User talk:Gaurav4291/AUG2015

PM’s – Independence day speech

 * Ministry of Agriculture renamed – Ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare
 * Announced stand-up India initiative to promote entrepreneurship among youth – every bank branch to encourage atleast one dalit or adivassi entrepreneur and one women entrepreneur
 * Pucca house and electricity to all by 2022
 * To remove interviews from lower services
 * To convert 44 labour laws into 4 simplified codes on – industrial relations, wages, social security and safety

Samanvay

 * Is a web portal to monitor progress of Sansad adarsh gram yojana

Payments Banks

 * RBI gave in-principle approval to payments bank that will push govt.’s goal of financial inclusion
 * Will provide basic savings deposit, remittances
 * Cannot lend money

Daulat beg oldie

 * In Ladakh
 * Border meeting point between China and India

Sendai Framework

 * India has decided to implement Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction
 * Recognises that state has primary responsibility in reducing risk associated with disasters – including other stakeholders such as local government and private sector

FIPIC

 * Forum for India-Pacific islands co-operation
 * 2nd summit held in Jaipur, 2015
 * Announced a satellite monitoring station at Fiji

Solar dispute at WTO

 * Indian govt. has imposed local content requirement on solar cells and solar modules – to promote local manufacturers
 * But WTO has ruled against India – citing govt. should offer level playing field for both foreign and local manufacturers

Coringa sanctuary

 * 2nd largest mangrove forest in India after sundarbans
 * in Andhra Pradesh
 * Gautami and Godavari river — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gaurav4291 (talk • contribs) 08:52, 13 April 2016 (UTC)

Disha

 * Digital Saksharta abhiyan
 * To provide basic computer education to people with the help of private companies
 * Disha is a self-learning app

DNA Profiling

 * DNA is an unique attribute associated with a person
 * Can be collected from blood, saliva, hair, etc.
 * At present DNA testing labs are un-regulated, no set procedure followed, a database can’t be prepared
 * DNA profiling bill – to set procedures for collection, storage and access of DNA information
 * Issue of misuse, privacy, etc.

Special category status to states
Parameters required for special category status Current special status states Advantages of special category
 * Union govt. rejected Andhra Pradesh govt.s request to give special category status
 * Now the provision of giving special status is done away with (following the increasing devolution 32%  42%)
 * Special category status was introduced in 5th finance commission – to give preferential treatment to dis-advantaged states – in terms of central assistance
 * Hilly and difficult terrain
 * Low population density or sizeable tribal population
 * Strategic location along borders with neighbouring countries
 * Economic and infrastructural backwardness
 * Non-viable nature of state finances
 * 11 states
 * J&K, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, uttarakhand and all north eastern states
 * These states are provided 30% of the normal central assistance rest 70% is shared by all other states (90% as grant )
 * AIBP (accelerated irrigation benefit programme) – 90% as grant to special category status and to other states (25% as grants)
 * http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02524/commen1_2523607g_2524508f.jpg
 * http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SpecialCategory1.png

Money Bill
Solution
 * A110 – defines what constitutes money bill
 * By introducing crucial bills as money bills, L.S. is eroding legislative powers of R.S
 * Constitution provides that L.S speaker’s decision is final as to whether a bill is money bill or not.
 * There is no remedy if wrong decision is taken by speaker
 * Rules and guidelines to be formulated to evaluate a bill – whether it is a money bill or not
 * A joint committee should evaluate – as to whether the bill is money bill or not – and speaker should take their view in consideration

Amending and repealing old laws

 * 1) commission on the review of administrative laws, popularly known as the P.C. Jain Commission (1988)
 * 2) Ramanujam Committee to identify acts for repeal

appointed day
On August 1, the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement will come into force, - “appointed day”, 

Border fencing

 * fencing gets damaged in winters along LOC in Kashmir. Thus new designs will have night vision cameras, alarms with real time monitoring.

Havana Declaration
Havana Declaration of 1979( NAM- non-aligned movement summit), Fidel Castro said the purpose of the organization is to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their "struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics.

United Nations Refugee Convention 1951
Under the United Nations Refugee Convention, refugees coming from war-torn countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and from Myanmar etc., are issued a \’Refugee Certificate\’ valid for 2 years and renewable after that.

Gyps – Indian vulture

 * Critically endangered
 * cause (Diclofenac)
 * soln. (Meloxicam)

FMC merger
FMC (forward markets commission merged into SEBI)
 * SEBI currently regulates stock derivatives as well as currency derivatives.
 * With this merger it would start regulating Commodities Derivatives

Derivatives

 * Derivatives are financial instruments that derives its value from an underlying asset.
 * This asset can be anything - debt, interest rates, a contract, etc.

Nagaland – peace accord
Breakthrough in Nagaland – peace accord

'''Q. Origin of tensions b/w Naga rebels and GOI. Their demands and significance of the peace accord.'''

