User talk:Gaurav4291/MAY2016

2 May

Tax paying population

Q. “In India, too few people pay taxes to fund an effective state that protects national security, administers justice, builds infrastructure and funds a social security net to protect people against sudden shocks to their income.” Why only handfuls are paying taxes? Why is it a matter of concern and what needs to be done to widen the tax net? Discuss.

• There is 1 taxpayer for every 16 voters
• Govt. gets its major revenues from direct and indirect taxes
• In India, direct tax revenues are way less as compared to similar developing economies
• Which has resulted in heavy indirect taxes – that affects all sections equally – poors, rich – Indirect taxes are seen as regressive
• People paying taxes in India are less – who file income taxes – a number of them have zero liabilities
• When Tax to GDP ratio is compared – India is way behind
• Domestic tax evasion is high – political parties are also not coming hard on this – since, these parties spend huge money during elections – and it is this kind of money – which gets used in this elections
• Sales of luxury cars have increased, increased spending on foreign tours, foreign study, etc
• Need is to better Tax administration – recording of transactions, PAN card for large spending’s
• E-payments can ensure better tracking of money

3 May=

Kalvari

• Project 75 - scorpene submarines
• Project 75i – diesel electric submarines
• Kalvari is under trial – in 2016 it will be commissioned

Project 15

• Stealth guided missile destroyers
• Delhi class is the original project 15
• Then Project 15A, 15B and 15C were taken
• Project 15A – Kolkata class – (under this kochi and Chennai ships are there) – Kolkata in 2014, kochi is commissioned in 2015, Chennai will be commissioned in 2016
• Project 15B – Vishakapatnam class (advance version of Kolkata class) – Vishakapatnam launched in 2015 and commissioning in 2018

Project 17A

• Stealth frigates
• INS Shivalik, Satpura, Shayadri

Protecting people through nature

• Report by world wildlife fund and IUCn
• Mentions 3 Indian sites sundarbans, Manas and Western ghats under threat
• Manas – Assam

Paris agreement

Q. Do you think the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is fair to India’s national interests? What are its concerns and how they can be addressed? Comment.

• Paris agreement (COP-21) was adopted by member parties
• Now it needs to be ratified by member nations parliament
• US, China, India are one of the biggest polluters
• In past in Kyoto protocol – US legislators didn’t ratify the agreement
• 2020 is the first year of the proposed implementation of agreement, before this it would need ratification from atleast 55 countries – whose aggregate GHGs emissions is atleast 55% of the total emissions
• Paris agreement is only a skeletal framework – methods of estimation, evaluation are still under works.
• Take the concept of transparency – expert committee evaluates only developed countries for GHGs emissions – thus developed countries want that a common platform should be setup for all nations including developing nations
• On the other hand developing nations wants the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities
• After every 5 years, the goals will be evaluated as in how much is achieved – quantitative estimation of mitigation efforts will be done, financial support to developing nations, technology transfer to developing nations will also be evaluated – but developed nations do not want this to be a quantitative assessment as it would held developed nations accountable
• India is seen as increasing is emissions since it is still developing – thus developed nations want to force India to take more NDC’s.
• Developing nations have agreed to drop historical responsibility clause from the Paris agreement, responsibilities will only be evaluated based on current emissions
• Developed nations have high coal usage than India – but their usage is coming down. Whereas India’s is increasing since it is already low.
• No clarity on how much fianancial support will be given by developed nations
• Technology transfers – corporates doesn’t want to relax IP regulations on their products
• India has already made an ambitious NDC, need is that responsibilities should be shared proportionately

Reservation

Q. In the light of protests by powerful communities demanding reservation in jobs, do you think reservation is the only solution to address the concerns of angry protesters? What issues does providing reservation to upper castes give rise to? Critically examine.

• Discontent among youths of non-reserved communities
• Dis-advantageous sections in the reserved section still not getting benefits
• Some support is necessary – but reservation is not the only option – it is just one of the easiest and most beneficial option for political parties
• Upper caste section is demanding reservation – since they do not want any change in social hierarchy
• This caste based reservation system will keep nation – divided on caste lines

Solution

• is income based reservation
• income data from various national surveys, IT returns, etc.
• providing quality school education to each child
• generating more jobs – make in India
• encouraging entrepreneurship –

corruption in defence procurement

Q. Since independence, many governments have been accused of following corrupt practices in defence procurement. Why corruption in defence procurement still persists? How can it be addressed? Examine.

• No punishments to culprits
• Most payments are made to offshore tax heavens – thus very little is done to track the complete trail
• This black money has influence on Indian politics as well

Solution:

• Reduce imports and increase local procurement
• Develop defence industries – Make in India

4 May

Fiscal Deficit

Q. It is said that increases in social sector will cause the fiscal deficit to increase, which is seen as unacceptable in policy circles. To address various problems presently faced in rural regions and by weaker sections, increased spending is suggested. From where does government can mobilize money? If at all it doesn’t have money, where is it going? Critically examine.[Hindu]

• India needs to maintain fiscal deficit under fiscal deficit consolidation – which it does to keep investors’ confidence in the country’s economy
• But this fiscal deficit places a limit on govt. spending on social initiatives
• Thus to increase social spending of govt. – only option is to increase taxes
• Indirect taxes (excise, sales tax, etc.) – is more regressive – it affects poor sections more – since poor spend a major portion of their income as compared to well offs
• Direct taxes – this is proportional to income. But India’s tax-to-GDP ratio is one of the lowest in G20 and among emerging economies.
• Corporate tax avoidance: corporates are given large incentives to invest. In a number of cases, these firms do not pay taxes ( after all the subsidies and support from govt. is added)
• Agriculture income: Agricultural income is tax free. Large farmers are also not paying taxes. Issue of illegal income shown as agricultural income.
• Individual tax collection is very low. India’s tax base is low
• Thus has direct impact on schemes like –ICDS, MNREGA, irrigation, etc.

