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A GLINT OF INDIA
(Courtesy: http://india.gov.in)
Constitutional Mandate of CAG to Audit Private Firms
The recent ruling of the Honorable Supreme Court is a landmark one and has removed, once for all, the
doubts on the constitutional mandate to audit private firms by the CAG so far as it relates to revenue sharing
with the Government. A long time stand, that an entity using public resources in its business and sharing
revenue with the Government can be audited by the CAG, has been vindicated by the Honorable Supreme
Court. This was stated by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Shri Shashi Kant Sharma while
delivering the inaugural address at the 8th Annual Summit on Corporate Frauds - Risk and Prevention
under Changing Paradigm .

The CAG said that there is no doubt that the institution of the CAG is duty bound to report to the Parliament
in all such matters which involve revenue sharing with Government on countrys natural resources. Shri
Sharma disclosed that the work on Telecom audit is already in progress and the first report would be ready
before the year end.CAG would be taking up performance audit of some ongoing PPP projects.

Removing doubts on expertise of the CAG to audit PPPs, Shri Sharma said that PPP Audit is not a new area
to the institution of CAG and we have got recognition worldwide and the institution takes pride in it.

The CAG stated that Indian economy would grow into a mature market economy, which would present
opportunities to maximize profits and help the corporates expand across the globe with confidence and
credibility. The CAG expressed that the captains of Industry would not want to be known as lynchpins of a
crony capitalist economy.

Shri Sharma said that many corporate tycoons in emerging economies are today accused of making fortunes
by rent seeking. They want to grab a bigger slice of the pie, rather than making the pie bigger. This type of
rent seeking is not only unfair but also bad for long term growth, the CAG said.

Stating categorically that audit by CAG will not be taken up in a routine manner, Shri Sharma clarified that
the CAG audit is an independent audit which is different from statutory audit or internal audit. Stating that
the companies will have to strengthen their internal control mechanism and that would be a step in the right
direction, CAG said that there would be protocols to undertake such audits which would be done keeping in
view the risk assessment and impact on public interest. The CAG asked, why companies should fear such
audit if they have nothing to hide, in a mature market economy, where there is very little scope for
manipulations and fudging.
Waste to Energy
A Task Force on Waste to Energy has submitted its report to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
The Task Force was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. K. Kasturirangan to identify technically
feasible, financially affordable and environmentally sound processing and disposal technologies for
NATIONAL PORTAL OF INDIA
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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). It had also evaluated technological options, financial mechanisms and
institutional arrangements to enhance resource recovery and promote Waste to Energy technologies.
Urban India currently generates 170,000 tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) each day. Only 19% of this
waste is treated and rest goes to dump sites causing serious problems to health and environment. The
situation is assuming alarming proportions in the country.
The report highlights the need for an integrated approach towards MSW management, stressing reduction
and segregation of waste at source and also efficient utilization of various components of the waste. It
emphasizes setting up centralised or decentralised waste processing facilities keeping in view the quantity
and quality of waste generated and financial viability of the processing technology.
The report provides guidance for the selection of appropriate technology and clearly indicates technologies
that could be adopted by various classes of cities. It emphasizes on converting the combustible waste into
Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) to be used in power plants based on RDF.
The report strongly recommends Public Private Partnership (PPP) as a mode of service delivery to achieve
the target set for Sustainable Waste Management. A model scheme has also been detailed for setting up
Waste to Energy projects through PPP mode, including a viability gap funding up to 40%.
The report is being sent to the Chief Ministers of all the States for use as a guideline document for integrated
waste management. This report is expected to provide appropriate linkages to the new Municipal Solid
Waste rules being currently framed by MoEF and the national manual for Solid Waste Management being
revised by MoUD.

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Agreements for assisting Cambodia in Water Resources
Management
(Courtesy: http://www.mea.gov.in)
Two agreements, one on Study of Ground Water Resources of Kampong Spue Province in Cambodia and
the other on Development of Master Plan for Siem Reap River Basin in Cambodia, were signed today in
New Delhi between Shri Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Joint Secretary (South) in the Ministry of External Affairs
and Shri R.K. Gupta, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, WAPCOS Ltd. (a Government of India
undertaking).

The agreement on Study of Ground Water Resources in Kampong Spue is for the establishment of
hydrograph network stations. Shallow open and bore wells will be fitted with handpumps for better
efficiency and there will be monthly monitoring of water levels to maintain the ground water regime. The
agreement on Siem Reap River Basin involves preparation of Master Plan for water resources management,
land use management and environment management along with drinking water development in the area,
which is famous for the Ankor Vat heritage monuments.

India and Cambodia share excellent bilateral relations and India is a major partner of Cambodia in its socio-
economic development programme.
Indo-Myanmar Memorandum of Understanding on Border
Cooperation
India and Myanmar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Border Cooperation. The
MOU was signed by Mr Gautam Mukhopadhaya, Ambassador of India to Myanmar, and Major General
Kyaw Nyunt, Deputy Defence Minister of Myanmar, in Nay Pyi Taw.

The MoU provides a framework for security cooperation and exchange of information between Indian and
Myanmar security agencies. A key provision is that of conduct of coordinated patrols on their respective
sides of the international border and the maritime boundary by the Armed Forces of the two countries Both
sides have agreed to exchange information in the fight against insurgency, arms smuggling and drug, human
and wildlife trafficking. Both sides have also agreed to take steps to prevent illegal cross-border activities.
The level and frequency of meetings between the Armed Forces, Drug Control Agencies and Wildlife Crime
Control agencies have been spelt out in the MoU.
Ministry of External affairs
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It is expected that this MoU will lead to enhanced and tangible cooperation between Indian and Myanmar
security agencies in ensuring peace, stability and security along the long international land and maritime
border between the two countries.

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Medium: English

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Gist of The Hindu

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SCHEDULED CASTE SUB PLAN
(Courtesy: http://planningcommission.nic.in)
The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, is previously named as Special Component Plan, concept was first
introduced during the Sixth Plan to channelise the flow of benefits and outlays in physical and financial
terms from the general sectors in the Plans of the States/Union Territories for development of SCs. These
plans are envisaged to help the poor SC families through composite income generating/welfare schemes.
The system has evolved a useful mechanism to draw funds and physical benefits in various sectors for
improving the socio-economic and living conditions of the Scheduled Castes people.

Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) is prepared as an integral part of Five Year Plan/Annual Plan showing
sector-wise scheme-wise outlays earmarked for Scheduled Castes and corresponding physical targets.
According to the guidelines received from Government of India, flow of funds to SCs in States and Union
Territories should be equivalent to percentage of Scheduled Castes population to total population of the
States and Union Territories. As per 2001 census, the population of SCs in this territory is 1,57,771, which is
16.19% of the total population of 9,73,345. Hence 16.19% of total Plan allocation should be earmarked for
SCs in this Union Territory.

A good number of schemes are implemented in this Union Territory under various sectors wherein the
benefit of Plan schemes directly flow to SCs. It includes financial assistance for construction of houses,
upgradation of existing houses, free distribution of housing sites, distribution of books, notebooks, uniforms,
to school going children, distribution of bicycles free of cost to students of 9th Standard and above,
distribution of agricultural implements, tractors at subsided cost, distribution of milch animals at subsided
cost, special incentives to start industries, training for upgradation of skills of SCs, financial assistance to
become the member of the Cooperative societies, free distribution of clothing items, distribution of rice
during festival season, old age pension etc. Expenditure increased on these schemes may be shown under
SCSP.

Detailed guidelines relating to the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan for the Scheduled Castes and Tribal Sub-Plan
for Scheduled Tribes have been issued by the concerned departments of the Central Government from time
to time.

The basic objective of both these sub-plans is to channelise the flow of outlays and benefits from the general
sectors in the Plan of States for the development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at least in
proportion to their population, both in physical and financial terms. The Mid Term appraisal of the Tenth
Plan has noted that several State Governments have not earmarked adequate funds to SCSP and STSP,
proportionate to the share of SCs and STs in the population.

The Honble Prime Minister has again underlined the importance of the SCSP and TSP while addressing the
51st Meeting of the National Development Council held on 27th June 2005. The Prime Minister had then
stated, in the mid-1970s, the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and the Tribal Sub-Plan were initiated. Tribal Sub-
Plans and Scheduled Caste Sub Plans should be an integral part of Annual Plans as well as Five Year Plans,
making provisions therein non-divertible, with the clear objective of bridging the gap in socio-economic
development of the SCs and STs within a period of 10 years.

Planning Commission of India
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In this context, the following guidelines with respect to SCSP and TSP are once again reiterated so that the
same may be followed strictly in the preparation of the Annual Plan for 2006-2007.
Objective:
The following should be the broad objectives of the SCSP :
Substantial reduction in poverty and unemployment.
Creation of productive assets in favour of Scheduled Castes to sustain the growth likely to accrue
through development efforts.
Human resource development of the Scheduled Castes by providing adequate educational and health
services, and
Provision of Physical and financial security against all types of exploitation and oppression.
Action Plan:
To fulfill the above objectives the following points may be taken into account for formulating SCSP :
1. Earmarking of funds for SCSP from total State Plan Outlay at least in the proportion of
SC population to the total population of the State / UT.
2. Scheduled Caste sub Plan funds should be non-divertable and non-lapsable.
3. Making the Social Welfare Department/ the Department concerned with the welfare and
development of SCs as nodal department for formulation and implementation of SCSP.
4. Placing the funds earmarked for SCSP at the disposal of the nodal department concerned which in
turn will reallocate the funds to the sectoral departments for implementing schemes directly relevant
to SC development.
5. Placing the funds earmarked for SCSP under separate budget head / sub-head for each development
department implementing SCSP. In this connection it may be noted that the List of Major and Minor
Heads of Account of Union and States as issued by the Controller General of Accounts provides
Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (789) may be opened as Minor Head below the functional Major Head /
Sub Major Head wherever necessary.
6. Special Central Assistance (SCA) for the SCSP is being extended by the Centre to the States as a
100% grant meant to fill critical gaps and missing inputs for family-oriented income-generating
schemes and supporting infrastructure development with a special focus on BPL families. Guidelines
issued in this connection should be strictly followed.
The subject Formulation and Monitoring of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan has been transferred to the Adi-
dravidar Welfare Department from the Annual Plan 2007-08. The Adi-dravidar Welfare Department is the
nodal department and Secretary Welfare is the nodal officer for all matters relating to Scheduled Castes Sub-
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Plan (SCSP) which includes formulation, monitoring of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and channelizing the
funds allotted to Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan.

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Death penalty of LeT man
The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of the death sentence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist
Mohd Arif alias Ashfaq in the attack on the Red Fort in 2000 during which three people, including
two Army soldiers, were killed.
A bench headed by Chief Justice R.M. Lodha also issued notice to the Centre on Arif's plea seeking
its direction for his release on the ground that he has already spent over 13 years behind bars and he
should not be hanged after such a long period.
He submitted that execution of his death sentence would amount to punishing him twice for the
crime as he has already spent over 13 years, which is nearly equivalent to life imprisonment.
1984 riots case
If it failed to find cause for cheer in Indias ongoing general elections, the Indian National Congress
was certainly buoyed by the decision of a federal judge in New York to dismiss and close a lingering
case against the party for its alleged role in the 1984 riots that claimed the lives several thousands
members of the Sikh community.

Judge Robert Sweet granted the partys motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought against it by the Sikhs
for Justice (SFJ) advocacy group, which sought damages stemming from the Congress alleged
responsibility for the riots that engulfed New Delhi and other parts of the nation in violence
following the assassination of erstwhile Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

In his opinion, Judge Sweet ruled against the SFJs claim to be legal representatives and thus
plaintiffs in this case filed under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) of the U.S., as this required the group
and the individual complainants to be aliens, which they were not, given their U.S. residential
status.

Second, the judge found in favour of the argument that the ATS did not extend to corporate
defendants such as the Congress Party and that the SFJs claim constituted an impermissible
extraterritorial application of the ATS.