A. Fodder:
 * India signed peace accord with NSCN (Nationalist socialist council of Nagaland) – one of the largest insurgency group. This ending a prolonged war against insurgency.
 * Many small insurgent groups are not part of this agreement including the khole-kitovi (KK), Reformation (RR) and khaplang faction which carried out the ambush attack on Army personnel in June 2015.
 * Controversy on demands: Over demand of sovereignty, Demand of Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) – which includes territories of adjoining states.
 * Challenges :
 * 1) Involve all stakeholders ( Civil society, adjoining states)
 * 2) Deal with the claims on territories of adjoin states
 * 3) Deal with the autonomy of state without any concession on sovereignty of India

Origin Of tensions b/w Naga rebels and GOI: Demands of Naga rebels: Significance of the peace accord:
 * 1) The tension dates back to the era of pre-independence. The politics in Nagaland started in 1918 with the formation of Naga Club, which demanded the simon commission to not to include Nagaland in the constitutional framework of India. On 14th august 1947, (NNC –Naga national council) Naga rebel leaders announced independence of the Nagaland, which prompted Indian govt. to put charges of rebellion on Naga leaders. Many were arrested.
 * 2) Shillong accord (1975):  NNC –precursor to NSCN, signed an accord with GOI. But not all factions of NSCN were satisfied. Thus the result was the split of NCSN which gave birth to Khaplang factions and subsequently other smaller rebel groups. (Shillong accord - Naga rebels accepted the supremacy of Indian constitution, surrendered arms and renounce their demand for secession of Nagaland from India).
 * 3) The tensions could be analysed in the light of colonial era policies by British, which Kept Nagaland isolated, thus instilling feeling of separatism on both sides of the boundary. Naga regions were captured by British and consolidated under Naga Hills of Assam. During Kuki revolt(1917-19) and World War I (1914-18), many Naga\’s were recruited by British army. The army contingent which was sent to France, The Naga people were kept isolated which led to the feeling of separatism. After coming back from the war, Naga club was founded which started looking into the socio-economic aspects of Naga community.
 * 1) The main demand is the formation of unified Nagaland – that is Nagalim, putting claims on territories of adjoining states.
 * 2) This claim has been the bone of contention among the neighboring states, So any accord or policies should encompass all the stakeholders.
 * 1) This peace accord is the result of decades of peaceful efforts made from both the sides. In past, Many govt. have tried to achieve this many a time it has been achieved only to be
 * 2) Will result in increased economic progress of the region
 * 3) Will help India in achieving more cooperation with neighboring Myanmar.

Autonomy in educational institutions
Q. Will autonomy in governance of educational institutions lead to increased output and innovation? Fodder :
 * National resources are poured in the development of these higher educational institutions, thus there is a need of scrutiny of the outcomes from these institutions.
 * Governance versus surveillance 

Low viewership of DD news

 * Content: They first verify all the details then only report….they must tone down the report as not to irk political leaders…
 * Prime time shows: Pvt. News channels invite a panel of experts, and they are allowed to keep their viewpoints both for and against the govt. But, public broadcaster supposedly has to keep a check on the content.

7th Aug
Q. Why India\’s Western Ghats is considered as one of the world\’s biodiversity hotspots, mention the threats it is facing and measures to protect.? A. Fodder:
 * Sand mining,
 * Copy of reports by Gadgil and kasturirangan was not made available to local population in local language.

P-notes
'''Participatory Notes: also called offshore derivaties instruments. '''
 * FII\’s gets licenses to invest in Indian stock market. These FII\’s issues instruments called PN\’s to foreign investors w/o the need of revealing their identification to SEBI.
 * NEED:
 * 1) Anonymity: The end beneficiary doesn\’t have to reveal his identity.
 * 2) Ease: It is much easier as compared to other forms of investments.
 * 3) Tax saving: using this route, entities can save on transaction taxes
 * 4) Money laundering: preferred route for money laundering.

COP-21/CMP-11
Other commitments:
 * 1) In paris,2015.
 * 2) 2014 - Peru
 * 3) 2016 - Bonn, Germany  — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gaurav4291 (talk • contribs) 05:31, 19 July 2016 (UTC)
 * 4) UNFCCC (UN framework convention on climate change) is a treaty signed by member nations that sets framework to stabilize greenhouse gases in atmosphere. It is legally non-binding. But provides framework to formulate protocols that can set limit for greenhouse gases.
 * 5) In 1992, At UNCED( UN conference for environment and development) was held at Rio de janerio ( also called Earth Summit). UNFCCC treaty was signed here.
 * 6) Aim: Annex I (Developed nations) parties should stabilize their greenhouse gas emission to 1990 levels by 2000.
 * 7) COP (Conference of parties is held every year) COP-20 held in peru in 2014, COP-21 to be held in Paris,2015.
 * 8) In 1997, Kyoto protocol was concluded that set legally binding green house gas emission limits. Thus targets set by the UNFCCC treaty was not adequate thus the discussions led to Kyotoprotocol.
 * 9) Kyoto protocol has 2 commitment periods: 2005-2012 and 2012-20.
 * 10) US has not ratified Kyoto. And many members are not willing to participate in 2nd commitment period.
 * Bali agreement (2007) on quantitative assessment of emission targets. This will ensure comparability among different countries. Action plan formulation
 * Copenhagen (2009) : set the target to limit global warming under 2 degrees Celsius. But the base was not defined(1990 period or pre-industrial era). Accord was not formally adopted by conference of parties.
 * Cancun (2010) : reduction under 2 degrees and later 1.5 c. Adopted by COP

