Index:

Topper’s Talk 1 8) Misuse of Kisan Credit Card 57

9) Rupay vs Mastercard Issue 59
International Relations 10) 12 MSME Initiatives 60
11) ATM’s May Close Down 62
1) USA Grants Waiver on Iran’s Oil 7
2) China Pakistan Bus Service 8 Geography and Environment:
3) East Asia and ASEAN Summit 2018 9
4) Bhutan Elections – India Relations 11 1) Koalas Face extinction in Australia 64
5) India – Kosovo Controversy 12 2) Living Planet Report 2018 by 66
6) Asia Bibi Case of Pakistan 14
7) Soft State – Sobriquet for India WWF
15
8) USA Birthright Citizenship Issue 16 3) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood 67
9) World’s First Blue Bond 17 4) Maharashtra Drought 2018 68
10) Brexit Deal and Implications 18 5) Australia Drought Impact 69
11) U.K. – Spain Gibraltar Issue 19 6) Rapid Ocean Warming 70
12) The Moscow Format 20 7) India’s Wildlife Crime Control 71
13) FCTC Framework on Tobacco 22 8) Ozone Layer Recovery 72
9) Stubble Burning in India 74
Science and Technology
10) Green Crackers 75
1) HysIS Satellite 11) Link between Life on Earth & its 76
23
2) ISRO and NASA Balck Hole movement of continents
24
3) INS Arihant –Nuclear Triad 26 12) Earth’s Interior Is Dragging its 77
4) Martian Moon Phobos 28 Underground Water
5) Antioxidants and Body 29 13) Rise in Typhoons’ Frequency 78
6) Kepler Space Telescope 30 14) Flamingoes Visit Hope Island 79
7) ISRO GSAT – 29 Satellite 31 15) North Sentinel Island India 80
Polity

1) About the CBI Reforms 32

2) CBI vs States 33
3) Private Member Bill 34 81
36
Spice of the Month
4) Maharashtra Electoral Reforms
5) Kartarpur Corridor 37
1) Definition of the Month 82
Governance and Social Issues 2) Examples of the Month 82
A. Polity 82
1) Gurjarat Migrant Exodus 38 B. Society Human Development 83
2) Internal Migration in India 39 C. Economy 84
3) Economic Conditions of Muslim 41 D. IR, Defense & Security 86
42
4) Polio & Its Eradication E. Geography, Environment 86
5) Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria 44
45
F. Science & Technology 88
6) Combat Anti-Ageing
7) Pneumonia-Diarrhea Progress Report 46 G. Ethics 88
8) Maratha Reservation 47 H. Data of the Month 89
9) Allied & Healthcare Profession Bill 49 I. Quotes of the Month 90

Economy

1) Ease of Doing Business-India 50

2) Service Sector Boom India & 51 Prelims Capsules 91
Plights
3) Inland Waterways in India 52 Mains Practice Questions 99
4) Unsecured Loans in Banking 53 Solutions to the Prelims 100
Sector
5) RBI, Govt. wants 3.6 Lakh Crore 54
6) Section 7 of the RBI Act 55
7) Rising Prices of Pulse 56
 TOPPER’S TALK
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations from the Study IQ Team for your exceptional achievement. We are ecstatic that your
efforts have been rewarded in a grand way.
• Let us kick start by asking when did you
decide to prepare for India's toughest exam?
While I was working with Samsung Research India
in 2015, I felt the urge of joining Civil Services. It
was then that I decided to prepare for the same.
• Was it your childhood fascination and dream
to be an officer?
It was not exactly a childhood fascination, but I
was indeed inclined towards government jobs since
long.
• How did you react when you saw your name in
the toppers list?
My Friend Prakash Chandra Shukla, me and my
brother were together while we started searching
for my name in the list. My reaction was one of
disbelief in the beginning. The rank was way above
what I had expected for myself. We shouted at the
TOP of our voices. We hugged each other. We
thanked God. And then the spate of never-ending
calls began.
• Could you tell us something about yourself,
your background like your family, school,
college, work, etc.
I come from a middle-class family based in
Saharsa, Bihar. I have done B.Tech in Computer
About the strategy
• How was your typical day while you were
preparing for the exams?
I would wake up at 8 am. Meditation was a part of
my daily routine. I read the newspaper The Hindu
regularly. Then I would devote the remaining time
to General Studies and Mathematics Optional. A
balance has to be maintained in studying GS and
Optional.
• What was your method and style of
preparation? What was your methodology of
preparing notes as note making is an extremely
crucial step in preparation?
Limited study material and more of revisions and
mock tests was my style of preparation. I made
short notes for the topics mentioned in the syllabus
and revised them multiple times. I refrained from
making notes of standard textbooks like
Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum's book for
Modern History etc.
Science and Engineering from IIT BHU, Varanasi.
I worked at Samsung R&D Bangalore as a
Software Engineer from August 2015 till January
2016. After leaving Samsung, I started the Civil
Services Preparation. Meanwhile, I qualified UPSC
CAPF Assistant Commandant 2016 with AIR 1.
• What according to you makes civil services
such a trending exam with the youth despite
the proliferation of lucrative private sector
jobs?
Getting an identity early in life to build upon later
was my motivation behind becoming a civil
servant. I come from a middle-class family. I had
limited aspirations to begin with. I was initially
happy with the job of a Software Engineer in
Samsung Research India, Bangalore.
Though it was a well-paying job, there was a
struggle for identity. We had 5k employees
working in a building. I was one among them. I
wanted things to get better and a little more
challenging. I wanted things to be a lot more
happening. I could not wait for 20 30 years to
assume larger responsibility. I thought Civil
Services is one career option that provides us the
leverage of administering a district at a tender age
of 25 which is unparalleled. That was the prime
motivation for joining Civil Services.
• We saw numerous candidates complain about
the GS paper being tougher especially in the
past two years, what do you suggest to the
aspirants preparing for Prelim-2019? How
should they prepare for the GS paper?
First finish the standard text materials. Then cover
the Current Affairs from 2 or more sources. For
Prelims, solving more and more mock test papers
holds the key. It is important to keep one's eyes and
ears open. Surfing the net helps in increasing
awareness.
• Completing the paper on time especially the
comprehension portion become a tough job for
many aspirants this year, kindly provide some
words of wisdom on tacking the speed and
managing time to the aspirants.
Practice more and more mock tests. Attempt the
tests in exam like conditions.
1
• Do you think that the mock tests are necessary
for success?
Prelims
In 2015 I did not solve Pre-test papers at all. I
failed by 11 marks. In 2016 I solved only 4 or 5 test
papers of Insights Test series. I failed Pre-by 7
marks. In 2017 I solved the entire papers of various
Test Series. I cleared Prelims with a margin of 15
marks.
Bottom Line: The more the better.
Mains
● How did you prepare for the paper on essay?
I did not enroll in any Essay Test Series. I just
wrote 5–6 essays on my own, self-evaluated.
Learnt some quotes. Read some topper's essays.
● Which two essays did you write during your
exam? I wrote essays on:
Farming has lost the ability to be a source of
subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
● How did you prepare for General Studies
Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4?
I covered the topics mentioned in the syllabus word
by word. I made short notes for them, added
current affairs elements from time to time. In all
the subjects, revision is the key.
● Could you suggest the apt answer writing
strategy for mains?
Writing more number of answers at one go is key
to building endurance. The focus should be on
completing the set of 20 questions with reasonable
content of decent quality. Always remember that
there is nothing like an ideal answer.
Mains Optional Subject
● What was your optional subject and why did
you select the same?
My optional subject was Mathematics. I had
genuine interest and a background in the subject,
hence I went with Math’s.
● What all factors an aspirant must consider
while selecting for an optional?
The factors to be considered include interest in the
subject, background in graduation, length of the
syllabus, time required for completion, guidance
and resources available, and overlap with General
Studies etc.
Mains
I was confident with answer writing in terms of
structure, language etc. I gave 8 Full length Tests.
That’s all. I had Math’s optional. I strictly followed
the timelines of Test Series.
Bottom line: There is no rule of thumb with regards
to number of Test Series. Some write less, some
more. Just know your need and prepare
accordingly.
● What do you think about the FIXED SPACE
answer sheet? How was your experience with
the fixed space answer sheet?
There is always enough space for every answer. In
engineering optional and Mathematics, there is
indeed a risk of running out the fixed space in case
of miscalculations, but it can be managed with
sufficient practice.
● Do you suggest writing in bullets or in
paragraphs? How should we approach
questions which ask us to 'examine, discuss,
comment, elucidate.
It is advisable to write in bullets as it makes the life
of examiner easy. I never tried to bother too much
about the suggestive keywords. I always tried to
answer both sides of an issue and a suitable
conclusion.
● Do you think proper 'introduction- body and
conclusion' format works better? Many
students shared that due to the paucity of time
they just penned down the points they could
recollect rather than following the method.
What would you advice to the aspirants?
Yes. If one has time, a candidate MUST follow the
intro, body and conclusion format.
● Could you share the resource list for your
optional?
I used the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMS)
classes, study material and test series. I did not
solve standard books.
• Would you advise solving 10 years papers for
the optional?
Yes, it is advisable as it worked for me.
• Can one simply rely on books and notes to
prepare for this optional or do you also advice
the aspirants to leverage the internet?
2
Optional with dynamic syllabus unlike
Mathematics require the use of the internet.
• How many months did you take to learn and
finish the core optional syllabus?
Mathematics optional is lengthy and requires a year
of preparation.
• Did you make self-notes for revision of the
optional? If yes then in which format did you
make the notes- electronic or handwritten?
Yes, I prepared formulae sheets for every chapter
and made notes of conceptual questions.
• Did you draw diagram in any paper for
instance in GS 1 Geography? Did you draw
Interview
• What was your approach during the interview?
How did you prepare for the interview?
I prepared a list of probable questions from my
DAF, wrote answers for them and practiced them. I
covered important topics like hobbies, home state,
current affairs, graduation subject and optional
subject etc.
• Did you attend any mock interviews? Where
the mock interviews similar or different from
the official interview? Do you recommend
mock interviews to the aspirants?
Yes. The mock interviews were similar in many
aspects. I would recommend giving 4-6 mock
interviews.
• How did you make powerful first impressions
on the panel? What did you wear for the
interview?
I tried to greet the members with respect and tried
to maintain positivity and cheerfulness throughout.
Date and Time of Interview: Forenoon 28th Feb 2018. I was the 3rd candidate out of 6.
Chairman (Dr. P.K. Joshi)
Question 1 : After appreciating 100 marks in
Mathematics in Xth Board, the Chairman Sir
asked “How many marks did you get in
Mathematics Class XII?”
Answer : Sir, 96.
Question 2 : Which force have you been allotted
through CAPF?
Answer : Sir, I have been allotted Sashastra Seema
Bal (SSB).
Question 3 : Being the topper of CAPF, you could
have got any force, why did you opt for Sashastra
Seema Bal (SSB)? Any particular reason?
them with a pen or a pencil? Did you use a
ruler to draw lines in the diagram?
Yes, I made diagrams whenever it was suitable. I
used pens to draw them. Ruler was not used by me
anywhere.
• Did you use highlighters or markers or sketch
pens while scripting your answers?
I simply underlined to highlight important parts of
my answer.
• Did you write the answers in blue or black
pen?
I used Blue Pilot V5 gel pen.
I wore a navy blue suit, a sky blue shirt and a blue
tie.
• Who was the Chairman of your interview
board?
Prof P.K.Joshi
• How long did the interview last?
30-35 minutes.
• What all questions did the panel ask you and
what was your response to the questions
asked? Did you encounter any unpleasant
moment during the interview? Please narrate
your entire interview.
I was anxiously waiting at the Central Hall. The
ring belled. I was escorted by a peon into the
interview hall. After entering the hall, I wished the
Chairman first, followed by the lady member and
then the other 3 members together.
Answer : Sir, SSB is tasked with guarding the
Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. I come from
Bihar which shares a long border with Nepal.
Since I am aware about the local conditions there,
I chose SSB. Further Sir, my mother tongue is
Maithili which is also spoken in good numbers in
Nepal, hence I can engage with them better.
Question 4 : When we have BSF as a border
guarding force, why need SSB?
Answer : Sir, BSF is tasked with guarding the
Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh border. The
geographical conditions of Indo-Pakistan border is
quite different from the Indo- Nepal border or
Indo-Bhutan border. In the Indo-Pakistan case, the
3
border is sealed while India shares a porous border
with Nepal and Bhutan. Also Sir, there was a
Bhatnagar Committee report that recommended
for One Border Once Force concept accordingly
we have separate forces for each borders.
Question 5 : Suppose you are posted as a DM in a
village school and asked to address students of
Class VIII- XII, what would you speak about for
promoting Mathematics which students don't like?
Answer : Firstly, I would tell them about the
contributions of Indian Mathematicians and
motivate them that they can bring similar or even
better laurels for our nation. Secondly, I would tell
them about the scope of Mathematics as a career
option in future. Finally, I would tell them about
the applications of Mathematics in day-to-day life.
Question 6 : Use the pen and paper to solve this
question. Math’s Question 1: If a laborer earns
Rs. 75 on 1 day and Rs. 95 on the next, what
st
would be the average wage?
Member 1 (Lady member)
Question 1 : What is Munger famous for? (Came
as a shocker for me because I am from Saharsa,
Bihar)
Answer : Madam, the soil of Munger is called
Kharwa mitti, because it is rich in Potassium
Nitrate or gunpowder and hence widely used for
making guns. That is the reason we have gun
culture in Munger. After being asked to continue, I
added that Munger also has a famous Yoga
University.
Question 2 : Do you do Yoga?
Answer : Yes, Madam.
Question 3 : What is the status of women in Bihar?
Do you think women has been empowered in your
state?
Answer : Madam, there has been an improvement
in the status of women in Bihar in recent years.
The state Chief Minister has taken a number of
initiatives like Bicycle for Girls Scheme, Ban on
Member 2
Question 1 : What was the project you worked
upon in Samsung?
Answer : Sir, I was working on a project on Iris
Authentication. I was working on a project in
which we were trying to develop software that
would automatically pause a video when the
viewer looks away from the mobile screen. It was
based on the idea of Authentication using Iris.
Question 2 : What is the state of R&D in India?
Answer : (After calculating on pen and paper), Rs.
85 Sir.
Question 7 : Why is the answer not 50 kmph?
Answer : Sir, the acceleration is not constant in
this case, the bus changes direction, hence
we cannot take arithmetic mean of the two
velocities.
Question 8 : What was the type of mean you used
here?
Answer : I answered, “May I take a guess Sir? I
am not sure.” He said, “Please”. I said
“Harmonic Mean”. He nodded to my relief.
Question 9 : When was IT BHU made IIT BHU?
What difference has it made?
Answer : It was in the year 2012. I was asked,
“Are you sure?” I replied, “Yes Sir”. Then I added
that IIT tag has brought the institute to the global
stage. After getting recognition as an IIT, the
funding from the Centre has also undergone a
change.
liquor in the state etc. The state government has
also provided up to 50% reservation for women in
Panchayats.
Question 4 : What is accountable governance?
Answer : Madam, It means a way of governance in
which the government is responsible to the people
for its policy decisions. It means that the
governments can be held answerable for their
arbitrary decisions.
Question 5 : How to ensure government
accountability?
Answer : Madam, government can be held
accountable by increasing citizen’s participation in
governance. Currently, what happens is that the
citizen’s participation is limited to voting during
elections. This has to change. I think the social
media has emerged as a tool to ensure
accountability in governance.
Answer : Sir, currently, India is spending around
0.5-0.6% of the GDP on R&D which is
much lower than most of the BRICS countries.
Question 3 : What is the need of high end R&D
when our basic skill needs are unmet?
Answer : Sir, high end R&D has applications at
lower levels too. For example, advanced weather
forecasting using Supercomputers can help in
4
preventing crop losses. Therefore we need a two-
Member 3
Question 1: Should we go for making strong laws
to provide security to women?
Answer : Sir, I believe that it is the certainty of
punishment and not its severity that deters crime.
Hence, I think strict enforcement of existing laws
is more important than making laws stringent.
Question 2 : Are laws against Dowry enough?
Why are they being misused? What are recent
changes in Dowry law?
Answer : Sir, there are enough laws to deal with
dowry. But such laws need to be complemented by
social awareness campaigns like the human chains
launched by the Bihar government to spread
awareness about the legal safeguards available to
women. Section 498A of IPC has been misused by
women under a number of circumstances due to
ulterior motives. Recently, Supreme Court has
held that Family Welfare Committees should be
Member 4
Question 1: What was the earlier name of BHU?
Answer : I am not aware Sir.
Question 2 : Who founded it?
Answer : Sir, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Ji
was the founder.
Question 3 : Who gave the money for the setting
up of BHU?
Answer : Maharaja of Benaras, Kashi Naresh gave
the money on the insistence of Malviya Ji and
Annie Besant.
Question 4 : Who founded AMU and when?
Answer : Sir Syyed Ahmad Khan founded AMU. I
am not sure of the year Sir.
Question 5 : Don’t you think that the British sowed
the seeds of division by helping the setup of a
Hindu University and a Muslim university?
Answer : Sir, I agree with your assertion. But I
also believe that the modern education was the
need of the hour.
Question 6 : Why is Varanasi named so?
Answer : There are two rivers named Varuna and
Assi that flows through the city, hence the city had
been named Varanasi.
Question 7 : Why is IIT BHU not doing too good?
(Asked in Hindi)
Answer : Sir, while it is true that IIT BHU has
seen its rank degrade in the recently released NIRF
pronged approach on R&D
set up at district levels that would go into the
truthfulness of dowry related complaints before
any police action.
Question 3: Situational Question: Suppose your
domestic help comes to you and complains to you
about her drunkard husband who comes from
work and beats her under the influence of alcohol.
What would be your step of action?
Answer : I would talk to the employer of the
husband and advise to not encourage drinking at
the workplace. I would advise the employer to
organize sensitization sessions at the workplace to
make the employees aware about the pitfalls
associated with drinking alcohol. If things do not
improve, I would help the distressed woman in
lodging a complaint under Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act, 2005 and I would take stringent
actions against the erring husband.
rankings. (Replied in Hindi). There are some
issues with the infrastructure. But in terms of
placements, we are neck to neck with the 5 old
IITs.
Question 8: Why is Kashi so famous?
Answer: Kashi is famous for the Kashi
Vishwanath Temple, serene ghats of Ganges etc.
Kashi since ages has been known as a place where
people come during the later part of their lives to
attain Moksha.
Question 9: What is 3rd Industrial Revolution, 2nd
IR and 1st IR?
Answer: 3rd IR is related to Internet.
The member interrupted by saying, “No, you are
wrong!” I replied, “May I know the correct
answer, Sir?” I was told that 3rd IR was related to
Computers and not Internet. I thanked the member
and added that 2nd IR was related to Electricity
and 1st IR with Steam Engine.
Thereafter, I was told by the Chairman that my
interview was over. I stood up, thanked the
Chairman first and then thanked all the members. I
left the room with mixed feelings. My
Observations: I found the board to be cordial. I
found the last member to be a little intimidating. I
was asked no questions on hobbies. To my
surprise, I was asked no question on Why IPS as
the first preference! I was well prepared on how to
handle those questions. I had read a lot about
Police reforms, issues in policing etc. But UPSC is
unpredictable at times. Results are out. I scored
5
167 in interview and secured AIR 13 in Civil Services Examination 2017.

• How can aspirants ward off distractions? As keeping the momentum becomes a challenge for most
aspirants as they lack consistency.
An aspirant should stay out of social media. It is advisable to do Yoga, meditation etc to maintain concentration.
Sports and music can also be pursued.

• Would you like to share with the readers about the people who have been behind your spectacular
performance like family, friends, teachers, mentors, etc.?
I would like to thank Pavan Kumar Sir who taught me GS Paper IV and Venkanna Sir who helped me in
Mathematics optional. My parents and my family supported me a lot in overcoming failures. My father needs a
mentioning here as he was the one who could sense that I would secure a rank in two digits.

• Did you benefit from the StudyIQ platform during your preparation for the exam?
I used to watch Current Affairs videos from the YouTube Channel of StudyIQ platform. I benefitted from the
same.