Job creation

Q. How can India better its job creation for every percentage point of GDP growth, a ratio on which it significantly lags behind most other emerging economies? Examine.[Hindu]

• India’s recent growth has seen very little job addition in the market. It is being termed as jobless growth.
• Steps:
• Free trade agreements with EU, and emerging economies – in textiles, tourism, and other manual labour intensive sector. With complementary labour policies (wage fixing, minimum age, etc.)
• India’s population between 14 to 30 is more than the population of US – but a large population is unskilled, even college graduates are seen as not industry ready. Need is skill development – which is undertaken by national skill development programme – streamlining all skilling activities in the country
• Incentives to small and medium enterprises (since these are labour intensive)
• Encouraging entrepreneurship – Stand-up India programme, initial handholding, IPR awareness, etc.
• Will need massive infrastructure investment as well.

Indian Ports

Q. The Indian port sector plays a vital role in sustaining growth in the country’s trade and commerce. What are the problems faced by ports sector in India? What measures have been taken to address them? Examine.[Hindu]

• India’s port sector plays vital role in trade and commerce

Problems:

• Infrastructural and operational issues: low container handling capacity, use of outdated methodologies for handling of containers, no regular de-silting and dredging (especially in case of riverine ports), lack of warehouses, issues of inland connectivity through road, rail and water ways, low mechanisation – manual handling of cargo. Congestion on approach roads.
• Policies: revenue sharing between terminal operator and authorities is a problem.

Solution:

• Infrastructural : de-silting of beds to handle larger vessels, mechanisation of ports to increase operational efficiency, strengthening of inland water ways – to reduce congestion of approach roads,
• Operational : automation of licensing and other systems, portals for information, paperless clearances
• Policies: transparent PPP agreements, incentivising green activities
• Development of coastal economy

Forest fire

Q. “Forest fires highlight a larger cycle of threats in the western Himalaya. Increasing the area under broadleaf forests throughout is the only way forward.” What do you understand by broadleaf forests? Why are they absent in the region? How will their growth address forest fires? Discuss.

Causes:

• Man made – dying grass is put on fire, to provide more nutrients to the new grass roots – makes earth more fertile, by wood traders to illegally cut trees, etc.
• Natural – in dry season, with high temperatures and increased wind resistance – fires take place

Effects:

• This regular fires – wipes out bio diverse flora and fauna – insects, bees, reptiles, etc.
• Reduction in broadleaf fires have resulted in – increased water runoff – water doesn’t get time to percolate in the soil.

Need

• Uttarakhand forest has large number of chir pine trees – used in timber industry – it has fast replaced broad leaf trees – which is vital for herbivores. Thus has resulted in decline of herbivores animals in the region.
• Broad leaf trees will become dry after fires thus can’t be used – unlike pine trees which doesn’t get damaged in these fires and hence can be used as timber
• With broadleaves trees, even in heavy rainfall – water drips through leaves and water gets time to percolate inside soil – thus keeping water table recharged
• Proper protection is needed with local community involvement, providing awareness to the local population about the positive effects of broad leaves trees.

5 May

Quadrilateral coordination group

• US, Afghanistan, China and Pakistan

MCI

• In India, doctor to population ratio is 1674
• WHO recommends 1000

NOTA

• None of the above button in EVM
• Even if number of votes under NOTA is highest, the candidate with the highest number of votes will get elected

Water efficiency

Q. “It is time India switched its policy focus to the efficiency of water use rather than adding to the food mountain. One key element of this switch should be greater incentives for the cultivation of pulses as well as millets.” Discuss why.

• Problem of excessive consumption of water in agriculture
• Efficiency : In india – water consumption in farming of Rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton and maize is higher than the global average
• Policy : policies are more focussed on production of food grains but nothing is being done to check overexploitation of water
• India is a net exporter of agriculture items – top exporter of Rice, second top exporter of cotton, India also exports maize, wheat and sugarcane – all of the being heavily dependent on water – India is the biggest virtual exporter of water

Solution:

• Shift towards pulses and millets – not only because they are more economical in water consumption – they will also provide require nutrients
• Govt. should provide benefits in terms of higher buying price than MSP, incentives in seeds and fertilisers – to shift farmers to pulses and millets farming
• Efficiency improvement in agricultural practices – micro irrigation
• Steps like – NAM

6 May 2016

Greco-Buddhism

• Is the cultural linkage between ancient greek and buddhism
• Features
• Buddha depicted in human form for the first time
• Represents syncing of western and eastern art
• Hellenistic features –wavy robe, realistic features, the halo,

Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary

• Karnataka
• Known for barapede caves – only breeding site for wroughton’s free tailed bat (critically endangered)

Moatsu mong

• Festival of Nagaland

Italian marine case

Q. It is said that an unfortunate impression has been created that India’s legal and judicial system is under-equipped to handle cases such as the Italian Marines case. Examine why such an impression has been created and what lessons India should learn from handling of this case.

