User talk:Gaurav4291/OCT2015

Aadhar for clean polls

 * Duplication of names in electoral rolls :
 * 1) Migration of labor force is one major factor
 * 2) People move out of their native places (where they already are registered in electoral rolls), they usually get enrolled in the new place avail various facilities that are linked to photo-identification using election id card
 * 3) This duplication can be high in areas adjoining state borders
 * 4) Physical verification of photo election ID card is time consuming
 * 5) Data can be misused
 * Solution:
 * 1) Aadhar card provides a solution, the fingerprint and iris scan data can be used to identify duplicate records
 * 2) Since, Aadhar card  can also be made for minors and once they turn 18, they automatically become eligible voters
 * 3) In future, Aadhar card can facilitate e-voting also

Compensatory Afforestation

 * CAMPA bill provisions:
 * 1) Artificial plantation
 * 2) Forest management
 * 3) Infrastructure development
 * 4) Forest protection
 * 5) Wildlife protection
 * 6) Formation of state and national CAMPA funds
 * Question : Whether to use the compensatory afforestation fund ( Rs. 38000 Crores) for restoring existing forests or artificial plantations
 * Compensatory afforestation relies on the idea that :
 * 1) Environmental concerns can be sacrificed for developmental projects
 * 2) And, that forests are replaceable
 * Problems:
 * 1) Forests are a complex ecological system that cannot be replaced easily
 * 2) In past Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds have been used for purposes like restoration of forest dept. offices, vehicles, some afforestation near highways, railway lines – but these do not replace the bio-diverse forest that was removed
 * 3) Land for afforestation is usually not available
 * Solutions:
 * 1) Instead of artificial forestation, funds should be used to restore existing forest areas, build forest corridors that enables contiguous forested areas
 * 2) This fund can be utilized to protect important ecological areas – marine, coastal, riparian, birding, etc.
 * 3) Can be utilized for conservation of endangered species
 * 4) Underpasses and bypasses across highways so that animal movement is not disturbed

Providing insurance to population

 * Less than 10% of the population are covered under insurance
 * Solution –
 * selling insurances by Banks
 * Banks have higher reach as compared to insurance companies
 * Consumer feel Banks as a safer mode of savings

India rose up in Global competitive index

 * Index released by World economic forum
 * In 2014 – 71 and 2015 -55
 * But still needs improvement in a number of areas
 * Corruption,
 * Stable policies,
 * Infrastructure – electricity
 * Internet access – one of the lowest

G20

 * The Group of 20 (G20) is an international fora for governments from 20 major economies
 * Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, U.K., U.S, EU
 * G20 isn't an organization but operates as a forum.
 * One nation holds the Chair, known as 'G20 Presidency'
 * Turkey is chairing for 2015
 * China heads for 2016, followed by Germany in 2017.
 * India will chair G20 for 2018

2 Oct
Germany's chancellor's visit to India
 * coming week next week
 * India and Germany along with Brazil and Japan are eyeing UNSC permanent seat
 * Germany
 * 1) Greece crisis
 * 2) have given a humanitarian response
 * 3) recent VW scandal - can dent their image
 * Relation
 * 1) political and economical
 * 2) Germany has technology and capital
 * 3) India can provide human capital
 * 4) Civilisational community - Student community

Release of confidential documents

 * W.B govt. released part of classified documents on S.C Bose
 * Demand for release of rest of the documents
 * RTI act allows transparency but section 8 (allows govt. to keep some documents out of reach of public)
 * Other nations has also allowed release of confidential document - some release it after a lock-in period

Capital punishment

 * Sec-302, IPC

SDG, Goal 7

 * Goal-7 - access to affordable, reliable and sustainable and modern energy
 * Problem -
 * 1) India has largest population w/o electricity, that uses woodfire for cooking or biomass
 * 2) Woodfires deteriorate Indoor air quality - thus health problems - specially women and children
 * Solution -
 * 1) promotion of LPG
 * 2) DBT's for population
 * 3) improved cooking stoves
 * 4) steps like "Give it up" - giving LPG subsidy also helps in reducing the subsidy burden

MDG

 * http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/mdg_26feb15.pdf

Hind Swaraj

 * In 1909, Gandhi Ji while going to South Africa from England wrote Hind swaraj

Attorney General

 * A76 - Appointment and powers

Monroe doctrine
Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy regarding domination of the American continent in 1823. It stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention.

Plan Expenditure
Any expenditure that is incurred on programmes which are detailed under the current (Five Year) Plan of the centre or centre’s advances to state for their plans is called plan expenditure. Provision of such expenditure in the budget is called Plan Expenditure. Items of plan expenditure are:
 * 1) expenditure on electricity generation,
 * 2) irrigation and rural developments,
 * 3) construction of roads, bridges, canals and
 * 4) science, technology, environment, etc.

It includes both revenue expenditure and capital expenditure. Again, the assistance given by the Central Government for the plans of States and Union Territories (UTs) is also a part of plan expenditure. Plan expenditure is further sub-classified into Revenue Expenditure and Capital Expenditure

Non-Plan Expenditure


 * This refers to the estimated expenditure provided in the budget for spending during the year on routine functioning of the government. Non- Plan expenditure is all expenditure other than plan expenditure of the govt. Such expenditure is a must for every country, planning or no planning.

