The Hindu Current Notes Oct. 2016

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE 01.10.2016.
docx
THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE 02.10.2016.docx
THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE
DATE : 01.10.2016
G.S.-01
Two-thirds of elderly financially dependent on others, says study
* research said that 65 percent are dependent on other for their basic need
and only 38 percent has access to the formal pension system
* so elderly are becoming burden for the capitalistic and productivity based
society
* india will face major threat by time because now india is worlds youngest
countries and failed to secure elder age then there will be crises
*central government has started atal pension scheme and other investment
option and govt. can also try to do it by the way of financial inclusion
Modi moots Swacchagraha

*modi want to adopt technology for the reduce-reuse-recycle-refuse formula
for the better cleanliness
*by the use of the technology we can convert waste into wealth
* as gandhiji has started satyagrha to get freedom from the britishers now we
have to statrt swacchagraha
G.S.-02
Pak. still in denial on Indias LoC action
* india has adopted surgical strike as a option in reply of the uri attack this
attempt has been critics by country
* this attack has direct affect on the Indian economy and share market
Karnataka gets last chance on Cauvery

*supreme court given last time order to implement and release water to
Tamilnadu as state government has passed resolution to denying to
implement order
* there are problem between state to divide water between kerala tamilnadu,
Karnataka and puduchery
Supreme court also ask to constitute kaveri management commission for
mutual understanding
*article 144 gives supreme court power to establish rule of law in public
authority
G.S.-03
Commodities trading may open to foreigners
*there are two kind of system in india market that is security market and
commodity market
*In that commodity market managed by MCX and security market managed
by the sensex
*now only Indian can take part in commodity trading but SEBI and RBI now
preparing to open this trade worldwide
G.S.-04
THE HINDU CURRENT NOTES

DATE : 02.10.2016
G.S.-01
India got 3% less rainthan normal: IMD

*IMD has forecasted above normal monsoon in india but by the effect of
negative Indian ocean dipole
*this is the biggest problem of monsoon that are affected by multi factor and
lots of model of forecast are there but no model is accurate and farmer that
are mostly depend on monsoon are at great risk because of the lack of
universal irrigation plan
G.S.-02
Pakistan still in anaesthesia after surgery, says Parrikar
*A surgical strike is a military attack which results in, was intended to result
in, or is claimed to have resulted in only damage to the intended legitimate
military target, and no or minimal collateral damage to surrounding
structures, vehicles, buildings, or the general public infrastructure and
utilities.
Mahatma was read out ofcontext, says granddaughter
Relevance of Nonviolence And Satyagraha Of Gandhi Today
The acid test of relevance of works and views of a great man is definitely the
application of them in prevailing conditions of time and space. Mahatma
Gandhi is fortunately among those few great men in the entire human history
whose individual life, works and views, also known as Gandhism, not only
proved to be great and exemplary during his own lifetime but their relevance
and
significance
remained
intact
after
his
passing
away.
He became the ideal hero for thousands around the world in general and
renowned figures like Martin Luther King Junior of America, Nelson Mandela
of South Africa and Ninoy Aquino of the Philippines in particular.

Simultaneous to this, his views and works are still worth giving a thought, and
if they are applied according to the prevailing conditions of time and space, no
doubt, they are fully capable of bringing sound and beautiful results beyond
expectations.
How? To be familiar with this reality, it will be appropriate for us to look at
those simple but most humanistic bases which were there in the personal
practices of Mahatma Gandhi as well as in public actions initiated by him,
especially during the National Liberation Movement of India between 1917
and 1942.
Basis of success during lifetime
For Mahatma Gandhi Ahimsa-non-violence was a Dharma, no matter if, for
him, it was a plant of slow growth; and along with its activities, applicable in
day-to-day practices, it was the means to achieve the goal. Satyagraha-pursuit
of Truthfully imbibed with Ahimsa was the weapon applied in political
actions. He, as we know, largely succeeded in Ahimsa and Satyagraha,
because he was brave, humble and free from hatred. All these three were, and
are, fully within the scope of non-violence; in other words, they were, and are,
themselves the best introduction of Ahimsa. And Mahatma Gandhi practiced
them in the best possible manner both in his individual life and public life.
Further, he loved everybody without any discrimination. Love is a value
supplementary to Ahimsa. It is an ornament of the brave. In it everything is
good, positive and beneficial provided it is not momentary. Mahatma Gandhi
saw the ultimate Truth in love and said, To see the universal and pervading
spirit of Truth face-to-face one must be able to love the meanest. That is why;
his non-violence was that of the brave. It was not born out of cowardice.
For his pure love, he was prepared to suck the poison from the body of General
Michael ODwyer, if he was bitten by a snake. He did not hate the British. He
was opposed to their exploitative rule. He was free from fear. His fearlessness
too was extraordinary or of a very high order. It was during the Champaran
Satyagraha in 1917-18 when he heard that a British Indigo planter wanted to
kill him if he was found alone. He went alone to the residence of that planter
one early morning and offered himself to be killed. The Englishman had no
heart
to
kill
this
great
and
brave
soul.
Again it was in March 1930 when the Mahatma along with his selected
colleagues was on his way to Dandi from his Sabarmati Ashram to break the
Salt Law and through it to launch the historical Civil Disobedience Movement.
A man of a place near Bharoach, who was opposed to the Gandhian way of
Ahimsa, threatened to kill him in a lonely place. The news reached to the
Mahatma. He was, as we know, a worshipper of non-violence and, therefore,
fearless and brave also. He knew that anyone having ill-will cannot withstand
the power of non-violence. Two-three days passed. In the meantime the
Mahatma ascertained the name and address of that ill-willing person and one
day, in the early hours, he reached his home and told him:
Brother! I am Gandhi; you want my life. Take it soon, none will know.
But the man of ill-will who could not see eye-to-eye with the votary of nonviolence became a follower of the Mahatma. This is the reality of fearlessness
and pure love the basis of which is Ahimsa.
Way of Satyagraha in current perspectives
Gandhian approach would need both, courage and freedom from ill-will.
Before launching Satyagraha and during the course of Satyagraha he was ever
ready to negotiate and discuss. In the late twenties he was opposed to the
exploitation of the textile workers of Ahmedabad by the mill-owners, but he
was not for a strike to end it. In it, and in all other matters of dispute, whether
they were small or big in nature or local or national in level, he advocated
discussions, negotiations or dialogues, conciliations, arbitrations and
adjudication as a last resort. He applied the same method in actions taken for
the independence of the country. He inspired confidence and faith with his
words; he was always dependable. Even today in changed circumstances it is
necessary that when we talk of Ahimsa, non-violence and Satyagraha, we
should
bear
this
background
in
our
minds.
Today most the counties of the world are facing various kinds of internal and
external crisis. Due to unprecedented changes in social, political, economic
and cultural spheres, awakening amongst the various groups of people has
reached a high level. That is why; many a times one particular group or groups
of people create a problem which becomes so serious thatauthorities become
helpless. Few years ago we witnessed such situations in the province of

Punjab,
Assam
and
other
parts
of
India.
In such a state of affairs, can the way shown by Gandhi be relevant? Can his
Ahimsa and Satyagraha be applied to tackle such kind of problems? Yes, it is
possible. But prior to that, it is necessary to become familiar with the method
of their application in changed situations. The application of both, Ahimsa and
Satyagraha are not the exception in the law of change; they too are within the
domain
of
it.
So those in authority when dealing with serious issues in the whole world must
have the humility to understand and accommodate the opposite point of view.
They should have love and regard for those who cry for justice and rights and
even those clamouring for separation. In that case there would be room for
discussion, negotiation and settlement. Non-violence and Satyagraha [pursuit
of Truth] presuppose humility and readiness to understand even the most
unpleasant stand of the opponent. This is applicable to those in power if they
want
to
deal
with
problems
non-violently.
For those who cry for justice and separation, Satyagraha would mean noncooperation without ill-will and suffering for their rights. They should be ready
to compromise if their demands are substantially met by granting them the
maximum without separation, because separation is not a permanent solution
to
any
problem.
It is a fact that non-violent Satyagraha sometimes takes longer time but causes
less damage to people and property and does not leave behind any hatred or illwill. Ultimately imbibed with Ahimsa it is the pursuit of Truth and Truth
always wins.
G.S.-03
Rs. 65,250 cr. mopped up vianew black money window
The F. M. has announced a scheme for Voluntary Disclosure (TIDS, 2016) of
Undisclosed Income and Assets by Domestic Taxpayers. On the basis of the
updates available, we are noting below the Frequently Asked Questions on the
aforesaid Scheme:-
FAQ 1: Who is Eligible?

Reply: Any person can file a declaration under this Scheme.
FAQ 2: What can be disclosed?
Reply: Income of any assessment year prior to AY 2017-18:a) For which he has failed to furnish the Return of Income u/s 139 of the I. T. Act,
1961
b) Undisclosed Income which he has failed to disclose or has escaped assessment;
and
c) Declared in the form of any investment in any Asset (Undisclosed).
FAQ 3: What will be the value of the Undisclosed Asset?
Reply:
The value of Undisclosed Asset shall be the Fair Market Value
(FMV) as on the date of commencement of this Scheme i.e. 01-06-2016. FMV
shall be determined in such manner as may be prescribed.
FAQ 4:Can the declarant claim any deduction in respect of expenses or allowance
in respect of Income declared under this scheme?
Reply: No deduction in respect of any expenditure or allowance shall be allowed
against the income in respect of which declaration under this section is made.
FAQ 5: What is the Rate of Tax. Surcharge and Penalty on the Income disclosed?
Reply: The declarant will have to pay following tax, surcharge and penalty at the
following rates on the amount of Income Disclosed:
Tax @ 30%
Surcharge @ 7.50%
Penalty @ 7.50%
TOTAL 45%
FAQ 6:Who will sign the Declaration?

Reply: The declaration will be signed by the following person:Category
Declarant
of
Signing Authority for Declaration

a) If the declarant is present in India Self;
b) If the declarant is absent from India Self or Authorised Representative
Individual
c) If the declarant is mentally incapacitated By his guardian or any other

person competent to act on his behalf.
H.U.F.
a) By Karta of HUF;
b) If the Karta is absent from India or Mentally Incapacitated By any adult
member of the HUF
Firm
a) By Managing Partner of the Firm

b) If the Managing Partner is absent from India or Mentally Incapacitated By
any other Partner of the Firm
Company
a) By the Managing Director of the Company;

b) In case if the MD is unable to sign for any reason then by any other director
of the Company.
Association
a) By Member of the association; or

b) Prinipal Officer
Other Person
a) By that Person; or
b) Other person competent to act on his behalf.
FAQ 7: Can a person make multiple declarations under this scheme?

Reply: Any person, who has made a declaration under sub-section (1) of section
180 in respect of his income or as a representative assessee in respect of the
income of any other person, shall not be entitled to make any other declaration,
under that sub-section in respect of his income or the income of such other person,
and any such other declaration, if made, shall be void
FAQ 8: What is the Last date of filling declaration under this Scheme and / or
Payment of Tax, Surcharge and Penalty?
Reply: The last date shall be notified by the Government in the Official Gazatte.
FAQ 9: What are the Benefits to the Declarant by giving disclosure under this
scheme?
Reply: The declarant will be eligible for following benefits in respect of the
income Disclosed under the Scheme:1. Amount of income declared under this scheme will not be included in the
Total Income of the declarant for any assessment year under the Income Tax
Act;
2. Undisclosed income declared not to affect finality of completed assessments;
3. Undisclosed income declared not to be treated as benami transaction in
certain cases;
4. Immunity from prosecution;
5. Exemption from wealth-tax in respect of assets specified in declaration;
FAQ 10: What is the Risk in Filling the Declaration?

Reply: where a declaration has been made by misrepresentation or suppression of
facts, such declaration shall be void and shall be deemed never to have been made
under this Scheme. The tax, surcharge or penalty deposited under this scheme shall
not be refunded.
FAQ 11: Who is in-eligible to file a declaration under this Scheme?
Reply: The provisions of this scheme shall not apply in respect of:1. Any person in respect of whom an order of detention has been made under
the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling
Activities Act, 1974 (subject to specified conditions);
2. in relation to prosecution for any offence punishable under Chapter IX or
Chapter XVII of the Indian Penal Code, the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)

Act, 1967 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988;
3. to any person notified under section 3 of the Special Court (Trial of Offences
Relating to Transactions in Securities) Act, 1992;
4. in relation to any undisclosed foreign income and asset which is chargeable
to tax under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and
Imposition of Tax Act, 2015;
5. in relation to any undisclosed income chargeable to tax under the Income-tax
Act for any previous year relevant to an assessment year prior to the
assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2017
where a notice under section 142 or sub-section (2) of section 143 or section
148 or section 153A or section 153C of the Income-tax Act has been issued
in respect of such assessment year and the proceeding is pending before the
Assessing Officer; or
where a search has been conducted under section 132 or requisition has been
made under section 132A or a survey has been carried out under section
133A of the Income-tax Act in a previous year and a notice under subsection (2) of section 143 for the assessment year relevant to such previous
year or a notice under section 153A or under section 153C of the said Act
for an assessment year relevant to any previous year prior to such previous
year has not been issued and the time for issuance of such notice has not
expired; or
where any information has been received by the competent authority under
an agreement entered into by the Central Government under section 90 or
section 90A of the Income-tax Act in respect of such undisclosed asset.
Does fogging harm humans?
Adverse reactions
There is, however, some known adverse reactions include itching, burning,
prickling sensations on skin, headaches, convulsions, tremors, facial flushing
and swelling, asthma, sneezing, nasal congestion and nausea.
The fog is created by blasting the mixture of insecticide and water into
very fine droplets through the fogging machine. The amount of insecticide in
the fog is very small, and is dispersed at quantities that can only kill
something as small as a mosquito, so at the concentrations used there will be
no adverse health effects on people who are occasionally exposed to the
fog, said Dr. Anil Bansal, Delhi Medical Association.
People arent breathing in the fog three times a day. It is an occasional and
limited exposure and doesnt generally harm
China blocks Brahmaputra tributary

*china want to build dam across the yarlung tsangpo river that is main
tributary of the Brahmaputra
*by this plan india has great risk of flood in flood prone Brahmaputra plain
but china argue that thay are building this dam on the principle of the run of
the river

DATE : 03.10.2016
G.S.-03
India ratifies Paris climate agreement
* The Paris Agreement (French: L'accord de Paris) is an agreement within the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) dealing
with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the
year 2020.
* 1. Along with India, 62 countries responsible for almost 52 per cent of
greenhouse gas pollution have signed the accord.
2. India, in its climate pledge also known as Intended Nationally Determined
Contribution (INDC) submitted to the United Nations last October estimated a
cost of $2.5 trillion for its climate-action plan.
3. India will ask developed countries to provide $100 billion per year in climate
finance for developing countries at the climate talks in November at Marrakech.
Only $2bn has so far been received.
4. Paris deal will only come into force 30 days after it is ratified by at least 55
countries that between them produce 55 per cent of global carbon emissions. After
India, the European Union and Canada will likely ratify within a month.
5. Paris Agreement was adopted by 185 nations last year on December 12 and
India signed it in New York on April 22 this year. A total of 191 countries have
signed the Paris Agreement so far.
From Leh to Kanyakumari to raise awareness about gluten disorders

What is gluten
Gluten (from Latin gluten, "glue") is a mixture of proteins found in
wheat and related grains, including barley, rye, oat, and all their species
and hybrids (such as spelt, kamut, and triticale).
What is gluten disorder
More than 1 million cases per year (India)
Can't be cured, but treatment may help
Requires a medical diagnosis

Lab tests or imaging often required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Over time, the immune reaction to eating gluten creates inflammation
that damages the small intestine's lining, leading to medical
complications. It also prevents absorption of some nutrients
(malabsorption).
The classic symptom is diarrhoea. Other symptoms include bloating, gas,
fatigue, low blood count (anaemia) and osteoporosis. Many people have
no symptoms.
The mainstay of treatment is a strict gluten-free
gluten free diet that can help manage
symptoms and promote intestinal healing.
A burning issue crops up in Delhi
Mahanadi-Godavari Flood Moderation Project

Water balance studies done by NWDA reveal that Mahanadi and Godavari
basins are water surplus basins. The combined surpluses of these basins after
accounting in basin uses in ultimate stage of development can be diverted to meet
the water requirement of deficit basins in South upto river Gundar through
Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar linkages (9 link
system)
Accordingly NWDA prepared feasibility study report of MahanadiGodavari Link. The link offtakes from the right flank of the proposed Manibhadra
dam on river Mahanadi in Odisha and after traversing 828 Km (302 Km in Odisha
and 526 Km in Andhra Pradesh) and outfall in Godavari River at 15 Km upstream
of the existing Dowlaiswaram barrage in Andhra Pradesh.
The proposed dam was having submergence of 59400 ha. (Odisha) based
on Government of Odisha surveys. However, the Government of Odisha did not
agree with this proposal as the Manibhadra dam involved large submergence. The
matter of M G link has been discussed with Govt. of Odisha from time to time.
During the discussions in January 2015 WRD, Odisha made some suggestion in
this regard and consequently NWDA has prepared a revised proposal of
Mahanadi-Godavari link with minimum submergence and comparable benefits.
Monetary policy committee
1.What is a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?
It is an executive body of six members that will decide on policy rate for the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It replaces the existing system of letting
the RBI governor alone decide on the rate. Three members are from the central
bank and three others are nominated by the government. All members will have
a vote each, but in case of a tie, theRBI governor has a casting vote to break the
tie. The MPCwill meet for two days before deciding on rates. The first-ever
meeting of the MPC is taking place today (3 October) and it will continue till
tomorrow before the final decision is communicated on RBI website at 2.30 pm
on that day.
2.Who are the members of the MPC?
Three members are from the central bank -- RBI governor (Urjit Patel), deputy
governor in charge of monetary policy (R. Gandhi) and an RBI-nominated
executive (Michael Patra, RBI Executive Director). The other three members
are nominated by the government. Currently, the three external members are
well esteemed academicians -- Chetan Ghate, professor, India Statistical
Institute; Pami Dua, director, Delhi School of Economics; and Ravindra H
Dholakia, professor, Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad). These
external members will hold office for four years.
3. What is the mandate?
To keep inflation within the central point of 4 per cent for the next five years,
while keeping growth considerations in mind. The tolerance band for inflation
is 2 per cent on both sides of the central point. This means inflation reading
could go up to 6 per cent or drop to 2 per cent. If the targets are not met for
three consecutive readings, then the MPC will have to give in writing to the
government why it failed to meet the objective.
4.So, what is left with RBI?
Everything else. It is a standard practice for countries where the central banks
have inflation targeting mandate to have a monetary policy committee and India
is no different. RBI still gets to decide on the other tools, for example on issues
like liquidity, cash reserve ratio, statutory liquidity ratio, everything related to
government bonds, foreign exchange market intervention and, of course, the
whole of banking regulations.
5.How does the MPC make a difference?
The MPC improves transparency and brings a collective approach to the
inflation problem. Even though the RBI governor has always been guided by
his team as well as outside advisors, the final decision on rates was always of
the governor alone. But in a world where people are asking more
transparency from the central bank, an MPC was inevitable. As per the
mandate, the MPC will have to release the minutes of the meetings after 14
days of the meet, which are expected to reveal how a member voted and why.
Besides, the MPC is now accountable to the government and the people of India
to keep inflation within a fixed target (to be fixed every five years). This will
eventually bring about stability in the countrys financial system and attract
more investors. Since half of the members are academicians, the deliberations
in the meetings are expected to be of very high quality and the policy rate can
be surmised to be a just prescription for the economy. Also, the data dependent
methodical approach improves predictability of the policy and the markets are
unlikely to get surprised on policy outcomes. This stabilises the market and is
good for the country.

DATE : 04.10.2016
G.S.-02
Court cant order setting up ofCMB, says Centre
The separation of powers,
powers often imprecisely and metonymically used
interchangeably with the trias politica principle,[1] is a model for
the governance of a state (or who controls the state). The model was first
developed in ancient Greece.
Greece Under this model, thestate is divided into
branches,
es, each with separate and independent powers and areas of
responsibility so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with the
powers associated with the other branches. The typical division of branches is
into a legislature, anexecutive
executive, and a judiciary. It can be contrasted with
the fusion of powers in a parliamentary system where the executive and
legislature (and sometimes parts of the judiciary) are unified.
G.S.-03
Reliance inks defence deal with Dassault
Crop burning: NGT seeks States response

The burning of stubble, contrasted with alternatives such as ploughing the stubble
back into the ground has a number of consequences and effects on the
environment[1]
Stubble burning:
Quickly clears the field and is cheap.

Kills weeds, including those resistant to herbicide.
Kills slugs and other pests.
Can reduce nitrogen tie-up
up
However, it has a number of harmful effects on the environment:
Loss of nutrients.
Pollution from smoke.
Damage to electrical and electronic equipment from floating threads of
conducting waste.
Risk of fires spreading out of control[2]
There is a perception that stubble burning contributes to atmospheric CO2.

However carbon dioxide releases are only slightly greater than those from natural
decomposition
JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a disease spread through mosquito bites.
Symptoms usually take 5-15 days to develop and include fever, headache,
vomiting, confusion, and difficulty moving. Symptoms that develop later
include swelling around the brain and coma. JE is a serious disease that may
cause death.
Vultures thrive in Telangana forest

* Nine species of vulture can be found living in India, but most are now in danger
of extinction[1] after a rapid and major population collapse in recent decades.[2] As
recently as the 1980s there were up to 80 million white-rumped vultures (Gyps
bengalensis) in India; but today the population numbers only several thousand.
The cause of the rapid plunge in the population was initially unclear, but in 2003
was traced to the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, which is lethal to vultures
when they consume the carcasses of dead animals treated with it.
Vultures previously played an important role in public sanitation in India and their
disappearance has resulted in a number of problems.
In India, all three critically endangered species of vultures did not decline from
2007 to 2011, and one species the oriental white-backed vulture may have
increased slightly, according to the paper.
A critically endangered (CR) species is one which has been categorized by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as facing a very high risk
of extinction in the wild.
In conservation of genetic resources, "in situ conservation" (also "on-site

conservation") is the process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in
its natural habitat, as opposed to ex situ conservation (also "off-site conservation").
In black and white

If the Centre is serious about attacking Indias thriving black economy, it
needs to be bold and, for starters, make electoral funding transparent, curb
the misuse by the wealthy of tax-free income sops for farmers, and
encourage cashless transactions
The battle over Bt cotton

Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria whose genome codes for a
protein that kills the bollworm, a pest that has perennially plagued the cotton
plant.
All about means and ends
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
(MGNREGA) is not only a pioneering livelihood security programme but
also a great example of proactive disclosure of information through its
Management Information System (MIS)
the MIS is accessible only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Indian Standard Time. This
is a huge impediment for collaborative work across time zones.
it does not provide any data dictionary. A data dictionary is a repository of
all the names of variables/ columns used in various reports, containing a
brief explanation of its meaning
some obvious worker-centric links in the data structure are missing. For
example, every household that does MGNREGA work has a unique job card
number

DATE : 06.10.2016
G.S.-01
Bill to protect HIV community from bias gets approval
In india due to lack of information or misinformation people are being
discriminated
the denial, termination, discontinuation or unfair treatment with regard
to employment, educational establishments, health care services,
residing or renting property, standing for public or private oice, and
provision of insurance
The relationship between HIV/AIDS and human rights is highlighted
in three areas:
Increased vulnerability: Certain groups are more vulnerable to
contracting the HIV virus because they are unable to realize their
civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. For example,
individuals who are denied the right to freedom of association and
access to information may be precluded from discussing issues related
to HIV, participating in AIDS service organizations and self-help
groups, and taking other preventive measures to protect themselves
from HIV infection. Women, and particularly young women, are more
vulnerable to infection if they lack of access to information, education
and services necessary to ensure sexual and reproductive health and
prevention of infection. The unequal status of women in the
community also means that their capacity to negotiate in the context
of sexual activity is severely undermined. People living in poverty
often are unable to access HIV care and treatment, including

antiretrovirals and other medications for opportunistic infections.
Discrimination and stigma: The rights of people living with HIV often
are violated because of their presumed or known HIV status, causing
them to suffer both the burden of the disease and the consequential
loss of other rights. Stigmatisation and discrimination may obstruct
their access to treatment and may affect their employment, housing
and other rights. This, in turn, contributes to the vulnerability of others
to infection, since HIV-related stigma and discrimination discourages
individuals infected with and affected by HIV from contacting health
and social services. The result is that those most needing information,
education and counselling will not benefit even where such services
are available.
Impedes an effective response: Strategies to address the epidemic are
hampered in an environment where human rights are not respected.
For example, discrimination against and stigmatization of vulnerable
groups such as injecting drug users, sex workers, and men who have
sex with men drives these communities underground. This inhibits the
ability to reach these populations with prevention efforts, and thus
increases their vulnerability to HIV. Likewise, the failure to provide
access to education and information about HIV, or treatment, and care
and support services further fuels the AIDS epidemic. These elements
are essential components of an effective response to AIDS, which is
hampered if these rights are not respected.
Court orders DDA to share secret map with ASI

* Mumbai,delhi and kolakata like cities have equal importance in
contemporary india but delhi has its own history analyse why?[probable
question in this mains]
* Tughlaqabad Fort is a ruined fort in Delhi, stretching over 6 km, built
by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of Tughlaq dynasty, of the Delhi
Sultanate of India in 1321, as he established the third historic city of
Delhi, which was later abandoned in 1327. It lends its name to the nearby
Tughlaqabad residential-commercial area as well as the Tughlaqabad
Institutional Area. Tughlaq also builtQutub-Badarpur Road, which
connected the new city to the Grand Trunk Road. The road is now known
as Mehrauli-Badarpur Road.[1] Also nearby is the Asola Bhatti Wildlife
Sanctuary, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range and Okhla Industrial Area.
G.S.-02
UN court rejects disarmament case against India
* The Marshall Islands are a sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls
in the central Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philippines. In the
northwest, Bikini Atolls largely undisturbed waters, used as a ship graveyard
after World War II, are now a popular wreck dive site. Near Majuro Atoll,
which holds the islands' capital and largest settlement, the coral reef at Kalalin
Pass teems with marine life.
* The International Court of Justice (French: Cour internationale de justice;
commonly referred to as the World Court or ICJ) is the primary judicial branch
of the United Nations (UN).
Nai manjil
The scheme aims to benefit the minority youths in the age group of 17
to 35 years who are school-dropouts
school dropouts or educated in the community
education institutions like Madarsas, by providing them an integrated
input of formal education (up till Class VIII orX) and skill training
along with certification, with a view of enabling them to seek better
employment in the organized sector and equipping them with better
lives. Minimum 30% seats are earmarked for minority girls. It
includes a Non-residential
Non
programme of 9-12
12 months duration
involving a Basic Bridge Programme (For Class VIII or Class X) for
their education, along with training in trade based skills for sustained
livelihood/gainful employment. The scheme covers the entire country.
G.S.-03
Hide Special Forces signature
3 share Chemistry Nobel for molecular machines
Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or

close
to
the
scale
of
nanometre
(10-9
metres).
More
specifically, nanorobotics refers to the still largely theoretical

nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building
nanorobots.
More
specifically, nanorobotics refers to the nanotechnology
engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots, with

devices ranging in size from 0.110 micrometres and constructed of
nanoscale or molecular components.
THE HINDU CURENT NOTE

DATE : 07.10.2016
G.S.-02
SC threatens to snap BCCI funding for domestic cricket
India presses case against Masood