Digital India
Intro: Current scene: Problems: Solutions:
 * Aim is to provide broadband access to all and deliver all services to the citizens doorstep.
 * Digital India is an amalgamation of 3 programmes NOFN(national optical fibre network), National education network, and e-governence.
 * Broadband speed in India is very low (512 kbps to 2 Mbps), whereas in other countries it is 10\~50 Mbps.
 * NOFN is way behind the schedule. In places where Fibre was laid, it has become unusable.
 * Laying fibre : Nation wide fibre network will require physical laying of optical cables, which will require support from municipalities. Currently, hefty levies and surcharges are present. Clearances are cumbersome.
 * Creation of demand : Availability of useful programmes and applications that fulfills local demand in local language, cost of internet access and the devices affordability.
 * Institutional structure : problem of less autonomy in finances in dept. number of levels of approvals.
 * Will require concerted efforts in areas of infrastructure, resources, institutional restructuring and govt. policy.
 * Infrastructure : availability of spectrum for public use.
 * Resources : Fibre laying should be given preferential treatment (should be given right of way).
 * Institutional restructuring : will give more autonomy in decision making
 * Govt. policy : Should be diverted more towards expansion of network rather than collection of fees on spectrum. Charge less fees, involve pvt. Entities.

17th Aug
Plate to plough : the hands that feed us Role of Agriculture Today\’s status: Reasons:
 * In 1947, population of undivided India was 390 million. After independence India\’s population was 330 million and that of east and west Pakistan was 30 million each.
 * India relied on food supplies from US under Public Law (PL-480). It proved a mistake. During 1960\’s US stopped the supplies due to some political differences despite the on going drought years.
 * India realized the mistake – and thus realized the need for a strong agricultural base.
 * In mid 1960\’s India imported High yielding variety wheats from Mexico, which ushered the Green revolution.
 * Population: grew by almost 3.8%
 * 1) 330 million in 1947 to 1.25 billion
 * Wheat production : grew by 15%
 * 1) 6 mt in 1947 to 96 mt in 2014
 * Rice, maize, cotton, milk production have also increased.
 * India is now a net exporter of Agriculture produce.
 * India is the largest exporter of rice
 * India is the 2nd largest exporter of Beef (buffalo meat) and cotton
 * New technologies : HYV seeds, BT cotton,
 * Innovation : in milk industry

Digital education
Positives Negatives Solutions:
 * Can provide greater access
 * Access to technology does not mean improved literacy or numeracy.
 * Ultimate aim should be decided – whether access or reach OR increased literacy or numeracy
 * Technology is imp. But should be used with a properly integrated curriculum
 * Self paced learning programs are necessary.

Present   	 Proposed	Functions RBI	RBI	Monetary policy; regulation and supervision of banks; regulation and supervision of payments system. ( BANKING AND PAYMENTs with RBI) SEBI FMC IRDA PFRDA	United financial agency (UFA)	Regulation and supervision of all non-bank and payments related markets. Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)	FSAT (UNIFIED) Financial sector appellate 	Hear appeals against RBI, the UFA and FRA. Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC)	Resolution Corporation	Resolution work across the entire financial system. Financial Stability Development Council (FSDC)	FSDC	Statutory agency for systemic risk and development. New entities	Debt Management Agency	An independent debt management agency. Financial Redressal Agency (FRA)	Consumer complaints.

Beijing on South china sea
China\’s defence Why God man and God woman flourish in India? Discuss.
 * China sights Cairo declaration(1943) and Potsdam declaration (1945)
 * Cairo declaration (1943) – To set post-war goals. Also to force Japan to leave all the islands and territories it had occupied
 * Potsdam declaration(1945)- statement for surrender of Japan. It also sites cairo declaration.
 * Cairo declaration helped china lawfully claim spratly and paracel islands in south china which was illegally occupied by Japan.
 * Most seek help/guidance of God man/woman not to achieve spiritualism but to achieve better material lives. Ex: promotion, child, etc.
 * Humans love to peep into the future – these baba\’s claim they can tell the future
 * Dependency :
 * 1) These baba\’ s take advantage of people\’s problems. They give them hope of a better future.
 * 2) people become physically, emotionally and economically dependent on these baba\’s
 * 3) How they are popular:
 * 4) Stories are spreaded like wildfire,
 * 5) Involvement of actors, politicians increase the popularity
 * 6) They have the knowledge that state finds it difficult to meddle in religious affairs
 * 7) They also invest in schools, ashrams and hospitals which increases the popularity.
 * 8) Problems:
 * 9) Some of them are charged with cases of rape and murders, but still followers remain in denial.
 * 10) They live in a fear that if they disobeyed the guru, they might make the God angry.
 * 11) Our history has so many examples of spiritual gurus who led people on to the path of spiritualism, this has sown the seed in the mind that these gurus cant do nay wrong.
 * 12) Solutions:
 * 13) A guru or mata should guide the followers to attain spiritualism (which also means giving up materialism) and not ask for favours in return of providing false hopes to his followers.