• Italian marines posted on a merchant ship (enrica lexie) – shot dead two fishermen near kochi
• Italy is contesting that – they were shot with the apprehensions of a pirate attack, the incident happened in the discharge of duty thus should be given functional immunity
• Even if tried for death by accident – they should be tried under Italy laws and UN laws of seas
• Indian has been contesting that India has sovereign rights to try them under Indian laws
• Italy’s concern – In india case will take decades
• ITLOS hague has ordered that India and Italy should cooperate in proceeding in SC of India

7 May

Wheat Blast

• Is a disease caused by fungus in wheat crops. This fungus also causes rice blast
• Can result in loss of 75% yield loss.
• Bangladesh has notified that their some fields have acquired wheat blasts, and have burn them
• Wheat blast was for the first time identified in Brazil
• India has good quarantine facilities for imported wheat’s – to check any infection that might affect Indian wheat fields

9 May

Inequality

Q. New data released by IMF and other agencies in recent weeks shows that inequality in India is of Latin American rather than East Asian proportions. In the light of these data, discuss the nature of inequality in India.

• Inequality in India is similar to Latin American than that of Asian economies
• Inequalities is measured using gini coefficient
• Majority of labour is employed in agriculture – which has seen least growth in the last few decades
• Economy has grown but growth is mainly seen in less labour intensive sectors like services
• Asian economies have less inequalities since they were able to be shift manpower from agriculture to labour intensive manufacturing sector
• Rural India faces problems of – less connectivity with market, less formal credit, lack of infrastructure, poor implementation of govt. social programmes, low educational levels, etc.

IIP core sectors

• 8 core sectors – Coal, crude Oil, Natural gas, Steel, Cement, fertilisers, refinery products, electricity
• This 8 sectors constitute 38% of share of IIP
• Base = 2004-05
• Compiled and published by CSO
• Fertilizers - 1.254%
• Natural Gas - 1.708%
• Cement - 2.406%
• Coal - 4.379%
• Crude Oil - 5.216%
• Refinery Products 5.939%
• Steel - 6.684%
• Electricity - 10.316 %

Geospatial information regulation bill

Q. “The proposed Geospatial Information Regulation Bill, 2016, threatens to destroy the innovation ecosystem. A better option is to switch to a simple registration-based system.” Comment.[Hindu]

• It makes it mandatory to take permission from govt. authority before acquiring, disseminating, publishing or distributing any geo-spatial information of India.
• Fine from 1crore to 100 crore
• Imprisonment upto 7 years
• A licensing authority will be established which will check the sensitivity of the geo-spatial data, and will also screen the end users and the end applications

Concerns:

• Real time update : some services which offers real time update will find it difficult to acquire licences for each and every update, services like restaurant, hotels apps – even for displaying name change of hotels, restaurants – permission would be required
• Data sharing in IT sector is very common – data is shared with businesses n number of times with n number of business – will licence is to be taken for every transaction

Solution:

• Every business using geo-spatial data should be required to get registered with the authority, and the onus should be on the authority to check and verify if there’s any objectionable content. This will not hamper the innovative environment

Smoking

• Pictorial warning on 85% of packet surface
• Concern – it directly impacts farmers aswell

Educational qualification in panchayat election

Q. “Laws prescribing educational qualifications for contesting elections are undemocratic and incoherent.” Comment.

• Educational qualification like passing a particular grade, having toilets at home, no electricity bill arrears, no credit arrears are made as qualification for elections in Panchayats
• SC has reviewed these two state (Rajasthan and Haryana) laws – views – that education imparts them with knowledge and skills to impart their skills more effectively

Concerns:

• A section of society has remained somewhat less educated and backward not by choice but by lack of opportunities given to them or in a number of cases by curtailing of opportunities given to them
• A more educated class in most scenarios will see uneducated class as below them – and may not work towards their upliftment – to keep the social hierarchy intact
• The constitution makers envisioned an equal society with equal social value of each citizen – by giving them equal rights of contesting elections
• Higher literacy levels doesn’t translate to higher character value or higher intellectualism

11 May

MPC

• Monetary policy committee
• 6 Members : 3 nominated by RBI and the remaining by an external committee
• Governor to have deciding vote in case of a tie

FEMA

• Foreign exchange management act
• FEMA was passed in 1999 replacing the FERA (Foreign exchange regulation act)
• Under FEMA offences were made civil whereas previously under FERA it was criminal offence
• New amendment : The amendments provide for seizure and confiscation of value equivalent, situated in India, in case any person is found to have acquired any foreign exchange, foreign security or immovable property, situated outside India, in contravention of Section 4 of FEMA
• Section 4 Of FEMA – no resident Indian is allowed to acquire foreign exchange or immovable property outside India

Digital dividends

• World bank report

Job Growth

Q. “For jobs to grow, consumer demand has to improve consistently. This can only happen with an industrial policy, which India has not had since 1991.” In the light of slow growth rate of jobs in India, discuss the statement.

