actions against anti-India terrorist groups based in Pakistan. Comment. MUST READ A rude wake-up call The Hindu The right agri-support Indian Express The unlikely bulwark Indian Express Why the South Indian states must assist the North Livemint India must be practical in managing its trade policies Livemint 

Apr 2, 2018 PIB

IASbaba PIB Weekly : Press Information Bureau – 25th March to 31st March, 2018

IASbaba Press Information Bureau 25th to 31st March, 2018 ARCHIVES GS-2 Setting up of National Academic Depository (NAD) for Digitalization of School Records (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources) A 24x7 online store house of academic awards digitally lodged by various academic institutions/school boards/eligibility assessment bodies. CBSE has introduced “Parinam Manjusha” which acts as:- Academic Repository Facilitates Online Verification Students can get digital documents such as Mark Sheet, Pass Certificates and Migration Certificates of CBSE examination through Digi Locker Strategic plan to tackle Dengue and Chikungunya (Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources) Prevention and control of Dengue and Chikungunya is one of the components of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). The strategies introduced under the programme are: Surveillance: Disease and Entomological   Surveillance Case management: Laboratory diagnosis and Clinical management Vector management: Environmental management for Source Reduction, Chemical control, Personal protection and Legislation Outbreak response: Epidemic preparedness and Media management Capacity building: Training, Infrastructure development and Operational research Behaviour Change Communication: Social mobilization and Information Education and Communication (IEC) Inter-sectoral coordination: Health and non-health sector Monitoring and Supervision: Review, field visit, feedback and Analysis of reports A network of 618 Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals supported by 16 Apex Referral Laboratories have been established where dengue kits are provided free of cost. Advisories are issued to the States for sensitization from time to time. Training is given on dengue and chikungunya case management. Financial and technical assistance are provided to the States. Cabinet Approves MoU between India and Zambia: In the field of Judicial Cooperation which will further enhance good relations between the two countries and add new dimensions in the field of judicial reforms. MoU between India and United Kingdom and Northern Ireland: India and U.K. already have an agreement concerning the investigation and prosecution of crime and the tracing, restraint and confiscation of the proceeds and instruments of crime (including crimes involving currency transfers) and terrorist funds, which was signed in 1995. Both the countries desire to further strengthen cooperation in fighting international criminality and serious organized crime. MoU between India and South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme: For cooperation on the response to Oil and Chemical Pollution in the South Asian Seas Region – the MoU intends to promote closer cooperation between India and other maritime nations comprising the South Asian seas region namely Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for protection and preservation of marine environment in the region. MoU between India and Canada: The MoU establishes a broad and flexible framework through which both countries can exchange best practices and work together on training programs and technical exchanges to raise awareness on IPRs and better protect intellectual property rights (IPRs). Re-structuring of National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Ensure better corporate governance, transparency and accountability in operations of NSDC besides strengthening the oversight role of NSDF The approval would lead to restructuring of composition of Board of NSDF and the NSDC to strengthen governance, implementation and monitoring framework. Enhancing the coverage of Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana: The informal sector workers would get social safety net and there would be more job creation Continuation, strengthening and establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras till 2019-20: KVKs would act as knowledge and resource centre in the field of agriculture in the district and would build models of technology uptake and farmers' empowerment leading to support Government of India’s initiative of doubling farmers' income. Union Government’s Special incentives for new Industrial units in Northeast (Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation) North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS) will play a crucial role in promoting new industrial units in the region by providing several special incentives. Central Capital Investment Incentive for Access to Credit (CCIIAC): 30% of the investment in the industrial plant and machinery with an upper limit of Rs. 5 crore will be provided as the incentive amount per unit. Central Interest Incentive (CII) will be available to the tune of 3% on working capital credit advanced by eligible Banks/Financial Institutions for first 5 years from the commencement of commercial production by the Unit. Central Comprehensive Insurance Incentive (CCII): Will provide for reimbursement of 100% insurance premium on insurance of building and Industrial plant & machinery for 5 years from the date of commencement and commercial production by the Unit. Relief on GST and a unique provision has been provided for reimbursement up to the extent of Central Government share of CGST and IGST for 5 years from the date of commencement of commercial production by the unit. Incentive on transportation to the tune of 20% of the cost of transportation including the subsidy currently provided by Railways/Railway PSUs for movement of goods by rail. On the Inland Waterways, there will be 20% incentive for finished goods For transportation by Air freight on perishable goods, it will be 30% of the cost of transportation from the airport nearest to the place of production to any airport within the country. India and China Agree to a Roadmap for Addressing Trade Imbalance (Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations) The Chinese side: Noted India’s concern regarding the long existing trade imbalance and requests for market access of Indian products and services Reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the provision of market access for Indian agricultural products pertaining to non-basmati rice, rape-seed meals, soya-meals, pomegranate and pomegranate arils, okra, banana and other fruits and vegetables and bovine meat expeditiously Both the