Thankyou
Sagar Kumar Jha
AIR 13 , CSE 2017

6
 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
(Click on the image to watch the video)
USA grants India waiver on Iran’s Oil
What is it About:
USA has granted waiver to 8 countries, including India on
Iran’s oil import. Put pause on its sanction for next 6 months.
Background to the Story:
USA retreated itself from Iran’s deal which Obama
Administration had proposed. The full analysis can be found
here in the video.
Sanctions of USA were to put Iran in the first hand of the lists
in CAATSA act (Countering America’s Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act) and to corner the Iran through world trade.
The full information is in the video of the mentioned title.
The Eights Countries:
China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, the United
Arab Emirates and Japan have been top importers of
Iran's oil, while Taiwan occasionally buys cargoes of
Iranian crude but is not a major buyer. Turkey has
been told it will temporarily be allowed to keep buying
Iranian oil, its energy minister told reporters, as has
Iraq, as long as it does not pay Iran in U.S. dollars.
Major Benefit:
A waiver will come as a big relief to Indian Oil and
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL),
the two largest Iranian oil consumers. The two firms
together have placed an order for 1.25mt of crude from
Iran in November.
SWIFT Financial Messaging Service:
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said
Washington had told the Brussels-based SWIFT
financial messaging service it was expected to
disconnect all Iranian financial institutions that the
United States plans to blacklist
Conditions:
But, as a condition of waiver, Indian oil firms will
reduce their imports significantly. The U.S. has said
that it is only issuing temporary waivers, and the
waivers are strictly linked to the condition that
countries receiving them keep cutting down their
purchases from Iran.

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

Basics of the Sanctions:

Two sets of sanctions – First
Ø Iran’s purchase of U.S. currency
Ø Iran’s trade in gold and other precious metals
Ø The sale to Iran of auto parts, commercial passenger
aircraft, and related parts and services.
Second sets of Sanctions:
Ø Start from 5th November
Ø Restricts sales of oil and petrochemical products from
Iran.
Ø Thus any country, or company, trading with Iran without
US consent after sanctions kick off risks getting cut off
from the American financial system

India – Iran Relations:

India is a major importer of Iranian oil - of the 220.4 million

metric tonnes of crude imported by India in 2017-18, more
than 9% was from Iran. India had imported about 22 million
tons of crude oil from Iran in 2017-18 and planned to raise
that to about 30 million tonnes in 2018-19.

The Trump administration will allow eight countries to import

limited amounts of Iranian oil even after US sanctions.

7
 (Click on the image above to watch the video)

China Pakistan Bus Service via PoK

What is it About::
Pakistan – China bus service launched between Kashgar
(China) and Lahore (Pakistan) via Pak occupied Kashmir.
India has put its strong protest on it.

CPEC’s Role:
Ø Propsed route of the bus is via much-talked China
Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Ø Lahore (Pakistan )and Kashgr (Taslkurgan, China)
will be the end-points of the bus service.
Ø Sat-Sun-Mon-Tuesday will be the departure days from
Lahore while Tues-Wednes-Thurs-Friday will be the
departure days from Tashkurgan.
Ø Cost of the journey is 13,000 Pakistani Rupee for one
way and 23,000 PKR for two ways.
Ø Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Shuja Express are the two venture partners of the bus
service.
Ø 5 Stopovers, 15-seater bus, crossing at Khunjerab, China
and the service will require valid visa and ID card and NOTES :
will take 36 hours two ways.
Ø Humayun Iqbal Shami – Chairman of the China-
Pakistan Economic Forum.

No Assent from India:

India has protested vehemently the bus service by a rationale
that if the PoK is the disputed land between India and
Pakistan, China is bound to talk to India in this scenario.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang defended the
bus service, saying its cooperation with Pakistan and has no
business with India about the territorial clamor.

8

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective: UPSC Prelims 2019
What Happened in November 2018?
PM’s visti to Singapore:
PM recently concluded his visit to Singapore and attended the
ASEAN-India Summit held on the sidelines of 33rd ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, 13th East
Asia Summit (EAS) and Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP) Summit.
ASEAN Summit, November 2018
➢ The ASEAN Summit is a semi-annual (occurring twice a
year) meeting
➢ This was 33 ASEAN Summit.
rd
33rd ASEAN Summit
Theme: Resilient And Innovative
About ASEAN
➢ The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or
ASEAN,established in 1967 with the signing of the
ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
➢ The ASEAN members are Indonesia, Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos.
INDIA–ASEAN
➢ On the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit,
India-ASEAN Summit was also organized.
➢ As strategic partners, India and ASEAN have
trade and economic relations.
➢ Trade between India and ASEAN stood at around
$ 81 billion in 2017-18 and constitutes 10% of
India’s total trade. Exports to ASEAN countries
constitute 11% of India’s total exports.
➢ India and ASEAN have a combined population of
1.9 billion, which is a quarter of the world’s
population and the combined GDP of $5 trillion.
➢ In 2017, India and ASEAN celebrated 25 years of
their engagement and the India-ASEAN
Commemorative Summit was held on January
25th, 2017.
➢ India’s relation with ASEAN is marked by 3 C’s
Culture, Commerce and Connectivity.
13th East Asia Summit
➢ India also participated in 13th East Asia Summit.
➢ The East Asia Summit (Established:2005) is a
forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region
formed to further the objectives of regional peace,
security, and prosperity.
➢ The members of East Asia Summit consist of the
10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos), and 8
other members- Australia, China, India, Japan,
New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US.
2nd Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP) Summit
➢ Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
➢ It is an idea of a free trade agreement for
countries like ASEAN Members (Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)
and the six Asia-Pacific states(Australia, China,
India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand).
9
➢ Some countries should be united under the free trade
agreement in terms of market access. Diminishing all the
borders in terms of the market. NOTES :
➢ Under RCEP any country can sell its product in another
country at the minimum tariff.
➢ RCEP is a revolutionary idea and when it gets
successful, there will be a positive drift in the economy
for a respective country hence providing an economic
stability.

3rd Quad Meeting(Informal Group)

➢ It is the grouping of four democracies –India, Australia,
the US, and Japan.
➢ The Quad association of members who have a shared
objective to ensure and support a “free, open and
prosperous” Indo-Pacific region and rules-based global
order.
➢ Connectivity, counterterrorism, and cyber security were
the focus of the conversation at the third meeting of the
‘Quad’ countries.
➢ The US, Japan, and Australia emphasized “rules-based
order” in their statements, which was missing from the
Indian statement.
➢ A serious discussion took place on Sri Lanka and
Maldives, both in India’s immediate neighborhood and
influenced by China’s expansionism.
Why Trump Was Absent?
➢ The US president’s lack of engagement with Asian
nations came just days after a trip to France for World
War One commemorations at which he appeared isolated
from NATO allies.
➢ As well as the summits of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (Asean) and East Asian nations in
Singapore, Trump will also skip the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Papua New
Guinea.
Doubts
Ø Trump attended both the ASEAN and APEC meetings in
2017, and his decision to stay away this year has raised
questions about Washington’s commitment to a regional
strategy to counter China.
Ø Vice President Mike Pence, who represented Trump in
Singapore, told the meeting that United States’
commitment to the Indo-Pacific is “steadfast and
enduring.”

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

10

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective :
Mains Paper 2: International Relations – Effects of policies &
politics of developed and developing countries in India’s
interests
Bhutan
➢ Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia.
➢ Less contact with China.
➢ More connected with India.
➢ Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy( King has the
power, but limited to the constitution)
➢ The government is a parliamentary democracy; the head
of state is the King of Bhutan, known as the “Dragon
King”.
➢ Bhutan is a member of the United Nations, SAARC,
BIMSTEC and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Constitutional Monarchy
➢ A constitutional monarchy is a monarchy in which the
monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution.
➢ Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the current
reigning Druk Gyalpo or “Dragon King” of the Kingdom
of Bhutan.
Elections In Bhutan
The Parliament – Chi Tshog has two Houses:
➢ National Council (Gyelyong Tshogde) Upper House.
➢ National Assembly (Tshogdu) Lower House, both with a
five-year term.
About Bhutan Parliament
➢ The National Council has 25 members of which 20 are
elected while five are nominated by the King; candidates
contest the Council elections as independents and not as
party nominees.
➢ However, elections to the National Assembly, which has
47 members are held on party lines.
Parties Of Bhutan
➢ People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tobgay in its
manifesto describes India as “our closest neighbour and
friend”, and says it will ensure further engagement with
New Delhi ( Pro India Party)
➢ Druk PhuensumTshogpa (DPT), of Dr Pema Gyamtsho
in its manifesto, says it remains committed to
maintaining and furthering excellent bilateral
relations by deepening economic ties and
carrying forward the mutually beneficial
cooperation.
➢ Some doubts, though, have been expressed if
DPT’s vision of “sovereignty, security and self-
sufficiency” is intended as a thinly veiled
reference to Indian interests.
Bhutan 2018 Election Winner
➢ Centre-Left DNT, which seeks to strengthen and
diversify economic ties with India, has won 30
seats in the 47-member National Assembly, the
lower house of the Bhutanese parliament.
The DNT vision included boosting connectivity, the
promotion of Bhutan’s culture to enhance tourism, and
building of infrastructure to enhance connectivity. It
also had plans to introduce childcare and maternity
benefits to women to tackle the reduction in the
number of childbirths in Bhutan. There was, however,
no mention of foreign policy issues in the manifesto.
Bhutan Got A New Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Bhutan’s newly
elected Prime Minister LotayTshering, president of
the Druk NyamrupTshogpa party, to congratulate him
on his election win.
Importance Of Election Result For India
➢ For India, Bhutanese elections have a special
significance, considering the very close relations
that New Delhi shares with Thimphu, especially
in the context of increased Chinese involvement
and the Doklam standoff.
➢ Keeping the 79-day Doklam standoff between the
Indian and Chinese armies in view, the leanings
of the Bhutanese PM are crucial.
Bhutan’s expectation’s From India
➢ Ending that speculation, the PM in waiting,
Lotaty Tshering, in a media interview has already
stated that “Our [DNT] views are very clear on
foreign policy and we believe that it cannot
change every five years.
➢ Our King (Jigme Khesar NamgyelWangchuck)
will be the guiding force on matters of foreign
policy… And on India, we believe that Bhutan-
India relationship is non-negotiable.”
Bhutan,- India Tensions
Hydropower projects are critical for the Bhutanese
economy, and are at the core of Bhutan’s plans for
self-reliance.
As of July 2017, Bhutan’s debt to India for the three
major ongoing projects:
Mangdechhu, Punatsangchhu 1 and 2 is
approximately Rs 12,300 Crores which accounts for
11
77% of the country’s total debt, and is 87% of its GDP.
While the cost of the 720 MW Mangdechhu project has
nearly doubled in the past two years of construction, both
Punatsangchhu 1 and 2, each of 1200 MW have trebled in
cost and were delayed more than five years over the original
completion schedule.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective
Mains Paper 2:
International Relations, Bilateral, Regional & Global
Groupings & Agreements involving India and
affecting India’s interests.
What Happened Recently?
➢ India denied a visa to Kosovo boxer
Donjeta Sadiku to participate in the AIBA
Women’s World Boxing Championships.
➢ After this, Olympic Committee of Asia
(OCA) President wrote to the Sports Minister and
the Indian Olympic Association, President, saying
the visa denial “cast doubt” on India’s eligibility for
hosting future international sporting events.
➢ For its part, AIBA threatened that it
would reconsider India as the host for 2021 AIBA
Men’s Boxing Championships.
Kosovo Boxer Donjeta Sadiku’s Photo
History Of Kosovo
Ø At one time, Kosovo had been the heart of the
Serbian Empire, only to be lost to the Ottomans
in 1398.
Ø Centuries later, in 1912, Serbia regained control
of Kosovo, and by 1946, Kosovo was absorbed
into the Yugoslav federation.
Ø Around the 1960s, Kosovo began to assert its
autonomy, being a majority-Muslim province
after centuries of Ottoman rule, in a majority-
Christian Federation.
Ø The Yugoslav federation accepted this autonomy
in the 1980s, giving Kosovo a ‘de facto self-
government’.
➢ But from 1998-99, Kosovo was the site of a bitter
and deadly war that killed thousands, largely
fought between ethnic Serbs and ethnic
Albanians.
➢ In a conflict that spiralled into killings and
revenge killings.
➢ NATO finally intervened against Yugoslavia, and
the Kumanovo Agreement was reached in 1999 to
end the war.
12
 ➢ India is reluctant to lend weight to the notion that
Kosovo territories within a sovereign nation can secede at
will.
➢ Such an action would, India fears, open it up to
legitimate charges of hypocrisy – ‘If you will
accept the right of self-determination of xyz
country, why not of your own
Kashmiris/Khalistan is?’

What Could India Have Done To Avoid

Controversy?
➢ India does not yet have a good enough reason to
➢ In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from sideline its long-standing foreign policy
Serbia, in a move that was summarily rejected by principles on which it bases its interactions with
the Serbian government. other countries.
➢ While Serbia recognizes administration of the ➢ India didn’t need to sacrifice hosting all future
territory by Kosovo's elected government, it international competitions.
continues to claim it as its own Autonomous ➢ We should (like China) have just given the boxer
Province of Kosovo and Metohija. a visa on a piece of paper stapled to her passport.
➢ Kosovo is a member of the International Monetary
Fund, World Bank, Regional Cooperation Council
and has applied for membership of Interpol and for
observer status in the Organization of the Islamic
Cooperation.
International Recognition Of Kosovo (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
As of 1 November 2018, the Republic of Kosovo has
received 116 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state.

NOTES :

Dark green part states, the countries which recognize Kosovo

as an independent.
BRICS countries do not support Kosovo as an independent.

Adhering To Its Principles

➢ For India, this is about more than just Kosovo, a tiny
European nation.
➢ This is about a long- and tightly-held principle that India
holds dear –that of sovereignty and respecting the
territorial integrity.
➢ India does not recognize Kosovo as an independent
nation, despite it having declared itself independent from
Serbia in 2008.
➢ As one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement in
the aftermath of World War II, India’s foreign policy
follows these principles: Non-interference in other
nation’s internal affairs and an expectation of non-
interference in its own; mutual respect for territorial
integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; and
peaceful coexistence.
Complications For India
➢ With a conflict-ridden Kashmir to the north, where cries
of ‘azaadi’ are routinely heard, and a recurring Khalistan
struggle.

13

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
What is the issue of Asia Bibi?
Asia Bibi is a Christian citizen of Pakistan who was acquitted
by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a case of blasphemy of
2009. As a result of her acquittal, several right wing
fundamentalist groups have waged commotions in Pakistan to
give her a public execution.
Prelude to the Acquittal:
Asia Bibi (real name – Aasia Noreen) is 47 year old farm
laborer Christian in Pakistan. Three Muslim women of Asia’s
locality had purportedly refused to drink water from a vessel
because it was used by Christian people, Asia claimed it. A
verbal row erupted between Asia and those three women and
it was alleged by those three women that Asia Bibi ridiculed
Prophet Muhammed. This verbal brawl gets spread in the
local region, a mob in the locality circumvents her house and
she was threatened by the mob. Ultimately, it led to file a
complaint against her and in November 2010, a trial court
sentenced her of death penalty under Section 295-C of
Pakistan Penal Code.
In Pakistan, under the case of blasphemy, death sentence is
mandatory. The Lahore High Court upheld the trial court
verdict, of her death penalty in October 2014.
In the Meanwhile:
Several Christian organizations and groups termed the verdict
as irrational and pleaded the Pakistani government to
intervene into the matter. Pope Francis also requested for the
intervention of the Pakistani government.
In 2011, Punjab governor Salman Taseer called the decision
irrational, supported Asia and invoked the court to rethink of
the blasphemy law. The repercussion of his voice resulted in
his assassination by his own guard Mumtaz Qadri.
Mumtaz Qadri was convicted and executed in 2016. But, he
was hailed as a martyr by several fundamentalist and religious
hardliners. Millions of people visited a shrine made for him
near Islamabad.
Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities Affairs, was also
assassinated in 2011 when he voiced his support for Asia
Bibi.
Supreme Court’s Verdict:
After this long furore, Supreme Court inverted the
high court’s verdict. Two judges of the Supreme Court
of Pakistan: Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice
Mazhar Alam exonerated her of the charge of
blasphemy on October 31, 2018. Justice Khosa recited
some couplets of Holy Quran during the judgement
and asserted, “tolerance is one of the root principles of
Islam. You (religious hardliners) can kill me too, I am
an easy target for you.”
After the SC’s Verdict:
Several hardliners of Pakistan, including Jamat-ud-
Dawa (led by terrorist Haafez Saeed), Jamat-Ulema-
ae-Islam called the verdict by the supreme court as
wrong and started to protest. Vandalism and uproar
break out in Pakistan. Those hardliners told the
supporters to kill Justice Khosa and Justice Alam and
execute Asia Bibi publicly.
Dastardly Government of Pakistan:
It was totally expected that Asia Bibi will leave the
nation as soon as she gets free. Her husband Asiq
Masih and her two daughters are already talking
asylum in London and waiting for her return to them.
On 2 November 2018, the Government of Pakistan and
the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party, which
abetted the protests against Asia Bibi, allegedly came
into an agreement to bar Asia Bibi from leaving the
country. According to the agreement, the legal process
will be initiated to put Asia Bibi on the Exit Control
List (ECL) which prohibits any individual from
leaving the nation.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :
14
 some strict actions over this albatross around India’s
neck. For example, the naxalism has turned into a
hornets’ nest in India. A population exists in India who
sympathizes with the naxalism.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Earlier in Time:
There were some decision by India by Indira Gandhi in
1971, when war with Pakistan broke out and then prime
minister took a stiff bat and helped in creation of
Bangladesh, merged Sikkim in India in 1975 and took
tooth an nails over Punjab’s separatist Khalistan
movement.

What is a ‘Soft State’? A pseudonym for India!!

UPSC Relevance – GS Paper-2

What is Soft State? (Scan the QR Code to watch video)

The term coined by Gunnar Myrdal, in his book, ‘Asian
Drama’ while comparing South Asian countries to
Europe. NOTES :
He propounded that South Asian countries follow the
policy of Soft State. The policy of soft state professes a
lenient attitude towards the ‘Social Deviance’. Example
of Social Deviance can be rape, murders, crime,
extortion, etc. In another word which is said that those
deeds or activities is not in convergence with the social
norms. So by soft state means, that kind of government
doesn’t take hard decisions over rapes, crime and other
social deviance while sometimes they become very
indispensable.
The soft state policy weakens the capacity of the state in
enforcing the rule of law. Not taking hard decisions
increases the crime rate, violence, corruption, etc. Law
is needed in any nation and the bodies are accountable to
implement those rules and laws. ‘Rule of Law’ should
always prevail over the ‘Rule of Person/Individual’.

Perspective of India:
In India, this policy is being followed in the post-
independence period. After Independence, and also
especially after 1990 most of the governments ran in
coalition with other parties. So, when in coalition,
governments sometimes profess a lenient attitude in
order to appease the alliance, which may cause the
social deviance, ultimately being a Soft State.
Several international veterans aver that India is slowly
turning into a Soft State because of coalition among
more than 10 political parties. Myrdal said that effective
governments follow the strict enforcement of laws and
rules.

Internal Issues: The British introduced the rules and

laws and implemented them, which suited their vested
interests during the colonial era. But, even after
Independence, it is seen that governments in
independent India were not able to implement the rules
and laws. On some grounds, people themselves are not
ready to accept the ‘rules’, in fact, they want to keep on
running by the existed ‘social norms’. Some warm
examples can be Caste-ism, Dowry, female foeticide, or
even the current Sabrimala one.

External Issues: In the scenario of terrorism, there

were/are several fronts where governments need to take

15
 ➢ Uruguay
Jus Sanguinis: Indian nationality law largely follows the
jus sanguinis (citizenship by right of blood) as opposed
to the jus soli (citizenship by right of birth within the
territory).
Children at birth may automatically be citizens if their
parents have state citizenship or national identities of
ethnic, cultural, or other origins.

Mixture of Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis:

USA, Canada, Israel, Greece, The Republic of Ireland
(Click on the image above to watch the video) and Germany.
Trump may end the Birthright citizenship in U.S.A.: India’s Rule – A child born in India must have at least
American President Donald Trump has said that he one parent who is Indian citizen to be conferred
would end the birthright citizenship of USA by citizenship.
Presidential Executive Order. This citizenship is given
to those babies who are born within the territory of
USA. Example- If a non-American woman is pregnant
and if she goes to the USA, for any purpose, and if she
delivers the baby in USA within the trip, the woman can (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
apply for the citizenship of that new-born baby. So,
Trump wants to end this provision of citizenship.