• The logic behind demographic dividend is as the younger population gets more employed, incomes rises thus savings rise – which ultimately increases investments in the country – results in increase in GDP
• Economic growth is only viable when it increases jobs in the economy – increase in jobs increases demand in the economy – this sustains the increased economic growth for longer time
• Current situation : minimal growth in agriculture, infrastructure growth is sluggish, increased education levels – more educated workforce is joining the economy – the situation can turn to a catastrophe – if this workforce is not provided with jobs – this is recently seen in Jat, Patels agitation
• In last decade, infrastructure sector has seen boom – it has absorbed movement of labour from agriculture – but now the infrastructure growth is sluggish

Solution:

• Incentives to labour intensive export sectors like apparels, textiles, etc.
• FDI in food retail – for food products manufactured in India
• Stand up India scheme
• Start Up India
• Development of marine economy

Nuclear test

• India tested nuclear device at pokhran and Pakistan tested at Chagai in 1998

India-mauritius tax treaty

• India amended tax treaty with Mauritius
• Capital gains taxes will be taxed
• Tax applicable from 1 Apr,2017
• Previously, individuals and firms used offshore derivatives instruments (P-notes)
• Mauritius and Singapore accounted for 30% of P-notes investments each
• This will reduce investment through P-notes – as this will be more costly than registering with Indian authorities

Geo-Spatial maps

Q. What is the difference between GIS and Geospatial? Examine the uses of geospatial maps. Recently government released a draft bill which seeks to regulate geospatial mapping. What are its implications?

• GIS –geographic information system
• GIS is a system to capture, store, analyse, distribute data related to spatial or geographical.
• Geo-spatial – is the geographic spatial data and the integrated system
• GIS is a type of geo-spatial

12 May

Annewari system

• Is a system of estimation of crop production for a year for the purpose of calculation of revenue
• It doesn’t take into account the type of crops – it just calculates the value

BEPS

• Base erosion and profit shifting
• It is the negative effect of corporate’s tax avoidance strategy affecting nations tax base
• OECD has launched action plan on BEPS
• G20 also endorses it

Appropriation bill

• Authorises govt. to spend money as mentioned in budget from consolidated fund of India
• It is a money bill
• After the discussion on budget, voting on demands for grants are done and after that appropriation of bill is presented in LS
• Not all demands are discussed, the undisclosed demands are disposed by the speaker after the agreement of the house this process is called guillotine

Vote account

• The discussion on the budget starts after few days of budget presentation, since parliament is not able to vote completely on the budget, a vote on account is taken from parliament for a sum sufficient for few months

Cut motion

• The motion to cut the demands

13 May

A356

• Is a conditional power not an absolute power
• SC can review the reasoning behind President’s rule
• The majority can only be tested in the house
• Ambedkar called A356 – a dead letter – only to be invoked in exceptional cases
• A difference between failure of constitutional machinery and a failure of administrative machinery is to be made

INDC

Q. India has committed to “intended nationally determined contributions” (INDCs) to limit or reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030. What are the challenges it faces in achieving INDCs? Does opting only for renewable sources help achieve this goal? Examine.

• Goal is to reduce global warming well below 2 C and to limit it under 1.5 C
• Even when all of the NDC are achieved – with current levels of growth – earth will still be warming by more than 2 C

Challenges ahead

• Still many African nations, India, South Asian nations – are poor – there energy consumption is way too low – to grow economically – they will have to increase their energy consumption
• Global energy consumption – 20% is consumed in electricity generation, 30% is used in road transport and Aviation – currently more efforts are made to make electricity generation carbon emission free – with use of solar, tidal power, etc. – efforts are also required to reduce consumption of fossil fuels in transportation
• Cost of alternative source of energy is still high
• Developing nations lack in technical and financial abilities to transform their energy consumption
• Heavy industries require extreme amount of energy

Solution:

• Reduce global warming should be shared objective not just of national govt. but of individual citizens as well. They should try and reduce energy consumption in their day to day lives.
• Better policies – BS6, promoting LEDs, India’s Solar Alliance, protection of flora and fauna

GVA

• Gross value added
• It is the final value added without any intermediate consumption
• GVA at basic prices – it is GVA including taxes and excluding subsidies
• GVA at factor cost – it is GVA excluding taxes and including Subsidies
• GVA at factor cost + (Production taxes less Production subsidies) = GVA at basic prices
• GDP at market prices = GVA at basic prices + Product taxes- Product subsidies

14 May

Defamation

• SC upheld the validity of criminal defamation
• Freedom of speech and expression and freedom of press is a fundamental right subject to reasonable restriction under A19
• SC held that personal reputation is also an equal right – seen under A21
• Free speech is integral to democracy but it should not be used by media to harm someone’s reputation
• Sec 499 and sec 500 of IPC – makes it a criminal offence, if found guilty of defamation. Imprisonment upto 2 years
• While judging these cases, the interest of speaker should be looked into, place of speech, audience and the reaction of audience
• Sec 499 – definition of defamation – with words, actions, signs – if one person harms or causes to harm one’s reputation – the person is liable to be convicted under defamation case
• Sec 500 – punishment – imprisonment of 2years

IPR

• India did not make any changes to sec 3d of IPR
• India showed that it is committed to Doha declaration ( which provides flexibility like compulsory licensing) under TRIPS

Core inflation

• Is an indicator used to measure trend of inflation in the country
• It is a measure of inflation which excludes transitory or temporary price volatility ( as in case of food items and energy products). It is measured using CPI excluding some commodities
• It is a non-food manufacturing index (since food items are removed)