* Masood Azhar (Urdu
Urdu: )) is the founder and leader of the UN
UNdesignated[1] terrorist
group Jaish-e-Mohammed,,
active
mainly
in
the Pakistan-administered
administered portion of the state of Kashmir
Kashmir.[2] Pakistani
authorities took him into 'protective custody' after the Pathankot attack in
India, [3] which was widely reported as an "arrest".[4] However he was seen
to be free in April 2016.[5] India had listed Masood Azhar as one of its most
wanted terrorists due to his history of militant activities
*
The Al-Qaida
Qaida
Sanctions
Committee (officially Security
Council
Committeepursuant
pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011)
1|Page
concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities) was established

on 15 October 1999, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1267
G.S.-03
Bulk of Delhis pollution is from neighbouring States
What
Causes
Delhis
particularly
bad
air
pollution?
Air pollution in Delhis National Capital Region (NCR) is comprised of a

complex mix of pollution from human activities (vehicle emissions,
industry, construction and residential fuel burning) as well as natural sources
like dust and sea salt. The heavy concentration of particulate matter is
greatly affected by meteorological conditions in the winter, cool air causes
inversions that stagnant the air and trap pollution close to the ground. Air
flow patterns from Afghanistan and Pakistan pick up emissions as they
move over the densely urbanized regions of Punjab and Haryana where
farmers burn the straw in their fields and pull this pollution into Delhi. Premonsoon dust storms also contribute to air pollution in the region.
City activities also contribute to the air pollution. The NCR generates 10,000
tons per day of municipal solid waste, much of which is eventually burned,
adding particulate pollution to the air (Guttikunda 2015) and galloping
urbanization brings massive construction projects to the area. In adddition,
Delhi has more than 7.4 million vehicles on its roads, with an additional
1,200 added each day and the result is a pollution hotspot.
The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) is a
research institute created and funded by Government of India. It was
established in Nagpur in 1958 with focus on water supply, sewage disposal,
2|Page
communicable diseases and to some extent on industrial pollution and

occupational diseases found common in post-independentIndia. NEERI is a
pioneer laboratory in the field of environmental science and engineering and
part of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). NEERI has
five zonal laboratories at Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.
NEERI falls under the Ministry of Science and Technology (India) of central
government.[1]
NEERI states its mandate as:
To conduct research and developmental studies in environmental science and
engineering.
To render assistance to the industries of the region, local bodies, etc. in
solving the problems of environmental pollution.
To interact and collaborate with academic and research institutions on
environmental science and engineering for mutual benefit.
To participate in CSIR thrust area and mission projects
Contrary to popular belief, most of the air pollution in Delhi is not due to
vehicular traffic. Main contributors to particulate matter in the PM10 range, as
a recent study shows, are road dust (50%) and industry (23%)--vehicles
accounted for only 7%.
What is MFN status
MFN status is a method of preventing discriminatory treatment among

members of an international trading organization. MFN status provides trade
equality among partners by ensuring that an importing country will not
discriminate against another country's goods in favor of those from a third.
3|Page
ISRO gears up for crew rescue test

1. ISRO is gearing up to conduct a critical crew bailout test, known as Pad Abort
2. Aim: To see how fast and effectively the crew module of an intended space mission
could punch out from the spacecraft in the event of an emergency
3. It forms part of a gamut of critical technologies being developed by ISRO as it awaits
the nod from the government for the ambitious human in space programme
GM mustard may be stalled indefinitely

GM Mustard has been in news recently due to huge uproar against its
commercialization by many Environmentalist and Health experts on the belief
that it is likely to have negative affect on Health and environment. The Whole
issue can be understood in the following way:
Farmers perspective:
-->Scientist/Genetic experts have been suggesting that it is likely to increase
yield and many varieties are pest resistant.Hence a good proposition for farmers
as it is likely to improve productivity(yield per hectare) and reduce input
cost(insecticide) thereby maximizing profit.
-->Many groups suggest that farmers have committed suicide due to failure of
Bt. Cotton crops.The same might be repeated here.(No strong evidence exists
though linking the two)
Consumers
Perspective:
-->More supply would ensure reduce in overall cost.Thus will make it more
affordable for consumers and will also help them in meeting their nutritional
requirement.
4|Page
-->On the flip side in absence of Labelling of such Transgenic crop consumers
right to make an informed decision will be affected.
-->Apprehension exists in general as for the first time a GM crop is being
considered for Human consumption
Government's perspective:
-->See this an opportunity to solve problems of sustainable agriculture,food
security,malnutrition.
-->Absence of clear policy(as evident in this case) is leading to disiilusionment
among young scientists,researchers from entering this field,
-->Failing to reveal all data related to bio safety in Public is hinting towards
possibility of some negative unintended consequences.
Crop
developer's perspective:
-->Bt. cotton industry shore up from 450 crore in 2002 to 4000 crore in
2015.Companies see huge opportunity as chances of commercial gains
high.Hence voicing in favor of it.
The need is to make an informed decision in this regard as it is related to Health
and environment.It is equally important that groups that are spreading
misinformation by fanning of emotions on both sides be tackled.As far as
scientific side is considered GEAC should be given autonomy and
empowerment to do justice.
5|Page

DATE : 08.10.2016
G.S.-01
Polygamy no longer progressive, SC told
* While polygamy was not prohibited in Ancient India, it was not common, nor a
major cultural practice. The lack of prohibition was in part due to the separation
between land laws and religion (independence of the judiciary),[1] and partially
since all of the major religions of India portrayed polygamy in a neutral light.[2]
Colonial education and laws brought an end to polygamy for all except Muslims.
In contrast to Europe, polygamy prevailed in ancient India.[3] It was common for
rulers (for example Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, Fateh Singh of Udaipur and
Mewar).
Wealthy
individuals
(for
example Ramkrishna
Dalmia, Gajanan
Birla,[4] P. Rajagopal ) sometimes had multiple wives.

Since the colonial Empire of India permitted Islamic provinces to allow husbands
to have multiple wives, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh was cremated in Lahore, and
four of his wives and seven concubines became sati,[5] whose urn-like memorials
exist at his samadhi[
SC draws parallel between Haji Ali and Sabarimala
* Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger

Reserve in
the Western
Ghat mountain
ranges
ofPathanamthitta
District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is one of the largest annual

pilgrimages in the world, with an estimated over 100 million devotees
visiting every year.[1][2] Ayyappan's temple is situated amidst 18 hills. The

temple is situated on a hilltop at an altitude of 1260 m (4,133 ft) above main
sea level, and is surrounded by mountains and dense forests. The dense
forest, (Periyar Tiger Reserve), around the temple is known as
Poomkavanam. Temples exist in each of the hills surrounding Sabarimala.
While functional and intact temples exist at many places in the surrounding
areas like Nilakkal Kalaketty, and Karimala remnants of old temples survive
to this day on remaining hills.
*
G.S.-02
SC blocks BCCI funds to State units
* Taking strong exception to BCCI "misleading" everyone on key issues
such as disbursement of large amount of funds to state associations, the
Supreme Court-appointed Justice RM Lodha Panel today said it was
unfortunate
that
their
directions
have
been
"misinterpreted".
On behalf of the panel, secretary Gopal Shankarnarayan emailed board

president Anurag Thakur, secretary Ajay Shirke, treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhry
and CEO Rahul Johri, highlighting a number of statements that has been
attributed to the key functionaries of India's richest sporting body.
The email states: "It is unfortunate that the directions/contents of the e-mail
have been misinterpreted, as is evident from the press reports to state that the
present
India-New
Zealand
series
is
at
stake."
The e-mail clearly mentioned once again that banks have not been instructed to
freeze
BCCI
accounts.
"The Supreme Court Committee has not frozen the bank accounts of BCCI. Nor
has it objected to the banking operations/payments relating to routine
administration
and
conduct
of
cricket
matches/tournaments/activities.
"This has been clarified in express terms to the banks concerned, so that cricket
and the public are not made to pay for the actions of the BCCI governors."
The
e-mail
clarified
the
exact
objection
of
the
panel.
"What was objected to was the decisions said to have been taken at the
Emergent Working Committee meeting of BCCI on 30.9.2016, to disburse large
funds to the various Member Associations under the guise of increasing the
annual infrastructure subsidy and to divide the proceeds of the Champions
League compensation. We understand that these may run into figures of more
than Rs 500 crore. Such decisions were neither routine nor emergent."
The e-mail mentioned some of the press statements made by BCCI President
Anurag Thakur regarding a forced choice between conducting IPL or playing
Champions
Trophy
in
England
due
to
less
than
15-day
gap.
"The Committee is also surprised at the Press Statement attributed to the

President of BCCI that if the recommendations of the Committee are
implemented, BCCI will have to either abandon the plans to host the 10th
edition of the IPL or pull the Indian Team out of the Champions Trophy to be
held in England in June 2017. The out-of-context statement by the President is
misleading.
"While dealing with IPL, the report had merely suggested that while drawing up
the cricket calendar for a year, a gap of 15 days may be provided after a
strenuous IPL season before the commencement of events in the National
Calendar, to ensure that a cramped cricketing year does not take a toll on the
cricketers' body and longevity of their career. This does not in any way prevent
some flexibility where the calendar has already been declared for 2017 when
the Champions Trophy has already been scheduled."
Colombias Santos wins Peace Nobel for deal with FARC
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize
for 2016 to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his resolute efforts to
bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end, a war that has cost
the lives of at least 220 000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people.
The award should also be seen as a tribute to the Colombian people who, despite
great hardships and abuses, have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the
parties who have contributed to the peace process. This tribute is paid, not least, to
the representatives of the countless victims of the civil war.
President Santos initiated the negotiations that culminated in the peace accord
between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas, and he has
consistently sought to move the peace process forward. Well knowing that the
accord was controversial, he was instrumental in ensuring that Colombian voters

were able to voice their opinion concerning the peace accord in a referendum. The
outcome of the vote was not what President Santos wanted: a narrow majority of
the over 13 million Colombians who cast their ballots said no to the accord. This
result has created great uncertainty as to the future of Colombia. There is a real
danger that the peace process will come to a halt and that civil war will flare up
again. This makes it even more important that the parties, headed by President
Santos and FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londoo, continue to respect the
ceasefire.
The fact that a majority of the voters said no to the peace accord does not
necessarily mean that the peace process is dead. The referendum was not a vote for
or against peace. What the "No" side rejected was not the desire for peace, but a
specific peace agreement. The Norwegian Nobel Committee emphasizes the
importance of the fact that President Santos is now inviting all parties to participate
in a broad-based national dialogue aimed at advancing the peace process. Even
those who opposed the peace accord have welcomed such a dialogue. The Nobel
Committee hopes that all parties will take their share of responsibility and
participate constructively in the upcoming peace talks.
Striking a balance between the need for national reconciliation and ensuring justice
for the victims will be a particularly difficult challenge. There are no simple
answers to how this should be accomplished. An important feature of the
Colombian peace process so far has been the participation of representatives of
civil war victims. Witnessing the courage and will of the victims' representatives to
testify about atrocities, and to confront the perpetrators from every side of the
conflict, has made a profound impression.
By awarding this year's Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos, the
Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to encourage all those who are striving to
achieve peace, reconciliation and justice in Colombia. The president himself has
made it clear that he will continue to work for peace right up until his very last day
in office. The Committee hopes that the Peace Prize will give him strength to
succeed in this demanding task. Furthermore, it is the Committee's hope that in the
years to come the Colombian people will reap the fruits of the ongoing peace and
reconciliation process. Only then will the country be able to address effectively
major challenges such as poverty, social injustice and drug-related crime.
The civil war in Colombia is one of the longest civil wars in modern times and the
sole remaining armed conflict in the Americas. It is the Norwegian Nobel
Committee's firm belief that President Santos, despite the "No" majority vote in the
referendum, has brought the bloody conflict significantly closer to a peaceful
solution, and that much of the groundwork has been laid for both the verifiable
disarmament of the FARC guerrillas and a historic process of national fraternity
and reconciliation. His endeavors to promote peace thus fulfil the criteria and spirit
of Alfred Nobel's will.
G.S.-03
GM Mustard Issue
Recently GEAC i.e the government has deferred a decision on allowing
commercial cultivation of Mustard DMH-11, a transgenic crop developed by
Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University. This moves
comes after Bt Brinjal,s commercial approval have been hold since 2009.
What is GM Mustard?
DMH-11 is a Genetically Modified (GM) mustard hybrid. Hybrids are normally
obtained by crossing 2 genetically diverse plants from the same species. The 1stgeneration offspring resulting from it has higher yields than what either of the
parents is individually capable of giving. But there is no natural hybridization
system in mustard, unlike in, say, cotton, maize or tomato. This is because its
flowers contain both the female (pistil) and male (stamen) reproductive organs,
making the plant naturally self-pollinating.
What scientist has done is to create a viable hybridization system in mustard using
GM technology. The resulting GM mustard hybrid, it is claimed, gives 25-30%
more yield than the best varieties such as 'Varuna' currently grown in the country.
Scientists at the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) in
Delhi University, however, showed that this problem could be addressed by
crossing Indian mustard cultivars with juncea lines of East European origin like
'Early Heera' and 'Donskaja'. The combination of the 2 divergent gene pools
enhanced the crossing options; the resultant F1 progeny were found to exhibit
significant heterosis.
G.S.-04

DATE : 09.10.2016
G.S.-03
Operation Ginger: Tit-for-tat across the Line of Control
* After repeated recce over two months, the Army launched Operation
Ginger on Tuesday, August 30. According to one of those involved in
the operation
* this document has been reveled about surgical strike in PoK and this
shows the weakness of the Indian border management and cyber security
of the country that showing threat to the national security and
sovereignty of the country
*
Industries must present their cases soon
* industries that are being affected by the inverted duty structure can
approach to the govt.
* inverted duty structure means raw material has more duty then
finished product
* the Jan Dhan Yojana, the financial inclusion scheme; Aadhar, the
unique identity card; and mobile phone connectivity together had
resulted in huge benefits in the form of transparent and eicient delivery,
and plugging of leakages in subsidies
* the roll-out of the GST on a digitized platform, on which over 2.5

billion transactions would be covered, would have a positive impact on
GDP
*
ISRO bracing to deploy rover on lunar surface
* Chandrayaan-II Mission includes launching of lunar explorations by
geosynchronous launch vehicles with clinical precision. The wheeled
rover would be useful in using multiple applications by collecting soil
and rock sediments
India to light up IEAs global LED programme
* India, through its company Energy Eiciency Services Limited (EESL),
has performed exceedingly well in terms of vastly improving access to
LED lighting while reducing their cost drastically, the International
Energy Agency said
* The price at which EESL has been purchasing LED lights to distribute
under the governments Unnat Jyoti by Afordable LEDs for All (Ujala)
scheme has been consistently falling over the last couple of years. The
company purchased LEDs at Rs.310 per piece in 2014, and the price fell
to Rs.55 as of March 2016
*
G.S.-04

DATE: 10.10.2016
G.S.-02
Janani surksha yojna
* The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a centrally sponsored Scheme which is
being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and infant mortality by
promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women. Under the JSY, eligible
pregnant women are entitled for cash assistance irrespective of the age of mother
and number of children for giving birth in a government or accredited private
health facility. The scheme focuses on poor pregnant woman with a special
dispensation for states that have low institutional delivery rates, namely, the states
of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Jammu and Kashmir. While these States have been
named Low Performing States (LPS) under the scheme, the remaining States/UTs
have been named High Performing States (HPS). The scheme also provides
performance based incentives to women health volunteers known as ASHA
(Accredited Social Health Activist) for promoting institutional delivery among
pregnant women. Cash entitlement for different categories of mothers is as
follows:
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention under the
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) being implemented with the objective of
reducing maternal and neo-natal mortality by promoting institutional delivery
among the poor pregnant women. The Yojana, launched on 12th April 2005, is
being implemented in all states and UTs with special focus on low performing
states. JSY is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme and it integrates cash assistance
with delivery and post-delivery care. The success of the scheme is be determined
by the increase in institutional delivery among the poor families. The Asha as well
as AWW like activists become the effective link between Government and poor
women in this programme. Role of ASHA or other link health worker associated
with JSY would be to: Identify pregnant woman as a beneficiary of the scheme and
report or facilitate registration for ANC, Assist the pregnant woman to obtain
necessary certifications wherever necessary, Provide and / or help the women in
receiving at least three ANC checkups including TT injections, IFA tablets,
Identify a functional Government health centre or an accredited private health
institution for referral and delivery, Counsel for institutional delivery, Escort the
beneficiary women to the pre-determined health center and stay with her till the
woman is discharged, Arrange to immunize the newborn till the age of 14 weeks,
Inform about the birth or death of the child or mother to the ANM/MO, Post natal
visit within 7 days of delivery to track mothers health after delivery and facilitate
in obtaining care, wherever necessary, Counsel for initiation of breastfeeding to the
newborn within one-hour of delivery and its continuance till 3-6 months and
promote family planning. Cash Assistance in LPS and HPS states: The scheme
focuses on the poor pregnant woman with special dispensation for states having
low institutional delivery rates namely the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal,
Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Orissa and
Jammu and Kashmir. While these states have been named as Low Performing
States (LPS), the remaining states have been named as High performing States
(HPS). The women who deliver in Government hospitals, health centres or even in
accredited private hospitals are eligible for the cash assistance, if she is above 19
years. Further, this assistance is as follows: In LPS states: Cash assistance for all
women In HPS states: Cash assistance for ONLY BPL women LPS & HPS states:
All SC and ST women Cash assistance and incentive to Asha / other activists is
given as follows: Regarding the Ashas package, the scheme documents say that It
must be ensured that the cash incentive to the ASHA should not be less than
Rs.200/- per delivery case facilitated by her. This is essential to keep her sustained
in the system. The Assistance package to the ASHA or an equivalent worker is
available only if she works and assists the pregnant women. If any pregnant
women does not take assistance of any accredited worker, may be because no
ASHA is in position, she should be paid the sum total of both the packages
Inland waterway project

* India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form
of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks. The total navigable length is
14,500 km, out of which about 5200 km of the river and 4000 km of canals
can be used by mechanised crafts. Freight transportation by waterways is
highly under-utilised in India compared to other large countries and
geographic areas like the United States, China and the European Union. The
total cargo moved (in tonne kilometres) by the inland waterway was just
0.1% of the total inland traffic in India, compared to the 21% figure
for United States. Cargo transportation in an organised manner is confined to
a
few
waterways
in Goa, West
Bengal, Assam ,and Kerala. Inland
Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the statutory authority in charge of

the waterways in India. Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP. It does the
function of building the necessary infrastructure in these waterways,
surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also administration.
G.S.-03
Foreign graduate doctor failing in MCI screening test
* Medical Council of India Screening Test, also known as Foreign Medical
Graduates Examination (FMGE), is a licensure examination conducted by
the National Board of Examinations (NBE) in India. The test is one of the
mandatory requirements for an Indian citizen who has a medical degree from
a college outside India to practice medicine in the country
Ban on halogen lights
* The halogen light bulb or lamp is a type of incandescent lamp which uses
a halogen gas in order to increase both light output and rated life. They are
known for moderately high efficiency, quality of light, and high rated life
compared to regular incandescentlamps.
Langur becoming problem for farmer
* Gray langurs or Hanuman langurs, the most widespread langurs of South
Asia, are a group of Old World monkeys constituting the entirety of the
genus Semnopithecus. All taxa have traditionally been placed in the single
species Semnopithecus entellus
*
Aakash missile
* Akash (Sanskrit:
ka "Sky") is a medium-range mobile surface-
to-air missile defense system developed by the Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
for Missile Systems, Ordnance Factories Board and Bharat Electronics
(BEL) for other Systems in India.
KG basin
* Krishna-Godavari
Godavari Basin is a peri-cratonic
peri cratonic passive margin basin in India. It
is spread across more than 50,000 square kilometres in the Krishna River
and Godavari River basins in Andhra Pradesh
* this basin is home of the olive ridley turtle
1) What is KG D6 basin?
Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin is spread across 50,000 sq km in the Krishna River
and Godavari river basins near the coast of Andhra Pradesh. The site Dhirubhai
Dhirubhai-6
(D6) is where Reliance Industries discovered the biggest gas reserves in India. In
government records, the 7,645 sq km block is known as KG-DWN-98/1. The KG

basin is considered to be the largest natural gas basin in India.
2) How did Reliance Industries get into KG basin?
Government of India opened up hydrocarbon exploration and production (E&P) in

the country to private and foreign players in 1991. Small and medium sized blocks
were opened up in this round which was followed up by giving out bigger blocks
in 1999 as per the New Exploration and Licensing Policy (NELP). Through NELP,
Reliance bagged the rights to explore the D6 block.
3) Did government have a role after the block was handed over?
Since all mining resources belong to the people of India, government monitors the
exploration and production of these. In the case of oil and gas sector, government
enters into contractual relationship with the private player through a Production
Sharing Contract (PSC). The PSC lays out roles and responsibilities of all parties,
specifies the detailed procedures to be followed at different stages of exploration,
development and production. It also specifies the cost recovery and profit sharing
in the contract. Directorate General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) monitors the PSC. A
PSC was signed between the government of India (GOI) and undivided Reliance
Industries and its minority partner Niko Resources (10 per cent stake) for
exploration and production of oil and gas.
4) What happened to KG D6 when the Reliance group split?
Even before production could start from the KG D6 wells, Reliance group was
split vertically between the two brothers, with the gas business of Reliance
Industries remaining with Mukesh Ambani, the elder brother. The brothers fought
over this huge reserve of gas even though it was not theirs in the first place. The
very first line of a production sharing contract clearly says that By virtue of article
297 of the Constitution of India, Petroleum is a natural state in the territorial waters
and the continental shelf of India is vested with the Union of India.
The brothers while splitting their fathers empire split the gas reserves too. A
family pact between the two brothers, which was never made public till the issue
blew out of proportion, was at the core of the dispute. Anil Ambani owned RNRL
(Reliance Natural Resources Ltd) citing the agreement by the brothers in 2005,
claimed it had rights to gas from Reliance KG basin for 17 years at $2.34 per
mmBtu (million British thermal unit).The Supreme Court finally settled the matter
by saying that the government owns the gas till it reaches its ultimate consumer
and parties must restrict their negotiation within the conditions of the government
policy.
Here the role of the government needs to be highlighted. None of the ministries
involved in the process, including the oil ministry which Moily now represents,
raised the point that the gas reserves belonged to the country and was not a
property of the Ambani family. Even the Prime Minister, ManMohan Singh
meekly requested the brothers to settle their differences in the interests of the
country.
But how did the Ambani brothers arrive at this magic figure of $2.34 per mmBtu
when there was no benchmark. In fact ONGC was supplying gas to the
government at half the rate.
5) How did Anil Ambani arrive at the price of $2.34 per mmBtu for KG basin gas?
In June 2004, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) invited bids for supply
of gas for its 2600 MW power plant in Kawas and Gandhar. Reliance Industries,
hopeful of starting production of gas by the time NTPCs power plant is ready bid
for the project and was awarded it as the lowest techno-commercial bidder. A
Letter of Intent (LOI) was issued to Reliance Industries to supply 132 trillion units
of gas per annum to NTPC for 17 years at a price of $2.34 per mmBtu. Anil
Ambani used this as a basis for asking gas for his power plant.
6) Why is the NTPC-Reliance dispute all about?
Reliance Industries refused to sign the contract for supply of gas. Jairam Ramesh,
the Minister of Power in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha in 2009 said
that After issuance of LOI, RIL did not come forward to sign the Gas Sale and
Purchase Agreement and sought major changes in the draft GSPA.In spite of all
the efforts (by NTPC) RIL did not sign the GSPA agreed during the bidding
process.
NTPC dragged Reliance to Bombay High Court on December 20, 2005 but
unfortunately the case that has dragged on. The case after nine years is still sub
judice. Here again the government's disinterest in protecting the interests of its own
PSU has been a matter of much debate.
While NTPC was fighting the case with Reliance in the Bombay High Court, the
government referred the matter to an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) in
2007 headed by none other than the current President Pranab Mukherjee, who was
then the finance minister. EGoM approved a rate hike of $4.2 per mmBtu of gas.
This decision was taken without a single unit of gas coming out of the KG basin.
Reliance grabbed at this opportunity and said that it could not supply gas at a price
lower than the mandated price set by the government.
7) How did Pranab Mukherjee arrive at the price of $4.2 mmBtu for gas?
The price was arrived by Reliance through its price discovery mechanism. As per
a Reliance crafter formula, user companies were asked to quote a price which gave
them a choice of arriving at a value between $4.54 and $4.75 per mmBtu. Reliance
initially forwarded a figure of $4.59 which was later brought down to $4.3, but
Pranab Mukherjee claimed victory by announcing a figure of $4.2 per mmBtu.
The brazenness of the entire exercise by the government can be seen from the fact
that the objections raised by the Principal Advisor, Power and Energy to the
government of India, Surya P Sethi along with the then cabinet secretary were
ignored by the government. Surya questions the recommendation saying that
nowhere is the cost of production more than $1.43.
8) Is it exploration or exploitation?
A CAG report released in 2011 (initiated in 2007 but delayed due to non-cooperation) on Performance Audit of Hydrocarbon PSCs castigated the oil ministry
along with Reliance to retain its entire KG-D6 block in contravention of the PSC.
As per the PSC, Reliance should have relinquished 25 per cent of the total area
outside the discoveries in 2004 and 2005, but the entire area was declared as a
discovery area (after initial objections) and the company was allowed to retain it.
Without drilling adequate wells, Reliance kept on claiming that there was potential
for petroleum. In CAGs words this was done to confuse potential/prospectivity
with actual discovery of hydrocarbons. The move allowed Reliance to keep the
entire area to itself without following the norms laid under the PSC.
In a recent report CAG has said that Reliance moved directly from discovery to
commercial production, skipping the intermediate appraisal programme step
required as under PSC. CAG asks, without an appraisal programme how did the
government and DGH ascertain the amount of gas in the well? And if they did not
know how much gas was there in the well, what is the logic and basis of blaming
Reliance of hoarding gas. Further, as pointed out by CAG, how did DGH assure
itself of reliability of the development plan, production rate and production costs
without the appraisal report?
9) Why more investments are bad?
CAG pointed out that as per the PSC, more investments, especially in initial stages
would mean more profit for the operator and less for the government. This
structure gives inadequate incentive for operators to reduce capital expenditure and
provides them with substantial incentives to front-end capital expenditure. Share
of government profit varies from 85 per cent in a low investment scenario to 5 per
cent in a high investment scenario. This explains the case of exaggerated

investment made against Reliance Industries.
Incidentally, as pointed out by V Ranganathan of IIM Bangalore in his article in

Economic Times, the case of exaggerated investment was first pointed out by Anil
Ambani, where he pointed out that investment as per Reliances plan is increasing
four times but production is expected to only double. Reliance revised its
production estimates from 40 mmscmd (million metric standard cubic metres per
day) to 80 mmscmd while increasing its investment from $2.4 billion to $8.8
billion.
10)
How
was
the
new
pricing
formula
arrived
at?
Former RBI governor C Rangarajan came out with a formula which has been
followed nowhere in the world, which has resulted in Reliance (and other players
too) getting a price on import parity basis. Surya Sethi, former Principal Adviser,
Power and Energy, Government of India does not mince words when he asks the
Prime Minister in an open letter [Read here] not to burden the nation with
Rangarajan Committees madness that only benefit a select few.
Conclusion
Sethis open letter to the Prime Minister sums up the entire issue when he points
out that the CAGs findings reveal how crony capitalism benefited RIL. The prequalification norms were diluted to ensure RIL qualified, the claimed size of gas
discoveries, the field development plans and the investment outlays proposed
escaped rigorous due diligence says Sethi. Above all, the companys commitments
under the PSC on gas output were not enforced.