Prelude to the Provision: NOTES :

→ 14 Constitutional Amendment is behind this law,
th

ratified on July 9, 1868, under the presidency of

Andrew Johnson.
→ The amendment was brought to neutralize and
grant citizenship prominently to the black
Americans who were slaves’ children, and also
those slaves who were freed after the civil war of
USA.
→ It states, “All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside. No State shall make or
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States.”

Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis:

U.S. citizenship is automatically granted to any person
born within and subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States (known as jus soli).
Birthright citizenship also applies to children born
elsewhere in the world to U.S. citizens (with certain
exceptions), known as jus sanguinis.
Jus soli is a Latin term that means law of the soil. Many
countries follow the system of jus soli or more
commonly known as, birthright citizenship. Jus soli is a
Latin term that means law of the soil. Many countries
follow the system of jus soli or more commonly known
as, birthright citizenship.
Countries following the system of Jus Soli:
➢ Argentina
➢ Barbados
➢ Brazil
➢ Canada
➢ Jamaica
➢ Mexico
➢ Pakistan
➢ Peru
➢ Romania
➢ United States
16
 ➢ The Seychelles blue bond is partially guaranteed by
a USD 5 million guarantee from the World Bank
(IBRD) and is further supported by a USD 5
million concessional loans from the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) which will partially
cover interest payments for the bond.
➢ A World Bank team comprising experts from its
Treasury, Legal, Environmental and Finance
groups worked with investors in structuring the
blue bond.
India’s Concern with the Seychelles:
(Click on the image above to watch the video) Seychelles has become India’s concern because of
‘Assumption Island’. Indian navy wants to set up a
UPSC Perspective – Prelims Sound Surveillance System over Seychelles. But
Seychelles’ Blue Bond: Seychelles government refused the proposal as they
The Republic of Seychelles on October 29, 2018 were facing conflicts on its own land. People of the
launched the world’s first Sovereign Blue Bond, a Seychelles don’t want to be in tussle between India and
financial instrument designed to support sustainable China.
marine and fisheries projects.
About Seychelles:
➢ Seychelles is an archipelago of some islands,
part of the African Continent
➢ Independence - from U.K. on June 19, 1976
➢ Capital- Victoria (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
➢ Ethnicity – Creoles (93.2%)
➢ Currency – Seychellois Rupee (SCR)
➢ President – Danny Faure NOTES :
The bond raised USD 15 million from international
investors. The bond demonstrates the potential for
countries to harness capital markets for financing the
sustainable use of marine resources. With the issuance
of the Blue Bonds, Seychelles became the first nation to
pioneer such a novel financing instrument.
Boom in the Tourism Industry:
After the visit of Prince William onto the island nation
in 2011 with wife Princess Kate, the island nation is
thriving in the tourism industry. Now, the government is
has proposed some plans to keep this boom intact by
saving and enhancing the marine life and industry.
Companies investing in the Blue Bond:
The World Bank assisted in developing the Blue Bond
and helped the country in reaching out to the three
investors:
➢ Calvert Impact Capital
➢ Nuveen
➢ U.S. Headquartered Prudential Financial Inc.
Main Points of Blue Bond:
➢ The Blue Bond is a part of an initiative that
combines public and private investment to mobilize
resources for empowering local communities and
businesses.
➢ Proceeds from the bond will be utilized for the
expansion of marine protected areas, improved
governance of priority fisheries and the
development of the Seychelles’ blue economy.
➢ Proceeds from the bond will also contribute to the
World Bank’s South West Indian Ocean Fisheries
Governance and Shared Growth Program, which
supports countries in the region to sustainably
manage their fisheries and increase economic
benefits from their fisheries sectors.
The Creation of Blue Bond:
17
 a) Financial settlement between the UK & the EU
b) Rights of UK and EU citizens living in each
other's countries
c) UK- Republic of Ireland border issues

How The Irish Question Playing Out?

● Ireland is an island to the west of Britain and
has two major regions
(north and south) with distinct
demographic features.
● “Protestant majority Northern Ireland” (a U.K.
(Click on the image above to watch the video) territory) and “Catholic majority Irish
Republic” (an independent country in the
UPSC Perspective : GS 2 - International relations south), have had serious ethnic tensions within
and between them.
Why in news :
● Despite more than 2 years since the Brexit
vote, Britain remains as divided as ever, over
the issue of leaving the EU.

About BREXIT :
● Brexit is a term used to define United Kingdom
coming out of EU. In a Referendum conducted
in United Kingdom, UK voted by a narrow ● A
margin in favor of Brexit. Negotiations are s
undergoing currently between United Kingdom
and European Parliament to negotiate the terms U.K. plans to exit EU, the Irish question has
of the exit deal. come to haunt all concerned governments as
there is palpable fear that a new era of violence
Constitutional Provision of Brexit: might start.
● Lisbon Treaty (Article 50) provides for exit of
member countries from European Union. For PRELIMS Bits : About EU :
any country to come out of European Union, it ● The European Union (EU):
has to negotiate a deal with EU. The deal will ● Political & Economic union of 28 states.
provide for a settlement between EU and UK. ● Area of 4,475,757 km2 (1,728,099 sq mi)
● Estimated population - 513 million. The
Why the demand for Brexit ? Developed as an internal single market through
● Economic reasons – The primary contention a standardized system of laws that apply in all
was that economically, Britain loses more than member states in those matters, and only those
what it gains. matters, where members have agreed to act as
● Immigration issues : Half of British legal one.
migrants come from EU. There is this feeling
that they have a negative impact on UK born
workers. Adding credence to local fears was
the fact that since 1997, 3/4th of jobs created
are taken up by EU immigrants. EU’s
obligation on its members to accommodate (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
more refugees also did not find favor with UK.
Especially at a time when the refugee influx in
Europe is at an all-time high in light of
multiple crisis in Middle East and Africa
● Sovereignty Issue : EU is a transformative idea NOTES :
in many senses. One of the things that it leads
to is the weakening of national sovereignty. EU
has been pushing for creation of an Ever Closer
Union which would accord greater decision
making powers to European Parliament, while,
limiting the authority of British Parliament.

The Process of BREXIT :

Firstly, passed through Theresa may's cabinet. Then,
approved by EU. And finally needs to be passed through
the UK's house of commons.

The Three Main Issues Dominate The Deal :

18

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective: Prelims 2019
Gibraltar
Ø Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory
located at the southern tip of the Iberian
Peninsula.
Ø Not part of Spain.
Ø Colony of Britain.
Ø The landscape is dominated by the Rock of
Gibraltar at the foot of which is a densely
populated city area, home to over 30,000
people, primarily Gibraltarians.
British Overseas Territory
14 Overseas Territory Britain Has.
Ø Anguilla.
Ø Bermuda.
Ø British Antarctic Territory (BAT) - ASSI has
no direct responsibility in relation to BAT as
the Antarctic Treaty takes precedence.
Ø British Indian Ocean Territory.
Ø British Virgin Islands.
Ø Cayman Islands.
Ø Falkland Islands.
Ø Gibraltar - outside ASSI's remit due to its
position within the European Union.
Ø Montserrat.
Ø Pitcairn Island, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno
Islands..
Ø St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Ø Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) - ASSI's
responsibility in relation to the SBA is limited
to the provision of advice to the Administrator.
Ø South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
Ø Turks and Caicos Islands
Rock Of Gibraltar
Iberian Peninsula
Located on the southwestern tip of the European
continent, the Iberian Peninsula, includes the countries
of Andorra, Portugal and Spain, and the British Crown
colony of Gibraltar.
Why Is Gibraltar British?
Ø It's one of 14 territories from the days of the
British Empire that's still owned by the UK.
Ø Spain lost Gibraltar to an Anglo-Dutch force in
1704 and officially handed it to London in
1713.
Ø Spain wanted it back ever since.
Ø But in two fairly recent referendums - 1968
and 2002 - the people of Gibraltar chose to
remain under British rule rather than Spanish.
Ø Britain is a big economy that’s why people
stayed with Britain
Ø Gibraltar's important strategic position - as an
entrance to the Mediterranean - is one of the
reasons Britain has wanted to keep hold of it.
Why Is It Important To Brexit?
Brexit: Britain getting out of the European Union.
Ø The people who live in Gibraltar are British
citizens, so they also got to vote in the EU
referendum.
Ø They voted to stay in the EU - a massive 96%
chose to remain - but will be leaving with the
rest of the UK.
Brexit And Gibraltar
Ø Shocking for Spain to see that people don’t
want to leave Britain.
Ø Spain puts its demand forward by saying that,
Spain will have its hand in the decision making
of the Gibraltar.
Victory For Spain?
Ø Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a
press conference in the immediate aftermath of
the remaining 27 EU leaders giving Mrs.
May’s Brexit deal the nod, that Spain has been
given the upper hand with future negotiations
over the Rock.
Ø He said: “This puts Spain in a position of
strength in negotiations with the United
Kingdom over Gibraltar that we have not had
until now.” Referring to Gibraltar.
Ø Spain took the benefit of the Britains condition
by imposing its highest authority on Gibraltar.
19
Theresa May Under Pressure
Ø Theresa May has been accused of betrayal after
giving way to Spain’s demands over the future
of Gibraltar.
Ø Once the UK has left the EU, Gibraltar’s
political, legal and even geographic
relationship with the EU will go through Spain.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

(Scan the QR Code to watch video) Moscow Format and Taliban Complete Analysis
The Taliban is getting stronger in Afghanistan and how
will it impact India , Pakistan and other countries.
Why is the Moscow Format So Important.
NOTES :
UPSC Perspective
GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbor;
International Relations

Why In news:
Ø Two former senior diplomats will attend
talks(meeting) on the Afghanistan peace
process to be held in Russia.
Ø The talks, known as the “Moscow format” will
include a “high-level” delegation from the
Taliban as well as a delegation of
Afghanistan’s “High Peace Council”, along
with representatives of 12 countries.
Ø This is the first time an Indian delegation has
been present at the table with the Taliban
representatives based in Doha.
Ø US and Pakistan to send their representatives
too.
Russian Federation
Ø Afghanistan is on the western side of India.
Ø Afghanistan is landlocked in a unique way by
countries which are a good source of natural
resources.
Ø If India wants oil from Turkmenistan, then it
has to pass through Afghanistan, Pakistan
cause pipeline will be laid that way.
Afghanistan
Ø Many great emperors (like Britain, USSR)
found Afghanistan very attractive for various
purposes and its geographical place.
Ø Special name is given to Afghanistan: The
Graveyard Of Empires.
Ø Afghanistan is good for geopolitical boosting.
Ø Every empire got failed in Afghanistan.
Ø Many emperors tried to establish their power in
Afghanistan.
Ø When USSR started invasion of Pakistan ,
Afghanistan thought their number is next
Invasion Of Afghanistan
Ø U.S.S.R in Afghanistan – The Soviet–Afghan
War lasted over nine years, from December
1979 to February 1989.
Ø The USSR lost in this war.
Ø Afghanistan was a graveyard for the USSR.

20
 Ø For ten years The USSR worked hard to
establish themselves but failed.
Ø The USSR has land borders with Afghanistan.
The Taliban
Ø The United States invasion of Afghanistan
occurred after the September 11 attacks in late
2001, supported by close US allies.
Ø The conflict is also known as the U.S. war in
Afghanistan.
Ø Its public aims were to dismantle al-Qaeda, and
to deny it a safe base of operations in
Afghanistan by removing the Taliban from
power.
Ø When USSR came to Afghanistan, then USA
helped the Taliban.
Ø USA provided funding for the various terrorist
group.
Ø USA financially supported the groups like the
Taliban , they fought with the USSR and lead
the Taliban.
From 2001 to 2018 USA has thrown bombs at
Afghanistan but nothing happened.
2018 – Who Controls Afghanistan
Dark color part shows the severe effect of The Taliban.
Growing of the Taliban is not good for other nearby
countries.
What To Do Next?
The U.S is running out of options.
Severe bombing in last 2 years.
There is no effect on the Taliban, it’s effect is increasing
day by day.
Moscow Format 2018
Ø Moscow Format – 2nd meeting initiated by
Russia on the issue of Taliban in Afghanistan.
Ø 12 participants – China, Pakistan, Iran, India,
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan,
Russia and U.S + Representatives of Taliban.
India And Taliban
Ø India sent two former diplomats as “non-
official” participants at the recent “Moscow
format” multilateral meeting that included
Taliban delegates.
Ø The Indian government-nominated
representatives sharing the table with a Taliban
delegation for the first time are notable.
Ø India Participated in this Moscow Meeting
unofficially that is India can make a u turn
whenever the Taliban gets suppressed in the
coming time.
India’s Representatives:
Amar Sinha and TCA Raghavan as its representatives.
While Mr. Sinha was ambassador to Kabul (2013-2016),
Mr. Raghavan has held senior posts in the Ministry of
External Affairs dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan
and was High Commissioner to Islamabad (2013-2015)
and is currently the Director General of the government-
run Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) think-tank
based in Delhi.
What Was India’s Traditional Position?
Ø India was among the countries that had refused
to recognize the Taliban regime of 1996-2001.
Ø India watched Taliban’s growth with concern,
assessing early that it was being driven by
Pakistan’s army and the ISI.
Ø We can’t ignore the Taliban.
Russia’s Great Game?
Ø Russia’s ambition to re-assert itself in the
southern part of Central Asia and Afghanistan
in particular.
Ø The Taliban also benefited from the
conference: for the first time its representatives
participated in a forum organized by a
permanent member of the UN Security
Council.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :
21
 Supply chain control measures to be adopted by the
parties viz. licensing of manufacture of tobacco products
and machinery for manufacturing of tobacco products,
due diligence to be kept by those engaged in production,
record keeping.
NOTE
• The protocol lists out offenses, enforcement
measures such as seizures and disposal of
seized products.
• It calls for international cooperation in
information sharing, maintaining
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
confidentiality, training, technical assistance,
and cooperation in scientific and technical and
UPSC PERSPECTIVE : For Prelims Facts Related To technological matters.
WHO And WHO –FCTC and important For GS Paper 3
And GS Paper 2 For Mains.

Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of WHO,

Indian Cabinet approves accession to the Protocol:
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)
The Cabinet has given approval for India to accede to the
Protocol under WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to eliminate unlawful
trade in tobacco products.
India said it will also be the part of this protocol. NOTES :
WHO (World Health Organization)
• Specialized agency of united nations.
• Related to public health.
• Established on 7 April 1998 headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland.

ABOUT THIS TREATY

• The Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC) is the world’s first modern-
day global public health treaty.
• It is also the first treaty negotiated under the
auspices of the World Health Organization
(WHO).
• The treaty entered into force in February 2005.
It was signed by 168 of the 192 WHO member
states.
VERY IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL TREATY
:
The FCTC provides an internationally coordinated
response to combating the tobacco epidemic and sets out
specific steps for governments addressing tobacco use,
including:
• Adopting tax and price measures to reduce
tobacco consumption (putting tax on tobacco,
which consumed in large amount which will
directly result in less tobacco consumption)
• Banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and
sponsorship
• Creating smoke-free work and public spaces
• Putting prominent health warnings on tobacco
packages
• Combating illicit trade in tobacco products

One of the key tobacco supply reduction strategies

contained in Article 15 of WHO FCTC envisages
elimination of all forms of illicit trade and tobacco
products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing
through
Solution :
22
 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective : GS3 - science & technology
Why in news ?
• ISRO launched rocket PSLV-C43 carrying
India’s earth observation satellite
Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and
30 co-passenger satellites from Sriharikota on
November 29.
• The co-passengers of HySIS include one
micro and 29 nano satellites from eight
different countries.
Ø About HySIS :
• HysIS is ISRO's first full-scale working
satellite with Hyper-spectral imaging
capability.
• The satellite have been projected into a polar
synchronous orbit.
• The space agency tested hyperspectral imaging
technology in April 2008, a small 83-kg
demonstration microsatellite called IMS-1
(Indian Mini Satellite-1) was launched as a
secondary passenger with Cartosat-2A.
• In October, 2008, it put a HySI or
Hyperspectral Imager on the Chandrayaan-1
and used it to scan Moon's surface for minerals.
Significance of HySIS
• The primary goal of HySIS is to study the
Earth’s surface in visible, near-infrared and
shortwave infrared regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
• Hyperspectral imaging satellite can see in 55
spectral or colour bands from 630 km above
ground.
• ‘Hyspex’ imaging allows distinct identification
of objects, materials or processes on Earth by
reading the spectrum for each pixel of a scene
from space.
• It can be highly useful in marking out a suspect
object or person and separate it from the
background. This could aid in detecting
transborder or other stealthy movements.
• It can be used for a range of activities from
monitoring the atmospheric activity and
climate change, studies of Earth’s magnetic
field, agriculture, forestry, water
management, coastal patterns, looking for
oil and minerals all the way up to military
surveillance
PRELIMS Bits : PSLV v/s GSLV :
• About the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle):
ü PSLV is used for delivering various satellites
to Low Earth Orbits. It is designed mainly to
deliver the “earth-observation” or “remote-
sensing” satellites.
ü Due to their sun-synchronism nature, these
orbits are also referred to as “Low Earth Orbit
(LEO)” which enables the on-board camera to
take images of the earth under the same sun-
illumination conditions during each of the
repeated visits, the satellite makes over the
same area on ground thus making the satellite
useful for earth resources monitoring.
ü Apart from launching the remote sensing
satellites to Sun-synchronous polar orbits, the
PSLV is also used to launch the satellites of
lower lift-off mass of up to about 1400 Kg to
the elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
(GTO).
ü PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with
first and third stage using solid rocket motors
and second and fourth stages using liquid
rocket engines.
ü The PSLV is one of world's most reliable
launch vehicles. It has been in service for over
twenty years and has launched various
satellites for historic missions like
Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Space
Capsule Recovery Experiment, Indian
Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
etc. PSLV remains a favorite among various
organization’s as a launch service provider and
has launched over 40 satellites for 19 countries.
• About the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle):
ü GSLV's primary payloads are communication
satellites of INSAT class (about 2,500 kg
mass) that operate from Geostationary orbits
(about 36000 km) and hence are placed in
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits by GSLV.
ü Due to their geo-synchronous nature, the
satellites in these orbits appear to remain
permanently fixed in the same position in
the sky, as viewed from a particular location
on Earth, thus avoiding the need of a tracking
ground antenna and hence are useful for the
communication applications.
ü Two versions of the GSLV are being
developed by ISRO. The first version, GSLV
Mark-II, has the capability to launch satellites
of lift-off mass of up to 2,500 kg to the GTO
and satellites of up to 5,000 kg lift-off mass to
the LEO and second, GSLV MK-III is a 3
staged vehicle with first stage using solid
rocket motor, second stage using liquid fuel
and the third stage, called Cryogenic Upper
Stage, using cryogenic engine.
23
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NOTES :
(Click on the image above to watch the video)

UPSC PERSPECTIVE
Important for Mains and Prelims both
Mains GS Paper 3: Science & Technology - Awareness
in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics,
nanotechnology, bio-technology.

India’s Astrosat Helps in Finding Blackhole

2018 November ISRO's AstroSat and NASA's Chandra
X-Ray Observatory spotted a Black Hole.
India’s first dedicated astronomy satellite, the AstroSat
spotted a black hole in the binary star system called 4U
1630-47 that’s spinning close to the maximum speed
possible.
NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory confirmed the
high spin rate.
A black hole, which is an exotic but a very simple
astronomical object, is created when a massive star dies
and the matter gets squeezed into a tiny space under a
heavy force of gravity, trapping in the light.

Spinning Blackhole
Black holes are rare, difficult to spot and they don't spin
fast.
This particular black hole known as ‘monster black
hole’ is spinning very close to the limit set by Albert
Einstein’s theory of relativity Currently.
Scientists only have two ways of measuring black holes
– either by their mass or by their spin rate , still this is
not the correct way to measure black holes.
And, a spin rate can be anywhere between 0(min) and
1(max).
This black hole was spinning at the rate of 0.9 very
close to maximum.
It rotates at one of the highest speeds ever recorded.
NASA and ISRO Found A Black Hole That Rotates So
Fast That It Can Spin Space

Black Hole Mystery

Einstein’s theory further implies that if a black hole
spinning that fast, then it is capable of making space
itself rotate.
In fact, if the conditions around black holes are
hypothesized to be correct, then the high spin rate
couple with the gaseous elements entering the black hole
and high temperatures, could be the key to
understanding how galaxies are formed.
A black hole is smaller than a star, but they are very
dense and very heavy and can suck light.
The team of researchers, whose study will be published
in The Astrophysical Journal, stressed that the finding is
important because it tests the theory of relativity and, in
general, shed more light on how the Universe works and
how the galaxies formed.