WPI and CPI

• WPI – is considered as headline inflation indicator
• CPI – there are 4 CPI indicators based on different section of labour force
• GDP deflator – is also an indicator of inflation
• WPI – released by office of economic advisor, Ministry of commerce and industry
• WPI base year 2004-05
• CPI – shows changes in retail prices, shows real effect felt by general public
• CPI – IW(Industrial workers), AL(Agricultural labourer), RL(Rural labourer), UNME(Urban non-manual employees)
• CPI only shows inflation for a particular section of population, it doesn’t give complete picture of economy
• CPI base – 2012
• CPI –IW,AL,RL – released by labour bureau, ministry of labour and employment
• CPI – UNME – released by CSO (Central statistical organisation) under ministry of statistics and programme implementation

Draft national health policy 2015

Features

• 2.5% of GDP spending on health sector should be reached by 2020 – and 70% of it should be on primary health
• Per capita spending on public health – Rs 3800 at 2015 prices.
• Centre would contribute 40% as compared to present 20% - to be generated through various cess – health, on tobacco products, etc.
• States will have to commit to 8% of their budget to health
• Free drugs and diagnostics will be available in all public health facilities
• All district hospitals will be converted into medical colleges
• Financing will be largely through taxes

15 May

Red flag exercise

• Air combat exercise with US
• India Participated

Desert eagle II

• Air force exercise with UAE.
• India participated

NSG

• Is a body that is concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling exports and re-transfer of nuclear material, implementing procedures for safeguarding of existing material
• India did its first nuclear test in 1974 – in response to this NSG was formed in 1975
• India is not a member
• India got exemption from NSG to import nuclear material – after the US-India civil nuclear deal
• US is also supporting India’s membership in NSG
• China and Pakistan are opposing India’s membership

Ramsar Sites

• Sasthamkotta lake – largest fresh water lake in Kerala
• Asthamudi lake
• Vembanad lake – longest lake in India
• Kole wetlands
• All above lakes in Kerala
• Black bellied tern – endangered species in Kerala
• Wetland international – an NGO working to protect wetlands

16 May

National Park

• Bandipur – In Karnataka, also a tiger reserve
• Nagarhole – In Karnataka, also a tiger reserve
• Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary – Kerala, also a tiger reserve
• Mudumalai – Tamilnadu, also a wildlife sanctuary and a tiger reserve, on nilgiri hills
• Chinnar wildlife sanctuary – Kerala

China’s Missile

• Guam killer

Defamation

Q. There has been a growing recognition all over the world that criminal defamation is a powerful tool in the hands of politicians and corporations to stifle and suffocate inconvenient speech. But in India, constitutionality of criminal defamation is upheld by the highest court itself. Critically discuss the justifications given to keep this provision intact in statute book.

17 May

Ken-Betwa river linking

• http://www.nih.ernet.in/rbis/india_information/interlinking.jpg
• Transfer of water from ken river basin to betwa river basin

Ken river

• From UP to MP
• Passes through panna tiger reserve
• It is a tributary of Yamuna

Betwa river

• From UP to MP
• It is a tributary of Yamuna

Concerns

• The river linking will pass through panna tiger reserve – can pose damage to ecology and wildlife

Solution

• Proper tiger corridors should be provided for translocation

Yamuna

• Largest tributary of Ganga
• Yamuna’s tributary – Ken, Betwa, Tons, Chambal, Hindon river, Sindh river

Special 301 report

• Prepared by USTR (US trade representatives)
• Identifies trade barriers to US companies and products due to intellectual property laws in other countries
• Prepares a list of following:
• Priority foreign countries – those countries which has inadequate intellectual property laws – can be subjected to sanctions
• Priority watch list – countries having serious intellectual property laws deficiencies – India is kept in this
• Watch list – countries having serious intellectual property laws deficiency but yet not kept in priority watch list

Porpoise vaquita

• A dolphin like aquatic mammal
• Is in endangered category – soon to be extinct
• Found near mexico – in gulf of California

NSG

Q. Why does India want to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)? What are the hurdles it’s facing in becoming NSG’s member and how it can overcome them? Examine.

NPT

• Was signed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapon technology, and to cooperate in peaceful use of nuclear energy
• 5 nuclear weapon state – US, China, Russia, UK, and France (also the permanent members of UNSC)
• 4 states of UN never joined NPT – India, Pakistan, Israel and South Sudan
• Under NPT obligation – non nuclear states under NPT declare that they won’t be acquiring nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon states obligation is to work towards providing benefits of peaceful use of nuclear technology

NSG

• Is a multi national body concerned with reducing proliferation of nuclear material through export and re-transfer, and safeguarding of existing material
• NSG prevents sharing of nuclear material or nuclear technology with non-NPT nation like India
• India got NSG waiver for US-India civil nuclear deal – India pledged that it won’t share nuclear material and technology and also pledged moratorium on nuclear tests

Hurdles

• China with Pakistan is opposing India’s membership
• US, Russia, UK and France have agreed for India’s membership

Solution

• India should step up diplomatic talks with China

Pollution

Q. It is found that the States along the Indo-Gangetic basin are registering higher level of air pollution in India. Discuss the causes, consequences and remedial measures.[Hindu]

Cause

• Woodfires used in cooking
• Burning of farms after harvest for new season
• Areas like Haryana, delhi, western UP also contribute to pollution in eastern states – due to air circulation

Consequences

• Directly related to cardiac diseases and diseases related to lungs
• Affects morbidity and mortality – thus directly effects Indian economy – by loss of effective manpower

Remedy

• Policy making, distribution and use of solar cookers, stoves – reduction of indoor air pollution – will reduce burden of health costs
• Curb use of fossil fuel, promote public transport, incentivise electric driven vehicles, promote cycling
• Construction activities should be more environmental friendly
• Protection of natural biomes

New IPR policy

Q. Critically analyse the merits and demerits of India’s new IPR policy.

Judivial activism

Q. Recently, the Supreme Court directed parties to an ongoing civil litigation to each pay a fixed sum of money to enable them to have their cases heard, and potentially disposed of, at an early date. Critically comment on the objective and consequences of such a directive.