DATE : 11.10.2016
G.S.-01
Santhara [ fast unto death]
* Sallekhan (also Santhara, Samadhi-marana, Sanyasana-marana) is the last vow
prescribed by the Jain ethical code of conduct. [note 1]The vow of sallekhan is
observed by the Jain ascetics and lay votaries at the end of their life by gradually
reducing the intake of food and liquids.
1) Contrary to popular notion, Santhara is not only observed by Jain monks who
have renounced worldly affairs . "In fact, ordinary Jains practice santhara more
than monks," says Jitendra Shah, director of the LD Institute of Indology told TOI.
2) According to Jains, The purpose of Santhara is to purge old karmas and prevent
the creation of new ones. Jain Yuva Mahasabha president Sachin Jain told India
TV that Santhara is not about death it's a path to achieve Moksha, it's a way to
appreciate both life and death. It happens with family's consent
3) According to the Press Trust of India, an average 240 Jains practice Sallekhana
each year in India. Also in the first half of 2015, around 118 Jains performed
Santhara across India, says a TOI report.
4) Jains also claim that the tradition could not be compared to Sati pratha as it is
entirely a personal decision, both men and women do it.and can also be withdrawn
if the person feels that he cannot undergo the process.
5) In Jain texts, Santhara is differentiated from suicide by the quality of intent; the
Indian Penal Code recognises only form for intent so it would be difficult to
convince the court that Salekhana is different from suicide.
6) Under this tradition, more than one person of the same family rarely undergo
through the ritual of Sallekhana. However, a Bangalore Mirror report says that
researches have found evidence of six people of the same family, who lived in the
12th-13th century AD, that underwent the sacrificial rite.
7) Around 300 BC, Chandragupta Maurya (founder of the Maurya Empire)

undertook Sallekhana atop Chandragiri Hill, ravaa Begoa, Karnataka.
8) The woman-man ratio of Santhara practitioners stands at 60:40, perhaps because
women are generally more strong-willed and have a religious bent of mind.
9) Even , the legal fraternity is divided on the issue, While advocate Sanjay Jain
says that Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution protect all religious
practices, unless otherwise prohibited by law, Mahesh Jethmalani argues that any
practice that eventually leads to death is attempted suicide.
10) The Jains believe Santhara is not only about death, destruction of life and
mortal body. They believe that Santhara leads to non-violence, as person observing
this practice subjugates the passions, which are the root cause of violence
G.S.-02
BIMSTEC
* The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a group of
countries in South Asia and South East Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
G.S.-03
China and india will start talk on NSG issue
* Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that
seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials,
equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
* The issue of Indias membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) has been
the focus of significant public and media attention over the past few weeks. It
appears to have emerged as the single most critical foreign policy priority for the
Modi government. The government is according so much importance to the issue
that Prime Minster Modi hurriedly decided at the last minute to include visits to
Switzerland and Mexico during his tour to USA and some other countries to raise
this issue and obtain categorical support for Indias membership at the forthcoming
NSG plenary at Seoul on 23-24 June 2016. It is a reflection on Modi that he was
able to get unequivocal support from Mexico and Switzerland although they had
initially opposed the grant of a unique waiver to India by the NSG in 2008. They
had also expressed concerns about India's NSG membership when the issue came
up in informal discussions in recent years.
Under normal circumstances, the issue would probably not have assumed such a
high profile. What appears to have brought it so completely under the floodlights is
the uncharacteristic and open opposition by China to Indias membership in this
body. Over the last few weeks, China has issued several statements, officially as
well as through its mouthpiece media publications, maintaining that no single
country waiver should be granted to India as was done in 2008. It stated that, in
any case, India is not eligible to become a member of the NSG as it is not a
member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), adherence to which latter is
necessary for membership in the former. China has also averred that for non-NPT
members some definite criteria should be evolved rather than granting country
specific waivers. At other times, it has stated that Pakistan also has similar
credentials to join the NSG; and that if India is admitted, Pakistan should also be
admitted simultaneously. China has also maintained that there are several countries
which have reservations about Indias membership of the NSG. Further, if only
India were to be admitted, it would disturb the nuclear-arms balance in South Asia
as India will engage in a massive nuclear weaponisation programme. Finally,
China has stated that India's membership will ''jeopardise'' China's national
interests and touch a ''raw nerve'' in Pakistan.
None of Chinas contentions appear to hold much water. However, before
considering them more critically, it will be useful to understand what the purpose
and mandate of the NSG is. It is doubtless true that NSG was established in the
wake of the Pokhran I peaceful nuclear explosion conducted by India in 1974. The
intent and purpose of the NSG is, however, different from that of the NPT. NSG is
not an international treaty. It is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to
contribute to nonproliferation of nuclear weapons through implementation of two
sets of Guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. After more
than 25 years of its establishment, some suggested guidelines were evolved in 2001
at Aspen for admitting new members to the organisation. Amongst these,
membership of NPT is only a guideline, a consideration, and not a mandatory
requirement while deciding on a country's application.
India is keen to become a member of the NSG and other export control regimes
such as the Wassenaar Agreement and Australia Group as it seeks to significantly
expand its nuclear power generation and also enter the export market in the coming
years. Although the 2008 NSG waiver does provide significant possibilities for
India to engage in civilian nuclear trade with other countries (and indeed, India has
entered into such agreements with several countries like Russia, France, UK, USA,
Kazakhstan, Australia, and others), membership of the NSG will provide greater
certainty and a legal foundation for India's nuclear regime and thus greater
confidence for those countries investing billions of dollars to set up ambitious
nuclear power projects in India. Moreover, as Indias international political,
economic, military and strategic profile and clout increases, India would like to
move into the category of international rule-creating nations rather than stay in the
ranks of rule-adhering nations. For this, it is essential that India gets due
recognition and a place on the NSG high table.
Indias track-record in observing the provisions of the NPT and NSG, even though
it has not been a member of either body, is impeccable. If the NSG was able to
grant a waiver to India in 2008 on the basis of its past performance, it should have
no objection to admitting the country as a member this time as well because of its
record in adhering to all its commitments over the last eight years. It is, however,
obvious that the decision on 23-24 June in Seoul will be taken by some countries
on political considerations rather than on merit. Usually China has been seen to
stay in the background and put up smaller countries in the forefront to articulate
opposition to any issue that it does not concur with. This time, in addition to
instigating smaller countries to raise objections, China has itself come out openly
in opposition to Indias membership. Since all decisions at NSG are taken by
consensus, any country, small or big, can stand in the way of a consensus. India
has therefore launched a blitzkrieg of hectic diplomatic activity to explain its
position, allay fears and overcome the opposition of a few countries which might
still have concerns.
India has also reached out to China directly to explain that its interest in NSG
membership is not guided by any political or strategic considerations but only to
facilitate the expansion of its clean and green nuclear energy programme. It took
the unusual step of dispatching its foreign secretary to Beijing on 16-17 June to
hold discussions on this and other important issues with his counterpart. If the
issue goes to the wire, Prime Minister Modi is expected to take up the issue with
President Xi Jinping in Tashkent where both leaders are likely to be present for the
SCO Summit on 23-24 June.
India became a Member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) on 7
June 2016. All 34 members of MTCR are members of the NSG. India is hence
assured of support of these 34 members in its quest for NSG membership. It may
be noted that China is not a member of MTCR, although it put in its application in
2004, because several members have concerns about Chinas dubious proliferation
record in supplying missile technology to countries like Pakistan, Iran and North
Korea.
Most questions raised by China against Indias membership have little validity. For
instance, membership of NPT is not a condition for becoming a member of NSG. It
is only a guiding principle to which consideration needs to be given. Pakistans
credentials for NSG membership are highly flawed and inadequate. Over the last
eight years India, as per its commitment, has separated its reactors which are under
IAEA safeguards and those which are not. Pakistan has a blemished and flawed
proliferation record as it has engaged in illicit supply of nuclear technology and
materials to Iran, Libya and North Korea. No comparison between the track
records of the two countries is hence justified. India maintains that rather than
evolving criteria, its performance should be the basis on which the decision on its
application should be taken.
Both substantively and commensurate with its expanding international prestige and
profile, India's membership of NSG is of vital significance. A decision at the NSG
plenary session in Seoul will depend on China's stance. All other countries are
expected to fall in line. President Putin has also assured India that Russia will
intercede with China on Indias behalf. India can be reasonably hopeful that China
will see reason and logic in India's arguments and will gracefully withdraw its
strident opposition. Responsibility devolves upon China, more than it does upon
India, to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries. This is a sterling
opportunity that China should welcome and grasp with both hands.
GST will it become game changer for Indian economy

1 Officially, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Second Amendment) Bill
2014.
2 It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 19, 2014 by Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley.
3 The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to introduce a goods and services tax
(GST) which will subsumes various Central indirect taxes, including the Central
Excise Duty, Countervailing Duty, Service Tax, etc. It also subsumes State value
added tax (VAT), octroi and entry tax, luxury tax, etc.
4 The Bill inserts a new Article in the Constitution make legislation on the
taxation of goods and services a concurrent power of the Centre and the States.
5 The Bill seeks to shift the restriction on States for taxing the sale or purchase of
goods to the supply of goods or services.
6 The Bill seeks to establish a GST Council tasked with optimising tax collection
for goods and services by the State and Centre. The Council will consist of the
Union Finance Minister (as Chairman), the Union Minister of State in charge of
revenue or Finance, and the Minister in charge of Finance or Taxation or any
other, nominated by each State government.
7 The GST Council will be the body that decides which taxes levied by the Centre,
States and local bodies will go into the GST; which goods and services will be
subjected to GST; and the basis and the rates at which GST will be applied.
8 Under the Bill, alcoholic liquor for human consumption is exempted from GST.
Also, it will be up to the GST Council to decide when GST would be levied on
various categories of fuel, including crude oil and petrol.
9 The Centre will levy an additional one per cent tax on the supply of goods in the
course of inter-State trade, which will go to the States for two years or till when
the GST Council decides.
10Parliament can decide on compensating States for up to a five-year period if
States incur losses by implementation of GST.

DATE: 12.10.2016
G.S.-01
Salafism brought Kerala IS group together
The Salafi movement or Salafist movement or Salafism is an ultra-conservative
reform movement within Sunni Islam that developed in Egypt in the second half of
the 19th century, against a background of European colonialism
An efort to revive Harikatha

Harikatha is a composite art form composed of storytelling, poetry, music, drama,
dance, and philosophy. Any Hindu religious theme may be the subject for
the Harikatha.
Unicef initiative to tackle malnutrition in children

Government of India and the United Nations Childrens Fund
I am pleased to share with you the 2013-2017 CPAP between the Government of
India and UNICEF. The overall goal of the 2013-2017 country programme is to
advance the rights of children, adolescents and women to survival, growth,
development, participation and protection by reducing inequities based on caste,
ethnicity,gender,
poverty,
region
or
religion.
The CPAP document is a culmination of months of joint efforts and consultations
between UNICEF, government counterparts across several ministries and
departments. I would like to take a moment here to acknowledge the role of our
nodal Ministry - Ministry of Women and Child Development, in providing key
inputs to our Country Programme Document, which was approved by the
Executive
Board
in
September
2012.
Based on the broad strokes of our new country programme as outlined in the
Country Programme Document, we have developed the CPAP. It details our

programmatic objectives and strategies of the programme of cooperation with the
Government which aims to be:
Relevant to the rapidly changing context in India, and what added
value UNICEF can bring
Aligned to national priorities as enshrined in the Governments 12th
Five Year Plan Approach Paper on Faster, Sustainable and More Inclusive
Growth
Convergent in its approach: so that all programmes work together to

achieve outcomes for children and women throughout their life cycle
Effective and equitable by taking informed decisions so as to reach
the most marginalised and the vulnerable.
The life cycle approach is the core principle of the Country Programme 2013-2017.
This is based on the acknowledgement that children and women face multiple
deprivations at different stages of their life and that multi-dimensional problems
need
multi-pronged,
inter-sectoral
solutions.
Take the example of a woman in India. Our vision for India is one where every
woman is empowered to make positive decisions for themselves and their children.
Healthy, well-informed mothers give birth to healthy wellnourished children,
children who have the potential to grow and develop to their fullest potential, learn
in a nurturing and protected environment, and become productive and empowered
citizens
that
can
transform
India.
The empowerment and participation of adolescent girls and boys is one of the key
outcomes of the 2013-2017 programme of cooperation. Through this, adolescents
will know their rights and how to protect themselves from risks and vulnerabilities,
and duty bearers will have capacity and knowledge to create protective
environment
free
from
gender-based
violence.
The geographical scope will cover three typologies of states: states with full
programming, states with selected programming and states with selected
programming where we do not have a physical presence. This is in recognition of
the fact that to be elevant and effective; and taking into consideration the diversity
of state contexts in terms capacities and indicators - our programming content and
strategies needs to differentiated and adaptive to suit these diverse contexts.
This is the essence of the new Country Programme. It has been formulated within
the context of 12th Five Year Plan and the United Nations Development Action
Framework, and aims to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals. Building on over sixty years of collaboration,
UNICEF will continue to be an active partner of the Government in striving to
achieve childrens rights in India.
G.S.-02
Karnatakas ban on e-cigs turns into vapour near schools
An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a handheld electronic device that vaporizes
a flavored liquid. The user inhales the vapor. Using e-cigarettes is often
called vaping. The fluid in the e-cigarette, called e-liquid, is usually made
of nicotine,propylene glycol, glycerine, and flavorings
HRIDAY scheme
The Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, launched the National
Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme on 21st
January, 2015, with a focus on holistic development of heritage cities. The scheme
aims to preserve and revitalise soul of the heritage city to reflect the citys unique
character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative &
secured environment.
With a duration of 27 months (completing in March 2017) and a total outlay of
INR 500 Crores, the Scheme is being implemented in 12 identified Cities namely,
Ajmer, Amaravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura,
Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal. The scheme is implemented in a
mission mode.
The Scheme supports development of core heritage infrastructure projects which

shall include revitalization of urban infrastructure for areas around heritage assets
identified / approved by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and State
Governments. These initiatives shall include development of water supply,
sanitation, drainage, waste management, approach roads, footpaths, street lights,
tourist conveniences, electricity wiring, landscaping and such citizen services.
G.S.-03
Unite to vanquish terror: PM
* Terrorism is the use of threats and violence to coerce and intimidate people
especially for political purpose or religious gain. Terrorism is typically successful
because it is appealing for members of an organization.
Many terrorists come from low socioeconomic standards compiled with a low level
of education. Terrorism offers financial gain and comes with the lure of being a
hero or dying as a martyr. When most individuals think of terrorists, the immediate
thought is from Al-Qaeda or other Islamic extremists, however, there are many
terrorist organizations that are fueled by issues of religion or politics.
Terrorism is self-sustaining as it provides an opportunity for those to get even or
right the wrongs. One death of a terrorist equates to one-hundred terrorists taking
the death on as a mission. The problem with terrorism is that it is premeditated and
perpetrated against specific targets, while many innocent victims are also
casualties.
While it seems impossible to take on the battle of terrorism, because many of the
terrorist organizations can operate like a volcano; full of resources, energy, and lie
dormant for years before erupting, the best option is to evaluate what opportunities
there are to turn around the economies in order to support meaningful, selfsustaining environments.
Committing to deterrence methods such as international relations is a small step in

the right direction. There are four key points to recognize in combating the
problem of terrorism:
pursue
prevent
protect
prepare
for the inevitable.

While terrorism gains massive media attention, attention should be given to peace
making, understanding, and committing to finding allies in the Islamic world.
There will never be a quick or easy end to terrorism, but committing acts that will
enrage large masses of people should be avoided and a focus on humanity with
understanding is critical.
Cyber war is no war, say experts
Cyber-attack is any type of offensive maneuver employed by individuals or whole
organizations that targets computer information systems, infrastructures, computer
networks, and/or personal computer devices by various means of malicious acts
usually originating from an anonymous source that either steals, alters, or destroys
a specified target byhacking into a susceptible system. These can be labeled as
either a cyber campaign, cyberwarfare or cyberterrorism in different context.
Cyber-attacks can range from installingspyware on a PC to attempts to destroy the
infrastructure of entire nations. Cyber-attacks have become increasingly
sophisticated and dangerous as the Stuxnet worm recently demonstrated.[1] User
behavior analytics and SIEM are used to prevent these attacks.
Who will regulate pension products?

The Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Act was passed on 19th
September, 2013 and the same was notified on 1st February, 2014. PFRDA is
regulating NPS, subscribed by employees of Govt. of India, State Governments
and by employees of private institutions/organizations & unorganized sectors.
* Duties of IRDA
To protect the interest of and secure fair treatment to policyholders;

To bring about speedy and orderly growth of the insurance industry
(including annuity and superannuation payments), for the benefit of the
common man, and to provide long term funds for accelerating growth of the
economy;
To set, promote, monitor and enforce high standards of integrity, financial
soundness, fair dealing and competence of those it regulates;
To ensure speedy settlement of genuine claims,
claims, to prevent insurance frauds
and other malpractices and put in place effective grievance redressal
machinery;
To promote fairness, transparency and orderly conduct in financial markets
dealing with insurance and build a reliable management information system
to enforce high standards of financial soundness amongst market players;
To take action where such standards are inadequate or ineffectively
enforced;
To bring about optimum amount of self-regulation
self
in day-to-day
day working of
the industry consistent with the requirements of prudential regulation
Hows the economy really doing?

GVA + taxes on products - subsidies on products = GDP. As the total aggregates
of taxes on products and subsidies on products are only available at whole
economy level, Gross value added is used for measuring gross regional domestic
product and other measures of the output of entities smaller than a whole economy.
G.S.-04
When the rich fight the rich, it is the poor who die[ ESSAY TOPIC]

DATE : 13.10.2016
G.S.-01
Rights of person with mental disabilities
A. The right to full informed consent, including:
1. The scientific/medical test confirming any alleged diagnoses of
psychiatric disorder and the right to refute any psychiatric diagnoses of
mental illness that cannot be medically confirmed.
2. Full disclosure of all documented risks of any proposed drug or
treatment.
3. The right to be informed of all available medical treatments which do not
include the administration of a psychiatric drug or treatment.
4. The right to refuse any treatment the patient considers harmful.
B. No person shall be given psychiatric or psychological treatment against
his or her will.
C. No person, man, woman or child, may be denied his or her personal
liberty by reason of mental illness, so-called, without a fair jury trial by
laymen and with proper legal representation.
D. No person shall be admitted to or held in a psychiatric institution, hospital
or facility because of their political, religious or cultural beliefs and
practices.
E. Any patient has:
1. The right to be treated with dignity as a human being.
2. The right to hospital amenities without distinction as to race, color, sex,
language, religion, political opinion, social origin or status by right of birth
or property.
3. The right to have a thorough, physical and clinical examination by a
competent registered general practitioner of ones choice, to ensure that
ones mental condition is not caused by any undetected and untreated
physical illness, injury or defect and the right to seek a second medical
opinion of ones choice.
4. The right to fully equipped medical facilities and appropriately trained
medical staff in hospitals, so that competent physical, clinical examinations
can be performed.
5. The right to choose the kind or type of therapy to be employed, and the
right to discuss this with a general practitioner, healer or minister of ones
choice.
6. The right to have all the side effects of any offered treatment made clear
and understandable to the patient, in written form and in the patients native
language.
7. The right to accept or refuse treatment but in particular, the right to refuse
sterilization, electroshock treatment, insulin shock, lobotomy (or any other
psychosurgical brain operation), aversion therapy, narcotherapy, deep sleep
therapy and any drugs producing unwanted side effects.
8. The right to make official complaints, without reprisal, to an independent
board which is composed of nonpsychiatric personnel, lawyers and lay
people. Complaints may encompass any torturous, cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment received while under psychiatric care.
9. The right to have private counsel with a legal advisor and to take legal
action.
10. The right to discharge oneself at any time and to be discharged without
restriction, having committed no offense.
11. The right to manage ones own property and affairs with a legal advisor,
if necessary, or if deemed incompetent by a court of law, to have a State
appointed executor to manage such until one is adjudicated competent. Such
executor is accountable to the patients next of kin, or legal advisor or
guardian.
12. The right to see and possess ones hospital records and to take legal
action with regard to any false information contained therein which may be
damaging to ones reputation.
13. The right to take criminal action, with the full assistance of law
enforcement agents, against any psychiatrist, psychologist or hospital staff
for any abuse, false imprisonment, assault from treatment, sexual abuse or
rape, or any violation of mental health or other law. And the right to a
mental health law that does not indemnify or modify the penalties for
criminal, abusive or negligent treatment of patients committed by any
psychiatrist, psychologist or hospital staff.
14. The right to sue psychiatrists, their associations and colleges, the
institution, or staff for unlawful detention, false reports or damaging
treatment.
15. The right to work or to refuse to work, and the right to receive just
compensation on a pay scale comparable to union or state/national wages for
similar work, for any work performed while hospitalized.
16. The right to education or training so as to enable one to earn a living
when discharged, and the right of choice over what kind of education or
training is received.
17. The right to receive visitors and a minister of ones own faith.
18. The right to make and receive telephone calls and the right to privacy
with regard to all personal correspondence to and from anyone.
19. The right to freely associate or not with any group or person in a
psychiatric institution, hospital or facility.
20. The right to a safe environment without having in the environment,
persons placed there for criminal reasons.
21. The right to be with others of ones own age group.
22. The right to wear personal clothing, to have personal effects and to have
a secure place in which to keep them.
23. The right to daily physical exercise in the open.
24. The right to a proper diet and nutrition and to three meals a day.
25. The right to hygienic conditions and nonovercrowded facilities, and to
sufficient, undisturbed leisure and rest.
G.S.-02
Tamilnadu chief minister hospitalization and portfolio distribution
If the Governor allocates the functions of the Chief Minister, under
Art.166(3), to some other Minister during the temporary absence (say,
illness) of the Chief Minister, the functions of the Chief Minister under the
Constitution can be discharged by that other Minister, e.g., to preside over
meetings of the Council of Ministers; to communicate to the Governor the
decisions of the Council of Ministers under Art.167(a); to advise dissolution
of the Legislative Assembly under Art.174(2)(b).
New water policy 2016

The Central Government has brought final draft of the National Water
Framework Bill, 2016 to provide uniform national legal framework to
manage water in a better and efficient way The comprehensive draft Bill
proposes model law for all states. However, water being a State subject
under VII Schedule of constitution the law will be not binding on States for
adoption. Need The water shortage problem is escalating and country has
witnessed acute drought situation in certain parts. In future, such situations
may increase backdrop of climate change. Besides, presently in absence of
institutional arrangement there are inter-state water disputes because states
do not their contributions to a rivers catchment area to resolve conflicts.
Key Features of Bill Every person has a right to sufficient quantity of safe
water for life within easy reach of the household regardless of his/her socioeconomic factors. All basin states have equitable rights over the use of river
water provided such use does not violate the right to water for life of any
person in the river basin. States must recognise the principle that the rivers
are public trustees and not owned by the basin-States. All the basin States
are equal in rights and status, and there is no hierarchy of rights among
them. Here equality of rights means not equal but equitable shares in river
waters. Managing water at river basin-level and right measurement of States
contribution to river system to in order to resolve conflicts. Establishing
River Basin Authority (RBA) for each inter-State basin to ensure optimum
and sustainable development of rivers and valleys. Establishing institutional
arrangements to deal with inter-state water disputes in order to obviate

disputes through negotiations, mediation or conciliation. Proposes other
mechanisms such as National water quality and footprint standards,
Integrated river basin development and management plan and Graded
pricing system.
BRICS proposed FTA
* An immediate push for a BRICS Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will polarize
heavily-industrialised and lesser-industrialised nations within the five-member
grouping
G.S.-03
Surgical strike on LoC
1 . It has been a matter of serious concern that there has been continuous
infiltration by terrorists along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
2. Terrorists captured from Pakistan or PoK have confessed to their training in
Pakistan.
3. We have often recovered GPS, and other stores with Pakistan markings, and
some captured terrorists have confessed to their connections.
4. Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terror launchpads along LoC, there
have been significant casualties in the surgical strike.
5. Heavy damages have been caused to terrorists, many of them have been killed.
The surgical strike was conducted at four launching pads.
6. The motive of this operation was to hit out at the terrorists who were planning to
infiltrate into our territory.
7. No plan to continue with surgical strikes against terrorist launchpad across
LOC as of now.
8. Details of the operation have been shared with the Pakistani DGMO.
Minimum support price
The Minimum Support Prices were announced by the Government of India for
the first time in 1966-67 for Wheat in the wake of the Green Revolution and
extended harvest, to save the farmers from depleting profits. Since then, the
MSP regime has been expanded to many crops. Minimum Support Price is the
price at which government purchases crops from the farmers, whatever may be
the price for the crops. The MSP is announced by the Government of India for
25 crops currently at the beginning of each season viz. Rabi and Kharif.
Following are the 25 crops covered by MSP: Kharif Crops Rabi Crops 1 Paddy
15 Wheat 2 Jowar 16 Barley 3 Bajra 17 Gram 4 Maize 18 Masur (Lentil) 5 Ragi
19 Rapeseed/Mustard 6 Arhar(Tur) 20 Safflower 7 Moong 21 Toria 8 Urad
Other Crops 9 Cotton 22 Copra 10 Groundnut 23 De-Husked Coconut 11
Sunflower Seed 24 Jute 12 Soyabeen Black 25 Sugarcane 13 Sesamum 14
Nigerseed Contents [hide] Rationale behind MSP How MSP is decided? Price
Support Scheme (PSS) for Oil seeds and Pulses Rationale behind MSP If there
is a fall in the prices of the crops, after a bumper harvest, the government
purchases at the MSP and this is the reason that the priced cannot go below
MSP. So this directly helps the farmers. How MSP is decided? The government
decided the support prices for various agricultural commodities after taking into
account the following: Recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs
and Prices Views of State Governments Views of Ministries Other relevant
factors. Price Support Scheme (PSS) for Oil seeds and Pulses The Department
of Agriculture and Cooperation implements the Price Support Scheme for Oil
Seeds and Pulses through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing
Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED). NAFED is the nodal procurement agency
for Oilseeds and pulses, apart from the Cotton Corporation of India. So, when
the prices of oilseeds, pulses and cotton fall below MSP, NAFED purchases
them from the farmers.
Now solar cell cathode can be made from human hair
Photovoltaic modules, commonly called solar modules, are the key
components used to convert sunlight into electricity. Solar modules are made
of semiconductors that are very similar to those used to create integrated
circuits for electronic equipment. The most common type of semiconductor
currently in use is made of silicon crystal. Silicon crystals are laminated into
n-type and p-type layers, stacked on top of each other. Light striking the
crystals induces the photovoltaic effect, which generates electricity. The

electricity produced is called direct current (DC) and can be used
immediately or stored in a battery. For systems installed on homes served by
a utility grid, a device called an inverter changes the electricity into
alternating current (AC), the standard power used in residential homes.
A cathode is the electrode from which a conventional current leaves a
polarized electrical device. (This definition can be recalled by using
the mnemonic CCD for cathode current departs.) A conventional current
describes the direction in which positive electronic charges move. Electrons
have a negative charge, so the movement of electrons is opposite to the
conventional current flow. Consequently, the mnemoniccathode current
departs also means that electrons flow into the device's cathode.
Light combat aircraft

The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multi-role light
fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Navy. ...
It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersoniccombat
aircraft.