24

Significance Of Discovery
• Including the black hole discovered by the
AstroSat, there are only five black holes have
accurately measured high spin rates.
• Even if you’re not taking spin rates into account,
this black hole of one of only 20 others that have
been spotted in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Astrosat-Chandra Study
• This first cooperation of India and US is using
AstroSat and Chandra satellites regarding black
hole studies should open up ways for future such
collaborations.
• The SXT and the Large Area X-ray Proportional
Counter (LAXPC) aboard the first dedicated Indian
astronomy satellite AstroSat played a key role to
5. Three identical Large Area Xenon Proportional
Counters
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
• The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO),
previously known as the Advanced X-ray
NOTES :
measure the black hole spin rate, which was
consistent with results from our contemporaneous
Chandra satellite data.
• In the long term it will benefit ISRO (India).
• It is an opportunity for India.
• NASA will not work with China's space agency.
More About Astrosat
AstroSat was launched in 2015 by the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO).
A lifetime of ASTROSAT is 5 years that is up to 2020.
1. The UV Imaging Telescope
2. The Scanning Sky Monitor
3. The Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Imager
4. The Soft X-ray Telescope, and
Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), is a Flagship-
class space observatory launched on STS-93 by
NASA on July 23, 1999.
• Chandra is one of the Great Observatories,
along with the Hubble Space Telescope,
Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (1991–
2000), and the Spitzer Space Telescope.
• The telescope is named after the Nobel Prize
winning Indian-American astrophysicist
Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
25

With INS Arihant, India is now Nuclear Triad
Nation
Perspective of UPSC – GS paper 1, Mains, India’s
Defense
What Is It About Currently:
INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear ballistic missile
submarine has completed its first deterrence petrol on
November 6, 2018. It means, the submarine is fully
operational and if deployed, can target the adversaries
of India.
INS Arihant (Slayer of the Enemies):
Ø Builder: Shipbuilding Centre (SBC),
Vishakhapatnam, India
Ø Launched: July 26, 2009 (on Vijay Diwas,
Kargil Victory Day)
Ø Acquired: December 13, 2014, Commissioned:
August 2016
Ø Status: In Service
Ø Displacement: Surface: 6,000 tons
India Announces Complete Nuclear Deterrence:
Nuclear Deterrence –The military doctrine according
to which the possibility that a country will use the
nuclear weapons it possesses in retaliation will deter
an enemy from attacking. Which means that if a
country attacks a country with nuclear weapons, so the
country which faced a nuke attack can retaliate with
the nuclear weapons, which may stall and avert those
wars involving nukes.
Deterrence Patrol:
A Cold War-era practice where nuclear-armed
submarines are deployed in waters from where they
can fire on the adversary, if attacked.
Since the Chinese deployment of a nuclear submarine
in 2013 for so-called ‘anti-piracy missions’ off the east
coast of Africa, there has been a firming of belief in
New Delhi that development of the ‘nuclear triad’ — a
stated policy for more than 30 years — must be treated
with urgency.
This places India in the league of the few countries
that can design, construct and operate SSBN.
India’s Stand Now on Deterrence:
Ø India has declared that its nuclear triad, stated
in its nuclear doctrine, is operational. Nuclear Triad –
Capability to fire nuclear weapons from air, land and
sea.
Ø This was after indigenous ballistic missile
nuclear submarine INS Arihant achieved a milestone
by conducting its first deterrence patrol.
Ø It essentially means that Arihant is now
prowling the deep seas carrying ballistic missiles
equipped with nuclear warheads.
Ø The second submarine in the series, Arihant is
now undergoing sea trials after which it will be
inducted into service.
Development of INS Arihant:
Ø INS Arihant, a strategic asset, was developed
for over two decades under the Advanced Technology
Vessel (ATV) program.
Ø INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously-
designed, developed and manufactured nuclear-
powered ballistic missile submarine, and three more
such submarines are reportedly under various stages of
construction.
Ø INS Arihant development project was officially
acknowledged in
1998 and the submarine was launched in 2009.
Ø The nuclear reactor of the submarine went
critical in 2013 and
it was commissioned three years later.
Ø It comes directly under the Nuclear Command
Authority headed by the Prime Minister.
Ø Given India’s stated position of ‘No-First-Use’
(NFU) in launching nuclear weapons, the SSBN is the
most dependable platform for a second-strike.
Ø Because they are powered by nuclear reactors,
these submarines can stay underwater indefinitely
without the adversary detecting it. The other two
platforms: land-based and air-launched are far easier to
detect.
Reliability of INS Arihant:
Ø It comes directly under the Nuclear Command
Authority headed by the Prime Minister.
Ø Given India’s stated position of ‘No-First-Use’
(NFU) in launching nuclear weapons, the SSBN is the
most dependable platform for a second-strike.
Ø Because they are powered by nuclear reactors,
these submarines can stay underwater indefinitely
without the adversary detecting it. The other two
platforms — land-based and air-launched are far easier
to detect.
Ø This places India in the league of the few
countries that can design, construct and operate SSBN.
Chinese Capability:
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
is estimated to have four Jin-class SSBNs (ballistic
missile submarines) plus nine SSNs (nuclear-powered
26
submarines). It is estimated to be maintaining a fleet of
40-plus diesel electric submarines.
NOTES :
Notes:
Ø Like India, China also professes a ‘no first
strike’ policy in its nuclear doctrine. It believes that its
maritime capability to launch nuclear weapons
complements its variants of land-based road and rail
launched strategic missiles.
Ø Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj
Aziz defended the policy of first use. Aziz stated that
Pakistan's first use doctrine is entirely deterrent in
nature. He explained that it was effective after the
2001 Indian Parliament attack and argued that if
Pakistan had a no first use policy, there would have
been a major war between the two countries.
Ø Sagarika also known by the code names K-15
or B-05 is a nuclear submarine launched ballistic
missile with a range of 750 kilometers. On November
25, 2015, a dummy or unarmed Sagarika Missile was
successfully test fired from Arihant

India has 14 conventional submarines, half-a-dozen of

which are now going through upgrades of different
kinds. Plus, it has the INS Chakra SSN on a 10-year
lease from Russia, and now the Arihant. At least two
more of the Arihant class are in the works.
But India’s progress on long-range submarine-
launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) is a secret, with
little or no information put out officially. A variant of
the Sagarika missile that arms the Arihant is estimated
to have a range of 750 km. The Chinese JL-2 missiles
that arm its Jin-class SSBNs are said to have a range
upwards of 4,000 miles (over 6,400 kms).

(Scan the QR Code to watch the video)

27
 That is why grooves are visible in Phobos.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

NOTES :
Grooves Moon

UPSC Perspective: Prelims and GS Paper 3 under the

section space technology.

A new study bolsters the idea that strange grooves

crisscrossing the surface of the Martian moon Phobos
were made by rolling boulders.

Cut and depressions of unique pattern on the above

picture.
Ø The research, published in Planetary and Space
Science.
Ø These grooves are a distinctive feature of
Phobos, and how they formed has been debated
by planetary scientists for 40 years.
Ø Phobos’ grooves, which are visible across most
of the moon’s surface, were first glimpsed in
the 1970s by NASA’s Mariner and Viking
missions.

Over the years, there has been no shortage of

explanations put forward for how they formed.
Ø Some scientists have posited that large impacts
on Mars have showered the nearby moon with
groove-carving debris.
Ø Others think that Mars’ gravity is slowly
tearing Phobos apart, and the grooves are signs
of structural failure.
Ø Because of Phobos’ small size and relatively
weak gravity, Phobos has Stickney(crater
(large hole)) stones just keep on rolling, rather
than stopping after a kilometer or so like they
might on a larger body.
Ø In fact, some boulders(very big rocks) would
have rolled and bounded their way all the way
around the tiny moon.
Ø Large boulders or big rocks come out of this
Stickney.

Rocks are moving and due to gravitational force they

will stop after some time
Very less gravitational force in Phobos so rocks cannot
go very far.

28
 • EXTRA free radicals are then converted into
the body as stable molecule.
• The negative impact of free radicals is
decreased by this.

Antioxidants And Free Radicals Are Both Important

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
What Are Antioxidants? How Antioxidants can
defeat Non Communicable Diseases.
• Free radical kills the bacteria in our body and
they are very important for us.
• Free radicals are important for our immunity
and kill the bacteria.
• If free radical are in the large amount then they
will damage our body

UPSC Perspective : GS Paper

Oxidation: When an electron is donated by atom, then
providing electron to that atom.
Antioxidants further provide electrons to that atom. (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
Neutralizing the oxidation.
Vitamin E, C, A and the carotenoids such as beta-
carotene, lutein, selenium and lycopene are examples of NOTES :
the primary antioxidants in your diet.
Antioxidants:

What Are Antioxidants, And How Do They Work?

• All matters in the universe are made of atoms.
• Atoms are composed of a core with protons
and neutrons, and a bunch of electrons that
revolve around the core.
• Atoms combine an make molecules.
• Molecules are made up atoms.

Human body have may atoms present in it change in

atoms (donating of electron) with directly change the
protein and molecules.
Humans and other organisms maintain their structure
and function by chemical reactions.
All the chemical reactions needed to sustain life are
collectively known as metabolism.
• In order for a molecule to be stable, it must
contain the right amount of electrons. If the
molecules lose an electron when it is not
supposed to, it can turn a free radical.
• Free radicals are unstable, electrically charged
molecules in the cells, that can react with other
molecules (like DNA) and damage them.
• They can even form a chain reaction and
convert other molecules into free radicals.
• Antioxidants provide extra electron to the free
radical.
29
 It is a planet that does not orbit the Sun and instead
orbits a different star, stellar remnant, or a brown dwarf.
It is also termed as an extrasolar planet.
The first such planet orbiting star similar to our own Sun
was detected only in 1995.
Today, some 3,600 exoplanets have been found, ranging
from rocky Earth-sized planets to large gas giants like
Jupiter.

After Kepler What's Next?

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a
(Click on the image above to watch the video) space telescope for NASA’s Explorers program,
designed to search for exoplanets using the transit
UPSC Perspective method in an area 400 times larger than that covered by
Very important for prelims 2019 or 2020 the Kepler mission.
While Kepler had cost US$640 million at launch, TESS
NASA Retires Kepler Space Telescope: cost only US$200 million (plus US$87 million for
• NASA launched the Kepler Space Telescope in launch).
2009.
• It was NASA’s first planet - hunting mission.
• It was named after German mathematician and
astronomer Johannes Kepler.
• During its over nine year life, Kepler had
observed 530,506 stars and detected 2,662 (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
planets.
Kepler Space Telescope:
It used transit photometry detection method for NOTES :
searching for excellence, which looked for periodic,
repetitive dips in visible light of stars caused by planets
passing or transiting in front in front of its host star.

Transit Detection Method:

• If any star has a planet, then the star will orbit
that planet.
• Using Kepler, which is used to check that,
whenever the planet will come in front of the
star, how much star’s light it will cut for
Kepler.
• From there we can check what type of planet it
is.

Goldilocks zone states that star and planet should have a

perfect distance between them.
Exoplanet
Kepler’s work was to find exoplanets.

30
 PSLV
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
What Is It In News?
On November 14, 2018, ISRO launched the
communication satellite GSAT-29 on board its second
developmental flight GSLV-Mk III D2 (launch vehicle
used) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh)
Specifications Of GSAT-29
• PSLV is designed mainly to deliver the “earth
observation” or “remote-sensing” satellites
with liftoff mass of up to about 1750 Kg.
• PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with first
and third stage using solid rocket motors and
second and fourth stages using liquid rocket
engines.
• Some notable payloads launched by PSLV
include India's first lunar probe Chandrayaan-
1, India's first interplanetary mission, the Mars
Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and India's first
space observatory, AstroSat.GSLV
• The GSLV is designed mainly to deliver the
communication-satellites to the highly
elliptical (typically 250 x 36000 Km)
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• GSLV MK III - GSLV Mk III is a three-stage
heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
• The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core
liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

• Weighing 3,423 kg at lift-off, GSAT-29 is the
heaviest satellite to be launched from India.
• With a mission life (life span) of 10 years, it is
the 33rd communication satellite built by
ISRO. NOTES :
• According to ISRO, “GSAT-29 is a multi-
beam, multiband communication satellite.”
• Communication like through internet,
telephonic communication.
• Its payloads are designed to mainly focus on
connectivity to the users in the hilly and
geographically inaccessible areas, especially
those in Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern
regions of India.
• It will improve the connectivity between the
inaccessible areas.
• It also carries a Geo High-Resolution Camera
to aid in high-resolution imaging.
• For the first time, an optical communication
payload will be utilized for data transmission at
a very high rate.A combination of high
throughput satellites -- GSAT-19, GSAT-29,
GSAT-11 and GSAT-20 -- would provide the
high speed internet needed for the success of
the Digital India programme.

Specifications Of GSLV MK III

What is the difference between GSLV and PSLV?
PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV
(Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) are the
satellite-launch vehicles (rockets) developed by ISRO.

31
 POLITY Ø SC stated that the Director of CBI should be
appointed by a committee, which must be
comprised of:
Central Vigilance Commissioner – Head of the
committee, Home Secretary and Secretary in DoPT
(Dept. of Personnel and Training) as its members.
Ø Earlier SC gave a moniker to the CBI, a ‘Caged
Parrot with many Masters’ on account of political
interference in CBI’s functioning.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
CBI vs CBI Controversy, Reforms for CBI
About the CBI:
§ CBI is the premier investigative agency in the
country.
§ Was set up by a resolution of Ministry of Home
Affairs in 1963 after Santhanam Committee
recommendations.
§ Agency’s origins are to the Special Police
Establishment, a Central Government Police, in
1946 by the Government of India.
§ Superintendent of CBI rests with CVC in
corruptions and with Department of Personnel and
Training in other matters.
• H.Q. –New Delhi. Motto - Industry, Impartiality,
Integrity
Government Initiatives:
• Governments facilitated the CBI with CBI Courts
for effective prosecution, a separate court.
• Exempted from the consultation with the UPSC
(Union Public Service Commission) for
recruitment of the post of DSPs for a period of 3
years in 2017.
• Advanced Certified Courses for CBI officers to
enhance their investigation skills, forensic data
collection, collection of evidences, etc. by training
from National Law School of India University and
IIM Bangalore.
• Various Schemes for Modernization of training
centers in CBI.
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

Predicaments of the Agency:

Political Pressure:
• Though less than 10 percent of the cases have
political intertwinements, and there is some truth in NOTES :
charge of politicization of investigations.
• So, there is strong need of the reliable team
unyielding to the external pressures when it
conerns with the high profile investigations.

Delayed Closures:
• Several cases are still in doldrums and these delays
in the investigations smear the agency’s credibility.

Unpopular as Medium of Employment:

• Working in the CBI is not very popular among the
youths today, as the getting a job in the agency is a
tough job

Compulsory State Coordination:

• Since, CBI acts according to the CrPC (Code of
Criminal Procedure), it becomes like police. Since
Police is in the State List of the constitution, it
becomes the matter of state also and the agency
need to take permission from the state government.
• In such situations, an issue of consent or
authorization with the state arises case by case.
Sometimes it get delayed to attain approvals from
the states which hamper the investigations.

Supreme Court Judgment on Autonomy of the CBI:

Ø In Vineet Narain case, SC suggested to make the
CBI independent.

32

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Withdrawal Of General Consent
The Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments
recently withdrew general consent to the CBI for
investigating cases in their respective states.
CBI will not be able to open fresh cases in Andhra
Pradesh and West Bengal in for time being.
What Is The Reason Behind?
Ø The two state governments said that they had
lost faith in the CBI in the backdrop of its
internal turmoil marked by the open war
among the agency’s top officers.
Ø They have also alleged that the Centre is using
the CBI to unfairly target Opposition parties.
Ø However, the Centre argues that there is no
sovereignty for any state in the matter of
corruption.
Ø It accuses the states that this was motivated by
a general fear of what investigations might
reveal rather than by any particular case.
What Is a General Consent?
Law and order are the state subjects .The CBI is
governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act
that makes consent of a state government mandatory for
conducting investigation in that state.
CBI needs consent of states to investigate in a particular
state.
Ø There are two kinds of consent in the form of
case specific consent and general consent(CBI
can file a case on anyone)
Ø Central government through notification can
ask the CBI to investigate against central
government employees against Income tax
violations, conspiracy against nation, spying
etc.
Notes:
Ø As law and order belong to the states, all states
normally gave a general consent to CBI for
these investigations.
Ø “General consent” is normally given to help the
CBI seamlessly conduct its investigation into
cases of corruption against central government
employees in the concerned state.
Ø For example, if CBI wanted to investigate a
bribery charge against a Western Railway clerk
in Mumbai, it would have to apply for consent
to the Maharashtra government before
registering a case against him.
Withdrawal Of A Consent
Ø Withdrawal of a consent means that the CBI
will not be able to register any fresh case
involving a central government official or a
private person without getting case-specific
consent of the states.
Ø This shows that a general consent is not
sufficient enough to investigate and CBI has to
get case-specific consent of the states.
Ø It simply means that CBI officers will lose all
powers of a police officer as soon as they enter
the state unless the state government has
allowed them.
Ø It also makes them to seek permission of the
state government for every case and every
search it conducted on central government
employees.
Ø Over the years, several states have withdrawn
general consent, including Sikkim, Nagaland,
Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, which stands out
as an example of the recent move.
CBI Can No Longer Probe Any Case In The Two
States?
Ø The general consent has been withdrawn from
the two states under Section 6 of the Delhi
Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
Ø Section 6 of the Act bars any member of the
Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise
powers and jurisdiction in any area in a State,
without the consent of the Government of that
State.
CBI Can No Longer Probe Any Case In The Two
States?
Ø However, the CBI would still have the power
to investigate old cases registered when general
consent existed.
Ø Also, cases registered anywhere else in the
country, but involving people stationed in
Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, would allow
CBI’s jurisdictions to extend to these states.
Ø There is ambiguity on whether the agency can
carry out a search in either of the two states in
connection with an old case without the
consent of the state government.
What Happens In Fresh Cases?
Ø Withdrawal of consent will only bar the CBI
from registering a case within the jurisdiction
of Andhra and Bengal.
Ø The CBI could still file cases in Delhi and
continue to probe people inside the two states.
Ø The Delhi High Court has made it clear
recently that the agency can probe anyone in a
state that has withdrawn “general consent” if
the case is not registered in that state.
Ø The order was given with regard to a case of
corruption in Chhattisgarh, which also gives
consent on a case-to-case basis.
Bottom Line
Ø Thus, if a state government believes that the
ruling party’s ministers or members could be
targeted by CBI on orders of the Centre, and
that withdrawal of general consent would
protect them, it would be a wrong assumption.
Ø CBI could still register cases in Delhi, which
would require some part of the offense being
33
connected with Delhi and still arrest and
prosecute ministers or MPs.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :
(Click on the image above to watch the video)

UPSC Perspective: Mains GS Paper 2

What is Private Member Bill in Indian Parliament?

As the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid pot bubbled ---

nominated Member of Rajya Sabha Rakesh Sinha said
he would bring a private member’s Bill “on the Ram
Temple”.
India democracy is a parliamentary form of democracy
having three pillars :
• Legislature : Law making body
• Executive : Implementing the law
• Judiciary : Law is in proper structure or not .

An Example
Suppose we have to make law related to transport then
the content will be made by the ministry of transport
which will further approved by cabinet ministry.
Ministers are part of the parliament they will introduce
that bill in parliament if that bill gets passed in the
parliament it will be approved as an act.

Two people can do this

Any MP who is not a Minister is referred to as a private
member. Parliament’s key role is to debate and make
laws. Both Ministers and private members contribute to
the lawmaking process.

Bills introduced by Ministers are referred to as

government bills. They are backed by the government
and reflect its legislative agenda.

Private member’s bills are piloted by non-Minister MPs.

Their purpose is to draw the government’s attention to
what individual MPs see as issues and gaps in the
existing legal framework, which require legislative
intervention.
MP’S are given freedom to make law known as a private
member’s bill for helping out the local people.

Rajya Sabha And Lok Sabha

• The admissibility of a private member’s Bill is
decided by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
• In the case of the Lok Sabha, it is the Speaker;
the procedure is roughly the same for both
Houses.