Revenue Expenditure


 * Simply put, an expenditure which neither creates assets nor reduces liability is called Revenue Expenditure,
 * e.g., salaries of employees, interest payment on past debt, subsidies, pension, etc.
 * These are financed out of revenue receipts.
 * Broadly, any expenditure which does not lead to any creation of assets or reduction in liability is treated as revenue expenditure.
 * Generally, expenditure incurred on normal running of the government departments and maintenance of services is treated as revenue expenditure.
 * Examples of revenue expenditure are salaries of government employees, interest payment on loans taken by the government, pensions, subsidies, grants, rural development, education and health services, etc.

Capital Expenditure


 * An expenditure which either creates an asset (e.g., school building) or reduces liability (e.g., repayment of loan) is called capital expenditure.
 * Capital expenditure which leads to creation of assets are
 * 1) expenditure on purchase of land, buildings, machinery,
 * 2) investment in shares, loans by Central government to state government, foreign governments and government companies, cash in hand and
 * 3) acquisition of valuables. Such expenditures are incurred on long period development programmes, real capital assets and financial assets. This type of expenditure adds to the capital stock of the economy and raises its capacity to produce more in future.

Fiscal Multiplier

 * The ratio in which the change in a nation's income level is affected by government spending. The fiscal multiplier is used to measure the effect of government spending (fiscal policy) on the subsequent income level of that country.
 * News : Fiscal multiplier effect of capital expenditure is more than other type of expenditures

GCTOC

 * Gujarat control of terrorism and organised bill
 * Provisions :
 * 1) Confessions made in police custody admissible in court – victim can be tortured and made to give confession
 * 2) Empowers police to tap telephonic conversations and submit them in court as evidence.
 * 3) Extends period of probe from stipulated 90 days to 180 days before filing of charge sheet.

ICRISAT’s Mandate crop – Finger millets

 * Mandate crops –now has 6 mandate crops
 * is an international organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development, headquartered in Patancheru (Hyderabad, Telangana, India)
 * ICRISAT performs crop improvement research, using conventional as well as methods derived from biotechnology, on the following crops: Chickpea,[5] Pigeonpea,[6] Groundnut[7] Pearl millet[8] Sorghum[9] and Small millets

S.M Khan panel report on FTII

 * Reports
 * 1) No lack of infrastructure or facilities
 * 2) Admissions was not taken to accommodate the delayed batches

More powers to intelligence agencies

 * Threat is now more internal – Bombay blast were carried by Indian citizens, London blasts were done by British citizens
 * Encryption of communication – tapping of phones is essential to keep a check on such elements, but it is seen as an intrusion in privacy
 * Privacy a price for a safer nation

Gas pricing formula

 * Natural gas prices are not market determined whereas crude oil prices are market determined
 * Domestic prices of natural gas is benchmarked with US, UK, Canada and Russia
 * The domestic price is based on the benchmark prices in the prior year and kicks in with a quarter’s lag. It applies for six months. So, the price applicable from April 1 to September 30, 2015 is based on benchmark prices from January to December 2014.
 * It does not take into account the cost of imported gas –the price of imported gas in Asia is higher than the global benchmarks (US, UK, Cana
 * Increased gas prices will increase prices of fertilizers, PNG, CNG
 * C. Rangarajan formula – he recommended benchmarking of US, EU and Japanese prices and averaging with the cost of imported gas

Arctic Council

 * It is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic.
 * It has eight member countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. [NRI-USD-FC]
 * India is an observer
 * HQ- Norway
 * http://www.ens.dk/sites/ens.dk/files/images/klima-co2/arktisk-klima/arctic_map_politica2.PNG

Towards universal immunization

 * India was able to substantially reduce under 5 mortality rate
 * Initiatives like call to action, India’s new born action plan and integrated action plan for pneumonia and diarrhea has helped
 * More needs to be done – focused approach is needed to target marginalized groups – tribal population, street workers, children of labourers
 * Mission Indradhanush – aims to immunize children and women – against some life threatening diseases
 * Focus is on high priority groups and marginalized groups
 * Awareness should be made – so that people come up to avail these facilities
 * WHO, UNICEF is complementing govt.s work

Justice system in India

 * Poor infrastructure
 * Heavy backlogs
 * Huge number of under trials
 * Solution:
 * 1) Increasing the number of judges
 * 2) Making it less costly

Fiscal Deficit

 * Fiscal deficit is theexcess in govt. Expenditure compared to receipts
 * To meet this deficit –
 * govt. can borrow domestically – govt. will have to increase interest rates so that people save
 * High fiscal deficit can be problematic for many reasons
 * 1) investment, growth and employment could all weaken
 * 2) inflation could increase
 * 3) monetary policy expansion may be constrained
 * 4) external sector imbalances could widen
 * 5) high fiscal deficits might reduce investor confidence in India.
 * Vijay kelkar gave report on fiscal consolidation in 2012

3rd Battalion of Delhi armed police

 * Looks after the transportation of convicts

INS Trikand

 * On 3 day visit to turkey

LAF – Liquidity adjustment facility

 * (LAF) is a monetary policy tool which allows banks to borrow money through repurchase agreements
 * It is used to aid banks in adjusting the day to day mismatches in liquidity. LAF consists of repo and reverse repo operations.
 * Repo or repurchase option is a collaterised lending i.e. banks borrow money from Reserve bank of India to meet short term needs by selling securities to RBI with an agreement to repurchase the same at predetermined rate and date. The rate charged by RBI for this transaction is called the repo rate.
 * Repo operations therefore inject liquidity into the system.
 * Reverse repo operation is when RBI borrows money from banks by lending securities. The interest rate paid by RBI is in this case is called the reverse repo rate.
 * Reverse repo operation therefore absorbs the liquidity in the system.
 * The collateral used for repo and reverse repo operations are Government of India securities. Oil bonds have been also suggested to be included as collateral for Liquidity adjustment facility.