DATE 14.10.2016
G.S.-01
Uniform civil code
* Uniform civil code is the proposal to replace the personal laws based on
the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in India with
a common set governing every citizen. These laws are distinguished from
public law and cover marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption
and maintenance. Article 44 of the Directive Principles in India sets its
implementation as duty of the State. In contemporary politics, the Hindu
right-wing Bharatiya Janta Party and the Left support it while the Congress
Party and All India Muslim Personal Law Board oppose it. Goa has
a common family law, thus being the only Indian state to have a uniform
civil code. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 permits any citizen to have a
civil marriage outside the realm of any specific religious personal law.
Personal laws of each religion govern family matters such as marriage,
divorce, succession, inheritance etc. However, governance by personal laws
is averse to the concept of secularism. It makes secularism look like an inane
word in the Constitution of India. At most, what we are doing is to maintain
goodwill
among
all
religions.
Constitution
of
India
According to Article 13 of the Constitution of India, if any law in force
before the commencement of the Constitution is inconsistent with Part III of
the Constitution, then they are void. Therefore, if any law is against the
provisions of Article 14, 15 and 21, then the law is said to be void. Article
14 being right to equality and equality before law. Article 15 being no law
can discriminate on the basis of sex, caste, religion etc. and Article 21 being
right
to
life
and
personal
liberty.
Going by this, a lot of personal laws that are discriminatory against women
should have been scrapped out by now. However, Supreme Court has held
in Krishna Singh v Mathura Ahir[1]and a couple of other cases that,
personal laws both that were in force before the commencement of
Constitution or after are not susceptible to Part III of the Constitution. On
the other hand, in cases like Githa Hariharan v. Reserve Bank of

India,[2]where Section 6 of Hindu Minority & Guardianship Act was
challenged as being discriminative against women. The court did not reject
the petition saying it could not test the constitutional validity of personal
law, instead it read down Section 6 of the Act to bring it in consonance with
Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution. Therefore, the decisions of the
Supreme Court have also been mercurial making the position of personal
laws
vague.
In fact, Article 44 of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavour
to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of
India. The Declaration made by the General Assembly on 04/02/1986 known
as the Right to Development discusses the inconsistency between the
personal laws of the country and the fundamental rights guaranteed by the
constitution and has stated that all existing laws should be in conformity
with
right
to
equality
guaranteed
in
the
Constitution.
History
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar wanted uniform code and was antagonistic towards
personal laws as he considered them to be discriminative and flawed.
Jawaharlal Nehru, who did not recognise religious communities but only
individuals, proposed Hindu Code Bill to replace Hindu Personal Laws with
a Civil Code, which was opposed by orthodox hindus as it promoted
monogamy, divorce and equal division of property between son, daughter
and widow, adoption, maintenance to wife etc. One of the major criticisms
to the Code was how it did not touch upon the Muslim community and it
was here that Nehrus idea of secularism suffered a certain extent of lacuna.
Therefore, a lesser version of Hindu Code was passed after a long opposition
in
the
parliament
between
1955-56
session.
Comprehensibly, the code failed to achieve what it intended to. However,
Special Marriage Act, 1954 was passed allowing all Indians to marry under
the Act, outside the realm of their individual personal laws. Under the Act,
inheritance and succession was also goverened by Indian Succession Act
and not personal laws. The debate on UCC and why it cannot be achieved
has
been
deliberated
over
several
times.
Supreme
Court
The Supreme Court with a bench of Justices Vikramjit Sen and Shiva Kirti
Singh on Monday, October 13, 2015 has aksed the Solicitor General of
India, Ranjit Kumar to seek the view of the Government on whether it is
willing to pass UCC (Uniform Civil Code) and has posted the matter further
after three weeks. The judges questioned the Government as to why it has
not framed and implemented UCC which is necessary in order to treat all
religions
on
the
same
yardstick
in
matters
of
law.
The bench was hearing a petition challenging the legal provision of Section
!0A of Divorce Act which compels Christian couples to wait for atleast two
years for divorce, whereas the period of separation is one year for other
religions. With an astonishing fervour, the Union Law Minister, Sadananda
Gowda said that UCC is the need of the hour and in the national interest.
G.S.-02
India-bangladesh relation issues
India and Bangladesh share a unique bond and a special relationship rooted
in a common cultural heritage, shared principles and values and forged by
common aspirations and sacrifices of its peoples. India is committed to carry
forward the mission of strengthening the historic bonds and impart a vision
for the future that is durable and sustainable and conducive for the collective
prosperity of the region.
a) Water dispute
b) Boundary Dispute
c) Illegal Migration
d) Security concerns
The following steps should be taken to improve relation between India and
Bangladesh.
a) Agreement on water sharing should be given priority. Early resolution of the
Teesta issue is necessary.
b) India should give prominence to the ratification of land boundary agreement.
c) Security cooperation between the two countries has been good. But there is need
for institutionalizing this cooperation so that it does not remain restricted to the
tenure of a particular government in either country. In this regard, a beginning
could be made by signing the bilateral extradition treaty.
d) Connectivity should be given top most priority. Both the countries should work
together to operationalise it.
e) There is need for addressing the issue of illegal migration. In this regard
innovative measures should be taken to resolve the problem, being extra careful to
ensure that illegal migrants do not acquire voting rights and Indian nationality.
f) People-to-people contact needs to be encouraged; hence liberal visa system
should be put in place.
g) Trade relationship has improved significantly between the two countries. India
has provided zero duty access of Bangladeshi products thereby addressing the tariff
related issue to a great extent. The two countries should now consider an
agreement on non-tariff barriers.
h) Indian investment should be encouraged in Bangladesh through visits of trade
delegations, trade fairs, and bilateral assurances on protection of the interests of
potential investors.
i) Progress can be made by cooperating on common challenges like disaster
management, food and energy security.
j) Greater involvement of people and wider public debate on foreign policy issues
will discourage conspiracy theories and distrust.
k) A greater level of people-to-people contact should be encouraged.
l) Implement the no-firing policy fully. Ensure accountability to ensure that the
image of India as an enemy ceases to exist.
m) Fencing needs to be completed speedily and monitored effectively.This would

create misgivings but also ensure that Bangladesh knows that India means
business. The state governments and the Indian border forces seem receptive to
such an idea
n) India and Bangladesh need to strengthen their military ties. They are being
revived after a long gap but much more can be done in terms of increasing visits,
contacts at various level as well as by selling military hardware. Apart from
initiating joint exercises, India should consider the China model of gifting
hardware in the initial instance, and offer technical expertise that Bangladeshi
military is in need of. They have to be weaned away from Pakistan and China.
There can be no overnight successes but sustained efforts are essential.
Public servant definition

* (b) in the service or pay of a local authority, a corporation established by
or under a Central, Provincial or State Act or a Government company
as defined in section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).]
Illustration A Municipal Commissioner is apublic servant.
G.S.-03
Lead silent killer
Lead is a soft metal that has known many applications over the years. It has been
used widely since 5000 BC for application in metal products, cables and pipelines,
but also in paints and pesticides. Lead is one out of four metals that have the most
damaging effects on human health. It can enter the human body through uptake of
food (65%), water (20%) and air (15%).
Foods such as fruit, vegetables, meats, grains, seafood, soft drinks and wine may
contain significant amounts of lead. Cigarette smoke also contains small amounts
of lead.
Lead can enter (drinking) water through corrosion of pipes. This is more likely to
happen when the water is slightly acidic. That is why public water treatment
systems are now required to carry out pH-adjustments in water that will serve
drinking purposes.
For as far as we know, lead fulfils no essential function in the human body, it can
merely do harm after uptake from food, air or water.
Lead can cause several unwanted effects, such as:
- Disruption of the biosynthesis of haemoglobin and anaemia
- A rise in blood pressure
- Kidney damage
- Miscarriages and subtle abortions
- Disruption of nervous systems
- Brain damage
- Declined fertility of men through sperm damage
- Diminished learning abilities of children
- Behavioural disruptions of children, such as aggression, impulsive behavior and
hyperactivity
Lead can enter a foetus through the placenta of the mother. Because of this it can
cause serious damage to the nervous system and the brains of unborn children.
Not only leaded gasoline causes lead concentrations in the environment to rise.
Other human activities, such as fuel combustion, industrial processes and solid
waste
combustion,
also
contribute.
Lead can end up in water and soils through corrosion of leaded pipelines in a water
transporting system and through corrosion of leaded paints. It cannot be broken
down;
it
can
only
converted
to
other
forms.
Lead accumulates in the bodies of water organisms and soil organisms. These will
experience health effects from lead poisoning. Health effects on shellfish can take
place even when only very small concentrations of lead are present. Body
functions of phytoplankton can be disturbed when lead interferes. Phytoplankton is
an important source of oxygen production in seas and many larger sea-animals eat
it. That is why we now begin to wonder whether lead pollution can influence
global
balances.
Soil functions are disturbed by lead intervention, especially near highways and
farmlands, where extreme concentrations may be present. Soil organisms than
suffer
from
lead
poisoning,
too.
Lead is a particularly dangerous chemical, as it can accumulate in individual
organisms, but also in entire food chains.
Kigali meet on global emission

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to
the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international
treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of
numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
HFC gases
What is it?
HFCs are a group of man-made chemicals containing the elements carbon,
hydrogen and fluorine. They are colourless, odourless and unreactive gases.
What is it used for?
HFCs are mainly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and as
propellants in industrial aerosols (replacing the formerly used CFCs and HCFCs
which have been shown to damage the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere).
HFCs are also used for foam blowing, solvent cleaning and in fire extinguishers.
Where does it come from?
The main sources of HFCs are from the manufacture of, leakage from and end of
life disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and aerosols. HFCs
are entirely man-made - there are no natural sources.
How might it affect the environment?

Releases of HFCs do not cause damage at a local level. They do however have a
global environmental effect, as greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.
Although their "global warming potential" is high (100-3000 times that of carbon
dioxide), the relatively small amounts involved mean that they play a small role
compared to other greenhouse gases. HFCs can persist in the environment for up
to hundreds of years because of their high stability.
How might exposure to it affect human health?
At environmental concentrations HFCs pose little threat to human health. At
higher concentrations that might result from an accidental release or in
occupational settings, they are thought to be mildly toxic and possibly
carcinogenic.
What steps are being taken to limit the potential impacts?
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol,
1997) introduced measures designed to achieve reduction of greenhouse gas
releases (including HFCs). Amongst the other signaturies from around the world,
the UK government (including Scotland) is committed to reaching targets of
reduction of HFC emissions by 2008-2012.
Offshore rupee bond

*Rupee debt bonds are also known as Rupee Denominated Bonds or
MasalaBonds.
...
Masala bonds are
Indian rupee denominated bonds issued in offshorecapital markets. These
will be offered and settled in US dollars to raise Indianrupees from
international investors majorly used for infrastructure development work in
India.
Principle of trading system in WTO

Trade without discrimination back to top
1. Most-favoured-nation (MFN): treating other people equally Under the WTO
agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners.
Grant someone a special favour (such as a lower customs duty rate for one of their
products) and you have to do the same for all other WTO members.
This principle is known as most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment (see box). It is
so important that it is the first article of the General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade (GATT), which governs trade in goods. MFN is also a priority in
the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (Article 2) and
the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
(TRIPS) (Article 4), although in each agreement the principle is handled slightly
differently. Together, those three agreements cover all three main areas of trade
handled by the WTO.
Some exceptions are allowed. For example, countries can set up a free trade
agreement that applies only to goods traded within the group discriminating
against goods from outside. Or they can give developing countries special access to
their markets. Or a country can raise barriers against products that are considered
to be traded unfairly from specific countries. And in services, countries are
allowed, in limited circumstances, to discriminate. But the agreements only permit
these exceptions under strict conditions. In general, MFN means that every time a
country lowers a trade barrier or opens up a market, it has to do so for the same
goods or services from all its trading partners whether rich or poor, weak or
strong.
2. National treatment: Treating foreigners and locals equally Imported and
locally-produced goods should be treated equally at least after the foreign goods
have entered the market. The same should apply to foreign and domestic services,
and to foreign and local trademarks, copyrights and patents. This principle of
national treatment (giving others the same treatment as ones own nationals) is
also found in all the three main WTO agreements (Article 3 of GATT, Article 17
of GATSand Article 3 of TRIPS), although once again the principle is handled
slightly differently in each of these.

National treatment only applies once a product, service or item of intellectual
property has entered the market. Therefore, charging customs duty on an import is
not a violation of national treatment even if locally-produced products are not
charged an equivalent tax.
G.S.-04

DATE 15.10.2016
G.S.-01
Sarswati river
The Sarasvati River (Sanskrit:
srasvat nad) is one of the
main Rigvedic rivers mentioned in the scripture Rig Veda and laterVedic and postVedic texts. It plays an important role in Hinduism, since Vedic Sanskrit and the
first part of the Rig Veda are regarded to have originated when the Vedic
people lived on its banks, during the 2nd millennium BCE.[1] The
goddess Sarasvati was originally a personification of this river, but later developed
an independent identity.[2] The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda (10.75) mentions the
Sarasvati between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west. Later Vedic
texts like the Tandya and Jaiminiya Brahmanas, as well as the Mahabharata,
mention that the Sarasvati dried up in a desert. The Sarasvati is also considered
by Hindus to exist in a metaphysicalform, in which it formed a confluence with the
sacred rivers Ganges and Yamuna, at the Triveni Sangam.[3] The name Sarasvati
was also given to a formation in the Milky Way
Mother of all Rivers (Sarawati,Sapthati,Sindhumata) Partly survives flowing
between Satadru and Yamun Identified with Harakhwati of Avesta or Halmand
or with Hakra rivers In Rigveda,three epithets used Ambitame,Devitame and
Naditame
Triple talaq
*IntroductionTriple talaq is way of giving divorce practiced by Muslims in India, under this
system a man may divorce his wife by pronouncing I divorce you three times
in a row. Many believe that it is regressive and anti-women, hence such practice
should be banned in India. A case to ban this practice is going in Supreme
Court, in this background All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has
filled
counter
affidavit.
AIMPLB stand on triple talaq-
In its affidavit AIMPLB has defended the triple talaq system. It claims
that the custom is a way out to avoid long-running court proceedings.
AIMPLB claims that personal laws cannot be re-written in the name of
social reforms.
According to AIMPLB, in the absence of triple talaq, a husband may
resort to murdering or burning alive his wife because of the timeconsuming legal proceedings that might otherwise be involved.
It further claims that Indian society is patriarchal, and that personal laws
of all communities are aligned with the patriarchal notion.
It defends the right to grant divorce to the husband alone, because men
have greater power of decision making and it uses gender ration argument
to justify the practice of polygamy.
Analysis
AIMPLB has no legal status to impose any law on muslim community.

According some scholars, even Koran has no sanction of triple talaq.
While defending this practice AIMPLB has use dubious line of
agreements like patriarchal society, gender ratio etc. It is exact opposite to
the ethos of our constitution.
It is egregious practice, where men can divorce his wife without her
consent merely by uttering word talaq trice has been declared legally
invalid in Shamim Ara vs State of UP judgment of 2002 and subsequent
orders from various High Courts.
This medieval practice of divorce has been either explicitly derecognised
in Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Iran and Tunisia or
implicitly in countries such as Pakistan, which provides for a mandatory
arbitration procedure after the pronouncement of talaq.
Hence Supreme Court should ban such heinous practice of divorce
without being swayed by arguments put forth by AIMPLB.
Indian constitution guaranties right to equality to both husband and wife,
and same rule must be applied while pursuing the divorce proceedings.
Hence Supreme Court must rule this practice as illegal.
ConclusionIndia is developing country and adopted all social reforms according to demand
of time. Practice of triple talaq still exists in our society, it is egregious practice
which snatches the rights of women makes her subservient to her husband.
Many women have undergone severe trauma after being thrown out of their
homes by divorcing through triple talaq system. Hence it is high time to ban
such heinous practice from our society.
G.S.-02
BRICS summit
* BRICS is the acronym for an association of five major emerging national
economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Originally the first four
were grouped as "BRIC" (or "the BRICs"), before the induction of South Africa in
2010.[4] The BRICS members are all leading developing or newly industrialized
countries, but they are distinguished by their large, sometimes fast-growing
economies and significant influence on regional affairs; all five are G-20
members.[5] However, BRICS countries have significantly slowed down with
South Africa only growing 1% in 2015 similar to the 1.6% a year from 1994 to
2009,[6] Brazil in its worst recession since the 1930s by some measures,[7] Russia in
a recession as oil prices tailspin and sanctions weigh,[8]and China's slowdown is set
to be a drag on global growth[9] and is reported to be the slowest in the last 25

years.[10] Since 2009, the BRICS nations have met annually at formal summits.
Russia hosted the group's seventh summit in July 2015. India is going to host the
BRICS conference in Goa in 2016.[11] The term does not include countries such as
South Korea, Mexico and Turkey for which other acronyms and group associations
were later created.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic

Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a group of
countries in South Asia and South East Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
Indias Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar

India has committed several infrastructure projects in Myanmar for example
Tamanthi and Shwezaye hydropower projects; Shwe oil and natural gas fields,
which Indian companies are involved in operating; and the Kaladan Multi-Modal
Transport (KMMT). KMTT is largest and most strategically important Indian
investment in Myanmar.
Multimodal Transport
KMTT is essentially a multi-modal transport project having three different
stretches involving shipping, Inland Water and road transport stretches. The
longest among them is Shipping segment from Kolkata to Sittwe port in Myanmar.
These stretches are shown in below table:
Funding
Government of India is funding this project and this is an important investment of

India in its neighbourhood.
Construction
The project was approved by Union Cabinet in 2008 and initial investment was
estimated to be Rs. 536 Crore. Construction for KMTT began in 2010. The
construction had three general phases viz.
Dredging and modernizing the port at Sittwe in Myanmar

Dredging sections of the Kaladan River to allow for larger ships to pass
Linking Paletwa by road to the Indian state of Mizoram.
The third phase mentioned above would provide the isolated northeast a second
point of entry in addition to the Siliguri Corridor.
How Cargo will move?
The cargo will start from Kolkata port and reach Sittwe port in Myanmar by ship.
The Sittwe Port would be linked to Lashio (also in Maynmar) via the Kaladan river
transport route. Lashio would be connected to Mizoram via road transport
(National Highway 54).
When completed, the KMTT will shorten the current time taken to transport goods
from Kolkata to Mizoram by three-four days, and the distance by around 950 km.
This is the reason that KMMT for Mizoram and India, is called as Future
gateway to South East Asia.
Advantages
Once completed, the KMMT would allow goods from eastern Indian ports such as
Kolkata to reach Indias north-eastern states more cheaply. The KMMT would also
enhance economic ties between coastal Indian urban hubs and the Myanmar
economy, an attractive prospect for India as Myanmars 60 million people begin to
consume more foreign goods. It will also serve as cornerstone of Indias Look
East Policy aiming to expand Indias economic and political influence in
Southeast Asia.
Issues
Challenged by nature, people and bureaucracy, the KMTT project is running at
least two years behind schedule. One issue is of cost overruns and delays. Further,
Myanmar is planning to construct hydro-electric projects on the tributaries of the
Kaladan River, which might affect the project. Further, the project also faces a
challenge from the so called Kaladan Movement, which is an alliance of civil
society groups in Myanmar. This movement is demanding for wider transparency
and accountability in the project. Though the project will also help Myanmar by
providing much needed transport access to the Chin and Arakan states of
Myanmar, the local issues such as forcible land acquisition, environmental
concerns, cultural heritage and other such issues have tried to derail the project
many times.
G.S.-03
Kuddankullam plant
*Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin
dedicated the first unit of the ambitious Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project
(KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu to the nation. KKNPP was dedicated by the leaders
through video conferencing from Delhi and Moscow. It has Indias single
largest nuclear generation unit with capacity of 1000 megawatt (MW)
The KKNPP is located in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, around 650 km

from Chennai. It is built under India-Russian Nuclear agreement of 1988.
KKNPP is Indias nuclear power plant to use imported PWR technology. It has
VVER (Water-Water Energetic Reactor) type light water reactors. The reactors
are built by the NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) and Russias
Atomstroyexport Company, a subsidiary of Rosatom.
The Unit I of the KKNPP is already in service since December 2014 and was
connected to the southern grid in October 2013. The first unit till now more
than 10,800 million units of power and the plant had attained criticality in July
2013
The Unit II (1000 MW capactity) of the KKNPP had achieved criticality in July
2016 will begin power production by end of August 2016. Besides, preliminary
works are also going on for the construction of third and fourth reactors with
Russian technical expertise.
KKNPP has enhanced safety features which were incorporated in the water
cooled, water moderated reactor complex after the Fukushima nuclear incident
in Japan.
India-Russian Nuclear agreement of 1988: It was signed between the then
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Soviet leader Mikahil Gorbachev in
November 1988. The agreement was revived in 1998 with Russia and
construction works started in March 2002 due to the political and economic
upheaval in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Note
: The allocation power generated from KKNPP-I & II (2000 MW) include
Tamil Nadu (925 MW), Karnataka (442 MW), Kerala (266 MW), Puducherry
(67 MW). While 300 MW remains unallocated.
Advantages of KNPP
Its a technologically proven design.
Inbuilt safety features to minimize the risk of any radiation leaks.
The location is least earthquake prone area.
Its
height
ensures
safety
from
potential
tsunamis.
Wholesale price inflation

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is the price of a representative basket of
wholesale goods. Some countries ( like the Philippines) use WPI changes as
a central measure of inflation.But now India has adopted new CPI to
measureinflation. However, United States now report a producer price index
instead.
Indias fishermen problem [imp]

Why does Indian fisherman often run into problem in Indian Ocean?
In a goodwill gesture towards the new PM, Narendra Modi, Pakistan has freed 151
Indian fishermen while Sri Lanka ordered the release of all detained Indian
fishermen on the eve of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister. Most of these
prisoners are poor Indian fishermen who were arrested and brought for trespassing
into
Pakistani
territorial
waters.
Previous releases:
In March, Rajapaksa had ordered the release of arrested fishermen after India
abstained from voting on an anti-Sri Lanka motion at the UN Human Rights
Council in Geneva.
India was one of the 12 nations that abstained from voting on the UNHRC
resolution, which prescribed an international probe into Sri Lanka's alleged rights
abuses.
Last year in August, Pakistan had released around 337 Indian prisoners from jails.
Later on Diwali also, 15 Indian fishermen were released as a goodwill gesture.
However, many questions remains answered for the Indian fishermans trouble in
high sea.
Issues of fisherman in the sea water:
The issue of fishermen straying in each others territorial waters has come as a
potential irritant in the bilateral relations between the neighbouring states. Indian
fishermen are usually arrested on charges of trespassing. A total of 600 fishermen
from India all from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in
2013, a sharp increase compared to the last few years.
The issues are discussed as follows:
India and Sri-Lanka
A) There is no well defined boundary line between the two nations.
B) Territorial waters overlap in some areas: Maritime border between the two
countries is about 400 kilometres spreading along three different areas: the Bay of
Bengal in the north, the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar in the centre and the
Indian Ocean in the south. In the Palk Bay region, distances between the coasts of
the two countries varies between 16 and 45 kms. This means territorial waters of
each country in some areas strays into the others if 12 nautical mile criteria is
strictly applied.
C) LTTE issue has raised vigilance: The issue of fishermen came to existence with
the emergence of violent ethnic conflict between the Tamil militants and the Sri
Lankan government in the mid 1980s. Increased vigilance by the Sri Lankan Navy
to check intermittent flow of Tamil refugees into India and flow of arms and
supplies to Tamil militant groups made fishing difficult and risky. Due to these
fishermen from both nations suffered.
D) Security concerns: The monitoring is still on which aimed at preventing
possible return of LTTE cadres, who fled from the island during the height of the
conflict in 2009, to revive the insurgency all over again.
Thus the Indian fishermen, who thus far enjoyed monopoly of resource-rich
waters, have now got competitors in massive numbers. At times, this leads to
confrontations between the two fishing communities and in turn drawing
intervention of either of naval forces. The main complaint of Sri Lankan fishermen
has been against Indian mechanised trawlers that indulge in pair, mid-water,
pelagic, and bottom trawling severely damaging marine resources and the sea bed.
Ironically, most of the trawlers from Tamil Nadu are owned by merchant
capitalists from non-fishing and other social backgrounds. The entry of outsiders
has not only threatened the local customary laws of fishing communities, but also
turned several traditional fishermen from owners to labourers. Trawler sector in
Tamil Nadu is also politically influential and financially sound making it more
obdurate to solutions that could cut down its profit margins.
(E) Historical perspective: Both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have been
fishing into Palk Bay area for centuries. Problem emerged only after a maritime
agreement was signed by India and Sri Lanka in 1974. In fact, initially the 1974
border agreement did not affect fishing on either sides of the border. In 1976,
through an exchange of letter, both India and Sri Lanka agreed to stop fishing in
each others waters. However, the agreement could not stop the fishermen from
fishing in these waters, as fishermen know no boundary. They go wherever they
can get maximum number of catch. They, knowingly or unknowingly, often violate
the International Maritime Boundary Lines in search of a good catch, at times at
great personal risk.
Both India and Sri Lankan fishermen have been known for entering into each
others waters. However, cases of arrest of Sri Lankan fishermen by Indian
authorities are comparatively less since they mostly fish in the high seas by using
multi-day crafts. On the other hand, due to the dearth of multi-day fishing
capability, Indian fishermen cannot shift their fishing effort from the Palk Bay area
to the offshore areas of the Indian waters or way beyond the continental shelf.
Therefore, Indian fishermen have no other option but to fish into the Sri Lankan
waters. While for the Sri Lankan authorities protecting their maritime boundary is
important, for the Indian fishermen the priority is of securing their livelihood.
It is noteworthy that despite the signing of maritime boundary agreements,
fishermen communities of both the countries continued their fishing in the Palk
Bay area peacefully until the Eelam war broke out in 1983. Nonetheless, after the
end of War in 2009, the Sri Lankan fishermen have been raising their objection to
Indian fishermen fishing in their waters.
Thus, the main problem with Indian fishermen is that a large number of them are
dependent on fishing in Sri Lankan waters, which is prohibited by the 1976
Maritime Boundary Agreement. Also, a large number of Indian fishermen are
dependent on trawling which is banned in Sri Lanka.
India and Pakistan:
The practice of apprehending each other's fishermen, along with their boats, has
been followed by Pakistani and Indian forces since the time of the partition. The
Maritime Security Agency (MSA) of Pakistan is responsible for the arrest of
Indian fishermen when they reportedly enter Pakistani waters while for India, the
Coast Guard, Border Security Force(BSF), Customs or the Indian navy does the
same to Pakistani fishermen.
Most trespassing is common to Pakistani and Indian fishermen operating along the
coastline of the Indian state of Gujarat and the Pakistani province of Sindh. Most
violations occur due to the absence of a physical boundary between the nations.
The problem is aggravated by the dispute over the Sir Creek in Kutch and the
failure to officially determine the maritime boundary between the two nations.
Most local fishermen possess no navigational tools and are unable or incapable of
determine their location by longitudes or latitudes.
Further the punishment for crossing into the other country's water by fishing boats
may be imprisonment for a few months but due to the hostility between the
establishments/ruling classes of these countries, the fishermen languish for years in
detention centers even after completing their imprisonment.
Steps taken:
The Indian government has undertaken a census of fishermen, preparing a database
of information on fishermen and their boats to be used for more effective
monitoring of fishing activities. The Indian Coast Guard has also begun installing
tracking devices in fishing boats operating in the waters, developed by the ISRO,
the tracking device has the ability to send out alerts for fires on board, a sinking
vessel, a medical emergency and when the boat is apprehended by another country.
Possible solutions:
a) Avoid shooting incidents due to mistaken identity, coordinated patrolling

between marine forces
b) Developing fish farming extensively in Indian waters would prevent its
fishermen from venturing into other waters in search of a big catch.
c) India can also consider leasing fishing blocks, especially those identified as
surplus total available catch, from Sri Lanka.
d) To preserve marine resources, impose strict and complete ban on mechanized
trawlers.
e) Proper fisheries resource management.
f) Educate the Indian fishermen to keep to the Indian side in the high sea.
Discuss
"Fishermen are often treated and exchanged like prisoner of the war". Elaborate
the statement with respect to territorial clashes between India and neighbouring
countries and issue related to Indian fisherman.
Discuss the UNCLOS role in maritime boundary management.
Sustainable management of fisheries is the key to solve issue of trespassing of
fishermen in maritime waters. Illustrate.
G.S.-04