Pending cases remain against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh.
Blast at Chennai Central Railway Station
Two explosions on a train killed a 24-year-old woman and wounded nine people, two of them
critically, at the Chennai Central Railway Station .
NATIONAL EVENTS
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The blasts took place at around 7:15 am in two sleeper coaches of the Guwahati-Bangalore Express,
which had just pulled into platform 9 of the station for a 10-minute stop.
One of the bombs exploded under the seat of a woman, Swati, who was killed instantly. A National
Investigation Agency team is going to Chennai to join the investigations. There has been tight
security across India as it nears the end of staggered voting for the national election.
The station was cordoned off after the blasts and scores of police personnel, along with sniffer dogs,
checked the platforms and coaches.
The state government has announced compensation of one lakh for the family of the woman who
died, Rs. 55,000 for those who are critical and Rs. 5,000 for the others who were injured.
Top 100 Global Varsities
The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati has taken India into the world's top 100
university rankings for the first time with an entry at No. 87.
IIT Guwahati is the only Indian educational institute in the 2014 league table of '100 Under 50'
institutions released by the Times Higher Education magazine.
The IIT shares the 87th rank on the list with Portugal's New University of Lisbon and Australia's
University of Western Sydney.
The annual evaluation of the world's top 100 universities under 50 years of age had a distinct Eastern
stance with South Korea's Pohang University of Science and Technology topping the list for the third
consecutive year.
Indian missile Astra
Marking an important milestone, for the first time an Indian missile, Astra, was successfully test-
fired from a fighter aircraft the Sukhoi-30 MKI from a naval range in the Western Sector .
The test-firing met all the mission objectives and the air-launch was captured by side and forward
looking high-speed cameras and the separation was exactly as per simulation, according to a press
release from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Astra is India's first Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile and has been designed and developed
indigenously by the DRDO. The 60-km plus range missile possesses high Single Shot Kill
Probability (SSKP) making it highly reliable.
Astra is an all-weather missile with active radar terminal guidance, excellent ECCM (electronic
counter-counter measures) features, smokeless propulsion and process improved effectiveness in
multi-target scenario, making it a highly advanced state-of-the-art missile.

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Amar Chitra Kathas digital debut
People can now read comics on personalities such as Akbar, Chanakya, Jawaharlal Nehru and JRD
Tata on smartphones and tablets, as Amar Chitra Katha has made the digital debut.
Amar Chitra Katha has launched ACK Comics, its official digital store app for across platforms
Windows 8, iOS and Android giving users access to over 300 of its titles.
The app has been developed by App9 Digital Studio, the digital division of Ninestars Information
Technologies.
Users will also get 10 comics to download for free including Chanakya, Ashoka, Akbar, Jawaharlal
Nehru and Babasaheb Ambedkar, Birbal, JRD Tata, Subbulakshmi, Ganesha and the special title on
DhyanChand.
Bhagat Singhs name not mentioned in FIR
Bhagat Singhs name was not mentioned in the FIR for the murder of a British police officer here in
1928, the Lahore police have found, in a major boost to prove the legendary freedom fighters
innocence in the case 83 years after his execution.
Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi, chairman of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, had filed a petition
seeking an attested copy of the First Information Report (FIR) registered against Bhagat Singh,
Sukhdev and Rajguru for allegedly killing the then SSP John P Saunders.
Bhagat Singh was awarded the death sentence for killing Saunders and was hanged at Shadman
Chowk in Lahore in 1931, aged just 23.
The High Court has referred the case to the Chief Justice for constitution of a larger Bench to hear
the case.

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No TOEFL and TOEIC tests by ETS
Dealing a blow to many visa aspirants especially students, British authorities have said global testing
giant ETS will no longer offer TOEFL and TOEIC tests for U.K. visa-granting purposes, in the wake
of a recent controversy.
As per the U.K. Council for International Student Affairs official website, ETS is no longer
providing TOEIC and TOEFL tests for people who want to use them in support of U.K. immigration
applications. This is because of allegations of fraud.
Following the broadcast of a BBC Panorama programme in February 2014 which highlighted an
organised element seeking to circumvent the U.K.s visa-granting process, ETS has made the
decision not to extend our Secure English-language Testing (SELT) licence with the Home Office.
As a result, TOEIC and TOEFL iBT testing will no longer be offered for U.K. visa-granting
purposes.
The TOEFL test remains the most widely respected English-language test in the world recognised by
more than 9,000 institutions in more than 130 countries.
Afghan landslide
Afghan officials gave up hope of finding any survivors from a landslide in the remote northeast,
putting the death toll at more than 2,100, as the aid effort focused on the more than 4,000 people
displaced.
Officials expressed concern the unstable hillside above the site of the disaster may cave in again,
threatening the thousands of homeless and hundreds of rescue workers who have arrived in
Badakhshan province, bordering Tajikistan.
Villagers and a few dozen police, equipped with only basic digging tools, resumed their search when
daylight broke but it soon became clear there was no hope of finding survivors buried in up to 100
meters of mud.
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan said the focus was on the more than 4,000 people
displaced, either directly as a result of Fridays landslide or as a precautionary measure from villages
assessed to be at risk.
Their main needs were water, medical support, counselling support, food and emergency shelter, said
Ari Gaitanis, a spokesman from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
The impoverished area, dotted with villages of mud-brick homes nestled in valleys beside bare
slopes, has been hit by several landslides in recent years.

INTERNATIONAL
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Tunisias new law on elections
Tunisian lawmakers have adopted a sweeping new electoral law that paves the way for general
elections later this year and is a milestone in this countrys new democracy.
The law requires party lists for legislative elections to be half women and half men. It also allows
members of the authoritarian regime ousted in 2011 to run for office.
The members of the National Constituent Assembly approved the law after weeks of heated debate
over its 270 articles. The overall law was approved 132-11 with nine abstentions.
Tunisias path to democracy has been rocky but is seen as a model for other countries, after street
protests overthrew a dictator and unleashed uprisings across the region known as the Arab Spring.
Obama's wage bill
Senate Republicans deployed a filibuster to block a White House proposal to increase the U.S.
minimum wage by $2.85 to $10.10 per hour, thereby denying President Barack Obama an important
election-year policy achievement.
With mid-term elections scheduled for November 2014, the defeat of the Bill on the floor of the
Senate, by a vote of 54 ayes and 42 nays short of the 60 votes required for passage could spell
trouble for Democrats.
Although polls have shown that more than 60 per cent of Americans support raising the minimum
wage, a measure that Mr. Obama promised in his state-of-the-union address in January, all Senate
Republicans but one, Robert Corker of Tennessee, voted against holding a debate on the Bill and
getting it passed.
While he appeared frustrated with the proceedings on Capitol Hill and slammed Republicans for
preventing a raise for 28 million hard-working Americans, he emphasised that several U.S. States
had taken the matter into their hands and raised the minimum wage through State Legislatures.
For the Democrats the Bill represented a key component of its broader Fair Shot for All midterm
campaign, a platform that aimed to project the party as a supporter of the common man, in
opposition to Republican pandering to special interests.
Anti-Qaeda offensive
Yemeni forces have launched an operation to drive Al-Qaeda fighters out of southern towns, where
blistering air strikes killed nearly 60 militants recently. military officials.