World Bank released report on poverty ratio

 * Poverty ratio has come under 10% (world)
 * India specific data not released
 * lower-middle-income category: China, India, Indonesia & Nigeria - previously low income category
 * Poverty ratio is estimated from monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE)
 * This MPCE is measured based on :
 * 1) URP (uniform reference period) - Until 1993-94, consumption information collected by the NSSO was based on the Uniform Reference Period (URP), which measured consumption across a 30-day recall period. That is, survey respondents were asked about their consumption in the previous 30 days.
 * 2) Mixed reference period (MRP) - From 1999-2000 onwards, the NSSO switched to a method known as the Mixed Reference Period (MRP). The MRP measures consumption of five low-frequency items (clothing, footwear, durables, education and institutional health expenditure) over the previous year, and all other items over the previous 30 days.
 * 3) Modified mixed reference period (MMRP) - household consumer expenditure on edible oil, egg, fish and meat, vegetables, fruits, spices, beverages, refreshments, processed food, pan, tobacco and intoxicants is recorded for a reference period of “last 7 days”, and for all other items, the reference periods used are the same as in case of Mixed Reference Period MPCE.
 * Tendulkar formula for poverty line uses MRP method for calculation of MPCE

Nobel Prize

 * Physics – Neutrino research – showed that neutrino has mass
 * Dr. Kajita and Dr. Mc Donald
 * Neutrino
 * 1) Charge less
 * 2) Tiny mass
 * 3) Three types – electron neutrino, muon neutrino and Tau neutrino

Dependence on Coal

 * India’s INDC –
 * 33~35% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 from its 2005 levels
 * 3 billion tons of Carbon sinks in the form of forests
 * 40% of non-fossil fuel component by 2030
 * Some people say India should reduce its dependence on coal
 * Facts:
 * India’s coal consumption is only a fraction of US, China, Japan, and many OECD countries ( ~1/6th of China and US)
 * Energy access is directly related to Human development index (HDI)
 * According to a Swiss research – a basic lifeline energy of 2000W is the benchmark for basic energy requirement that meets housing, mobility, food, infrastructure
 * US, EU – uses almost all of 2000W from fossil fuels – much higher than India’s 20%
 * To remove poverty, improve health conditions – India needs to generate more energy
 * Cost of non-renewable energy is still more than coal based energy
 * India’s mission of “Solar Alliance” – To connect countries located between tropic of cancer and tropic of Capricorn to help generate more renewable energy
 * Goal –
 * 1) India is striving to provide its population with basic energy needs while increasing the share of non-renewable energy
 * 2) We should move towards equitable carbon profile for all – Developed countries should reduce their per-capita carbon emissions, while developing nations should strive to provide energy to their population – this energy should consist major share of renewable sources

Sec 62(5) – RPA

 * Bars prisoners from voting
 * Issues:
 * Even under-trials, under judicial custody people are also barred from voting – which constitutes major population of prisoners (65%)
 * Doesn’t classify prisoners on the basis of type of offence or the length of sentence

Nobel Prize

 * Chemistry – for DNA repair study

Guar Gum

 * A vital ingredient used in hydraulic fracturing process to extract oil from rocks
 * Guar gum is used as a thickening agent in fracking fluid (water and fine sand) – which is injected at high pressures in rocks which creates fractures and oil and gas thus flow out from these cracks

Net neutrality

 * Question : access or neutrality?
 * The idea of free access of basic internet services are laudable – but at the price of neutrality
 * Can lead to predatory pricing

Goldilocks zone

 * Is the space around a star where there is a possibility of finding water (thus life) on a planet.
 * A habitability index is prepared which ranks all the planets based on various factors – the rank gives the probability of finding water on the planet
 * earth, Venus and Mars are in habitable zone of sun — Preceding unsigned comment added by Gaurav4291 (talk • contribs) 06:38, 11 May 2016 (UTC)

NPAs in Banks

 * Steel sector is first in NPAs followed by Road sector
 * Banks have sanctioned loans higher than the estimated cost of the projects – and these projects are now delayed – thus increasing the NPAs

National War memorial

 * To come up near India Gate
 * To commemorate the sacrifices of world war I soldiers and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919- Afghan won)

Mahadayi river

 * Dispute in river water sharing between Goa and Karnataka

1951 Refugees convention

 * India is not a signatory of 1951 convention

TPP

 * Trans Pacific partnership
 * Trade partnership by harmonizing regulations – labour laws, environment laws, IPR laws, govt. subsidies to local manufacturers, etc.
 * India – is not a part of TPP
 * These partnerships are not just important economically nut has geo-political importance as well.
 * US is pushing TPP to increase presence in Asia (Asia pivot policy) – to counteract China
 * India is reluctant to push for these partnerships – one reason is protection of local manufacturers (which are not productive and efficient as compared to global manufacturers),