• Imposing a fine on a litigant for a protracted litigation is common – to prevent misuse of legal processes
• But imposing a fees on parties to have their cases heard and disposed off early is dangerous for the justice system of any nation

Objective

• Is to prevent corporates to file mundane litigations in the court that are of little importance to public life.

Pahal

Q. Critically assess union government’s PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh) scheme.

Judicial activism

Q. Do you think that judicial activism or judicial overreach is crossing its limits in India? Critically comment

Market economy

Q. Differentiate between Market Economy and Non-market Economy under WTO. Critically analyse fairness of anti-dumping measures.

18 May

NBWL

• National board for wildlife
• Chaired by PM
• Is a statutory body formed under wildlife protection act
• It is under MoEFCC

COMPAT

• Competition appellate tribunal
• Under CCI

CRZ

• A report given by Shailesh Nayak in 2014

T bills

• Treasury bills (T-bills) offer short-term investment opportunities, generally up to one year. They are thus useful in managing short-term liquidity. At present, the Government of India issues three types of treasury bills through auctions, namely, 91-day, 182-day and 364-day. There are no treasury bills issued by State Governments.

23 May

RLV

• Reusable launch vehicle

Mahabodhi temle

• In gaya
• Temple built by Ashoka in 3rd century BC
• Construction if of bricks
• Have images of tara, vajrapani
• Also of shiva, Vishnu, laxmi, etc.

24 May

India-Iran

• Chabahar port
• Trilateral transport and transit corridor – connecting Chabahar port to Afghan road and rail network

Potassium bromate

• Oxidising agent in the production of breads
• Makes them fluffy and soft
• Bromate is carcinogenic
• In normal process – bromate should be converted into bromide which is harmless – but residues of bromate is found in indian breads

Carcinogen classification

• Done in 4 categories – cat 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4
• Cat 1 – carcinogenic to humans
• Cat 2A – probably carcinogenic to humans
• Cat 2B – possibly carcinogenic

CAG

• CAG has to certify net proceeds of the taxes to states
• 80th amendment – before this only few taxes were to be shared with states (some union taxes, income from activities other than agriculture) – now part of corporate tax, excise duty etc. are to be shared

Pictorial warning

• 85% on display area of cigarettes pack

Mogao caves

• China

Serendian art

• Seen in western part of china
• Derives similarity from greaco-buddhist art (gandhara art)

Tajikistan

• Constitution amended – President can now rule indefinitely

Communism

Q. Analyse the causes of Communism’s slide worldwide and in India.[Hindu]

RLV

Q. Recently India successfully tested a reusable launch vehicle. Examine its significance for India’s space commerce. [Hindu]

Quercetin

Q. Recently in India, Quercetin, a naturally occurring compound in several fruits and vegetables was in news. Write a note on the application and significance of the compound for health sector.

Quercetin

• Is known to be anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory
• Induces apoptosis – a process by which cells commit suicide
• It also reduces the multiplication of cancerous cells
• Found in apple, tomatoes, grapes, etc.
• No damage to other cells

Water pricing

Q. It is argued that water pricing is the only long-term, sustainable solution to promote efficient and equitable use of this precious natural resource. Do you agree? What challenges its implementation would face in India? Comment.

Challenges:

• Water pricing will affect most that section of society which is already burdened with socio-economic hardships and if water pricing is not done and water is allowed to used the way we are using it today – it would be the same section of society which would be hurt the most
• Water subsidies provide is un-equitable and is not distributed properly – the well to do sections are benefited the most
• Inefficient agricultural practices
• Exporting of water guzzler crops
• Water pricing might hamper exports
• Political challenges – industry lobby (sugarcane), etc.
• Irrigation water consumption constitutes majority of water usage in India – thus pricing of irrigation water should be targeted.
• Metering and pricing of water usage, in case of groundwater usage – metering will be important – separation of feeder lines for agricultural purposes (as planned in deen dayal gram jyoti yojana)

Start-ups

Q. The US economy is driven by consumption and the Chinese economy is driven by production, the Indian economy is driven by trade and services. To which category does Indian start-ups belong to? Discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

Democracy

Q. India’s democratic experiment is largely hailed as a success. To which factors do you attribute this success? What else needs to be done to address some of the problems affecting India’s democratic system? Discuss.

• EC has made great contributions in keeping our nation democratic

Challenges:

• Rigging of booths,
• Money for vote,
• Political pressure on EC
• Blackmoney in election fund

25 May

Smart Cities

• Adequate water and electricity supply,
• Solid waste management
• Digital connectivity
• Efficient public transport
• Affordable housing
• Health and education
• E-governance

Actions on air quality

• Report by UNEA (UN environment assembly)
• Noted air pollution has increased by 8%

1991 Economic reforms

Q. 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of economic liberalization in India. Critically analyse if 1991 economic reforms have enabled India to become global economic power.