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula jihadists established strongholds in towns and rugged zones in
Abyan and Shabwa provinces after security forces chased them from major cities in Abyan in 2012.

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Yemeni and US drone strikes targeted bases of AQAP, considered by Washington as the most
dangerous affiliate of the global jihadist network with links to several failed terror plots against the
United States.

AQAP took advantage of the weakening of the central government in Sanaa after the nationwide
uprising, establishing strongholds in the southern and eastern regions.

In June 2012, government forces backed by the Popular Committees drove militants out of major
cities in Abyan after they had been in control for around a year.

US drones frequently strike suspected militants in the country despite mounting criticism from rights
groups concerned about civilian casualties.

The United States has defended its use of drones against Al-Qaeda, saying they allow it to target
jihadists without sending soldiers into lawless areas where local authorities have little or no control.
US security deal with Philippines
Protesters have clashed in the Philippines as a 10-year agreement was signed ahead of President
Barack Obama's visit which will beef up military forces there.

The military will get greater access to bases across the region as an effort by Washington to counter
Chinese aggression.

The presence of foreign troops is a sensitive issue in the Philippines, a former American colony.

The Philippine Senate voted in 1991 to close down U.S. bases at Subic and Clark, northwest of
Manila.

However, it ratified a pact with the United States allowing temporary visits by American forces in
1999, four years after China seized a reef the Philippines contests.

Following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, hundreds of U.S. forces descended
in the southern Philippines under that accord to hold counter terrorism exercises with Filipino troops
fighting Muslim militants.

However this time, the focus of the Philippines and its underfunded military has increasingly turned
to external threats as territorial spats with China in the potentially oil and gas-rich South China Sea
heated up in recent years.
Tornadoes strike central, southern US
A tornado system ripped through the central US and left at least 12 dead in a violent start to this
year's storm season.

A tornado carved through several Little Rock suburbs. A separate tornado from the same storm
system killed one person in Oklahoma.
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The large tornado outside Little Rock, Arkansas, stayed on the ground as it moved northeastward for
at least 30 miles (48 kilometres).

Emergency workers and volunteers went door-to-door to look for victims. Law enforcement officers
checked the damaged and toppled 18-wheelers, cars and trucks on a stretch of Interstate 40, a major
thoroughfare in and out of the state's capital.

Tornadoes also touched down in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas, where dozens of homes in
Baxter Springs were destroyed. Twenty-five people were injured and one person died.

Forecasters had warned for days that violent weather would strike over the weekend.
Security for World Economic Forum
Nigeria has assured that it will provide adequate security arrangements during the World Economic
Forum on Africa, which begins May 7 in Abuja.
The government would provide adequate security for participants.His remark came after some
countries expressed concern over security issues, following a blast in Abuja, which left at least 19
people dead.

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Civil Services is the dream of many students. No wonder, there is a great competition for this examination,
given the prestige and power linked to the profile of a civil servant. However, a large majority of students
are struggling without any proper guidance. Thus, at UPSCPortal we have come up with an initiative to
guide the aspirants, in their journey through the IAS, IPS exam.
We have started with a series called- Getting Started with Civil Services Examinations, to guide you in your
preparations. Every other day, we would come up with motivational and informative articles, discussing the
various aspects of the civil services examination, and the possible strategies, that a candidate might choose
to get success.
The Vision
Our aim is to guide the candidate, in making different decisions while facing the UPSC. We welcome the
aspirants to discuss, with us, their problems and confusions, anytime. Any aspirant may subscribe to the
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services, if you so like.
We wish the candidates All the Best for the their preparations!!
Civil Services Exam: What, Why and How ?

How to Read A Newspaper for IAS Exam

Two more attempts in UPSC Exams: all boon and no bane!!

How to Study? The Ultimate Dilemma

Preparing for Civil Services without Coaching

IAS Preparation for Rural/Remote Areas Students

Why do Online Test Series?

NCERT and NIOS Books for IAS Preparations

Strategy for IAS Exam for Working Professionals

Getting Started with IAS Exam Preparations - FAQ
for New Aspirants
For More Important Articles Click below Link
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/getting-started

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Indias crucial reforms of security institutions
India, which has contributed 1.7 lakh peacekeepers to U.N. missions, has told the U.N. Security
Council that it wants crucial reforms of security institutions to facilitate peace-building in the
conflict-hit nations.
Indias Permanent Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Asoke Mukerji said in a U.N. Security
Council debate on Security Sector Reform (SSR): Challenges and Opportunities that security
sector reform is an important element of post-conflict peace-building and should be part of the
internal political process of a nation emerging from conflict.
India has experience relevant to reform of a countrys security sector, having played an active role in
43 U.N. peacekeeping missions in which almost 170,000 Indian peacekeepers have participated so
far.
Six peacekeeping operations and eight Special Political Missions have been mandated to do SSR.
Outlining a few principles that must guide security sector reform, he said the most sustainable way
for effective reforms is by ensuring national ownership of the process.
The focus has to be on what is do-able and not on an agenda driven by priorities of donor countries.
Claim on stolen idol
The National Gallery of Australia has surrendered to the Indian claim that a Chola-era Nataraja that
it acquired for (A) $5.6 million had indeed been stolen from a village temple in Tamil Nadu, paving
the way for an early return of the idol to India.
The NGA, Australias foremost art institution located in the national capital of Canberra, had 30 days
to claim its ownership of the imposing bronze Nataraja after receiving a notice from the Australian
Attorney Generals Department under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. That
deadline expired on April 26.
The 1,000-year-old Dancing Shiva is central to the investigations against antiquities dealer Subhash
Kapoor who was arrested in 2012 and is being tried in Tamil Nadu for conspiring to smuggle the idol
and several others out of India. The return of the idol is expected to strengthen the case against him.
The NGA initially defended its purchase of the idol from Kapoor, but with its reputation scorched by
the international controversy that erupted over the provenance of the Nataraja, the Gallery seems to
have decided not to pursue any claim over the idol. Similarly, Sydneys Art Gallery of New South
Wales has not contested the notice it received at the same time as the NGA on an Ardhanareeshwara
it bought from Kapoor, who was operating principally out of the United States.
INDIA AND THE WORLD
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This idol too is a subject of Tamil Nadu police investigations against the dealer, and the Indian
government had demanded its return along with the Nataraja.
The Idol Wing unravelled the role of an international network in the theft of 18 ancient bronze
sculptures from two temples in Suthamali and Sripuranthan.
Indian developmental assistance in Afghanistan
The US Pentagon, in a report to the Congress has praised the Indian contribution in the peaceful
development of Afghanistan.

