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A. GS 1 RELATED
ART AND CULTURE
Chennai team taps AI to read Indus Script
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/chennai-team-taps-ai-to-read-indus-
script/article17448690.ece
Technology into culture
The algorithm uses ‘deep neural networks’. The Indus script has long challenged epigraphists because of the difficulty in reading
and classifying text and symbols on the artifacts.
Now, a Chennai-based team of scientists has built a program which eases the process.
Scientists have developed a “deep-learning” algorithm that can read the Indus script
from images of artifacts such as a seal or pottery that contain Indus writing.
Steps of the algorithm process
1. Scanning the image,
2. The algorithm smartly “recognizes” the region of the image that contains the script, 3. Breaks it up into individual graphemes (the term in linguistics for the smallest unit of the
script)
4. Finally identifies these using data from a standard corpus. (In linguistics the term
corpus is used to describe a large collection of texts which, among other things, are used
to carry out statistical analyses of languages.)
These ‘deep neural networks’ have been a major part of the game-changing
technology behind self-driving cars and Go-playing bots that surpass human
performance
The deep neural network mimics the working of the mammalian visual cortex,
known as convolutional neural network (CNN)
This CNN breaks the field into overlapping regions.
The features found in each region are hierarchically combined by the network to build
a composite understanding of the whole picture.
The process consists of three phases:
1. In the first phase, the input images are broken into sub-images that contain
graphemes only, by trimming out the areas that do not have graphemes.
2. The grapheme-containing areas are further trimmed into single-grapheme
pieces.
3. Lastly, each of these single graphemes is classified to match one of the 417
symbols discovered so far in the Indus script.
Indus script
The Indus valley script is much older than the Prakrit and Tamil-Brahmi scripts.
Unlike the latter two, it has not yet been deciphered because a bilingual text has not
yet been found.
A bilingual text has in many other cases aided archaeologists in understanding
ancient scripts, for example, the Rosetta stone.
This stone which was found in the eighteenth century carries inscriptions of a
decree, issued in 196 BCE, in three parts, the first two in ancient Egyptian
hieroglyphic and the Demotic scripts, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek. Since the
decree was the same, the Rosetta stone provided the key to deciphering Hieroglyphs.
For the lack of such a “Rosetta stone,” the Indus script remains undeciphered today.
It is a major effort to even build a standard corpus of the language and decode the
writing on existing artifacts and map them to this standard corpus.
The most widely accepted corpora of Indus scripts was brought together by the efforts
of Iravatham Mahadevan, noted Indian epigraphist, from the 3,700 texts and 417
unique signs collected so far.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally
requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-
making, and translation between languages.
GEOGRAPHY
1. Mission Fingerling with a total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh
to achieve Blue Revolution
Objective
Government of India has envisaged a program named ‘’Blue Revolution’’ to unlock
the country’s latent potential through an integrated approach in the fisheries sector.
The Blue Revolution focuses on creating an enabling environment for an integrated
and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio economic
development of the fishers and fish farmers.
Another objective of the program is to enhance fisheries production from 10.79 mmt
(2014-15) to 15 mmt in 2020-21.
Methods employed
Greater emphasis will be on infrastructure with an equally strong focus on
management and conservation of the resources through technology transfer to
increase the income of the fishers and fish farmers.
Employing the best global innovations and integration of various production
oriented activities such as: Production of quality fish seeds, Cost effective feed and
adoption of technology etc would enhance the productivity of the sector.
Fish Fingerling production is the single most important critical input visualized to
achieve fish production targets under the Blue Revolution.
Need of the hour is to establish more hatchery to produce Fry/PL required for
different categories of water bodies.
Use of High Yielding Verities of breeders is another significant aspect to be addressed
on priority.
Target
The Department has identified 20 States based on their potential and other
relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.
Investment
This program with a total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh will facilitate the
establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure the fish production
of 426 crores fish fingerling, 25.50 crores Post Larvae of shrimp and crab in the
country.
Benefits
This will converge in the production of 20 lakh tonnes of fish annually and will
benefit about 4 million families.
B. GS 2 RELATED
POLITY
1. Non-lapsable fund sought for arms buy http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-moots-
nonlapsable-capital-fund-account/article17449297.ece
What’s in news?
Defence Ministry is forced to return money every year(Lapsable funds- if funds are not
utilized ,hand it over back)
A major defence purchase often takes years to complete, but the budget allocation
lapses at the end of the financial year. As a result, the Ministry of Defence is often
forced to return money meant for capital acquisition.
To overcome this, the Ministry of Defense has sent a proposal to the Ministry of
Finance proposing the setting up of a ‘Non-lapsable Capital Fund Account’. The Finance Ministry is still not in favor of creating a ‘Non-lapsable Defence Capital
Fund Account’.
Stand taken by Parliament Standing Committee on Defence:
Committee expressed its “disappointment” regarding Finance Ministry stand and pointed to the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources for the North Eastern
region, which was constituted with the approval of Parliament in 1998-99.
The committee observed that defense procurement and acquisition is a complicated
process, involving long gestation periods and funds allocated for capital acquisition in
a particular financial year are not necessarily consumed in that year and ultimately
have to be surrendered by the Defense Ministry. The committee stated that it “would like the Ministry of Finance to look at the matter afresh” and work out the modalities for creation of the account.
Standing committee
Standing committee is a committee consisting of Members of Parliament. It is a
permanent and regular committee which is constituted from time to time according to
the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
The work done by the Indian Parliament is not only voluminous but also of a complex
nature, hence a great deal of its work is carried out in these Parliamentary Committees.
Both Houses of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, have similar Committee
structures with a few exceptions.
Their appointment, terms of office, functions and procedures of conducting business
are broadly similar. These standing committees are elected or appointed every year, or
periodically by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or as
a result of consultation between them.
Examples: The Business Advisory Committee, the Committee on Petitions, the
Committee of Privileges and the Rules Committee, etc.
Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources for the North Eastern region:-
The broad objective of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) is to ensure
speedy development of infrastructure in the North Eastern Region and Sikkim by
increasing the flow of budgetary financing for specific viable infrastructure
projects/schemes in the region.
The Ministry for Development of North-eastern Region allocates funds from the NLCPR
to various Northeast states for infrastructure projects.
2. The lowdown on the Bill to regulate surrogacy http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/the-lowdown-on-the-bill-to-
regulate-surrogacy/article17450643.ece
Why in news?
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill was introduced in Parliament in November 2016.
Karan Johar announcing recently that he has had twins through a surrogate mother,
the spotlight is back on the Surrogacy Bill that is yet to become an Act, allowing for it
to be implemented in the country.
What’s in news?
The Bill seeks to regulate the surrogacy part of a rather flourishing infertility
industry in the country.
Defining ‘surrogacy’ as a practice in which a woman undertakes to give birth to a child
for another couple and agrees to hand over the child to them after birth, the Bill allows
‘altruistic surrogacy’ — wherein only the medical expenses and insurance coverage is
provided by the couple to the surrogate mother during pregnancy. No other monetary
consideration will be allowed.
India has emerged a hub for infertility treatment, attracting people from the world
over with its state-of-the-art technology and competitive prices initially to treat
infertility.
Soon after, with the prevailing socio-economic inequities, underprivileged women found
an option to ‘rent their wombs’ and thereby make money to take care of their expenses — often to facilitate a marriage, enable children to get education, or provide for
hospitalisation or surgery for someone in the family.
Negative impacts
Middle men propping up everywhere and exploitation of women
Women did not receive the promised sum.
For instance, in 2008, a Japanese couple began the process with a surrogate mother in
Gujarat, but before the child was born they split and there were no takers for the child.
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 {focus on broad aspects}
http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-surrogacy-regulation-bill-2016-4470/
a) Regulation of surrogacy: The Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy, but allows
altruistic surrogacy. Altruistic surrogacy involves no monetary compensation to the
surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the
pregnancy. Commercial surrogacy includes surrogacy or its related procedures
undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash or kind) exceeding the basic
medical expenses and insurance coverage.
b) Purposes for which surrogacy is permitted: Surrogacy is permitted when it is, (i) for
intending couples who suffer from proven infertility; and (ii) altruistic; and (iii) not for
commercial purposes; and (iv) not for producing children for sale, prostitution or other
forms of exploitation.
c) Eligibility criteria for intending couple: The intending couple should have a
‘certificate of essentiality’ and a ‘certificate of eligibility’ issued by the appropriate authority.
d) A certificate of essentiality will be issued upon fulfilment of the following
conditions: (i) a certificate of proven infertility of one or both members of the intending
couple from a District Medical Board; (ii) an order of parentage and custody of the
surrogate child passed by a Magistrate’s court; and (iii) insurance coverage for the surrogate mother.
e) The certificate of eligibility is issued upon fulfilment of the following conditions by
the intending couple: (i) Indian citizens and are married for at least five years; (ii)
between 23 to 50 years old female and 26 to 55 years old male; (iii) they do not have
any surviving child (biological, adopted or surrogate); this would not include a child
who is mentally or physically challenged or suffers from life threatening disorder or
fatal illness.
f) Eligibility criteria for surrogate mother: To obtain a certificate of eligibility from the
appropriate authority, the surrogate mother has to: (i) be a close relative of the
intending couple; (ii) be an ever married woman having a child of her own; (iii) be 25 to
35 years old; (iv) be a surrogate only once in her lifetime; and (iv) possess a certificate of
medical and psychological fitness for surrogacy.
g) Appropriate authority: The central and state governments shall appoint one or more
appropriate authorities within 90 days of the Bill becoming an Act. The functions of
the appropriate authority include; (i) granting, suspending or cancelling registration of
surrogacy clinics; (ii) enforcing standards for surrogacy clinics; (iii) investigating and
taking action against breach of the provisions of the Bill; (iv) recommending
modifications to the rules and regulations.
h) Registration of surrogacy clinics: Surrogacy clinics cannot undertake surrogacy
related procedures unless they are registered by the appropriate authority
i) National and State Surrogacy Boards: The central and the state governments shall
constitute the National Surrogacy Board (NSB) and the State Surrogacy Boards (SSB),
respectively. Functions of the NSB include, (i) advising the central government on
policy matters relating to surrogacy; (ii) laying down the code of conduct of surrogacy
clinics; and (iii) supervising the functioning of SSBs.
j) Offences and penalties: The Bill states the following offences: (i) undertaking or
advertising commercial surrogacy; (ii) exploiting the surrogate mother; (iii) abandoning,
exploiting or disowning a surrogate child; and (iv) selling or importing human embryo
or gametes for surrogacy. These offences will attract a minimum penalty of 10 years
and a fine up to 10 lakh rupees.
3. On track, but more needed
Why in news?
Institutional deliveries are up in India, but breastfeeding within the first hour of birth
needs to keep pace
Despite institutional delivery being as high as nearly 79% nationally, the number of
children in India breastfed within one hour of birth is less than 42% — near 43% in
urban areas and 41% in rural India, according to the National Family Health Survey 4
(NFHS-4) data.
The Janani Suraksha Yojana — cash incentives to pregnant women to attend antenatal
clinics and opt for institutional deliveries — has led to a sharp increase in institutional
delivery (from 39% in 2005-06 to 79% in 2015-16) and near doubling of children
breastfed within one hour of birth in the last 10 years.
Breastfeeding babies soon after birth can prevent a significant number of neonatal
deaths — about 20% newborn deaths and 13% under-five deaths.
Improving Stats
Kerala has the highest institutional births in the country with 99.9% in both urban
and rural areas.
Tamil Nadu is a close second with 99.2% institutional births in urban areas and
98.7% in rural areas.
Yet, Kerala and Tamil Nadu do not respond greatly to the statistics when it comes
to initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
At 64%, Kerala is well below Goa’s average of 73%. Similarly, Maharashtra with 90% institutional deliveries has 57.5% for early initiation
of breastfeeding compared to Tamil Nadu’s nearly 55%. Bihar has shown the most improvement in initiating breastfeeding within one hour
of birth — from 4% in 2005-06 to 35% in 2015-16.
Though Uttar Pradesh has improved its performance, it is still about half of the
national average — 7.2% in 2005-06 to 25% in 2015-16.
Other States that have shown good improvement on this front are Haryana,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Similarly, all States have registered an improvement in the case of exclusive
breastfeeding of children under age six months.
While Goa has shown a dramatic increase from 17.7% in 2005-06 to nearly 61% in
2015-16, Chhattisgarh has witnessed a drop from 82% to 77%.
Barriers to breastfeeding
Need for dedicated group who can counsel mothers on the need to breastfeed within
one hour of delivery.
There are socio-cultural barriers too.
To overcome these government launched the MAA — Mother’s Absolute Affection — program.
Under the program, there are special efforts to create community awareness and
promotion of breastfeeding, capacity building and skilling of healthcare providers
at all delivery points in the country.
According to Dr. Sutapa B. Negi, Delhi, early initiation of breastfeeding becomes
difficult in the case of babies delivered through caesarean section, babies born
preterm and low-birth-weight (less than 2.5 kg) babies.
Caesarean deliveries account for 10-15% and nearly 20% babies have low birth weight
while 15% are born preterm according to the records.
According to NFHS-4 data, the national average for babies delivered by caesarean
section is 28%, which is more than three times the 2005-06 figures of 8.5%.
While percentages may varying from one State to another, there is not much difference
in the rate of breastfeeding within one hour of birth among rural and urban population.
Few States like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, rural areas have
slightly higher percentage of babies being breastfed within one born of birth than their
urban counterparts.
MAA program to promote breastfeeding
About the program
MAA - the nation-wide breastfeeding promotion program is about intensified efforts
to promote, protect and support optimal breastfeeding. It builds upon the existing
initiatives and addresses the needs of all children including those living in difficult
circumstances.
“MAA-Mother’s Absolute Affection'’ is a nationwide program launched in an attempt
to bring undiluted focus on promotion of breastfeeding and provision of counseling
services for supporting breastfeeding through health systems.
The program has been named ‘MAA’ to signify the support a lactating mother
requires from family members and at health facilities to breastfeed successfully.
The chief components of the MAA Program are:
1. Community awareness generation,
2. Strengthening inter personal communication through ASHA
3. Skilled support for breastfeeding at Delivery points in Public health facilities
4. Monitoring and
5. Award/recognition.
Impact on the social indicators before and after
Breastfeeding is the most natural, cost effective and significant intervention and
should be promoted at all levels.
Breastfeeding program will greatly help to reduce the under-five mortality of
children
National health indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Maternity
Rate (MMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR) and under five mortalities are declining
faster in India than the world pace.
The life cycle approach of the Health Ministry state that a Continuum of care
approach has been adopted by the Ministry (with the articulation of ‘Strategic approach to Reproductive Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent health
(RMNCH+A)), bringing focus on all the life stages.
Breastfeeding is a child’s first inoculation against death, disease and poverty.
According to the latest scientific evidence; breastfeeding is our most enduring
investment in physical, cognitive and social capacity development.
Awareness is the key among people and work on dispelling myths and
misconceptions are the life to improve the social infrastructure.
Breastfeeding creates a special bond between mother and baby and the interaction
between the mother and child during breastfeeding has positive impact for life, in
terms of stimulation, behavior, speech, sense of well-being, security and how the
child relates to other people.
Breastfeeding is central to improving child survival. Poor breastfeeding practices
contribute to about 13% of child deaths.
The simple act of breastfeeding can ensure our children have the right nutrients to
start their life.
There is hardly any difference in rates of breastfeeding among rural and urban
population as against the perception that rural area might have higher rates of
breastfeeding due to traditional practices.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention under the
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) being implemented with the objective of
reducing maternal and neo-natal mortality by promoting institutional delivery
among the poor pregnant women.
Being implemented in all states and UTs with special focus on low performing states.
JSY integrates cash assistance with
delivery and post-delivery care.
The success of the scheme is be
determined by the increase in institutional
delivery among the poor families.
The Asha as well as AWW like activists
become the effective link between
Government and poor women in this
program.
Role of ASHA or other link health worker
associated with JSY would be to:
1. Identify pregnant woman as a
beneficiary of the scheme and report or
facilitate registration for ANC,
2. Assist the pregnant woman to obtain
necessary certifications wherever
necessary,
3. Provide and / or help the women in receiving at least three ANC checkups
including TT injections, IFA tablets,
4. Identify a functional Government health centre or an accredited private health
institution for referral and delivery,
5. Counsel for institutional delivery,
6. Escort the beneficiary women to the pre-determined health center and stay
with her till the woman is discharged,
7. Arrange to immunize the newborn till the age of 14 weeks,
8. Inform about the birth or death of the child or mother to the ANM/MO,
9. Post natal visit within 7 days of delivery to track mother’s health after delivery and facilitate in obtaining care,
10. Counsel for initiation of breastfeeding to the newborn within one-hour of delivery
and its continuance till 3-6 months and promote family planning.
Cash Assistance in Low performing states and High Performing states:
1. The scheme focuses on the poor pregnant woman with special dispensation for
states having low institutional delivery rates namely the states of Uttar Pradesh,
Uttaranchal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan,
Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.
2. While these states have been named as Low Performing States (LPS), the remaining
states have been named as High Performing States (HPS). The women who deliver in
Government hospitals, health centers or even in accredited private hospitals are eligible
for the cash assistance, if she is above 19 years.
Further, this assistance is as follows:
1. In LPS states: Cash assistance for all women
2. In HPS states: Cash assistance for ONLY BPL women
3. LPS & HPS states: All SC and ST women Cash assistance
Incentive to Asha / other activists is given as follows:
Regarding the Asha’s package, the scheme documents say that It must be ensured that the cash incentive to the ASHA should not be less than Rs.200/- per delivery case
facilitated by her. This is essential to keep her sustained in the system.
The Assistance package to the ASHA or an equivalent worker is available only if she
works and assists the pregnant women.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Mosul and the threat of chemical attacks http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/where-is-mosul-and-the-threat-
of-chemical-attacks/article17450198.ece
What’s in news?
Early this month, the International Committee of the Red Cross issued a statement
condemning “in the strongest possible terms” the use of chemical weapons in Mosul, the second largest city of Iraq where the Iraqi troops have been fighting the Islamic
State (IS) terrorist group for over four months.
The needle of suspicion points to the IS.
The IS has used chemical weapons, including chlorine and sulfur mustard agents
The regime of Saddam Hussein and that of Bashar al-Assad in Syria had possessed the
weapons earlier. The Saddam regime is gone, and Syria gave up its chemical weapons
as part of an international agreement to avoid American invasion.
The use of chemical and biological weapons is a war crime. Efforts to eradicate their
use date back to the 19th century and the first universal ban came into effect after
First World War.
In 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty prohibited the use and
production of chemical weapons. At least 190 states have so far accepted the treaty,
while 93% of the world’s declared stockpile of chemical weapons have been destroyed.
But these regulations are meant for nation-states, whereas the attack in Mosul
suggests that non-state terrorist actors also possess chemical weapons capabilities.
Terror groups possessing chemical weapons poses a challenge to the international
security architecture.
Fact’s round up
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an arms control treaty which outlaws
the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and their precursors.
It is administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW), an intergovernmental organization based in The Hague, Netherlands. The
treaty entered into force in 1997.
The parties' main obligation under the convention is to prohibit the use and production
of chemical weapons, as well as the destruction of all current chemical weapons.
The destruction activities are verified by the OPCW.
As of April 2016, 192 states have given their consent to be bound by the CWC.
Israel has signed but not ratified the agreement, while three other UN member states
(Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan) have neither signed nor acceded to the treaty
2. ‘U.S under Trump will be a difficult partner for India to work with’
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/us-under-trump-will-be-a-difficult-
partner-for-india-to-work-with/article17448975.ece
Why in news?
The new U.S. trade policy unveiled by Donald Trump administration could turn
India’s commercial ties with its second-biggest trading partner more
argumentative.
The Trump administration’s drive to reduce American trade deficit will bring India
into sharp focus.
India is the 9th biggest trading partner of the U.S and India had a trade surplus of
about $26 billion with the U.S, in goods trade alone last year.
The Obama White House once mentioned trade deficit with India as a matter of
concern.
In fact for India-US bilateral relationship in the recent past the discussions always were
about the success in growing trade.
In 2016, voters in both major parties called for a fundamental change in direction
of U.S. trade policy. Because they did not see clear benefits from international trade
agreements.
New President’s National Trade Policy Agenda for 2017 reiterates Mr. Trump’s campaign with its four-point agenda —
Defending national sovereignty over trade policy,
Strict enforcement of U.S. trade laws,
Using leverage to open foreign markets and
Negotiating new and better trade deals.
The emphasis on opening the market for U.S agriculture products and intellectual
property are of particular significance for India.
The push for agriculture by U S directly affects India.
India is in dispute at the WTO with the U.S. on poultry. (Poultry Isuue)
India does not allow poultry imports from the U.S and it lost the case at WTO at two
stages.
Now U.S is seeking punitive measures against India.
India can expect that U S would go full speed to force open the Indian market to U.S.
poultry, under the Trump administration.
There will be a push for dairy products and beef too.
‘U.S. won’t quit WTO’
The Trump’s administration document rejected multi-lateralism as the favoured
trade route for the U.S.
This is more in the context of FTAs such as NAFTA and TPP, which the U.S. has
already withdrawn from.
With respect to WTO, the Trump administration will use it more aggressively to push
its trade agenda.
The U.S. has a very a poor record of enforcing WTO decisions that are against it
anyway.
Already, developing countries are forced to go all the way to the final arbitration at WTO
trade disputes, and even after that, the U.S. does not comply.
This new stridency will impact India directly, For instance, India has filed a case
against the U.S for subsidizing its solar panel manufacturing in certain U.S. states
after we lost the case on solar panels brought by the U.S. India cannot expect a
resolution on the solar panel case against the U.S. any time soon.
India is also challenging certain provisions of the U.S. H-1B visa program as
discriminatory against Indian companies and workers. But expect no solution for
years.
U S says it will not enforce WTO rulings that are against our domestic law.
It will not withdraw, as there are so many negotiations at WTO in which it has a stake,
such as e-ecommerce, environmental goods and trade in services.
India target of new U.S trade investigation
India is among the target countries in a new investigation launched by the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC).
The regulatory and policy measures in important markets abroad that may impede
digital trade are investigated by the Obama appointed U S trade representatives.
Their target investigation with respect to India would be whether Indian policies
prevent U.S. companies from servicing clients in India or selling digital products
to India.
Requirements such as localization of servers, restrictions on data transfer across
boundaries. Any big technology company will have a stake in this, it will likely lead to
a new WTO complaint against India.
C. GS 3 RELATED
ECONOMY
1. IT’s new, improved skills problem
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/its-new-improved-skills-
problem/article17449361.ece
What’s in news?
Recently, advisory firm McKinsey, said in a report released last month that almost half the IT industry’s four million-strong workforce of technology and software professionals will be “irrelevant” in the next three to four years.