Women in combat role

 * Indian Air force to allow women in frontline roles (combat)
 * Currently, in all the three forces women are allowed to serve only in technical and administration dept.
 * Argument against : Physical capabilities,
 * Very few nations allow women in combat roles
 * Us already have women in combat roles
 * UK, Australia to allow women in combat role by 2016

FDI in Insurance
Varadharaja Perumal Temple
 * 49%
 * Dedicated to Vishnu
 * One of the 108 divya desams

Vedas

 * Rigveda
 * Samveda
 * Krishna yajurveda
 * Shukla yajurveda
 * Atharvaveda

Shakhas of Vedas
 * Shakhas - schools
 * Ranayini Sakha and Jaimini Sakha of Sama Veda,
 * Pippalada Sakha of Atharva Veda and
 * Kanva Sakha of Sukla Yajur Veda
 * Maitrayani Sakha of Krishna Yajur Veda

Jasmine revolution

 * Tunisian revolution

IMF

 * WEO (World economic outlook report) – Released by IMF
 * Regional economic outlook – Asia and Pacific – Released by IMF

High risk area piracy

 * In 2010 eastern limit of HRA was changed from 65 E to 78 E - included western coast of India –
 * Now, rolled back
 * Ships travelling in High risk areas have to pay more for insurance, they also have armed security guards
 * After 2010 new classification – ships tended to hug more closer to India’s western coast to avoid going in HRA – which resulted in conflicts with local fishermen (Italian marine shot fishermen)
 * Southern boundary – 10 deg South ( New - 5 deg south)
 * Northern boundary – Strait of Hormuz and Suez canal (22 deg north near Pakistan and 15 Deg north near ethiopia
 * http://nation.com.pk/print_images/large/2015-10-13/pak-eez-removed-from-piracy-high-risk-area-1444684281-7228.jpg

Oil pipeline sharing

 * Oil and petroleum regulatory board suggested to make oil pipelines as common carrier
 * It means – IOC which has a wide network of pipelines – will have to share their pipelines with competitors on payment basis – IOC is opposed to this, says it is their capital investment and they will decide on how to use it
 * Pipeline transportation of oil is environmentally friendly, much safer than road or rail

Uniform civil code

 * Different religions are governed by their separate laws – Hindu marriage act, Parsi marriage and divorce act, etc.
 * A Christian has to wait 2 yrs before getting divorce whereas it is 1 year in others
 * This is violative of A14 (right to equality)

UNSC Resolution 1593
Q. ICC has asked India to arrest Sudanese President on charges of war crimes. Is India bound by any international agreements to arrest him? Even if not, should India arrest him? Critically comment.

A. Fodder:


 * Darfur (Sudan) war crimes
 * It is a resolution demanding states to cooperate with ICC (states which are not signatory of ICC as well)
 * Sudan’s President is scheduled to visit India during India-Africa summit, ICC is asking India to arrest the President
 * India is not a signatory to ICC
 * Heads of states have immunity

ICC has held Sudanese president as guilty of war crimes, genocides that happened in Darfur region of Sudan.

India is not a signatory of Rome statute that established ICC, thus India is in no legal agreement to arrest Sudanese president. A resolution – UNSC resolution 1593 was passed asking states to fully cooperate with the court in relation with this investigation – even this doesn’t make India under any legal obligation.

The war crimes are proven by the international community and are very serious in nature thus rightly asks India to act accordingly. India has maintained her stand against violence and crimes on humanity all throughout her history.

Not arresting a person guilty of war crimes will dent the image of India – who is striving for a seat in UNSC. But acting in accordance with ICC can hamper India’s position on Kashmir issue – where India has gone against ICC ruling.

India should also keep in mind the international laws providing immunity to heads of the state. So it would be prudent for India to avoid controversy by not hosting the President.

Neutrino Science
Q. Why is neutrino science considered as an important part of science today? Discuss its principles and applications.

Neutrinos have near zero mass and are charge-less. It can travel long distances un-hindered. These are produced from nuclear reaction in sun, collapsing stars etc. They interact very feebly, thus very large detectors are required to detect their presence.

Detection:
 * 1) Neutrinos interacts with the media and passes energy, and this energy change is detected
 * 2) Neutrinos interacts with the media and undergoes transformation as a negatively or positively charged particle – which is detected

Applications:
 * 1) Nuclear non-proliferation : can detect radioactive substances anywhere in the world, thus would help in checking covert nuclear tests.
 * 2) Communication : can travel through any media un-hindered, even through earth – thus will reduce communication time
 * 3) Will help in mapping earths mineral deposits
 * 4) Will help in studying earths core
 * 5) Will help in studying distant supernova explosions and other events as other particles get disturbed with star dust

Stem cell therapy
Q. Note on the principles of stem cell therapy and latest advancements in this field.

A.

Stem cells primitive cells that grow and get differentiated into different cells and tissues. Sources – embryos, blood, bone marrow. These cells have the capability to multiply itself indefinitely.

Uses:
 * Tissue replacement, organ regeneration, limb regeneration, etc.
 * Can be used for human cloning
 * Issues with embryonic stem cells – since it is taken from embryos at an early stage – it destroys the embryos- thus seen as killing

Diclofenac and Ketoprofen
Q. Diclofenac and ketoprofen used to treat cattles are banned. Examine why and explain the significance.