India continues to support Kabul believing a secure and stable Afghanistan will benefit the region
and facilitate economic corridors into Central Asia.

India and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership declaration in 2011, which formalised
cooperation on governance, economics, commerce, education, public administration, and
security/law enforcement.

In its report, the Pentagon also praised the Afghan national security forces for their conduct in the
recent presidential elections.

According to the Pentagon, the Taliban-led insurgency failed to achieve its stated operational
objectives over the reporting period.

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Samsung infringed patents of Apple?
A California jury awarded Apple $119 million far less than it demanded in apatent battle with
Samsung over alleged copying of smart phone features, and the jury made the victory even smaller
by finding that Apple illegally used one of Samsungs patents.
The verdict was a far cry from the $2.2 billion Apple sought and the $930 million it won in a
separate 2012 trial making similar patent infringement claims against older Samsung products, most
of which are no longer for sale in the United States.
The jury found that Apple had infringed one of Samsungs patents in creating the iPhone 4 and 5.
Jurors awarded Samsung $158,400, trimming that amount from the original $119.62 million verdict.
Samsung had sought $6 million.
Unlike the first trial in San Jose federal court in 2012, Samsung lawyers made Google a central focus
of their defence. Google makes the Android software that Samsung and other smartphone
manufacturers use as their operating systems. Samsung argued that Google was Apples real target.
More than 70 percent of smartphones run on Android, a mobile operating system that Google Inc.
has given out for free to Samsung and other phone makers
The verdict marked the latest intellectual property battle between the worlds top two smartphone
makers. Apple and Samsung have sued each other in courts and trade offices around the world.
Apple and Samsung are locked in a bitter struggle for dominance of the $330 billion worldwide
smartphone market. Samsung has become the leader of the sector with a 31 percent share after being
an also-ran with just 5 per cent in 2007. Apple, meanwhile, has seen its market share slip to about 15
per cent from a high of 27 per cent three years ago.
Japans jobless rate
Japans unemployment rate was flat at 3.6 per cent in March.
The number of jobless declined in March for the 46th consecutive month, falling by 340,000 from a
year earlier to 2.46 million people,according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Manufacturers added 190,000 jobs to reach 10.61 million on payrolls, and medical and welfare
services saw an increase of 210,000 employees to 7.48 million, while transport and mailing
industries eliminated 110,000 positions to 3.32 million.
IPR laws defended by India
Stressing that its IPR regime complies with international laws, India bluntly said it will not take part
in any unilateral investigation by the US on its intellectual property rights.
ECONOMY
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A day after the US Trade Representative (USTR) released its Special 301 report, which kept India
out of the Priority Foreign Country list, Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher said all issues between the
two countries, including those related to IPR, should be discussed at the Trade Policy
Forum. The US-India Trade Policy Forum is the principal platform for dialogue between
the countries, with focus groups on agriculture, investment, IPR, services and tariff and non-tariff
barriers.
India has clearly conveyed to the US that the government of India will not subject itself to the
investigations. The secretary said India has addressed all concerns of US pharma companies with
regard to compulsory licenses (CL), ever-greening of patents, data exclusivity and patent linkage.
The US industry had raised the matter of Indias rejection of patents for Bristol-Myers Squibbs
Sprycel and Novartis AGs Glivec.
Pressure on Switzerland to disclose bank info
India has strongly objected to Switzerlands denial of information about account details of certain
Indians at HSBCs Swiss bank branches, in whose cases incriminating evidence of tax evasion
have been found .

In a strongly-worded letter to his Swiss counterpart, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has also
warned that an effective exchange of tax-related information was extremely important for
economic co-operation between the two countries and Switzerland must honour its rights and
duties agreed to in their bilateral Direct Tax Avoidance Convention (DTAC).

Mr. Chidambaram also said that the interpretation made by Switzerland that it can not share
information as per Indias request was not in accordance with international standards.

Under global pressure, Switzerland has agreed to ease its banking secrecy laws in recent years and it
also signed a revised tax treaty with India in 2011 to facilitate greater flow of information about
alleged black money.

However, it has refused to share information with India about the accounts mentioned in the so-
called HSBC list which India had received from France through a bilateral treaty.
Exim Banks PDC in Africa
Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) plans to set up a project development company (PDC) in
Africa, with the participation of State Bank of India (SBI), IL&FS and African Development Bank.
The new company will essentially look to bring infrastructure projects in Africa to a bankable stage
and facilitate exports from India to Africa. This is the first time Exim Bank is looking to set up a
PDC and also the first time in Africa.
Meanwhile, the bank announced a net profit of Rs. 710 crore during the financial year 2013-14. The
bank restructured assets worth Rs. 1,400 crore in 2013-14 and it said that it has assets worth Rs. 400
crore in the restructuring pipeline.
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189 LOCs, covering 75 countries in Africa, Asia, CIS, Europe and Latin America, with credit
commitments aggregating $ 10.33 billion are currently available for utilisation, while a number of
prospective LOCs are at various stages of negotiation.
Third largest economy
In a matter of six years, India emerged as the worlds third-largest economy in 2011 from being the
tenth largest in 2005, moving ahead of Japan, while the US remained the largest economy closely
followed by China.
According to the major findings of the ICP, six of the worlds 12 largest economies were in the
middle-income Nigeria account for about half of the African economy.At 27 per cent, Ccategory
(based on the World Banks definition).
When combined, the 12 largest economies accounted for two-thirds of the world economy and 59 per
cent of the population.
The purchasing power parities (PPPs)-based world GDP amounted to USD 90,647 billion, compared
with USD 70,294 billion measured by exchange rates, adding that the share of middle-income
economies in global GDP is 48 per cent when using PPPs and 32 per cent when using exchange
rates.
The six largest middle-income economies China, India, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico
account for 32.3 per cent of world GDP, whereas the six largest high-income economies US,
Japan, Germany, France, UK and Italy account for 32.9 per cent.
China and India make up two-thirds of the Asia and the Pacific economy, excluding Japan and South
Korea, which are part of the OECD comparison. Russia accounts for more than 70 per cent of the
CIS, and Brazil for 56 per cent of Latin America. South Africa, Egypt, and hina has the largest share
of the worlds expenditure for investment (gross fixed capital formation) followed by the US at 13
per cent.
China and India account for about 80 per cent of investment expenditure in the Asia and the Pacific
region.
The five economies with the highest GDP per capita are Qatar, Macao, Luxembourg, Kuwait and
Brunei.
Eleven economies have more than USD 50,000 per capita, while they collectively account for less
than 0.6 per cent of the worlds population. The US has the 12thhighest GDP per capita.
The five economies with highest actual individual consumption per capita are Bermuda, US, Cayman
Islands, Hong Kong and Luxembourg.