In fact, the French consulting and solutions company, CapGemini went even further — its India CEO said as much as 65 per cent of the IT workforce will not be relevant to the changed needs of the workplace, and will lose their jobs over the coming few years unless they are able to re-skill themselves.
What is worrying is that from an economy point of view, these jobs will be lost in the well-paid middle and senior levels – by people in their late thirties to early forties, people who should, in theory, have decades of productive employment left.
These people, the CapGemini head says, will become redundant not only because they lack the skills needed by their digitally transforming customers, but because they are unable or unwilling to acquire the needed new skills.
Key Facts:
India’s IT workforce forms the core consuming audience for a number of other industries, particularly in the major metros and mini metros.
It is important to note that given their numbers, the high disposable income and lifestyle consumption oriented techies give the critical volumes necessary to sustain businesses such as construction, car manufacturing, etc.
This is also why such businesses are concentrated in the cities which are home to the largest concentration of IT and IT-related businesses.
Concluding Remarks
This development is seen as a double whammy which our IT industry, our policy makers and the by now largely privatised education and skilling sector have to face.
A coherent policy response, coordinating effort and investments between the government, industry and the education sector is the need of the hour.
The IT industry, just as much as our banking sector, is simply too big to fail. The time to act is now.
2. Mission Fingerling with a total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh
to achieve Blue Revolution
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=159159
What’s in news?
Recognizing the potential and possibilities in the fisheries sector, Government of India has envisaged a program named ‘’Blue Revolution’’ to unlock the country’s latent potential through an integrated approach.
The Blue Revolution, in its scope and reach, focuses on creating an enabling environment for an integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio economic development of the fishers and fish farmers.
Greater emphasis will be on infrastructure with an equally strong focus on management and conservation of the resources through technology transfer to increase in the income of the fishers and fish farmers.
Productivity enhancement shall also be achieved through employing the best global innovations and integration of various production oriented activities such as: Production of quality fish seeds, Cost effective feed and adoption of technology etc.
Fish Fingerling production
Fish Fingerling production is the single most important critical input visualised to achieve fish production targets under the Blue Revolution.
20 States have been identified based on their potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.
This program will facilitate the establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure the fish production of 426 crores fish fingerling, 25.50 crores Post Larvae of shrimp and crab in the country.
This will converge in the production of 20 lakh tonnes of fish annually and will benefit about 4 million families.
The implementation of this program will supplement the requirement of stocking materials in the country up to a large extent, which is a much needed input to achieve the enhanced fish production.
3. Ministers to brainstorm policy for an all-electric vehicle future
http://www.livemint.com/Industry/7HArPakwJhRpQRLH8QMWrO/Ministers-to-
brainstorm-policy-for-an-allelectric-vehicle-f.html
What’s in news?
India envisages all passenger and commercial vehicles to powered by electricity by
2030.
According to the government’s Automotive Mission Plan 2016-26, India’s passenger vehicles market is expected to more than quadruple to 13.4 million units by 2026 from
3.2 million now if the economy grows at an average rate of 7.5% a year, making it the
world’s second largest market after China{don’t focus on numbers just understand
the basic’s }.The commercial vehicle industry is expected to grow to 3.9 million units
from 700,000 at the end of 2014-15.
Any shift to EVs will help reduce pollutants and fuel imports. This assumes
significance given India’s energy import bill of around $150 billion, which is expected to reach $300 billion by 2030. India imports around 80% of its oil and
18% of its natural gas requirements. India imported 202 million tonnes of oil in
2015-16.
Currently, electric vehicle sales are low in India.
The government wants to see 6 million electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads by
2020 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 and Faster
Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME).
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
Government of India launched the
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan
(NEMMP) 2020 in 2013.
Main Aim:
Achieve national fuel security by
promoting hybrid and electric vehicles
in the country.
Target to achieve 6-7 million sales of
hybrid and electric vehicles year on
year from 2020 onwards.
Government aims to provide fiscal and
monetary incentives to kick start this nascent technology.
Government has launched the scheme namely Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of
(Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) under NEMMP 2020 in the Union Budget
for 2015-16 with an initial outlay of Rs. 75 Cr. The scheme will provide a major push
for early adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technologies vehicles
in the country.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India test-fires Brahmos missile:- http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-testfires-brahmos-
missile/article17447222.ece
What’s in news?
India today successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
The missile is capable of carrying a warhead of 300 kg
The two-stage missile, one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant,
has already been inducted into the Army and Navy, while the Air Force version is in
final stage of trial.
The air launch version and the submarine launch version of the missile system are in
progress.
BrahMos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian joint venture, is also in advance stage of test
launching the air version of the sophisticated missile system and work on the project is
in progress.
BrahMos Missile
The BrahMos is a short-range ramjet
supersonic cruise missile that can be
launched from submarines, ships,
aircraft or land.
It is a joint venture between the
Russian Federation's NPO
Mashinostroeyenia and India's Defence
Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) who have together
formed BrahMos Aerospace.
The name BrahMos is a portmanteau
(parts of multiple words or their phones (sounds) are combined into a new word) formed
from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
It is the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at
speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0.
In 2016, as India became a member of the MTCR (Missile Technology Control
Regime), India and Russia are now planning to jointly develop a new generation of
Brahmos missiles with 600 km-plus range and an ability to hit protected targets with
pinpoint accuracy.
MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime)
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is a multilateral export control
regime. It is an informal and voluntary partnership (UN agency or any other
agency is not forcing us to be a member) among 35 countries to prevent the
proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying
above 500 kg payload for more than 300 km.
India formally applied for membership to the group in June 2015, with active support
from France and the United States, and officially became a member on 27 June 2016
with the consensus of the 34 member nations.
A Multilateral Export Control Regime (MECR) is an international body that states use to
organize their national export control systems.
There are currently four such regimes:
a) The Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-
Use Goods and Technologies
b) The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), for the control of nuclear related technology
c) The Australia Group (AG) for control of chemical and biological technology that
could be weaponized
d) The Missile Technology Control Regime for the control of rockets and other aerial
vehicles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction
Abdul Kalam Island:
Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, is an island off the coast of
Odisha, India, approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) from the state capital
Bhubaneshwar.
The Integrated Test Range missile testing facility is located on the island. The island
was originally named after English commandant Lieutenant Wheeler.
On 4 September 2015, the island was renamed to honour the late Indian president, Dr.
APJ Abdul Kalam.
Balasore is a city in the state of Odisha, about 194 kilometres north of the State capital
Bhubaneswar, in eastern India. It is the site of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense
Program's Integrated Test Range, located 18 km. south of Balasore. The Defence
Research and Development Organisation developed many different missiles such as
Nag, Brahmos, Agni Missile among others here.
2. Indian researcher uses novel strategy to increase wheat yield
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/indian-researcher-uses-novel-strategy-
to-increase-wheat-yield/article17448630.ece
What’s in news?
Indian researcher has been able to increase wheat grain yield by 20% and also improve
the resilience of wheat to environmental stress such as drought.
By using a precursor that enhances the amount of a key sugar-signalling molecule
(trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P)) produced in wheat plant, researchers have been able to
increase the amount of starch produced and, therefore, the yield.
The molecule (dimethoxy (ortho-nitro) benzyl) was better in battling stress.
Advantages:
Food security
Indian agriculture is 40 percent dependent on irrigation and the rest 60 percent
dependent on monsoon, vagaries of monsoon will have profound effect on agricultural
productivity , development of new drought resistant variety crop is the need of the
hour.
3. How the world’s largest solar park is shaping up in Karnataka
http://www.eai.in/360/news/pages/18022
Why in news?
Karnataka government to build what it claims is the world’s largest solar park. Karnataka government aims to generate around 2700 MW by 2018-end from the
Pavagada solar park. The idea resonates with the centre’s ambitious scheme to generate 100 gigawatts (GW)
of solar power by 2020. Geographic identity of the region Heat that can give you blisters. Fluoride contaminated water that can leave your bones brittle.
Endless stretches of barren land where rains have stayed away for almost half a century.
Thorny bushes the only vegetation in sight for miles. The region is part of a large semi-arid tract in eastern Karnataka’s border district of
Tumkur, which sits on an elevated plateau with several rocky hills all around. The state government has had to declare the region drought-hit 54 times in the last
60 years.
Key Points
The first phase capacity of 500MW has been bid out and generation is expected to start in the next four months.
The park’s development is taken up by the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd (KSPDCL), an entity formed in March 2015 as a joint venture between Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd (KREDL) and Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI).
The “plug and play” model, under which it acquires and develops land as blocks for solar power generation, along with the required government approvals, and gives it out to solar power developers (SPDs) through auctions.
So far, plot allocation has been completed for 600 MW capacities The Solar Power Developers have signed power purchase agreements with electricity
supply companies or escoms. The agreements are drafted in such a way that the escoms get 90% of the power
generated from the park, at a bundled tariff ranging between Rs3.50 and Rs4.50 a unit.
KSPDCL has managed to acquire 12,000 acres of the 13,000 acres identified for the project, spread across five villages in Pavagada.
Land acquisition is a major challenge for any big project in India; especially for solar as around five acres of land is needed for 1 MW
The credit for the smooth acquisition should go to the unique model deployed: the government did not acquire the land from farmers; it just sought to lease it for 25 years.
Though farmers were emotionally attached to the land, they were happy to hand it over to a project if they could retain ownership. Farmers look happy with the compensation amount—Rs21,000 per acre as lease, with a 5% appreciation every two years.
Farmers have come to realize that it’s better if they don’t cultivate (the land). Anyway most of the time you don’t get enough rains to sustain the crops and invariably there is crop loss
But what will they do if they cannot farm?
However, not everyone is happy. Villagers were upset with the government for not assuring power supply and jobs for them. Apparently, neighbours of what is touted as world’s largest solar power project are powerless.
Electricity is available for about three hours a day, though the voltage is too low to pump groundwater, complained many villagers.
State energy minister D.K. Shivakumar says that these issues will be looked at. “This taluk witnesses around 8,000-10,000 people leaving their villages to go work in Bengaluru and other places. We are trying to stop this.
The government will make investments of over Rs15,000 crore in the region which will help create jobs.
4. New clone of MRSA identified in Kerala aquatic environment
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/new-clone-of-mrsa-
identified-in-kerala-aquatic-environment/article17448716.ece
Why in news?
A new clone of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is
exclusive to Kochi, has been identified.
The new clone, christened ‘t15669 MRSA’, is unique to seafood and the aquatic
environment of Kerala.
Key Points
If the concentration of the MSRA bacterium increases, it can reach the seafood chain.
MRSA can lead to diseases ranging from milder form of skin infections, boils,
furunculosis to life-threatening septicemia and bacteremia from post-surgical
contamination.
Red alert about the MSRA bacteria is their resistance to wide range of drugs.
MSRA causes disease by producing enterotoxin in the food; there is no immediate
threat in consumption of seafood contaminated with MRSA.
The emergence of MRSA has been identified as a health concern globally since the
1960s.
According to Scientists, if the new clone, which is currently low in concentration in the
Kochi geographical area, gets established and becomes widely prevalent then it can
reach the seafood chain.
The presence of MRSA in fish meant for human consumption is a potential health
hazard for food handlers.
The fingerprinting of MRSA can be useful for tracing local source and spread of
MRSA isolates in a defined geographical area.
5. Study on fish reveals key to cure blindness
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-
agri/study-on-fish-reveals-key-to-cure-blindness/article17450674.ece
Discovery
Scientists have discovered a chemical in the zebra fish brain that helps reveal how it
regrows its retina, a finding that can potentially cure blindness in humans.
The findings showed that the levels of GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), a
neurotransmitter, best known for its role of calming nervous activity.
GABA drops when the unique self-repair process kicks in.
Insights into the discovery
Thus blocking the chemical (GABA) could lead to new treatments for AMD (age-
related macular degeneration), the most common cause of blindness and retinitis
pigmentosa.
The structure of the retinas (the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye) of fish
and mammals are basically the same
Reduction in GABA might be the trigger for retinal regeneration.
In the study, the scientists injected drugs that kept GABA concentrations in the retinas
of newly blinded fish at a high level, they found that doing so suppressed the
regeneration process.
After injecting an enzyme that lowers GABA levels in normal fish, they found that the
Muller glia (retinal cells) began changing and proliferating, the first stage in the
regeneration process.
The Muller glia (which in fish plays a key role in regeneration) is a special type of
adult stem cell.
When regeneration is triggered in zebra fish, the Muller glia begins proliferating and
then differentiating into replacements for the damaged nerve cells.
SECURITY ISSUES
1. Ganja attracts Shivamogga farmers as drought wilts paddy and
ginger hopes http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ganja-attracts-shivamogga-
farmers-as-drought-wilts-paddy-and-ginger-hopes/article17449353.ece
What’s in news?
Shivamogga district farmers started cultivating lucrative ganja (cannabis) instead of the
low-profit paddy.
Reason:-Drought prevailing in the area and the prices of agricultural produce crashing.
Many farmers in the region have taken up this proposition — often, at the cost of
forests.
Agents distribute cash advances and ganja seed packets.
All that the farmer needs to do is to plant them amidst their maize or ginger fields or in
the neighbouring forest areas.
The market and demand for this has been set up in urban centres of Bengaluru,
Mangaluru and Mumbai.
Cultivating this is illegal and is banned under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act in 2015.
Impact
Social Stigma attached after getting criminalized.
Loss of livelihood.
Drug addiction among the so called urban youth’s
Forest: Forest fringes are often targeted. Officials said farmers looking to avoid the
criminalities associated with cultivating cannabis on their lands, were burning portions
of forest land to clear a patch for cultivation. In 2012, 500 acres were burnt in the
Shettyhalli Wildlife Sanctuary and the next year, excise and police officials found ganja
cultivation in those patches. Coincidentally, these cleared portions are seeing a rise in
applications for regularisation of unauthorised cultivation of forest/government lands
under the Forest Rights Act.
What needs to be done?
Scale up research and development to come up with drought resistant variety of crops.
Alternate employment opportunities.
Proper implementation of MNREGA works.
Educate farmers about the negative impacts of cultivating Ganja on youths.
Urban centers which are now a day’s becoming famous as drug centers have to be placed under strict scanner.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
Prohibits a person to produce/manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase,
transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
The Act extends to the whole of India and it applies also to all Indian citizens outside
India and to all persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.
The Narcotics Control Bureau was set up based on this Act.
The Act is designed to fulfill India's treaty obligations under the Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs, Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and United Nations
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Narcotics Control Bureau
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence
agency of India responsible for fighting drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal
substances. The Director General of NCB is an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS)
or the Indian Revenue Service(IRS).
NCB is affiliated to Home Ministry, which was made responsible for administering The
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2014
Relaxes restrictions placed by the Act on Essential Narcotic Drugs (Morphine,
Fentanyl and Methadone), making them more accessible for use in pain relief and
palliative care.
The Amendment also contained measures to improve treatment and care for people
dependent on drugs, opened up the processing of opium and concentrated poppy
straw to the private sector, and strengthened provisions related to the forfeiture of
property of persons arraigned on charges of drug trafficking.
The Amendment also removed the NDPS Act's imposition of a mandatory death
sentence in case of a repeat conviction for trafficking large quantities of drugs, giving
courts the discretion to use the alternative sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment for repeat offences
The Amendment increased the punishment for "small quantity" offences from a
maximum of 6 months to 1-year imprisonment.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. In Fukushima, radioactive boars pose a new danger
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/in-fukushima-radioactive-
boars-pose-a-new-danger/article17450795.ece
What’s in news?
Hundreds of toxic wild boars have been roaming across northern Japan, where the
meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant six years ago forced thousands of residents
to desert their homes, pets and livestock.
Officials are struggling to clear out the contaminated boars.
Wild boar meat is a delicacy in northern Japan, but animals slaughtered since the
disaster are too contaminated to eat.
According to tests conducted by the Japanese government, some of the boars have
shown levels of radioactive element cesium-137 that are 300 times higher than
safety standards.
In Chernobyl, wildlife continues to thrive despite high radiation levels in the aftermath
of the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986. With the absence of humans, Chernobyl, in Ukraine, has become a refuge for all kinds of animals, including moose, deer, brown
bear, lynx and even wolves.
Quote as an example under How, Human greed impacting other living creature on the
earth.
Measuring Radioactivity:
Instrument used: Geiger counter
Units of Measure
Different units of measure are used depending on what aspect of radiation is being
measured. For example, the amount of radiation being given off, or emitted, by a
radioactive material is measured using the conventional unit curie (Ci), named for
the famed scientist Marie Curie, or the SI unit becquerel (Bq).
The radiation dose absorbed by a person (that is, the amount of energy deposited
in human tissue by radiation) is measured using the conventional unit rad or the
SI unit gray (Gy).
The biological risk of exposure to radiation is measured using the conventional
unit rem or the SI unit sievert (Sv).
TERMS OF THE DAY
1. Dosimetry: Dosimetry in its original sense is the measurement of the absorbed dose
delivered by ionizing radiation, the term is better known as a scientific sub-specialty in
the fields of health physics and medical physics, where it is the calculation and
assessment of the radiation dose received by the human body.
2. Ramjet: A ramjet, sometimes
referred to as a flying stovepipe or an
athodyd (an abbreviation of aero
thermodynamic duct), is a form of
air breathing jet engine that uses
the engine's forward motion to
compress incoming air without an
axial compressor. Because ramjets
cannot produce thrust at zero
airspeed, they cannot move an
aircraft from a standstill. A ramjet-
powered vehicle, therefore, requires an assisted take-off like a rocket assist to
accelerate it to a speed where it begins to produce thrust.
This type of engine can operate up to speeds of Mach 6. As speed increases, the efficiency
of a ramjet starts to drop as the air temperature in the inlet increases due to compression.
As the inlet temperature gets closer to the exhaust temperature, less energy can be
extracted in the form of thrust. To produce a usable amount of thrust at yet higher speeds,
the ramjet must be modified so that the incoming air is not compressed (and therefore
heated) nearly as much.
3. Cruise missile: A cruise missile is a guided missile used against terrestrial targets
that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at
approximately constant speed. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large
warhead over long distances with high precision. Modern cruise missiles are capable
of travelling at supersonic or high subsonic speeds.
4. Supersonic speed: Supersonic travel is a rate of travel of an object that exceeds the
speed of sound (Mach 1). Speeds greater than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5)
are often referred to as hypersonic.
5. Payload: Payload is the carrying capacity of an aircraft or launch vehicle, usually
measured in terms of weight.
G. PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q1) Consider the following statement with reference to The Surrogacy (Regulation)Bill which
was in news recently.
1. The bill allows altruistic surrogacy.
2. Surrogate mother need not be a relative
3. Insurance coverage for the surrogate mother is a must.
Choose the correct answer
A. Only 1
B. 1 and 2
C. All three
D. None of the above
Correct answer: (A)
Topic: Current affair
Level: Easy
Explanation:
The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 {focus on broad aspects}
a) Regulation of surrogacy: The Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy, but allows
altruistic surrogacy. Altruistic surrogacy involves no monetary compensation to the
surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the
pregnancy. Commercial surrogacy includes surrogacy or its related procedures
undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash or kind) exceeding the basic
medical expenses and insurance coverage.
b) Purposes for which surrogacy is permitted: Surrogacy is permitted when it is, (i) for
intending couples who suffer from proven infertility; and (ii) altruistic; and (iii) not for
commercial purposes; and (iv) not for producing children for sale, prostitution or other
forms of exploitation.
c) Eligibility criteria for intending couple: The intending couple should have a
‘certificate of essentiality’ and a ‘certificate of eligibility’ issued by the appropriate authority.
d) A certificate of essentiality will be issued upon fulfilment of the following
conditions: (i) a certificate of proven infertility of one or both members of the intending
couple from a District Medical Board; (ii) an order of parentage and custody of the
surrogate child passed by a Magistrate’s court; and (iii) insurance coverage for the surrogate mother.
e) The certificate of eligibility is issued upon fulfilment of the following conditions by
the intending couple: (i) Indian citizens and are married for at least five years; (ii)
between 23 to 50 years old female and 26 to 55 years old male; (iii) they do not have
any surviving child (biological, adopted or surrogate); this would not include a child
who is mentally or physically challenged or suffers from life threatening disorder or
fatal illness.
f) Eligibility criteria for surrogate mother: To obtain a certificate of eligibility from the
appropriate authority, the surrogate mother has to: (i) be a close relative of the
intending couple; (ii) be an ever married woman having a child of her own; (iii) be 25 to
35 years old; (iv) be a surrogate only once in her lifetime; and (iv) possess a certificate of
medical and psychological fitness for surrogacy.
g) Appropriate authority: The central and state governments shall appoint one or more
appropriate authorities within 90 days of the Bill becoming an Act. The functions of
the appropriate authority include; (i) granting, suspending or cancelling registration of
surrogacy clinics; (ii) enforcing standards for surrogacy clinics; (iii) investigating and
taking action against breach of the provisions of the Bill; (iv) recommending
modifications to the rules and regulations.
h) Registration of surrogacy clinics: Surrogacy clinics cannot undertake surrogacy
related procedures unless they are registered by the appropriate authority
i) National and State Surrogacy Boards: The central and the state governments shall
constitute the National Surrogacy Board (NSB) and the State Surrogacy Boards (SSB),
respectively. Functions of the NSB include, (i) advising the central government on
policy matters relating to surrogacy; (ii) laying down the code of conduct of surrogacy
clinics; and (iii) supervising the functioning of SSBs.
j) Offences and penalties: The Bill states the following offences: (i) undertaking or
advertising commercial surrogacy; (ii) exploiting the surrogate mother; (iii) abandoning,
exploiting or disowning a surrogate child; and (iv) selling or importing human embryo
or gametes for surrogacy. These offences will attract a minimum penalty of 10 years
and a fine up to 10 lakh rupees.
Q2) Consider the following statements
1. The Narcotic control Bureau is under Department of Drugs, Ministry of Chemicals and
Fertilizers.
2. Morphine, Fentanyl and Methadone production is completely banned under The
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2014
Choose the correct answer
A. Only 1
B. 1 and 2
C. Both are correct
D. None of the above
Correct answer: (D)
Topic: Current affair
Level: Easy
Explanation:
Narcotics Control Bureau
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence
agency of India responsible for fighting drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal
substances. The Director General of NCB is an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS)
or the Indian Revenue Service(IRS).
NCB is affiliated to Home Ministry, which was made responsible for administering The
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2014
Relaxes restrictions placed by the Act on Essential Narcotic Drugs (Morphine,
Fentanyl and Methadone), making them more accessible for use in pain relief and
palliative care.
Q3) Consider the following statements
1. BrahMos is a hypersonic ballistic missile
2. BrahMos is a two-stage missile, one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid
propellant
Choose the correct answer
A. Only 1
B. 1 and 2
C. Both are correct
D. None of the above
Correct answer: (D)
Topic: Current affair
Level: Easy
Explanation:
India today successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
The missile is capable of carrying a warhead of 300 kg
The two-stage missile, one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant,
has already been inducted into the Army and Navy, while the Air Force version is in
final stage of trial.
