Syllabus

• Prelims –Modern History

Context: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was commemorated recently.

About the Jallianwala Bagh massacre:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (jkdadlani.blogspot.com)

• The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13th April 1919.
• It accounted for the gruesome execution of hundreds of innocent people by the Gurkha British Indian army on the orders of the then Anglo-Indian Brigadier R.E.H. Dyer.
• These people were protesting peacefully against the Rowlatt Act 1919.
• Rowlatt Act 1919:
  • this act was passed on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee chaired by Sir Sidney Rowlatt.
  • It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.

Significance of the event:-

• The Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was one of the causes that led Mahatma Gandhi to begin organising his first large-scale and sustained nonviolent protest (satyagraha) campaign, the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22).
• The Bengali poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore renounced the knighthood that he had received in 1915.
• Mahatma Gandhi gave up the title of Kaiser-i-Hind, bestowed by the British for his work during the Boer War.

MUST READ: Shaheed Udham Singh

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following freedom fighters: (2022)

1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose

Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 3 only

Q.2) During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation? (2009)

1. It curtailed the freedom of religion
2. It suppressed the Indian traditional education
3. It authorized the government to imprison people without trial
4. It curbed the trade union activities

Syllabus

• Prelims –Geography

Context: Russia’s most active volcano ‘The Shiveluch volcano’ in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted recently.

About Kamchatka Peninsula:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Location of the Kamchatka Peninsula showing the main volcanoes and… | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)

• The Kamchatka Peninsula is a 1,250-kilometre-long peninsula in the Russian Far East.
• The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk make up the peninsula’s eastern and western coastlines, respectively.
• Immediately offshore along the Pacific coast of the peninsula runs the 10,500-metre-deep Kuril–Kamchatka Trench.
• The Kamchatka Peninsula, the Commander Islands, and Karaginsky Island constitute the Kamchatka Krai of the Russian Federation.
• The vast majority of the 322,079 inhabitants are ethnic Russians, although about 13,000 are Koryaks (2014).
• The Kamchatka peninsula contains the volcanoes of Kamchatka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The highest peak is the highest active volcano in Eurasia, Klyuchevskaya Sopka (4750 m).
• The higher parts of Kamchatka are glaciated with an area of about 900 km2 covered by 446 glaciers (Solomina et al., 2007).

MUST READ: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and India – Russia Relations

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news? (2022)

1. It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around the South China Sea.
2. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in the East China Sea.
3. A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
4. Though the International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.

Q.2)Consider the following statements: (2018)

1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 3 only
4. 1 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Geography

Context: Recently, Tamil Nadu’s Cumbum grapes get a Geographical Indication tag.

About Cumbum grapes:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Cumbum Valley farmers reap rich harvest with off-season grapes | Chennai News – Times of India (indiatimes.com)

• Cumbum Panneer Thratchai, also known as Cumbum grapes.
• It is a variety of grapes grown in the Cumbum Valley located at the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India.
• Cumbum Valley is the only place in the country where grapes are harvested around the year with three yield seasons.
• The unique feature is that these grapes are harvested all through the year as opposed to only during January and April in the rest of India.
• Economical Uses: The grapes grown are suitable for making wine, spirits, jams, canned grape juice and raisins.
• Since these grapes are produced in two seasons in a year, their yield and returns are exceptionally high.
• Grapes can be cultivated in a variety of soils including sandy loams, sandy clay loams, red sandy soils, shallow to medium black soils and red loams.
• Grapes generally require a hot and dry climate during their growth and fruiting periods.
• It is successfully grown in areas where the temperature range is from 15-40 C.

MUST READ: GI tag for Narasinghapettai nagaswaram

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the “Tea Board” in India, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The Tea Board is a statutory body.
2. It is a regulatory body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
3. The Tea Board’s Head Office is situated in Bengaluru.
4. The Board has overseas offices in Dubai and Moscow.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1 and 3
2. 2 and 4
3. 3 and 4
4. 1 and 4

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.
2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.
3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.
4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.
5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 3, 4 and 5
3. 1, 3 and 4
4. 1,2, 3 and 5

Syllabus

• Prelims –Modern History

Context: Recently, Punjab CM unveiled the statue of Teja Singh Sutantar.