The Member must give at least a month’s notice before

the Bill can be listed for introduction; the House
secretariat examines it for compliance with

34
constitutional provisions and rules on legislation before Ø On the scheduled Friday, the private member
listing. moves a motion for the introduction of the Bill,
which is usually not opposed.
Rajya Sabha Secretariat and Lok Sabha Secretariat Ø Only a fraction of private member’s bills that
They provide administrative support to Lok Sabha and are introduced, are taken up for discussion.
Rajya Sabha.
Secretariat’s keep a check whether the rules are being
followed or not.
Further followed by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok
Sabha’s Speaker whether the bill should be allowed or
not.

The Private Member’s Bill In Rajya Sabha

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Ø Rajya Sabha draws a ballot to decide the
sequence of discussion of Bills. If a Bill is
successful in the ballot, it has to wait for the
discussion to conclude on a Bill currently being
debated by the House.
NOTES :
Ø Over the last three years, Rajya Sabha saw the
introduction of 165 private member’s Bills;
discussion was concluded on only 18.
Ø A private member’s Bill that is introduced, but
not discussed in Rajya Sabha, lapses when
Member retires.
Ø Upon conclusion of the discussion, the
Member piloting the Bill can either withdraw it
at the request of the Minister concerned, or he
may choose to press ahead with its passage.
Ø In the latter case, the Bill is put to vote and, if
the private member gets the support of the
House, it is passed.
Ø In 1977, Rajya Sabha passed a private
member’s Bill to amend the Aligarh Muslim
University Act.
NOTE
Ø Up to 1997, private members could introduce
up to three Bills in a week. This led to a piling
up of Bills that were introduced but never
discussed; Chairman K R Narayanan,
therefore, capped the number of private
member’s Bills to three per session reducing
the work burden.
Ø While government Bills can be introduced and
discussed on any day, the private member’s
Bills can be introduced and discussed only on
Fridays.
Ø The Private member’s Bills have been
introduced and discussed in Rajya Sabha on 20
days in the last three years.
Ø The Private member’s Bills not given much
importance

35

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Electoral reforms in Maharashtra
What is it About:
MSEC (Maharashtra State Election Commission)
95 people vote for NOTA, and rest of the five
votes for any candidate, the candidate will be
declared a winner, despite of those 95 dissents
of the voters.
Ø Now, it will improve the elections, at least in
the locals of the Maharashtra.
Ø Political parties will have to project good,
diligent and meritorious candidates.
Ø Humongous population still believes that
NOTA is somehow not an eclectic choice to
opt because of its inactivity and they had to
vote for those candidates even the voters don’t
want to approve them. But, now those voters in
the local elections of Maharashtra have a
splendid chance to reflect their choice.
Ø It might also bolster the decentralization of the
power and authorities in the state. As the 73 rd

recently ruled if NOTA gets the maximum votes in an and 74 amendments were to introduce
th

election, re-elections will be held. Panchayati Raj and Municipalities respectively,

Haryana state EC has also declared NOTA as a fictional for the decentralization of the power.
candidate.
Other Initiatives by MSEC:
Decision by the State Commission:
Ø Union Election Commission has a Ø EC of Maharashtra made it compulsory to file
responsibility to conduct the elections of the nominations and affidavits of the
candidates in an absolute digital way, infusing
Parliament and State Assemblies, the state
election commission has a role to play in rural more transparencies.
and urban local bodies in the states; primarily Ø Instant dissemination of information of the
candidates could be pervaded into the voters’
municipals and gram panchayats.
Ø For the local body elections of the states, now population.
NOTA will play this role. MSEC has entitled Ø It is the first state EC body in the nation which
has annulled more than 250 state political
the NOTA as a ‘Fictional Candidate’.
Ø This decision will be applicable to the all Polls parties in aftermath of failure of their
within the state, by-polls, municipals and nagar submission of audited accounts.
Ø MSEC is the first state EC body which has
panchayats.
disqualified an elected representative because
NOTA, Section 49 (O) and Form 17A: of not disclosing the expense accounts regard
Ø The decision to introduce NOTA in the EVMs to election.
came on September 27, 2013 when People’s
Union for Civil Liberties (an NGO) filed a
petition at Supreme Court to ameliorate the
existing method of negative voting in elections.
Ø Under Section 49 (O) of the Conduct of
Elections Rules, 1961, a voter can put her/his (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
electoral serial number on a particular Form
17A and cast a negative vote. The presiding
officer would then put a remark in the form and
get it signed by the voter. This was done to NOTES :
prevent fraud or misuse of votes.
Ø But the quandary of the Form 17A was: first, it
will reveal the identity of the voter which is
against the ethics of the elections and can also
put the voter’s life in danger, second officials
may find the reason of rejection by the voter’s
remarks over the Form 17A.
Ø Official Symbol of NOTA was devised by
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad in
September, 2015.

Significance of the Decision:

Ø In elections by Election Commission, NOTA is
still valid but somehow ‘ineffective’ option for
the voters. In any constituency if any candidate
gets majority vote even against, will be
declared a winner in the region. E.g. Suppose if
there are 100 voters in a constituency. Even if
36

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
What is it About:
Cabinet approved the development of a corridor to
enable smooth passage of pilgrims seeking to visit
Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib.
Background:
Gurudwara Darbar Kartarpur Sahib:
Ø A gurudwara in kartarpur, Narowal District,
Punjab, Pakistan,
Ø Located 120km from Lahore, but only 3-4 kms
distant from Indian border.
Ø Est. in 1522, on the banks of Ravi river
Ø Founder of the Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev,
amassed a Sikh community and built the
Gurudwara.
Ø Guru Nanak Dev had spent last 18 years of his
life till death (in 1539) at the Gurudwara.
Ø Since, Guru Nanak Dev had died there, by this
significance the place holds a prominence
among Sikhs of the India, along with the world
also.
What is Kartarpur Corridor:
Ø Sikh Community, especially Indians, had
requested the government to make an easy
commutation to the place.
Ø The request was first dealt in 1999, by then
prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his
Delhi-Lahore Bus trip (officially known as
Sada-e-Sarhad, inaugurated on February 19,
1999). In that bus trip, Kartarpur was one of
the stoppages.
NOTES :
Ø Aftermath of the request, since the year 2000,
Pakistan govt. had allowed Indian Sikhs to visit
the gurudwara without requirement of any visa.
Ø Corridor starts – Dera Baba Nanak Village,
Gurudaspur, Punjab, India
Termination – Gurudwara Darbar Sahib
Kartarpur, Pakistan
Ø Length – 4km, 2km each sides of the two
nations.
Qamar Bajwa – Navjot Siddhu Conversation:
Navjot Singh Siddhu, the cricketer turned
parliamentarian, went into the swearing ceremony of
elected prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. In an
encounter with the army chief of Pakistan, Qamar
Bajwa, told him that Pakistan will allow the construction
of the corridor soon. But, it was just an informal
proposal.
Decision:
After the informal proposal, Punjab government tabled a
resolution in state assembly for the ratification of the
corridor. Assembly unanimously passed the resolution.
After it, GoI further ratified for the corridor.
The decision was to lay the foundation stone on the 550 th
birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
What Next:
1974 Protocol on visits to religious shrines – the
protocol is for the pilgrims in the two nations. There is a
list of shrines in both the nations. The listed shrines are
required the visa for other countries, including India.
But, Pakistan exempted Kartarpur Gurudwara from the
visa requirement.
So, the whole action will necessitate a separate treaty for
the Kartarpur Corridor as it is exempted from the 1974
Protocol.
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)
37
 GOVERNANCE & SOCIAL ISSUES migrant workers from the other states meet the
need of this requirement.
§ Small and Medium Industries used to be
dependent on cheap labor, provided by the rest
of the nation. Now, those industries are not
getting the needed amount of cheap labor so
the prices in the commodities produced may
escalate.
§ Many works of construction is facing halts
because of the returning to their native states of
the migrant workers.

Lack of Labor Law:

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Majority of the workers are coming from Rajasthan,
UPSC Perspective – GS Paper 2 Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra. In case of Gujarat
Ignition to the Crisis: and other states too, due to lack of proper
Rape of a minor girl by a migrant worker enraged documentation, employers are exploiting the workers.
people in Gujarat and the rapist was a native of Bihar Migrant worker aren’t also getting the proper wage.
who went to Gujarat for work. This crime led people to They are being paid only the minimum wage which is
attack on people from Bihar. just enough to meet their necessity, not helping in their
Prologue to the Plight: rise of living standards and social status. Migrant
§ Gujarat is a highly industrialized state and workers work also in very risky places.
there is very high demand of unskilled labors. There were two laws addressing to this plight in earlier
People from rest of the India migrate to Gujarat time:
in search of the job, despite most of them are 1. Inter-state Migrant Workman Act, 1979
not infused with proper skills. Cheap labor 2. Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008
from other parts of the nation has led people to Note:
go to Gujarat. - Unemployment in the educated youths of India
§ Since, this cheap labor from rest of the India is is 16% currently. Northern states of the nation
getting available in Gujarat, native people from are highly affected because of the lower wages
Gujarat are not able to find jobs in the state. In of the worker.
order to address the situation, Gujarat
Government has decided to reserve 80%
employments in manufacturing and service
sector for the native residents of Gujarat.
§ Rape of the minor girl ignited many mob
attacks onto the migrant workers.
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Repercussions of the Internal Migration within the
nation:
1) Uneven growth of the different states is already
in rife and will still continue if the respective NOTES :
governments don’t provide jobs to the people
of the state, because of the migration to the
different state. On average, 2 out of 10 workers
are from different states within the nation.
2) Marriage and employment also add fuel to fire
of the crisis.
3) Formation of slums because of not getting
proper accommodation because of rural to
urban migration, in search of better jobs.
4) And thus the congestion in the urban areas is
pouring the paucity of resources within the
cities, which creates further rift among the
people.
5) Voting crisis – Because the workers live in
different states, they are not able to vote many
times when the elections are running their
native state.

How it affects Gujarat:

§ Gujarat has adopted a model of economic

development by industrialization and through
industries and service sector. For those sectors,
38

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
What are the factors driving internal migration?
Internal migration can be driven by push and pull factors.
Ø In India, over the recent decades, agrarian
distress (a push factor) and an increase in better-
paying jobs in urban areas (a pull factor) have
been drivers of internal migration.
Ø Eg: Uber eats – can be seen in urban and semi
urban areas.
Ø Also, distress due to unemployment or
underemployment in agriculture, natural
calamities, and input/output market imperfections
serves as the contributing factors.
Ø Data shows that employment-seeking is the
principal reason for migration in regions without
conflict.
Ø Majority of migration happens due to
unemployment.
Ø Better education and standards of living.
What are the benefits associated with migration?
Ø Internal migration has resulted in the increased
well-being of households, especially for people
with higher skills, social connections and assets.
Ø Migrants belonging to lower castes and tribes
have also brought in enough income to improve
the economic condition of their households in
rural areas and lift them out of poverty.
Ø Improve the credit worthiness of the family
members left behind where they can now obtain
loans more easily.
What are the problems faced by internal migrants?
Ø Informal growth - A migrant’s lack of skills
presents a major hindrance in entering the labor
market.
Ø The ‘urban informal’ economy is wrongly
understood in countries such as India as a
transient phenomenon, even though it has
expanded over the years and accounts for the
bulk of urban employment.
Ø Jobs - Most jobs in the urban informal sector pay
poorly and involve self-employed workers who
turn to petty production because of their inability
to find wage labor.
Various forms of discrimination which do not allow
migrants to graduate to better-paying jobs.
• Migrant workers earn only two-thirds of what is
earned by non-migrant workers.
Cost of living
Ø Further, they have to incur a large cost of
migration which includes the ‘search cost’ and
the hazard of being cheated.
Ø Often these costs escalate as they are outside the
state-provided health care and education system.
Ø Frequent borrowing forces them to sell their
assets towards repayment of loans.
Factors Affecting Employment
Ø According to a study, less than 20% of urban
migrants had prearranged jobs and nearly two-
thirds managed to find jobs within a week of their
entry into the city.
Ø The probability of moving to an urban area with a
prearranged job increases with an increase in
education levels.
Ø Access to information on employment
availability before migrating along with social
networks tend to reduce the period of
unemployment significantly.
Ø Social networks in the source region not only
provide migrants with information on
employment opportunities, but are also critical as
social capital in that they provide a degree of
trust.
Ø While migrants interact with each other based on
ethnic ties, such ties dissipate when they interact
with urban elites to secure employment.
Need For Policy Interventions
Ø In India the bulk of policy interventions, which
the migrants are aimed at providing financial
services and directed towards poverty reduction.
Ø However, there is a dearth of direct interventions
targeted and focused on regions.
Ø Hence, a national policy should aim at reducing
distress-induced migration on one hand and
address conditions of work, terms of employment
and access to basic necessities on the other.
Recommendation Of The Working Group On Migration
Setup By MoHUPA(Ministry of Housing and Urban
Poverty Alleviation)
Ø Migrants should be enabled to avail benefits of
Public Distribution System (PDS) in the
destination State by providing for interstate
operability of PDS.
Ø States should be encouraged to proactively
eliminate the requirement of domicile status to
prevent any discrimination in work and
employment.
Ø States are also to be asked to include migrant
children in the Annual Work Plans under Sarva
Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) to uphold their Right to
Education.
39
 Ø Vast network of post offices needs to be made
effective use of by reducing the cost of transfer of
money to avoid informal remittances. NOTES :
Ø Migrants should be enabled to open bank
accounts by asking banks to adhere to RBI
guidelines regarding Know Your Customer
(KYC) norms and not insist on documents that
were not required.
Ø The hugely underutilized Construction Workers
Welfare Cess Fund should be used to promote
rental housing , working women’s hostels etc. the
benefit of migrants.
What Is Required?
Ø There is a need to distinguish between the
interventions aimed at ‘migrants for survival’ and
‘migrants for employment’.
Ø Continued dynamic interventions over long
periods of time for seasonal migrants, instead of
single-point static interventions.
Ø Local bodies and NGOs which bring about
structural changes in local regions.
Ø It should focus on measures enhancing skill
development would enable easier entry into the
labor market.
Ø It should also distinguish between individual and
household migrants, because household
migration necessitates access to infrastructure
such as housing, sanitation and health care more
than individual migration does.
Ø Skill development can be supported by market-
led interventions such as microfinance initiatives,
which help in tackling seasonality of incomes.
Ø It should consider the push factors, which vary
across regions, and understand the heterogeneity
of migrants.
Ø Remittances from migrants are increasingly
becoming the lifeline of rural households.
Ø Hence, the policy should improve the financial
infrastructure to enable the smooth flow of
remittances and their effective use require more
attention from India’s growing financial Sector.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

40
 • That will ensure that school going students
continue to higher levels of schooling and higher
education.
• Provide vocational education.
• Their skills will improve which will fetch them
with better jobs, hence they will have more
access to job market will find better income.
• When they have better income their standard of
living will improve hence they can attain a better
education for the coming generation.
• Further improving the economic conditions .
(Click on the image above to watch the video)

Economic condition of Indian Muslims, National Sample

Survey Office Labor Force Survey Report.
What Is The Current Affair?
According the (National Sample Survey Office) NSSO
labor force survey the economic condition of Muslims
does not show any signs of improvement in India. (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
What are the report findings of NSSO?
The NSSO’s 68th round (2011-12) provides estimates of
education levels and job market indicators across major
religious communities in India. NOTES :
• The educational attainment of Muslims is the
least.
• In urban areas, the number of male Muslim
postgraduates is as low as 15 per 1,000.
• Condition for women is even worse.
• This number is about four times lower than that
of other communities, including Hindus,
Christians and Sikhs.
• The number of male graduates among Muslims is
71 per 1,000, less than even half the number of
graduates (per 1,000) in other communities.
• Secondary and higher secondary levels are 162
and 90 per 1,000 persons, respectively, again the
least among all the communities.
• The average per capita consumption expenditure
(used as an indicator of income) among Muslims
is just Rs. 32.66 per day, which is the least
among all religious groups.

Concerns
• An analysis of the data on economic and
educational indicators for various religious
groups reveals that Muslims are facing a vicious
circle of poverty.
• Low levels of school education or illiteracy.
• Low attendance rates and educational attainment.
• Low consumption expenditure and poor job
market indicators.

What measures needs to be taken?

• The Central and State governments could take
concerted steps to help Indian Muslims escape
this vicious circle of poverty.
• One way to improve their situation is to provide a
special incentive and subsidy system for higher
education.

41

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Polio Vaccine Contamination & types of Polio, Does Polio
still exist in India?
ISSUE
• When Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) are given to
the children, this OPV contains live polio viruses
and this virus are shed by children who take this
OPV by their stool.
• Because of this government and regulatory
authorities are worried that if type 2 viruses can
pass into the sewage or the water system which
can lead to a spread in the Polio.
• This type 2 change was seen in Hyderabad,
Delhi, Bihar and Gujarat
• Most prone in the places of more open
defecation.
INDIA’S STATUS IN THIS REGARD
• India was officially declared polio free by WHO
in March 2014.
• The last Case of polio virus Type2 in the
country was in 1999
• India attained a Polio free status in 2014 after
successfully eliminated the wild p1 and p3
strains.
WHAT IS POLIO?
• It is a highly infectious viral disease, mainly
affects children.
• According to WHO virus is transmitted through
one person to another through fecal - oral route.
• Invades nervous system, causes paralysis and
sudden muscle weakness and pain in the limbs.
STRAINS
• There are three types of polio viral strains - P1,
P2 and P3.
• P2 was eradicated globally in 1999.
• India attained a polio free status in 2014 after
successfully eliminated the wild p1 and p3 strain.
What is a Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (VDPV) ?
• The source of the virus is vaccine itself. When
the child is given the vaccine (OPV) Polio drops
it contains live polio virus, a virus spread
through the vaccine and the virus is replicated
in the intestine and enters into the bloodstream ,
triggering a protective immune response in the
child.
• The Child will excrete the virus in stool. The
virus excreted in the stool is not the original
virus, but the genetically altered vaccine virus.
• Child excretes the vaccine virus for the period of
6 to 8 weeks.
• In the areas of open defecation, this excreted
vaccine virus can quickly spread in the
community and infect children with lower
immunity.
Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis (VAPP)
• VAPP occurs when the virus turns virulent within
the body of a recently vaccinated child and
causes polio. The frequency of VAPP cases
varies across countries.
• With high-income countries switching to the
inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) that uses dead
virus to immunize children, the VAPP burden is
concentrated in low-income countries which
continue to use the OPV.
• The low income countries cannot afford IPV
because India it is a middle income country
IPV VS OPV
• IPV given through injection contains inactivated virus,
considered to be safer than OPV that contains live
virus.
It is easier to administer the OPV than the IPV and the cost
per dose of OPV is also lower than that of the IPV.
However, the OPV fared poorly on two important counts:
safety and efficacy.
CHALLENGES ASSOCITED WITH OPV IN INDIA.
• The World Health Organization is asking all
countries using the OPV to include a “continuous
and effective system of surveillance” to monitor
the frequency of VAPP in 1982, India did not
comply.
• Many member countries autonomously choose
the IPV over the OPV, mainly to avoid any risk
of VAPP. In India, the VAPP cases can be
avoided once the government stops using the
OPV to immunize children.
• Despite knowing that there is a higher burden of
polio caused by oral vaccines, India continued to
use the OPV.
• While high-income countries preferred the IPV,
India and other low-income countries continued
to rely on the OPV. India licensed the IPV only
in 2006 but did not introduce it in routine
immunization.
42
SOLUTIONS

• In India, the VAPP cases can be avoided once the NOTES :

government stops using the OPV to immunize
children.
• The IPV is essential for post wild-type polio virus
eradication, to get rid of VDPV and VAPP.
• A continuous and effective system of surveillance
is required in India

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

43

(Click on the image above to the watch the video)
GS Paper 3: Terrorism.
Spread Of Cholera In Nigeria
Spread Of Cholera Due To Terrorism.
Cause
The cause of cholera is infection by
Cholera bacteria.
The above picture is of the Refugee Camp.
• High population density cause people have
displaced from their house.
• Enough water not present for everyone.
• Proper sanitation is not provided.
• The conflict has kept on increasing between
both the communities.
• Cholera disease is spreading in large amount.
• When contaminated food or water
• Is consumed by the person he/she gets infected.
• Waste material excreted by this has the V.
Cholera bacteria which are transferred to the
environment through human excretion.
• Many people have died due to this.
More than 1.8 million people have been displaced by the
bloody conflict, which has claimed more than 27 000
lives.
When water or food has this bacteria and if human
consume this, after reaching the human intestine, these
bacteria get multiplied in the intestine.
This disease is basically spreading in the North East
Area of Africa .(Yellow part of the above diagram)
About The Conflict
Boko Haram: established in 2002 made by Mohammad
Yusuf to establish Islamic States. Nigeria's militant
Islamist group Boko Haram - which has caused havoc in
Africa's most populous country through a wave of
bombings, assassinations and abductions - is fighting to
overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.
The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, when the
Jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed
rebellion against the government of Nigeria.
The insurgency took place within the context of long-
standing issues of religious violence between Nigeria's
Muslim and Christian communities.
There is a conflict between the both.
Due to this Boko Haram was established.
Condition Got Worst
Suspected cholera cases have jumped in northeast
Nigeria, where Boko Haram violence has forced tens of
thousands of people to seek refuge in crowded camps
the V.
Mohammed Yusuf founded the sect that became known
as Boko Haram in 2002 in Maiduguri, the capital of the
north-eastern state of Borno.
Maiduguri, the birthplace of Boko Haram, is housing
243 000 displaced people in crowded camps with poor
hygiene facilities, creating a fertile environment for
cholera to spread.
• The humanitarian group said 10 000 people have been
affected by the fast-spreading cholera outbreak and
175 people have died in the northeast states of
Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
• The congestion in the camps that makes it difficult to
provide adequate water, sanitation and hygiene
services.
The rainy season has also worsened the conditions due
to the collection of water.
If more land is not urgently provided for camp
decongestion and construction of health and
sanitation facilities, Nigeria is steering towards yet
another cholera outbreak in 2019.
It is challenging for Nigerian Government.
Solution:
International and national groups to come together and
help the Nigerian people and end the conflict between
both the communities.
44
(Scan the QR Code to the watch video)

NOTES :

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

Ageing Medicine
Important for Esaay Part and GS Paper 3
Discovery Of An Ayurvedic Medicine To Combat
Aging
An Indian Ayurveda university has claimed to have
made a major breakthrough in the research to combat
ageing.
A study by the Jamnagar-based Gujarat Ayurveda
University has concluded that the consumption of heart
-leaved moonseed or Giloy — a shrub — increased the
lifespan of the common fruit fly (Drosophila
melanogaster).