Q4) Recently Pinkathon was organized at Kolkata , the main theme was
1. Women’s wellness and breast cancer. 2. Women’s rights issue. 3. Women’s wellness and Lung cancer 4. 4.None of the above
Correct answer: (1)
Topic: Current affair
Level: Easy
Explanation:
The pink ribbon is the international symbol of breast cancer awareness.
Q5) At which of the following sites does one observe the evidence of practice of burying dogs
with their masters?
a) Burzahom b) Chirand c) Piklihal d) Gufkral Correct Answer: (A)
Topic: Ancient History Type: Factual Difficulty level: Moderate Explanation:
The people of Burzahom buried domesticated dogs with their masters in the graves.
Q6) What is the style of script in the Indus Valley Civilization?
a) Boustrophedon b) Pictographic c) Hieroglyphic d) None of the above
Correct Answer: (A)
Topic: Ancient History Type: Factual Difficulty level: Moderate Explanation:-
In the Indus Valley, The script was boustrophedon. The script was written from right to left
in one line and then from left to right in the next line.
GS PAPER 1 RELATED
GEOGRAPHY
1. El Nino seen arriving too late to hurt India’s monsoon rains
Why in news?
India’s monsoon may escape the effects of a possible El Nino.
El Niño as the event can bring dry weather to the world’s top cotton grower and second-
biggest wheat and sugar producer.
Forecasters globally have been increasing odds that El Nino will develop this year as
temperatures in the Pacific Ocean rise.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology issued an El Nino “watch” on 28 February, indicating the likelihood of the pattern forming this year is about 50%.
The 2015-16 El Nino was the strongest since the record event of 1997-98.
A late El Nino may miss India’s monsoon season that runs from June through
September, accounting for more than 70% of rain and watering more than half of all
farmland.
Rainfall was normal in 2016 following two years of deficit that curbed output of sugar
cane, wheat and pulses.
The good monsoon rains encouraged farmers to expand crop planting and the government
predicts India’s grain harvest will reach an all-time high on record rice, wheat and pulses
production.
India’s Meteorological Department said last week that above-normal temperatures are
likely across India from March to May after 2016 was the warmest year since 1901.
Any temperature that is above normal will have a direct bearing on the crop, be it north
or central India.
While weak La Nina conditions have been prevailing over the Pacific Ocean since July,
forecasts indicate the pattern will weaken and reach neutral levels during the pre-monsoon
season.
BASIC INFORMATION
What are El Niño and La Niña events?
El Niño and La Niña events are a natural part of the global climate system.
They occur when the Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above it change from their neutral
('normal') state for several seasons.
El Niño events are associated with a warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific,
while La Niña events are the reverse, with a sustained cooling of these same areas.
These changes in the Pacific Ocean and its overlying atmosphere occur in a cycle known as
the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
The atmosphere and ocean interact, reinforcing each other and creating a 'feedback
loop' which amplifies small changes in the state of the ocean into an ENSO event.
Even in a neutral state, temperatures in the Pacific Ocean vary from east to west – for
example, the western Pacific 'warm pool' in the tropical Pacific has some of the warmest
large-scale ocean temperatures in the world.
During an ENSO event, ocean temperatures become warmer than usual or cooler than
usual at different locations, which are reflected in ocean temperature gradients.
The most important driver of ENSO is these temperature gradients across the Pacific, both
at the surface and below the surface, particularly at the thermocline.
Coupled
Because ENSO involves interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere – both of
which play a role in reinforcing changes in each other – it is known as a coupled ocean–atmosphere phenomenon.
Thermocline
Thermocline comes from the Greek for 'heat slope' and is the name for the region
separating warm, well-mixed surface water from cool, deep ocean water.
Typically water temperatures above the thermocline are more than 25°C while those below
the thermocline are 15°C or less.
Why are they called El Niño and La Niña?
The term El Niño translates from Spanish as 'the boy-child'.
Peruvian fishermen originally used the term to describe the appearance, around
Christmas, of a warm ocean current off the South American coast.
It is now the commonly accepted term to describe the warming of the central and
eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
La Niña translates as 'girl-child' and is the opposite ENSO phase to El Niño.
G.S PAPER-2 RELATED
TOPIC: POLITY
1. Goa: Congress knocks on SC's door
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-to-hear-plea-to-set-
aside-appointment-of-parrikar-as-goa-cm/article17457667.ece
What’s in news?
Recently assembly elections were held in Goa (40 seats)- BJP won 13seats, INC (Indian
National Congress)– 17 seats respectively.
INC contention: A writ petition was filed in Supreme court to hear an urgent writ petition
filed by the Congress party challenging the “blatantly unconstitutional action” of Goa State Governor Mridula Sinha to invite Goa BJP legislature party leader Manohar Parrikar as
Chief Minister of the State.
The petition accused the Centre of using its political clout to defeat the mandate of the
people and grab power by misusing the office of the Governor, who turned a Nelson’s eye on the fact that the Congress party was voted the “single largest party in the State Legislature”. The actions of the Centre and the Governor sound the “death knell for democracy”.
Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar agreed to set up a Special Bench and hear the petition.
The petition said that the Supreme Court as the “sentinel” of constitutional norms and values should intervene and strike down the decisions taken by a Governor in her
discretionary capacity if they are found to be arbitrary.
The petition also contended that the BJP had no pre-poll alliance with any of the other
parties which now tows their line. It was central BJP leadership which used its political
clout to rope in the smaller parties and independents in Goa to cobble together the
requisite majority in the State.
Basic Information:
Constitutional position of the Governor:
Article 163. Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor
(1) There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise
the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is by or under this
Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.
(2) If any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the
Governor is by or under this Constitution required to act in his discretion, the decision of
the Governor in his discretion shall be final, and the validity of anything done by the
Governor shall not be called in question on the ground that he ought or ought not to
have acted in his discretion.
(3) The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the Governor
shall not be inquired into in any court.
Aricle164. Other provisions as to Ministers
(1) The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be
appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minster, and the Ministers shall hold
office during the pleasure of the Governor:
Provided that in the States of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, there shall be a Minister in
charge of tribal welfare who may in addition be in charge of the welfare of the Scheduled Castes
and backward classes or any other work.
(2) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the
State.
(3) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the Governor shall administer to him the oaths of
office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule
(4) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the Legislature
of the State shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.
(5) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as the Legislature of the State may
from time to time by law determine and, until the Legislature of the State so determines, shall
be as specified in the Second Schedule.
Some discretionary powers are as follows:
Governor can dissolve the legislative assembly if the chief minister advices him to do
following a vote of no confidence. Now, it is up to the Governor what he/ she would like to
do.
Governor, on his/ her discretion can recommend the president about the failure of the
constitutional machinery in the state.
On his/ her discretion, the Governor can reserve a bill passed by the state legislature for
president’s assent. If there is NO political party with a clear cut majority in the assembly, Governor on his/
her discretion can appoint anybody as chief minister.
Governor determines the amount payable by the Government of Assam, Meghalaya,
Tripura and Mizoram to an autonomous Tribal District Council as royalty accruing from
licenses for mineral exploration.
Governor can seek information from the chief minister with regard to the administrative
and legislative matters of the state.
Governor has discretion to refuse to sign to an ordinary bill passed by the state legislature
2. Another strike against ‘restrictions’ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/another-strike-
against-restrictions/article17458085.ece
What’s in news?
Students of the autonomous Fatima Mata National College here launched an agitation
demanding the scrapping of ‘unbearable restrictions that infringe on their liberties.’ A good number of women students from the college joined the agitation which was led by
the college union
Allegations against management: ‘undemocratic restrictions’ are being imposed under the autonomous status of the college
Whole campus is dotted with CCTV cameras in a manner that invades their privacy.
There is a ban of sorts on talking to male students on the campus.
They are asked to strictly remain inside the women’s quadrangle during breaks and before the classes.
Walking on the campus invites the wrath of the management.
Fined even on flimsy grounds.
Management’s version:
The quadrangle system at the college was very old and was meant to safeguard the privacy
of women students. The system was welcomed by parents and students at large.
The students want to leave the campus during class hours. The college allows this only
with the permission of the teachers concerned. The CCTV cameras are placed in the larger
interests of security and not for infringement of privacy.
Basic information:
This particular issue invokes upon the Fundamental Rights granted under constitution of
India.
Article 19: all citizens shall have
Right to freedom of speech and expression;
Right to assemble peaceably and without arms;
Right to form associations or unions;
Right to move freely throughout the territory of India;
Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India; Right to practice any
profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
However, Freedom of speech and expression is not absolute. As of now, there are 8 restrictions
on the freedom of speech and expression
These 8 restrictions were:
a) Security of the state
b) Friendly relations with foreign states
c) Public Order
d) Decency or morality
e) Contempt of Court
f) Defamation
g) Incitement to offence
h) Sovereignty and integrity of India.
Freedom of Speech and Expression Article 19 of the constitution provides freedom of speech
which is the right to express one’s opinion freely without any fear through oral / written / electronic/ broadcasting / press
3. End of a chapter
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/end-of-a-
chapter/article17457860.ece
What’s in news?
South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached from the office.
South Korea’s highest court, upholded Parliament’s vote to impeach Park Geun-hye
Earlier it was unthinkable to get the powerful to face justice even for serious crimes, this
particular move has brought in faith among its nationals with reference to accountability
among the high and mighty.
Ms. Park could now face criminal proceedings on allegations that she was involved in
nefarious activities along with her close confidante. The chief accusation is that they
solicited contributions to promote dodgy non-profit organisations in return for clearing
questionable corporate deals
The most provocative foreign policy move was the deployment of the Terminal High
Altitude Area Defence, an American missile defence system, escalating regional
tensions. China retaliated with calls for the boycott of South Korean imports.
Terminal High Altitude Area Defence(THAAD);
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is
a United States Army anti-ballistic missile system which is designed to shoot down short,
medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill
approach.
Basic information:
Impeachment procedure to remove President from his office under Indian Constitution:
Article 61: Procedure for impeachment of the President
(1) When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution, the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament
(2) No such charge shall be preferred unless
(a) the proposal to prefer such charge is contained in a resolution which has been moved after at least fourteen days notice in writing signed by not less than one fourth of the total number of members of the House has been given of their intention to move the resolution, and
(b) Such resolution has been passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the House
(3) When a charge has been so preferred by either House of Parliament, the other House shall investigate the charge or cause the charge to be investigated and the President shall have the right to appear and to be represented as such investigation
(4) If as a result of the investigation a resolution is passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the House by which the charge was investigated or cause to be investigated, declaring that the charge preferred against the President has been sustained, such resolution shall have the effect of removing the President from his office as from the date on which the resolution is so passed.
4. Black money: Income tax dept urges people to make use of PMGKY to
come clean
http://www.firstpost.com/business/black-money-income-tax-dept-urges-
people-to-make-use-of-pmgky-to-come-clean-3325048.html
What’s in news?
Income Tax Department asked people to come clean and pay 49.90 percent tax on
undisclosed income under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana by 31 March.
Basic Information:
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana:
It is an amnesty scheme launched in December 2016 on the lines of the Income
declaration scheme, 2016 (IDS) launched earlier in the year.
A part of the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, the scheme provides an
opportunity to declare unaccounted wealth and black money in a confidential manner and
avoid prosecution after paying a fine of 50% on the undisclosed income.
An additional 25% of the undisclosed income is invested in the scheme which can be
refunded after four years
Salient features of Scheme
a) Declaration under it can be made by any person in respect of undisclosed income in the
form of cash or deposits in an account with bank or post office or specified entity.
b) Declarant of undisclosed income needs to pay 30% tax, 10% penalty and 33% Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Cess on the tax, all of which add up to around 50%.
c) Besides, declarant must make mandatory deposit of 25% of undisclosed income in the
zero-interest Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan
Deposit Scheme, 2016 with lock-in period of 4
years. The income declared under it will not
be included in the total income of the
declarant under the Income-tax (IT) Act for
any assessment year.
d) Besides, declarations made under it will be
kept confidential and shall not be admissible
as evidence under any Act (ex. Wealth-tax Act,
Central Excise Act, Companies Act etc.).
However, declarant will have no immunity
under Criminal Acts under prevention of Money laundering act, Narcotics Act or for
holding benami property and smuggling offences of the Scheme.
e) Non declaration of undisclosed cash or deposit in accounts under this Scheme will render
tax, surcharge and cess totalling to 77.25% of such income, if declared in the return of
income. In case the same is not shown in the return of income a further penalty @10% of
tax shall also be levied followed by prosecution.
TOPIC: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. China planning five-fold increase in marine force
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-planning-fivefold-increase-in-
marine-force/article17457925.ece
What’s in news?
China is set to rapidly expand its marine corps and the Navy in anticipation of the
development of its Maritime Silk Road (MSR) [which is a part of China’s “One Belt, One
Road” (OBOR) initiative. The OBOR plan is a mega-connectivity initiative spanning
Eurasia], which covers the Pakistani port of Gwadar (the starting point of the China-
Pakistan Economic Corridor), and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.
It is a strategy to enhance maritime defence in the East and South China seas (hot pursuit
area- claiming territorial sovereignty), protection of China’s national security in the Korean peninsula, the country’s maritime lifelines, as well as offshore supply deports like in Djibouti and Gwadar port in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa promised that the country’s security forces were “fully prepared” to meet all security challenges to projects of the CPEC and Chinese nationals living in the country. He made these remarks during a visit to the
headquarters of the 15,000 strong Special Security Division (SSD), charged with the
security of Chinese on CPEC and non-CPEC projects.
One Belt, One Road initiative:
The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-
century Maritime Silk Road, also known as
The Belt and Road (abbreviated B&R), One
Belt, One Road (abbreviated OBOR) or the Belt
and Road Initiative is a development strategy
and framework, proposed by Chinese
paramount leader Xi Jinping that focuses on
connectivity and cooperation among
countries primarily between the People's
Republic of China and the rest of Eurasia
The strategy underlines China's push to take a
bigger role in global affairs, and its need for
priority capacity cooperation in areas such as steel manufacturing.
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor:
Under-construction $54 billion economic corridor in Pakistan, that aims to connect
Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan with Xinjiang in far-western China.
The project is a collection of various infrastructure and energy projects, and includes the
establishment of special economic zones
The corridor comprises a vast network of highways and railways to be built, spanning the
length and breadth of Pakistan in order to link seaports in Gwadar and Karachi with the
Chinese region of Xinjiang.
2. Japan to put up biggest show of force since WWII, will send largest ever
warship to South China Sea
http://www.firstpost.com/world/japan-to-put-up-biggest-show-of-force-
since-wwii-to-send-largest-ever-warship-to-south-china-sea-3332642.html
What’s in news?
Japan plans to dispatch its largest warship (Izumo)on a three-month tour through the
South China Sea ,calling it its biggest show of naval force in the region since World War
Two.
Background: China claims almost all the disputed waters and its growing military
presence has fuelled concerns in Japan and the West, with the US holding regular air
and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation.
Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei also claim parts of the sea
which has rich fishing grounds, oil and gas deposits and through which around $5
trillion of global sea-borne trade passes.
Japan does not have any claim to the waters, but has a separate maritime dispute with
China in the East China Sea.
The 249 metre-long (816.93 ft) Izumo is as large as Japan's World War Two-era carriers
and can operate up to nine helicopters. The vessel allows Japan to project military
power well beyond its territory.
3. US lawmaker wants Pakistan to be declared as state sponsor of
terrorism
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/us-lawmaker-wants-
pakistan-to-be-declared-as-state-sponsor-of-
terrorism/articleshow/57621482.cms
What’s in news?
U.S. Congressman Mr. Ted Poe has introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives
seeking a review of U.S. ties with Pakistan, given its support for terrorism.
Poe quotes-“Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and
abetted enemies of the U.S. for years. From harbouring Osama bin Laden to its cosy
relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine
whose side Pakistan is on in the war on terror. And it’s not America’s. It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a State Sponsor of
Terrorism,” Pakistan is taking money from the U.S. and at least part of that money is going to
terrorists who seek to attack America.
According to a U.S. State Department document, there are four main categories of
sanctions that will follow a state sponsor of terrorism designation — “restrictions on
U.S. foreign assistance; a ban on defence exports and sales; certain controls over exports
of dual use items; and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
Recent years has seen a sharp decline in U.S military and aid grants — from $3.5 billion in
2011 to less than $1 billion in 2016.
GS PAPER 3 RELATED
Topic: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
GM food regulator panel to draft rules on import of dried grains and
solubles
Why in news?
Concerned over any definitive guidelines around import of distiller’s dried grains with soluble (DDGS) made from genetically modified (GM) corn in the US,
The issue was discussed by the genetic engineering appraisal committee (GEAC) that
comes under the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change
(MoEFCC).
However, the GEAC noted that there are no defined guidelines in India on the subject
and recommended to constitute a sub-committee to “prepare a draft guideline with a
prescribed application format for seeking requisite information from the applicant”, while they seek permission from GEAC for import.
Importance of DDGS in US?
Most ethanol plants in the US are dry-grind facilities that use starch from corn to produce
ethanol.
The remainder of the corn kernel is used to produce a variety of wet and dry distillers
grains co-products including DDGS, which is considered an excellent ingredient for use in
animal feeds.
DDGS attracts to have high energy, mid-protein and high digestible phosphorus
content which makes it an attractive proposition against traditional and expensive options
like corn or soybean meal.
Topic: ECONOMY
1. Rising urban consumption revives ragi crop production
Key Points
Major consumer goods players have caught on to the emergence of ragi as an alternative
food, triggering production of the millet crop in India.
Ragi or finger millet was once a subsistence crop—a poor man’s staple.
The return to ragi is part of a growing health-food movement around the world. For the
Indian farmer, this is good news.
Pros and Roadblocks of Ragi cultivation
Ragi and other plants of the vast millet family are easy to grow because of their low
water requirement. This can be one of the best solutions for the increasing drought
scenario as this can act as a security of livelihood for the farmers in semi-arid region.
These are hardy crops, and so most farmers don’t add fertilizers or pesticides to them,
as is traditional.
The biggest roadblock to increasing ragi cultivation is the lack of millet mills to process
the crops.
Moreover, the area under ragi cultivation has shrunk over the decades. Ragi was
historically an important crop but with Green Revolution and government policies,
farmers moved to cultivating rice and wheat.
Geography and Economy of the crop
Karnataka, India’s largest ragi growing state, has seen a steady rise in production.
Between 2011 and 2014, ragi production in the state grew 12.7% while the total area
under ragi cultivation grew 4.1%.
Apart from Karnataka, the major ragi-cultivating states are Maharashtra, Uttarakhand,
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The supply side is so lopsided that the prices of ragi are rising.In the decade to December
2016, ragi prices increased 270% compared with a 113% rise in the wholesale price
index for all cereals, according to data from Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy.
The domestic and international export market for ragi can be worth approximately
$4.5 billion. If the policies of the government are right, given this demand, the area under
ragi cultivation can grow 30% in the next few years.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nutritional Significance
Along with oats this is one of the most nutritious food and one of the easy one to digest.
It is rich in calcium and protein and also has good amount of iron and other minerals.
It is low in fat most of which are unsaturated fats.
Promote Healthy Eating
Promote Natural Weight Loss
A good Vegan Gluten free source of Protein
Acts as a good baby food due to its rich nutrient content. This can reduce
malnutrition rate.
Importance with respect to India
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved
nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. The seed coat, embryo (germ), and the
endosperm are the main botanical components of the millet kernel.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all
at all ages
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of
terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse
land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
2. Bitcoin-based pyramid schemes flourishing in regulatory vacuum
Why in news?
Some small-time traders are taking advantage of the absence of rules governing crypto-
currencies in India by creating multi-level marketing (MLM) or pyramid-like schemes with
bitcoin as the base product.
The issue of multi-level marketing schemes is a global problem.
These MLM schemes are now gaining traction in India owing to a lack of governing
guidelines and the rapid rise in value of the crypto-currency.
What are MLM’s?
People form companies that promise lucrative returns and indeed give them for the first
few months. This is in exchange for bringing in more members under them who will buy
bitcoins and bring in newer members. This goes on till it explodes and the people lose all
their money.
Typically, a small group of people come together to develop a code that will automatically
transfer a certain percentage to users if someone in their network purchases bitcoin
and brings in new members.
Once the code is established, it becomes difficult to find out the source of this whole
operation as each user plays the victim when it collapses.
Where does Indian crypto-currency market standing presently?
There are about 20 bitcoin firms in India now from just four in 2013.
A crypto-currency is a digital currency created through encryption techniques. Bitcoin
is the most famous. Some others are: litecoin, peercoin, namecoin, ether and primecoin.
In India, most companies are associated with bitcoin. No monetary authority in the
world backs crypto-currency and most are trying to find ways to regulate the market.
DABFI—formed by the representatives of four bitcoin firms: Zebpay, SearchTrade, Unocoin
and Coin secure—is currently working on creating awareness among investors and
firms against such programs that lead to problematic transactions and mistrust
around crypto-currencies.
The idea behind a self-regulatory organization is to draft a firm policy to curb the misuse
of blockchain technology and crypto-currencies.
The fact is that the Indian crypto-currency market is not big enough for the government or
regulators to get involved right now.
RBI does not recognize bitcoin or any crypto-currency as a legitimate form of currency.
In February, the central bank put out a cautionary note warning the public of the same
and said anyone indulging in purchase or trade of crypto-currencies shall be doing so
at their own risk.
BASIC INFORMATION
What are Bitcoins?
A type of digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the
generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently
of a central bank.
4. India to host Commonwealth SME summit
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-to-host-commonwealth-
sme-summit-117031300634_1.html
Key Points:
Current Commonwealth trade turnover is around $700 bn, and target is to increase
up to $1 tn by 2020
New Delhi will most probably host a Commonwealth SME (small and medium-sized
enterprises) summit in May as the next stage in a bid by the 52-nation association to
evolve an ease of trading accord, which is aimed to be formally announced at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London next year.
The current Commonwealth trade turnover is in the region of $700 billion, and the target
is to increase this to $1 trillion by 2020.
The Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom estimates India's share of this to be
roughly $120 billion or a noteworthy 17 per cent.
The conference will be co-hosted by the London-headquartered Commonwealth Secretariat
and the Indian commerce ministry.
The pact envisaged will be far from being a free-trade agreement (FTA). It will be an
attempt to deepen and harmonise economic ties by lowering tariffs, port charges, among
other steps, to facilitate growth in the turnover.
It also re-confirmed India’s preference for a lifting of barriers, as opposed to the protectionism advocated by US President Donald Trump. This is unsurprising, since
India’s trade deficit for April-December 2016 was still a significant $76.5 billion
More than 700 Indian companies, including Tata group firms, are based in the UK and
utilise it as a staging post to sell goods and services to the 500-million-strong EU market
Commonwealth Advantage
Because we share common law, common language, common institutions and common
parliamentary structures, that has given us a de facto advantage.