Economic Union - India
'''Q. India needs to form an economic union with a free trade area within union of India. Examine'''

There is a lack of reliable data of goods trade between states, and also the origin and destination of goods is not known. With implementation of GST strong inter-state trade data will be generated that will help in identifying comparative advantages of states.
 * 1) Political as well as an economic union : The problem with EU is that it has built a monetary union but without the corresponding political union. Similarly, India has been successful in becoming a political union but significant improvements are needed to become an economic union. Merely same currency doesn\’t lead to an economic union. Need is a free trade area within India
 * 2) India is itself a big market (Internal Trade): India is looking outside for markets for its product while neglecting one of the biggest market in the world i.e. India itself. India\’s internal trade is much lower than that of EU and US.
 * 3) Comparative advantages :  A person has a comparative advantage when he is able to produce that service at the minimum cost. Every state should formulate agricultural and industrial policies that gives them comparative advantages.


 * Problems:
 * 1) Rules and regulations : Biggest barriers are market distorting rules and regulations, such as ECA(essential commodities act) and APMC(Agricultural market produce). ECA – makes it illegal to store and sell some essential commodities as identified by govt. in free market. Similarly, APMC restricts farmers access to free market, thus robbing them of freedom of selling in markets which can give them higher price.
 * 2) In case of manufactured goods, varying tax rules and regulations makes it difficult for inter-state trades. VAT, CENVAT, central state tax, etc.
 * 3) Solution:
 * 4) Removal of barriers : Introduction of national agricultural market, GST
 * 5) Industry targeted policies : each state should identify regions of similar resources and formulate policies accordingigly.

Cloud seeding
'''Q. What is cloud seeding? Explain the science behind it. Its applications and usefulness for India.''' Cloud seeding Types : SCIENCE Applications: Usefulness: 
 * is scattering of fine particles that accelerates the natural process that leads to rain or snow.
 * With warm clouds – common salt is scattered which cause the water vapor to coalesce and results in rain.
 * With cold clouds – silver iodide/ dry ice is scattered the fastens the process of ice formation in cold clouds, which results in rains or snowfall.
 * the fine particles introduced induces nucleation – small water particles adhere to these particles and form ice crystals which on becoming large in size precipitates.
 * Rainfall or snowfall
 * Damage protection from hailstorms
 * Clearing of fog – fog is condensation of vapor cloase to ground.
 * In regions of drought

Payments Bank
Payments Bank – a step towards pushing financial inclusion.
 * 1) Payments bank - They are stripped banks that will offer banking services through mobile services instead of traditional type of banking services.
 * 2) Features:
 * 3) Can take deposits upto 1 lakh and give interests on that,
 * 4) Can enable transfers and remittances through mobile phone,
 * 5) But cant give loans,
 * 6) Can issue atm cards
 * 7) Advantages :
 * 8) Mobile phones reach is huge – can provide banking facilities to remotest corner – w/o having to invest heavily in traditional type of banks,
 * 9) Mainly targeted towards – small businessman, labourers, farmers, who mainly transact in cash - will help India become a cashless economy,
 * 10) Could also help in govt.s direct benefit transfers(DBT\’s)
 * 11) Ex- Vodaphone’s M-pesa in Kenya has been a great success

Banks for unbanked

 * 1) The push towards financial inclusion started by nationalization of commercial banks in 1969.
 * 2) But still banks hasn’t reached to the remotest corner of the nation
 * 3) Payments bank is a step towards that.

Earth overshoot day

 * 1) Ecological footprint: Populations demand of resources and services
 * 2) Biocapacity: Ecosystems supply of resources and services
 * 3) Consumption is increasing at an alarming pace
 * 4) India’s scenario:
 * 5) India’s per capita ecological footprint is one of the lowest in world, But in terms of overall ecological footprint it is 3rd only behind China and US.
 * 6) India’s Ecological footprint and biocapacity can be managed by:
 * 7) Yearly ecological audit – in which data and info is taken regarding the actions and investments by Govt. pvt and public entities and future developmental, environmental policies should be formulated accordingly,
 * 8) CSR should be focused more on rejuvenating biocapacity
 * 9) Conclusion: sustainable growth is required for us to grow as a nation and to save the civilization

Politics of parliamentary paralysis

 * Speaker can eject and suspend members : Rule (374A) of business conduct

From farmer to businessman

 * Many of the agricultural companies are doing extremely well – whereas farmers are committing suicide
 * This shows money is clearly in the market but not in farms
 * FPO(Farmer producer organization) – like Amul
 * FPO’s – They aggregate and then market the agricultural produce. Currently, FPOs are aggregating and finally selling to pvt. Companies..thus large share of profit goes to these companies.
 * Challenges faced by FPO’s
 * 1) Initial Capital : they are mostly small farmers turned businessmen – they are unable to generate initial capital. They cannot generate money from share market as pvt companies. They also do not have anything to keep for collateral to take a loan.
 * 2) Working capital – food market is volatile, price changes everyday. Farmers need money for sowing seeds, for his livelihood, etc. In the case of milk..it is a daily consumable item..thus working capital can be generated easily.
 * 3) Managerial capability : doesn’t have management capability as of Pvt. Companies.
 * 4) Other challenges – salary of working professionals, marketing costs, etc.
 * 5) Solutions:
 * Bridge financing : It is short term loan. It can help in initial investment.
 * Collateral free loans from banks
 * Tax incentives: Provide SEZ like status to FPOs
 * Regulations: A number of regulations and licenses are required at the grassroot level. These obstacles should be removed.