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Black money case
After resisting for more than three years, the Centre has revealed names of 18 persons in the
Supreme Court who allegedly stashed black money with LST bank in Liechtenstein and against
whom prosecution have been launched by the Income Tax department.

The names, listed in Centre's affidavit, include Mohan Manoj Dhupelia, Ambrish Manoj Dhupelia,
Bhavya Manoj Dhupelia, Manoj Dhupelia and Rupal Dhupelia from Ambrunova Trust and Marline
Management.

Centre said that IT department also found evidence against against four members of Manichi Trust
Hasmuk Ishwarlal Gandhi, Chintan Hasmukh Gandhi, Madhu Hasmukh Gandhi and Late Mirav
Hasmukh Gandhi. It said that prosecution has been initiated against Chandrakant Ishwarlal Gandhi,
Rajest Chandrakant Gandhi, Viraj Chandrakant Gandhi and Dhanalaxmi Chandrakant Gandhi from
Ruvisha Trust.

Notwithstanding the Supreme Court order in 2011 to make public the names of account holders in
LGT bank received by it in 2009 from German tax authorities, Centre has not done so, drawing the
ire of the apex court.
Export of Gems & jewellery
India's gems and jewellery exports dropped 11% in the last fiscal from a year before to $34.74
billion, mainly because outbound shipments of gold jewellery and medallions tumbled due to curbs
on raw material supplies.

Importantly, the annual exports of gems and jewellery dropped at an even faster pace in March, by
28.1% to $4.37 billion, the data revealed. Gold jewellery and medallion exports crashed 39.5% in the
last fiscal to $11,045.92 million from a year earlier.
Jewellers and industry executives said high premiums, 10% customs duty and restrictions on gold
supplies have raised raw material costs for domestic jewellers, driving down exports. While a 40%
plunge in gold and silver imports helped reduce the CAD last fiscal, a drop in gems and jewellery
exports can be counter-productive, especially for the jewellery manufacturing sector.

To control the CAD, the government raised the import duty on the precious metal three times last
year to 10% from 4% and the RBI mandated that at least one-fifth of the imported gold be kept aside
for re-exports. The RBI also directed that no fresh tranche of imports by a trader would be allowed
until 20% of the previous imported volume is exported after value addition, also aimed at promoting
exports.
Shares fall over Ukraine crisis
Shares fell in Asia as investors remained wary of mounting violence in Ukraine, while awaiting a raft
of financial indicators due later in the week.
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Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index fell 1.2 percent to 14,257.37, while Hong Kongs Hang
Seng Index was 0.4 percent lower at 22,142.16.
Shares in New Zealand, Taiwan, China, India and Singapore also fell, though South Koreas Kospi
added 0.2 percent to 1,975.68 and Australias S&P ASX 200 gained 0.1 percent to 5,534.30.
The U.S. was preparing to levy fresh sanctions against Russia for Moscows failure to uphold terms
of an agreement with the U.S., the European Union and Ukraine that calls for Moscow to withdraw
Russian forces from the border with Ukraine and encourage pro-Russian militia to turn over
buildings theyre occupying in eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, pro-Russian gunmen turned to kidnapping, taking dozens hostage, including journalists,
pro-Ukraine activists and European military observers.
Worried investors have been shifting from riskier assets into traditional havens like bonds, gold and
mainstay equities like utilities, sapping markets of their earlier upward momentum.

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The main features of the Essay course would be-
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From thin air to drinking water
An Israeli company has developed a new and inexpensive technology that produces drinking water
from thin air, an advancement that can address the problem of water scarcity in developing countries
such as India.
Using the technology, a litre of water can be produced for a mere Rs. 1.5, as compared to Rs. 15 for a
litre of bottled water, the company claims. The Atmospheric Water-Generation Units created by
Water-Gen use a GENius heat exchanger to chill air and condense water vapour.
The clean air is passed through the heat exchanger system where it gets dehumidified. The water is
then removed from the air and collected in a tank inside the unit.
The company claims its water generator is more energy efficient than other such companies as it uses
the cooled air created by the unit to chill incoming air. The system can produce 250-800 litres of
potable water a day depending on temperature and humidity conditions.
Orbit of the International Space Station (ISS)
The orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) will be corrected by raising it by 2.15 kilometres.

The maneouver were carried out using the thrusters of the Progress M-21M cargo spacecraft.

The station was raised to the altitude of 415.2 kilometres and the adjustment is made to ensure
better docking conditions of the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft, which is scheduled to blast off from
the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan on May 28 to bring a new crew to the ISS.

The Progress M-21M docked with the orbital station on November 30. The docking operation was
being carried out by means of the new approach system in an automatic mode.
Microbes could colonize Mars
In the race to colonise Mars, microbes may end up beating humans!
Hardy little micro-organisms from Earth could hitch a ride on a spacecraft and colonise the surface
of Mars and trick scientists into thinking they are aliens, a new study by NASA scientists, including
one of Indian-origin, has found.
These bacteria could contaminate celestial bodies such as Mars, making it difficult for researchers to
determine if a life form actually originated on the site, researchers said.
Currently, spacecraft landing on Mars or other planets where life might exist must meet requirements
for a maximum allowable level of microbial life, or bioburden.
SCIENCE AND TECH
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These acceptable levels were based on studies of how various life forms survive exposure to the
rigours associated with space travel, researchers said.
Spore-forming bacteria are of particular concern because spores can withstand certain sterilisation
procedures and may best be able to survive the harsh environments of outer space or planetary
surfaces.
Spores of Bacillus pumilus SAFR-032 have shown especially high resistance to techniques used to
clean spacecraft, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation and peroxide treatment.
When researchers exposed this hardy organism to a simulated Mars environment that kills standard
spores in 30 seconds, it survived 30 minutes.