A. These drugs are known to cause deaths of vultures. Thus are banned by the govt. Initially ketoprofen was seen as a replacement for diclofenac but the results was same.

These drugs are used for veterinary purpose. The carcass of dead animals are eaten by vultures.

Reducing population of vultures is affecting the ecological balance – dead animals are not getting consumed – dogs, rats population increasing.

Vultures are important for parsi community

Another drug Meloxicam has shown promise, and will be used in place of these two.

Khalistan movement
Q. Roots, its objectives and causes of failure of khalistan?

A.

Roots: Khalistan movement is the demand of a separate sikh state. the roots lie in the demand of states based on religion, culture, language both before and after independence. Demand of Pakistan in Lahore resolution made sikh community concerned regarding their land, so a demand for a sikh land was made and this movement was kept alive by various groups.

Objective: main objective was he formation of a separate sikh land.

Causes of failure:
 * 1) Initially the movement was a liberation movement for their land but with time it acquired militant form – attacks on people (including sikh) who opposed the demand, Operation Bluestar, Hijacking of flight, thus common people mostly remain un-influenced by their ideologies
 * 2) The responses by Indian govt. in the form of operation bluestar, Rajiv-Longewal accord were able to keep this movement calm.
 * 3) This movement has support from Indian diasporas in various countries, but due to its militant nature many countries banned any activities related to it

The stability of Punjab region is strategically very important for India, India cannot afford any militant activity or even influence of Pakistan in the Punjab region.

Indian Ocean Dipole

 * The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), also known as the Indian Niño, is an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then colder than the eastern part of the ocean.

Lord padmanabha

 * Yoga nidra (Sleep and rest)

Sec 124A (Sedition) Of IPC
Q. It is argued that the section 124A of IPC should be declared unconstitutional by SC. Critically discuss. Why?

A.

Fodder :
 * Sec 124 A of IPC is colonial era law
 * This was kept to silence any discontent against the British govt.
 * It is argued that this section necessary to keep a check on incitement – but A19 itself puts reasonable restrictions on free speech to check these activities
 * Definition of Sedition as per IPC – act of spreading dis-affection against the govt. ( by words written or spoken, by signs)
 * Different judgments including pre independence has defined sedition differently – In some cases it has been defined as any act that excites feeling of hatred against the govt. irrespective of it whether it is exciting lawlessness or not
 * In other cases it has been defined as any act that excites lawlessness or enmity towards govt.
 * SC in its past judgments have ruled that any act that incites violence or disorder to be an act of sedition
 * But the govt. have been using this law to curb rightful discontent of people against govt. policies that is violative of A19 (freedom of speech)
 * Thus, sedition law can be removed from IPC so as to protect citizens right of free speech. And to check any incitement of violence there are reasonable restrictions provided to A19

Uniform civil code
Q. Do you think imposition of a uniform civil code will have positive impact on national integrity? Critically comment.

A.

Fodder:


 * Uniform civil code envisages subsuming all personal laws of different religions and communities that deals with marriage, Divorce, inheritance, etc. into a single uniform law enforceable all across the nation.
 * A44 (DPSP) – acts as a guidance for the state to establish an uniform civil code for the nation.
 * Positive impact on national integrity:
 * 1) Will remove any preferential treatment to any particular religion or community
 * 2) Will deter politicians from using caste/religion polarization
 * 3) Will provide equality to women
 * 4) Uniform laws will make litigation easier
 * Things needed to be kept in mind:
 * 1) Fear of minority religions – that the new laws will favour the majority religion
 * 2) These are not just simple laws, these are practices followed by these religions and will not be easy to bring changes in these practices
 * 3) Even if UCC is passed, practice like khap panchayat (in cases where illegal killings, people are outcaste) should be dealt strictly

For our nation to be united, every citizen irrespective of caste, religion, gender should be treated equal, thus uniform civil code is a step in the right direction.

Mission Indradhanush
Q. Discuss the importance of immunization for children, challenges being faced in mass immunization programs and measures taken by govt. to make immunization universal.

A.

Importance
 * High rates of neo natal and maternal deaths
 * A un-vaccinated child has potential to make other children in the vicinity vulnerable
 * Requires intervention from govt.
 * Achieved success in eradicating polio, smallpox, neo-natal and maternal tetanus

Challenges
 * Vast geographical spread
 * Lack of awareness among masses
 * Hesitance among parent or guardians related to vaccination
 * Lack of proper cold storage supply chain

Measures taken by govt
 * Mission Indradhanush – target of immunizing 90% children by 2020 ( from 7 vaccine preventable deaths)
 * Identification high focus districts
 * Building cold storages
 * Involved WHO, UNICEF
 * Training of frontline workers
 * Increasing awareness

A 370
Q. Critically comment on the history of A370 of the Indian constitution, its implications and relevance for the Union of India.

A.