5. Govt may build dedicated road corridors for electric trucks
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/BnXfK2V1wnW25f7sCnO3YN/Govt-may-build-dedicated-
road-corridors-for-electric-trucks.html
Key Points:
The development comes against the backdrop of ambitious government plans for a mass
scale shift to electric vehicles by 2030
The government is exploring a plan to reserve one lane in each national highway for the exclusive use of electric trucks.
In what may be a game changer for India’s transportation, environment and energy security needs, these trucks won’t be battery operated but powered by electricity from overhead cables on a dedicated lane.
To start with, the ministry of road transport and highways is planning a pilot project for running 50-tonne electric trucks between Delhi and Mumbai, aimed at halving the cost of transportation between the nation’s capital and the business hub. If the pilot is successful, the government will introduce it across the country.
Why it is important for India?
Any such plan will help reduce both pollution and import dependency for fuels, given India’s energy import bill of around $150 billion—expected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
India imports around 80% of its oil and 18% of its natural gas requirements. India imported 202 million tonnes of oil in 2015-16.
This comes against the backdrop of ambitious government plans for a mass scale shift to
electric vehicles by 2030 so that all vehicles on Indian roads by then—both personal and
commercial—are powered by electricity.
Topic: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Climate change and cities: Green buildings shouldn't be treated as an
option anymore
Why in news?
Firstly, climate change and cities delved into the migration, erratic urban flooding, and
near-absolute neglect of environmental-friendly measures in policy making process of
urban planning.
The following second part explains the need and persuasive solutions on erecting green
buildings in urban landscapes.
Cities, by their very nature, are energy intensive i.e. they need more supply of electricity,
water, and land.
Besides, the changing lifestyles that allow people to splurge – shopping in malls, living
in high-rises with spas, swimming pools, gyms, etc. – definitely shoots up the
requirements of essential resources like water and electricity.
For instance, the seven lakes, which have been providing water to Mumbai for over
decades, have become redundant today because the city with a total land area of 603
sq.km and a population density of 30,900 per sq.km is no longer capable of carrying the
growing population and meet even the basic requirements.
Energy-efficient green buildings, at present, account for only five percent of the total stock
in India.
Surprisingly, of all the cities, which have been selected under the smart city development
program, only Bhubaneswar – leading the Smart City list – has shown actual
commitment to make its housing infrastructure green.
Moreover, there seem to be no binding on inculcating green building aspects in the
construction sector which are presumably most resource-intensive ones.
Another important aspect is
that of wastage of available
resources.
A recent example says that the
Mumbai Metropolitan Region
has 1.71 lakh unsold
apartments which are worth a
humungous Rs 1.80 lakh crore.
Furthermore, the total water
demand as Usual scenario in
India will increase by 22
percent by 2025 and 32
percent by 2050.
But as per United Nations statistics, only 0.3 percent of fresh water is available in the
world.
With cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai already ferrying water from as far away as
200 km, they will soon have to look for their own fresh water source.
So if environmental-friendly factors are considered right from the initial building stage, we
may be able to sustain these resources.
How will green buildings help?
Green buildings efficiently use basic resources like energy, water, and electricity
reducing water wastage and pollution.
These buildings are developed considering the building layout for adequate solar
orientation and proper ventilation which in turn reduces the heat intake and
maximizes the glare-free daylight. They are also efficient in treating waste water.
However, any given building or a standalone structure is not an independent unit but is
tremendously dependent on the resources around.
The urban spaces should be crafted
considering the present as well as
the future state of resources.
Mitigating the building sector’s greenhouse gas emissions requires
integrated innovative solutions and
sustainable technologies.
For instance, Building Integrated
Photovoltaic can reduce the
electricity consumption while using
the already available building
surfaces.
Solar passive design techniques,
which can help cut down the need
for artificial ventilation, heating,
and cooling systems, can
significantly contribute to mitigating
the urban heat island effect.
In the wake of recent Montreal Protocol Amendments, this simple approach can help us
leapfrog in the direction we have committed to. If these measures are incorporated at the
unit level (considering individual structures), it would make them more responsive to
the surroundings.
The city corporations should make these climate responsive techniques invariably a
part of its bye-laws, to tame the impact of changing climate to a pronounced extent.
Green building components should be monitored and regulated irrespective of any
rating systems in cities, especially for new construction.
The city corporations should retain the ecologically sensitive zones, like salt pans,
mangroves, wetlands, lakes especially in the cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi,
where development is rampant.
Needless to say, the youth, citizens and policy makers should be positively made
aware of the urgent need of environmental issues on the sustainable development
and relevant measures.
The city and local governments can play a significant role in mainstreaming the mitigation
actions into the developmental process.
If we need our cities to be sustainable, sustainability would require mainstreaming at every
level.
It requires stringent and systematic inclusive planning. Green approaches for making
cities environment-friendly should not be treated as an option anymore.
How unplanned urban spaces and migration affect cities?
According to World Bank, nearly 6.2 billion people – 70 percent of the world’s total population – would be living in cities by 2050.
A staggering 377 million Indians are currently living in towns and cities and within 20-25
years, another 300 million people will follow suit.
The economic census of Maharashtra says that the agricultural establishment in Mumbai
has seen a decline by 58 percent whereas the non-agricultural establishment has
increased by 33 percent.
In a city like Delhi, the average decadal population growth since 1951 has been 45.8
percent, where migration accounted for more than 23 percent of the total increase in
population. It’s the same story with other metros like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Gurugram. An uncontrolled built environment, acts as a parasite surviving on the already threatened
resources.
Case study: Take the example of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai.
According to the state government’s action plan 2014-2023, over three million people are
staying on the outskirts of SGNP. The encroachment, which began in the 1970s in the
protected areas, has only been increasing with no definite control mechanisms in place.
The report states that 200 hectares of reserved forest lands of SGNP have been
encroached by about 61,000 families. This has destroyed the park’s biodiversity to an
extent that it has caused some critical environmental damages.
While the global literature is showing increasing evidence of global warming, losing out
on such eco-sensitive areas, like national parks, wetlands and so on, may only aggravate
the damage caused to the city’s microclimate.
Climate change and urban disasters
According to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) AR5 (Assessment
Report 5) Synthesis Report, climate change will increase risks like heat stress, storms
and extreme precipitation, inland and coastal flooding, landslides, air pollution, drought,
water scarcity, the rise in the sea-level and storm surges in the cities.
According to the Twelfth Five Year Plan, India loses up to 2 percent of its GDP due to
natural disasters of which floods and high winds account for 60 percent.
The nature of our built environments or urban spaces shaping our future cities also
determines our vulnerability to disasters.
Over the past two-three years, Indian cities have also experienced erratic heavy
flooding followed by urban mobility disruptions like slowing down of the railways and
traffic congestion.
In 2013, cities in the state of Uttarakhand, and Mumbai and Kolkata witnessed extreme
floods; in 2014, it was Chennai and Srinagar.
This will, in turn, affect the groundwater table recharging by throwing liters of fresh rain
water down the drains.
So utilization of resources and their management are equally important issue.
Urban Heat Island Effect
Concrete surfaces, which
form more than 60 percent
of the surface materials in
urban areas today, tend to
retain heat more than
their surrounding rural
areas due to higher
reflective surfaces.
The increase in
temperatures further
triggers the overall
temperatures making urban
areas as the island of heat, where the temperatures are 2-3 degrees higher than the
peripheral areas. This is called as Urban Heat Island Effect.
This further increases the demand for cooling systems like air conditioners eventually
escalating the energy consumption and use of greenhouse gases like
hydrofluorocarbons adding to the climate change.
Thus, protection of natural resources like water bodies, wetlands, salt pans, and
mangroves play a significant role as they have the capacity to absorb such climatic
shocks; failing which the cities would be washed away in no time.
Here's where green buildings come into the picture as they are more sustainable and can
help in retaining vital resources.
G.S Paper-3
Topic: INTERNAL SECURITY
1. Court quashes money laundering case against Janardhana Reddy
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/court-quashes-
money-laundering-case-against-janardhana-reddy/article17458462.ece
What’s in news?
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday set aside proceedings initiated by the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Reddy, his wife Lakshmi Aruna, and two mining
companies with which the duo were associated, and also against attachment of their
assets worth around ₹900 crore.
The court declared that the ED had no jurisdiction to initiate proceedings and provisionally
attaching their assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PML) Act, 2002 as
the offences, booked against them for illegal mining and transportation of ore under the
provisions of the other laws, were not declared as “scheduled offences” under the PML Act during the period in which Mr. Reddy and others allegedly committed those offences
(retrospective application is not permitted under PML).
Basic Information:
What is Money Laundering?
Money laundering is the process by which large amounts of illegally obtained is given the
appearance of having originated from a legitimate source. So basically, it involves all the
ways and means to convert the black money into white money are Money laundering.
But in Money laundering, the black money must involve a predicate crime such as the violation
of Indian Penal Code, IPC, Narcotics, Prevention of Corruption Act and Human Trafficking. This
is because in India, stashing black money is simply a civil crime involving tax evasion; money
laundering has criminal dimensions related to black money. That is why, we use the term Dirty
Money in this context.
Steps in Money Laundering: There are three different steps in money laundering described by
three terms as follows:
a) Placement of Dirty Money, generally in the form of Cash is inserted into a legitimate
financial institution.
b) Layering : Layering involves sending the money through various financial transactions to
change its form and make it difficult to follow. Layering may consist of several bank-to-
bank transfers, wire transfers between different accounts in different names in different
countries, changing the money’s currency, and purchasing high-value items to change the
form of the money.
c) Integration: At the integration stage, the money re-enters the mainstream economy in
legitimate-looking form. This may involve a final bank transfer into the account of a local
business in which the launderer is “investing” in exchange for a cut of the profits. At this point, the criminal can use the money without getting caught.
Prevention of money laundering: The first major initiative in prevention of money laundering
was United Nations convention against illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
substances in 1988. But major change came with the introduction of Financial Action Task
Force (FATF) in 1989. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body
established in 1989 by G-7 Summit in Paris, initially to examine and develop measures to
combat money laundering. The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote
effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money
laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the
international financial system. The FATF monitors the progress of its members in
implementing necessary measures, reviews money laundering and terrorist financing
techniques and counter-measures, and promotes the adoption and implementation of
appropriate measures globally.
India became member of FATF in 2010.
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) The Prevention of Money
Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) forms the core of the legal framework put in place by India to
combat money laundering. It came into force in 2005.
Objectives
The PMLA seeks to combat money laundering in India and has three main objectives:
a) To prevent and control money laundering
b) To confiscate and seize the property obtained from the laundered money; and
c) To deal with any other issue connected with money laundering in India
PMLA defines money laundering offence and provides for the freezing, seizure and confiscation
of the proceeds of crime.
Salient Features:
RBI, SEBI and IRDA have been brought under the PMLA, and therefore the provisions of
this act are applicable to all financial institutions, banks, mutual funds, insurance
companies, and their financial intermediaries.
The agency monitoring the anti-Money laundering activities in India is the Financial
Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND). This unit is responsible for receiving, processing, analysing
and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions. FIU-IND is also
responsible for coordinating and strengthening efforts of national and international
intelligence, investigation and enforcement agencies in pursuing the global efforts against
money laundering and related crimes.
FIU-IND is an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence
Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
Punishment for offence of money laundering: There can be punishment of
imprisonment upto 3-7 years with fine upto 5 lakh rupees. But in case of offences done
under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act 1985, maximum punishment is
extent to 10 years rather than 7 years.
Obligation of banking companies, financial Institutions and Intermediaries: Banking
companies have to follow the procedure of KYC Norms (Know your customer) .Maintain
records for Nature and value of the transaction to be transacted. Whether such transaction
was singly transacted or series of transaction taken place in a month. Maintain record for
a period of 10 years from the date of cessation of transaction between the clients and the
banking company or financial institution or intermediary as the case may be. Furnish
information of above transaction to director within the prescribed time. Verify and
maintain the records of identity of all clients in respect of such transactions to Director
within the prescribed time.
Special Court: Section 43 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) says that
the Central Government, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, shall, for
trial of offence punishable under PML, by notification, designate one or more Courts of
Session as Special Court or Special Courts for such area or areas or for such case or class
or group of cases as may be specified in the notification.
The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Act 2012 PMLA (Amendment) Act, 2012
has enlarged the definition of money laundering by including activities such as concealment,
acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime as criminal activities.
The amendment has introduced the concept of Corresponding law to link the provisions of
Indian law with the laws of foreign countries and to provide for transfer of the proceeds of
foreign predicate offence committed in any manner in India.
It also adds the concept of ‘reporting entity’ which would include a banking company, financial institution, intermediary or a person carrying on a designated business or
profession.
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 levied a fine up to Rs 5 lakh. The
amendment act has removed this upper limit.
The act has provided for provisional attachment and confiscation of property of any
person (for a period not exceeding 180 days). This power may be exercised by the authority
if it has reason to believe that the offence of money laundering has taken place.
The act has conferred the powers upon the Director to call for records of transactions or
any additional information that may be required for the purposes of investigation. The
Director may also make inquiries for non-compliance of the obligations of the reporting
entities.
The amended act has brought all the offences under Part A of the Schedule to ensure that
the monetary thresholds do not apply to the offence of money laundering.
Enforcement Directorate:
The Directorate General of Economic Enforcement is a law enforcement agency and
economic intelligence agency responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting
economic crime in India.
It is part of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance.
It comprises officers of the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Police Service and the Indian
Administrative Service.
Objectives:
The prime objective of the Enforcement Directorate is the enforcement of two key Acts of the
Government of India namely, the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (FEMA) and the
Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA)
ARTICLE IN NEWS:
Article 163. Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor
(1) There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise
the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is by or under this
Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.
(2) If any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the
Governor is by or under this Constitution required to act in his discretion, the decision of
the Governor in his discretion shall be final, and the validity of anything done by the
Governor shall not be called in question on the ground that he ought or ought not to
have acted in his discretion.
(3) The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the
Governor shall not be inquired into in any court.
Aricle164. Other provisions as to Ministers
(1) The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be
appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minster, and the Ministers shall hold
office during the pleasure of the Governor:
Provided that in the States of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, there shall be a Minister in
charge of tribal welfare who may in addition be in charge of the welfare of the Scheduled Castes
and backward classes or any other work.
(2) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the
State.
(3) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the Governor shall administer to him the oaths of
office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule
(4) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of the Legislature
of the State shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.
(5) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as the Legislature of the State may
from time to time by law determine and, until the Legislature of the State so determines, shall
be as specified in the Second Schedule.
Article 61:- Procedure for impeachment of the President
(1) When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution, the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament
(2) No such charge shall be preferred unless
(a) the proposal to prefer such charge is contained in a resolution which has been moved after at least fourteen days’ notice in writing signed by not less than one fourth of the total number of members of the House has been given of their intention to move the resolution, and
(b) such resolution has been passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the House
(3) When a charge has been so preferred by either House of Parliament, the other House shall investigate the charge or cause the charge to be investigated and the President shall have the right to appear and to be represented as such investigation
(4) If as a result of the investigation a resolution is passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the House by which the charge was investigated or cause to be investigated, declaring that the charge preferred against the President has been sustained, such resolution shall have the effect of removing the President from his office as from the date on which the resolution is so passed.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Which among the following agency monitors the anti –money laundering activities?
a) Financial Intelligence unit
b) Enforcement Directorate
c) Central Bureau of Intelligence
d) Reserve Bank of India.
Answer: a
Topic: Economy and Internal Security
Explanation:
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) The Prevention of Money
Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) forms the core of the legal framework put in place by India to
combat money laundering. It came into force in 2005.
Objectives
The PMLA seeks to combat money laundering in India and has three main objectives:
a) To prevent and control money laundering
b) To confiscate and seize the property obtained from the laundered money; and
c) To deal with any other issue connected with money laundering in India
PMLA defines money laundering offence and provides for the freezing, seizure and confiscation
of the proceeds of crime.
Salient Features:
RBI, SEBI and IRDA have been brought under the PMLA, and therefore the provisions of
this act are applicable to all financial institutions, banks, mutual funds, insurance
companies, and their financial intermediaries.
The agency monitoring the anti-Money laundering activities in India is the Financial
Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND). This unit is responsible for receiving, processing, analysing
and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions. FIU-IND is also
responsible for coordinating and strengthening efforts of national and international
intelligence, investigation and enforcement agencies in pursuing the global efforts against
money laundering and related crimes.
FIU-IND is an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence
Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
Punishment for offence of money laundering: There can be punishment of
imprisonment upto 3-7 years with fine upto 5 lakh rupees. But in case of offences done
under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act 1985, maximum punishment is
extent to 10 years rather than 7 years.
Obligation of banking companies, financial Institutions and Intermediaries: Banking
companies have to follow the procedure of KYC Norms (Know your customer) .Maintain
records for Nature and value of the transaction to be transacted. Whether such transaction
was singly transacted or series of transaction taken place in a month. Maintain record for
a period of 10 years from the date of cessation of transaction between the clients and the
banking company or financial institution or intermediary as the case may be. Furnish
information of above transaction to director within the prescribed time. Verify and
maintain the records of identity of all clients in respect of such transactions to Director
within the prescribed time.
2. Consider the following statements with respect to Green Building concept
1. Green Building as a concept relies on vertical gardening for both aesthetic and
environmental purpose.
2. Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) is the set of energy efficiency standards for
design and construction of any building. These standards are laid down by the Indian
Green Building Council (IGBC).
3. Green buildings are designed to reduce water wastage and pollution.
4. Green buildings are the need of the hour to fight the phenomenon of urban heat Island.
Identify the incorrect statements
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2
c) 2 and 4
d) 3 and 4
Answer: b
Topic: Environment and Geography.
Explanation:
A green building is one which uses less water, optimizes energy efficiency, conserves
natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as
compared to a conventional building. IGBC is leading green building movement in the
country.
The Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) launched the Energy Conservation
Building Code (ECBC).
The code is set for energy efficiency standards for design and construction with any
building of minimum conditioned area of 1000 Sq mts and a connected demand of power
of 500 KW or 600 KVA.
The energy performance index of the code is set from 90 kW·h/sqm/year to 200
kW·h/sqm/year where any buildings that fall under the index can be termed as "ECBC
Compliant Building”
3. Identify the correct statements with respect to the dedicated electric truck corridor
as seen in news recently
1. These trucks won’t be battery operated but powered by electricity from overhead cables on a dedicated lane.
2. These corridors will help reduce both pollution and import dependency for fuels.
Select the correct option/s
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above.
Answer: c
Topic: Infrastructure and economy
Explanation:
Facts and advantages of the project
Trucks won’t be battery operated but powered by electricity from overhead cables on a
dedicated lane.
Project for running electric trucks are aimed at halving the cost of transportation.
This will help reduce both pollution and import dependency for fuels, given India’s energy import bill of around $150 billion—expected to reach $300 billion by 2030.
This step would also reduce the logistic costs as electricity all kind are available for the
need now.
Finally this project would also help in competing Chinese products.
Q4) Consider the following statements
1. President of India can be impeached for violation of Constitution.
2. Violation of Constitution is defined in the constitution.
3. When a charge has been so preferred by either House of Parliament, the other House shall
investigate the charge or cause the charge to be investigated and the President doesn’t right to appear and to be represented as such investigation
Choose the correct answer
A. Only 1
B. 1 and 3
C. All are correct
D. Only 2
Correct answer: (A)
Topic: Polity
Level: Moderate
Explanation: Article 61:- Procedure for impeachment of the President
(1) When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution, the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament
(2) No such charge shall be preferred unless
(a) the proposal to prefer such charge is contained in a resolution which has been moved after at least fourteen days notice in writing signed by not less than one fourth of the total number of members of the House has been given of their intention to move the resolution, and
(b) Such resolution has been passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the House
(3) When a charge has been so preferred by either House of Parliament, the other House shall investigate the charge or cause the charge to be investigated and the President shall have the right to appear and to be represented as such investigation
(4) If as a result of the investigation a resolution is passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the total membership of the House by which the charge was investigated or cause to be investigated, declaring that the charge preferred against the President has been sustained, such resolution shall have the effect of removing the President from his office as from the date on which the resolution is so passed
Q5) Identify the correct statement with reference to Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
A. It is a financial Inclusion scheme.
B. It is a scheme related to poverty alleviation among rural household.
C. It is an income declaration scheme, where in black money is converted to white by paying
upto 50% as penalty.
D. None of the above.
Correct answer: (C)
Topic: scheme
Level: easy
Explanation:
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana
It is an amnesty scheme launched in December 2016 on the lines of the Income
declaration scheme, 2016 (IDS) launched earlier in the year.
A part of the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, the scheme provides an
opportunity to declare unaccounted wealth and black money in a confidential manner and
avoid prosecution after paying a fine of 50% on the undisclosed income.
An additional 25% of the undisclosed income is invested in the scheme which can be
refunded after four years
Salient features of Scheme
Declaration under it can be made by any person in respect of undisclosed income in
the form of cash or deposits in an account with bank or post office or specified entity.
Declarant of undisclosed income needs to pay 30% tax, 10% penalty and 33% Pradhan
Mantri Garib Kalyan Cess on the tax, all of which add up to around 50%.
Besides, declarant must make mandatory deposit of 25% of undisclosed income in the
zero-interest Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, 2016 with lock-in period
of 4 years. The income declared under it will not be included in the total income of the
declarant under the Income-tax (IT) Act for any assessment year.
Besides, declarations made under it will be kept confidential and shall not be
admissible as evidence under any Act (ex. Wealth-tax Act, Central Excise Act,
Companies Act etc.). However, declarant will have no immunity under Criminal Acts
under prevention of Money laundering act, Narcotics Act or for holding benami
property and smuggling offences of the Scheme.
Non declaration of undisclosed cash or deposit in accounts under this Scheme will
render tax, surcharge and cess totalling to 77.25% of such income, if declared in the
return of income. In case the same is not shown in the return of income a further
penalty @10% of tax shall also be levied followed by prosecution.
Q6) Consider the following statements:
1. In India, bitcoins are regulated by the RBI.
2. In the world, the IMF is the authority which regulates the bitcoins.
Which of the above statements is /are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None
Answer: D
Topic: Currency
Type: Factual
Difficulty: Medium
Explanation:
No monetary authority in the world backs crypto-currency and most are trying to find ways to
regulate the market.RBI does not recognize bitcoin or any crypto-currency as a legitimate form
of currency and hence do not regulate.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a white paper on crypto-currencies and
blockchain to understand them better.The government does not have any formal guidelines
governing the crypto-currency trade happening in India. In February, the central bank put out
a cautionary note warning the public of the same and said anyone indulging in purchase or
trade of crypto-currencies shall be doing so at their own risk.
Q7) Consider the following statements :
1. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the
Government of India.
2. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for the development,
maintenance and management of National Highways as well as State Highways.
Which of the above statements is/ are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None
Answer : A
Topic: Raods(Infrastructure)
Type : Factual
Difficulty : Easy
Explanation:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is an autonomous agency of the
Government of India, responsible for management of a network of over 70,000 km of National
Highways in India.It is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. NHAI
has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research
Organisation for satellite mapping of highways
The NHAI was created through the promulgation of the National Highways Authority of India
Act, 1988. In February 1995, the Authority was formally made an autonomous body. It is
responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways, totaling
over 92,851.05 km (57,694.97 mi) in length.
GS – 2 RELATED
TOPIC: POLITY
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159206
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution provided notice to all the
State Governments/UTs to make sure those companies, hotels and restaurants in their
jurisdiction with respect to the relevant provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986
on unfair trade practices.
Hotels/restaurants to display information at the appropriate place in the premises that the
“service charges” are discretionary/voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the service can have it waived off.
Consumer Protection Act, 1986, has a 3-tier quasi-judicial mechanism, called Consumer
Fora to provide for inexpensive justice to disputes.
The unfair trade practice is such act that provides for a practice which, for the purpose of
promoting the sale, use or the supply of any goods or for the provision of any service,
adopts any unfair method or deceptive practice.
2. No Aadhaar, no scholarship
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/no-aadhaar-no-
scholarship/article17464172.ece
What’s in news?
Aadhar made compulsory to receive all kind of scholarship that government provides to
encourage middle school students to pursue career in science, collegians to opt for basic
science research and women to return to labs after a break in career- DISHA Programme,
INSPIRE Award, INSPIRE Scholarship, INSPIRE Internship, INSPIRE Fellowship and
INSPIRE Faculty.
Supreme Court verdict regarding linkage of Aadhar
Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, led by former Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu -
use of the Aadhaar card was purely voluntary and not mandatory.
But Supreme Court is yet to rule on whether the Aadhar scheme is an invasion of a
citizen’s right to privacy, it has only allowed it to be used for subsidies under the public distribution system and for distributing LPG cylinders.
3. SC allows Goa swearing-in, orders Thursday floor test
http://www.thehindu.com/elections/goa-2017/sc-allows-goa-swearing-in-orders-
thursday-floor-test/article17463467.ece
What was in news?
Recently assembly elections were held in Goa (40 seats)- BJP won 13seats, INC(Indian
National Congress)– 17 seats respectively.
INC contention: A writ petition was filed in Supreme Court to hear an urgent writ petition
filed by the Congress party challenging the “blatantly unconstitutional action” of Goa State Governor Mridula Sinha to invite Goa BJP legislature party leader Manohar
Parrikar as Chief Minister of the State.
Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar agreed to set up a Special Bench and hear the petition .
The petition said that the Supreme Court as the “sentinel” of constitutional norms and values should intervene and strike down the decisions taken by a Governor in her
discretionary capacity if they are found to be arbitrary.
The Supreme Court informed Governor Mridula Sinha to hold a floor test on March 16th in
the Assembly for parties to prove their majority.
Basic information:
Floor test - generally means test of majority in the state assemblies or in Lok Sabha,
indicating that one has got full support of its party or coalition party to form the
government. Floor test is a judicial innovation introduced in the Bommai case where SC
restricted the misuse of Article-356 of the constitution.
Article 356. Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in State
(1) If the President, on receipt of report from the Governor of the State or otherwise, is satisfied
that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, the President may be Proclamation
(a) assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State and all or any
of the powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or anybody or authority in the State
other than the Legislature of the State;
(b) declare that the powers of the Legislature of the State shall be exercisable by or under the
authority of Parliament;
(c) make such incidental and consequential provisions as appear to the president to be
necessary or desirable for giving effect to the objects of the Proclamation, including provisions
for suspending in whole or in part the operation of any provisions of this constitution relating
to anybody or authority in the State Provided that nothing in this clause shall authorize the
President to assume to himself any of the powers vested in or exercisable by a High Court, or to
suspend in whole or in part the operation of any provision of this Constitution relating to High
Courts
(2) Any such Proclamation may be revoked or varied by a subsequent Proclamation
(3) Every Proclamation issued under this article except where it is a Proclamation revoking a
previous Proclamation, cease to operate at the expiration of two months unless before the
expiration of that period it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament
Provided that if any such Proclamation (not being a Proclamation revoking a previous
Proclamation) is issued at a time when the House of the People is dissolved or the dissolution
of the House of the People takes place during the period of two months referred to in this
clause, and if a resolution approving the Proclamation has been passed by the Council of
States, but no resolution with respect to such Proclamation has been passed by the House of
the People before the expiration of that period, the Proclamation Shall cease to operate at the
expiration of thirty days from the date on which the House of the People first sits after its
reconstitution unless before the expiration of the said period of thirty days a resolution
approving the Proclamation has been also passed by the House of the People
(4) A Proclamation so approved shall, unless revoked, cease to operate on the expiration of a
period of six months from the date of issue of the Proclamation: Provided that if and so often as
a resolution approving the continuance in force of such a Proclamation is passed by both
Houses of Parliament, the Proclamation shall, unless revoked, continue in force for a further
period of six months from the date on which under this clause it would otherwise have ceased
to operating, but no such Proclamation shall in any case remain in force for more than three
years: Provided further that if the dissolution of the House of the People takes place during any
such period of six months and a resolution approving the continuance in force of such
Proclamation has been passed by the Council of States, but no resolution with respect to the
continuance in force of such Proclamation has been passed by the House of the People during
the said period, the Proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of thirty days from the
date on which the House of the People first sits after its reconstitution unless before the
expiration of the said period of thirty days a resolution approving the continuance in force of
the Proclamation has been also passed by the House of the People
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (4), a resolution with respect to the
continuance in force of a Proclamation approved under clause (3) for any period beyond the
expiration of one year from the date of issue of such proclamation shall not be passed by either
House of Parliament unless
(a) a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, in the whole of India or, as the case may be, in
the whole or any part of the State, at the time of the passing of such resolution, and
(b) the Election Commission certifies that the continuance in force of the Proclamation
approved under clause (3) during the period specified in such resolution is necessary on
account of difficulties in holding general elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State
concerned.
TOPIC: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Major portion of Indo-Bangla border fenced, says Minister
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/major-portion-of-indo-
bangla-border-fenced-says-minister/article17463910.ece
What’s in news?
Out of the sanctioned 3,326 Km long fence project along India-Bangladesh border,
a major portion of about 2,731 Km long fencing has been completed.
Multi-pronged approach has been adopted for security arrangements at the Indo-
Pakistan border. These includes
a) Deployment of Border Security Force personnel
b) Construction of border fence and border roads
c) Installation of floodlights
d) Introduction of hi-tech surveillance equipment, providing weapons and specialized
vehicles to security forces.
GS – 3 RELATED
TOPIC: ECONOMY
1. Krishi Unnati Mela 2017
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mainpage.aspx
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) organizing Krishi Vigyan Mela (Agriculture
Science Fair) displays the developments in agricultural research.
It is highly very valuable annual event for getting feedback from the farmers.
In 2017, Krishi Unnati Mela 2017 will be held from 15-17 March at the Indian Agricultural
Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
Highlights of the Mela
Digitization in agriculture
Organic farming
Agribusiness models
Precision farming
Skill building and entrepreneurship development
Live demonstrations on production technologies of crops, horticulture, Integrated Farming
System, Protected cultivation
Farmers’ visits to experimental fields of IARI Water use efficient technology: micro irrigation and sensor based irrigation system
Recycling of waste water for agriculture
Display and sale of various products (farm equipments, quality planting materials, bio-
fertilisers, agro-chemicals, innovative farmers' products) and machinery
On-spot Soil and water testing
KisanGosthi
Recognition of Innovative farmer
Farmers book stalls to exhibit agriculture technologies, products and services.
Technical Session:
These technical sessions are planned to bring awareness in farmers on various agricultural
technologies and Government schemes for agricultural development.
A Women empowerment workshop will be organized to sensitize farm women on their
rights.
Prime Minister launched a Mobile App Kisan Suvidha for providing various farmer friendly
services.
2. Venture Capital Fund Scheme for SC Entrepreneurs
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159206
Government came up with ‘Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes’ This scheme is to support Banks and Financial Institutions who provide financial help to SC
entrepreneurs and bring on economic and inclusive development of SC entrepreneurs.
“Stand-up India Scheme” also promotes entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women. The SC/ST Hub provides professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs to initiate participation
in public procurement policy.
National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) is incharge of
various credit based schemes for business ventures of SC beneficiaries.
3. ‘International Vision Zero Conference’ on Occupational, Safety and Health http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159206
International Conference on VISION ZERO.
It is relevant to Occupational Safety and Health.
This will be held from 15th to 17th, March 2017 in New Delhi.
Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV),
Germany in collaboration with International Social Security Association - Manufacturing, Construction and Mining this event will be organised.
The ‘Vision Zero’ can bring major changes in the steps of the Government of India to bring about the occupational safety and health standards in the country.
This in turn improves the occupational safety and situation of general physical condition.
Various sectors and participants across variety of industries will be benefitted by the platform given by the conference
It is through sharing of best practices both nationally and internationally.
On the other hand, the international community will get an exposure to Indian industrial occupational safety and health conditions to the international community.
The conference promises safety and health at work that will be exchanging knowledge, practices and experience.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment started international collaborations to increase the labour standards in the country.
The conference is of much important to bring about sustainable economic progress, in
pace with the fast changing needs of safety, health and environment.
4. Meity says Apple tax sops proposal not feasible
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/meity-says-apple-tax-sops-proposal-not-
feasible/article17462773.ece
Why in news?
Apple’s plans to Make in India may get delayed with the Ministry of Electronics and IT
stating that it “may not be feasible” to grant the US-based technology major exemptions
from certain duties that it has sought.
Apple is seeking an exemption from Phased Manufacturing Programme, which means that
chargers, batteries and headphones for manufacture of Apple phones be exempted from
basic custom duty (BCD)and countervailing duty (CVD), which may not be feasible
Present Scenario:
Presently, all inputs for manufacture of mobile handsets, except chargers, batteries and
headphones, are exempted from BCD and CVD.
Why Apple asked for exemption?
Since Apple does not intend to source its components locally, it had asked for removal of
all forms of duties pre and post GST on completely knocked down and semi-knocked down
units of its iPhones that will be assembled in India.
Countervailing Duty:
Tariffs levied on imported goods to offset subsidies made to producers of these goods in the
exporting country.
Countervailing duties (CVD) are meant to level the playing field between domestic
producers of a product and foreign producers of the same product who can afford to sell it
at a lower price because of the subsidy they receive from their government.
5. India to take up food security with WTO chief
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-to-take-up-food-security-with-wto-chief/articleshow/57639435.cms
Background:
India will press for expediting negotiations on grain stockholding to discuss food security
and easing cross-border movement of professionals amid rising protectionism.
Agriculture, especially food security, is on the agenda. With the Trade Facilitation
Agreement on goods coming into force, some momentum has to be created for food security
Key Issues of Developing World (including India):
The developing world’s food security concerns have remained unresolved from the Doha Round and were part of both Bali and Nairobi ministerial meetings. Easing services trade
is a relatively recent subject which India is spearheading.
However, developed countries haven't been forthcoming in finding a permanent solution to
the problem. The issue needs a fillip to get placed in the agenda of the General Council,
the apex decision making body of the WTO.
6. Investment facilitation, e-commerce to top BRICS meet agenda
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/investment-facilitation-e-commerce-to-top-
brics-meet-agenda/article17462719.ece
Why in news?
BRICS nations will soon consider a proposal to frame ‘guiding principles’ for investment policymaking to boost investment flows into Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa as well as take steps to promote e-commerce among the five leading emerging
economies.
China’s proposal:
China wants to push ‘investment facilitation’ and ‘e-commerce’–related issues.
China has also been at the forefront of a proposal for a global pact on ‘investment facilitation and promotion’ at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)-level, and is making
efforts to ensure that the proposal on a global investment pact gains traction before the
WTO Ministerial Conference (MC) meeting in December 2017 in Buenos Aires
(Argentina).
India’s Concern:
India had recently rejected a proposal by the European Union and Canada at the WTO-
level for a global investment pact that incorporates the contentious Investor-State
Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism.
What is Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism?
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) or investment court system (ICS) is a system
through which individual companies can sue countries for alleged discriminatory
practices.
The ISDS mechanism allows firms to drag governments to international arbitration
without waiting to exhaust the available local remedies and seek huge compensation
citing ‘losses’ they incur due to reasons, including policy changes.
TOPIC: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
1. On computing ability, rural India is lost in the woods
http://www.thehindu.com/data/on-computing-ability-rural-india-is-lost-in-the-
woods/article17463258.ece
What’s in news?
Recent survey conducted by National Sample Survey Office(NSSO) reveals the
fact that computing ability remains low in the country in spite of government
efforts to boost digitalization.
Statistical Data
Class Computing ability percentage
Rural 8.8%
Urban 30.2%
Use of smart gadgets determines the computing ability of masses and in no way
computing ability is linked to digital infrastructure or internet penetration.
State wise computation reveals the fact that, Kerala with 32.3% computing ability
among rural masses, whereas Chhattisgarh with only 2.9% computing ability
among rural masses is at the bottom.
Among urban masses, Kerala stands at second position, after Delhi. Tamil Nadu
and Punjab are in the middle of the table.
Computing ability among Tribal population is the least.
When it comes to the access to clean cooking fuel (gas, electricity or kerosene)
there exist a wide gap between rural and Urban consumption.
Class Computing ability percentage
Rural 14.9%
Urban 76.4%
TOPIC: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Cruise ship damages coral reef:
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/cruise-ship-damages-coral-
reef/article17464100.ece
What’s in news?
Pristine coral reefs damaged by a British-owned ship in a remote corner of
Indonesia
Area (Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia) known for one of the world’s most biodiverse marine habitats
2. Glow-in-the-dark frog found in Argentina
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/glow-in-the-dark-
frog-found-in-argentina/article17462819.ece
What’s in news?
World’s first fluorescent frog found in
Argentina - polka dot tree frog.
Under normal light- Sports a muted palette of
greens, yellows and reds ,in the dark gives off
a bright blue and green glow.
What is fluorescence?
The ability to absorb light at short
wavelengths and re-emit it at longer
wavelengths is called fluorescence
Fluoroscence phenomenon is rare among terrestrial animals. It was unheard of in
amphibians.
Many ocean creatures exhibit fluorescence - corals, fish, sharks and one species
of sea turtle. On land, fluorescence was previously known in only parrots and
some scorpions.
Biliverdin pigment is responsible for red fluoroscence in polka frogs.
ARTICLE IN NEWS:
Article 356. Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in State
(1) If the President, on receipt of report from the Governor of the State or otherwise, is
satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be
carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, the President may be
Proclamation
(a) assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State and all
or any of the powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or anybody or authority
in the State other than the Legislature of the State.
(b) declare that the powers of the Legislature of the State shall be exercisable by or
under the authority of Parliament;
(c) make such incidental and consequential provisions as appear to the president to be
necessary or desirable for giving effect to the objects of the Proclamation, including
provisions for suspending in whole or in part the operation of any provisions of this
constitution relating to anybody or authority in the State Provided that nothing in this
clause shall authorize the President to assume to himself any of the powers vested in
or exercisable by a High Court, or to suspend in whole or in part the operation of any
provision of this Constitution relating to High Courts
(2) Any such Proclamation may be revoked or varied by a subsequent Proclamation
(3) Every Proclamation issued under this article except where it is a Proclamation
revoking a previous Proclamation, cease to operate at the expiration of two months
unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by resolutions of both
Houses of Parliament Provided that if any such Proclamation (not being a
Proclamation revoking a previous Proclamation) is issued at a time when the House of
the People is dissolved or the dissolution of the House of the People takes place during
the period of two months referred to in this clause, and if a resolution approving the
Proclamation has been passed by the Council of States, but no resolution with respect
to such Proclamation has been passed by the House of the People before the expiration
of that period, the Proclamation Shall cease to operate at the expiration of thirty days
from the date on which the House of the People first sits after its reconstitution unless
before the expiration of the said period of thirty days a resolution approving the
Proclamation has been also passed by the House of the People
(4) A Proclamation so approved shall, unless revoked, cease to operate on the
expiration of a period of six months from the date of issue of the Proclamation:
Provided that if and so often as a resolution approving the continuance in force of
such a Proclamation is passed by both Houses of Parliament, the Proclamation shall,
unless revoked, continue in force for a further period of six months from the date on
which under this clause it would otherwise have ceased to operating, but no such
Proclamation shall in any case remain in force for more than three years: Provided
further that if the dissolution of the House of the People takes place during any such
period of six months and a resolution approving the continuance in force of such
Proclamation has been passed by the Council of States, but no resolution with respect
to the continuance in force of such Proclamation has been passed by the House of the
People during the said period, the Proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration
of thirty days from the date on which the House of the People first sits after its
reconstitution unless before the expiration of the said period of thirty days a resolution
approving the continuance in force of the Proclamation has been also passed by the
House of the People
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (4), a resolution with respect to the
continuance in force of a Proclamation approved under clause (3) for any period
beyond the expiration of one year from the date of issue of such proclamation shall not
be passed by either House of Parliament unless
(a) a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, in the whole of India or, as the case
may be, in the whole or any part of the State, at the time of the passing of such
resolution, and
(b) the Election Commission certifies that the continuance in force of the Proclamation
approved under clause (3) during the period specified in such resolution is necessary
on account of difficulties in holding general elections to the Legislative Assembly of the
State concerned.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Vision Zero Conference is an initiative about
a) Women safety
b) Occupational Safety
c) Animal Rights and safety
d) Nuclear safety
Answer: b
Topic: Labour welfare
Explanation: International Conference on VISION ZERO.
It is relevant to Occupational Safety and Health.
2. Consider the following statements with respect to Kisansuvidha app recently seen in news
1. It is an app launched by Tata Services to provide farm related information to the
peasants.
2. App connects directly to Kisan call center for agricultural information.
Identify the correct statements
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above
Answer: b
Topic: Agriculture and its government initiatives.
Explanation:
Kisan Suvidha app for farmers to provide agricultural relevant basic information by
government of India
App connects directly to Kisan call center for agricultural information.
3. Identify the correct statement
1. Raja Ampat is known for one of the world’s most biodiverse marine habitats.
2. Raja Ampat lies in eastern part of Indonesia group of archipelago.
Choose the correct statement
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: C
Topic: Environment and Ecology’
Level: Moderate.
Explanation: Area (Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia) known for one of the world’s most biodiverse marine habitats.
Q4) Consider the following statement with reference to Polka dot tree frog which was in news
recently.
1. It is native to North American continent
2. It is known for its fluoroscene phenomenon.
Choose the correct statement
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: B
Topic: Environment and Ecology’
Level: Moderate.
Explanation: World’s first fluorescent frog found in Argentina - polka dot tree frog.
Under normal light- Sports a muted palette of greens, yellows and reds, in the dark gives off a
bright blue and green glow.
Q5) Consider the statements about WTO:
1. The highest decision-making body of the WTO is the Ministerial Conference, which usually
meets every two years.
2. The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization which regulates
international trade.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None
Answer: C
Topic: International Bodies
Type: Factual
Difficulty: Medium
Explanation:
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization which regulates
international trade. The WTO officially commenced on January 1995 under the Marrakesh
Agreement, signed by 123 nations on 15 April 1994, replacing the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which commenced in 1948. The WTO deals with regulation of trade
between participating countries by providing a framework for negotiating trade agreements and
a dispute resolution process aimed at enforcing participants' adherence to WTO agreements,
which are signed by representatives of member governments and ratified by their parliaments.
Most of the issues that the WTO focuses on derive from previous trade negotiations, especially
from the Uruguay Round (1986–1994).
Q6) Consider the statements :
1. The 2016 BRICS summit was the eighth annual BRICS summit, held in India.
2. The next summit will be hosted by China.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None
Answer: C
Topic: International grouping
Type: Factual
Difficulty: Medium
Explanation:
The 2016 BRICS summit was the eighth annual BRICS summit, an international relations
conference attended by the heads of country or heads of government of the five member
countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The summit was held from 15 to 16
October 2016 at the Taj Exotica hotel in Benaulim, Goa, India. India holds the chair of the
BRICS from February 2016 to December 2016.
G.S. PAPER -2
TOPIC: POLITY
1. Voting machines are foolproof, says expert
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/voting-machines-are-foolproof-says-
expert/article17468732.ece
What’s in news?
Electronic Voting Machines are tamper proof says C-DAC Director-General Rajat Moona,
who is part of the Technical Expert Committee on EVMs.
EVMs do not have any communication device, no antenna and therefore, any device from
outside cannot be connected to them wirelessly.
Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, manufactures
EVM’s. It is impossible to hack the device since the software for the main control unit is in Read-
Only Memory.
Basic information:
Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
Government of India Enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (India)
Aim- create a strong indigenous base in electronics.
ECIL is a multi-product, multi-disciplinary organization with focus on indigenous Nuclear
energy, space and Defence sectors.
2. A lost opportunity
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-lost-
opportunity/article17468244.ece
What’s in news?
Parliament cleared Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill on International women’s day.
The bill seeks to enhance the paid maternity leave for the women working in the
organized sector.
The gender ratio in corporate India is already highly lopsided.
As per the report “From Intention to Impact”, published by Catalyst in 2015, women accounted for only 21% of the jobs at entry level to managerial position.
Critics:
Burden-Enhanced extension of pay leave leads to added costs of hiring young
fertile women which results in much fewer women getting employment opportunity
in corporate sector.
Productivity: Absentee employee work is borne by other employees of
organization thus the overall productivity of team reduces.
Proactive government: In India maternity costs are entirely borne by the
companies where at least a part of it is borne by the government in progressive
countries.
More quitters-Number of women who quit their jobs between junior and middle
levels is 50% compared to the average of 29% in Asia. Indicates the fact that
women fail to resume their job after receiving maternity benefits from their
respective companies.
Lack of Gender parity-No role for fathers as a parent is included in the bill as it
burdens women with all parental responsibilities.
3. Bigger role for PHCs in health policy
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/4SDLtN2aQYGIyLKlMc4WVN/Union-Cabinet-
approves-National-Health-Policy.html
What’s in news?
The government approved the National Health Policy (which was under
consideration from past two years).
Aim:
a) To provide “Assured health services to all” in the country as an entitlement (the fact of having a right to something).
b) The Primary Health Centre (PHC) to cover more sectors under and adapt a
comprehensive approach. For example, the PHCs supported only immunization,
ante-natal check-ups and others. A major policy shift is that now it will also
include screening for non-communicable diseases and a whole lot of other aspects
c) Upgrade of hospitals- more focus on district hospitals.
4. MoP may have security clause
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mop-may-have-
security-clause/article17469521.ece
What’s in news?