DATE : 17.10.2016
G.S.-01
Triple talaq issue
The egregious practice that many Muslim men employ to divorce their wives
instantaneously and without their consent, merely by uttering the word talaq
thrice, was rendered legally invalid by the Shamim Ara vs State of
UP judgment of 2002 and subsequent orders from various High Courts.
But this has not stopped the practice; many Muslim women are unaware of
the judgments or have had to accept such pronouncements owing to pressure
from conservative sections.
Many women have undergone severe trauma after being thrown out of their
homes.Shayara Bano, one such victim of this arbitrary custom not to
speak of years of domestic violence has filed a public interest litigation in
the Supreme Court seeking a ban on the practice.
The conservative All India Muslim Personal Law Board that seeks to wield
influence on questions of Muslim personal law has, predictably, found it an
occasion to air its regressive views on the issue.
In a counter-affidavit, the Board has defended the practice in terms that are
shocking even by its own standards. It claims that the custom is a way out to
avoid long-running court proceedings and that, in the absence of triple talaq,
a husband may resort to murdering or burning alive his wife because of the
time-consuming legal proceedings that might otherwise be involved.
It further claims that Indian society is patriarchal, and that personal laws
of all communities are aligned with the patriarchal notion. It defends the
right to grant divorce to the husband alone, because men have greater
power of decision making and uses a dubious line of argument on gender
ratio to justify the practice of polygamy.
The AIMPLB, a body with no legal status, has long argued that divorce
under Islamic law is undesirable and that triple talaq is a sin; however, it
maintains it is a valid and effective form of laying a marriage asunder.
In truth, there is no sanction for the triple talaq in the Koran, which has laid
down elaborate injunctions on divorce, in stark contrast to the immediate
and irrevocable nature of the triple talaq.
This practice has been either explicitly derecognised in Muslim-majority

countries such as Indonesia, Iran and Tunisia or implicitly in countries such
as Pakistan, which provides for a mandatory arbitration procedure after the
pronouncement of talaq.
The Supreme Court must not be swayed by the arguments put forth by the
AIMPLB, which has held that personal laws cannot be challenged.
Considering the clear and elaborately laid-down norms on marriage in the
Koran that grant equal rights to the husband and wife to pursue divorce
proceedings and the right to equality guaranteed in the Indian Constitution, it
is high time that the Supreme Court ruled this practice as illegal.
Taj mahal air pollution affect

India's white marvel, the Taj Mahal, is slowly turning brownish-yellow
because of air pollution, says an Indo-US study which also identifies
the pollutants responsible for the effect. ... The study confirms what has been
suspected for long that Agra's poor air quality is impacting India's most
celebrated monument.
G.S.-02
Social security scheme in india

What is Social Security?
any of the measures established by legislation to maintain individual or family

income or to provide income when some or all sources of income are disrupted
or terminated or when exceptionally heavy expenditures have to be incurred
(e.g., in bringing up children or paying for health care)
social security may provide cash benefits to persons faced with sickness and
disability, unemployment, crop failure, loss of the marital partner, maternity,
responsibility for the care of young children, or retirement from work
Social security benefits may be provided in cash or kind for medical need,
rehabilitation, domestic help during illness at home, legal aid, or funeral
expenses
It acts as a facilitator it helps people to plan their own future through

insurance and assistance.
History of Social security
Germany was the first country to introduce Social security scheme (1883)
each member of a particular trade (blacksmiths, painters, weavers etc) was
required to contribute at regular intervals;
Money from this fund was used for food,lodging, hospital and feneral expenses
of aged and disabled members.
In USA, Social Security Act came into existence in 1935. (years not important,
this is only fodder material for Essay.)
Social Security in India
India has always had a Joint Family system that took care of the social security
needs.
However with rise of migration, urbanization, nuclear families and
demographic changes, Joint family system has declined. Hence we need a
formal system of social security.
Social Security: Constitutional Provisions
Concurrent List
Social Security and labour welfare falls under Concurrent list, it means both union
and state Government can make laws regarding these topics.
(List III in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India)

Item No. 23
Social Security and insurance,
employment and unemployment.
Item No. 24
Welfare of Labour including conditions of work,
provident funds,
employers liability,
workmens compensation,
invalidity and old age pension and maternity benefits.
Part IV Directive Principles of State Policy
Article 41
Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases

State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make
effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public
assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in
other cases of undeserved want.
Article 42
Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
State shall make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and
for maternity relief.
Difference between Organized and Unorganized Sectors

Organized sector
includes primarily those establishments which are covered by the Factories Act,
1948, the Shops and Commercial Establishments Acts of State Governments,
the Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act, 1946 etc.
This sector already has social security benefits under above laws.
Examples: employees of union and state Government, army, navy, airforce,
Multinational companies, Infosys, TCS and so on.
Unorganized sector
Examples of Unorganized sector
Rural Areas
Urban Areas
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
landless agricultural labourers

small and marginal farmers
share croppers
persons engaged in
a. animal husbandry
b. fishing
street vendors
hawkers
head load workers
cobblers
tin smiths
garment makers
c. horticulture
d. bee-keeping
e. toddy tapping
5. forest workers
6. rural artisans
7. Construction workers
Unorganized sector doesnt have labour law coverage. These are seasonal and
temporary nature of occupations.
Casual nature of work, labour mobility is high hence bargaining power is low.
SOCIAL SECURITY LAWS in India
Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI Act)
covers factories and establishments with 10 or more employees

Provides medical care to employees and their families.
Provides Cash benefits during sickness and maternity
Monthly pension after death or permanent disability.
Employees Provident Funds Act, 1952
applies to specific scheduled factories and establishments employing 20 or

more employees and ensures terminal benefits to provident fund,
superannuation pension, and family pension in case of death during service.
Workmens Compensation Act, 1923 (WC Act)
Requires payment of compensation to the workman or his family in cases of

employment related injuries resulting in death or disability.
Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (M.B. Act)
provides for 12 weeks wages during maternity as well as paid leave in certain
other related contingencies.
Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (P.G. Act)
provides 15 days wages for each year of service to employees who have
worked for five years or more in establishments having a minimum of 10
workers.
Social Security In India : Different From Developed Nations
We do not have an existing universal social security system

92% of the workforce is in the informal sector which is largely unrecorded
today 1/8th of the worlds older people live in India. The overwhelming
majority of these depend on transfers from their children.
Addressing social security concerns with particular reference to retirement
income for worker
In India the coverage gap i.e. workers who do not have access to any formal
scheme for old-age income provisioning constitute about 92% of the estimated
workforce of 400 million people.
Provident Fund
Here the employers to contribute to a provident scheme providing a lump-sum

payment in the event of death or disability or on retirement.
3 disadvantages of Provident Fund

1. Money is inadequate for risks occurring early in working life.
2. Provident funds are generally invested in government securities, which have
very low interest rate (~8%) compared to other investment options such as
mutual fund or even Bank fixed deposits
3. Inflation erodes the real value of savings.
But From the point of view of government, Provident Fund is attractive because it
generates forced savings that can be used to finance national development plans.
G.S.-03
BRICS on terror
* "We underscored the need for close coordination on tracking sources of terrorist
financing," he said.
On key agenda of the grouping, Modi said putting the global economy back on
track was another focus point of the deliberations, adding the discussions at the
summit were "detailed, substantive and productive".
The Prime Minister said there was deliberations on possibility of setting up an
independent BRICSrating agency based on market-oriented principles, in order to
further strengthen the global governance architecture.
Modi said the Goa declaration lays a comprehensive vision for cooperation
within BRICS and international issues.
The Prime Minister said there was also a clear need to build norms, create
structures and pool capacities to stop tax evasion, and fight against black money
and corruption.
Special investigation team
* What is the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and why is that appointed by
the Supreme Court of India? Main intent is to ask, are there special premises for
the Supreme court to classify cases which it directly handles and the one which
goes to SIT. Also, what is the validity of the SIT
Enforcement directorate
The main functions of the Directorate are as under
1.
Investigate contraventions of the provisions of Foreign Exchange

Management Act, 1999(FEMA) which came into force with effect from
1.6.2000. Contraventions of FEMA are dealt with by way of adjudication by
designated authorities of ED and penalties upto three times the sum
involved can be imposed.
2.
Investigate offences of money laundering under the provisions of Prevention

of Money Laundering Act, 2002(PMLA) which came into force with effect
from 1.7.2005 and to take actions of attachment and confiscation of property
if the same is determined to be proceeds of crime derived from a Scheduled
Offence under PMLA, and to prosecute the persons involved in the offence
of money laundering. There are 156 offences under 28 statuteswhich are
Scheduled Offences under PMLA.
3.
Adjudicate Show Cause Notices issued under the repealed Foreign

Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (FERA) upto 31.5.2002 for the alleged
contraventions of the Act which may result in imposition of penalties.
Pursue prosecutions launched under FERA in the concerned courts.
4.
Sponsor cases of preventive detention under Conservation of Foreign

Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974(COFEPOSA)
in regard to contraventions of FEMA.
5.
Render cooperation to foreign countries in matters relating to money

laundering and restitution of assets under the provisions of PMLA and to
seek cooperation in such matters.
Health expenditure issue in india

To understand importance of health sector we have to first understand Human
capital
We all are aware that the population of India is more than a billion and it is
still growing. It may overtake the population of China within the next couple
of decades, eventually making India the most populous nation of the world.
Many of us believe that the population of India is a great problem thus
population is quite often seen as a liability, a major hindrance to
development and quality of life of the people.
But India is considered as a leading nation in the world in terms of human
power. One of the major contributory factors for this global standing has
been the young, educated and productive people of our country. They are
contributing to the development of not only our country, but many of the
foreign countries also. In this context, population is an asset for the
economy, the greatest resource of the country rather than a liability.
But number of person is not the real and ultimate resource of a country until
quality is not added to them.
What converts a population into a human capital?
For converting the Population into capital, the country has to invest a lot in
the form of improving the health and nutritional status of the people, their
education and specialized training and their overall quality of life.
Importance of health in human capital?
If a population is not healthy it will not contribute to its full potential in the
development of the country. For example an unhealthy person even if highly
educated and skilled would have to take frequent leave during job and
during work time also it he or she will not be able to give its 100 per cent.
If women population is not healthy the children from them would also
remain weak.
This population will become liability for the country rather than asset
because they will not able to contribute fully in the development of the
country; rather state has to take care of them.
It might result in increase in taxes as most of the countries are welfare state
thus resource has to be arranged to look after the health needs of the
unhealthy population.
Thus every country specially the developing and underdeveloped country
needs to invest more in health sector; otherwise its population will became a
liability rather than asset.
State of Health sector in India
The Indian health story has trended upwards going by the standard indicators
of health. Besides significantly increasing the longevity of its citizens and
keeping a check on its population, since independence, India has managed to
rid itself of some major illnessessmall pox in 1975, polio in 2014, and
maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015.
However, with respect to meeting its potential health outcomes and relative
performance, the country has faltered.
WHO world Health Report 2016
Among South-East Asian Region (SEAR) nations, India ranks the worst in
the relative inequality score for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child
health intervention.
(Relative inequality score- It is the ratio of mean coverage among the
poorest populations to national average)
Child stunting, non-communicable diseases and mortality due to air
pollution are other areas where the country fares poorly.
The worlds highest number of women dying in childbirth; the worlds
highest deaths of children under the age of five; a health system that ranks
112 among 190 countries; one doctor for 1,700 people; 21% of the worlds
burden of disease.
Reason for poor health condition
There are two reasons for this:1. Resource Related

2. Systematic.
Resource related
While India has the fastest growing population, and an ambitious growth
aspiration, it has always had a disproportionately small health budget. In
2015, this shrank further to 1.2% of the GDP, one of the stingiest in the
world.
Systematic
But it isnt simply a matter of the centre throwing more money at the
problem. A look at the systemic issues will show that the current situation
could be improved even with the available resource allocations.
First, Indias health services and health personnel, besides being grossly
inadequate, are inequitably distributed across and within states. Rural-urban
inequalities inevitably translate into differences in health outputs. For
example, there is a 63% difference in infant mortality rates and 44%
difference in total fertility rates of rural and urban areas in India.
Second, despite the considerable shift in the disease burden of India from
communicable to non-communicable diseases, policy plans and funding
have not altered in tandem.
For example a growing urban population of overweight and obese citizens
co-existing with those suffering nutrient deficiency; diseases like diabetes
which have a cascading effect on cardiovascular diseases; climate changetriggered bronchial disorders and mental disorders, have now become areas
of increasing concern.
Moreover according to the recently released Lancet report on adolescent
health; suicide is the leading cause of death among youngsters aged 10-24
in the country. This is alarming since around 30% of Indias population falls
within this group and India accounts for 15% of the global mental,
neurological and substance use disorders in the world. The stigma associated
with these issues coupled with a severe shortage of medical professionals in
the field leads to sub-optimal health outcomes.
Third, the quality of our healthcare is in serious jeopardy due to a lack of

regulation as well as well-trained medical professionals.
Other Reason for slow improvement in health parameter
Indians incurs huge out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure.

Private expenditure on health also includes insurance, donations and direct
service payments by corporations. In India, 85.9% of private expenditure on
health is OOP.
Out of Pocket expenditure
Out of pocket expenditure is any direct outlay by households, including

gratuities and in-kind payments, to health practitioners and suppliers of
pharmaceuticals, therapeutic appliances, and other goods and services whose
primary intent is to contribute to the restoration or enhancement of the health
status of individuals or population groups. It is a part of private health
expenditure.
A report of the High Level Expert Group of the erstwhile Planning
Commission had pointed out that 70% of the out of pocket expenditure on
health are for drugs which leads to debate on the need for a free drugs
programme funded by the government.
Out-of-pocket payments for health can cause households to incur
catastrophic expenditures, which in turn can push them into poverty.
Way Forward
The nature, scope and incidence of these problems naturally vary widely
across the country depending on economic conditions and development
indicators of various states.
Eighty per cent of the 1% of GDP health allocation is raised and spent by
states. In keeping with the shift towards greater fiscal devolution, there must
be a dialogue about how health-spending programmes can give state
governments the greatest possible control in fine-tuning their approach,
based on local needs.
Policymakers after due consultation with states, must seriously reconsider

improving the field of medicine and health sciences. There is also an urgent
need to upgrade the curriculum in keeping with the changing disease
spectrum and technological advances.
The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, 2014, aims to redress the problem of
out of pocket expenditure by expanding the health insurance cover
currently, only 17% of the total populationbut its effectiveness remains to
be seen.
Telemedicine in india
Telemedicine important for country like India. Why?
Telemedicine is an upcoming advancement in health science arising out of the
effective fusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with
Medical science having enormous potential in meeting the challenges of healthcare
delivery to rural and remote areas besides several other applications in education,
training and management in health sector. Exact meaning of Tele-medicine is
providing medicine from remote place.
Other advantages of tele-medicine are as follows:
Lessen the inconvenience and cost of patient transfers.

Reduce unnecessary travel time for health professionals.
Eliminate distance barriers and improve access to quality health services.
Facilitate patients and rural practitioners access to specialist health services
and support.
Reduce isolation of rural practice by upgrading their knowledge, knowledge
through tele-education or tele-CME.
It may also cover performing surgery and operations using remote controlled
and computerized devices in near future on wide scale.
In India this will prove a boon because it will provide services of experts even in
remote areas without travelling there. Patients will not require to travel to Metro
cities for treatment but will be able to get treatment from AIIMS, Delhi even sitting
at a far village of Sikkim.
It will also impart training and education via tele-conferences. Less number of
doctors, hospitals and facilities of equipments will not become a reason for
improper treatment of a patient.

DATE : 18.10.2016
G.S.-02
Foreign funding in NGO
The Centre has banned direct foreign funding to NGOs operating in India
unless they fulfil stringent regulatory norms and show compliance reports.
This is seen as the beginning of a process to block flow of foreign aid to
NGOs, which, it perceives, are engaged in stalling developmental activities
in the country. As per this exercise, the Centre has cracked down on NGO
Greenpeace and placed on its radars thousands of other voluntary
organisations
receiving
foreign
aid.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Reserve Bank of India to take
prior permission of the Home Ministrys Foreign Contribution Regulation
Act (FCRA) Department before clearing any foreign aid to Greenpeace from
Greenpeace International and Climate Works. This directive will put on hold
direct funding of this controversial NGO from abroad since each transaction
has
to
be
cleared
on
case-to-case
basis
by
the
RBI.
Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation are the two

principal international contributors to Greenpeace India Society. The RBI
has been asked to direct all banks on this order. Foreign donations to the
Greenpeace have been put on prior category list so that permission is taken
before
any
money
flows
in
for
funding
its
activities.
In an attempt to tighten the noose around other similar NGOs, the MHA has
directed that in addition to FCRA clearance, they will also have to inform
the RBI in detail about the nature of foreign funds and its usage. This has
been done to streamline the foreign funding process of NGOs after some
deficiencies
were
discovered
during
course
of
scrutiny.
This instruction has come after the Intelligence Bureau filed a report to the
Government putting a question mark on the role of certain NGOs, especially
Greenpeace International. Though there are over two lakh NGOs working in
India,
this
directive
will
affect
roughly
40,000
groups.
This is not the first time a Government is making an attempt to choke
foreign funding of NGOs. The UPA Government repealed the old Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act in 2010 with more stringent provisions. In fact
previous government during its tenure in 2012 too had blamed US-backed
NGOs
for
blocking
development
work
in
India.
The IB report had also recommended cancellation of permission given to
Greenpeace for collecting funds abroad besides reassessment of its tax
compliance. The report has also listed another 12 foreign nationals who have
been associated with some NGOs in their campaign against coal mines,
power projects and Nuclear power plants.
Lodha Committee to fix BCCI
2015: SC appointed Lodha Committee to improve cricket administration in

India.
3 Members: (Ex CJI) Justice R.M. Lodha, Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice
R.V. Raveendran.
Recommendations of Lodha Committee
Org.
Betting
and
match fixing
imposes age limit, term limit, restriction on ministers and

bureaucrats from entering.
BCCI daily-management by professional CEO and managers
with corporate work-experience.
BCCI-Apex Council to have 9 members viz. BCCI president,
vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and treasurer and 4
councilors. Provisions to give representation to woman and
CAG- to ensure financial transparency
IPL governing council with 9 members, limited autonomy,
including BCCI secretary etc.
criminalize match-and spot-fixing
legalize betting by licensed betting houses. Players-officials
cant do it.
State associations
Transparency
Only one vote per state. One association per state.

Uniformity in structure-functioning of state cricket
associations.
non-territorial units like Services, Railways, Universities etc.
be given non-voting associate membership
Make The Players Association
parliament should update law to bring BCCI within RTIambit
Players, officials have to give asset reports to BCCI
Lot more dissension can be done but BCCI maintains report not binding in nature
and sports not a direct topic under UPSC so cost benefit declines. This much
content sufficient for 200 words.
G.S.-03
Hydro-electric cell
*A hydroelectric fuel cell system is designed for stand-alone household
generator to meet the need of home electricity behind national electrical
network in Vietnam. The energy system utilizes water to generate H2 by the
reduction agent contained in a replaceable cartridge. The subsystems are
composed of PEM performance monitoring and control system to optimize the
fuel/air supply and reactant condition parameters; for example, a heat and water
vapor collector from the cathode reaction is equipped to enhance the PEM
performance, electrochemically generated water can be used to control internal
humidity required for proton transport. In addition, a DC/DC converter is
complemented and a Litium-polimer battery charger was used to make the
output useful for the system. For the low cost approach, the hydroelectric fuel
cell system utilizes new proton transport material which comprised of liquid
nano coal (LC) embedded in a polymer forming nano composite. The process of
making PEM powder using liquid nano coal comprises of salt milling step
which can increase the purity of the membrane by lowering the ionic species
concentration. This kind of PEM powder is useful to form roll stock of the PEM
for use in many applications. The combination of LC PEM and replaceable

reducer cartridge can made the hydroelectric fuel cell system compact and low
cost for use in household power generator, electric bicycle, electric motorcycle,
car and power plant. This is a true clean tech which is designed to demonstrate
an output power from 2000W up to 20,000W for mini power plant for house
hold.
INS Arihant
India has completed its nuclear triad by inducting the first indigenously built
strategic nuclear submarine INS Arihant into service. With this, India becomes
fourth country to have a nuclear triad i.e. capable of delivering nuclear weapons by
aircraft, ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles. Other countries having
nuclear triad are Russia, United States and China. INS Arihant was formally
commissioned by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba in August 2016. However, it
was kept secret owing to strategic significance. What are features of INS Arihant?
INS Arihant is nuclear submarine capable of carrying nuclear tipped ballistic
missiles. Thus it belongs to class referred to as Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear
(SSBN). Its design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarine. It was built
with Russias help under Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project started in
the 1980s. It weighs 6000 tonnes and is 112 metre long. It is powered by 83 MW
pressurised light water nuclear reactor with enriched uranium fuel. It will be armed
with the K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km. Later it will be armed
with much longer range K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) being developed by DRDO.
The vessel was launched in 2009 by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Since
then, it had undergone extensive sea trials and reactor on board went critical in
2013. What is Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN)? SSBNs are designed to
prowl the deep ocean waters and carry nuclear weapons. They provide a nation
with an assured second strike capability i.e. capability to strike back after being hit
by nuclear weapons first. In case of India, second strike capability is particularly
important as it had committed to a No-First-Use policy as part of its nuclear
doctrine.
Three-person IVF / Mitochondria Transfer

Why Mitochondria important?
Mitochondria crucial to the energy supply of cells.

Defective Mitochondria= disrupted energy supply to muscles, heart, liver and
brain.
Mitochondrial diseases are incurable.
In Britain alone, around one in 6,500 children is born annually with a severe
mitochondrial disease like muscular dystrophy.
Current methods can only reduce but not eliminate the risk; no treatment is
available either.
Solution: mitochondrial transfer/ 3-Parent IVF
Mom
gives egg but her DNA material has defective genes for
Mitochondria. So that part related to Mitochondria is removed.
Dad
sperm
donor
(female)
gives DNA that has right codes for healthy Mitochondria.
Thus, with help of genetic material from ^three people, an IVF baby is created.
Embryo transferd to mother and baby is born without any disease related to
mitochondria.
Why news/controversy/Anti-arguments:
1. UK government is planning to allow doctors to use ^this technique. But some
MPs are against this method citing this is also stem-cell research, You are
playing God and interfering with his creation and hence against the
(Christianity) religion.
2. This research will lead to Designer babies for example, pick DNA of Sachin
for Stamina, DNA of Bacchan for Height, Hrithik Roshan for white skin and
thus assemble an embryo like assembling a mobile phone or computer.
3. Designer babies are bad because then society will be divided into two parts:
those with superior looks-body thanks to genetically engineering vs. those
normally born. Hitler was also trying similar thing: remove all the Jews,
handicapped and gypsies and create the strong Aryan race with pure genes.
Pro Arguments for Mitochondria-Transfer:

1. Mitochondria from a healthy woman donor doesnt affect the appearance of the
baby. It merely prevents baby from getting defective mitochondria related
diseases. Thus the donor-lady is not third parent.
2. Mitochondria are the power producers of a cell and do not in any way
contribute to the traits that make us humans. Hence, any fear that the latest
development is a slippery slope that would lead to producing designer babies
is unfounded.
3. The inheritance of donated mitochondria, will stop with the succeeding
generation if the baby is male.

DATE 19.10.2016
G.S.-02
LEMOA and india US relation
India- US relationship- a Strategic Imperative
Background:
In a significant decision that could have far-reaching implications for Indias

military posture, India and the U.S. have agreed in principle on a logistics
support agreement Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
(LEMOA) , this would make it easier for both militaries to share each others
facilities. The two countries agreed in principle to sign an agreement on
providing logistics but have yet to finalize the draft of the agreement
LEMOA is a fine tuned version of Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and
LEMOA will be tailored for India and will not be a general Logistics Support
Agreement (LSA).
LSA was part of the three controversial agreements that the US has been
pursuing India to sign for nearly a decade.
The U.S. administration has wanted India to sign three agreements to deepen
the already existing India-US military relationship.
Three agreements:
Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement

(CISMOA);
Logistics Support Agreement (LSA)
Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geospatial
intelligence.
What are these agreements all about?

Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) :
Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is fine tuned

version of Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) is an agreement on sharing of
military logistics between India and the American forces and will facilitate
support such as refuelling and berthing facilities for each others warships and
aircrafts on a reimbursable basis.
A formal agreement, when inked, will access supplies, spare parts and services
from each others land facilities, air bases and ports, which can then be
reimbursed.
An agreement in principle on logistics would move India closer to [the] US as a
strategic partner
Communications
(CISMOA):
and
Information
Security Memorandum
of
Agreement
Signing the CISMOA would enable India to get encrypted communications

equipment and systems allowing military commanders to communicate with
aircraft and ships through a secure network.
Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geospatial intelligence:
BECA would provide India with topographical and aeronautical data and
products, which will aid navigation and targeting.
What is the significance of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement

(LEMOA) agreement?
The LEMOA would be beneficial at the time of disaster relief operations like
the one India undertook in the wake of the Asian Tsunami and exercise done in
wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal.
Maritime security, maritime domain Awareness
Military-to-military relations will deepen
Rules-based order and regional security architecture conducive to peace and
prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean will be established.
Defence Trade and Technology Initiative and initiate two new pathfinder
projects on digital helmet mounted displays and the Joint Biological Tactical
Detection System.
How do US see this LEMOA agreement with India?
US want a stronger Indian military to deter, not provoke, conflict with China.
Indeed, this was not the case about 20 years ago. The most significant
difference between now and then is the growing capability and assertiveness of
the Chinese military.
The trajectory of Chinas growing military capabilities threatens to widen the
gap between Chinas military capabilities and those of India. This is the kind of
gap that increases the chance of conflict. And the US and India have an
undeniable common interest in trying to prevent it from growing further.
The new approach has been branded the Third Offset Strategy. Like the two
earlier offsets tactical nuclear weapons and precision-guided conventional
munitions the US hopes that AI and associated technologies will help
America counter the quantitative superiority its rivals Russia and China enjoy
in Eurasia and the Western Pacific.
The US has other interests as well, such as maintaining its military edge and
ensuring that its crown jewel defence technology doesnt find its way into the
hands of adversaries like Russia.
What is Indias point of view regarding deepening military ties with US?
India needs a policy framework and engagement with Washington to take

advantage of a tech revolution critical for its own security.
Rapid advances in robotics, machine-learning and big-data analytics are at once
driving the so-called fourth industrial revolution and the transformation of
modern warfare. At the centre of it all is the science and engineering
of artificial intelligence (AI), or computer algorithms that can perform many
functions, such as vision, voice recognition, decision-making and the capacity
to process vast quantities of information, which are usually associated with
humans.
For India too, artificial intelligence (AI), might be critical in coping with the
growing gap in conventional military capabilities that has opened up with
China. The Chinese defence budget is now more than four times that of India
and Beijing has devoted considerable intellectual and policy energies to
transform the organization and doctrine of its armed forces.
AI is also likely to play an important role in countering Pakistans low-intensity
conflict against India through such proxies as the Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Effective use of these will help India accelerate its own economic growth,
address its national security challenges and gain an effective voice in the
international regulation of autonomous weapons and robotic warfare. India was
rather slow in waking up to the impact of the cyber revolution; it cant afford to
make the same error in relation to the AI transformation.
Why there is anxiety amongst Indian strategic community that India is about to
embrace the US strategically and get locked in an anti-China alliance?
This anxiety is fuelled by three mistaken factors:
Firstly, lack of reading of Chinas Defence White Paper of 2015, wherein the
debate between the continentalists and the maritime people has been settled in
favor of the maritime lobby. China is going to become a maritime power in the
Indian Ocean.
Second, One belt one road is the larger plan to change the geopolitics of the
Indian Ocean to support the permanent presence of a Chinese fleet. Its
admittedly a long-term plan.
Third, the Chinese are going full speed to get Gwadar and Djibouti ready for
the PLA Navy in the Indian Ocean.
Way ahead:
Though in surface combatants, the Indian navy will outnumber the Chinese
taskforce 2:1, outnumber the maritime patrol aircraft 2:1 and be superior in
strategic anti-submarine warfare and satellite communication infrastructure.
India could put the squeeze in the Indian Ocean but Indian navy is required to
play a supporting role in ensuring freedom of navigation and ensure a peaceful
Chinese rise than the ability to squeeze the Malacca jugular as a strategic threat.
As India work with the United States to realize the full potential of Indias Act
East policy, India also seeks a closer partnership with the United States to
promote shared interests in Indias west, especially in the context of the
emerging situation in West Asia
India-US relationship will be one of the key global partnerships of this
century. Defence cooperation is a central pillar of Indias multi-faceted
relationship with the US. A stronger India-US partnership will promote peace,
stability and progress in Indian Ocean region and the world.
Kaveri water dispute
Introduction
The peninsular rivers as one must have studied in geography , are depended on
the annual monsoon. So their flow is dependent on the success/failure of
monsoon.
This year the monsoons were not even close the expectations.
So the states that have been sharing the river waters have come under extra
pressure to save their farmers, among which, the already heightened battle is
the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
This issue is definitely not new and has been raging for more than 5 decades
now.
Terms
Tmcft
Thousand million cubic feet. Unit of volume which means total water released.
Cusecs
Cubic feet per second. Unit of flow which means the water flow released continuousl
History of the issue
The river Cauvery has been shared by the states under 2 agreements The
Interstate agreements of 1872 and 1924.
All was well, till the late 1960s when Karnataka wanted to build 4 new
reservoirs in the tributaries of Cauvery.
The Planning commission did not approve to give funds and neither did the
Central government.
But Karnataka state went ahead with the building of the reservoirs with its own
funds. These reservoirs were
1.
2.
3.
4.
Harangi
Kabini
Hemavathi
Suvarnavathy
This diverted some of the water of Cauvery due to which Tamil Nadu
protested.
It directed the Centre to create a Tribunal.
But since the Centre did not create one, Tamilnadu moved the SC to order the
centre. The tribunal was finally formed in 1990.
Why confusion over creation of Tribunal?

Article 262
neither the Supreme Court nor any court shall exercise jurisdiction in water disput
But the Supreme Court commented that it can however order the Centre to create a
Tribunal which it is supposed to do so under the Art.262 and the Interstate Water
Disputes Act,1956.
Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal(CWDT)
To cut short to the story, the CWDT came up with its final order in 2007,
giving
region
Water (tmcft)
TN
419
Karnataka
270
Kerala
30
Puducherry
Both Karnataka and Tamilnadu contested this CWDT order in the Supreme
Court via Special Leave Petitions (SLPs), which are still pending.
This has prevented the Centre from publishing the CWDT award in the
gazette(which means it will implement the award).
In the meanwhile, because of the long time the CWDT took to give its decision,
it gave an interim order in 1991 itself for the riparian states.
To implement this interim measure, the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) and
the Cauvery Monitoring Committee(CMC) were formed.
2012 and the final showdown:
Among all this drama, confusion and powerplays there emerged a new
problem.
The CWDT did not come up with a formula for situations when the flow in
Cauvery was low(meaning a drought kind situation).
This is why the issue has flared up so much in 2012 as this year Karnataka has
refused to release water on this basis.
Karnataka side
Tamil Nadu side
1. Low monsoons, so low

flow in Cauvery. Water not
enough for their own
farmers.
2. Very unstable political
situation in Karnataka with
3 CMs changing.
3. So Cauvery being a very
sensitive issue nobody
wants to give it up easily.
1. Samba crop growers are mainly dependent on Cauvery rive

water source in the area. So their livelihood in danger.
2. The government not wanting to notify the final order of CW
there seems to be no end to the problem.
3. The government replied that it will notify the CWDT
December end. But it has not done so. The reason is still
political). TN was wishing that there could be some relief if
comes (in 2007 itself) but even after the Tribunals aw
politically and legally entangled for the past 5 years. So
deadlock.
Amid this the Supreme Court had asked the 2 Chief Ministers to meet up and
try to finalize on the issue but that too failed.
Supreme Court also asked the Central government whether it had any intention
to publish the CWDT tribunal award for which the Centre has replied that it
will publish the award by December end but it has not done it.
The future, what lies ahead:

1. The Centre must publish the CWDT order as soon as possible.
2. In the middle of all this the CWDT chairman has resigned, and no new
chairman has been assigned yet. So the new chairman has to be assigned who
has to be going-to-retire SC judge.
3. The CRA and CMC were only interim measures and thus when the award is
published they will cease to exist. A new Cauvery Management Board (CMB)
has to be formed to oversee the proper distribution of the river.
4. The major cause for the confusion is the SLPs being admitted in the SC. They
have been pending for the last 5 years. They must be done away with as soon as
possible.
5. Proper use of the Cauvery water by both sides so that they dont become too
dependent on the water.
6. The water sharing formula in low flow years must be formed with as soon as
possible
G.S.-03
GST rate and slab
Sources said it was suggested that proposed slab rates of 8, 10, 18 and 26 per
cent be tweaked to 10, 12, 16 and 25 per cent so that it did not affect revenue
earnings and kept states on board as the final call has to be taken by the GST
Council comprising state Finance Ministers and headed by Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley.
There is a widespread demand for keeping the GST rate low with the Congress
calling for a cap of 18 per cent. The Arvind Subramanian panel had
recommended a three-rate structure with essential goods at 13 per cent, demerit
goods at 40 per cent and the remainder at a standard rate of 17-18 per cent. It
had estimated the revenue-neutral rate at 15-15.5 per cent.
Community wind power in germany

1. What is community power?
At its most general, community power is simply energy shared amongst more than
one individual entity. The defining qualities of communal power are:
Benefits for multiple people. Two or more entities must benefit from the
wind energy organization. Ownership is one form of such benefits.
Democracy. The organization must be democratically run: those affected by
the windfarm must be able to vote on the outcome of any major decision, the
weight of which perhaps to be determined by percentage ownership or
shares of the company.
2. How does community power work?

Community power does not have hard and fast rules. As the needs of the
community change, so too must the structure of the ownership of the turbines and
the generated energy. What functions for a bustling city may be ineffective for a
remote village. Below are the most common configurations:
A co-op or cooperative is an organization owned by many entities through

the possession of shares. Share-holders may be awarded a yearly dividend
and/or may buy energy from the co-op at cost. Energy may be sold to locals
or to the local utility plant for the profit of members. Examples are Bro
Dyfi in Scotland and Butendiek.
A windfarm owned by multiple local owners, unlike a co-op, is directly
possessed by specific multiple owners rather than being bought and sold by
shares. The energy is sold to directly to locals or to the local utility plant for
profit. Examples are Gigha Island of Scotland and Earl Hauge and Carl
Nelson of Pope County.
Community power can benefit multiple individuals in a common area, that is
to say, multiple individuals concentrated to the same building or locale.
Energy is created for consumption rather than profit. Examples may include
a school that uses wind energy, which is benefited by all of the teachers and
students
within
(such
as
in http://www.greenpowergovs.org/wind/Spirit%20Lake%20case%20study.
htmlSpirit Lake, USA also perhaps a single business or monastery (such
as Sacred Heart Monastery in North Dakota, USA.)
Town-owned windfarms are owned by the civic office of a town or village,
and resultant energy is used to power the municipality in general or specific
important buildings. Examples include the municipal utility of Fellbach,
Germany, the shelter built in Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and the
electrification of Xcalak
, Mexico.
Village Electrification Projects are often funded by an outside source, but

built and maintained by locals. Any energy created is to be internally
consumed. Examples include the electrification of Krasnoe, Russia
and Mali, Africa.
3. What are the benefits of community windpower?

Communally-owned windpower should of course be assumed to have all the same
benefits as individually- or commercially-owned windpower: it supports a cleaner,
less-polluted environment, mitigates the greenhouse effect, and provides steady
energy the price of which is reliable. In addition, advantages unique to communal

windpower are:
Economic. Locally-owned businesses mean local jobs. According to Teresa
Welshs article, The Iowa Policy Project, a 75 MW windfarm (most likely
possessing between 25 and 38 utility-sized turbines, depending on the power of the
turbine) requires a task force of two hundred for construction. After the erection of
the turbines, the number of jobs available for maintenance outstrips those of both
coal and natural gas plants. Additionally, purchases of necessary tools would more
likely be bought at a local store. In short, communal windpower is highly
beneficial to the local economy.
Once built, the profitability of ownership of a windfarm continues. For example, a
farmer in Iowa, USA, might choose to lease his land to an outside energy
company, who would pay him annually between two to five thousand US$ per
turbine situated on his property. However, if that same farmer were to instead own
the turbines set on his land, that profit might as much as triple. (Welsh 2005). By
sharing the responsibility of the turbines with others, although the farmer would
share the benefits, he would also share the potential risk of an unsuccessful turbine.
One does not have to own the turbine by ones self if partial ownership is also
beneficial. As a shareholder of a co-op, one may receive annual dividends.
Individual. In some countries of the world, one of the greatest concerns regarding
windpower today is the perceived destruction of the natural beauty of a landscape
occupied by turbines. Although many agree that renewable energy is a positive
resource, Not In My Back Yard, or NIMBY, prevents wind turbines from being
as widespread as they might be. That is to say, the mentality one might have would
be While wind energy might be a good idea, I dont want to see or hear the
turbines; they should be somewhere else.
Community
windpower
offers
three
solutions:
First, rather than the cluttered impression given by large windfarms, small clusters
of turbines would aesthetically dot the landscape, much like windmills of olden
times. Through this, the potentially-overwhelming feeling of a huge farm would be
mitigated.
Secondly, the locals are more likely to be active in the planning process: the height
of the towers, the number of turbines, and so on. From the owners point of view,
if an individual feels that his or her insight is valuable, then they are more likely to
be happy with the outcome and thus will not protest the construction of the
turbines. From the individuals point of view, one has a better say in deciding that
a turbine shouldnt go in a certain place because of a certain reason, or that four
turbines are better than three because of energy needs.
Thirdly, personal investment in a windfarm offers a crucial antidote to NIMBY: a
sense of ownership. If turbines are simply forced upon a person without emotional
compensation, the person grows to resent the invasion and nitpicks for its faults.
However, if one gains benefit from a turbine and grows to think of it as theirs, it
becomes a welcome asset rather than a monstrosity imposed by strangers. To use a
Dutch analogy, your own pigs dont stink.
G.S.-04

DATE 20.10.2016
G.S.-02
Krishna water tribunal
1. Background: Brijesh Kumar Tribunal on sharing of Krishna waters, in its 2010
report, had allocated water among Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
2. The tribunal has made it clear that it would not take a relook into allocation of water
among the riparian States afresh
3. But it will take up distribution of water allocation to combined AP to Telangana and
residuary AP States
Compulsory voting
Right to vote in India
Many democratic governments consider participating in national elections a
right of citizenship. In India, the right to vote is provided by the
Constitution and the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, subject to certain
disqualifications. Article 326 of the Constitution guarantees the right to vote
to every citizen above the age of 18. Further, Section 62 of the
Representation of Peoples Act (RoPA), 1951 states that every person who is
in the electoral roll of that constituency will be entitled to vote. Thus, the
Constitution and the RoPA make it clear that every individual above the age
of 18, whose name is in the electoral rolls, and does not attract any of the
disqualifications under the Act, may cast his vote. This is a non
discriminatory, voluntary system of voting.
In1951, during the discussion on the Peoples Representation Bill in
Parliament, the idea of including compulsory voting was mooted by a
Member. However, it was rejected by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on account of
practical difficulties. Over the decades, of the various committees that have
discussed electoral reforms, the Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990) briefly
examined the issue of compulsory voting. One of the members of the
committee had suggested that the only effective remedy for low voter turn
outs was introducing the system of compulsory voting. This idea was
rejected on the grounds that there were practical difficulties involved in its
implementation.
In July 2004, the Compulsory Voting Bill, 2004 was introduced as a Private
Member Bill by Mr. Bachi Singh Rawat, a Member of Parliament in the Lok
Sabha. The Bill proposed to make it compulsory for every eligible voter to
vote and provided for exemption only in certain cases, like that of illness
etc. Arguments mooted against the Bill included that of remoteness of
polling booths, difficulties faced by certain classes of people like daily wage
labourers, nomadic groups, disabled, pregnant women etc. in casting their
vote. The Bill did not receive the support of the House and was not passed.
Another Private Member Bill related to Compulsory Voting was introduced
by Mr. JP Agarwal, Member of Parliament, in 2009. Besides making voting
mandatory, this Bill also cast the duty upon the state to ensure large number
of polling booths at convenient places, and special arrangements for senior
citizens, persons with physical disability and pregnant women. The then
Law Minister, Mr. Moily argued that if compulsory voting was introduced,
Parliament would reflect, more accurately, the will of the electorate.
However, he also stated that active participation in a democratic set up must
be voluntary, and not coerced.
Compulsory voting in other countries
A number of countries around the world make it mandatory for citizens to vote.
For example, Australia mandates compulsory voting at the national level. The
penalty for violation includes an explanation for not voting and a fine. It may
be noted that the voter turnout in Australia has usually been above 90%, since
1924. Several countries in South America including Brazil, Argentina and
Bolivia also have a provision for compulsory voting. Certain other countries
like The Netherlands in 1970 and Austria more recently, repealed such legal
requirements after they had been in force for decades. Other democracies like
the UK, USA, Germany, Italy and France have a system of voluntary voting.
Typically, over the last few elections, Italy has had a voter turnout of over 80%,
while the USA has a voter turnout of about 50%.
What compulsory voting would mean
Those in favour of compulsory voting assert that a high turnout is important for
a proper democratic mandate and the functioning of democracy. They also
argue that people who know they will have to vote will take politics more
seriously and start to take a more active role. Further, citizens who live in a
democratic state have a duty to vote, which is an essential part of that
democracy.
However, some others have argued that compulsory voting may be in violation
of the fundamental rights of liberty and expression that are guaranteed to
citizens in a democratic state. In this context, it has been stated that every
individual should be able to choose whether or not he or she wants to vote. It is
unclear whether the constitutional right to vote may be interpreted to include
the right to not vote. If challenged, it will up to the superior courts to examine
whether compulsory voting violates the Constitution.
India Myanmar relation
G.S.-03
GST
The Goods and Services Tax (GST), the biggest reform in Indias indirect tax
structure since the economy began to be opened up 25 years ago, at last looks
set to become reality. The Constitution (122nd) Amendment Bill was passed in
Upper
house.
What is GST? How does it work?
GST is one indirect tax for the whole nation, which will make India one
unified common market.
GST is a single tax on the supply of goods and services, right from the
manufacturer to the consumer.
Credits of input taxes paid at each stage will be available in the
subsequent stage of value addition, which makes
GST essentially a tax only on value addition at each stage.
The final consumer will thus bear only the GST charged by the last dealer
in the supply chain, with set-off benefits at all the previous stages.
Benefit of GST: The benefits of GST can be summarized as under:

For business and industry
o Easy compliance: A robust and comprehensive IT system would be the
foundation of the GST regime in India. Therefore, all tax payer services such as
registrations, returns, payments, etc. would be available to the taxpayers online,
which would make compliance easy and transparent.
Uniformity of tax rates and structures: GST will ensure that indirect tax rates
and structures are common across the country, thereby increasing certainty and
ease of doing business. In other words, GST would make doing business in the
country tax neutral, irrespective of the choice of place of doing business.
o Removal of cascading: A system of seamless tax-credits throughout the
value-chain, and across boundaries of States, would ensure that there is minimal
cascading of taxes. This would reduce hidden costs of doing business.o
Improved competitiveness: Reduction in transaction costs of doing business
would eventually lead to an improved competitiveness for the trade and

industry.
o Gain to manufacturers and exporters: The subsuming of major Central
and State taxes in GST, complete and comprehensive set-off of input goods and
services and phasing out of Central Sales Tax (CST) would reduce the cost of
locally manufactured goods and services. This will increase the competitiveness
of Indian goods and services in the international market and give boost to Indian
exports. The uniformity in tax rates and procedures across the country will also
go a long way in reducing the compliance cost
For Central and State Governments
o Simple and easy to administer: Multiple indirect taxes at the Central and
State levels are being replaced by GST. Backed with a robust end-to-end IT
system, GST would be simpler and easier to administer than all other indirect
taxes of the Centre and State levied so far.
o Better controls on leakage: GST will result in better tax compliance due to
a robust IT infrastructure. Due to the seamless transfer of input tax credit from
one stage to another in the chain of value addition, there is an in-built
mechanism in the design of GST that would incentivize tax compliance by
traders.
o Higher revenue efficiency: GST is expected to decrease the cost of
collection of tax revenues of the Government, and will therefore, lead to higher
revenue efficiency.
For the consumer
Single and transparent tax proportionate to the value of goods and

services: Due to multiple indirect taxes being levied by the Centre and
State, with incomplete or no input tax credits available at progressive
stages of value addition, the cost of most goods and services in the
country today are laden with many hidden taxes. Under GST, there would
be only one tax from the manufacturer to the consumer, leading to
transparency of taxes paid to the final consumer.
Relief in overall tax burden: Because of efficiency gains and prevention

of leakages, the overall tax burden on most commodities will come down,
which will benefit consumers.
Taxes to be subsumed
At the Central level, the following taxes are being subsumed:
a. Central Excise Duty,
b. Additional Excise Duty,
c. Service Tax,
d. Additional Customs Duty commonly known as Countervailing Duty, and
e. Special Additional Duty of Customs.
At the State level, the following taxes are being subsumed:
a. Subsuming of State Value Added Tax/Sales Tax,
b. Entertainment Tax (other than the tax levied by the local bodies), Central
Sales Tax (levied by the Centre and collected by the States),
c. Octroi and Entry tax,
d. Purchase Tax,
e. Luxury tax, and
f. Taxes on lottery, betting and gambling.

DATE 21.10.2016
G.S.-02
INDUS WATER TREATY
1
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed on September 19, 1960 by the then
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's President Ayub Khan.
It was brokered by the World Bank.
The treaty administers how river Indus and its tributaries that flow in
both the countries will be utilised.
According to the treaty, Beas, Ravi and Sutlej are to be governed by

India, while, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum are to be taken care by Pakistan.
However, since Indus flows from India, the country is allowed to use 20
per cent of its water for irrigation, power generation and transport
purposes.
A Permanent Indus Commission was set up as a bilateral commission to

implement and manage the Treaty. The Commission solves disputes
arising over water sharing.
The Treaty also provides arbitration mechanism to solve disputes

amicably.
Though Indus originates from Tibet, China has been kept out of the
Treaty. If China decides to stop or change the flow of the river, it will
affect both India and Pakistan.
Climate change is causing melting of ice in Tibetan plateau, which

scientists believe will affect the river in future.
10
It maybe noted that both India and Pakistan are still at loggerheads over
various issues since Partition, but there has been no fight over water
after the Treaty was ratified.
G.S.-03
WTO
W.T.O (world trade organisation) officially came into existence on 1 january 1995,
by replacing G.A.T.T(general agreement on trade and tariff). 164 countries around
the world are members to this organisation. Afghanistan is the latest country to join
this global body. English ,French, spanish are official languages of WTO. WTO
regime signed in 1994, during ministerial meeting at marrakech hence hence
known as the Marrakech agreement. Highest decision making body of the WTO is
the ministerial conference which meets every 2 years.
Important agreements of WTO
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Agreements on agriculture (AOA)

Trade related investment measures (TRIM)
General agreements on trade in services (GATS)
TRIPS
Dispute settlement
Review of government trade policies
India in the WTO

India has been a WTO(World Trade Organisation) member since 1st January
1995. The tenth ministerial conference of WTO was conducted in Nairobi between
December 15-19. In the conference developed countries had shown disinterest in
the Doha Development Agenda(DDA) which intends to lower trade barriers
around the world in order to facilitate global trade.
In the recent WTO meeting at Nairobi, developed countries like the US and EU
were of the opinion that countries like India and China were no longer the
developing ones. The conference discussed on finding a permanent settlement for
agriculture-agreement which is frozen at 1986-88 base price and subsidy
mechanisms. The conference also discussed on finding a solution for public stock
holding necessary for countries like India with severe hunger and malnutrition
problems..
The Nairobi conference clearly points out the differences between the developed
and the developing nations where the former wants to manoeuvre the WTO to suit
its vested interests. To fix this issue India must forge ahead with a high degree of
preparedness and focus on areas of its interests, coalition with like minded
countries. A glimmer of hope still remains at the WTO if the views of the majority
are taken into consideration.
POLLUTION PROBLEM IN YAMUNA

Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is
supplementing the efforts of the States for pollution abatement of river Yamuna, a
tributary of River Ganga, by providing financial assistance to Haryana, Delhi and
Uttar Pradesh in a phased manner since 1993 under the Yamuna Action Plan
(YAP).
Under YAP-I and YAP-II, an expenditure of Rs. 1514.70 crore has been
incurred for creation of new sewage treatment capacity of 942.25 million
litres per day (mld) in the States of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
A sum of Rs. 1656 crore has been approved for Delhi under YAP-III for
rehabilitation and upgradation of existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
(950
mld)
and
trunk
sewers.
This has been further supplemented by Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban

Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for Rs. 1357 crore for an interceptor sewer
project to intercept and treat untreated sewage flowing into river Yamuna
from three major drainsNajafgarh, Supplementary and Shahdara.
Two projects have been sanctioned in Sonepat and Panipat towns at a cost of
Rs. 217.87 crore for pollution abatement of river Yamuna.
The main project components include construction of new STPs of 70 mld

capacity and rehabilitation of existing STPs of 75 mld capacity.
Galvanization
Galvanization protects the surface against corrosion by providing protection to
the iron or steel in two ways: a) The zinc coating safeguards the base metal
from the atmosphere; and b) the zinc gives cathodic or sacrificial protection
because zinc metal is more electronegative than iron or steel.
The term Galvanization was named after the Italian scientist Luigi Galvani and
it characteristically refers to any of several electrochemical processes.
Previously, it was the administration of electric shocks since it originated from
Galvanis accidental generation of electricity.
Today, the term generally refers to the process of electro-deposition that is used
to add a thin layer of another metal (primarily zinc) to an item made of steel or
iron, in order to prevent rusting.
The effect of galvanization is such that the coating, i.e. zinc is consumed first as
a sacrificial anode, so that cathodically it protects exposed steel. This means
that unlike a painted article that rusts when exposed due to scratch; in a
galvanized article, if scratches expose the inner metal, the exposed steel will be
cathodically protected by the surrounding zinc coating. Also, galvanization has
the preferred due its low cost, the extensive maintenance-free service that it
provides and the ease of application.
Galvanizing, like all other corrosion protection systems, protects steel by acting
as a barrier between steel and the atmosphere. Therefore, galvanized steel is
widely used where corrosion resistance is needed at a cost lesser than that of
stainless steel. It is suitable for high-temperature applications of up to 392 F
(200 C). Electro-galvanized sheet steel is often used in manufacturing of
automobile in order to improve the corrosion performance of peripheral body
pane
Regional air connectivity scheme[from PIB must read for mains}

Regional Air Connectivity Scheme to Make Regional Air Travel Affordable
and Promote Balanced Growth
The Draft Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) was presented by the
Ministry of Civil Aviation in the presence of the Minister for Civil Aviation,
Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju and MOS Dr. Mahesh Sharma in the capital today. The
objective of Regional Connectivity Scheme is to make flying affordable for the
masses, to promote tourism, increase employment and promote balanced regional
growth. It also intends to put life into un-served and under -served airports.
To operationalise the Scheme Aircrafts and helicopter operators would be

required to assess the demand on various routes and submit their proposal for
providing connectivity on such routes. They would be required to earmark certain
number of seats on every flight for the RCS. The fare for such seats would be
capped based on flight distance and time. An index has also been prepared for
airfare caps for the RCS seats for fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters depending
upon the distance (details can be seen in the presentation enclosed below).
Airport Authority of India will be the implementing Agency for the
Scheme. The RCS route would have to include un-served airports i.e. airports
where there is no scheduled commercial flight or under-served airports i.e. airports
which have 7 or less scheduled commercial flights per week. The RCS routes
would cover a length between 200 to 800 km. But this criteria would not apply to
hilly areas, islands, North-east region and for helicopter operations.
The procedure for selecting Airline Operators would be based on reverse
bidding mechanism. Two half-yearly cycles would be the basis for inviting and
evaluating the proposal. Depending upon suggestions given by Stakeholders the
para-meters for financial proposal could be (1) VGF per RCS seat (2) Total VGF
per week (3) combination of (1) and (2). The selected Airlines will enjoy a period
of exclusivity on the awarded routes. The exact period would be fixed on the
basis of suggestions by Stakeholders.
The Central Government will support the RCS Scheme by levying an
excise duty of only 2% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) purchased at RCS
Airports for a period of three years. The service tax will be levied at only 10% of
the taxable value of tickets for RCS seats for a period of one year. The operating
Airline will be free to enter into code sharing arrangement with domestic and
international airlines.
The State Governments will charge Vat of 1% or less on ATF at RCS
Airports for a period of 10 years. It will also provide security and fire services free
of cost, besides providing electricity, water and other utility services at
concessional rates.
Airline Operators will exempt RCS flights from landing charges, parking
charges, and terminal navigation landing charges.
The selected airlines on their part would be expected to commit 50% of the
seats on RCS flights to be sold at the specified airfare cap. They would also be
required to maintain a frequency of minimum, three flights per week and
maximum seven flights per week.
A Regional Connectivity Fund would be created to subsidise the operation

of the RCS.
The Viability Gap Fund (VGF) would be calculated on normative basis.
The VGF support for respective routes would be indexed to inflation and ATF
prices which would be reviewed periodically. The VGF support would also be
linked to the passenger load factor.
The Exit Mechanism for selected airlines would be made easy after a period
of one year.
The Draft Regional Air Connectivity Scheme will be placed in public
domain for three weeks to enable Stakeholders to give their suggestions. After this
the details of the scheme would be finalized.
Debit card hack issue