Fodder


 * A370 – confers special autonomous status to the state of J&K
 * J&K has its own constitution; J&K assembly is entitled to promulgate laws for the state of J&K except the 4 subjects – Defense, Finance, External affairs and communications which are surrendered to India.
 * Indian citizens from other states are not allowed to own land in J&K
 * J&K citizens have dual citizenship – one of India and one of J&K
 * A370 can be repealed by the President after the constituent assembly of J&K gives its accent

History

Implications : Relevance
 * After Independence, India and Pakistan were in war over J&K, the accession of J&K to India was done on the promise of autonomy to state as defined in A 370
 * Integrity of the nation – other states might demand complete autonomy
 * Feeling of separatism
 * Other states have also been given special provisions like ILP in MAN, A 371 (special provisions for various states)

Territorial waters

 * 12 nautical miles from baseline (coast)
 * Exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles from baseline) – has exclusive rights of explorations

123 Agreement

 * India-US civil nuclear deal

Pakistan-US civil nuclear deal

 * India should support it conditionally
 * Currently, Pakistan’s nuclear program is out of global supervision
 * Pakistan’s inclusion in NSG will come with added conditionality of separating its defense and civil nuclear programs
 * International organizations will be able to supervise their nuclear programs
 * It is best interest for all that Pakistan’s nuclear program are kept under some kind of supervision rather than to keep it under no supervision as is now
 * Deal will demand Pakistan to tone down its aggressive nuclear posture
 * Will force Pakistan to sign fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT)
 * The concern that this deal will allow Pakistan to manufacture more warheads, Pakistan already has more nuclear warheads than India – India can produce more warheads if she chooses to but has wisely chosen not to.
 * Thus, India should support this deal conditionally – should ask US and other stakeholders to push Pakistan to sign FMCT, and to sign no-first use agreement with India

Where the mind is without fear

 * Indian talent going abroad is seen as brain drain
 * This talent then bring back knowledge to the country – called brain gain
 * But in this debate one important aspect is missing – Brain trap
 * The talent in India – is not allowed to explore the full capacity of brain
 * From childhood – at home, school and even at workplace – inquisitiveness is stifled - disagreeing is seen as disrespect
 * Children should be encouraged to ask question, critical thinking is important – identifying problems, looking for limitations, coming with solutions

Sec 3(k) of IPR

 * Bans patent in mathematical models, business models, computer programs and algorithms
 * But software are patentable as long as it proves novelty in the integration of software and hardware

NJAC

 * Held unconstitutional
 * Collegium system upheld
 * Collegium – CJI and 4 senior most SC judges

Bar-coding of medicines

 * Will ensure every strip of drug goes into a parent package
 * AIM : to curb distribution of spurious drugs
 * Small and medium enterprises fear that it will ruin their business
 * Will add to the cost
 * Will favour large multinationals

Nirbhay

 * Long range subsonic cruise missile
 * Nuclear capable
 * Operational range = 1000 km

Borra caves

 * In Andhra Pradesh
 * Have karstic limestone structures
 * Have stalactites and stalagmites

Hand in hand 2015

 * Indo-China military exercise

Natti

 * Folk dance of kullu, Himachal
 * Mime like

India-Africa
Q. What opportunities does exist in rising Africa for India and how does it seek to capitalize them?

A.

India-Africa relations


 * India and Africa was once part of the same land – Gondwana land, with plate tectonic both drifted apart. Both continents have drifted apart in economic progress as well – India is seen as the one of the fastest growing economies. While many African nations are economically very poor.
 * Similarities extend to the
 * 1) vast coastlines that both the continents possess,
 * 2) vast cultural, economic diversity that both continents have,
 * 3) vast untapped human resource
 * But these similarities and disparity between the two continents show that there is scope of great economic progress in African continent.
 * What India has achieved and where it is going today – one day African continent could also achieve or even better it
 * Opportunities in rising Africa
 * 1) Rising middle class – with increasing levels of education, and rising aspirations of middle class
 * 2) Business to Business links – Africa provides a large market for Indian produced goods and services
 * 3) People-to –people connect – Student community, Cultural links,
 * India’s actions
 * 1) India-Africa Summit
 * 2) IBSA (India, S.Africa, Brazil,) – group of developing world economies
 * 3) More investment in African continent as others are also eyeing it
 * 4) Removing stereotypes – encouraging cultural programs

NJAC
Q. Critically analyse the merits and demerits of collegium system

Q. Do you think that the civil society should also have its say in appointment to key constitutional posts? Don’t you think, in the rivalry between judiciary and executive, civil society is being ignored in making key decisions? Critically comment.
 * Separation of powers and judicial independence are two important components of constitution of India.
 * GOI is one of the major litigants in Supreme court (in cases like environment clearances, scams, etc.) – thus Union law minister’s inclusion in the appointments panel would have conflict of interests.

Insurance indicators
Q. Need of Insurance indicators

A.
 * Insurance indicators could help in gauging financial and social progress
 * This would give overall view to insurance agencies about the extent of insurance inclusion in the country – and they will be able plan accordingly
 * The insurance indicator should include – indicators to indicate the type of insurances, female to male ratio of policy holders, distribution channels
 * India’s Insurance density is way low than other developing and developed economies
 * Distribution channel should improve – These distributors should encourage and properly guide their clients

Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA)

 * Globally important area for bird breeding, and conservation
 * Identified by Birdlife international

UCC

 * Separate personal laws are violative of Article -14 (Right to equality)
 * A 25 – gives freedom to profess one’s religion of choice, but that doesn’t set any bar to prevent govt. from enacting UCC, Since- Article 25 clause 2 – says nothing in this article prevents legislature to regulate or restrict any financial, political or secular activity associated with any religious practice

NJAC
Q. Should the exercise of power of judicial review depend upon the will of the parliament? Critically examine.

A.

Judicial review is the act of judging whether a particular law is in accordance with the constitution.