About Teja Singh Sutantar:-

• Teja Singh Sutantar was a former MP and revolutionary leader at Nihalgarh village in Sangrur district, Punjab.
• Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he joined the Akali Dal to participate in the movement to liberate gurdwaras from degenerate mahants.
• However, in September 1921, he formed his own squad called the Sutantar Jatha, which successfully liberated a gurdwara in a village called Teja in the Gurdaspur district from the mahants.

Contributions:-

• In early 1923, Teja Singh went to Kabul as a Sikh missionary.
• There he came in contact with a few leaders of the Ghadar Party.
  • The Ghadar Movement: it was an early 20^th-century international political movement founded by expatriate Indians to overthrow British rule in India.
• In 1925, he joined the Turkish military academy under the pseudonym Azad Beg.
• He saved the life of Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew, the hero of Jallianwala Bagh, Kitchlew always referred to Sutantar as a ‘Khuda’ who saved his life,”.
• He contributed revolutionary articles to the party journal, the Kirti, frequently writing about issues that plagued peasants.
• He edited Lal Jhanda, a monthly magazine in Urdu, and Lal Savera, a Punjabi weekly and contributed to various newspapers.
• He saved hundreds of Muslims from communal riots during the Partition.
• Post-independence: Being a prominent leader of the Kisan Sabha, led a number of peasant agitations against the government and landlords.
• He  formed his Lal (Red) Party with the Kirti group of the Punjab Communist Party as its nucleus
• He was a revolutionary leader who led the PEPSU Muzara movement.
  • PEPSU Muzara movement:-
    • it started in the 1930s and went on till 1952  against the Biswedari system.
    •  It was by landless peasants (muqarnas) in PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union).
    • It was to obtain ownership rights of the land they had been tilling for generations.

MUST READ: Lala Lajpat Rai

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English? (2021)

1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
2. Jawaharlal Nehru
3. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
4. Sarojini Naidu

Q.2) In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around (2020)

1. Women’s right to gain education
2. Age of consent
3. Restitution of conjugal rights

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Economy

Context: After recent amendments by the government, the ICSI will now be able to induct members from regulators as well as sectoral experts in its secretarial and auditing standards board.

About The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI):-

• It works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
• The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India.
•  It is a premier national professional body set up under an act of Parliament, the Company Secretaries Act, 1980.
• The Institute provides top-quality education to the students of the Company Secretaries (CS) Course and best quality set standards to CS Members.
• At present, there are more than 65,000 members and around 2.5 Lakh students on the roll of ICSI.
• ICSI has its headquarters in New Delhi, four Regional Offices in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai and 72 Chapters across India.
• ICSI has been contributing to the initiatives of the Government of India that have the potential to excel in the social-economic growth of India.

MUST READ: Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB)

SOURCE: THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the ‘Banks Board Bureau (BBB)’, which of the following statements are correct? (2022)

1. The Governor of RBI is the Chairman of BBB.
2. BBB recommends the selection of heads for Public Sector Banks.
3. BBB helps the Public Sector Banks in developing strategies and capital raising plans.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) Consider the following statements: (2022)

1. In India, credit rating agencies are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The rating agency popularly known as ICRA is a public limited company.
3. Brickwork Ratings is an Indian credit rating agency.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Important organizations

Context: The Unified Portal of the Central Bureau of Narcotics was launched recently.

About Central Bureau of Narcotics:-

• Central Bureau of Narcotics is a central government organization dealing with the international trade of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Precursor Chemicals under the ambit of various United Nations Conventions and the provisions of the Narcotics Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act, 1985).
• These substances bear dual potential as strong medicinal, scientific, and industrial use as well as a diversion for illicit use creating the substances for abuse.
• It is affiliated with India’s Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance).
• It is regulated by the country’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
• Its Headquarters are in Gwalior.
• Objective: to stop opium production and trade and to issue licenses for the production of legal synthetic drugs.
• It implements various United Nations Conventions and the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.