“National security” clause – gives power to the government to reject a name
recommended by the Collegium regarding appointment of judges.
Government wants this clause to be included in the draft Memorandum Of
Procedure (MoP) for the appointment of judges.
The Supreme Court of India has now changed its mind, to include this in the MoP,
provided that the government revert to the Collegium with specific and
detailed objections against a name under the national security clause.
Since August 2016 no progress was made in resolving drafting the final MoP with
respect to appointment of judges. But Pendency of MoP would not stand in the
way of judicial appointments.
5. ‘Disallow lawmakers from practising other professions’ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/disallow-lawmakers-from-
practising-other-professions/article17469520.ece
What’s in news?
Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay file a petition in Supreme court seeking to ban
legislators from practising other professions, including as advocates. This practice
is immoral and unethical.
Petitioner contention:
a) There are restrictions imposed on public servants and judges against engaging in
other jobs, the same thing needs to be applied to lawmakers also.
b) Conflict of interest:- Many lawmakers who are bound by constitutional duties also
hold corporate retainership and defend their lawbreaker clients in courts.
c) In order to curb corruption the need of the hour id to have a uniform policy
relating to conflict of interest and restricting legislators to practice other
profession.
Rule 49 of the Bar Council of India Rules: 'standards of professional conduct and
etiquette': An Advocate shall not be a full-time salaried employee of any person,
government, firm, corporation or concern, so long as he continues to practise and
shall, on taking up any such employment intimate the fact to the Bar Council on
whose rolls his name appears, and shall thereupon cease to practise as an Advocate
so long as he continues in such employment.
TOPIC: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
3. Crimes of apartheid
UN report to strengthen the global consensus against Israeli policy
Apartheid is a powerful word, with implications of crimes against humanity.
Very rarely such terms enter UN reports, but now, in a report released on March 15, the
UN proclaimed that Israel ‘is guilty of the crime of apartheid’. In 2015, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
was charged by its eighteen Arab member states (West Asia and North Africa) – to enquire
whether Israel has laid foundation for an apartheid regime.
The recent report that is produced makes the ‘grave charge’ that Israel is guilty of apartheid not only in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem — the Occupied Territory
— but also within its own boundaries and against the Palestinian refugees.
End of two state consensus?
Mr. Trump seemed to disapprove the international consensus towards the creation of
two states.
The Israeli government’s illegal settlements in the West Bank and its annexation of
East Jerusalem makes it herculean task to imagine the birth of Palestine in that
region.
Israel exercises its dominion in the entire land west of the Jordan River, but with the
apartheid system over the Palestinians.
Reason why the Israeli government is unwilling to consider a one-state solution?
Equal rights for all Israelis and Palestinians are what they call a ‘demographic threat’. If the 12 million Palestinians — exiles and refugees included — would be citizens of this
one-state, then they would dwarf the six million Jews in the country.
The UN report argues that techniques of suppression and expulsion by the Jewish
nation make the Israel “racial regime”.
Gross discrimination
Palestinians who hold Israeli citizenship lack the right to nationality, which means
that they can only access inferior social services, face restrictive zoning laws, and find
themselves unable freely to buy land.
Palestinians in East Jerusalem are to prove regularly that they live in the city and that
they do not have any political ambitions. This in ways amounts to apartheid system.
And the exiled into Lebanon, Syria and Jordan have absolutely lost rights to their
homeland.
For example, the latest law — the Muezzin Bill — imposes limits on the Muslim call to
prayer in Israel and East Jerusalem.
Gist of the lines from Israeli rule book Article 7(a) prohibits any political party from
considering a challenge to the State’s Jewish character. Palestinians voting rights are reduced to merely an affirmation of their subordination; this
seems to work as second class citizens.
‘An analogy would be a system in which slaves have the right to vote but not against slavery’. This statement is from the UN report.
Most of the world’s states have signed the Convention against Apartheid, hence they have
to act to punish instances of apartheid.
Two recommendations from the report:
1. Report asks the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the situation in Israel.
2. The ICC’s Prosecutor’s investigation on Israel’s 2014 bombing of Gaza and on the
illegal settlements in the West Bank was also considered.
Report asks that member states to allow ‘criminal prosecutions of Israeli officials demonstrably connected with the practices of apartheid against the Palestinian people’.
UN Security Council last year declared that Israel’s settlements in the Occupied Territories were illegal which led to worrisome situation in Israel.
If the crime is acknowledged by the Israel as an apartheid state, then this is tantamount to
war crime (in the 1977 Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions) and to a crime
against humanity (in the 1973 Apartheid Convention and the 1998 Rome Statute of the
ICC).
India’s reaction
India’s reaction to this UN report will define Mr. Modi’s attitude towards Israel.
Will India take leadership in upholding international law as it did in the fight against
South African apartheid or will India back away from high principle and settle for arms
deals and empty rhetoric?
India, Pak’s SCO entry will boost regional stability: Global Times
This step may boost bilateral cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and anti-
terrorism efforts.
India and Pakistan are supposed to be admitted into the six-member SCO during its next
summit to be held at Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
India and Pakistan will need to sign a number of documents and pledge to perform in
accordance with the SCO laws, including the SCO Member States Agreement on Border
Defence Cooperation that was signed in 2015 as step towards being [part of SCO.
Both India and Pakistan will have to adhere to the principle and basic framework under
the SCO to strengthen security and anti-terrorism cooperation.
SCO is likely to provide a fresh platform for the two nations to gradually resolve disputes
Counter-terror issues
The SCO focuses mostly on security related issues like counter-terrorism cooperation in
Central Asia.
Member states of SCO China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
as full members.
Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.
Its 2015 summit in Ufa, Russia, the SCO formally adopted a resolution which started the
procedures to admit India and Pakistan into the grouping.
The entry of the two nations into the SCO is to bring in the stability and security of the
region, thus boosting economic growth and speeding up regional economic integration
through the South Asia’s highway network construction.
CPEC
Improving Pakistan’s transportation infrastructure is a major aspect of the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The entry of Pakistan and India into the SCO will lead to the development of the CPEC.
GS PAPER 3
TOPIC: ECONOMY
1. Bad loans slowing, remain a challenge
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/bad-loans-slowing-remain-a-
challenge/article17469356.ece
Why in news?
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the resolution of banks’ non-performing assets
(NPAs) remained a challenge even though the rate of increase of such bad loans had
slowed in the last quarter of the current financial year.
What is Bad Bank?
A bank set up to buy the bad loans of a bank with significant nonperforming assets at
market price.
By transferring the bad assets of an institution to the bad bank, the banks clear their
balance sheet of toxic assets but would be forced to take write downs.
Shareholders and bondholders stand to lose money from this solution (but not depositors).
Banks that become insolvent as a result of the process can be recapitalized, nationalized
or liquidated.
Key Points:
The core problem of NPAs is with large corporates in steel, power, infra and textile sectors
Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Arvind Subramanian had floated the idea of a ‘bad bank’ to take over stressed assets in the Economic Survey for 2016-17.
Way Out:
It should be multi-dimensional.
Apart from the regular guidelines released by the RBI, to strengthen further the recovery of dues by banks and financial institutions, Government of India promulgated: The Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993, The Securitization Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002, Debt Recovery Tribunals and various other things.
2. Banks against farm loan waiver in U.P.
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/banks-against-farm-loan-waiver-in-up/article17468106.ece
Why in news?
Bankers are planning to write to the finance ministry against a proposal for waiving farm loans in Uttar Pradesh as promised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the polls.
Key Points:
U.P. ranks third in India in terms of agricultural credit exposure, so the magnitude of the problem is large.
The state has a 9.3% market share in agricultural credit and about 45% of its total exposure is in the rural areas.
Such schemes disturb credit discipline and raises hope for more waiver by other states.
3. Exports climb for a sixth straight month
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/exports-climb-for-a-sixth-straight-month/article17469365.ece
Why in news?
India’s goods exports rose for a sixth consecutive month in February even as the trade deficit widened due to a jump in the value of imports of gold and oil.
What is trade deficit?
A trade deficit, which is also referred to as net exports, is an economic condition that occurs
when a country is importing more goods than it is exporting. The deficit equals the value of
goods being imported minus the value of goods being exported, and it is given in the currency
of the country in question.
Effects of a Trade Deficit
Initially, a trade deficit is not a bad thing. It raises a country's standard of living. Its residents
have access to a wider variety of goods and services for a more competitive price. It reduces the
threat of inflation, since it creates lower prices. A trade deficit indicates that the country's
residents are feeling confident and wealthy enough to buy more than the country produces.
TOPIC: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India hosts world’s oldest algae fossil
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-hosts-worlds-oldest-algae-
fossil/article17468090.ece
What’s in news?
1.6 billion-year-old fossils that appear
to contain red algae in an old
phosphorite, a kind of rock, found in
Chitrakoot region in Uttar Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh discovered by
Scientist. This may be the oldest plant-
like life discovered on Earth.
The oldest known red algae till now
discovered was 1.2 billion years old.
Scientists used x-rays to observe
regularly recurring platelets in each cell, which they believe are parts of
chloroplasts, the organelles within plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.
Basic information:
Phosphorite rock: Phosphorite, phosphate rock or rock phosphate is a non-
detrital sedimentary rock which contains high amounts of phosphate bearing
minerals.
TOPIC: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Crop burning: NGT seeks action plan from five States
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/crop-burning-ngt-seeks-action-
plan-from-five-states/article17468910.ece
Background Information:
a) The National Green Tribunal, has fixed environment compensation amounts per
incident of crop burning to be paid by small land owners having less than two
acres of land at ₹2,500, medium land owners holding over two acres and less than
five acres at ₹5,000 and those owning over five acres at ₹15,000.
b) NGT has strictly directed the state governments to take coercive and punitive
action against persistent defaulters of crop residue burning and asked them to
withdraw the assistance provided to such farmers.
Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan governments had issued
notifications prohibiting crop residue burning.
Directions issued by Green Panel to these five state involves-
Proper Crop residue burning practice should be strictly prohibited and properly
monitored.
To inform about the action plan to prevent pollution from crop burning after
the harvesting season-state how the field staff of the departments concerned
and the state pollution control boards are going to control pollution caused by
crop residue burning.
National Green Tribunal
Statutory body established by Government under the aegis of the NGT Act 2010.
It draws inspiration from the India's constitutional provision of Article 21, which
assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.
It replaced the National Environment Appellate Authority.
Objectives:
a) To provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental
protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including
enforcement of any legal right relating to environment.
b) Giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property Other
Related Matters.
Composition:
a) The tribunal shall consist of a full time chairperson, judicial members and expert
members.
b) Judge of the Supreme Court of India or Chief Justice of High Court are eligible to
be Chairperson or judicial member of the Tribunal. Even existing or retired judge
of High Court is qualified to be appointed as a Judicial Member
Appointment:
a) Chairperson of NGT is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with
the Chief Justice of India.
b) Judicial Members and Expert Members ofthe Tribunal are appointed on the
recommendations of such Selection Committee.
c) Chairperson, Judicial Member and Expert Member hold office for 5 years.
Maximum age of the chairman 70 years if he has been a Supreme Court Judge
and 67 years, if he has been a high court judge.
Jurisdiction: The National Green Tribunal has jurisdiction over all civil cases where a
substantial question relating to environment (including enforcement of any legal right
relating to environment), is involved and such question arises out of the
implementation of the enactments specified in Schedule I of the National Green
Tribunal Act 2010.
The acts listed in Schedule 1 are:
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; The Water Cess Act,
1977;
The Forest (Conservation) Act,
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981;
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
It would deal with all environmental laws on air and water pollution, the
Environment Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act and the Biodiversity Act.
SECURITY ISSUES
1. All’s fair in war on terror: Israeli MP
“No fair play with terrorists”.
To avoid casualties among security forces a country has to use all tools to crack down
on terrorists.
The quantum of force in fighting terrorists has been an issue of much debate in India.
The Indian Army has a high Churn rate in its counter-terror operations which has
increased steadily in recent past.
Mostly the security forces tend to lose personnel in the initial firing by terrorists.
Referring to such instances and suggested use of heavy force as long as civilians were
not around. However, with a caution to stick to rules.
Countries need to be connected as they cooperated and generously shared information
and at the same time obeyed the law as it is written and this would be the success step
to win over the terrorists.
With both India and Israel being victims of terrorism, counter-terror cooperation has been
among the top priority for the larger security cooperation.
The threat of the Islamic State (IS) spreading sharply in India, emphasizes on both sides
to expand the cooperation.
India stands against the differentiation of good and bad terrorists.
India called upon the world community to support India’s proposal at the United Nations for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
India had first proposed the CCIT at the UN in 1996.
India made a strong pitch for a common definition as well as a global convention on
terrorism.
The nature of terrorism is constantly changing in the backdrop of technology and social
media.
Despite dearth in cooperation among the international community and there was no
common definition of terrorism.
What is Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism?
Definition
The Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is a proposed treaty which
intends to criminalize all forms of international terrorism and deny terrorists, their
financiers and supporters access to funds, arms, and safe havens.
Currently, the negotiations of the Comprehensive Terrorism Convention are deadlocked
because of differences over the definition of terrorism.
The definition of the crime of terrorism which has been on the negotiating table of the
Comprehensive Convention since 2002 reads as follows:
"Any person commits an offence within the meaning of this Convention if that
person, by any means, unlawfully and intentionally, causes:
Death or serious bodily injury to any person; or
Serious damage to public or private property, including a place of public use, a State
or government facility, a public transportation system, an infrastructure facility or the
environment; or
Damage to property, places, facilities, or systems resulting or likely to result in major
economic loss, when the purpose of the conduct, by its nature or context, is to
intimidate a population, or to compel a Government or an international organization to
do or abstain from doing any act."
The coordinator of the negotiations, supported by most western delegations, proposed
the following exceptions to address those issues:
1. Nothing in this Convention shall affect other rights, obligations and
responsibilities of States, peoples and individuals under international law, in
particular the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and
international humanitarian law.
2. The activities of armed forces during an armed conflict, as those terms are
understood under international humanitarian law, which are governed by that law,
are not governed by this Convention.
3. The activities undertaken by the military forces of a State in the exercise of their
official duties, inasmuch as they are governed by other rules of international law, are
not governed by this Convention.
4. Nothing in this article condones or makes lawful otherwise unlawful acts, nor
precludes prosecution under other laws."
The state members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference proposed instead the
following exceptions:
1. The activities of the parties during an armed conflict, including in situations of foreign
occupation, as those terms are understood under international humanitarian law,
which are governed by that law, are not governed by this Convention.
2. The activities undertaken by the military forces of a State in the exercise of their
official duties, inasmuch as they are in conformity with international law, are not
governed by this Convention.
2. Gauntlet at Sukma
Why in news?
The Maoist ambush puts more responsibility on the state to establish its writ
Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district attacked ambush as just a intentional act of a
waning insurgent group.
It must serve as a red alert to the security forces to pull up their standard operating
procedures, especially intelligence-gathering capabilities, in the Maoist heartland in central
India.
The insurgents used improvised explosive devices, country-made mortars and arrows
mounted with explosive heads, and some weapons and radio sets of the force.
Reason behind the ambush?
The “unprecedented success of the forces against the extremists” in 2016, especially in Chhattisgarh which noticed a 15% drop in left-wing extremist incidents created
restlessness.
History of major attacks
In 2013 they ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders in Sukma district, killing more than
25 persons, including former Union Minister V.C. Shukla.
As per estimated data, over the last two decades at least 15,000 people have been killed in
Maoist-related violence. (3,000+ being security personnel).
Governmental actions and their flaws in implementation
The government has taken the so-called “red corridor” under its writ. But the only
presence of the state visible across the region has been of the security forces and not of the
civil administration.
Counter-insurgency operations have often been undermined by poor intelligence,
flagging alertness of the security forces and the absence of a multi-layered political
strategy.
TERMS IN NEWS
1. VVPAT-Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail: Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT)
or verified paper record (VPR) is a method of providing feedback to voters using
a ballot less voting system. A VVPAT is intended as an independent verification
system for voting machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was
cast correctly, to detect possible election fraud or malfunction, and to provide a
means to audit the stored electronic results. It contains name of the candidate
(for whom vote has been casted) and symbol of the party/ individual candidate.
2. Office of profit: The idea behind the concept of office of profit – which evolved
in England – is to preserve the independence of the legislature by keeping the
members away from any temptations from the executive that can come in the
way of independent discharge of their duties. It also seeks to enforce the
principle of separation of power between the legislative, the judiciary and the
executive – a basic feature of the Constitution.
ARTICLE IN NEWS
1. Article 102. Disqualification s for membership
(1) A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of
either House of Parliament
(a) if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of
any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its
holder;
(b) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court;
(c) if he is an undischarged insolvent;
(d) if he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a
foreign State, or is under any acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a
foreign State;
(e) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament Explanation For
the purposes of this clause a person shall not be deemed to hold an office of profit
under the Government of India or the Government of any State by reason only that
he is a Minister either for the Union or for such State
(2) A person shall be disqualified for being a member of either House of Parliament if
he is so disqualified under the Tenth Schedule
2. 124. Establishment and constitution of Supreme Court
(1) There shall be a Supreme Court of India constituting of a Chief Justice of India
and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven
other Judges
(2) Every Judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant
under his hand and seal after consultation with such of the Judges of the Supreme
Court and of the High Courts in the States as the President may deem necessary for
the purpose and shall hold office until he attains the age of sixty five years: Provided
that in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the chief Justice, the chief
Justice of India shall always be consulted:
(a) a Judge may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his
office;
(b) a Judge may be removed from his office in the manner provided in clause (4)
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Q1) Shanghai cooperation organization (SCO) is headquartered in which city?
a) Shanghai
b) Beijing
c) Xinxiang
d) Kabul
Answer: b
Topic: International relations
Explanation: Shanghai cooperation organization(SCO) is headquartered in Beijing.
Q2) Identify the non-member of Shanghai cooperation organization(SCO)
a) China
b) Kazakhstan
c) Kyrgyzstan
d) Afghanistan
Answer: d
Topic: International relations
Explanation: Afghanistan is an observer in SCO
Q3) Who is the author of the book The Undocumented Wonder: The Great Indian Election.
A. Mr. Quraishi
B. Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidii
C. Shashi Tharoor
D. None of the above
Correct Answer : A
Type: Factual
Level: Easy
Q4) Consider the following statement with reference to National Green Tribunal
1. It is a Statutory Body
2. It is a Constitutional Body
3. It draws inspiration from the India's constitutional provision of Article 21
4. It replaced the National Environment Appellate Authority
Choose the correct answer
A. Only 1
B. Only 3
C. Both 1 and 4
D. 1,3 and 4
Correct Answer : D
Type: Factual
Level: Easy
Explanation:
National Green Tribunal
Statutory body established by Government under the aegis of the NGT Act 2010.
It draws inspiration from the India's constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures
the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.
It replaced the National Environment Appellate Authority.
Objectives:
a) To provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection
and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal
right relating to environment.
b) Giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property Other Related Matters.
Q5) A loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a
period of 90 days is called:
a) Substandard asset
b) Doubtful asset c) Loss Asset d) Non performing asset
Answer: D
Explanation: A Non-performing asset (NPA) is defined as a credit facility in respect of which the
interest and/or installment of principal has remained ‘past due’ for a specified period of time.
GS – 1 RELATED
ART AND CULTURE
1. National Centre for Performing Arts at Varkala
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/second-national-centre-for-performing-arts-at-
varkala/article17495074.ece
Key Points:
Historically significant Varkala will be home to the National Centre for Performing
Arts (NCPA).
The centre, the second in the country after the premier NCPA at Nariman Point in
Mumbai, will come up on two acres on the government guest house premises. It is
aimed at popularising culture, heritage, arts, and tourism.
The centre will be developed to international standards and forge a tie-up with the
Association of Asia-Pacific Performing Arts Centre (AAPPAC), Singapore, for cultural
and technology transfers across the globe.
An art centre with deemed university status, arts and cultural exchange programme,
and Annual Varkala Fest are the other goals of the centre.
TOPIC: SOCIETY
1. With India at 148th in number of women MPs, UN official moots
quotas
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-at-148th-in-number-of-
women-mps/article17471164.ece
What’s in news?
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women -ranks India at 148thposition with
respect to world ranking of the number of women parliamentarians.
Women made up 11.8 per cent of the Lok Sabha where 64 were elected to the
542-member house and 11 per cent of the Rajya Sabha with 27 of the 245
members.
India ranked 88 in the number of women Ministers with five or 18.5 per cent in the
cabinet. However, women hold important positions: Sumitra Mahajan is the Speaker
and Sushma Swaraj is the External Affairs Minister.
IPU Secretary-General has suggested that quotas for women could speed up the
process for achieving gender equality.
At the current rate of progress, it would take 50 years for the number of women to
equal that of men in legislative bodies
Worldwide women parliamentarian representation: 22.6 per cent in 2015 to 23.3 per
cent in 2016. India’s percentage is about half the world tally.
Rank Country Percentage of Women Representation
1 Rwanda 61.3%(Lower house)
2 Bolvia 51.3%
3 Cuba 48.9%
South Asian Region
48 Nepal 29.6%
89 Pakistan 20.6%
91 Bangladesh 20.3%
179 Sri Lanka 5.8%
Bulgaria, France and Nicaragua tied for the first rank for the number of women
ministers with 52.9 per cent each.
Problems faced by women parliamentarians:
Lack of finance for campaigns and stereotyping.
Online bullying, harassment and hostile treatment by the media.
Are we making any headways regarding quota reservation for women?
IN the year 1996 a constitutional amendment bill to reserve 33 per cent of Lok Sabha
and State Assembly seats for women was first proposed, but has failed in the last 20
years to make progress.
Rajya Sabha passed the bill in 2010 but the bill lapsed when the last Lok Sabha ended
its term in 2014 without taking it up. The Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Janata Dal
(United) and Samajwadi Party have been leading the opposition to the constitutional
amendment.
2. Eighty per cent of world’s cities show signs of fragility: Report
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/eighty-per-cent-of-worlds-cities-
show-signs-of-fragility-report-4571461/
What’s in news?
According to a Report published by Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofAML),
cities across the world are set to be transformed by disruptive technology
like broadband, 5G, sensors, IoT, Big Data, cloud and AI (artificial
intelligence).
Around 55 per cent people live in cities and account for USD 62 trillion of
economic activity, but 80 per cent of the world’s cities are showing signs of fragility.
Cities are reaching a tipping point on many issues: poor governance and weak
institutions, inadequate infrastructure, rising inequality, housing,
environmental challenges and new and pervasive risks
According to BofAML Smart City Indicator, Singapore, London, New York, Paris,
Tokyo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Seoul and Vienna are some of the “smartest” cities in the world.
Key facts:
China has the largest urban population (758 million) followed by India with 410
million and the US at 263 million.
The US is among the world’s most urbanised nations with 86 per cent of the population urban.
The countries with the greatest urban populations in 2050 will be China (1
billion), India (875 million), the US (365 million) and Nigeria (218 million).