The law making is the prerogative of legislature, but the right to decide whether the laws are in accordance with constitution or not is given to the judiciary. If judicial review is left upon the will of parliament on the pretext that they are the elected representative of the citizens of India – thus it is citizen’s view, the rule of law will be jeopardy

Parliamentary supremacy as enshrined in our constitution is the power given to parliament to make laws in bounds of the constitution. Parliament is superior to executive as COM is accountable to Parliament. But to check the legitimacy of laws the need is of an independent judiciary

Judicial review is one of the most important goals of any legal system. Thus appointments procedure is one very important mechanism; many countries have different systems for appointments- some mix match of executive, civil society and judiciary

In India, govt. is the largest litigant in the courts, thus govt. itself appointing the judges can have serious ramifications on the independence of judiciary

In a democracy it is important to have a strong legislature and it is equally important to have a strong judiciary.

Thus this is seen as an opportunity to develop a better appointments mechanism that passes the test of fairness and transparency.

NJAC

 * NJAC was declared unconstitutional on the grounds that it violated primacy of judges of appointing SC and HC judges and this destroyed the basic structure of the constitution
 * The independence of judiciary is the basic unalterable feature of the constitution
 * The argument that by taking away primacy of judges in the appointments – the independence of judiciary will be hampered is unfounded
 * The constitution nowhere provides the primacy of judges in the appointment of SC and HC judges
 * Rather constitution says the appointment of SC and HC judges is to be made by President consulting the CJI and other judges as he may feel appropriate
 * In countries like US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, there is no primacy of Judiciary but then also it cannot be claimed that there judiciary is not independent

Bluechips

 * Bluechips are nationally recognized, high value, financially sound companies
 * These do well in economic downturn as well

Wildlife protection Act

 * Indian hares and Indian pittas – protected under schedule 4
 * This act has 6 schedules of varying degree of protection
 * Schedule 1 and 2 have the absolute protection

NJAC

 * AIJS (All India judicial services ) could be a solution, - Similar to UPSc
 * AIJS officers could join as additional district judges and rise to HC and SC judges
 * Will bring accountability and transparency
 * Disciplinary matters can be dealt with a separate body which has no influence of executive
 * Very less representation of women and minorities in judiciary

Gold monetization

 * To mobilize idol gold in households, to bring down gold imports
 * Interest rates will be paid on these deposits

Fineness of gold

 * Measured parts per 1000 –
 * 1) 999 fineness – 24 Carat
 * 2) 995 fineness – minimum purity required for gold jewellery
 * Measured parts per 24 – 24 carat, 22 carat, etc.

Kaniyan Koothu

 * A ritual art of Tamil nadu
 * Kaniyan is a Scheduled tribe of Tamil nadu
 * Koothu (Dance)
 * Only male performers can do this, not women – male performers dress up as women
 * It is performed during temple festivals
 * Puranic stories are told – mahabharta, Ramayana, local deities

Buddhism

 * Ashtanga marg – 8 fold path
 * 1) Right view (samma-ditthi).
 * 2) Right resolve (samma-sankappa).
 * 3) Right speech (samma-vaca).
 * 4) Right action (samma-kammanta).
 * 5) Right livelihood (samma-ajiva).
 * 6) Right effort (samma-vayama).
 * 7) Right mindfulness (samma-sati).
 * 8) Right concentration (samma-samadhi).

Amravati

 * Dhyana Buddha
 * seat of Vajrayana Buddhism
 * Lotus medallion of Amravati stupa
 * Jali art

Gold deposit schemes

 * Gold deposits will be counted towards the SLR requirement
 * SLR – it is the amount of deposits which has to be parked in govt. securities
 * CRR – amount of deposit to be kept with RBI in cash

Liberhan commission

 * Investigated babri masjid case

India-Africa security relations
Q. Critically comment on India’s security arrangement with Africa.


 * India’s relation with African continent can be dated back to colonial era as far as security relations are concerned. Undivided Indian forces helped in securing stability in African continent form both internal and external disturbances.
 * Security is seen as one major concern for African continent more because of the rise of extremism in Arabian nations which could easily take African continent in its engulf. African continent is seen as economically resourceful because of its natural resources, thus a number of countries like America, France and even China are actively engaged in security arrangement with African continent to protect their investment in the continent.
 * India has been sending forces to UN peace keeping posted in African continent. India have shown considerable interest in securing stability of eastern coast of African nation. Anti-piracy activities of Indian navy in Indian ocean, securing trade routes close to somalian coast.
 * India not only needs engagement on security level but also on health, economic and cultural levels to truly develop India-Africa relations.
 * Health – AIDS, Ebola, etc. Food security
 * Economic – Growing economies of Africa and aspiring population a big market for India, Focus Africa, TEAM 9
 * Cultural – African student community in India, Indian Diaspora
 * Lack of institutional framework to constructively engage in these fields

Mudrarakshasa

 * A play in Sanskrit about Chandragupta maurya

James Mill

 * Wrote the history of British India

India’s INDC

 * Create additional forest cover to hold 2.5-3 billion tonnes of CO2
 * To be achieved through – National Afforestation program, Joint forest management, Compensatory afforestation and Green India Mission

9 Dash line

 * China claim on territories in south china sea
 * Spratly and paracel islands ( Nansha and Xisha in Chinese)