Responsibilities of CBN under NDPS Act, 1985:-

• Supervision over licit cultivation of opium poppy in India.
• Preventive and enforcement functions especially in the three poppy-growing States.
• Investigation of cases under the NDPS Act, 1985 and filing of the complaint in the Court.
• Action for tracing and freezing of illegally acquired property as per the provisions of Chapter V-A of the NDPS Act, 1985.
• Issue of licences for the manufacture of synthetic narcotic drugs.
• Issuance of Export Authorisations/ Import Certificates for export/ import of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
• Issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for import/ export of a select number of Precursor Chemicals.
  • Import of Poppy Seeds is permitted only from Australia, Austria, France, China, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain Turkey and Czech.
• India is a signatory to the UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 & UN Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988
  • These obligate member countries to monitor the implementation of the United Nations drug control conventions.
  • CBN interacts with the International Narcotics Control Board, Vienna and the Competent Authorities of other countries to verify the genuineness of the transaction prior to authorizing the shipments.

MUST READ: NIDAAN Portal

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following are the objectives of the ‘National Nutrition Mission’? (2017)

1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 4 only
4. 3 and 4 only

Q.2) ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to (2016)

1. immunization of children and pregnant women
2. construction of smart cities across the country
3. India’s own search for Earth-like planets in outer space
4. New Educational Policy

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Recently, European Space Agency set to launch Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice).

About Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice):-

IMAGE SOURCE: Future Planetary Exploration: Good News Times Three! (futureplanets.blogspot.com)

• JUICE has been constructed by an industrial consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space based on the parameters provided by the ESA.
• The mission is planned to reach Jupiter in 2031.
• Only two other spacecraft have ever examined Jupiter:-
  •  the Galileo probe: which orbited the gas giant between 1995 and 2003, and Juno, which has been circling the planet since 2016.
  • NASA’s Europa Clipper: scheduled to be launched in October 2023 and would already be orbiting Jupiter when Juice reaches the planet.
    • Europa Clipper aims to study the Europa moon.

Goals of JUICE:-

• The mission aims to provide insight into how such a C and its constituents are formed and evolved over time.
• It will help scientists understand the origin, history, and evolution of Jupiter and its moons.
• The mission will reveal how possibly habitable environments can arise in Jupiter-like systems around other stars.
• Juice will analyze the chemistry, structure, dynamics, weather, and climate of Jupiter and its ever-changing atmosphere.

MUST READ: NASA’s Lucy mission

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements : (2018)

1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
2. IRNSS covers the entire India and about 5500 sq. km beyond its borders.
3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. None

Q.2) With reference to India’s satellite launch  vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct.?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 2
4. 3 only

Syllabus

• Prelims –Economy

Context: Recently, NSE Indices launches India’s first-ever REITs and InvITs index.

About REITs and InvITs index:-

• The REITs and InvITs Indices  track the performance of publicly listed and traded REITs and InvITs on the NSE.
• The base year for the indices is kept as ‘1 July 2019.’
  • This is to be reviewed and rebalanced every quarter.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT):-

• REIT is roughly like a mutual fund that invests in real estate.
• The basic deal on REITs is that when one owns a share of property, and an appropriate share of the income from it will come to them, after deducting an appropriate share of expenses.
• Essentially, it’s like a group of people pooling their money together and buying real estate except that it’s on a large scale and is regulated.

• REITs companies own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate.
• Publicly traded like stocks, make them highly liquid.

Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvIT):-

• InvITs can be treated as the modified version of REITs designed to suit the specific circumstances of the infrastructure sector.
• They are similar to REIT but invest in infrastructure projects such as roads or highways which take some time to generate steady cash flows.
• They are set up as a trust and registered with SEBI.

MUST READ: FPI and InvITs

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. Retail investors through Demat account can invest in Treasury Bills and Government of India Debt Bonds in the primary market
2. The “Negotiated Dealing System-Ordering Matching” is a government securities trading platform of the Reserve Bank of India.
3. The “Central Depository Services Ltd” is jointly promoted by the Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2
3. 3 only
4. 2 and 3

Q.2) Consider the following: (2021)

1. Foreign currency convertible bonds
2. Foreign institutional investment with certain conditions
3. Global depository receipts
4. Non-resident external deposits

Which of the above can be included in Foreign Direct Investments?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 3 only
3. 2 and 4
4. 1 and 4

Syllabus

• Prelims –Geography

Context: Recently, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister inspected the under-construction Zojila tunnel.