Tokyo is expected to remain the world’s largest urban agglomeration in 2030, with Delhi and Shanghai maintaining their second and third positions.
Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata — have been named among the top 20 global
megacities.
GS – 2 RELATED
TOPIC: POLITY
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-cleared-the-long-awaited-
national-health-policy-2017/article17487845.ece
1. Health spending to be 2.5% of GDP
What’s in news?
Union Government announced its new National health Policy.
Highlights of the policy:
Increased public health spending to 2.5% of GDP in a time-bound manner.
“Assurance” of Health care for all- particularly the underprivileged.
Sick care to Wellness is the new agenda of the policy with the aim on
prevention of diseases and health promotions.
Reorient and strengthen public health system, strategic purchasing form
private sector and leveraging on private sector strength in order to achieve the
national health goals.
Targets(Reduction rates)
Under Five Mortality -23 by 2025
Maternal mortality Ration -100 by 2020
Infant Mortality Rate - 28 by 2019
Neo-natal mortality -16 by 2025
Stillbirth rate - single digit by 2025
Promote research on Tribal Medicines.
Establish a public Health Care Management Cadre in each State.
Ensure Public Hospitals provide universal access to drugs and diagnostics.
Regulate use of medical device for quality compliances
Envision increasing life expectancy to 70years from 67.5years
Setup tribunals for redressal of grievances
Critics:
Rights activist – Health should have been made a fundamental right (Previous
drafts proposed to make this a fundamental right).
The promise on health spending does not square up with the past budgets of
this government. Money for critical programs has stagnated or gone down in
real terms
TOPIC: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. China must look afresh at Indian ties under rejuvenated Modi: Global
Times
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-must-look-afresh-
at-indian-ties-global-times/article17471438.ece
Says respective relations have as of late entered an unpretentious and sensitive stage
under a 'man of activity'
China ought to investigate its ties with India taking after the current get together races,
which exhibit the probability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's long haul strength over
Indian governmental issues.
Bharatiya Janata Party's "clearing constituent triumph in Uttar Pradesh has not just
expanded Modi's opportunity to win in India's 2019 general races.
Concentrate on two-sided ties
Beijing-New Delhi ties have as of late entered an unobtrusive and sensitive stage,
eyewitnesses soon began to give careful consideration to how the respective
relationship will create after Modi fixes his hold on power.
China ought to peruse the adjustments in India as "a chance to give more thought over
how to make leaps forward in Beijing-New Delhi relations with a hardline Indian
government."
The review portrayed Mr. Modi as "a man of activity, as opposed to a government official
with just mottos," whose achievement originated from his position on improvement and
also endeavors to complete financial change and pull in remote speculation.
"He has individuals' support"
Mr. Modi is turning into a solid pioneer with individuals' support. This would empower
him to settle on strong choices to tackle significant issues with China.
Mr. Modi wins the following decision, India's present firm and intense way will
undoubtedly proceed. It will be without question uplifting news for the nation's own
particular improvement. it will probably mean more troubles in making bargains in
lines with different nations.
Hopefulness on fringe columns
Mr. Modi upgraded New Delhi's ties with China and Moscow and connected to be an
individual from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. However, he likewise updated
protection coordinated effort with the US and Japan, verbalized his support for the US
rebalance to the Asia-Pacific system and Washington's position on the South China Sea
issue.
2. Pakistan set to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as fifth province
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/pakistan-pok-cpec-punjab-
sindh-kashmir-4569973/
Pakistan wants to pronounce the vital Gilgit-Baltistan area as the fifth territory, a move
that may bring worries up in India as it outskirts the questioned Pakistan-possessed
Kashmir.
This move is improvement to the status of the district, through which the USD 46
billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.
Gilgit-Baltistan is dealt with as a different topographical element by Pakistan. It has a
territorial gathering and a chose Chief Minister.
Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are present four territories of
Pakistan.
The move may bring worries up in India as the debated area fringes Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir (PoK).
It is believed that China's worries about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan
provoked Pakistan to change its status.
As indicated before Pakistan was pondering to lift the protected status of the district in
an offer to give lawful cover to the CPEC.
The move could flag a noteworthy move in the nation's position on the eventual fate of
the more extensive Kashmir area.
3. Saudi Arabia hails ‘historical turning point’ in ties with U.S.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/saudi-deputy-crown-
prince-trump-meeting-a-turning-point-saudi-
adviser/article17465719.ece
Saudi Arabia hailed a "verifiable defining moment" in United States-Saudi relations
after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince
Mohammed canister.
Salman highlighted the two pioneers' shared view that Iran represented a local security
risk, particularly in the wake of the 2015 Iran atomic arrangement.
The meeting reestablished issues to their correct way and structures a major change in
relations between both nations in political, military, security and financial issues.
U.S. President Barack Obama, considered Riyadh's organization together with
Washington less vital than arranging the Iran atomic arrangement.
Iran denies obstruction in Arab nations.
Under the arrangement, which tries to advance the private part and make state-
possessed organizations more effective, Riyadh arrangements to offer up to 5 for each
penny of state oil mammoth Saudi Aramco in what is required to be the world's
greatest first sale of stock.
Trump looking into PGM deal
Mr. Obama before the end of last year suspended the offer of U.S.- made accuracy
direction weapons to the Saudis, a response to a huge number of regular citizen losses
from Saudi-drove air strikes in Yemen.
Primary theme of the meeting would be Saudi interest in the United States, which
could help the U.S. President satisfy his guarantees of employment creation.
Less change on key issues
Saudi Arabia may discover the atmospherics of its relations with Mr. Trump superior to
those with Mr. Obama, it may discover less change than it trusts on key issues.
For instance, he has stated, Mr. Trump is probably not going to mount a noteworthy,
exorbitant push to counter Iranian impact in Iraq, or to dispatch a full-scale battle to
remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as Riyadh may wish.
GS – 3 RELATED
ECONOMY
1. Start-up firms may soon find it easy to wind up
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/start-up-firms-may-soon-find-it-easy-to-
wind-up/article17485776.ece?homepage=true
What is in news?
To enable faster exit for start-ups and to bring the winding up process in line with
global best practices, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has
written to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to notify start-ups as ‘Fast Track firms.’
Key Points:
Once this is notified, start-ups shall be able to wind up their business within a
period of 90 days from making an application for the same.
The DIPP is the nodal Central government body for the Start-up India initiative,
while the MCA is the concerned authority for notifications on winding up of
companies.
Fast Track firms will be start-ups with simple debt structures or those meeting
certain criteria that will be specified.
The ‘Bharat Navodaya: Start-Up India Reform Report’ had recommended expediting the company winding up process in India and was prepared by the Infosys founder
N.R. Narayana Murthy-chaired Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee
(AIPAC).
Comparative Analysis:
In Singapore, a simple online application is needed to be made by a director or
Company Secretary following which, the process is quite straightforward. Most
economic zones in UAE allow for winding down of the business in two to three days.
2. Govt. launches new scheme for developing export linked infrastructure
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/government-
launches-new-scheme-for-developing-export-linked-
infrastructure/articleshow/57648892.cms
What’s in news:
Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) seeks to bridge the infrastructure gap
and provide forward and backward linkages to units engaged in trade activities.
The government has launched a new scheme — TIES — for developing export linked
infrastructure in states with a view to promote outbound shipments.
The TIES would focus on projects like customs checkpoints, last mile connectivity,
border haats and integrated check posts.
3. More realistic method to assess GDP required, says Parliament panel
http://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/more-realistic-method-to-assess-gdp-
required-says-parliamentary-panel-4570502/
Key Points
Parliamentary panel said that the GDP data based on 2011-12 base year does not
reflect the momentum of economic activities across the spectrum and a more realistic
methodology is required.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance in its report on the Statistics
Ministry tabled in Parliament today also pointed out that several experts have
expressed the possibility of over estimation of GDP for 2016-17 in the wake of
demonetisation.
The panel in its report said that the new series of National Accounts with 2011-12 as
the base year has raised more questions than answers.
The GDP data does not seem to reflect the momentum of economic activities across the
spectrum.
The panel observed that unlike in developed countries, where such data gets released every month, the NSSO conducts surveys on employment only once every five years.
Recommendations:
The also recommended that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be separately and distinctly reflected in the Union Budget and respective Demand for Grants of the Ministries/Departments and the targets dovetailed with individual programmes/schemes.
3. Government to link 400 mandis on electronic trade platform this month
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/government-to-link-400-mandis-on-electronic-trade-platform-this-month/articleshow/57651872.cms Why in news?
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that the government will link 400 of the 585 wholesale mandis in India with the electronic national agriculture market (e-NAM) by this month end to ensure that farmers get better rates for their produce.
Key Points:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in April last year launched e-NAM on a pilot basis with 22 mandis in eight states. As many as 250 mandis were integrated till September last year.
Centre has launched various schemes such as soil health card, new agriculture insurance scheme and 100 per cent neem-coating of urea for the growth of farm sector.
The government is opening new KrishiVigyanKendras and strengthening the existing ones to provide better extension services in the agriculture
Agriculture education, agriculture research and agriculture extension are also
important to increase farmers income.
TOPIC: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
1. India prepares to discuss breakthrough technology: Designer humans—
science, ethics of germline editing
http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/india-prepares-to-
discuss-breakthrough-technology-designer-humans-science-ethics-of-germline-
editing-4569430/
What’s in news?
A scientific advisory group formed in the United States by the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), two
independent, influential groups of scholars and professionals, backed a hugely
controversial proposal - Human Gene Editing: Scientific, Medical and Ethical
Consideration that encourages research in human germline editing but only to
correct disabilities and hereditary defects, and not for “human enhancement” — that is, to build up traits and capacities such as physical strength, or to
improve intelligence.
Genome editing could be permitted only for serious conditions under
stringent oversight.
The social and ethical dimensions of human genome editing consideration
are the need of the hour.
Genome editing is commonly
used in agriculture, but editing
the human germline is
prohibited in over 30 countries.
Genome editing runs the risk of
affecting non-targetted genes.
Techniques:-
CRISPR-Cas9
Faster, cheaper and more
accurate.
Precision targeting of DNA
sequence, extract, edit or replace
it even in the embryo stage.
The technique can prevent hereditary diseases such as sickle cell,
thalassaemia, HIV, cancer, and Huntington’s disease from passing on to
children(Trait is lost in the next generation).
Somatic Cell Gene Therapy (SCGT)
Trait is passed on to next generation.
Used to treat diseases such as thalassaemia and haemophilia that are single
gene disorders.
Cautious steps:
Genome editing only in cases where no other “reasonable alternative” is available.
Standard set of guidelines to command ethics in genome editing must be put
together by various countries.
Proper research regarding the subject area has to be conducted.
Made accessible for both rich and poor
Technology should not be used for human enhancement
Where does India stand on this matter?
CRISPR-Cas9 technology trails are not permitted in India to edit the human
germline.
The Department of Biotechnology and Indian Council of Medical Research
(ICMR) will meet with Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and
Medical Research, to discuss the social and ethical implications of genome
editing in India.
In India’s ethical-legal environment, germline editing is unlikely to have
easy passage.
Experts points out that the technology can be used by the rich to ‘customize’ a baby with desired traits, and allowing human genome editing could make India
a hub for a certain kind of medical tourism, rather like surrogacy has done
What is the situation in other countries?
In 2015 in London, 16-month-old Layla Richards became the first-ever
recipient of gene therapy to cure her of ‘incurable’ leukaemia. The UK has moved fast on research and clinical use of CRISPR-Cas9, and the
NAS-NAM paper has encouraged cautious research in the US.
In Germany, where strict laws exist for assisted reproduction, research in the
human embryo is restricted.
Austria, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands have banned human germline editing,
while ambiguous guidelines are in place in Mexico, Canada and Argentina.
2. Scientists create first 3D structure of active DNA
http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/scientists-create-first-
3d-structure-of-active-dna-4570124/
What’s in news?
Scientists have deciphered the first 3D structures of intact mammalian
genomes from individual cells,
This finding depicts how DNA from all the chromosomes intricately folds to fit
together inside the cell nuclei.
The genome’s structure controls when and how strongly genes – particular
regions of the DNA – are switched ‘on’ or ‘off’. This plays a critical role in the development of organisms and also, when it goes awry, in disease.
The structure shows that the genome is arranged such that the most active
genetic regions are on the interior and separated in space from the less active
regions that associate with the nuclear lamina.
Advantage:
Structure of active Chromosome inside cell and their interaction with each
other can be determined.
Knowledge of the way DNA folds inside the cell allows scientists to study how
specific genes, and the DNA regions that control them, interact with each other.
Help us understand the molecular mechanisms that control and maintain gene
expression.
3. TB division drafts plan to eliminate the disease by 2025
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/tb-division-drafts-plan-to-
eliminate-the-disease-by-2025/article17468734.ece
What’s in news?
Central Tuberculosis Division formulated a National Strategic Plan to
eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025.
The NSP mention -“TB control faces daunting challenges in India. Decades of unrestrained transmission has left hundreds of millions of Indians with latent
TB infection, which may re-activate at any time. A significant proportion of the
population is undernourished, which weakens immunity and drives TB
reactivation.” Main aim is to fight the bacteria by better detection, treatment, prevention, and
strengthening policies. Taking treatment success rate of TB patients in
private sector from the current 13% to 90% in 2025
Doctors suggests in order to prevent TB from spreading primary focus needs to
be the ground level — by teaching the most basic coughing and sneezing
etiquettes.
While medical practitioners feel that elimination of TB is an impractical and
unachievable goal since TB is an airborne bacterium which has already
mutated and become drug resistant.
Way Forward:
TB impact could be reduced by building better immunity and imparting
knowledge among people about the spread of the disease.
Coughing and sneezing etiquettes should be imbibed in our culture. Children
should be taught about them from a young age.
TOPIC: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOLOGY.
4. Great Barrier Reef can only bask in past glory: scientists
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/great-
barrier-reef-will-never-be-as-pristine-as-it-once-was-
scientists/article17471229.ece
What’s in news?
Sea temperature rise threatens Parts of
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Worst die-off of coral: Two-thirds of a
700-kilometre stretch of coral reef was
affected last year. Warm water caused
the coral to expel living algae, triggering
it to calcify and turn white, a process
known as bleaching.
Areas that survived will not recover to full health indicates a report published
by ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrated Coral Reef Studies.
Coral can recover from bleaching but the problem comes when you get repeated
events. With less time between them, capacity for the coral reef community to
recover diminishes.
Unseasonably warm waters threaten to cause bleaching of the central region of
the Great Barrier Reef, which avoided the large-scale damage from the
bleaching in 2016.
Article / Acts in news
1. The Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, popularly known as the Anti-
Defection Law, introduced by the Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment)
Act, 1985 lays down the conditions regarding disqualification on ground of
defection.
The main provisions of the Tenth Schedule are summarized below:—
(i) An elected member of Parliament or a StateLegislature, who has been elected as
a candidate setup by a political party and a nominated member ofParliament or a
State Legislature who is a member ofpolitical party at the time he takes his seat
would bedisqualified on the ground of defection if he voluntarilygives up his
membership of such political party orvotes or abstains from voting in the House
contrary toany direction of such party.
(ii) An independent member of Parliament or a StateLegislature will also be
disqualified if he joins anypolitical party after his election.
(iii) A nominated member of Parliament or a StateLegislature who is not a member
of a political party atthe time of his nomination and who has not become amember
of any political party before the expiry of sixmonths from the date on which he
takes his seat shallbe disqualified if he joins any political party after theexpiry of
the said period of six months.
(iv) Provisions have been made with respect to mergersof political parties. No
disqualification would beincurred when a legislature party decides to mergewith
another party and such decision is supported bynot less than two-thirds of its
members.
(v) Special provision has been made to enable a personwho has been elected to the
office of the Speaker orthe Deputy Speaker of the House of People or of
theLegislative Assembly of a State or to the office of theDeputy Chairman of the
Council of States or theChairman or the Deputy Chairman of LegislativeCouncil of
a State, to sever his connections with hispolitical party without incurring
disqualifications.
(vi) The question as to whether a member of a House ofParliament or State
Legislature has become subjectto the disqualification will be determined by
thepresiding officer of the House; where the question iswith reference to the
presiding officer himself it willbe decided by a member of the House elected by
theHouse on that behalf.
(vii) The Chairman or the Speaker of a House has beenempowered to make rules for
giving effect to theprovisions of the Tenth Schedule. The rules shall belaid before
the House and shall be subject tomodifications/disapproval by the House.
(viii) Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 105 oras the case may be, Article
194 or any other powerthey may have under the Constitution, the Chairmenor the
Speaker of a House has been empowered todirect that any wilful contravention by
any person ofthe rules made under paragraph 8 of the TenthSchedule may be dealt
with in the same manner as abreach of privilege of the House.
TERMS OF THE DAY:
1. Gastronomics: Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between
food and culture, art of preparing and serving rich or delicate and
appetizing food, a style of cooking of particular region, and the science of
good eating
2. Human genome editing:
A genome is the genetic makeup of an organism — the full set of its DNA,
which is the chemical compound that contains all the information that the
organism needs to function. Each molecule of DNA is made up of two strands
twisted around each other. Each strand is constituted of four ‘nucleotide bases’, called A, T, G, C — and bases on the two strands pair in an A-T, G-C
formation.
The human genome has 3 billion of these base pairs, which reside in 23 pairs
of (or a total 46) chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell.
Between the years 1990 and 2003, all 23 pairs were sequenced by an
international research
project called the Human
Genome Project.
‘Genome editing’ is the addition, removal or
replacement of DNA base
pairs to change an
organism’s genome structure.
3.Stem cells: Stem cells are ‘master cells’, which can develop – or ‘differentiate’ –
into almost any type of cell within the body.
4. Latent TB: Latent TB is a bacterium which is there in all of us, but it is our
body’s immunity that converts the latent bacteria active.
5. Mega cities are defined by a population of more than 10 million and have over
20 million inhabitants.
MCQs:
1. Recently National Centre for Performing Arts was in news. In which place it is there.
a) Varkala
b) Varanasi
c) Kanchi
d) Madurai
Answer: A
Topic: Culture
Type: Factual
Difficulty: Easy
Historically significant Varkala will be home to the National Centre for Performing Arts
(NCPA).The centre, the second in the country after the premier NCPA at Nariman Point in
Mumbai, will come up on two acres on the government guest house premises. It is aimed at
popularising culture, heritage, arts, and tourism.
2. Consider the statements:
1. Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all final
goods and services produced in a period (quarterly or yearly).
2. The Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Program
Implementation, is responsible for macroeconomic data gathering and statistical record
keeping.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None
Answer: C
Topic: Economy
Type: Conceptual
Difficulty: Medium
Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all final goods
and services produced in a period (quarterly or yearly).
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Program
Implementation, is responsible for macroeconomic data gathering and statistical record
keeping. Its processes involve conducting an annual survey of industries and compilation of
various indexes like the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), Consumer Price Index (CPI),
etc.
The CSO coordinates with various federal and state government agencies and departments
to collect and compile the data required to calculate the GDP and other statistics.
3) Arrange the following country with respect to increase in Urban Population
1. U.S
2. China
3. India.
Choose the correct answer
A. 3,1,2
B. 2,1,3
C. 1,2,3
D. 1,3,2
Answer: D
Topic: Current Affair
Level: moderate.
Explanation: China has the largest urban population (758 million) followed by India with
410 million and the US at 263 million.
4) Identify the correct statement with reference to Latent TB?
A. Drug resistant TB is known as Latent TB.
B. Latent TB is a bacterium which is there in all of us, but it is our body’s immunity that converts the latent bacteria active.
C. Recently announced National Strategic Plan focuses on Latent TB eradication.
D. Both B and C.
Answer: D
Topic: Current Affair
Level: moderate.
Explanation:
Latent TB: Latent TB is a bacterium which is there in all of us, but it is our body’s immunity that converts the latent bacteria active.
One of the prevention strategies in the NSP states that 95% population with latent TB
should be started on preventive treatment, if found eligible for it. It also aims at taking
treatment success rate of TB patients in private sector from the current 13% to 90% in
2025.
5) What is gastronomy?
a) The relationship between food and culture along with sense of good eating.
b) Study of gastric juices and their effects
c) Specialization to resolve gastro enteritis.
d) None of the above
Answer: a
Topic: Science
Explanation: The relationship between food and culture along with sense of good eating.
6) Which of the following Islands are involved in the South China Sea dispute?
1. Paracel Islands
2. Pratas Islands
3. Macclesfield Bank
4. Scarborough Shoal
5. Spratly Islands
6. Kureil Islands
Choose the correct options
a) 1,2,3 and 5
b) 2,3 and 6
c) 1,2,3,4 and 5
d) All the above
Answer: c
Topic: International relations
Explanation: Paracel Islands, the Pratas Islands, Macclesfield Bank, Scarborough
Shoal and the Spratly Islands are the disputed Islands.
GS PAPER – 1
TOPIC: CULTURE
1. ‘Return Assam’s treasure’ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/return-assams-
treasure/article17524257.ece
16th Century’s Vrindavani Vastra -- to the State
A drape (made out of silk) woven by Assamese weavers
during the 16th Century under guidance of the
Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev
(Sankardev inspired the Bhakti movement in Assam).
The large drape illustrates the childhood activities of
Lord Krishna in Vrindavan.
It is now in Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
The Governor also pointed out that the State is rich in
Eri and Muga silk, handloom and bamboo craft, and
both Assam and Britain could work together in these
sectors for further promotion so that both could reap
rich dividends.
GS – 2 RELATED
TOPIC: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Long-term supply pact for Sukhoi jets inked
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/long-term-supply-pact-for-sukhoi-jets-
inked/article17523088.ece
What’s in news?
India-Russia military equipment deal
Supply agreement for the Sukhoi fighter aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force
Address the issues of life-cycle support and maintenance.
The deals were signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from India
and the United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporations of Russia at
the first India-Russia Military Industrial Conference in the national capital.
Key Facts:
India has the third largest armed forces in the world.
One of the largest importers of defence equipment.
2. China and Pakistan step up military ties
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/china-and-pakistan-
step-up-military-ties/article17524514.ece
What’s in news?
China to strengthen Pakistani military forces
To protect the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and to combat cross-
border infiltration by militants in China’s western Xinjiang province. Talks were held to cover weapon exchanges (ballistic missiles, cruise missiles,
anti-aircraft missiles, anti-ship missiles and main battle tanks), including the
mass production of FC-1 Xiaolong (a lightweight and multi-role combat aircraft
developed jointly by the two countries).
Key facts:
Pakistan had deployed more than 15,000 troops to protect the CPEC.
GS PAPER 3
TOPIC: ECONOMY
1. Plastic Rs. 10 notes in five cities soon
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/approval-has-been-given-to-rbi-to-
print-plastic-rs-10-notes-says-govt/article17515792.ece
What’s in news?
Centre gave its nod for feed trail of Rs10 denominated plastic notes.