Picture Of Giloy

Drosophila Melanogaster(Fly)
Ø The flies are among the most extensively
studied animal models for understanding the
process of ageing and longevity.
Ø The lifespan of the flies, which is not more
than 29 to 30 days, increased to about 85 days
after they were fed concentrations of Giloy
powder for 30 days, the study has claimed.
Ø It has been published in the Netherlands-
based Wolters Kluwer, a reputed journal on
healthcare.
Ø The increase in the lifespan of the flies due to
the Giloy powder can be attributed to its high
antioxidant properties.

What Are Antioxidants, And How Do They Work?

Ø All matters in the universe are made of atoms.

45
 Ø Atoms are composed of a core with protons
and neutrons, and a bunch of electrons that
revolve around the core.
Ø Atoms combine an make molecules.
Ø Molecules are made up atoms.
Molecules react with themselves and chemical is
released which is needed for the metabolism of the
body.
Giloy powder
Ø Giloy powder is referred to as guduchi churna
in the paper and is deemed a longevity
promoting herb.
Ø “Although the exact mechanisms of the action
of guduchi churna on enhancing the
survivability of D. melanogaster could not be
ascertained, it has validated the concept of
Rasayana effect of guduchi churna,”
Ø Rasayana, is one of the most essential branches
of Ayurveda and deals with a group of
medicinal preparations, which stimulate
immunity and prevent the causation of many
ailments such as untimely ageing.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Child death due to Pneumonia in India
UPSC Perspective – GS Paper 3
What is the issue:
Recently, Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report has
been published in India and in it, all the factors causing
the deaths of the children is published.
What is Pneumonia:
§ Happens in Lungs in Air-sacks
§ Bacteria, Viruses, mycoplasma and other
infectious agents, such as fungi can cause
pneumonia.
§ Can happen in any age. People with lungs
ailments can be vulnerable to this disease,
especially who have a tussle with the cold and
cough.
§ Atypical pneumonia is caused by bacteria such
as Legionella Pneumophilla,
Mycoplasmapneumoniae and Chlamydophila
pneumonia
§ Viral pneumonia caused by the influenza virus
may be severe and sometimes fatal. The virus
invades the lungs and multiplies.
§ Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living
agents of disease. They are not classified as to
whether they are bacteria
§ Mycoplasma usually causes a mild form of
pneumonia but may be severe with certain
symptoms lasting a long time.
Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report released:
§ India continues to have the highest burden of
pneumonia child deaths in the world, with
1,58,176 pneumonia.
§ The report reveals India as a woeful nation
where children are the most vulnerable to this
ailment.
§ Globally, pneumonia and diarrhea led to nearly
one of every four deaths in children under five
years of age in 2016.
§ The report analyses how effectively countries
are delivering key interventions –
breastfeeding, vaccination, access to care, use
of antibiotics, oral rehydration solution (ORS)
and zinc supplementation – to help protect
against, prevent, and treat, pneumonia and
diarrhea.
§ The measures are proven to help prevent death
due to these illnesses and could help achieve
the United Nations’ Sustainable Development
Goals target of reducing under-five mortality to
at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births by
2030.
46
Progress in India:
Mixed progress is found in India – home to more under-
five pneumonia and diarrhea deaths than any other
country in 2016.
In 2017, the Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine was
introduced, but it was limited to only 6 states.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

(Scan the QR code to watch the video) Maratha Reservation Bill
What is it About:
Maharashtra cabinet recently ratified the decision to
grant reservation to the Maratha community under a
NOTES : newly created independent category.
Maratha Community:
Ø Maharashtra came into statehood on May 1, 1960.
State of Bombay was bifurcated into two states:
Maharashtra and Gujarat, by the Bombay
Reorganization Act 1960.
Ø Since 1960, state held 18 chief ministers, 11 out of
these 18 were from Maratha Community, which
indicates that the community is quite politically
active.
Ø One-third population of the state is from Maratha
community and historically they are identified as
‘Warrior Class’.
Ø The community also has huge land holding. Most of
them rely on agrarian labor for the employment,
making a considerable contribution in the state’s
GDP

Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission:

Govt. of Maharashtra says that according to MSBCC’s
report (Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission)
highlighted the community is socially, economically and
educationally backward.
According to the commission’s report;
Ø 37% of the Marathas were living below the poverty
line.
Ø Approximately 62% of the Maratha population
holds small or marginal land holding
Ø 70% of Maratha population is living in Kachcha
ghar (mud houses)
Ø Educational backwardness is also in more
magnitude in Maratha community people, rather
than other communities of the state.

Is The Decision Justified:

Ø Don’t go well with available data – As the Jat
community in Haryana and Patel entertains socio-
economic class in the respective states, similarly,
Maratha also enjoys the same status.
Ø There is no social issue that Marathas face any
social slur like the other states.
Ø Lack of employment opportunities and their
sluggish agrarian economic status are definitely
considerable reasons for their uplift. But these two
issues can be resolved by policy action.

Reservation Plan:
Demand is for 16% reservation in the state bythe
community but the government hasn’t agreed to the
demand.

47
The cabinet has constituted a committee to scour over the
matter and to fix the quantum of the reservation.
NOTES :
Current Reservation Slab:
Currently, SC – 13%, ST – 7%, OBC – 19% and the 4%
has been dedicated to the special backward classes and
rest of the reservation is for nomadic tribes of the state.

Challenges of the Reservation:

Ø Category – Maratha Kranti Morcha, who led the
agitation, demanded initially for the quota under the
OBC category and by this OBCs started to speculate
that the new quota will include the Maratha in the
exisiting OBCs’ share. This situation may bring the
conflicts within the OBC community.
Ø Shares - OBCs in the state of Maharashtra are
demanding to increase the share of their reservation
from the present 19% to 27%. The Dunga
community, a shepherd community, demanded they
want to move from OBC to ST category. Muslims
have also demanded reservation of 5%.
Ø Total Reservation Share - Since Supreme Court had
already capped the limit of the reservation at 50%
(Indra Sawhney vs Union of India, 1992).
Maharashtra is already entertaining more than 50%
reservation within the state. So, now the 16% more
reservation will cumulatively do the reservation up
to 68% which is almost equal to Tamil Nadu, 69%
reservation.

Government Clarification:

Ø Government of Maharashtra states it will not affect

the existing reserved sections of any of the class, be
it OBC or any other class
Ø Government plan is to introduce a new independent
quota and this quota will be known as Socially and
Educationally Backward Class.
Ø Third argument of the Maharashtra government is
that there is no ceiling on quota in constitution of
India. It is a verdict of Supreme Court’s verdict.
Ø State also says, constitution provides a provision for
the quota under the extraordinary and exceptional
cases, for example – Tamil Nadu’s 69% of the
reservation petition is still in pending at SC.

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

48

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective : GS 2 - Health & related issues
Why in news ? : The Union Cabinet has approved the
Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 for
regulation and standardisation of education and services
by allied and healthcare professionals.
Highlights of the Bill:
Ø It provides for the Establishment of a Central and
corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils;
15 major professional categories including 53
professions in Allied and Healthcare streams.
Ø The Bill provides for Structure, Constitution,
Composition and Functions of the Central Council
and State Councils, Framing policies and
standards, Regulation of professional conduct,
Creation and maintenance of live Registers,
provisions for common entry and exit examinations,
etc.
Ø The Central Council will comprise 47 members, of
which 14 members shall be ex-officio representing
diverse and related roles and functions and
remaining 33 shall be non-ex-officio members who
mainly represent the 15 professional categories.
Ø The State Councils are also envisioned to mirror the
Central Council, comprising 7 ex-officio and 21
non-ex officio members and Chairperson to be
elected from amongst the non-ex officio members.
Ø Professional Advisory Bodies under Central and
State Councils will examine issues independently
and provide recommendations relating to specific
recognised categories.
Ø The Bill will also have an overriding effect on any
other existing law for any of the covered
professions.
Ø The State Council will undertake recognition of
allied and healthcare institutions.
Ø Offences and Penalties clause have been included in
the Bill to check mal­practices.
Ø The Bill also empowers the Central and State
Governments to make rules.
Ø Central Govt. also has the power to issue directions
to the Council, to make regulations and to add or
amend the schedule
Need for this legislation:
Ø Allied and Healthcare Professionals (A&HPs)
constitute an important element of the health human
resource network, and the skilled and efficient
Allied and Healthcare Professionals (A&HPs) can
reduce the cost of care and dramatically improve the
accessibility to quality driven healthcare services.
Number of beneficiaries:
Ø It is estimated that the Allied and Healthcare
Professions Bill, 2018 will directly benefit around
8-9 Lakh existing Allied and Healthcare related
professionals in the country and several other
graduating professionals joining workforce annually
and contributing to the health system. However,
since this Bill is directed to strengthen the
healthcare delivery system at large, it may be said
that the entire population of the country and the
health sector as a whole will be benefited by this
Bill.
Prelims bits : Who is an Allied & Healthcare
Professional?
Ø According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), “Allied health personnel are personnel who
have specific connections with the art and science of
health care and are recognized as members of health
team in the national health system. They are
educated, with different levels of professional
qualifications, in a recognized or accredited health
or healthrelated or academic Institution".
Ø Allied & healthcare professionals include
individuals involved with the delivery of health or
related services, with expertise in therapeutic,
diagnostic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative
interventions. They work in interdisciplinary health
teams including physicians, nurses and public health
officials to promote, protect, treat and/or manage a
person’s physical, mental, social, emotional and
environmental health and holistic well-being.
(Scan the above code to watch video)
NOTES :
49
 ECONOMY Steps taken by the government:
• Zero fee for registration under Shops and
Establishment Act.
• Cost of obtaining construction permits has been
reduced.
• Cost of Electricity registration has been reduced
and since now in thriving of the renewable energy
sector of India, households are able to get some
segment of the electricity by non-conventional
source, and the part which used to be meant for
domestic feeding, now applied to the industries.
• GST is one key reform also along with Insolvency
Bankruptcy Code and Commercial Courts Act
(Click on the image above to watch the video) • Introduction of United Building By Laws (2016)
made a good impact in two years are now visible in
India rank 77 Ease of Doing Business: the current scenario.
India has leapfrogged at rank 77 in ‘Ease of Doing
• Arbitration & Conciliation Act and Companies Act,
Business’ from the last year (2017) rank of 100.
Development Control Regulations.
Peculiarity of the Ranking:
World Bank basically evaluates and give the marks to
the country on the basis of doing business in two cities:
Delhi and Mumbai. By dint of it, several experts argue
that these two cities are not the whole India and scores
given only to these cities doesn’t justify with the whole (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
nation.
Scores of India in 10 Parameters:
The biggest and significant improvement is in ‘Dealing
with Construction Permits’ which clearly here depicts NOTES :
that the Governments (union and state both) along with
the bureaucracy in order to improve. But, somehow,
Property registration is still in sluggishness even has got
exacerbated.
World Bank’s Statement:
Ø World bank praised India for its improvement
in some parameters.
Ø Second consecutive year in which India has
improved. First South Asian and BRICS
country to do so.
Ø India has recorded the highest improvement in
two years by any large country since 2011 by
53 position.

Parameters 2017 2018

Good Performances in
Starting a business 156 137
Enforcing Contracts 164 163
Dealing with Construction Permits 181 52
Getting Credit 29 22
Getting Electricity Connection 29 24
Trading Across Borders 146 80

Bad Performances in
Registering Property 154 166
Paying Taxes 119 121
Resolving Insolvency 103 108
Protecting Minority Investors 4 7

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Ranking 134 132 132 134 142 130 130 100 77

50
 Repair, Hotel, Restaurants, Retail trade, etc.
while Other Services accounts for 6.9%.
Ø Unorganized – extremely low earnings – the
reason of these low earning is huge scarcity of
proper opportunities in primary and secondary
sectors, which compel people to rely more on
tertiary or service sector. Due to this influx in
service sector earnings of the employed ones
also comes down due to more availability of
the people in the sectors.
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Employment Opportunities:
Ø Share of services sector in total employment
What is it About: sector in total employment was relatively low –
Asymmetry exists between the service sector even though the presence of the unorganized
contribution to GDP and employment growth of the sector is high in the service sector, it is not able
nation. Service sector and employment growth don’t to provide more employment opportunities. Or
match. we can say the share of the services sector in
Reasons of This Divergence: the total employment was relatively low.
Ø 1990s economic growth, new economic
policies were implemented, Indian economy Ø Wide divergence - Between FY 1999 – 2000
became an Open Economy. Exports of the and 2004 – 05 the employment in the tertiary
service sector played a good role in the sector increased by only 22%, but the GDP at
economy, highest in 1996-97 period and Constant Price contribution increased by 44%.
accounted more than half of the GDP. In FY 2009-10, the tertiary sector employment
Ø Economic Survey of the 2013-14 highlighted accounted only for 25% but the GDP
that India has the second fastest growing contribution was 55%. The NSSO (National
service sector in the world, behind China. The Sample Survey Office) revealed the share of
assessment was based on CAGR (Compound the services employment increased by far less
Annual Growth Rate), which was 9%, just than an increase in the contribution towards the
below the Chinese rate of 10.9%. It was based GDP.
on previous 10 years analysis of the economy,
from 2001-2012.
Ø It was also evident by the Gross Value Aided
from Services, so the GVA from services
increased at almost 8.7% per annum and it
accounted for 58% of the increase in total GVA
between FY 2011-12 and 2016-17. Growth and
Services has also accompanied by significant
increase in export of services. Indian became
dominant in export of services. (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
Ø India’s share in the service export account for
38% of the world, much higher than China,
Mexico, Brazil etc, and it is very close to UK,
USA. NOTES :
Contribution of unorganized sector:
Ø Diversification into high productivity services
– responsible for India’s premature increase in
the relative share of services in the total GDP.
Ø National Account Statistics – says that new
and high productive services accounts for only
28.5% of the total GVA in 2016-17.
High Productivity Services are:
Transportation, Storage, Communication,
Financial Services, Real Estate, Professional
Services etc.
Traditional Services - accounts for 11.1 % of
the GVA, traditional services are like: Trade,

51
 1) Jalmarg Vikas Proect- the project receives
financial support from World Bank and aimed
at improving the navigability of National
Waterway – 1, from Varanasi to Haldiya,
distance of 1,380 km, to develop of a fair way
of 3 meter, and intended to be completed by
2023.
2) 3 multimodal terminals along the National
Waterway-1 have to be developed,
1 at Varanasi, 2 at Sahebjang, Jharkhand and
st nd

3 at Haldia.
rd

3) Building a Farakka Navigation lock on Rs.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) 359 Cr which is expected to be completed by
July 2019.
Revival of Inland Waterways in India 4) National Clean Energy Fund & Central Road
UPSC Perspective - GS Paper-1 Fund are being regulated to amass the money
News about it: for the revival.
India is bolstering its Inland water transport to commute 5) By the issuance of government bonds.
the goods. Movement with shipment of 16 containers 6) 2 barges carrying 1,233 tones of fly ash were
owned by PepsiCo will reach the new multi-model flagged. The barges will cover the 2085 km of
terminal at Varanasi. water way ultimately reaching to the Pandu
Foresight of the Waterways: Inland port in Assam.
§ Feasible and frugal for commercial Freight
corridors
§ Pre-Modern era, rivers and canals were in
usage. Since, road and railways infused in to
the travel and trade and also they are faster
compare to the waterways (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
§ Silt Deposit
§ IWAI; Inland Waterways Authority of India,
formed in 1986, with its H.Q. at Noida and the
authority discovered FIVE WATER WAYS NOTES :
and recommended for investments into it.
§ From 1986 to 2014, merely 1,456 Crore INR
were invested in these five waterways. While
in comparing internationally, China invested
1,09,000 Crore from 2005-2010 and Germany
did investment of 77,000 Crore alone in 2016.
§ In 2016, National Waterways Act was passed,
aimed at merging the possible rivers and
strengthening 106 waterways of the nation,
including the earlier 5.