DATE 22.10.2016
G.S.-02
LODHA COMMITTEE: Recommendations and Analysis
The cricket is the only sport of India which has its place in hearts all people
of India. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which
administers the game in the nation, however, continues to be mired in one
controversy after another as large political interference, corruption, match
fixing or betting, etc.
Especially after advent of IPL, match fixing and corruption has become a
more common notion in the cricket of India. This is the reason why Supreme
Court interfere in this matter and appoint Lodha committee to give final
verdict for IPL scandal and recommendations for reforms in BCCI. In July,
Lodha committee submitted its report and put a ban of 2 years on both
franchises Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. Further in January
2016, Lodha Committee submitted its report for reforms in BCCI.
Major recommendations of the Committee
A. Structure and Constitution
Issues
At present BCCI consist of 30 full time members and many states are not
represented on BCCI such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and six
North-Eastern states.
Further many states are over represented in BCCI such as Gujarat and
Maharashtra both have 3 full members each representing parts of their
respective States.
At present, BCCI is registered as a society under Tamil Nadu Society
Registration Act and various state Cricket Associations registered differently
such as some under companies or some under Societies Registration Act.
Recommendations
Each state will represent only one unit and would have one vote.
The others who does not have territory and who does not play in
tournaments such as Railways or National Cricket Club Kolkata would be
accorded the status of Associate Member so that their views may be

considered while they may not have voting rights.
There shall be uniformity in Constitution and functioning of BCCI and
member associations.
B. Governance
Issues
President as a Power Centre: The President of the board has all powers
from overall superintendence of the Board to selection of the team. The
President has veto over team chosen by selectors such as selector Mohinder
Amarnath had disclosed that BCCI president Srinivasan vetoed against
decision of selectors to remove Dhoni as a test captain after lossing test
series in England and Australia.
Zonal considerations: There seems to be no rational basis for the
Presidency to be rotated as per Zones, which has the effect of forsaking
merit.
No representation for women: There is no representation for women in
BCCI and it is clear from the fact that BCCI has never seen a woman in the
Working Committee.
Unlimited terms and tenures: Many individuals occupy various posts in
the BCCI for multiple terms and on multiple occasions, without any ceiling
limit.
No disqualifications: There appears to be no ground on which an office
bearer has to demit office.
Recommendation BCCI governance and management shall be divided along
two councils, one is APEX and other is IPL Governing Council.
APEX Council: Powers of president shall be divided across a governing
body called APEX council. It shall consist of 9 members:
Five Office Bearers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint
Secretary and Treasurer.
Four Independent Members or Councilors: Two to be nominated by
players association which is to be formed, one from BCCI full members and
one to be nominated by CAG.
APEX council is further composed of three bodies or offices that are as
follows:
CEO: This office shall be responsible for all non cricketing tasks such as
finance, operations, media or human resources, etc.
Umpires Committee: The Umpires Committee is another Committee
comprising only Umpires, which selects and classifies umpires for
officiating games under the auspices of the BCCI.
Cricket Committees: The Cricket Committees would be seven in
number dealing with selection, coaching, performance evaluation and talent
resource development of Men, Women, Junior, Zonal and Differently-abled
teams. Each of these Committees would comprise only former players.
Tenure of office bearers is limited for 3 years period and no BCCI officebearer can have more than two consecutive terms.
No BCCI office-bearer can hold office for more than 3 terms with the
condition that there will be a cooling off after each term.
No BCCI office-bearer can hold two posts at the same time.
The Zones would be relevant only for the purpose of the tournaments
conducted amongst themselves, but not for nomination to the governance of
the Board.
Ministers and government servants are barred from being a member of
governing body of BCCI.
C. IPL
IPL Governing Council Composition: The IPL Governing Council needs
to be reconstituted with more autonomy and Lodha Committee proposes a
Governing Council with only nine members:
3 ex-officio members: Secretary, Treasurer and CEO of BCCI.
Two representatives of BCCCI: to be elected by general body.
Two nominees of the Franchises
One nominee of CAG in APEX council.
One nominee of Players Association which is to be formed.
BCCI should ensure that at least 15 days gap should be provided between
the IPL season and the national calendar.
Betting and Match Fixing
The Lodha Committee is of view that Betting shall be legalized except
for players, BCCI members, administrators or those covered by the BCCI
and IPL regulations.
Further Lodha committee recommended that match fixing to be made a
criminal offence.
Other Recommendations
Provision has been made to have an independent ombudsman to resolve

grievances of Members, Administrators, Players and even members of the
public as per the procedures laid down.
There shall be a Cricket Players Association affording membership to all
international and most first class men and women retired cricketers. This
Association shall discharge assigned functions with the financial support of
the BCCI.
It is recommended that commercial advertisement or breaks should be
allowed in time of drinks, lunch and tea only rather than every minute ad
breaks.
The BCCI must provide the relevant information in discharge of its
public functions or indirectly come under scrutiny of RTI Act.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Legalizing betting might fetch taxes for government and huge amount of
legal money for our GDP, but it is not hidden from anyone that betting is the
major reason for prevalent match fixing in the game of cricket. Further, it
may be suicidal attempt by government in providing legal status to unethical
practices. It may enhance terrorism activities in India as betting is one of
major source of finance for terrorism.
The committee recommended commercial breaks only at time of drinks,
lunch or tea rather than ad breaks between overs but this small ad breaks
(say 15 seconds) between overs account for major chunk of revenue for
BCCI. This revenue helps BCCI to run coaching and talent search program
to find out best players from small villages and towns.
However Lodha Committee advocates for uniformity in constitution and
functioning of BCCI and member associations but does not recommend for
enacting a national law for uniform, transparent and accountable sports
bodies in India. Further it may be difficult to get BCCI under scrutiny of RTI
until a national law is enacted by the parliament.
The committee says that ministers or government servant should be debarred
from holding a post in national and state bodies but not debarred politicians
or MP/MLAs from being part of sport bodies. However committee
advocates for more representation of players in BCCI and sports bodies but
without cleaning political interference from sports, nothing fruitful can be
attained.
All of above flaws have lower significance when compared to spirit of

Lodha committee report which put emphasis on reforming cricket by
removing some necessary evils such as poor governance, match fixing, etc.
The report is a starting step in reforming the sports and if accepted then
become a landmark for reforms in other sports.
G.S.-03
Bird flu
India has declared itself free from avian influenza (H5N1) from September 5,
2016 and notified the same to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
India stressed the need for continued surveillance. In a letter to chief secretaries
of states, the Centre has emphasised the need for continued surveillance
especially in the vulnerable areas bordering infected countries and in areas
visited by migratory birds.
India had notified outbreak of avian influenza on 9 May 2016 at

Humnabad, Bidar district, Karnataka.
To prevent any further spread of bird flu, the agriculture ministry undertook
control measures. Entire poultry population was stamped out, including
destruction of eggs, feed, litter and other infected materials. The movement of
poultry and poultry products from the outbreak area was restricted, followed by
disinfection of infected premises.
Surveillance was carried throughout the country and presence of bird flu was not
found. In a letter to the state chief secretaries, the Centre has emphasised the
need for continued surveillance, especially in the vulnerable areas bordering
infected countries and in areas visited by migratory birds.
Post the surveillance, the state has shown no evidence of presence of the disease.
There has been no further outbreak reported in the country thereafter.
Indias first outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza occurred in

February 2005 in Maharashtra, followed by the second in March 2006 in
Madhya Pradesh. Over a million birds were culled at the time during
control operations.
As per a government document, 25 episodes of bird flu took place in 15
states and union territores of India till January 2015.
A total of over 7.2 million birds were culled and Rs 24.32 crore paid as
compensation to farmers.
Poultry is one of the fastest growing segments of the agricultural sector in India
today. The production of eggs and broilers has been rising at a rate of 8 to 10 per
cent per year. India is the world's fifth largest egg producer and the eighteenth
largest producer of broilers, as per the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Bird flu affects mainly the domestic poultry. The disease spreads from infected
birds to other winged creatures through contact with nasal and respiratory
secretions and also due to contamination of feed and water.
Smooth coated otter
The smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is a species of otter, the only
extant representative of the genus Lutrogale. Otter is a carnivorous mammals. The
fur of this species is smoother and shorter than that of other otters. It is distributed
throughout South Asia and South East Asia. The otter lives in rivers, lakes, peat
swamp forests, mangroves and estuaries. It uses swamps as natal den sites and
nursery during the breeding season in early winter. Otters are social and hunt in
groups. The male otter is polygamous and mates with up to the four females. It has
been categorised vulnerable in the red data book of International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
What is the Disease all about

Alzheimers disease is a progressive form of dementia that is characterised
by loss of short-term memory, deterioration in behaviour and intellectual
performance, besides slowness of thought. It may occur in middle age or in
old age, and while a lot of research is on for drug treatments, none has been
successful.
Accepted Belief
It is widely accepted that a specific form of the Amyloid beta molecule is a

major player in causing Alzheimers, the shape and form of this remained
elusive
Amyloid beta molecule
It is the main component of amyloid plaques (extracellular deposits found

in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease)
It is a rare protein and is difficult to probe.
What is the Finding
It was slightly fortuitous that researchers found it, using a modified

version of Raman Spectroscopy. Usually the signal from this is weak, but
researchers mimicked the cells outer layer by encasing silver
nanoparticles in a fat membrane. The Amyloid beta molecules were fooled
into piercing this membrane and the nanoparticles enhanced the signals,
allowing scientists to see it at that point.
When proteins aggregate, or gang up to form a structure, they shift shapes.
At some stage of ganging up they suddenly start attacking the cell

membrane and thats where toxicity begins. How they enter the
membrane, and what they look like when entering the membrane is key
The lock looks like a bunch of Amyloid beta molecules each in the
shape of a hairpin, but with a twist but what researchers found was an
unexpected twist in the structure, now becoming a beta-hairpin very
different from the typical hairpin structure people imagined. If indeed it
turns out to be the lock for Alzheimers then the discovery will facilitate
new efforts to finding a key an intelligent drug candidate designed to
attack the lock
Use of technology to identify peptides and peptide transformations, which

helps researchers to understand the structure in great detail, is important
both for definitive diagnosis and definitive treatments. Once defined,
researchers could adopt the technique to study wider samples, and this will
lead to a greater understanding and modification of processes, eventually
to better clinical care
Compensatory aforestation fund

The Parliament has passed the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2016 after it
was approved by the Rajya Sabha. The bill provides for establishment of funds
under the public accounts of the Centre and State levels for compensatory
afforestation.
Salient features of the bill Establishes
National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (NCAF) under the Public Account of
India, and a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of
each state. The payments into the funds include compensatory afforestation, net
present value of forest (NPV), and any project specific payments. The NCAF will
get 10% of funds collected and the remaining 90% will go to respective State
Fund. The collected funds will be utilised for afforestation, regeneration of forest
ecosystem, wild life protection and forest related infrastructure development.
Establishes National and State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and
Planning Authorities to manage the funds. The determination of NPV will be
delegated to an expert committee constituted by the central government. Net
present value (NPV) of forest: It is the value of diverted forest which is calculated
and recovered from the user agency for diverting forests. It is calculated for 50
years period. Basically an expert committee calculates the NPV for every patch of
the forest. Comment The legislation will allow states to access nearly 42000 crore
rupees that is lying idle and channel it into afforestation projects. It has provisions
for administration of funds and utilization of funds by the user agencies to
undertake plantations, protection of forests and forest-related infrastructure
development.
GM mustard and issue related with it in india

What is GM Mustard?
Hybrid variety of a crop is obtained by crossing of two genetically diverse plants
of same species and it can give higher yields than their parents. But mustard cannot
be naturally hybridised because it is a self-pollinating plant having both male and
female reproductive parts in a single flower. But researchers have created
hybridised mustard using GM technology. The GM hybridised mustard, as it is
claimed, gives up to 30% more yield than the present best varieties. Researchers
have used barnase / barstar technology for genetic modification. A barnase gene
is isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The gene can
code for a protein that impairs the pollen production in a plant making it malesterile. This male-sterile variety is crossed with a parent variety having a gene
called barstar to block the action of barnase gene. The resulting variety, having
both foreign genes, is a fertile plant and it can increase yield of the crop.
Why a hybridised mustard variety is required?
Researchers and promoters of GM Mustard argue that India imports Rs.60,000
crore worth of edible oils every year. There is an urgent need to reduce dependence
on imports and raise domestic crop yields of mustard, which in turn raises
production of edible oils domestically. To improve yields, hybridisation is a
potential technique as it is successfully demonstrated with many other crops.
Why there is an objection for its introduction?
The main reason for its objection is in use of GM technology for hybridisation
involving use of alien genes. Though GM technology is already commercialised in
India through Bt cotton, it is argued that cotton is not a food crop whereas mustard
is largest edible oil yielding crop of India. Its introduction may adversely affect
human and animal health. They also argue that the reason for increased imports of
edible oils is because of reduction in import duties and that in turn discouraged
domestic production by companies. It resulted in reduction of cultivation of the
crop by farmers. There was similar opposition to introduction of Btbrinjal, another
GM crop approved by the GEAC in 2009.
What are arguments in favour of its introduction?
The use of GM technology through Bt cotton has increased the countrys cotton
production by more than 2 times since it was first planted in 2002. There are no
evidences to show the adverse impact on human and animal health. Cotton-seed
yields not just fibre but also oil and oilcake that are fed to animals. That makes it
no less than a food crop. And also India imports soyabean oil and rapeseed oil that
are mainly GM varieties.
G.S.-04

DATE 23.10.2016
G.S.-01
G.S.-02
Film release issues in india
Key Points
Benegal committee recommendations are bound to draw more attention after the
recent furore over Udta Punjab. Their first step the recommendation that the
Board certify films instead of censoring them indiscriminately is in the right
direction, but instances such as Udta Punjab are pointers to the possible chinks
in this newly proposedarmour
Take, for instance, how the provision of certification comes with one huge
rider: that certification can be denied when a film contains anything that
contravenes the provisions of Section 5B (1) of the Cinematograph Act,
1952
The section states: A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in
the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or
any part of it is against the interests of [the sovereignty and integrity of
India] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public
order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or
is likely to incite the commission of any offence. Section 5B (2) further
states: Subject to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the Central
Government may issue such directions as it may think fit setting out the
principles which shall guide the authority competent to grant certificates under
this Act in sanctioning films for public exhibition.
In the case of Udta Punjab these guidelines have been cited for suggesting a
number of deletions. These include the names of places Jalandhar,
Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Moga, Tarn Taran, Jashanpura, Ambesar. It
also includes the name Punjab itself, and words such as election, MP, MLA, and
Parliament. The CBFC has objected to the fact that a dog is called Jackie Chan,
to the many cuss words in songs and dialogues, the itching and scratching
gestures of a character, and close-ups of people injecting drugs
It has demanded the deletion of a dialogue describing the Punjab as
Zameenbanjarteaulaadkanjar (Of barren lands and progenies who are pimps).
It is a clear indication that the film would have definitely landed in trouble even
if we were in an era of certification rather than censoring
It is a given that artistic expression and creative freedom should not be curbed,
and audiences should have the right to make informed viewing choices. But
that cannot be achieved just by a call for viewership categories alone. Though
there cannot be rigid guidelines for certifying films, there is a need for more
far-reaching changes aimed at a larger institutional revamp and systemic
alteration in the entire functioning of the CBFC, which ensure that a film
isviewed in entirety for its overall impact than in such a piecemeal manner
This is more so for films that show bitter truths of life. Documentaries,
especially those based on contentious political incidents and issues, have an
even more difficult passage, be it Rakesh Sharmas Final Solution on the 2002
Gujarat riots or Kamal Swaroops recent Dance for Democracy/The Battle of
Banaras on the big electoral fight of the 2014 LokSabha elections between
NarendraModi, then the BJPs prime ministerial candidate, and AamAadmi
Party (AAP) chief ArvindKejriwal
The archaic Cinematograph Act itself needs to be updated, and various sections
modified. How can we ensure that concepts like integrity of the country,
decency and morality enumerated in Section 5B dont remain open to partisan
interpretations and misuse? How can a film rise above and not remain
vulnerable to individual (mis)readings and (mis)understandings? These
questions will have to be constantly raised and tackled head-on, even after the
dust settles on Udta Punjab
It is important to look more closely at the functioning of the Film Certification
Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), to which the producers of Udta Punjab have now
appealed. A statutory body, the Tribunal hears appeals from any applicant who
is aggrieved by an order of the CBFC. The FCAT decision, however, can also be
challenged in the courts
Currently it is headed by Justice S.K. Mahajan and its members include
politician ShaziaIlmi, actor PoonamDhillon, lawyer Bina Gupta, and journalist
ShekharIyer
In recent times, while a sex comedy like Great Grand Masti got the FCATs
clearance, Dance for Democracy/The Battle of Banaras did not. Nonetheless,
there is often talk about strengthening the specialised Tribunal to address all
cinema-related issues rather than have people rush to the nearest High Court,
along the lines of legislation in other fields of quasi-regulation/licensing such as
the Securities Appellate Tribunal for capital markets, and the Telecom Disputes
Settlement and Appellate Tribunal as regards telecom
There is yet another crucial hurdle to artistic freedom. Apart from the Union
Act, every State has its own supplementary rules of censorship. Even films
with certificates have been stopped at the State level on a perceived threat to law
and order. These include the Punjabi film SaddaHaq, Kamal
HaasansViswaroopam, PrakashJhasAarakshan, ShoojitSircars Madras Caf,

and Sanjay LeelaBhansalisGoliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. Experts say that
there could be a provision in the Act that a certified films exhibition will
ordinarily not be suspended, or that the order of suspension of exhibition
may not be passed unless the producer has been given a hearing
There are far too many hurdles to the free and fearless flight of a film
G.S.-03
Pollution
Pollution may be defined as addition of undesirable material into the

environment as a result of human activities. The agents which cause
environmental pollution are called pollutants.
A pollutant may be defined as a physical, chemical or biological substance
released into the environment which is directly or indirectly harmful to humans
and other living organisms.
Pollution may be of the following types: Air pollution, Noise pollution, Water
pollution, Soil pollution, Thermal pollution and Radiation pollution.
In order to control environmental pollution, the Government of India has
passed theEnvironment (Protection) Act, 1986 to protect and improve the
quality of our environment (air, water and soil).
Air Pollution
Air pollution may be defined as the presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous
substance including noise and radioactive radiation in the atmosphere in such
concentration that may be directly and/or indirectly injurious to humans or
other living organisms, property or interferes with the normal environmental
processes.
An ever increasing use of fossil fuels in power plants, industries,
transportation, mining, construction of buildings, stone quarries had led to air
pollution.
Fossil fuels contain small amounts of nitrogen and sulphur. Burning of fossil
fuels like coal (thermal power plants) and petroleum (petroleum refineries)
release different oxides of nitrogen and sulphur into the atmosphere.
These gases react with the water vapour present in the atmosphere to form
sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The acids drop down with rain, making the rain
acidic. This is called acid rain.
Acid rain corrodes the marble monuments like Taj Mahal. This phenomenon is
called asMarble cancer.
Other kinds of pollutants are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are used
inrefrigerators, air conditioners and as pressurizing agents in aerosol
sprays. CFCs damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere.
The combustion of fossil fuels also increases the amount of suspended particles
in air. These suspended particles could be unburnt carbon particles or
substances called hydrocarbons.
Presence of high levels of all these pollutants cause visibility to be lowered,
especially in cold weather when water also condenses out of air. This is known
as smog and is a visible indication of air pollution.
Particulate pollutants
Particulate matter suspended in air are dust and soot released from the
industrial chimneys. Their size ranges from 0.001 to 500 micrometers (m) in
diameter.
Particles less than 10 m float and move freely with the air current. Particles
which are more than 10 m in diameter settle down. Particles less than 0.02
m form persistent aerosols.
Major source of SPM (suspended particulate matter) are vehicles, power
plants, construction activities, oil refinery, railway yard, market place,
industries, etc.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), particulate size 2.5 m
or less in diameter (PM 2.5) are responsible for causing the greatest harm to
human health.
These fine particulates can be inhaled deep into the lungs and can cause
breathing
and
respiratory
symptoms,
irritation,
inflammations
and pneumoconiosis a disease of the lungs due to inhalation of dust,
characterized by inflammation, coughing, and fibrosis..
Fly ash
Fly ash is ejected mostly by thermal power plants as byproducts of coal

burning operations.
Fly ash pollutes air and water and may cause heavy metal pollution in water
bodies.
Fly ash affects vegetation as a result of its direct deposition on leaf surfaces or
indirectly through its deposition on soil.
Fly ash in the air slowly settles on leaves and crops in fields in areas near to
thermal power plants and lowers the plant yield.
Fly ash is now being used for making bricks and as a land fill
Composition
Fly ash particles are oxide rich and consist of silica, alumina, oxides of iron,
calcium, and magnesium and toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic,
cobalt, and copper.
Major oxides are present are Aluminium silicate (in large amounts), silicon
dioxide (SiO2)and calcium oxide (CaO).
Advantages
Cement can be replaced by fly ash up to 35%, thus reducing the cost of
construction, making roads, etc.
Fly ash bricks are light in weight and offer high strength and durability.
Fly ash is a better fill material for road embankments and in concrete roads.
Fly ash can be used in reclamation of wastelands.
Abandoned mines can be filled up with fly ash.
Fly ash can increase the crop yield and it also enhances water holding capacity
of the land .
Prevention and Control of air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution
Poor ventilation due to faulty design of buildings leads to pollution of the

confined space.
Paints, carpets, furniture, etc. in rooms may give out volatile organic
compounds (VOCs).
Use of disinfectants, fumigants, etc. may release hazardous gases.
In hospitals, pathogens present in waste remain in the air in the form of spores.
This can result in hospital acquired infections and is an occupational health
hazard.
In congested areas, slums and rural areas burning of firewood and biomass
results in lot of smoke.
Children and ladies exposed to smoke may suffer from acute respiratory
problems.
Prevention and control of indoor air pollution
Use of wood and dung cakes should be replaced by cleaner fuels such as
biogas, kerosene, LPG or electricity. But supply of electricity is limited.
Similarly kerosene is also limited. The use of solar cookers must be
encouraged.
Old stoves must be replaced with improved stoves with high thermal efficiency
and reduced emission of pollutants including smoke.
The house designs should incorporate a well-ventilated kitchen.
Those species of trees such as baval (Acacia nilotica) which are least smoky
should be planted and used. Charcoal is a comparatively cleaner fuel.
Indoor pollution due to decay of exposed kitchen waste can be reduced by
covering the waste properly.
Segregation of waste, pretreatment at source, sterilization of rooms will help in
checking indoor air pollution.
Control of Industrial Pollution
Industrial pollution can be greatly reduced by:
1. use of cleaner fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) in power plants,
fertilizer plants etc. which is cheaper in addition to being environmentally
friendly.
2. employing environment friendly industrial processes so that emission of
pollutants and hazardous waste is minimized.
3. installing devices which reduce release of pollutants.
Devices like filters, electrostatic precipitators, inertial collectors, scrubbers,

gravel bed filters or dry scrubbers are described below:
Steps Taken to Control Vehicular Pollution
The emission standards for automobiles have been set which if followed will
reduce the pollution. Standards have been set for the durability of catalytic
converters which reduce vehicular emission.
In cities like Delhi, motor vehicles need to obtain Pollution Under Control
(PUC) certificate at regular intervals. This ensures that levels of pollutants
emitted from vehicle exhaust are not beyond the prescribed legal limits.
The price of diesel is much cheaper than petrol which promotes use of diesel.
To reduce emission of sulphur dioxide, sulphur content in diesel has been
reduced to 0.05%.
Earlier lead in the form of tetraethyl lead was added in the petrol to raise
octane level forsmooth running of engines. Addition of lead in petrol has
been banned to prevent emission of lead particles with the vehicular emission.
Usage of alternate fuels like CNG in public transport vehicles is made
mandatory in cities like Delhi. All the buses of Delhi were converted to run on
CNG by the end of 2002.
CNG burns most efficiently, unlike petrol or diesel, in the automobiles and very little
of it is left unburnt. Moreover, CNG is cheaper than petrol or diesel, cannot be
siphoned off by thieves and adulterated like petrol or diesel.
The main problem with switching over to CNG is the difficulty of laying down
pipelines to deliver CNG through distribution points/pumps and ensuring
uninterrupted supply.
Simultaneously parallel steps taken in Delhi for reducing vehicular pollution
include phasing out of old vehicles, use of unleaded petrol, use of low-sulphur
petrol and diesel, use of catalytic converters in vehicles, application of
stringent pollution- level norms for vehicles, etc.
The Government of India through a new auto fuel policy has laid out a
roadmap to cut down vehicular pollution in Indian cities.
More stringent norms for fuels means steadily reducing the sulphur and
aromatics content in petrol and diesel fuels.
The goal, according to the roadmap, is to reduce sulphur to 50 ppm in petrol
and diesel and bring down the level of aromatic hydrocarbons to 35 per
cent.
The Bharat Stage II (equivalent to Euro-II norms), which is currently in place
in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and other major cities was
made applicable to all automobiles throughout the country.
All automobiles in major cities were expected to meet the Euro III emission
specifications by 2005 and Euro-IV norms by 2010.
The rest of the country was expected to meet Euro-III emission norm by 2010.
According to an estimate, a substantial fall in CO2 and SO2 level has been
found in Delhi between 1997 and 2005. But still their levels are not under
permissible levels.
The recent odd-even formula is expected to improve the worsening air quality
in Delhi.
In India, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act came into force
in 1981, but was amended in 1987 to include noise as an air pollutant. Noise is
undesired high level of sound.
Government Initiative
National Air Quality Monitoring Programme
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been executing a nationwide

programme of ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality
Monitoring Programme (NAMP).
The National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) is undertaken
to determine status and trends of ambient air quality;

to ascertain the compliance of NAAQS;
to identify non-attainment cities;
to understand the natural process of cleaning in the atmosphere; and
to undertake preventive and corrective measures.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The NAAQS have been revisited and revised in November 2009 for 12
pollutants, which include
sulphur dioxide (S02),
nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
particulate matter having micron (PM10),
particulate matter having size less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5),
ozone,
lead,
carbon monoxide (CO),
arsenic,
nickel,
benzene,
ammonia, and
National Air Quality Index (AQI)
Launched by the Environment Ministry in April 2015.

Initiative under Swachh Bharat.
AQI
It helps the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity.
Index constituted as a part of Governments mission to improve the culture of
cleanliness.
Old vs new
While the earlier measuring index was limited to three indicators, the current
measurement index had been made quite comprehensive by the addition of
more parameters.
Previously who measured Air pollution
Central Pollution Control Board along with State Pollution Control Boards has
been operating National Air Monitoring Program (NAMP).
Why is AQI necessary
Quality of data from some cities remains weak and the standards set for
pollutants fall short of World Health Organization recommendations.
The pollution related analysis using vast number of complex parameters was
complicated for the common man to understand.
Categories of air pollution under AQI
There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted,
Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
Pollutants considered
The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2,
CO, O3, NH3, and Pb).
Should Firecrackers Be Completely Banned? Share Your Opinion.