Cultural sensibilities in parenting

 * There are no perfect child parenting practice. These practices are determined by cultural, economical and social situtaions.
 * Most of the time parents who move to a foreign country doesn\’t know the local cultural practices and are seen by authorities as incompetent of parenting.

22 Aug
Uphaar Case
 * Only 5 months imprisonment given, which they have already served.
 * Fine is imposed.
 * IPC –
 * 304 part2 – culpable homicide
 * 304 A – death caused due to rash and negligence

Death Penalty
 * Those terrorists are seen as martyrs and they are seen as motivational and inspirational figures for terrorists camps.
 * It also invites retaliatory attacks

NCRB(national crime record bureau) Data on rapes
 * High numbers also show that victims are coming forward in reporting crimes, and also that police is not turning them back.
 * Delhi has the highest no.s
 * Delhi has seen rapid increase in the reporting of rape cases. Reasons being:
 * 1) Recent rape cases has been taken seriously by the society, and it has been given right notice that it deserved.
 * 2) Victims are coming forward in reporting of these cases
 * 3) Police is also hesitating in not recording the cases
 * 4) But this may not be seen in other states as well
 * 5) NGOs have been more active in giving lights on to these cases
 * Reasons :
 * 1) High crime rates are seen in a society where social and economic disparity is present as compared to an equitable society
 * 2) Solution:
 * 3) Increase number of women police personnel – so that victims feel safe in reporting

Self respect movement

 * 1) Founded by E V Ramasamy (Periyar) in 1925.
 * 2) Self-respect marriages  : Inter-caste and w/o priests
 * 3) Widow re-marriages

TSR Subramanian committee
 TSR Subramanian committee report on various acts administered by Ministry of environment, forest, and climate change (DEC,2014) Acts reviewed : Recommendations: ISSUES:  India-Iran India-Bhutan '''Q. Farmers\’ unions and political parties have been demanding the implementation of the Swaminathan minimum support price (cost plus 50%) to address agrarian crisis and farmers\’ distress. Do you think this alone will be able to address this issue? Critically Examine.'''
 * 1) Water(control of pollution and prevention) Act,
 * 2) Air (control of pollution and prevention) Act,
 * 3) Environment protection Act,
 * 4) Indian Forest (protection) Act,
 * 5) Forest (Conservation) Act,
 * 6) Wildlife (protection) Act
 * 1) Changes recommended
 * 2) Single window clearance :
 * 3) Setting up of NEMA (National environment management authority) and SEMA (State environment management authority
 * 4) Currently projects are classified as category A ( central level projects ) and Category B ( state level projects). These require assessments from respective environment impact assessment authorities.
 * 5) Single window clearance is proposed through NEMA and SEMA
 * 6) More number of projects should be classified under B category
 * 7) NEMA and SEMA will be responsible for assessment and monitoring of compliance
 * 8) National and state pollution control boards will be subsumed by NEMA and SEMA
 * 9) Companies are required to disclose all information pertinent to project and fines will be imposed if not adhered.
 * 10) Environmental Laws (management) Act should be enacted to give statutory status to NEMA and SEMA
 * 11) Special courts to be established for trials under this law.
 * 12) NGT will have the power of judicial review.
 * 13) Setting up of institute of environmental research,
 * 14) All India services related to environment management,
 * 15) Environment reconstruction fund
 * 16) Changes to specific environment laws
 * 17) Forest legislation :
 * 18) Activities that threaten environment in areas like – protected forests and a forest areas with 70% canopy should not be permitted.
 * 19) Key recommendations:
 * 20) Geo referenced maps by forest survey of india should be used for faster clearances
 * 21) Certificates under forests rights(STs and other forest dwellers) acts should not be made compulsory at the first stage, as is the case currently,
 * 22) Approval from gram sabhas should be done away in the case of linear projects like roads, pipelines, etc.
 * 23) Currently, companies are required to pay for compensatory afforestation – amount being equal to the value of degraded revenue land or degraded forest land.
 * 24) Proposal – to charge double in the case of degraded revenue land and triple in the case of degraded forests land
 * Wildlife legislation :
 * 1) Schedule I of the wildlife act (1972) needs to be updated to include species threatened by illegal trade,
 * 2) Faster prosecution of wildlife crimes
 * 3) Water and Air legislations :
 * 4) Repeal the two acts and include them in the environment protection Act
 * 1) Valuation of environment damages is difficult
 * 2) Mostly based on environment database – data is questionable.
 * 1) Relaxed visa norms – Iran was kept on restricted visa category
 * 2) Relations important in terms of energy security for India – Farzad B gas field
 * 3) Chahbar port – It will give India access to Afghanistan by-passing Pakistan
 * 4) Both India and Iran wants a stable Afghanistan
 * 5) But, India needs to develop strong relations with Iran. Giving up to the global pressures has slowed the pace.
 * 1) Modi\’s first visit to a foriwgn nation was to Bhutan
 * 2) India is spending on hydroelectric projects
 * 3) Increased cultural ties, people to people ties