Potential of the Waterways:

Ø India holds remarkably approx. 14,500
kilometers of navigable waterways within the
nation.
Ø Around 55 million tons of cargos move, but
they are restricted in many rivers and areas.
Ø This transportation contributes only 3%, rest
97% is done by the other means of
transportation, severely underutilized, while it
can contribute much more to the nation

Resistances in the ways:

• Periodic dredging, that means Silt deposit in
the water ways are not proper and even it is
irregular.
• Lack of fixed and floating terminals
• Drying of the rivers which can make the rivers
shallow
• Low altitude bridges which may impose some
impediments in the ways

Taken Steps for the ways:

52

(Click on the image to watch the video)
Unsecured Loans in Banking Sector
What Has Happened Recently:
The share of unsecured loans in the economy is
increasing and the banks could be exposed to the sudden
risks, ultimately leading the economy to the sudden
risks. It may affect the credit flow of the economy.
Unsecured Loan – Issued and supported only by the
borrower’s credit worthiness and here the collateral is
not considered. There is no support of collateral which
means without any collateral the loan becomes
Unsecured.
Status:
Ø According to Crisil Research of March, 2018,
the outstanding unsecured loans in the indian
banking industry is Rs. 5 Lakh Crore
Ø This amount accounts for 26% of retail
lending, which was just 21% three years ago
which means the quantum of unsecured loans
in Indian banking industry is increasing each
year. It will pile up the NPAs.
Ø Indian banks were also severely affected by
willful defaults of ‘Project Loans’ and these
loans were given to large industrial groups.
Since they failed then the banks turned to small
lending. Retail loans were used by the
commercial banks in order to drive growth in
the banking sector.
Ø Because of this reason, unsecured credit card
debt and personal loans contribute to the fastest
growing segments for unsecured loans in the
banking industry.
Ø The quantum of the unsecured credit debt and
personal loans are expanding at 30-31%
annually. But the credit in the banking sector, it
is only 8-9%.
Ø Unsecured retail growing at higher rates. So
this area needs attentions of the RBI.
aggregate demand in the economy will
increase. So, the production of the output will
increase in order to meet the increased demand.
4) With the increase in retail credit, return on
assets increase for the banks. There is more
credit growth in the banks and that is the
reason the banks are also keen to push
unsecured loans.
5) Dilution of credit standards - There are
multiple lenders in the banking industry. All of
them cater to same retail segment. Because of
intense competition among them, there is a
chance of dilution of credit standards which
will lead to poor pricing and negatively impact
the banking sector. There should be proper
supervision to watch all of them.
Way Ahead:
1) Public Sector banks can rely more on
technology adoption and capacity building in
alternative credit scoring data and analytics.
2) Banks can also acquire retail exposures
indirectly; securitization or assignment deals
with the NBFCs or small finance banks. So,
these indirect retail exposure can also be opted
by the public sector banks. Securitization
means process by which a company clubs its
different financial assets or debts to form a
consolidated financial instrument that can be
issued to the investors. This securitization can
be used by the company in order to raise more
capital and this capital can be used to provide
loans to its customers.
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)
NOTES :

Concerns:
1) Indian banking industry has already
experienced the bitter phases with retail
lending during the previous economic boom.
2) Negligible Chance for Recovery - The most
important concern with the unsecured loans is
that in the event of the any default, such loans
offer negligible prospects for recovery. They
do not have any collateral to compensate so
that banks can recover from the amount.
3) Consumption Momentum – Over the last few
years, Private Capital Expenditure is coming
down in the nation. Therefore, the private
consumption has been a key in India’s growth.
When the Private Consumption increases, the

53

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
What Is The Issue Between RBI And The
Government
The government wants 3.6 Lakh Crore form RBI.
The amount is very large and RBI is reluctant in it
because RBI don’t want a decrease in its reserves.
Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan
• Our total costs amount to only about 1/7th of
our total net interest income.
• So we earn a large surplus profit, more than all
the public sector put together.
• “To pay an additional dividend to the
government, the RBI has to create additional
permanent reserves, i.e., print more money”.
RBI’S Assets And Reserves
The total assets of the RBI stand on a bit more than Rs
36 Lakh Crore (Rs 36,17,594 Crore). For Financial Year
2017-18.
It is distributed among:
• Gold, Banknotes and Coins kept in the vaults
of the RBI.
• The Foreign Currency Assets .
• Government Bonds, Treasury Bills and
Special Oil Bonds .
• Loans and advances to central and state
governments .
• Loans and advances to commercial, co-
operative banks, NABARD and others.
What Is Surplus Transfer?
RBI earns from it’s reserves.
As the term suggests, the process involves the RBI is
transferring a share of its profits to the central
government.
In accordance with Section 47 (Allocation of Surplus
Profits) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, RBI
transfers the excess of income over expenditure – to the
government at the end of each fiscal year.
Representatives from both sides (RBI and Government
Of India) should come together and talk to each keeping
each other point of view in mind.
NOTES :
The RBI has decided to transfer an amount of Rs 50,000
crore as surplus transfer.
The government, however, wants it to transfer the entire
surplus from the financial year 2017-18 to the
government.
Notes
• Currently, the RBI’s reserves stand at Rs 9.7
lakh crore in fiscal year FY18.
• (We are not talking about assets) Out of the Rs
9.7 Lakh Crore that the RBI can shell out, just
under Rs 2.55 Lakh Crore is part of the
contingency fund, which is allocated to guard
against unforeseen losses
• RBI’s buffer includes Rs 6.91 Lakh Crore in
the form of currency and gold revaluation.
Contingency Fund, Asset Development Fund, Currency
and Gold revaluation account.
The Controversy
The RBI fund the surplus funds to Government as a
form of dividend. The question is how much should that
dividend be.
Usha Thorat committee (2004)
• This Committee, said the RBI. This
Committee, said the total reserves should be
around 18% of the total assets.
• Currently it is 28%.
Another committee under Y.H. Malegam which said the
existing reserves were in excess of the needed buffer
and hence no transfers from the profits were necessary.
The Entire surplus should be sent to the Government.
Notes
• The CGRA was 21.81% of total assets and the
contingency reserve was 8.44%.
• The corresponding numbers now (2017-18) are
19.11% and 6.41% respectively.
• RBI believes that the buffer is now inadequate.
For now, it seems RBI is not going to budge to the
government’s demand of Rs 3.6 lakh crore.
But if it eventually has to, it would mean exhausting the
contingency fund completely and further eating into the
gold and currency assets.
If that seems outrageous, there lies just one way out.
Raghuram Rajan put it succinctly: “To pay an additional
dividend to the government, the RBI has to create
additional permanent reserves, i.e., print more money”.
Solution
Plan a proper community for it.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
54

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Section 7 of RBI Act
Central Government’s Invoke of the Section:
The central government has initiated steps towards
invoking its power under section 7 of the RBI act of
1934. Section 7 of the RBI act states about some powers
of the central government in the concern of RBI.
Section 7(1):
Section 7(1) of the RBI states, “The Central
Government may from time to time give such directions
to the Bank as it may, after consultation with the
Governor of the Bank, consider necessary in the public
interest.”
It has two Parts:
1. Consultation- About the consultations of the
Central Government in consultations with the
RBI governor and RBI committee.
2. Issue of Direction- Central government may
issue some directions to the bank in the public
interests.
1. Exempting power companies from the new
stressed norms on stressed assets which the
bank has come up against some powerful
companies. Center asked to exempt them from
these norms.
2. Dilution of capital threshold norms for PCA
(Prompt Corrective Action)- RBI has taken
PCA against 11 banks. So, the center asked the
RBI to dilute the capital threshold for those
banks.
3. Asking for more capital to the government
from the reserve of the bank
RBI rejected the all proposals and kept it stance straight
to the government and the bank is not going to change
any decision on those three fronts.
Assiduity to the Authority:
Both of the bodies; Central Government and RBI should
work in the rapport with each other, which was
mentioned in the RBI act. There are indispensable and
rational reasons which compel the RBI to be
independent. If the authority of RBI comes under any
hindrance, it creates a rift between the two bodies,
ultimately putting the nation’s economy in jeopardy.
Foreign investors will start to speculate and doubt about
the stability of the nation’s economy, which may further
lead to make them pull out their investment from India.

Central Board of Directors: (Scan the QR Code to watch video)

This board is a body comprising officials from the
central bank and the Government of India, including
officials nominated by the government. This board is
comprised of:
1. One Governor – Urjit Patel (as of November NOTES :
2018)
2. Deputy Governors (Maximum 4) - nominated
by the central government
N. S. Viswanathan, Viral V. Acharya, B.P.
Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain
3. 4 Non-official Directors – Nominated by the
central government.. Each Non-official director
represents the local boards located in Delhi,
Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, by four regions
of India.
4. 10 Non-official Directors – Nominated by the
RBI, these 10 have the expertise in different
domains of a nation’s economy.
5. 1 Representative of the central government –
nominated by the central government
The above composition of the Central Board of
Directors and their nominations clearly indicate that
central government has a role in the RBI.
Since the beginning of the bank and after independence,
Section 7 has never been invoked.

How It Happened:
Central Government issued 3 Letters of Proposal to the
bank in the last month for consultation under section 7.
The letters were about:

55

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Rising Pulses Prices in India
What is it About:
Ø Price of the kharif crops have increased after a
gap of two years. In the last two years,
production of pulses was on rise and good
amount of pulse production had brought down
the price.
Ø Due to the drop in the production, raise in
prices happened.
Ø A policy is needed which reconciles between
producers and consumers.
Ø Farmers must be insured Minimum Price for
the commodities. Consumers must be kept
away from the food inflation that is consumers
must be able to afford the prices.
Background:
Ÿ In 2016-17, government introduced a policy to
increase the production of the pulses
Government procured the pulses from the
farmers at increased prices. This increased
price inspired the farmers to produce more
pulse also in 2017-18.
Ÿ MSP (Minimum Support Price) of the Tur
pulse was increased almost by 30% from 2014
to 2018. Moong daal also MSP was raised by
25% in last four years. It is clear the
government is intended to increase the output
of the production of the pulses.
Ÿ Because of more supply of the pulse, price
reduced in the market. The reduced price came
even below the MSP and thus farmers had to
sell the pulse in the open market at a lesser
price than MSP. This affected the interests of
the farmers as they were not getting the proper
remuneration.
Ÿ Now, the production has reduced so the prices
have increased and since farmers were not
getting the profitable remunerations from the
market and they were not able to make
investments for the next crops.
Ÿ Kharif pulses output has been estimated at 9.22
million tonnes this year, against 9.34 million
tonnes last year.
Ÿ Drought has also impacted the production of
the crop and the supply has reduced because of
the drought.
Challenges:
Ÿ India is a protein-deficient nation and thus
India must focus on diversification of crops so
that food grains could be ascertained.
Production of other commodities along with
the pulses must be heeded over. Producers’
interests must be insured.
Ÿ Nutrition Imbalance must be addressed.
Ÿ The current price rice of the Khariff crops can
affect the Rabi pulses also. They may face the
extension in the sowing period.
Ÿ Area sown in Karnatka and Maharashtra are
the major pulse producing states and these two
states are facing a decline in the production due
to less seeding which will further aggravate the
situation.
Ÿ Creating a balancing policy; as the policy must
entertain both of the parties: producers and
consumers. Producers must get a fair price for
the next seeding and next crops while the price
must be affordable enough for the common
people of the nation.
Way Forward:
Ÿ Develop adequate procurement infrastructure
with the required communication between
center and states. Excess production can be
addressed by the governments.
Ÿ Use of Real-Time Data which can regulate and
control the price volatility of the pulses and
other commodities.
Ÿ Price Stability – Government can store the
excess production by the farmers and can have
a buffer stock of the grains and can stabilize
the prices at a frugal magnitude. While in case
of less production, government can take out the
buffer stock and can reduce the price by
supplying more into the consumers.
Ÿ Recommendations of Arvind Subhramaniam
committee should be implemented necessarily.
Arvind Subhramaniam – 16 Chief Economic Adviser to
th
the GoI.
Tenure – October 2014 to June 20, 2018
What does Arvind Subhramaniam committee
recommends:
Price management of pulses: Stock limits and export
bans set for pulses should be lifted in order to prevent a
decline in prices of pulses. State governments should be
encouraged to delist pulses from their Agricultural
Produce Market Committee Acts, so that produce may
be traded outside of the state-owned mandis.
Procurement of pulses: The government should
emphasize to procure pulses such as moong, tur and
urad at their respective MSPs. To increase procurement,
the government should assign an additional Rs 10,000
crore to procurement agencies In addition, procurement
operations should be monitored. It can be done via
weekly reporting to the central government, and
physical verification of procurement through visual
images.
MSPs for pulses: The MSP for tur and urad should be
about Rs 60/kg, adjusted for inflation. The MSP for
Rabi pulses such as gram should be set at Rs 40/kg, and
be announced immediately.
Institutional arrangement for pulses: The government
should aim to create a new institutional arrangement for
pulses.
56
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NOTES :

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

What is KCC? (Kisan Credit Card)

• The scheme was launched in India in 1998 to
provide affordable and timely credit to Indian
farmers.
• Subsidized loans are given to farmers through
KCC by state – owned banks .
• Eligibility for KCC Issued to farmers based on
their landholdings, KCC operates like a normal
credit card.
• Under this scheme, the KCC limit is sanctioned
for 3-5 years, with one-time documentation,
and is renewed every year based on the
farmers’ requirements.
• Thus, the farmer does not need to go through
time-consuming bank screening processes
repeatedly every year.
• The rate of interest on this type of loan is also
considerably low compared to agriculture term
loan under the scheme farmers have the option
of rescheduling the repayment.
• Beneficiaries can utilize the loan amount for
various stages of cropping cycle, like the
sowing of seeds, harvesting of crops and other
agriculture activities.
• They can also utilize loan proceeds towards
meeting post-harvest/household and
consumption requirements.

How KCC misused?

• Funds borrowed under KCC schemes are often
getting diverted for non-agricultural activities,
such as real estate investment, other business
activities, purchase of expensive cars and
jewelry, higher education of children in foreign
countries, indigenous lending, etc.
• Borrowers commonly avail higher loans from
banks by inflating the quantum of land under
cultivation.
• KCC provides an opportunity for unscrupulous
borrowers to exploit the banking channel for
placement and layering of black money
generated in other business activities like real
estate, indigenous money lending and bullion
traders, in order to convert the same into white
in the form of repayment of KCC loan amount.
• There is also a practice of evergreening of
loans drawn through KCCs. Evergreening
refers to the practice of giving fresh loans to a
borrower to help him meet interest payments.
• In case of owned lands, borrowers often resort
to “double dipping” borrowers and family
members avail multiple loans either from the

57
 same bank or from different, for the same piece
of land owned by them.
NOTES :
What are the concerns?
• The lack of adequate visibility about the source
of cash that is being deposited in banks in the
form of repayment of KCC loan.
• Revolving cash facility which entails unlimited
withdrawals and repayments as long as it is
within the prescribed limits makes KCC
vulnerable to money laundering.
• Such a facility could be convenient if a
customer wants to churn money in and out of
the system in small amounts and facilitate
terrorist financing or activity.
• Terrorist financing does not require cash in
bulk or in huge amounts, but in smaller
amounts as and when required, so most alert
monitoring systems miss out on patterns of
terrorist financing activity.

Solutions

• Banks need to strengthen KYC norms, monitor

end-utilization of funds, strengthen KCC
policies and procedures, and extend KCC
facilities only to the needy.
Multiple people taking loans on single piece of
land can be avoided.

• The use of field intelligence, mystery shopping

as well as extensive data analytics can help
banks to detect red flags at an early stage and
fight this menace.

• In the absence of immediate remedial

measures, KCC could be well be the next
bubble of money laundering.

.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

58
 Rivalry with Rupay:
Mastercard told the United States government in June
that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was using
nationalism to promote the use of a domestic payments
network on Rupay card.

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Visa and MasterCard request to Prime Minister over
Rupay Card
Perspectives of Patriotism:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that if Indians use
the Rupay card more for digital transactions, it will
create revenue and ultimately to the service to the
people themselves in the service of nation. Mastercard
in a written statement to the office of USTR (United
States Trade Representative) that the company has lost
some profits because of the promotion of Rupay card by
the Prime Minister.
Several Indian companies work in the U.S.A. and the
trade between the two nations is in somehow the favor
of India.

Mastercard Visa American Express Discover

Ø Founded in 1966 as Interbank Card Ø Founded in 1958 as Ø Founded in 1850 Ø Founded in
Corporation BankAmeriCard in Buffalo, New 1985
Ø H.Q. – New York, U.S.A. Ø H.Q. – Foster City, California, York, USA Ø H.Q. –
Ø President, CEO - Ajaypal Singh U.S.A. Ø H.Q. – New Riverwoods,
Bagga Ø Founder – Dee Hock York, U.S.A. Illinois, U.S.A.
Ø CEO- Alfred F.Kelly Ø Chairman, CEO Ø CEO – Roger
– Stephen J. Hochschild
Squeri
Note – All of the above companies are Public Companies

Rupay:
ü Devised and launched by National Payment
Corporation of India (NPCI)
ü Launched on March 26, 2012. It was created
under the RBI’s recommendation of having a Transaction Costs:
domestic payment system in India. The cost of
Transaction was high under the services of Rupay – Rs 2.5, Mastercard and Visa – Rs 3.25,
Visa and Mastercard. American Express – Rs 3.75 to 4
ü Data from National Payments Corporation of
India (NPCI), which manages the RuPay card
scheme, shows that RuPay card usage at point-
of-sales devices has jumped 135% to 459
million transactions
in financial year 2018 against 195 million last (Scan the QR code to watch the video)
year

NOTES :

59

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
PM Launches Historic Support And Outreach
Initiative For MSME Sector
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 2,
2018 launched the Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME) Support and Outreach Program at
Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The large number of employment come from MSME.
MSMEs are one of the principal employment generators
in India
Notes
The Prime Minister made 12 decisions that will mark a
new chapter for the MSME sector.
Basics
The Prime Minister said that the success of economic
reforms launched by the Union Government, can be
gauged from the rise in India’s “Ease of Doing Business
Rankings,” from 142 to 77 in four years.
The Prime Minister said that there are five key aspects
of facilitating the MSME sector.
Income tax details: Income tax returns for three years
are required in XML format. Income tax codes and e-
filing details are are also required.
GST details: The applicant will be asked to provide his
GST ID username and password.
Ownership details: Applicants will be required to
furnish ownership papers of their ventures. Applicants
will also be required to furnish personal and educational
details.
These include access to credit, access to market,
technology upgradation, ease of doing business, and a
sense of security for employees.
Access To Credit Part–1
• 59 minute loan portal to enable easy access to
credit for MSMEs.
• Loans upto Rs. 1 crore can be granted in-
principle approval in just 59 minutes through
GST Portal.
• The Prime Minister also said that the GST
registered MSMEs will get 2 per cent rebate on
an incremental loan of up to Rs 1 crore.
Access To Credit Part – 2
The Prime Minister mentioned the second
announcement as a 2 percent interest subvention for all
GST registered MSMEs, on fresh or incremental loans.
For exporters who receive loans in the pre-shipment and
post-shipment period, the Prime Minister announced an
increase in interest rebate from 3 percent to 5 percent.
Details:
Rs 1 Crore Loan In 59 Minutes
https://www.psbloansin59minutes.com/home
• The loan amount will be between Rs 10 Lakh
and 1 Crore.
• The rate of interest (RoI) starts from 8%.
• After the approval in principle, of the
application, the loan amount will be disbursed
in 7-8 working days.
• There is no mandatory requirement for
collateral as the online portal is directly
connected to the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust
for Micro and Small Enterprises scheme.
For registration, the borrower does not need to make any
payment.
A borrower whose proposal matches the products of
lenders and who wants to receive an approval in
principle will be required to make a nominal payment of
Rs 1,000 plus applicable taxes.
There is no fee for the registration, but once the
applicant’s proposal matches the bank’s products, the
borrower will have to be submit a fee of Rs 1,000 plus
taxes.
Documents you require:
Bank account details: A six-month bank statement is
required to be submitted in PDF format.
e-KYC paper: A digitized version needs to be uploaded.
Access To Credit Part- 3
All companies with a turnover more than Rs 500 crore
will now compulsorily be brought to the Trade
Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS).
It will enable entrepreneurs to access credit from banks.
60
This will resolve the problems of cash cycle.
Trade Receivables Discounting System Or TReDS
Trade Receivables Discounting System or TReDS is an
initiative undertaken by Reserve Bank Of India to
safeguard the interest of micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) that, because of large
organizations, always finds it very hard to convert their
trade receivables into liquid funds in a short period.
RBI thus by undertaking Trade Receivables Discounting
System (TReD) an electronic platform, has mechanized
the financing of trade receivables of MSMEs from
corporate buyers through two or more financiers is
known as Trade Receivables Discounting System
wherein all registered MSMEs can discount their bills of
exchange or invoice through TReDS with a quoted
price.
Access To Markets
• Public sector companies will now need to
compulsorily procure 25 percent, instead of 20
percent of their total purchases from MSMEs.
• Out of the 25 percent procurement mandated
from MSMEs, 3 percent will now be reserved
for women entrepreneurs.
• All public sector undertakings of the Union
Government must now compulsorily be a part
of GeM (Government e - Marketplace)
NOTES :
Technology Upgradation
• Coming to technological upgradation, the
Prime Minister said that tool rooms across the
country are a vital part of product design.
• His seventh announcement was that 20 hubs
will be formed across the country, and 100
spokes in the form of tool rooms will be
established.
Ease Of Doing Business
• Clusters will be formed of pharma MSMEs.
• 70 percent cost of establishing these clusters
will be borne by the Union Government.
• The return under 8 labor laws and 10 Union
regulations will now need to be filed only once
a year.
.
• The Ordinance has been brought under which,
for minor violations under the Companies Act,
the entrepreneur will no longer have to
approach the Courts, but can correct them
through simple procedures.
Social Security For MSME Sector Employees
A mission will be launched to ensure that they have Jan
Dhan Accounts, provident fund and insurance.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
61

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Half of India's ATMs May Close Down
Automated Teller Machine
Notes
According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India
had 221,492 ATMs as of September-end.
Service providers may be forced to close down almost
1.13 Lakh ATMs across the country by March 2019,
according to the Confederation of ATM Industry
(CATMi).
Some Basics You Should Know
ATMs can be classified into the following categories
1. Bank owned ATMs
2. Brown Label ATMs
3. White Label ATMs
These categories of ATMs are on the basis of ownership
of the ATM, AT location, service contract of the bank
with a service provider.
What Are Bank Owned ATMS?
Ø Such ATMs are set up and owned by the bank
itself. The bank is responsible for their
operation and maintenance.
Ø Banks are entitled with responsibility of cash
loading, AMC, security of the ATMs.
What Are Brown Label ATMS?
Ø In case of Brown Label ATMs, service
providers own the hardware of the ATM
machine. The responsibility of identifying the
ATM site, lease agreement with landlord,
power supply to ATM kiosk lies with the
service provider. Thus, a service provider takes
the responsibility of maintenance of the ATM
whereas sponsor bank takes the responsibility
of cash management and provide connectivity
to ATM to the banking network.
Ø Logo of sponsor bank is displayed on brown
label ATM kiosk premises. Brown Label
ATMs are most cost effective solution for the
banks.
What Are White Label ATMS?
Ø White Label ATMs are owned and operated by
Non Banking, Financial Companies (NBFC).
RBI has granted license or permission to non-
banking entities to open such ATMs.
Ø Any non banking entity with a minimum net
worth of ₹ 100 Crore can apply for white label
ATM.
Its members, which include the ATM managed service
providers (MSPs), brown-label ATM deployers (BLAs)
and White Label ATM (WLAs)operators.
Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMi)
Notes
Ø Nearly 50 percent of the Automated Teller
Machines (ATMs) may be shut down by March
2019 due to inability of operations, hitting hard
both urban and rural population, the
Confederation of ATM Industry (CATMi) one
Currently, India has approximately 2,38,000
ATMs, of which around,13,000 ATMs
including 1,00,000 off-site and more than
15,000 white label ATMs.
Reasons For Closing ATM?
“The forced closure is on account of inability of
operations brought about by recent regulatory guidelines
for ATMs hardware and software upgrades, recent
mandates on cash management standards and the
Cassette Swap method of loading cash,” CATMi
The Upgradation Will Cost A Lot
Staring at huge expenditure of ₹3,200-4,800 Crore for
introducing cassette swap in ATMs and other
upgradations.
Upgrade
Bankers feel that on-site ATMs should be exempted
from the regulatory directive, requiring banks to use
lock able cassettes in their ATMs ( which will be
swapped at the time of cash replenishment).
The above picture is of lock able cassettes which cost
around 20 to 40 thousand.
62
The ATM industry in India has reached a “tipping
point”, and unless ATM deployers are compensated by
banks for making these investments, there is likely to be
NOTES :
a scenario where contracts are surrendered, leading to
large-scale closure of ATMs.