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River policing
Batting to end all encroachments and to enforce a ban on developmental activities on the floodplains
of River Yamuna, the Union ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) said that a dedicated
'river policing' unit should be set up to stop unauthorised construction and maintain the ecological
integrity of the river.
It also said the entire 52-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi and UP should be declared a
'conservation zone' in order to frame proper rules for permitting/prohibiting human activities.
The MoEF recommendations came in the form of a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for
saving Yamuna.
Acting on a complaint by environmentalist Manoj Mishra regarding "serious degradation" of the
river, NGT last year asked MoEF to submit a comprehensive report for restoration, preservation and
beautification of the river, as well as identify people who should carry out the work.
It has also sought immediate action for identifying "additional landfill sites, catering to the next 25
years of requirement" as there is shortage of landfill sites in Delhi.
The MoEF has recommended a slew of measures like controlled dredging, construction of culverts,
development of wetlands and floodplain vegetation having native biodiversity, development of green
belt on both sides of the embankments, controlling of sewage pollution, etc for saving the Yamuna. It
also said agricultural activity on floodplains should be regulated to totally prohibit the use of
pesticides and fertilisers.
The ministry has also called for a separate programme for promoting public awareness on river
conservation and community participation in restoration, management and monitoring of the river.

ENVIRONMENT
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Historic accord on sport for peace
The United Nations (U.N.) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has signed a historic
agreement to use the power of sports to promote peace and economic development, a move that
strengthens collaboration between two of the worlds major organizations.
The U.N. and Olympic charters, both call for international cooperation to promote peace, a better life
for people around the world and preserving human dignity.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed with the IOC was a logical and historic step after years
of ever closer collaboration in using sport to promote development and peace.
The agreement calls for joint sporting initiatives between the IOC, national Olympic committees,
international sports federations, organizing committees and international athletes and the 193 U.N.
member states, U.N. agencies, envoys and goodwill ambassadors.
The two organizations will be promoting education for youth through sport without discrimination of
any kind, access to sport for all communities especially the most disadvantaged and marginalized,
healthy lifestyles and peace-building and community dialogue.
Indian tennis players and top-100 bracket
A struggling Somdev Devvarman dropped out of top-100 bracket in the singles rankings as the
Indian slipped to 102 with the loss of two places.

Somdev has been struggling since winning the Delhi Open challenger title and failed to cross the first
round hurdle in five consecutive tournaments on the ATP tour.

Also sliding in the ATP ranking ladder was India's second best singles player, Yuki Bhambri, who
lost four spots to be 153.

The tall and big serving Saketh Myneni though jumped seven places to be 262.

In the doubles, Leander Paes continued to be India's best ranked player and the only one in top-10 at
number nine. Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna was next best at number 14.

Mahesh Bhupathi, who will retire this year and will be playing only select events, gained a place to
be 46.
Real Madrid reach their first Champions League final
Real Madrid reached their first Champions League final for 12 years with an historic 4-0 win at
Bayern Munich in semifinal, second leg to knock the holders out.
SPORTS
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Having won last week's first leg 1-0 in Madrid, Real won the semifinal 5-0 on aggregate as Pep
Guardiola's Bayern suffered their heaviest home defeat in European competition.
Bayern had previously never lost at home by more than two goals in Europe as the Bavarian giants
saw their dreams of reaching a fourth Champions League final in five years crushed.
Top test rank for Australia
Australia has reclaimed the number one Test ranking for the first time in five years.

They also remain the top-rated one day international side in the latest official rankings from the
International Cricket Council (ICC).

It is the first time since December 2008 that the country has been ranked number one in Tests and
ODIs at the same time. They last held the top Test ranking in August 2009, when they were
displaced after losing the Ashes 2-1 to England.
Reliance ICC T20I Team Rankings
India has become the number-one ranked Twenty20 International (T20I) side after the annual update
of the Reliance ICC T20I Team Rankings, which was recently announced .
India has swapped places with ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 champion Sri Lanka.
In the past 12 months, India has lost just one T20I (against Sri Lanka in the recent ICC WT20 Final
in Bangladesh), while Sri Lanka has lost four matches. The 2013-2014 results are weighted at 100
per cent whereas, the results in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 are now weighted at 50 per cent.
Therefore, Sri Lankas strong performances in those two earlier years now count for less.
In the other major change, the West Indies has slipped two places. This drop has moved Australia
and New Zealand up by one place each.

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Ahmed Matiq
Libyas Parliament has sworn in a new Prime Minister despite a disputed vote.
A Libyan television station and lawmakers said the countrys interim Parliament swore in 42-year-
old businessman Ahmed Matiq .
Initially, only 113 lawmakers voted for Mr. Matiq, falling short of the 120 votes necessary to secure
his win. After the session was adjourned, Al-Ahrar reported that voting resumed and Mr. Matiq
secured eight new votes.
Jawahar Kaliani
An Indian-American has been appointed to a key post in the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Jawahar Kaliani has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Application
Services Delivery (ASD) at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Department of
Treasury.
Mr. Kaliani will lead the development and implementation of complex applications to deliver secure
business solutions that meet organisational priorities and support the agencys mission of ensuring
the safety and soundness of national banks and federal savings associations.
Rajeev Suri
Yet another India-born business leader has climbed the ranks. Finnish firm Nokia, which recently
sold its mobile unit to Microsoft, has appointed Rajeev Suri as the company's new CEO and
President.
Mr. Suri joined Nokia in 1995 and has held a wide range of leadership positions in the company.
Since October of 2009, he has served as CEO of NSN, the former joint venture between Nokia and
Siemens that is now fully owned by Nokia.
During his tenure as CEO, that business went through a radical transformation to become one of the
leaders in the telecommunications infrastructure industry.
Risto Siilasmaa, who has been serving as the interim CEO, will now return to his role as Chairman of
Nokia's Board.