About Zojila tunnel:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Why the Zojila tunnel promises to revolutionise connectivity to Ladakh – Kashmir.Report

• The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Leh on NH-1.
• It will bring about an all-around economic and socio-cultural integration of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It takes 3.5 hours to travel between Srinagar and Ladakh currently.
•  The tunnel will reduce the travel time to 15 minutes.
• The 14.15-km tunnel will be Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel.

MUST READ: Zojila tunnel work

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Siachen Glacier is situated on the (2020)

1. East of Aksai Chin
2. East of Leh
3. North of Gilgit
4. North of Nubra Valley

Q.2) Consider the following pairs: (2019)

1. Glacier            River
2. Bandarpunch  Yamuna
3. Bara Shigri       Chenab
4. Milam             Mandakini
5. Siachen           Nubra
6. Zemu               Manas

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. 1, 2 and 4
2. 1, 3 and 4
3. 2 and 5
4. 3 and 5

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Polity and Governance)

Context: Due to the sheer volume of information and scale of operations that the Indian Parliament is required to undertake, it is not feasible to take up all issues on the floor of the House. Thus, Parliamentary committees are constituted to delve deeper into matters of public concern and develop expert opinion.

About Committees of Parliament:

• Parliamentary Committees have their origins in the British Parliament.
• A Parliamentary Committee is a panel of MPs that is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker, and which works under the direction of the Speaker.
• It presents its report to the House or to the Speaker.
• They draw their authority from Article 105, which deals with the privileges of MPs, and Article 118, which gives Parliament authority to make rules to regulate its procedure and conduct of business.

Types of Parliamentary Committees:

• Standing committees are constituted for a fixed term and work continuously. Ad hoc committees are created for a specific purpose and are dissolved after they complete their task.
• There are 6 categories of standing committees: financial committees, departmental standing committees, committees to inquire, committees to scrutinize and control, committees relating to the day-to-day business of the House, and house-keeping or service committees.
• There are 2 categories of ad hoc committees: inquiry committees and advisory committees.

Significance of Parliamentary Committees:

• Improves Effectiveness: Parliamentary Committees act as a mechanism that helps in improving the effectiveness of Parliament.
• Coordination with Ministries: The Committees work closely with multiple Ministries, and facilitate inter-ministerial coordination.
• Important Functions: The Committees look into the demands for grants of Ministries/departments, examine Bills pertaining to them, consider their annual reports, and look into their long-term plans and report to Parliament.
• Carries Out Legislative Business: A great deal of legislative business ends up taking place in the Parliamentary Committees as-
  • The process of law making is often complex, and Parliament has limited time for detailed discussions.
  • The political polarisation and shrinking middle ground has been leading to increasingly rancorous and inconclusive debates in Parliament.
• Consensus through Experts: Committees can get inputs from experts and stakeholders on various matters. They also help parties reach consensus on various issues.

Challenges faced by parliamentary committees:

• Poor referral rate: As per data from PRS in the 17th Lok Sabha, only 14 Bills have been referred for further examination so far. Similarly around 25% of the Bills introduced were referred to committees in the 16th Lok Sabha, as compared to 71% and 60% in the 15th and 14th Lok Sabha respectively.
• Recommendatory nature: Parliamentary committees in India do not have adequate powers to enforce their recommendations. The committees can only make recommendations to the parliament, and it is up to the government to act upon them.
• Shortage of time and resources to undertake comprehensive studies.
  • As a result, committees may not be able to conduct an in-depth analysis of issues, and their recommendations may not be based on solid evidence.
• Lack of expertise: Parliamentary committees in India are comprised of MPs who may not have the required expertise to examine technical and specialized issues.
• Partisan allegations: The composition of parliamentary committees reflects the political representation of the parliament, which means that members may approach issues from a partisan perspective.