High number of suicides by farmers and agricultural labourers and high indebtedness of farmers are clear indicators of agrarian crisis and farmers distress. M S Swaminathan recommended cost +50% as MSP among other recommendations. The questions that arise are: First : Currently, MSP is derived keeping in mind the cost of production, inflation rate, effect on cost of living, etc. And also no developed country is using this kind of mechanical system. 2nd : High MSPs will directly affect BPL population, it will increase general price levels. Have an effect on processing and manufacturing industries which uses agricultural produce as raw materials. Will also affect the global competitiveness of Indian economy. 3rd : MSPs has a direct correlation with the cost of providing food security to 67% of the population. High MSPs will affect procurement rates, distribution and buffer stocks. A large number of farmers fall under marginal and small landholdings (87%). These small landholdings are unviable, have small marketable produce and thus even if swaminathan MSP is provided, the scenario wont change much. For these sub-marginal, marginal and even small farmers agricultural income constitutes only a portion of their requirement the rest is met by non-agricultural activities. Thus, Increasing just MSP is not going to increase the economic condition of these marginal farmers. Other overlooked factors include – slow land reforms, inadequate irrigation facilities, inadequate access to credit, technology fatigue, low level of skill, lack of employability of surplus workforce. Solutions: As the country develops, the economy shifts from agriculture to manufacturing and services as has been the case worldwide. The fundamental issue is how to shift the surplus workforce :- answer- skills development, health, infrastructure. The Swaminathan MSP may help medium- and large-holding farmers and that too in the short run, but not the marginal-and small-holding farmers.
 * 1) Will it be appropriate to set MSPs in such a mechanical manner?
 * 2) Its effect on consumers(specially poors), on inflation, overall growth of country.
 * 3) Will it be in consonance with the Food security act?
 * 4) Will govt. will be able to provide it, even if it desires to?
 * 5) Will it provide a long term solution for agrarian crisis and farmers distress?
 * 1) Increased productivity of land and labour
 * 2) Absorption of surplus workforce in non-farm sectors

Santhara
Santhara – Right to life doesn\’t guarantee the right to death, thus santhara is not guaranteed under Article 21. Right to die doesn\’t mean the right to die curtailing the span of life.

Indradhanush
Reforms in Public Sector Banks (PSB) Black-naped hare – Found in India, least concerned Kadar tribesmen of Vazhachal forest – Kerala Macedonia
 * 7 pronged plan – Indradhanush to revamp public sector banks
 * 1) Appointments
 * 2) Board of bureau  - headed by RBI governor
 * 3) Re-capitalization
 * 4) Empowerment
 * 5) De-stressing
 * 6) Accountability
 * 7) Governance reforms
 * 8) P J Nayak committee – on boards of banks

Bandhan bank

 * 1) First new bank in Bengal since Independence.
 * 2) One-third of its branches will be in rural areas.

TPP and RCEP
Q. critically examine how will India’s participation in the Trans-pacific partnership (TPP) and the regional comprehensive economic partnership(RCEP) would effect its trade and strategic interests. A. Fodder
 * TPP(trans pacific partnership) and RCEP are free trade agreements
 * TPP – includes US and 11 other pacific nations
 * RCEP includes ASEAN countries along with Six others including India
 * These agreements include goods, services and also IPRs
 * US is strongly pushing TPP agreements under US Asia pivot strategy
 * These two agreements are not only important for trade but for strategic purpose also
 * Importance of RCEP for India –
 * 1) Will be in consonance with India’s Act East policy

Arab league

 * organization of arab countries in and around North Africa. Has 22 members

Cobrapost

 * A news portal that showed sting operation related to killing of dalits in Bihar
 * 1) Justice Amir das commission was setup to look into the Lakshmanpur bathe dalit killings. The commission was dismantled.

FIBAC

 * bankers conference

Ischemic Heart Disease
Q. According to a study, ischemic heart disease is emerging as the main health problem in India. Critically examine its nature, causes and consequences. Ischemic heart disease: It is a condition when blood supply to heart is reduced which could lead to heart attacks. Causes: Consequences: Healthy life expectancy has been reducing in India despite increasing life expectancy. India has done improvements in health care facilities. Conclusion:
 * 1) Diet: More oily, Trans fat, less vegetables and fruits.
 * 2) Habits : less exercise, smoking, drinking, etc.,
 * 1) Lower healthy life expectancy,
 * 2) More expense on health care,
 * 3) Stress and family is also in stress
 * 4) Loss of productive time
 * 1) Make people aware.
 * 2) Healthy habits like exercise, healthy diet should be promoted and should be taught to kids.