Ease of doing business ranking

 * By world bank
 * On parameters – time to start a business, time to get water and electricity connections
 * Improvements needed – construction permits, registering property and paying taxes
 * Some countries like Bangladesh, Srilanka, even Palestine and Afghanistan rank better than India in some of the parameters

Karamay declaration

 * Pakistan-China space collaboration

CPEC

 * China sees it as a counter to India’s act east policy,
 * CPEC gives China the access to Indian ocean and strategic POK
 * India should be a part of CPEC –
 * 1) As India will be able to check any mis-adventurism
 * 2) Will be able to raise the issue of illegitimate construction in POK
 * 3) Will be able to show ground realities of Gilgit-Balistan region
 * 4) Russia will want India to be in CPEC to counter China’s dominance
 * 5) The adjoining region near POK (Afghanistan, Indian side Kashmir) can be connected via OBOR (one belt one road) – this will improve this region

Project 75

 * Scorpene submarines
 * INS Kalvari is the first one

Crimes on Children
Q. Whether punishments should be made stricter? Like castration, long term imprisonment


 * POCSO (Protection of children from sexual offences,2012) was enacted to deal with increasing no. of offenses against children.
 * POCSO act provides special courts, SPP (state public prosecutor, Child friendly environment, and stricter punishments, compensation, timelines for trials
 * Problems :
 * 1) These courts works like a normal sessions court – deals with hard criminals as well thus fails in providing a child friendly environment,
 * 2) Rarely prosecutors undergo any kind of training to deal with children
 * 3) Conviction rate under POCSO act is very low – many victims turn hostile – may be due to pressure or threat
 * 4) Increasing of punishment will only reduce conviction rates – victims will be forced for a compromise to save the accused
 * SOLUTION
 * 1) J.S. Verma commission – recommended against death penalty in sexual offenses as well as reduce the age of juveniles
 * 2) Trainings to prosecutor – child friendly environment
 * 3) Timely compensation – so that victim can get best of treatments no just physical but psychological as well

Assisted reproductive technologies

 * Protection of surrogates
 * Currently, there is no legal framework for protection of surrogates
 * Problems:
 * 1) Contracts between surrogates and intended parents are made in such a way that all medical, physical and psychological implications are to borne by surrogates and absolving the parents
 * 2) In case of disabled babies, parents disown them
 * 3) No post-natal care for surrogates
 * 4) Govt. has allowed surrogacy for Indian nationals only not for foriegners

Pay commission
Q. Is pay hike for govt. employees through pay commissions justified? Critically examine.

Decadal pay hikes could be replaced with inflation linked salary increase, basic facilities to all employees (education for kids, health care,) and a commission to check whether the salaries are matching to pvt. Sector or not.
 * Pay commission is formed every 10 year to revise pay band of all workforce in central govt. to match it with the changing economies.
 * Reasons to give pay hike through decadal pay commissions
 * 1) To match the compensation of pvt. Sector
 * 2) To attract best of the talent
 * Against:
 * 1) Payments at lower grades higher than pvt. Sector
 * 2) Group C and D accounts for majority of the population in central services and have salaries higher than the pvt. Sector
 * 3) Group B have similar to pvt. Sector
 * 4) Group A has lower salary (population less than 5%)
 * 5) DA and timely promotions are given to match the inflation
 * 6) This periodic pay hike puts pressure on fiscal balance
 * 7) Get facilities like health care, schools etc.
 * Conclusion :

Highways in National parks

 * Issue of deaths of animals
 * Problems:
 * 1) Death of endangered species
 * 2) Highways fragments the forests and thus and hinder transfer of gene pool
 * 3) Green highway policy intends to make highways eco-friendly but fails to deal with these issues
 * Solution:
 * 1) Use of advanced technologies to map animal movement and build highway on routes where there is less animal movement
 * 2) Construction of under passes and highways

Kuchipudi

 * From Andhra Pradesh
 * Bhaamakalapam – in which Krishna brings flower for Satyabhama
 * Initially only men performed this later women also started
 * Tarangam – solo dancing
 * Now has two dance styles:
 * 1) One completed dance drama style
 * 2) And other solo dancing
 * Features – dancing on brass rims and keeping a water filled pot on head
 * Acrobatic moves

NJAC
Reservations
 * In keshavnanda Bharti case (1973)– SC outlined basic structure doctrine
 * In Golaknath case – SC judged that the any amendment under A368 should undergo fundamental rights review
 * After Keshavnanda case – next CJI who was appointed superseded three senior judges
 * This was followed by emergency in 1975 – suspended fundamental right to life and liberty – In ADM Jabalpur case, right to challenge illegal detention vanished with proclamation of emergency and the arrested opposition leaders had no way of release
 * Failure of SC during 1973 emergency is seen as an example of its fallibility, but this was due to the meddling of executive with the judiciary
 * Constitution simply provides aid and advice to president from COM, it doesn’t say that the advice is binding on the President. But it evolved into into a binding advice on th President. Similarly, advice or consultation with CJI in appointments as mentioned in the constitution should be seen as binding on President.
 * Solution
 * 1) Standard education system all across the nation – standard syllabus – yet there will be difference in the standard of education imparted in different areas
 * 2) Divide students in sub groups – based on the location of schools (urban or rural), education of parents, etc.
 * 3) Then averages of these sub-groups can be taken and the difference between the averages of these sub-groups gives an idea about how much a group is laggigng and thus those average marks can be added to those groups.