Suggestive measures to address these challenges:

• Adopting USA Model: In the US, committees play a crucial role in scrutinizing bills post-introduction, allowing changes to be made before the modified bill goes for voting.
• Expert Support & Specialist Advisors:
  • Engaging with experts and stakeholders enables Committee members to better understand the details of complicated issues, and the potential impact of a policy or legislation.
  • Committees in other countries such as the UK, USA, and Canada can retain specialist advisors (such as lawyers, economists, and statisticians) to assist in specific inquiries.
• Greater Weightage to Public Account Committee: The recommendations of the PAC should be accorded greater weight and they must be treated as the “conscience-keepers of the nation in financial matters.”
• Public Opinions: Committees can also invite comments from the wider public which can help Committees consider the wider implications of a Bill or policy.

Source:  The Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance)

Context: By March 2024, India aims to digitise 100 per cent of its land records and the land registration process and give a unique 14-digit alpha-numeric identity, also called Bhu-Aadhaar.

About ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number)/ Bhu-Aadhaar:

• Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), which integrates the computerisation of land records, strengthening of revenue administration, and updating of land records.
• Once this has been done and the system is cleaned up, every plot/parcel of land (both urban and rural) can get the 14-digit alpha-numeric ULPIN (Unique Land Parcel Identification Number) which is also named as Bhu-Aadhaar.
• Department of Land Resources (DoLR) along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Department of Science and Technology and the National Remote Sensing Centre came up with the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number system.

Significance of Bhu Aadhar:

• Data mapping: The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar will have the longitude and latitude coordinates of the land parcel and is based on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps.
  • It will cover all land parcels rural as well as urban.
• Language processing: Currently, the Records of Rights in each state and Union territory are maintained in local languages.
• DILRMP will also process transliterating the Records of Rights to any of the 22 languages recognised by the Constitution.
• Being described as “the Aadhaar for land”, it is a number that would uniquely identify every surveyed parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially in the hinterlands of rural India, where land records are outdated and often disputed.
• The identification will be based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of the land parcel, and is dependent on detailed surveys and geo-referenced cadastral maps.
  • This is the next step in the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), which began in 2008.
• Delivery of citizen services of land records through the single window.
• Sharing of land records data across departments, financial institutions and all stakeholders.

Challenges:

Difficulty in accomplishing target:

• Given the history and the complex nature of land laws, it is claimed that this process certainly cannot be accomplished by March 2024 (or even March 2026), both target dates.

Issues with updating of land records:

• Digitisation of Cadastral maps will typically not have latitude/longitude data.
  • There could be elevation and projection problems.
• The record we have of the title must reflect ownership, with new registrations and mutation being automatic.
  • With or without title insurance, this guarantees title and just as Aadhaar captures biometry, ULPIN captures everything about that plot/parcel, which in all is a difficult process.

Feasibility and sustainability:

• The feasibility and sustainability of the project have also raised concerns due to the cost of implementation, particularly considering the Department of Land Resources’ restricted financial resources.

Way Forward:

Modernisation of land records in absence of other changes such as multiplicity of laws on land, should not be overstated. ULPIN is about incremental improvements. There are parts where land titles and records are in a mess. Cleaning them up is a huge task.

Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the Bhu Aadhaar project, it has the potential to bring significant benefits to India’s land management system.

Source:  Indian Express

Q.1) Consider the following statements regarding the Central Bureau of Narcotics:

1. It is a central government organization dealing with the international trade of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Precursor Chemicals.
2. It is regulated by the country’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
3. Its Headquarters are in Gwalior.
4. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 3 and 4 only

Q.2) Consider the following statements regarding the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI):

1. It works under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
2. It is the only recognized professional body in India to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India
3. It has its headquarters in Mumbai

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Q.3) He was a former MP and revolutionary leader from Punjab. Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he joined the Akali Dal to participate in the movement to liberate gurdwaras from degenerate mahants. He was a revolutionary leader who led the PEPSU Muzara movement which started in the 1930s and went on till 1952  against the Biswedari system. He saved hundreds of Muslims from communal riots during the Partition. Being a prominent leader of the Kisan Sabha, led a number of peasant agitations against the government and landlords.

Who among the following described in the above passage?

1. Lala Lajpat Rai
2. Bhagat Singh
3. Teja Singh Sutantar
4. None of the above

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 14th April 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c