Main Central Thrust
Q. What is the Main Central Thrust in the Himalayas and how was it formed? Highlighting its significance examine why it was in news recently.

Main central Thrust –  Significance – because of the recent earthquake in Nepal that took lives of thousands. Study shows the recent earthquake might be followed by earthquakes of similar or higher intensity, since the fault has been only partially ruptured. Need:
 * It is one of the major geological fault where the Indian plate has pushed under the Eurasian plate.
 * 1) Earthquake resistant houses,
 * 2) Awareness among people,
 * 3) Disaster management fund,
 * 4) Earthquake warning systems,

GSLV MK-II
Q. Do you think the two consecutive successful launch of GSLV-Mk-II would make ISRO self-reliant space agency? Discuss.

Two consecutive successful launches of GSLV MK-II shows ISRO’s capability to learn from mistakes and develop new technologies. GSLV MK-II employed recently indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage that helps in reducing the fuel weight thus allowing more payload capacity.

PSLV vehicles have inherent limitation of payload. It can’t carry payloads more than 1 Ton. GSLV’s are developed to overcome that limitations. GSLV MK-II vehicle’s payload is close to 2 tons.

The trend is showing communication satellites are getting heavier and heavier. India is still reliant on foreign space agencies for launching its heavier communication satellites.

For complete reliance, GSLV has to be future ready. GSLV MK-III is still in testing phase, even after completion it might note meet future needs.

ISRO has shown it's capacity and capability in new technology development, now the need is to fine tune its strategy to be future ready as the space launches is in itself a very big economic resource.

True reliance will need setup of domestic space industry to successfully provide high technology inputs to the indigenous space industry. Recent reforms like Make in India and uniform IPR laws is a welcome step towards that direction.

Gond tribe

 * dravidian people
 * in M.P, Maharastra, UP, Bihar, Orissa, tellangana, chhattisgrah, etc.
 * largest tribe in central India

CGNet Swara

 * is an Indian voice-based online portal that allows people in the forests of Central Tribal India to report local news by making a phone call.

Alzheimer’s disease

 * Progressive dementia, short term memory loss, low intellectual performance
 * Caused by Amyloid beta molecule

Sunhak peace prize 2015

 * korea
 * given for first time in 2015
 * an Indian and a kiribati citizen won
 * M.V Gupta - Blue revolution - work in aquaculture

ITLOS – international tribunal for the law of seas

 * UN mandated court in Hamburg, Germany
 * has 21 judges — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gaurav4291 (talk • contribs) 08:55, 11 May 2016 (UTC)

Concretisation, The silent killer

 * Urban heat island – The concrete surfaces be it buildings or roads radiate heat waves in the evening, making nights as hot as days and decreasing the minimum and maximum temperature difference, resulting in urban heat islands.
 * Problems –
 * 1) Local warming,
 * 2) Flooding of roads,
 * 3) Water table is not able to recharged,
 * Solutions-
 * 1) Excessive tiling of pavements should not be done. Porous materials should be used.
 * 2) Tiling around trees should be avoided,

IS recruitment problem
Problems: Solutions:
 * Cannot keep watch on everyone who travels to middle-east as is done by US or UK. Since, a number of people go to middle-east for work and businesses.
 * Community policing – Raise awareness among public to raise suspicion if any.
 * Beat constables  can provide valuable information

Caste based reservations
Caste based reservations – Only strengthens caste-divide. Reservations should be given based on economic criteria.

Q. Do you support removal of caste-based reservation and its replacement with income-based reservation? In the light of question on ability of reservation system to address the twin issues of poverty and development, critically comment.

Reservation and development:

Resentment among youth because of two factors:
 * First – The reservation policy have failed to bring the lowest caste/tribe/community in the mainstream and the sense of dissatisfaction among others who could not get the benefits of reservation.
 * Second – The rapid growth has failed to match the employment requirements of the growing labor force.

Demerits of present reservation policy Time for radical rethinking:
 * Reservation policy was brought in 1950 on a temporary basis for 10 yrs to bring SC and ST in the mainstream and the reservation policies has stayed for more than 6 decades yet the extent of inclusion of deprived classes in the mainstream is debatable.
 * The reservation policy which was meant for the up-liftment of the deprived class – has been used as a tool of vote bank politics.
 * Poorest among these caste/communities still remain out of the reach of these policies. The creamy class of these groups enjoys the benefits.
 * The reservation should be based on the idea of supporting the poorest and giving preference to the socially and economically excluded.
 * The creamy layer among these groups should be identified.
 * One major dis-satisfaction among the youth is the un-availability of jobs. We should be careful of the danger that this demographic dividend might turn into demographic disaster if adequate number of jobs are not created for the ever increasing work-force.
 * Skill up-gradation.

Smart City
Q. Regarding India’s smart city project it is commented that from the objectives of this new policy, nothing appears smart about them. Critically examine how different is this policy from the other urban centric policies and suggest in what ways the policies should be different and smart from the existing ones.