countries: Reaffirmed their aim to promote bilateral trade in the field of pharmaceuticals including resolution of issues of Indian pharma products exports to Chinese markets Agreed to draw-up a medium and long term roadmap with action points and timelines for increasing bilateral trade between the two countries in a balanced and sustainable manner, as the two countries are the largest emerging economies of the world with 35% of the world’s population and around 20% of the world’s GDP but the relative volume of bilateral trade is less than 1% of global trade. Agreed to strengthen cooperation within WTO, and other multilateral and regional frameworks, to maintain their common interest. Both the sides reiterated their commitment to rules based multilateral global trade. GS-3 National Agricultural Research System (Topic: Indian Agriculture) The NARS is continuously developing improved varieties, value added products, production and protection technologies which resulted to increase production and productivity of food crops in the country. ICAR is initiating the new research programme in the areas of Hybrid technology, Transgenic, Molecular Breeding, Gene Editing, Agro-biodiversity and Bio-fortification etc. to fulfil the future food requirement of the ever growing population of the country. Banana & Sugarcane are being cultivated in Tropical and subtropical areas of the country due to suitable agro-climatic conditions and availability of adequate irrigation facility. The Government is encouraging banana cultivation through Sensitization Training Supply of quality planting material and other inputs Govt. has introduced CHAMAN (Co-ordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management Using geoiNformatics) Scheme for 7 horticultural crops (Potato, Onion, Chilli, Tomato, Mango, Banana and Citrus) in 12 major states in 180 districts to carry out research on horticultural crop condition studies, diseases assessment and precision farming.    Approval of Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS) (Topic: Public Distribution System) Key objectives To integrate PDS system/portals of States/UTs with Central System/portals Introduction of National Portability De-duplication of ration cards/beneficiary Impact: Will bring more transparency and efficiency in distribution of food-grains as it will improve the mechanism to identify fake/duplicate ration cards and provide the option to PDS beneficiaries to lift their entitled food-grains from the Fair Price Shops of their choice at the national level. Digitization of Targeted Public Distribution System: The scheme comprises digitization of ration cards/beneficiaries, online allocation, computerisation of supply chain management, etc. Guidelines for safe Disposal of Expired Medicines (Topic: Environmental pollution and degradation) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Requirements of Premises, Plant and Equipment for pharmaceutical products laid down in   Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 prescribe the requirements for disposal of waste including the rejected drugs. Details are as under: The disposal of sewage and effluents (solid, liquid and gas) from the manufactory shall be in conformity with the requirements of Environment Pollution Control Board. All bio-medical waste shall be destroyed as per the provisions of the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1996. Additional precautions shall be taken for the storage and disposal of rejected drugs. Records shall be maintained for all disposal of waste. Provisions shall be made for the proper and safe storage of waste materials awaiting disposal. Hazardous, toxic substances and flammable materials shall be stored in suitably designed and segregated, enclosed areas in conformity with Central and State Legislations. 3R - ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ for India (Topic: Environmental pollution and degradation) India is getting ready to host the 8th 3R Regional Forum in Asia and the Pacific: At Indore; Indore was ranked the cleanest city of India according to the Swachh Survekshan 2017, the annual cleanliness survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs since 2016. Theme: "Achieving Clean Water, Clean Land and Clean Air through 3R and Resource Efficiency- A 21st Century Vision for Asia-Pacific Communities". The Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific was launched in 2009 in Tokyo, Japan and since then has provided a strategic platform for addressing the needs and priorities of 3R in Asian countries and sharing best practices from the region, including emerging concerns in waste management. In the last seven years, the Forum has been organised in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Maldives, Japan and Australia and has been instrumental in providing innovative, effective and smart 3R based solutions. Urban India produces an estimated 54.75 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually. The Forum comes at an opportune time with the Indian government’s focus on scientific management of 100% municipal solid waste through its ambitious Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban). Through this Forum, India aims to strengthen this focus through its ‘Mission Zero Waste’ approach thereby encouraging cities, industries and other diverse stakeholders to look at waste as a resource. Parallely, the Forum will also recognise and reward industries and civil society organisations carrying out exceptional work in the area of 3R for waste management through the 3R Awards scheduled for April 12. Prelims oriented News: Health: State subject ISRO: Successful launch of GSLV-F08 with indigenous cryogenic stage India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F08) successfully launched GSAT-6A Satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) GSAT-6A is a communication satellite built by ISRO to provide mobile communication services through multi beam coverage.  For this, it is equipped with S and C band transponders. Public Financial Management System (PFMS): Provides platform for efficient management of funds through tracking of funds and real time reporting of expenditure and receipts through Treasury and Bank Interface. PFMS is also used for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments under MGNREGA and other notified schemes of the Government of India. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of 55770 fully covered tribal habitations with the safe drinking water in the country followed by Odisha 52427, Jharkhand 53476 numbers of habitations. SAUBHAGYA (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna): Aims to achieve universal household electrification in all parts of the country in a time bound manner. Around 4 crore households are expected to get electricity connections under the scheme. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): To provide social security during old age and to protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions. The scheme enables old age income security for senior citizens through provision of assured pension/return linked to the subscription amount based on government guarantee to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Regulation of E-Cigarettes: As per a report prepared by WHO, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (also known as e-cigarettes) emits nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco products. In addition to dependence, nicotine can have adverse effects on – The development of the foetus during pregnancy and may contribute to cardiovascular disease Although nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, it may function as a “tumour promoter” and seems to be involved in the biology of malignant disease, as well as of neurodegeneration. Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure may have long-term consequences for brain development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA): Provides strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. The objective is to achieve the target of Gross Enrolment Ratio of 30% by the year 2019-20 with equity and inclusion. Key findings of NARSS 2017-18: 77% of households were found to have access to toilets during the survey period 93.4% of the people who had access to toilets used them 95.6% of villages which were previously declared and verified as ODF were confirmed to be ODF. The remaining 4.4% villages also had sanitation coverage of over 95% 70% of the villages surveyed found to have minimal litter and minimal stagnant water India’s Representative to the Executive Board of UNESCO: Professor J S Rajput, former Director NCERT Has a four-year term of office and 58 seats One of the constitutional organs of UNESCO and is elected by the General Conference. The executive board examines the work for the organization and the corresponding budget estimates. In practice, the executive board is the main organ responsible for all policies and programmes of UNESCO. Being a member of the board enables us in principle to play a role in shaping and reviewing UNESCO’s policies and programmes corresponding to its five major programs on education, the natural science, the social and human Sciences, Culture and Communication and Information. Down Syndrome: A chromosomal condition associated with intellectual and learning disabilities. e-Tribes India: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India, (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has developed its own e-commerce (electronic commerce) website i.e., tribesindia.com for sale of all its products and to tap m-commerce (mobile commerce) too. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) Aim: To alleviate rural poverty by organizing the rural poor women into their own institutions like Self-Help Groups and their federations, Producers’ Collectives etc. Ensure their financial inclusion To increase the productivity of farms and promote diversified livelihoods, especially by promoting entrepreneurship Deen Dayal Upadhyay –Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) under DAY-NRLM Aim: A placement Linked Skill Development scheme which seeks to build the skills of the poor rural youth and place them in relatively higher wage employment sectors of the economy. Provides support for establishing Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) in each district of the country in collaboration with the Banks and the State Governments to provide training to the rural youth from the poor households to take-up economic activities. Mahila Kisan Sahshaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), as a sub scheme under DAY-NRLM Aim: Promoting agriculture based livelihoods of rural women by strengthening community institutions of poor women farmers to promote sustainable agriculture. MKSP focuses on agriculture, non-timber forest produce and livestock interventions. It provides three kinds of services to the farmers, namely: Extension services Training capacity building and handholding services Facilitation for convergence with other line department to access the benefit from other schemes/ programmes SARAS Aajeevika Mela: An endeavour of DAY-NRLM to provide to the rural women (huge socio-economic transformation) producers a national platform and an opportunity to showcase their products, and seek buyers, either individuals or bulk buyers for sale nationally / internationally. Quotes: The Vice President of India, Shri M, Venkaiah Naidu On Language Language is a living tool - you must use it or you lose it. If we lose a language we lose an important part of cultural identity. Language is a tool for transmission of culture and it is truly the life blood of a civilization. Mother tongue, the language of home, is the root of the huge tree of life. Higher education has a unique role in preparing torchbearers of tomorrow in different fields from medicine to management. It is essential for higher educational institutions to mould the next generation by inculcating the core values of patriotism, honesty, responsibility, discipline, compassion, respect for women and pluralism On Women We need to build coalitions against gender discrimination. Government and the civil society must be active collaborators to achieve tangible results. Adi Shankaracharya opens his beautiful hymn called “Saundarya Lahari” (The wave of beauty) with a clear statement on how Lord Shiva is totally powerless without his wife Shakthi. One complements the other. Mahatma Gandhi: On Women Of all the evils for which man has made himself responsible, none is so degrading , so shocking or so brutal as his abuse of the better half of humanity; the female sex. To call woman the weaker sex is a libel. It is man’s injustice to woman. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi On Innovation IPPP i.e. Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper – lead our country towards faster development Schemes by Government to facilitate research and innovations – Introducing Modern Techniques based on Educational and Learning concepts in Atal Tinkering Labs. Students of class 6th to 12th will be benefitted from this. Prime Minister Research Fellowship to around 1000 best students of BTech, MTech and MSc courses in institutes like IITs, IISc and NIT every year. These students will be given financial assistance of about 70-80 thousand rupees per month over a period of five years. Focus on providing greater autonomy to Higher Educational Institutions. Setting up of 20 world class Institute of Excellence