IN THE NEWS (PERSONS)
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Click Here for Full Information:
http://upscportal.com/civilservices/test-series/online-ias-pre

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Sour turn in India-EU trade
(Courtesy: The Hindu)
The ban imposed by the European Union on the import of Alphonso mangoes and four varieties of
vegetables from India until December 2015 after some consignments were found infested with non-
European fruit flies has naturally upset India. As the biggest producer of the golden fruit, India sends about
70,000 tonnes of mangoes abroad every year. Yet, merely insisting that the 28-member blocs action is
unilateral without any meaningful official consultation, as Commerce Minister Anand Sharma has done,
will not do. The EU had notified India in March of its concerns. Whether the Agricultural and Processed
Food Products Export Development Authority, which is tasked with ensuring that items of export are
compliant in terms of sanitary and phyto-sanitary standards as set down by importing countries, was able to
fully address them effectively, remains unclear. It is also to be noted that scores of consignments of mangoes
and vegetables shipped in 2013 had been found to be contaminated. Periodic problems that come up with
respect to shrimp exports over contamination concerns, are relevant here. India certainly needs to put in
place fool-proof mechanisms for the examination and certification of export commodities to remove such
taints once and for all. Necessary correctives need to be worked out with the involvement of technical and
scientific bodies in order that in the lucrative but competitive export markets the country would establish its
reputation as a reliable partner meeting health and phyto-sanitary standards.
On its part, the EU should ensure that any cause for a perception of its decision being an unfair one which
smacks of a punitive approach and that would potentially jeopardise India-EU trade, is avoided. As the
Minister has pointed out, the ongoing negotiations for a broad-based India-EU trade and investment
agreement is based on the premise of trust and understanding to put in place a more liberal trade regime.
Brussels should note Indian domestic concerns and invoke the necessary correctives on the basis of an
appropriate assessment of risks. If it is indeed possible that sections of the EU bureaucracy see here a
leveraging factor in the context of talks on a Free Trade Agreement, as also other bilateral issues, that will
amount to unfairness. Although Europe is not a major market for Indian mangoes it accounts for 16
million tonnes annually any ban typically pulls down prices. About 80 per cent of the exports from India
go to West Asia. What India should do is to strengthen its bargaining position by raising export standards
and leave no quarter to be found remiss. The entire ecosystem for exports, involving farmers, packers and
exporters of agri-commodities, should be geared to meet the quality and safety requirements of countries
across the world.
Pill poppers
(Courtesy: The Indian Express)
Since the 1950s, when antibiotics were first introduced, common bacterial infections like a minor cut or a
sore throat have stopped being deadly. Now, however, the first global review of antibiotic resistance
conducted by the World Health Organisation concludes that bacteria are increasingly able to elude
treatment. In this post-antibiotic world, therefore, conditions that could until recently be dealt with by
routine prescriptions may once again prove fatal unless, as the WHO warns, significant action is taken to
change how antibiotics are produced, prescribed and used.
Selected Editorials of Importance
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Over time, bacteria genetically mutate to enable them to produce enzymes that render antibiotics inactive, or
they might eradicate a particular drugs target. Initially, there may not be too many such bacteria, but
eventually, selective advantage will allow resistant bacteria to dominate the population, if enough of them
repeatedly encounter the antibiotic. So when drugs are used too often and incorrectly, or when they are used
in animal feed by the meat industry to buff up livestock, antibiotic resistance is promoted.

The tendency to indiscriminately prescribe antibiotics, especially by its poorly regulated private healthcare
sector, has meant that India is identified as a country with growing antibiotic resistance. Public
misinformation on the proper use of antibiotics is also an issue for instance, a 2011 WHO study showed
that 53 per cent of Indians were taking antibiotics without a doctors prescription. But this is far from an
Indian problem, as the WHO report found. Among the WHOs concerns is a lack of incentive for
pharmaceutical companies to develop a strain of drugs that are to be used briefly and sparingly, although
tackling resistance will require a new stream of antibiotics. Compounding this is the absence of a
standardised way to assess and share information on drug-resistant infections. Increasing global coordination
and treating antibiotics as a public good are a must to grappling with the spectre of going back to the past in
public healthcare.
Like flies, people can be affected by too much Information
(Courtesy: The Economic Times)
Before depriving Europeans of their seasonal fix of Indian mangoes, not to mention aubergines and gourds
this summer, the EU and the relevant European governments should have taken note of a study by
Newcastle University of the villainous illegal migrant that has prompted this particular agri-produce ban: the
whitefly.

The main fear is of infestation, compounded by apprehensions about the repercussions of the chemical
cocktail that would be needed to combat the voracious invading bug.
But research has shown that a rather innocuous solution is all that's needed: a summer vegetable punch of
beans, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbages, watermelons and watercress smells.
This heady concoction of aromas sends whiteflies into such a sensation overload that they forget to continue
their chomping spree entirely.
The discovery that the "sensory confusion" effect wherein a surfeit of information causes the stymieing
of normal activities is as applicable to human beings as insects, of course, could have unintended
benefits. All it would need are some appropriate scale-up adjustments.
After all, the public reaction to the sheer volume and variety of the material being spewed out by the
prolonged Indian election process is evidence enough that humans are as susceptible as whiteflies to
information overkill.

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:: INDIA AND THE WORLD ::
Q1.
i) Bronze statue of Nataraja that apparently belonged to Chola era was handed back to India by
US.
ii) India, has contributed around 1.7 lakh peacekeepers to U.N. missions.
Which of the above statement/statements is/are true?
a) only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i and ii
:: INTERNATIONAL ::
Q2.
i) The United States that used drones against Al-Qaeda, defended it by saying that allow it to target
jihadists without sending soldiers into lawless areas where local authorities have little or no
control.
ii) White House recently passed the U.S. minimum wage bill with majority votes.
a) only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i and ii

MCQs
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:: NATIONAL ::
Q3.
i) Astra is India's first Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile.
ii) Astra has been designed and developed indigenously by the DRDO .
a) only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i and ii
:: ECONOMY ::
Q4.
i) Samsung has become the leader of the sector of smart phone with a 31 percent share while
Apples market share slipped to about 15 per cent from a high of 27 per cent three years ago.
ii) The US recently raised the matter of Indias rejection of patents for Bristol-Myers Squibbs
Sprycel and Novartis AGs Glivec.
Which of the above statement/statements is/are NOT true?
a) only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i and ii

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:: IN THE NEWS ::
Q5.
i) An Indian-American who has been appointed to a key post in the U.S. Department of Treasury
is Jawahar Kaliani.
ii) Risto Siilasmaa is the new CEO and President of Nokia.
Which of the above statement/statements is/are NOT true?
a) only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i and ii
:: SCIENCE AND TECH ::
Q6.
i) The orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) will be corrected by raising it by 2.15
kilometres.
ii) To enforce a ban on developmental activities on the floodplains of River Yamuna MoEF is
planning a dedicated 'river policing' to stop unauthorised construction and maintain the
ecological integrity of the river.
a) only i
b) Only ii
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i and ii
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Ans 1: b
Ans 2: a
Ans 3: c
Ans 4: d
Ans 5: b
Ans 6: c

MCQs Answer
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