• In 1991, India had BOP crisis – has shortage of foreign exchange for its import needs
• India had to borrow from IMF
• Devalued currency
• Trade liberalization, removed tariff barriers, opened economy for imports and exports
• Since then India hasn’t had crunch of foreign exchange

IPR

Q. India’s first IPR policy trots out the worn western fairy tale that more IP means innovation, encourages the pointless privatisation of indigenous knowledge. Comment.

• New IPR policy focuses heavily on awareness about IPR – to firms, professors, students, entrepreneurs

Focus:

• IPR policy focuses on awareness about IPR
• It also emphasises IPR as economic entity
• Emphasises turning our traditional knowledge into IP

Concerns:

• IP is seen as economic item and can be commercialised can also increase economic activity of nation
• But, innovation requires free access to knowledge. Only knowledge can create knowledge.
• More IP doesn’t mean more innovation
• Many countries see IP’s as a tool that western country uses to keep monopoly on knowledge

Positives

• Section 3d

India-Iran

Q. Examine the objectives of recently signed chabahar port agreement between India and Iran. Discuss the significance of this agreement for India.

• Indian has developed road network in Afghanistan till Iran border, and Iran is building roads to connect chabahar port to Afghanistan
• This road is then connected to INSTC
• China is connecting Afghanistan through its silk route
• TAPI gas line project
• India, Iran and Afghanistan signed a trilateral connectivity agreement

Current Situation:

• India has provided aid in peace restoring forces
• Have aided education, health
• Completed Salma Dam
• India has better connect with the Afghanistan citizens
• India built their Parliament and built road connecting Iran

Significance

• Strategic – Afghanistan is reach in oil and gas – Pakistan is not giving India the access to Afghanistan – chabahar port with the road routes gives access to Afghanistan. Chabahar port is very near to pakistan’s Gwadar port which China is developing
• Geo-political – major world powers China, US and Russia are now seeing Afghanistan for economic purposes – India needs to take its stand not just sit on the sidelines
• Security – Quadrilateral coordination group (US, China, Pak and Afghanistan) is working with Taliban for peace in the nation – India is not involved because of opposition from Taliban and Pakistan
• Economic – India will get free trade zone area in chanbahar – which India will be using for setting up fetilisers, petrochemical and metallurgy plants. India will also be supplying rail lines for Iran’s rail network

Indian democracy

Q. India’s record in conducting fair and free elections are exemplary. Critically comment on the non-electoral performance of India’s democracy.

• Most nations have went for universal franchise after their educational and income levels have increased, whereas India has gone for universal adult franchise from the independence
• Theorists says – democracy is only sustainable in countries with higher income – India is the longest surviving democracy with low income
• There are concerns of election financing but this financing is not able to hamper fair elections
• Democracy is not only about free and fair elections but also about basic liberal freedoms like – freedom of speech, religion and association, etc.
• India is seen to be at its freest during election times but once the elections are finished, new govt. is elected, attacks on intellectuals, minorities can be seen nation wide
• A majority section tries to impose their view of nationalism or their view of running the nation as the correct view.

Hypersonic

• Speed of Mach 5 and above
• Ultrasonic – more than mach 25
• Subsonic – less than 0.8
• Transonic – 0.8 to 1.2
• Supersonic – 1.2 to 5

26 May

e-waste

• India is the 2nd largest market for mobiles
• India is the 5th largest e-waste generator
• MoEFCC – notified e-waste rules,2016

Features:

• E-waste will include CFL’s and other mercury containing lamps
• Producers of these items are brought under EPR (Extended producers responsibility) – producers are responsible for collection of e-waste and their disposal in an environmentally friendly way.
• Bulk consumers (like companies, hospital, hotels) should collect the waste and hand them over to authorised re-cyclers
• Producers can have a producer responsibility organisation ( PRO) – for collection and disposal in an environmentally friendly way.
• State govt.s responsibility – health, education and skill development of the workers
• Provision of penalty is also provided

LG

• A163(3) - advise tendered by ministers to the governor cannot be inquired into court
• But this immunity is not given in case of UT (like Delhi)
• There is no similar protection to the advise given to LG
• CIC asked LG to reveal the documents that it gave to union govt.

India-Iran

Q. Analyse India’s mistakes vis a vis  its conducting of foreign policy with Iran especially developing Chabahar port and the strategic importance of Iran for India

Background

• The idea of developing Chabahar port was first mooted in 2003, after few discussions it was kept under backburner, finance ministry applied break on finances citing that their should be a guaranteed return – neglecting the strategic importance
• US sanctions on Iran – India had to curtail it’s economic ties with Iran.

Makran coast

• Near Pakistan and Iran
• Near Gwadar port
• http://pakistanpaedia.com/land/map_pakgeography.gif

NEET

Concerns:

• State govt. concern – that with common entrance test they’ll not be able to give priority to their socio-economic programmes
• Issue of different syllabus, regional languages,
• Legal issue – minority institutions have a constitutional right of managing the administration of their institutes – like admissions, etc.

Free speech

Q. the right to free speech cannot be read to mean that one citizen has the right to defame another. Should right to reputation be considered as fundamental right? Critically comment.