What is Smart city –
 * Includes institutional infrastructure (governance), Physical infrastructure (roads, water, power,etc.) and social infrastructure (schools, hospitals, etc.)

No plan has been declared as to what will constitute a smart city. Improved sanitation, improved infrastructure, solid waste management, etc. has been sought in various other urban city development policies as well. Other policies such as AMRUT (Atal mission for rejuvenation and urban transformation).

Smart cities should include:
 * E-governance
 * Transportation infrastructure – Metros, integrated bus transportation system
 * Sustainable city – should be able to create jobs
 * Citizen involvement – better and efficient usage,

SAMPLE ANSWER:

Though not exactly defining what is a smart city, the smart city initiative states its objective is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of Smart Solutions like e-governance; energy, waste and water management, urban mobility etc. Though welcome in its intention, this scheme is wrought with ironies in both thought and practice.

The atal mission for rejuvenation and urban transformation(AMRUT) and its predecessor the JNNURM were brought out to provide basic services like drinking water, sanitation etc in urban areas and providing facilities like green patches, improved public transport to reduce pollution and enhance quality of life. Their success can at best be termed modest. The swachh bharat abhiyaan (SBA) includes many of the the smart targets like efficient waste management, improved sanitation facilities and behavioral changes etc. The Heritage city development and augmentation yojna HRIDAY aims at revitalization of urban infrastructure for areas around heritage assets including water supply, sanitation, drainage, waste management, landscaping etc. Urban decongestion master plans like the NCR which sought to promote counter urbanization by developing parallel cities can hardly be termed a success.

It can be seen that much similarities exist between the smart city initiative with other urban development schemes and a multiplicity of schemes to achieve similar targets entails confusion between administrative bodies, corruption, slow infrastructure generation etc. Also the smart city initiative can be termed somewhat premature when existing schemes like AMRUT which seek to set the basics of urbanisation right are still far from their targets.

In order for the initiative to be truly smart it must go to the people. While a city like Bangalore might require great IT initiatives, smart power grids, telemedicine etc a city like guwahati will need good drainage, better roads etc. By strengthening participatory democracy through active urban local bodies and achieving congruence between existing schemes one can truly define what is smart and act accordingly.

Some suggestions for this can be- 1) City specific targets with local approaches 2) Provisions for better availability of finance for urban local bodies should be there. 3) Rather than Urban-Rural dichotomy, interconnectedness must be there with taking nearby rural areas within the ambit of planning. 4) Citizen participation should be the key. 5) Smart city must have spread effects not the sucking effect on nearby area. 6) Frugal innovation with focus on maximising profit on input and inclusiveness should be there.

13 points included in land bill - 13 points or Acts for which exemptions would be made in Land Acquisition include atomic energy, railways, mines, ancient monuments and so on.

Koya tribals

 * Ox sacrifice

Rock art found in Telangana – Aksharaaladoddi (Valley of letters)

Naara kalabanda or Kittha Naara – High starch content –can be used to prepare ethanol

Meth – methamphetamine (narcotic drug)
 * Ephedrine (main ingredient) – key component in cough syrup
 * and also red phosphorous and hydroid acid (ingredients)

10th World summit for the information society – in dec 2015

Refugee crisis in Europe

 * EU – 28 member group, Presidentship changes every 6 months
 * Schengen border code – free movement of people ( Britain and Ireland is not a part)
 * Balkan nations (south-east Europe)- Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulagaria, Greece, etc
 * http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/50/89850-004-C88E1B75.gif — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gaurav4291 (talk • contribs) 10:48, 5 May 2016 (UTC)

Medicinal properties of Tulsi
 * Anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant, anti-septic, anti-cancer
 * Eugenol – Anti-infective
 * Ursolic acid – Anti-cancer

Chengalikodan Banana

 * GI tag given
 * GI tag helps in protection of goods
 * it helps consumer to get quality products
 * It helps in generating demands

Kikiki Huna

 * Smallest insect in world
 * Found in Tamil Nadu
 * It is a multicellular organism - but smaller than many single celled organisms

FATCA

 * Foreign account tax compliance act
 * done with US
 * Financial institutions like banks, NBFCs, MFs, Insurance companies have to share customer information of US citizens on reciprocal basis with the US authorities, similarly information of Indian account holders in US will be shared with India

Sendai Framework

 * On disaster risk reduction
 * Sendai is in Japan
 * an agreement - aim is to reduce mortality during disasters, minimise economic losses, increase preparedness for response
 * India has adopted Sendai framework - and will work towards reduce the loss, increase preparedness,

Muthuvan tribe

 * Kerala

Kinnera or Kinneri

 * Musical instrument
 * 3 resonators (Guitar like)
 * uses bamboo for neck
 * Related to chenchu tribe (telangana)
 * http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02510/14TH_KINNERA_2510681e.jpg

SDR - Special drawing rights

 * IMFs special drawing currencies
 * Dollar, Euro, Yen, Sterling
 * Renminbi (Chinese Yuan) will be added to the basket effective October 1, 2016

Yakshgana Mela

 * Karnataka
 * Ancient art form (Play, dance, singing)
 * Traditionally performed all night but timings are reduced now