The notes are considered to be cleaner than the paper currency and believed to
last longer and are difficult to counterfeit.
Central banks across the world have been exploring different solutions for
extending the life cycle of bank notes. These include introduction of plastic ones
and other developments in substrates for enhancing durability including use of
natural fiber blends and varnish.
2. ICRISAT, ICAR join hands for crop improvement
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/icrisat-icar-join-hands-for-
crop-improvement/article17524946.ece
What’s in news?
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)- joint partnership on crop
improvement and agronomy programmes for grain legumes and dryland cereals.
Intended beneficiaries- Small farmers.
Identified areas of research- climate smart crops (research on pigeon pea and
chickpea for insect resistance), smart food and digitalization of breeding database.
Dryland cereals and grain legumes are branded as smart foods – good for
consumers, farmers and the planet as they diversify farming systems and help
smallholder farmers adapt to climate change.
Basic Information:
ICRISAT – The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT)
International organisation which conducts agricultural research for rural
development
Parent Organisation- CGIAR.
Headquartered in Patancheru (Hyderabad, Telangana, India)
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is
collaborated with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and
Technology, Government of India, to establish a DBT-ICRISAT Platform for
Translational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC).
CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research)
Global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure
future.
CGIAR research is dedicated to reducing rural poverty, increasing food security,
improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring sustainable management of
natural resources.
CGIAR is not part of an international political institution such as the United
Nations or the World Bank; it is an ad-hoc organization which receives funds from
its members.
The membership of CGIAR includes country governments, institutions, and
philanthropic foundations including the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany,
Switzerland, and Japan, the Ford Foundation, the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the
World Bank, the , the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank,
and the Fund of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC
Fund).
Promoting the Use of Organic Manure
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159500
Why?
Organic fertilizers have been tested scientifically on various crops and soil types
and found suitable for improving soil health and crop productivity.
The organic fertilizers presently available may supplement (N,P) by nearly 20-25%.
Biofertilizers when applied along with compost or vermicompost , fertilizer saving
is almost 50%.
The advantages of these organic fertilizers are that they are eco-friendly and
not only provide nutrients for maintaining soil fertility but also improve soil
physical & biological health.
Government is promoting judicious use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction
with organic manures and biofertilizers to maintain soil health and
productivity.
Organic fertilizers largely are produced on-farm by the farmers.
When on-farm organic inputs are used, cost of production per unit area is less
than 13% under organic agriculture than inorganic management.
However, if organic inputs from outside the farm are purchased and utilized, the
cost of production increases by about 15-20% depending on the nature of inputs
used.
Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) models being developed under
National Project on Organic farming (NPOF) promises to meet 70-80% of organic
inputs within the farm thus reducing the market input cost considerably.
Government is promoting the use of Organic manures under the scheme
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) of National Mission for Sustainable
Agriculture (NMSA).
How?
The Government is promoting the use of organic inputs in the country, through
assistance as under:
Financial assistance is provided under the component Integrated Manure
Management of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) for Phosphate Rich
Organic Manure (PROM) as per specification and application of PROM to soil to meet
phosphorus/Zinc deficiency in soil.
Financial Assistance is provided for vermi-compost for procurement of earth worms,
preparation of pits, construction of brick wall etc.
Promotion of Organic Inputs under Organic & INM Components of Soil Health
Management, assistance is provided for Vermi-compost, Bio-fertilizers (Liquid / solid),
Waste compost, Herbal extracts etc.
Government is also promoting the production of organic manures by providing 100%
financial assistance to State Governments/ Government Agencies upto a maximum
limit of Rs.190.00 lakh per unit and 33% of project cost maximum limited to Rs.63 lakh
per unit for individuals/private agencies through NABARD as capital investment for
establishment of agro/vegetable waste compost production units of 3000 Total Per
Annum (TPA) production capacity.
Under the Rain fed Area Development (RAD) component of NMSA, 50% of cost subject to
limit of Rs 125/- per cubic ft. and maximum permissible assistance of Rs.50,000/- per
unit for permanent structure and Rs 8,000/- per unit for High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE) vermi bed is provided for construction of compost unit and, organic input
production unit.
The Government of India is providing a Market Development Assistance @ Rs.1500/-per
metric ton (MT) to Fertilizer Companies for sale of City Compost.
Mechanism to procure bumper crops
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159500
Basic requirements and Background
The production of a crop depends upon several factors including availability of cultivable
land, vagaries of nature, temperature, weather and rainfall scenario, etc.
The production and productivity of various major agricultural crops have been fluctuating
in the country.
Be that as it may, therefore of good precipitation amid rainstorm 2016 and different
strategy activities taken by the Government, the nation has seen record foodgrains
creation in the present year.
As per Second Advance Estimates for 2016-17, total foodgrain production in the country is
estimated higher by 6.94 million tonnes than the previous record production of foodgrain.
Governmental Support
The Central Government extends price support for procurement of wheat and paddy
through Food Corporation of India (FCI) and State Agencies at Minimum Support
Price (MSP).
Procurement at MSP is open ended i.e, whatever sustenance grains are offered by the
agriculturists, inside the stipulated acquirement period and which complies with the
quality determinations recommended by Government of India (GOI), are obtained at MSP
(and reward/motivation ,assuming any) by the Government offices including FCI, for
Central Pool.
However, if any producer/farmer gets better price in comparison to MSP, he is free to
sell his produce in Open Market to private traders/anyone.
Coarse grains are purchased by State Government with permission of Central Government;
up to the extent it is required in their Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS).
Price Support Scheme (PSS)
Under Price Support Scheme (PSS), the procurement of oil seeds, pulses and
cotton through Central Nodal Agencies at the Minimum Support Price (MSP)
is also undertaken.
This scheme is implemented at the request of the concerned State Government
which agrees to exempt the procured commodities from levy of mandi tax and
assist central nodal agencies in logistic arrangements including gunny bags,
provide working capital for state agencies, creation of revolving fund for PSS
operations etc. as required under the Scheme guidelines.
The basic objectives of PSS are to provide remunerative prices to the growers
for their produce with a view to encourage higher investment and production
and to safeguard the interest of consumers by making available supplies at
reasonable prices with low cost of intermediation.
Government of India also implements Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for
procurement of agricultural and horticultural commodities which are
perishable in nature and are not covered under the Price Support Scheme
(PSS).
The objective of intervention is to protect the growers of these commodities
from making distress sale in the event of a bumper crop during the peak arrival
period when the prices tend to fall below economic levels and cost of production.
The condition is that there should be either at least a 10 percent increase in
production or a 10 percent decrease in the ruling market prices over the
previous normal year.
The scheme is implemented at the request of a State/UT Government which is
ready to bear 50 percent of the loss (25 percent in case of North-Eastern
States), if any, incurred on its implementation.
The extent of total amount of loss to be shared on a 50:50 basis between the
Central Government and the State Government is restricted to 25 percent of
the total procurement value which includes cost of the commodity procured
plus permitted overhead expenses.
U.S. trade nominee for ‘aggressive’ steps on IP
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/us-trade-nominee-for-aggressive-
steps-on-ip/article17486091.ece?homepage=true
Why in news?
Incoming U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer told lawmakers
this week that he would take “aggressive” measures to protect intellectual property rights in India.
IPR protection has been a bone of contention between India and the U.S.
The USTR annual report on IP rights has kept India on priority watch list for
years now, even as U.S. companies have sought stricter measures. Sec 3 ( d ) of
India's Patent Act prevents pharmaceutical companies from continually
extending patents by making minor changes in the product and American
companies find India’s compulsory licensing provisions harsh.
What is compulsory licensing?
Compulsory licensing is when a government allows someone else to produce the
patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner. It is one
of the flexibilities on patent protection included in the WTO’s agreement on intellectual property — the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights) Agreement.
Indian Scenario :
In March 2012, India granted its first compulsory license ever. The license was
granted to Indian generic drug manufacturer Natco Pharma Ltd for Sorafenib
tosylate, a cancer drug patented by Bayer.
Section 3 (d) Of Indian Patents Act 1970
Section 3(d) of the Indian Patent Act 1970 (as amended in 2005) does not allow
patent to be granted to inventions involving new forms of a known substance
unless it differs significantly in properties with regard to efficacy. Thus, the
Indian Patent Act does not allow evergreening of patents. This is a cause of
concern to the US pharma companies.
The Special 301 process is a unilateral measure taken by the United States
under their Trade Act, 1974 to create pressure on countries to increase
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection beyond the TRIPS Agreement. It is
an extra territorial application of the domestic law of a country and is not
tenable under the overall WTO regime.
India has a well-established legislative, administrative and judicial framework
to safeguard Intellectual Property Rights which meets its obligations under the
Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) while utilizing
the flexibilities provided in the international regime to address its
developmental concerns.
1. Railways devoid of dividend payment can now junk populism and hike
passenger fares in new avatar
http://www.firstpost.com/business/railways-devoid-of-dividend-payment-can-now-
junk-populism-and-hike-passenger-fares-in-new-avatar-3338450.html
Key Points:
Populism has been bleeding the Indian Railways dry. Inability to increase passenger
fares by any significant amount has been its bane and the Railways continues to use
freight earnings to cross-subsidise passengers. Now, when both passenger and freight
traffic are falling, the Railways needs to choose between populism and pragmatism.
Improving freight earnings and hiking passenger fares should be on its plate now.
CAG Recommendation:
Ministry of Railways needs to revisit the passenger and other coaching tariffs so
as to recover the cost of operations in phased manner and reduce losses in core
activities.
Operational losses on running suburban train services and on account of
facility of free/concessional/complimentary passed to various classes of
passengers need to be curtailed.
‘Assess impact of Make in India plan’
http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/assess-impact-of-make-in-india-
plan/article17521265.ece?utm_source=true&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Ne
wsletter
Key Points:
A Parliamentary panel has sought an assessment of how the government’s Make In India (MII) initiative has helped the micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSME)
It also directed that dedicated measures should be made to ensure that Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) promotes the MSME sector.
The Department Related Parliamentary Committee on Commerce and Industry
also asked the government to share with it the factors behind Foreign Portfolio
Investments turning negative and its impact on the Indian industry.
The panel also observed that the capital goods sector is crucial for the
industrial growth of the country
The panel said a healthy increase in the allocation of the Interest Equalisation
Scheme would enable greater coverage and help augment export
competitiveness
The panel also urged the department of commerce to tackle non-tariff barriers
faced by Indian exporters and the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India
(ECGC) should be infused with adequate equity to bolster its networth.
TOPIC: SECURITY
Ministry of Defence and its dynamics
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159500
Highlights
1. Strategic Partnership In Defence Sector
Shri Dhirendra Singh committee had made recommendations to the
Government on ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ for creating capacity in the private sector on a long-term basis.
Based on these recommendations, the V.K. Aatre Task Force was constituted to
lay down criteria for selection of Strategic Partners for various platforms from
the Private Sector.
2. Airborne Warning and Control System
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is adequately equipped to cater for the threat
environment that exists and is ready to meet the role assigned to it.
The first indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)
system on board Embraer-145 has been inducted into Indian Air Force
Growth of airborne reconnaissance abilities of IAF by method for acquisition
and indigenous creation relies on national security, key targets and
operational prerequisites of the protection constrains and is checked on by
the Government every once in a while. This is alterable and constant
process.
3. Defence Manufacturing Units
65.62% of procurement needs of Army, Air Force and Navy for the year
2015-16 have been met through indigenous sources.
4. Cross Border Attacks
Government had constituted a four member committee under the
chairmanship of Lt. Gen. Philip Campose,
I. To inter alia examine the existing Standing Operating Procedure for
security of all Armed Forces establishments;
II. To suggest a model format for security audit of armed forces
establishments;
III. To recommend short and long term measures including introduction
of technological solutions and
IV. Other reforms in the present system of security of armed forces
establishments
5. Purchase of Defence Equipment
Government is pursuing initiatives to achieve higher levels of
indigenisation and self-reliance in the defence sector by harnessing the
capabilities of the public and private sector industries in the country.
These measures include according priority and preference to
procurement from Indian vendors and liberalization of the licensing
regime.
6. Indigenisation of Defence Equipment
The Defence Production Policy promulgated by the Government, aims at
achieving substantive self-reliance in the design, development and
production of equipment, weapon systems, platforms required for defence
in as early a time frame as possible, creating conditions conducive for
private industry to play an active role in this endeavour; enhancing
potential of SMEs in indigenisation and broadening the defence R&D base
of the country.
In pursuance of the aforesaid Policy and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the
Government, the steps taken by the Government, inter-alia include:-
I. In order to promote indigenous design and development of defence
equipment, a new category of procurement ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM
(Indigenously designed, developed and manufactured) )’ has been
introduced in Defence Procurement Procedure-2016 and the same has
been accorded top most priority for procurement of capital equipment.
II. The ‘Make’ Procedure has been simplified with provisions for funding of
90 % of development cost by the Government to Indian industry for
design, develop and manufacture of defence equipment.
III. FDI Policy has been revised and under the revised policy, FDI upto
49% is allowed through automatic route and beyond 49% under
Government approval route wherever it is likely to result in access to
modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.
IV. Industrial licensing regime for Indian manufacturers has been
liberalized and most of the components/ parts/ sub-systems have been
taken out from the list of defence products requiring Industrial Licence.
V. This has reduced entry barriers for new entrants in this sector,
particularly SMEs. The initial validity of Industrial Licence has been
increased from 3 years to 15 years with a provision to further extend
it by 3 years on a case to case basis.
VI. Issues related to level-playing field between Indian & foreign
manufacturers, and between public sector & private sector have also
been addressed. These include Exchange Rate Variation (ERV)
protection for all Indian vendors, removing anomalies in customs/
excise duty etc.
VII. Offset guidelines have been made flexible by allowing change of Indian
Offset Partners (IOPs) and offset components, even in signed
contracts.
VIII. Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are now not
required to indicate the details of IOPs and products at the time of
signing of contracts. Services as an avenue of offset have been re-
instated.
IX. The process for export clearance has been streamlined and made
transparent & online.
Topic: HEALTH
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=159500
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram was launched in 2014 with Peer
Education Program as one of the component.
Under this, Peer Educators are selected and trained on six thematic areas of RKSK
namely-
I. nutrition,
II. sexual reproductive health,
III. substance misuse,
IV. non - communicable diseases,
V. mental health,
VI. Injuries and violence.
These peer educators work as a change agent helping in responding to their
queries raised within their groups, pertaining to the above mentioned six thematic
areas.
National Health Mission
The National Health Mission (NHM) aims for attainment of universal access to
equitable, affordable and quality health care services, accountable and
responsive to people’s needs, with effective inter-sectoral convergent action
to address the wider social determinants of health.
Under NHM, support to States/UTs is provided for five key programmatic
components:
1. Health Systems Strengthening including infrastructure, human resource,
drugs & equipment, ambulances, MMUs, ASHAs etc under National Rural
Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
2. Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Services
(RMNCH + A)
3. Communicable Disease Control Programs
4. Non-Communicable Diseases Control Programme interventions upto District
Hospital level
5. Infrastructure Maintenance- to support salary of ANMs and LHVs etc.
6. The objectives of NHM are summarised as under:
7. Reduction in child and maternal mortality
8. Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases,
including locally endemic diseases.
9. Access to integrated comprehensive primary health care.
10. Population stabilisation, gender and demographic balance.
11. Revitalize local health traditions & mainstream AYUSH.
12. Universal access to public services for food and nutrition, sanitation and
hygiene and universal access to public health care services with emphasis on
services addressing women’s and children’s health and universal immunization. 13. Promotion of healthy life styles.
The NHM has been successful in accelerating the decline of Maternal
Mortality Ratio (MMR), Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR), Infant Mortality Rate
(IMR) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR). It has also achieved many of the disease
control targets.
GS PAPER 4
TOPIC: ETHICS
India's healthcare system needs a tweak in ethics instead of policy change
http://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-healthcare-system-needs-a-tweak-
in-ethics-instead-of-policy-change-3340158.html
Highlights
The National Health Policy has been cleared and the view persists that it falls
short of the 2015 draft.
That it "neglects to make wellbeing a justiciable appropriate in the way the Right
to Education 2005 accomplished for school training."
Point is to raise general wellbeing consumption to 2.5 percent of the GDP in time-
bound way.
Likewise, it "advocates" at least 66% of assets to essential care, guarantee a
proportion of two beds for every 1,000 populace dispersed in a way to contact
them inside the brilliant hour, proposes "free medications, free diagnostics and
free crisis and fundamental social insurance benefits in every single open doctor's
facility."
The target of 2.5 percent spends of the GDP was set earlier too and had to be met
by now. But according to Nadda, now this would happen by 2025.
The strategy guarantees a framework which sets and guarantees measures in both
government and private human services courses of action.
National Healthcare Standards Organization (NHSO)- set models would be the
measure against which the patient can whine and an enabled tribunal will manage
grievances.
Sounds great yet does not motivate certainty since up until now, the framework
containing both open and private human services have taken the patients not to
great wellbeing but rather on a ride.
Anybody utilizing general society medicinal services framework has genuine
protestations about the nature of care, finding made, nonattendance of cleanliness
inside doctor's facility premises, or the profiteering by the private area.
Indeed, even clinics which are set up by trusts and style themselves as research
establishments to secure concessional arrive portion and beat the taxman are no
superior to the corporate healing facilities. Both set progressively higher focuses of
income per quarter.
In the event that a healing facility does not build the bed quality, or the quantity of
working theaters or grow its outpatient, it can accomplish higher incomes (which
it requires), just by separating more from the patients.
There is an assortment of approaches to accomplish these objectives and healing
center administrations will generally deny it, yet one of the approaches to
accomplish it is by performing methods on patients which are maybe not required.
Route back in the 1970, in Guntur, the ladies without uteruses (female conceptive
organ) dwarfed with it for it had turned into a practice to prescribe that surgery.
Generally, we have seen a racket of sorts getting uncovered. One such
introduction has originated from the administration, which demonstrated how
stent costs were expanding — up to 10 times — at each progression (beginning
with the maker) before it achieved the patient.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority got shrewd to it and put roofs on their
costs, as it has on many medications utilized for treatment of growth.
Does disease murder, as well as executes the monetary prosperity of the group of
the growth casualty.
A few inquiries stay unanswered with respect to human services (one of them is
the bill sum patients are made a request to pay).
It is basic practice for in-patients to be gone to by 'another master' and charged for
that.
Why for example do a few specialists arrange non-essential tests (which are out of
the extent of the analytic appraisal)? Is there an arrangement of reductions
between the research centers and the specialists? Can any anyone explain why a
surgery cost a specific entirety in a general ward, rather than private wards? Does
the nature of surgery vary from shared to single-slept with rooms?
These issues could be managed on need premise, by making private medicinal
services moderate regardless of the possibility that not as modest as in the general
population doctor's facilities.
Furthermore, open doctor's facilities could be made more human services
amicable by increasing the measures at each level, including diminishing the level
of disregard which stops by poor staffing at most levels, imagined non-accessibility
of medications which compel patients to go and get it from specialist neighborly
drug specialists. Or, on the other hand, basically, make both segments minding.
TERMS IN NEWS:
1. East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)
An Islamic extremist separatist organization founded by Uyghur jihadists in
western China.
Its stated goals are to establish an independent state called "East Turkestan" in
Xinjiang.
The group has been designated as a terrorist organization.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Which among the following are Social security schemes?
1. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
2. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
3. Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY)
4. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Identify the correct options
a) 1 only
b) 1,3 and 4
c) 2 and 4
d) All the above
Answer: d
Topic: Government schemes
Explanation:
1. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
Government-upheld Life protection plot in India.
Yojana is accessible to individuals in the vicinity of 18 and 50 years old with
bank accounts.
It has a yearly premium of ₹330 (US$4.90) barring administration charge,
which is over 14% of the premium.
The sum will be consequently charged from the bank account.
In the event of death because of any cause, the installment to the chosen one
will be ₹2 lakh (US$3,000)
This plan will be connected to the financial balances opened under the Pradhan
Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
2. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana(AABY)
Social Security Scheme for rural landless household.
The leader of the family or one acquiring part in the group of such a family is
secured under the plan.
The premium of Rs.200/ - per individual per annum is shared similarly by the
Central Government and the State Government.
The part to be secured ought to be matured in the vicinity of 18 and 59 years.
A separate fund called "Aam Admi Bima Yojana Premium Fund" has been set
up by Central Govt. to pay the Govt. contribution.
Fund is maintained by LIC.
A free add-on benefit in the form of scholarship to children is also available
under the Scheme.
Benefits
i. On natural death Rs. 30000/-
ii. On Death due to accident/on permanent total disability due to accident
(loss of 2 eyes or 2 limbs) Rs. 75000/-
iii. On partial permanent disability due to accident (loss of one eye or one
limb) Rs. 37500/-
3. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
Government-backed accident insurance scheme in India.
As of May 2015, only 20% of India's population has any kind of insurance, this
scheme aims to increase the number
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is accessible to individuals in the
vicinity of 18 and 70 years old with financial bank accounts.
It has a yearly premium of ₹12 (18¢ US) barring administration impose, which
is around 14% of the premium.
The sum will be naturally charged from the bank record. In case of accidental
death or full disability, the installment to the chosen one will be ₹2 lakh
(US$3,000) and if there should arise an occurrence of incomplete Permanent
handicap ₹1 lakh (US$1,500).
Full incapacity has been characterized as loss of utilization in both eyes, hands
or feet. Fractional Permanent inability has been characterized as loss of
utilization in one eye, hand or foot.
This plan will be connected to the ledgers opened under the Pradhan Mantri
Jan Dhan Yojana plot.
4. Atal Pension Yojana
Government-backed pension scheme in India targeted at the unorganized
sector.
In Atal Pension Yojana, for each commitment made to the benefits subsidize,
The Central Government would likewise co-contribute half of the aggregate
commitment or ₹1,000 (US$15) per annum, whichever is lower, to each
qualified supporter account, for a time of 5 years.
The base period of joining APY is 18 years and most extreme age is 40 years.
The time of exit and begin of benefits would be 60 years.
In this way, least time of commitment by the endorser under APY would be 20
years or more.
Aadhaar would be the essential KYC archive for recognizable proof of recipients,
life partner and chosen people to maintain a strategic distance from annuity
rights and privilege related question in the long haul.
The supporters are required to decide on a month to month annuity from Rs.
1000 – Rs. 5000 and guarantee installment of stipulated month to month
commitment consistently.
The endorsers can pick to reduction or increment benefits sum over the span of
collection stage, according to the accessible month to month annuity sums.
Consider the statements:
1) India has a target for renewable energy generation of 175 gigawatts by 2020.
2) Of the target, 100 GW would be from solar power.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None
Answer: B
Explanation:
India has a target for renewable energy generation of 175 gigawatts by 2022.
Of the target capacity, 100 GW would be from solar power, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW
from biomass and 5 GW from small hydro power.
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