• Recently SC held that defamation under sec 499 and 500 as a criminal offence

Payments bank

• Many license holder returning license
• Reason – less margin
• These banks will have to invest 75% of their holdings in govt. securities
• Payment banks are not allowed to lend – this will cripple their earnings
• With launch of UPI of NPCI – it has revolutionised digital money transfer
• Regular banks are also in the market of digital money transfer – thus it will be too competitive for payments banks with their small purse

27 May

G7 summit

• In Japan

Kodai vizha

• In kodaikanal
• A flower show

Rape

• SC asked centre to frame a national policy to compensate and rehabilitate rape victims
• Nirbhaya fund started earlier is a mere lip service
• Sec 357A of code for criminal procedure – provides provision to mandate states to coordinate with centre to provide funds for rehabilitation and compensation of rape victims.

India-Iran

Q. Do you think the elements of the 2003 New Delhi declaration between India and Iran are still relevant today? Examine.

30 May

TSR subramanian committee

• On education
• Recommended 1 lakh scholarships for meritorious students of socially and economically weaker sections
• Rating of institutes – and higher autonomy will be given to higher ranked institutes
• Recommended for Indian education service
• Suggested keeping NDP only till class 5

Private insurance

Q. critically comment on the role of private insurance companies in India’s healthcare?

Current scenario

• Out of pocket expenditure on health is high
• Public health care delivery is weak
• Public spending on healthcare is less than some of the sub-saharan countries

Thus

• Private insurance companies looks the best answer

Concerns

• Private companies work on the premise that the population taking these insurances have are less vulnerable to diseases and have less correlated risk of damages
• While selling insurance premiums – individuals are asked to undergo medical checkups and there medical premiums increase with the increase in the likelihood of them getting ill in future ( based on parameters like smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.)
• Currently private insurance companies are financially stable because they are able to keep out the more likely to get population out of their system
• In countries like US, private insurance is a big business – thus political community doesn’t want it to be regulated, similar is the case in India – at a small scale than US

Solution:

• A strong public health care system – with assured delivery, less paperwork
• Regulatory oversight

MCR-1

• Is the genetic mechanism by which anti-bacterial resistance is transferred from one bacteria to another

Q. Examine why the discovery of mcr-1 gene in bacteria such as E.coli in more countries and settings has sounded alarm bell across the globe.

• In mcr-1 mechanism – a small DNA molecule (plasmid) which is found outside the chromosome carries antibiotic resistance.
• Since it is found outside chromosome, it can be easily transferred from bacteria to bacteria or to humans also.

Concern

• These bacteria will become immune to antibiotics – thus making humans vulnerable
• Reason – excessive and uncontrolled use of antibiotics in cattle

31 May

Single brand retail

• Upto 49% automatic approval of FDI and can go upto 100% with govt. approval
• 30% is to be sourced locally (in case of high tech technology – sourcing norms can be replaced)

Mango variety

• In Andhra Pradesh
• Banginapalli, china rasalu, pedda rasalu, totapuri, nelalu

Kadar tribe

• In Kerala
• Fighting the Athirappally hydel project on chalakudy river

Crime against African citizens

Q. Critically discuss the underlying reasons and what measures should state and union govt. should take to create harmony.

Current scenario

• Many African citizens and students living in India face difficulties – racism, attacks, allegations of crimes against them, etc.
• Trade between African continent and India has seen steady growth – people to people interaction is one major component of any economic activity
• Many African nations have raised concerns and have said they feel scared to encourage African citizens to come in India

Reasons

• Cultural and lifestyle differences
• Discrimination – they feel discriminated, thus remain mostly in a closely nit community of African citizens, very less contact with local indian population – thus both sides do not understand each other completely

Solution

• Sensitisation programme – for both local Indians and African citizens – make African citizens aware of Indian customs and traditions and Indians of African traditions and customs – awareness among the Africans to register any complaints with the authorities
• Mixture of legal and social solutions
• Educational institutions should make extra efforts to integrate African students

MGNREGA Index

Q. How the performance of schemes like mgnrega can be assessed? Can an index be created for this purpose? Evaluate.

• Analysis of performance of various schemes is important – helps in plugging shortcomings, encourages others to follow best practices
• Index based on various parameters can be made – ex in case of mgnrega – number of workdays, percentage wages paid, and work completion rate – these parameters will help in evaluation of schemes in various states – whether employment generation is happening or not, timely wage payment and asset creation

AI

Q. examine how AI is used in banking sector

PMMY

Q. What are the objectives of PM mudra yojana(PMMY)? Should the success of PMMY be measured in terms of the quantum of loans disbursed? Comment.

Seniors

Q. Examine the problems faced by elderly in India and measures needed to address problems faced by them.

• There has been a considerable focus on how to tap the demographic dividends but somehow the society as a collective and govt. have somewhat lagged behind in catering to the needs of the elderly people
• Problems faced:
• Lack of care from children – more nuclear families are coming up, changing joint family structure
• Infrastructure is not elderly friendly – be it transport, offices, roads, etc.
• Lack of social security
• Low health care
• Govt. runs an IPOP (integrated programme for older people) – under which old age homes are maintained – but numbers are abysmally low

Solution:

• Indian tradition of joint families should be carried forward
• 3 targets : health, housing, and dignity
• Private old age homes are expensive – govt. support is reqd.
• After retiring also industry should try and keep them elders employed – will make them financially independent
• Involving seniors at community level