More than 100 Lives lost, Close to 400 Injured and its still counting. It was nothing
short of a man-made disaster at Kollam. Most of the media is busy discussing
about, how certain rules were flouted and how few people are guilty for it.
Pondering over the issue, the fundamental thing that bothers me is the need of
firecrackers in any occasion.
Negatives of firecrackers,
1. Fire accidents, Burn Injuries, Eye and Ear Injuries.
2. Noise Pollution - Heavy impact on Animals and Birds. Impact on Elder citizens,
heart patients. Mental distress and many more.
3. Air Pollution - Serious problems for people with respiratory disorders. Affects
animals, birds and plants. Smog.
4. Use of paper for shells of firecrackers - Loss of trees.
5. Manufacturing Hazards - Workers develop serious respiratory diseases. Child
labour menace.
and many more such issues.
The only reason from pro-crackers people is that it provides good entertainment
and is a part of tradition/culture.
Is it ethically justified to harm the environment so badly just for the sake of
entertainment?
I am not sure if firecrackers were a part of tradition/culture but even if they were,
the world was still a nice place to live without much man made pollution and
probably firecrackers on some occasions wasnt that bad a problem. Things have
changed now, human population has increased in crazy amounts since then,
pollution levels are soaring sky high and that is why i think it wouldnt be such a
bad idea to drop firecrackers forever from the shopping list, if we care for our
fellow earthlings and mother earth
What is asphyxia
Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to
the body that arises from abnormal breathing. An example of asphyxia is choking.
Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and
organs. There are many circumstances that can induce asphyxia, all of which are
characterized by an inability of an individual to acquire sufficient oxygen through
breathing for an extended period of time. Asphyxia can cause coma or death.
Capital Account Convertibility

The term Capital Account Convertibility was coined by RBI and this term is
almost synonymous with the RBI committee headed by SS Tarapore. Capital
account convertibility (CAC) means the freedom to convert local financial
assets into foreign financial assets and vice versa at market determined rates
of exchange. This implies that Capital Account Convertibility allows anyone
to freely move from local
currency into foreign currency and back.
Basics
Capital account is made up of both the short-term and long-term capital
transactions. The Capital Transaction may be Capital outflow or capital
inflow. Convertibility on the capital account is usually introduced after a
certain period of introducing the Current account convertibility. The most
important effect of introducing the capital account convertibility is that it
encourages the inflow of the foreign capital, because under certain
conditions, the foreign investors are enabled to repatriate their investments,
wherever they want. However, the risk is that it may accelerate the flight of
the capital from the country in unfavourable circumstances. For instance, an
Indian can sell property here and take the Capital outside during such
circumstances. This is the reason that Capital Account Convertibility is
generally introduced after experimenting with the convertibility on current
account.
Difference between Capital Account and Current Account Convertibility
Current account convertibility allows free inflows and outflows for all
purposes other than for capital purposes such as investments and loans. It
allows residents to make and receive trade-related payments such as dollars
(or any other foreign currency) for export of goods and services and pay
dollars for import of goods and services, make sundry remittances, access
foreign currency for travel, studies abroad, medical treatment and gifts, etc.
On the other hand, Capital Account Convertibility refers to the removal of
restraints on international flows on a countrys capital account, enabling full
currency convertibility and opening of the financial system.
Current Situation in India
Presently, India has current account convertibility. This means one can
import and export goods or receive or make payments for services
rendered. However, investments and borrowings are restricted.

DATE 24.10.2016
G.S.-01
Triple talaq
-triple talaq is the islam religious tradition in which male partner can get talaq by
just uttering it three time
-this traditional system are not allowed in major islam country like Iraq,Tunisia
etc.
-india should adopt uniform civil court as part of the directive principle of state
policy{44} but there opposition by islam group on the base of the personal right of
the minority community
-there are issue of gender justice and human right so people have to think on the
line of humanity and government have to take step on the base of the rationality
not sole purpose of the vote bank
-social reform always start with opposition or demand so woman have to be unite
and move for their rights
G.S.-02
Delay in justice wary investor said CJI
-in recent ceremony CJI said that on the one edge india want make in india and
global business hub while on other we have judicial backlog I form of appointment
- Investor in india has to wait for both clearance and justice as tribunal are not as
efficient as needed
- government have to be vibrant in the sense of innovation of law i.e. law have to
be stable but not still
-in the form of reform india has adopt new bancrupty act and debt tribunal
NSG
-nuclear supplier group is bilateral formal group for the supply of the nuclear raw
material and technology
-india want to be a part of that regime but not fulfilling criteria[NPT] for that and
member countries diplomatic interest are not in the favor of india as china
opposing it
-indias goal to be member is to have safe energy and climate technology
Female literacy quality in india
-in patriarchal society of india education scope for female become very narrow
butin the name of gender justice state has manage to have 60 percent enrollment
ratio
- but when we asses the quality of the education being provided to the girl we are
behind Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh
Making city livable
-reducing urban inequality, improving access to housing and sanitation, mobility,
and securing the rights of women, children, older adults and people with disability.
Moreover, as services come to occupy a dominant place in the urban economy, the
divide between highly paid professionals and low-wage workers
- Indias ambition to harness science and data for orderly urbanisation is articulated
in a set of policy initiatives, chiefly the Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission
for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
-Urban Poverty Alleviation identified subsidised redevelopment of slums (which
represented 17 per
cent of urban households in 2011) involving private agencies, and low-cost,
disaster-resistant, prefabricated constructions as key to the Housing for All policy
G.S.-03
Cyclone to likely hit oddisa coast
- deep depression in bay of Bengal will transform into cyclone and will hit oddisa
coast
-in every year on the time of monsoon onset and withdrawal there are chances of
cyclone in Indian ocean because of the ITCZ and other pressure and temperature
related phenomena
-bay of Bengal are more prone to cyclone then Arabian sea[do it yourself ]
-in oddisa there are history of mass destruction by cyclone but by the advent of the
information technology precaution can be taken and live can be saved
Fight over sea

-ONGC has started searching for the hydrocarbon in bay of Bengal that is affecting
interest of local fisherman
- here both stakeholder fighting over natural resources that has become tradition in
resource scare country like india
- in this problem solution arrive only on the mutual understanding not only
selfishness because nature has its own rule and we have to follow it.
President over development of all and to all
- president said that we doesnt want only figure of the development or record of
the GDP but what we need is inclusive and sustainable development
-development should be accessible to all because wealth in few hand worthless
-modern technical development is welcome step but if it is not affordable and
accessible to the people to save their life then it is in vague
International institution should help india to adopt efficient coal mining

technology
-inidia is not merely resource lack country but overburdened also as merely 2.5
percent land has to support 16 up percent population
-india has also committed to have 50 percent non-conventional energy under INDC
-international institute should transfer money nad technology for better use of coal
resources
-world should adopt technology of reducing emission from energy production not
production at all because we want uniform electricity access because problem is
co2 not coal
Impact of rate cut In economy

-recently policy review function of the RBI has been given to the monetary policy
committee
-by the rate cut there are many impact on economy are as follows
1. increase credit creation2.increase NPA-have to start strategic restructuring of debt and chrony capitalism
and again new vijay maliya
3.increase money supply
Fossilised algae may soon power electric vehicles
Inexpensive and energy efficient lithium-ion batteries from fossilised remains of
single-celled algae can soon power
electric vehicles,
G.S.-04

DATE 25.10.2016
G.S.-01
Haji-ali women entry
-haji ali trust after Bombay high court order permit women entry into internal
sanctrum
-temple entry movement in india fought on both front on the basis of caste and on
the basis of gender.-The Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and dargah located on an islet off the coast of
Worli in the southern part of Mumbai
- trust want to go supreme court on the basis of safeguard given to the minority in
constitution but high court comment that in india persons fundamental right valid
unless harming other
-apart from haji ali there are also sabrimala and shanidev temple where entry is
restricted to women
G.S.-02
End of postal ballot era
- under election conduct rule returning officer are given power to send ballot to
eligible voter
-election commission has changed this tradition by introducing web portal based
ontime password system in which voter can download ballot paper by using on
time password send by the returning officer
-though postal ballot also continue where internet facility are not available
-postal ballot has proved much vital because person who can not use their franchise
for the cause of geographical factor become capable to vote under this system.
G.S.-03
Avian influenza
-Avian influenza known informally as avian flu or bird flu refers to

"influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds
-this flu spread by the H5N8 virus that also can spread to human from bird
Osteoporosis
-Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone,
makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from
a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.
- this is also called silent dieses because of under treatment and mis-understanding
-IMA doctor said thet if you have osteoporosis then there are maximum chances of
the heart dieses
-in this dieses that spread to elder male and female both patient fill pain in muscle
Painted stork
-The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wading bird in
the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of
the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia.
Chandrayan-||
-Chandrayaan 2, Indias second mission to the Moon, is an advanced version of the
previous Chandrayaan-1 mission. It consists of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover
configuration. It is planned to be launched as a composite stack into the Earth
Parking Orbit (EPO) of 170 X 18,500 km by GSLV-Mk II. The Orbiter carries the
combined stack up to moon till the Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI). The combined
stack is then inserted into a lunar orbit of 100 km x 100 km. The Lander is
separated from the Orbiter in this orbit.
The Orbiter with scientific payloads will orbit around the moon. The Lander will
soft land on the Moon at a specified site and deploy the Rover. The scientific
payloads onboard the Orbiter, Lander and Rover are expected to perform
mineralogical and elemental studies of the lunar surface.
During 2010, it was agreed that Russian Space Agency ROSCOSMOS would be
responsible for lunar Lander and ISRO will be responsible for Orbiter and Rover as
well as Launch by GSLV. Later, due to a shift in the programmatic alignment of
this mission, it was decided that the Lunar Lander development would be done by
ISRO and Chandrayaan-2 will be totally an Indian mission.
GST and rate decision dilemma
-center govt. has started meeting of the GST council for the decision on the rate
fixation
-council has advised on the 4 rate formula based on the nature of the product like
basic need good and services exempted or low rate has been set.
-in the GST total power to impose tax has been given center so state are in worry
about their revenue. But center want to compensate state by levied extra cess.
- this categorization is good for economy because it maintain price of basic good
and services to affordable rate so control the inflation
Debit data theft

-recently debit card data of india big core banks have been theft by payment
gateway third party
-payment gateway is middleman between bank bank and consumer in india apex
gateway is national payment corporation of india
-this data theft show the vulnerability of india cyber security and govt. motto to
transfer cashless economy
How to control crowd

-first of we have to understand the situation that led to crowd gathering because
this will become base for the control
-rather than control we should adopt management techniques of the crowd
- there are two type of the weapon i.e. lethal and non-lethal so always we have to
use later kind of the weapon that are less harmonious to human kind.
G.S.-04

DATE 26.10.2016
G.S.-01
Gender justice is about uniformity not specific religion
-recently triple talaq and islam personal issue getting political tune so
what we need is quite different
-personal law of all religion are at gender partiality like hindu women
property right are only in letter not in spirit
-what about selective sex abortion and homicide practice in india
Gender equality at workplace

-world economic outlook survey show that india position are on
progressive way but still india is worst case in world for gender
justice
-there are multi factor responsible for this situation
-gender gap improving only in the economical criteria so there are
also itra-inequality among the women
-political empowerment has biggest role to play as Bangladesh prove

it.
G.S.-02
SC power to review tribunal order
- kaveri tribunal has given its order in 2007 to share kaveri water
between Karnataka, tamilnadu, pudduchery,kerala.
-tribunal is judicial tool under 323 of constitution to desolve any
disputable issue and award of the tribunal can not be file against any
court.
- so court has no power to review its award but court arguing that to
resolve federal issue is the original power of the court as the guardian of
the constitutional system
- as being the guardian of the constitution court has power to review not
only executive enactment but also constitutional amendment.
Paradigm shift in indias foreign policy
- Indian economy giving country new form of the diplomatic
identity and india also changing its geopolitical balance
- China slowdown also facilitate india to adopt new position in
global relation
- If india want to take any decision in the sense of diplomatic

development they should also take into consideration systematic
step of internal management also like if india want to take step on
Pakistan issue then they first have to make jammu and Kashmir in
favor of Indian interest
- Today international institute number are growing like BIMSTEC,
SAARC, BRICS etc. so country have to got optimum strategy for
dealing with multi institutionalism situation
- India is founding member of NAM and this group also affected
immediate power formula and world diplomacy in the backdrop of
grouping for cold war
-
Bollywood role to integrate south asia

- bollywood may nationally belonging to india but emotionally tightened
with eight countries south asia
-bollywood also can be middle man to integrate india-pakistan
- state has boundry but nationa havent
G.S.-03
Ease of doing business

- world bank issued 2017 report on ease of doing business where india is
improving its position
- getting electricity, paying taxes and enforce contract becoming easier
things in India
Maoist problem in india
- Indias 1/3 district affected by the maoist
- Major affected district are the indias most backward district fall In
Dandkaranya region
- Discussion on development inequality and extremism getting pace
G.S.-04

DATE 27.10.2016
G.S.-03
NSG membership to india
-Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that
seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials,
equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
-importance of membership
India and NSGThe NSG was established in 1975 in response to Indias nuclear test in 1974.
Though NSG is admitting new countries but it is allowing only those countries
which are signatory of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty (CTBT). India has signed neither the NPT nor is it a member of
CTBT.
Since long time India is trying to get NSG membership. It was civil nuclear deal
with US, concluded in 2008, that paved the way for Indias application as a
member of NSG. Considering Indias commitment to separate its civilian and
military nuclear programmes and its non proliferation record in nuclear weapons
India has got support from various NSG members.
Importance of NSG membership
It will pave the way to access technology for a range of uses from
medicine to building nuclear power plants for India.
By accessing latest technology, India can commercialize the production of

nuclear power equipment. This, in turn will boost innovation and high
tech manufacturing in India.
Having the ability to offer its own nuclear power plants to the world
means spawning of an entire nuclear industry and related technology
development. This could give the Make in India programme a big boost.
An NSG membership will make indigenous nuclear industry companies

comply with international norms and make it easier for them to trade in
international market.
There is pressing need to scale up nuclear power production to realise

Indias commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to ensure
40% of its energy is sourced from renewable and clean sources. It will
possible only if India gains access to NSG.
ConclusionInclusion into NSG opens wide-range opportunities for India. Since long time
India has been trying to gain entry into the NSG. With Indias clean record in
nuclear weapons, now India is getting support from more nations and Indias bid
to enter in NSG could be realised soon.
GST-An overview by picture
DTAA
-A DTAA, also referred to as a Tax Treaty, is a bilateral economic agreement

between two nations that aims to avoid or eliminate double taxation of the same
income in two countries. Example citing the working of a DTAA: An NRI
individual living in a country (Say X) maintains an NRO account with a bank
based in India.

DATE 28.10.2016
G.S.-01
Alpana painting
-Alpana or alpona refers to colourful motifs, sacred art or painting done on a
horizontal surface on auspicious occasions in Bengal like Puja, wedding or
community events . The art typically has some religious significance. This type of
art is found on the Indian subcontinent.
G.S.-03
Digital document
- after digilocker government has declared new initiative called national academic
depository by 2017-18
- in this initiative all document will go digitalize and become usefull for
verification in various government processes
-security, authenticity, integrity, and confidentiality are biggest challenges
Delhi air pollution problem

- why delhi is suffering from severe pollution problem is thinkable question
-there are many reason for this pollution level
1. continentality of delhi
2. stubble burning
3. poor public transport and high individual vehicle ownership
4. winter wind that locked marine influence
AQI will monitor these 8 pollutants to help UPSC examiner frame MCQs:
Coarse Pollutants with a diameter of 10 microns or less. Mostly from dust

PM10
and smoke. Create breathing difficulty particularly among asthma patients

and elderly.
Respirable particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. They float in

air air for weeks, due to small size, thus smog and haze problem.
PM2.5
NO2
SO2
CO
They go deep in lungs and even pass in blood.
Result? chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease.
For this index, London 16; Delhi 153 (smaller no. means cleaner air)
Nitrogen dioxide. Lung irritant. Harmful to textile fibres and metals.
Red haze in traffic
Damages plant leaves, slows down photosynthesis.
Asthama, bronchitis, emphysema etc. respiratory diseases
Eye irritation and tears.
Stiffness of flowerbuds. They fall from plant.
Carbon Monoxide binds with haemoglobin. Thus, Blood carries less
oxygen. Result? headache, nausia, weak eyesight, premature birth,

abortion, deformed babies.
Ozone is a toxic gas. Dryness of eyes, chestpain, cough.
Collectively Ozone, PAN, Nitric oxide, Formaldehyde result in

photochemical smog.
O3
Photochemical smog occurs when sunlight acts on vehicle pollutants
Photochemical smog=> rubber cracking, plant damages, metals corroded.
Ammonia in air + NOX, SOx=>PM 2.5 and PM 2.5 have very small size,
they float in air for weeks=>smog and haze problem.
NH3
Pb
Ammonia in water=>Eutrophication, Algae blooms.
Lead Interferes with red blood cells.
Solution: use unleaded petrol
#2: SAFAR
Mains Relevance: GS3: Achievement of Indians, Indigenization of technology.
What is SAFAR?
SAFAR: System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)
Computerized system jointly developed by
Indian institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune (under Ministry of Earth

Science)
India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Benefits of SAFAR?
It can Quality of air can be forecasted 24-72 hours in advance.
it provides data on
Air Quality Index health advisory
UV Index skin advisory
Dynamic city pollution maps.
Rosy pelican
-The great white pelican also known as the eastern white pelican, rosy pelican or
white pelican is a bird in the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe
through Asia and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes
G.S.-04
Role of religion in politics
The role of religion in modern political life
The role of religion in modern political life is a puzzle. God as an idea worth
taking seriously is clearly on life support, at least as far as serious analysis goes. As
Andrew Levine says, for a long time in the world of political analysts the idea that
the Creator of all there is would care about the political affairs of particular Homo
sapiens, that He (always a He!) would favor some members of our paltry species
over others, seemed too preposterous to take seriously and that it is hard to see
how any part of the Sturm und Drang of modern politics could really be about
God, no matter what some political actors do, say, or believe. If their selfrepresentations belie what is plainly the case, they must be deceiving themselves.
But while the idea of a god being involved in political affairs is still seen as absurd,
what has changed is how analysts react to religious claims.
What, then, should we make of the fact that nowadays it has become common for
political analysts to take militant believers at their word adding religious
divisions to the list of pertinent explanatory factors?
He argues that there are pendulum swings at play: transitions from periods of
intense religiosity and periods in which a secular consciousness is predominant,
and periods of religiously inflected militancy and periods in which politics takes a
secular turn and that political analysts have underestimated the role that religion
plays in nation building, and that using religious identity to create feelings of
nationhood is necessarily exclusionary of other groups, leading to conflicts.
He gives examples of the role the three Abrahamic religions of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam play in modern political life.
Try as hard as secular Zionists, and their nineteenth century nationalist forebearers
did, there was no way to construct a Jewish identity that leaves the Jewish religion
out or that lets other religions in. It is not just Jewish beliefs and practices that are
incompatible with Protestantism; more importantly, it is Jewish nationality as it
came
to
be
conceived.
Throughout the Christian and Muslim worlds, there are many socially constructed
nationalities that are similarly related integrally to religions or, more usually, to
divisions within larger religious traditions. The nature of the connections varies
from case to case and changes over time. But religion is a factor in almost all
instances.
But now that authentic faith has become untenable, it is not about God at all except
to the extent that historical religions shape existing cultures. It is about identity,
and therefore recognition, dignity and respect.
When sectarian politics flares up on the wrong side of the class struggle or when it
operates to sustain systems of domination, it makes bad situations worse and
solutions to problems more intractable. The theocrat wannabes who gravitate
towards the Tea Party and the (oxymoronic) national religious settler movement
in Israel provide conspicuous examples.
His article does not suggest a solution but leaves open the answer to the question:
If religious politics is about the need for recognition, dignity, and respect and not
about god, will giving them those things lead to a diminution of role of god in
politics or will it lead to an intensification of religious demands? I fear it will be
the latter.

DATE 29.10.2016
G.S.-02
Balance of power between organ of the democracy
- india follows montesque principle of sepration of power
-when one organ try to defimate other then it will lead to anarchy
-in recent year judiciary suffer from the suppressing policy of the executive
because
1. rise of popular government
2.judicial backlog and trust deficit toward judiciary in people
3.appoinment system
4.politicisation of the exeutive
5. judicial burden make it inefficient
G.S.-03
TATA chairman issue
- TATA chairman cyrus mistry goes out with blaming tata for their post
sovereignty and working liberty
-article of association and memorandum of association are the companies internal
and external constitution respectively. That deals with the rules and regulation of
companies
-companies have to prepare above stated both the document before starting their
commercial activity
Delhis air
- pollution level in air in delhi will be highest level because of deepawali
celebration
-forecast has been done by the SAFAR an indigenous index measure pollution in
air and also forecast the same.
- this pollution hike is because of the moisture of air and slow wind speed along
with deepawali celebration with cracker
- pollution level would be around 300 that is above safety level of 60 given by the
WHO
- to fight this hike in pollution level national environmental engineering research
institute[NEERI] has introduced comprehensive three tier air treatment system in
which air will be purified wind purifier, virtual chimney and mist generator
Brahmos
- brahmos is the lan, air, and water launch sub supersonic missile
-this missile developed with the cooperation of the Russia and india
-this missile named as brahmputra + moscova = brahmos river of india and Russia
- india has got membership of the missile technology control regime {MTCR}

DATE 31.10.2016
G.S.-01
Dog culling incentive in kerala
* stray dog problem are increasing in state day by day
* one civil organization has declared incentive for killing dog and also start to sell
air gun at subsidized rate
* state govt. till not come into light regarding human protection v/s animal cruelty
* this problem will create question on human value of non-violence and { jio or
jine do}
G.S.-02
India-singapore joint naval exercise
* india and Singapore has bilateral naval exercise relation
* SIMBEX-16 is this year naval exercise include training and knowledge sharing
G.S.-03
Naxal problem in india
* now nearly indias 1/3 district affected with naxal problem
* this problem has been started with the two side exploitation on the one hand
state resource exploitation and admission of tribal in mainstream
* this problem also attributed to the cross border funding and divide between
haves and have not
* solution of this problem
1. people friendly approach of govt.
2. law and order improvement
3.inclusive govt. and fulfillment of the SDG
4. creation of capability in tribe not only opportunity etc.
Comprehensive economic and trade agreement {CETA}
* This treaty signed between EU and Canada for FTA-free trade agreement
* by this treat almost all import duty will be removed for smoother trade
Carbon sinking
* carbon sinking means accumulation of carbon in one place by anthropogenic or
natural cause
* ocean are the biggest source of the carbon and as more carbon will be sinked in
deep sea then temperature of the earth will reduce and ice age will come
Problem of tuberculosis
* UN has called for the special draft on tuberculosis in that india is highest burden
country
* TB problem in india was on decreasing order but recently it is increasing
abnormally but death due to TB is decreasing
* this will be due to level of pollution above the safety level in idnia due to use of
the conventional technology
* india has to make their executive machinery more effective as most of patient
going to private hospital with help of out of pocket {OOP} expenditure
Global hunger index
* Economic growth alone is not enough to achieve key Sustainable Development
Goals. It must translate into jobs for the poor and marginalized
*Goal 1 and 2 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
envision eradicating poverty and ending hunger by 2030
* Poverty is a multidimensional concept, which involves reduction in choices to
pursue freedom.
* There are some pertinent points in this years global hunger report. First,
developing countries have a major stake in reducing hunger levels. Overall hunger
has come down by 29 per cent since 2000 in these countries. Second, there are
distinct regions, the ones with the highest GHI scores, which can help in fulfilling
the SDGs. On the 2016 index, Africa south of the Sahara and South Asia have the
highest GHI scores
* some population groups in India are substantially worse of than other groups.
These include the Scheduled Tribes (STs), 43 per cent of whom were below the
poverty line
* Third, poverty seems to be present in certain geographical locations. The top
States for poverty in absolute terms in India are Uttar Pradesh
* poverty has a bearing on choices and the well-being of individuals in a society.
The poor also own fewer assets and spend more on food, fuel, and light. This
reduces the percentage they have for spending on critical things like education and
health, and it makes them prone to a vicious poverty trap
G.S.-04
PM on unity of india
PM while spending his deepawali with army personnel said that to bring
unity is responsibility of every citizen
We should fought with separatist but in democracy we should also
motivate diversity of thought not unit of suppression
Unity is important but not on the freedom living citizen because they are
natural person and when you suppress them you are stopping the growth
of whole india as a nation
While unity in diversity is our strength but freedom of though and
expression is our progress also so there shall be striking balance or
golden mean
Indias dilemma as a nationstate
When question come to Pakistan and india relation both are thinking that
they are morally superior than each other
We become cow vigillent but not stopping torture on women with the help
AFSPA and killing of innocent men in the sensitive area
We alternate between two forms of violence which we officially dub
security and development. Caught in the warp of these restricted
imaginations, we have forgotten that peace is a language, an ecology, a way
of life we have almost lost. To put it almost crudely, we need a bit of peace
mongering rather than the beat of the drums of war

The Hindu Current Notes Oct. 2016

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The Hindu Current Notes Oct. 2016

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THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE 01.10.2016.

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE

Modi moots Swacchagraha

Karnataka gets last chance on Cauvery

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTES

India got 3% less rainthan normal: IMD

of South Africa and Ninoy Aquino of the Philippines in particular.

helpless. Few years ago we witnessed such situations in the province of

FAQ 1: Who is Eligible?

FAQ 6:Who will sign the Declaration?

Signing Authority for Declaration

c) If the declarant is mentally incapacitated By his guardian or any other

a) By Managing Partner of the Firm

a) By the Managing Director of the Company;

a) By Member of the association; or

FAQ 7: Can a person make multiple declarations under this scheme?

FAQ 10: What is the Risk in Filling the Declaration?

Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)

Does fogging harm humans?

China blocks Brahmaputra tributary

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE

From Leh to Kanyakumari to raise awareness about gluten disorders

Requires a medical diagnosis

Mahanadi-Godavari Flood Moderation Project

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE

Crop burning: NGT seeks States response

Quickly clears the field and is cheap.

However, it has a number of harmful effects on the environment:

There is a perception that stubble burning contributes to atmospheric CO2.

Vultures thrive in Telangana forest

In conservation of genetic resources, "in situ conservation" (also "on-site

In black and white

The battle over Bt cotton

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE

often are unable to access HIV care and treatment, including

Court orders DDA to share secret map with ASI

3 share Chemistry Nobel for molecular machines

Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or

specifically, nanorobotics refers to the still largely theoretical

specifically, nanorobotics refers to the nanotechnology

engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots, with

THE HINDU CURENT NOTE

India presses case against Masood

Committee (officially Security

concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities) was established

Air pollution in Delhis National Capital Region (NCR) is comprised of a

communicable diseases and to some extent on industrial pollution and

To participate in CSIR thrust area and mission projects

What is MFN status

MFN status is a method of preventing discriminatory treatment among

ISRO gears up for crew rescue test

GM mustard may be stalled indefinitely

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE

Birla,[4] P. Rajagopal ) sometimes had multiple wives.

SC draws parallel between Haji Ali and Sabarimala

* Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage centre located at the Periyar Tiger

District, Perunad grama panchayat in Kerala. It is one of the largest annual

visiting every year.[1][2] Ayyappan's temple is situated amidst 18 hills. The

On behalf of the panel, secretary Gopal Shankarnarayan emailed board

"The Committee is also surprised at the Press Statement attributed to the

Colombias Santos wins Peace Nobel for deal with FARC

accord was controversial, he was instrumental in ensuring that Colombian voters

THE HINDU CURRENT NOTE

* the roll-out of the GST on a digitized platform, on which over 2.5