PRADHAN MANTRI JAN – DHAN YOYANA Will

Be Hit Hard

Ø The ATM should not be closed.

Ø Rural areas will be hit hard due to this.
Ø Rural people are using it now.
Ø The scene which came at the time of
demonetization will be seen again if 1.13 Lakh
ATMs will be closed.
Ø I.e long queues in front of the ATM’s.
Ø RBI will relax its guidelines or not and banks
will make the funding or not we have to see
this in coming time.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

63
 GEOGRAPHY &
ENVIRONMENT
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Koalas Face Extinction In Australia By 2050
UPSC Perspective
GS Paper 3: Drought (Impact Of Drought)
Urbanization, Agricultural Impact
What Has Happened Recently?
The report, released by (WORLD WIDE FUND) WWF
Australia and the Nature Conservation Council (NCC),
used select satellite images of northern (NEW SOUTH
WILLS) NSW to assess land clearing and its impact on
vulnerable and endangered species.
Koalas are found in New South Wills.
Koalas live in a eucalyptus tree.
Trees are getting cut so inhabited of koalas is becoming
extinct, which is a matter of concern .
WWF Australia estimates there are likely less than
20,000 koalas left in NSW and at the current rate, they
are on track to be extinct in the state by as early as 2050.
KOALAS
• Koalas are the most-loved and iconic of
Australian wild animals.
• They spend much of their lives in their
eucalyptus food trees where they sleep through
the day and spend a few hours consuming
leaves during the evening.
The report concludes that this was likely the major
reason behind the dramatic surge in the forest and
woodland destruction in this known clearing hotspot.
3.The koalas are threatened by destruction of food and
shelter trees and forest fragmentation, which exposes
them to higher mortalities from vehicle strike, dog
attacks, and stress.
4.In some areas, koalas have also died due to
Chlamydia, a bacterial infection that causes injuries to
• They consume leaves of eucalyptus.
• Koalas are expert climbers.
• Predators cannot reach at such a long height of
the tree.
• Koalas measure about 60cm to 85cm long, and
weigh about 14kg.
• Although you may have heard people call them
koala ‘bears’, these awesome animals are not
bears at all – they are in fact marsupials (like a
kangaroo (having pouches)).
• A group of mammals, most marsupials have
pouches where their newborns develop.
Eucalyptus Tree
Eucalyptus is one of Australia's most identifiable trees
and is critically important to biodiversity and
environmental sustainability.
Reasons behind the extinction of Koalas
1.Since European colonization, koalas, which have been
living in Australia for 25 million years, have lost their
habitat as a result of urban, agricultural and mining
development, climate change, and the
commercialization of their skins until the 1930s.
Urbanization : if the urbanization is taking place, then
people are shifting from rural area to the urban area is
done in developing infrastructure, we need to clear
forest which ultimately affects the koala bear.
Skin of koalas is used for making many products.
2.The state government in 2017 decided to repeal the
Native Vegetation Act 2003, which prevented farmers
from felling trees.
the genitals and eyes, causing infertility and blindness,
slowly consuming them to death.
The geographical reach of this bacteria is increasing
causing infection in many creatures.
64
 Australian region is facing drought , water availability
Factors Of Drought for eucalyptus tree is decreasing so koalas bear is not
getting food (food as in eucalyptus tree’s leaves)
The Australian government should think about this and
take the necessary steps.
Humans should change the attitude of not showing any
concern for the creatures (animals) cause in the long
term this will directly affect the humans only.

(Scan the QR Code to watch video)

NOTES :

65
 we meet climate and sustainable development targets
with declining nature and biodiversity.

CBD 2050:
Convention on Biological Diversity envision that
biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely
used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a
healthy planet and delivering benefits essential or all
people. Conservation scientists propose a 2020-2050
‘blueprint for biodiversity’: a vision for the future
through the convention on Biological Diversity.
(Click on the image above to watch the video)

UPSC Perspective : Prelims and GS Paper-3 ; rd

Environment (Scan the QR Code to watch video)

The Living Planet Report 2018:
The report is released by World Wildlife Fund,
biennially. This documents the state of the planet and
this report releases the situation of the earth and its
ecological environment. The report includes ecosystem, NOTES :
biodiversity and demand on natural resources and their
reciprocation to the mankind. Governments across the
world can heed over the report and ought to make the
policy in order to bolster the Sustainable Development.
The report expresses:
§ Now, only one-fourth land on Earth is free of
the impacts of human activities and till 2050,
only one-tenth will be left unfettered.
§ Land degradation includes forest loss; while
globally this loss has slowed due to
reforestation and plantations. But, one
peculiarity exists that the topography and
geography of the earth keep changing from
terrain to terrain. So, plantation at one place
can’t compensate completely the paucity of
forest at other terrain.
§ Almost 6 bn tons of fish and invertebrates have
been taken from the world’s oceans since 1950.
§ Plastic pollution has reached even to the
deepest parts of ocean like Mariana Trench.
§ Several species have faced a downfall of 60%
in their population between 1970 and 2014.
§ South and Central America suffering the most
dramatic decline, an 89% loss compared to
1970.
§ Freshwater species have also declined with the
Freshwater Index showing an 83% decline
since 1970.
§ The earth is estimated to have lost about half of
its shallow water corals in the past 30 years.
§ 20% of Amazon’s have disappeared in just 50
years.

All economic activity ultimately depends on services

provided by nature, estimated to be worth around US$
125 trillion a year. GDPs earned by several industrial
and economic activities should also pay their duties
towards Sustainable Development. Explode in Human
Population and their consumption of nature is the
biggest reason behind the unprecedented planetary
change.
Business and finance industry are starting to question
how global environmental risks will affect the
macroeconomic performance of countries, sectors and
financial markets and policy-makers wonder how will
66

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods
Perspective of UPSC – GS Paper 1and 3
What Has Happened Recently:
• Disaster managers and scientists in Sikkim are
siphoning out excess water from lake to
prevent it from Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods.
• Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFs), are a
subject of concern in the Sikkim Himalayan
region as several lakes have been formed due
to melting of scores of glaciers in the region.
What Is A Glacial Lake:
Ø Contributing human activities include mass
tourism; developmental interventions such as
roads and hydropower project
Ø Black carbon which is transmitting from the
Mediterranean region to India also plays
important factor which melts the ice on the
mountain due to albedo effect. Black Carbon
get generated when fuel in the industries are
not burnt completely. Black Carbon traps the
heat into them thus leading to the increase of
the temperature of the surrounding.
Measures Taken To The Flood Threat:
Ø Transporting the pipes to high altitudes poses
serious challenges. Yaks are used to carry the
pipes and other materials to the lake situated at
17,000 ft.
Ø Sikkim has installed a Lake monitoring and
information System (water level Sensor) at
South Lhonak lake. The sensor gives the water
level of the lake and also monitored the lake
level when there is sudden fluctuation in water
level

Glacial lakes are formed by melting of the ice mountains

and when it amasses and takes a form of like a lake.

(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

NOTES :

Moraines play a pivotal role in formation of glacial

lakes. Moraines are primarily accumulated stones and
sediments which are deposited by glaciers. Sediment’s
deposit is essential in glacial lakes.

Melting of the Glaciers:

In mountain areas, due to melting of the glaciers,
water quantity in the lakes is increased and leading
to a flood situation.
Sikkim has two important glaciers:
1) Zemu Glacier – Origin of Zemu river
2) Lhonak Glacier lake

Both of the glaciers are facing now melting of the

glacial ice in the lakes and thus water level in the
lakes will pose a flood threat to Sikkim.
Causes Of The GLOF:
Ø The balance between the amount of energy
received by the earth from the sun and the
energy it emits back has changed in the
Himalayas in recent years due to human
activities
Ø Retreat of glaciers in the wake of global
warming increases the number of glacier lakes
and also expand the size of the existing one

67
 guaranteed 100 days of employment. The rural
laborers can lay their hands in those areas also
in managing the drought.
Ø Provide support and money via direct benefit
transfer to the most vulnerable families by the
drought to meet their essential needs.
Ø Food Security, affordability along with the
availability must be ascertained by the
authorities and the government. Farmers need
to be insured at least some decent
(Click on the image to watch the video) remunerations for their works. If the supply
What is it About: gets less in quantity, it will impact the lion’s
Maharashtra government has identified 201 talukas’ in share of the economy which is mainly rural in
32 districts as ‘Drought like Conditions’ because of the nature.
water paucity. The villages belong to the districts of:
Jalgaon -13, Ahmednagar - 12, Beed - 11 and Solapur -
11
Recent Crisis:
Ø Last year, the state’s 14,679 village faced it,
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)
this time 20,000 villages are facing the disaster.
Ø Large parts of Maharashtra, Northern Gujarat
(Saurashtra, Kutch) and Northern Karnatka are
facing a drought like situation because of the NOTES :
water scarcity, Maharashtra is worst affected.
Ø Khariff crops requires ample amount of water
and irrigation and India relies heavily over the
monsoon for its water supply within the crops.
Ø South-West monsoon rains in a good quantity
in these areas. The first half of the south-west
monsoon was good in its first half phase, but
wasn’t that good during the second half of the
south-west monsoon. The farmers already
planted the crops.
Ø The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD)
data shows that against a normal rainfall of
682.9mm in southwest monsoon, Maharashtra
received 534.6mm rainfall between June and
September months.
Impact:
Ø Rabi crops will get affected. Because of the
insufficient rainfall, there won’t be proper soil-
moisture, which starts in winter and harvested
in springs.
Ø Agricultural ministry has revealed that there is
16% drop in the crop areas so far.
Ø Drought condition has also exacerbated the
water supply to the cattle and buffalos of the
states. This drought has affected the cattle
owners too.
Ø Migration has increased drastically from these
states, especially in Maharashtra. Lack of
remuneration has compelled them for it.

Way Ahead:
Ø Governments have to secure the water
resources on the basis of ground realities.
Ø Official declaration of the drought in these
areas can let the authorities to heed over the
predicaments and take corrective measures.
Ø Fodder camps can help in proper handling of
the cattle
Ø Govt. can also utilize the productivity of the
MNREGA which entertains the workers with

68

(Click on the image to watch the video)
Drought Impact in Australia, Despair for
Farmers and Wildlife
UPSC Perspective – GS Paper 3, Environment
What Has Happened Recently:
A formidable drought has stricken the Australia
and the wildlife on the nation is in danger.
While, The “big dry”, has been lasting for
several years in some areas of Australia.
Drought on the nation is not something new, but
when it prolongs for a longer time, it starts to
pose a problem over the continent. And the lives
are dependent on the water bodies within these
deserts. So, if the drought prolongs, it hits the
wildlife.
Repercussions of the Drought:
Ø Farmers have told harrowing stories of
failing crops, severe water shortages and being
unable to feed livestock.
Ø From abandoned baby kangaroos to
wallabies are blinded by the sun and koalas
(Australian arboreal herbivorous marsupial bear)
having to go walkabout to look for eucalyptus
leaves, Australia’s exotic wild animals are
struggling to adapt to a crippling drought. Due
to the thirst and survival attribution, several wild
lives are entering in to human areas and thus
they are being hunt and killed also.
Ø It's so dry that animals are being forced
to migrate -- a group of emus recently swarmed
the town of Broken Hill, running down the street
and gate crashing football matches in search of
water and food.
Ø All the signs are there. The UNESCO
heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, a 2,300-
kilometer stretch rich in bio-diverse marine life,
is under threat, having lost more than half its
coral in two mass bleaching events in 2016 and
2017. It is expected that 2018 may also face the
same situation.

Notes:
Ø Coal also plays a very important role in
the drought. Australia exports its considerable
amount of coal to China, India and other
nations.
Ø Government energy policy was aimed at
bringing the country in line with its commitment
to cut carbon emissions by 26% by 2030, from
2005 levels, as Australia pledged in the Paris
Drought prolongs in severe magnitude in region climate change agreement.
of the Western Australia, Southern Territory, Ø Australians support the agreement and
New South Wales region of the nation. climate change action more broadly.
Deserts in Australia:
Ø Great Sandy Desert
Ø Tanami Desert
Ø Little Desert
Ø Gibson Desert
Ø Great Victoria Desert
Ø Simpson Desert (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
Ø Strzelecki Desert

NOTES :

69
 Ø Terrains which are supposed to get proper
rainfall may get shorter rainfall than the usual
ones.
Ø Al-Nino and La-Nina may be affected severely.
For Example - If the temperature gets risen by
even 0.5 degree Celsius, the cold current
around the Atacama Desert, which is called
Humboldt Current/Peru Current as, will get
warm. So the region which should be having
very low rainfall, will start to have more
rainfall because of this change.
(Click on the image to watch the video)

Oceans Are Retaining 60% Heat

Perspective of UPSC – GS paper -3, paper 1,
environment also
Ocean’s retention of 60% heat: (Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
• The world’s oceans have absorbed 60% more
heat than previously thought over the last
quarter of a century, scientists said leaving
Earth more sensitive still to the effects of
NOTES :
climate change.

• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

(IPCC) said that the world’s oceans have
absorbed 90% of the temperature rise caused
by man- made carbon emission. It means that
the greenhouse gases e.g. CO2, CO, NOx etc.
are now more in magnitude in the atmosphere.

• Oceans cover more than two thirds of the

planet’s surface and play a vital role in
sustaining life on Earth.

• But new research published in the journal

Nature.

• It found that for each of the last 25 years,

oceans had absorbed heat energy equivalent to
150 times the amount of electricity man- kind
produces annually.

• That is 60% higher than what previous studies

showed.

Info on IPCC:
Ø Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC)
An intergovernmental body of the United
Nations, dedicated to providing the world with
an objective, scientific view of climate
change and its political and economic impacts.
Ø Formed in – 1988, H.Q. – Geneva, Switzerland
Ø Head – Hoesung Lee

Example Impacts:
Ø The current Firenados of California is one
current example. Because the oceans are
retaining more heat, so the western coasts are
hotter than previous years, and it is escalating
the fire in the jungles of California.

70

UPSC Perspective : GS3 - Conservation & related issues
Why in News ? :
Ø United Nation Environment has awarded
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) with
Asia Environment Enforcement Awards, 2018
for excellent work done by the Bureau in
combating transboundary environmental crime.
Why WCCB has been chosen?
Ø WCCB has adopted innovative enforcement
techniques that have dramatically increased
enforcement of transboundary environmental
crimes in India.
About Asia Environmental Enforcement Award:
Ø The Asia Environment Enforcement Awards
publicly recognize and celebrate excellence in
enforcement by government officials and
institutions/teams combating transboundary
environmental crime in Asia.
Ø The awards are given to outstanding
individuals and/or government
organizations/teams that demonstrate
excellence and leadership in enforcement of
national laws to combat transboundary
environmental crime in one of the following
eligibility criteria areas: collaboration; impact;
innovation; integrity and gender leadership.
PRELIMS Bits : About Wildlife Crime
Control Bureau:
Ø Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory
multi-disciplinary body established by the
Government of India under the MoEFCC, to
combat organized wildlife crime in the country.
NOTES :
Ø Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has developed
an online Wildlife Crime Database
Management System to get real time data in
order to help analyze trends in crime and
devise effective measures to prevent and detect
wildlife crimes across India. This system has
helped to analyze trends, and for carrying out
operations like Operation SAVE KURMA,
THUNDERBIRD, WILDNET, LESKNOW,
BIRBIL, THUNDERSTORM, LESKNOW-II
along with other enforcement agencies
resulting in the arrest of 350 wildlife criminals
and huge seizures of animal bones.
Ø The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi
and five regional offices at Delhi, Kolkata,
Mumbai, Chennai and Jabalpur. The bureau
can also advise the Government of India on
issues relating to wildlife crimes having
national and international ramifications,
relevant policy and laws.
Functions of WCCB :
Ø Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated:
ü To collect and collate intelligence related to
organized wildlife crime activities.
ü To disseminate the same to State and other
enforcement agencies for immediate action so
as to apprehend the criminals.
ü To establish a centralized wildlife crime data
bank.
ü Co-ordinate actions by various agencies in
connection with the enforcement of the
provisions of the Act.
ü Assist foreign authorities and international
organization concerned to facilitate co-
ordination and universal action for wildlife
crime control.
ü It also assists and advises the Customs
authorities in inspection of the consignments of
flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild
Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy
governing such an item.
(Scan the QR code to watch video)
71

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Super Important For Exam Point Of View
WHAT IS OZONE LAYER?
A layer of ozone envelops the Earth and keeps
damaging ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from reaching
living things on the planet’s surface.
The ozone layer exists mainly in the stratosphere, a layer
of the atmosphere that reaches from 10 to 50 kilometers
(about 6 to 30 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
Ozone Layer is very important for human beings .
This green color part is Ozone and in 1970’s scientist
found out that there is a hole in the ozone layer and the
FINDINGS OF UN STUDY-2018
• The study, published in the Geophysical
Research Letters journal has confirmed the
phenomenon by mapping the chemical
composition of the atmosphere.
rays coming from this hole are not getting filtered out
and are very harmful to the living beings.
And the blue colored part which is shown in the above
diagram is that hole.
WHAT IS OZONE HOLE?
The ozone hole is a region of depleted layers of ozone
above the Antarctic region, whose creation is linked to
increased cases of skin cancer.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
DEPLETION OF OZONE
• Depletion of ozone is due to many factors, the
most dominant of which is the release of
chlorine from CFCs (Chloro fluoro carbons)
which destroys the ozone.
• CFCs are released by products such as
hairsprays old refrigerators etc.
• CFCs reach stratosphere and at stratosphere
they get distributed into tiny particles and from
there chlorine is released.
WHAT ARE CFCS?
• Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, are compounds
made up of combinations of the elements
chlorine, fluorine and carbon; aerosols,
refrigerants and foams contain CFCs. When
these CFCs enter the air, they rise up into the
atmosphere to meet up with and destroy ozone
molecules.
• First used in 1928, CFCs have since become
more common as various other CFC
compounds were created. Some of the better-
known CFCs are the Freon compounds, which
were used as cooling ingredients in
refrigerators and air conditioners.
THE RESCUE
Montreal Protocol signed, to cut down use of
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) /freons.
Signed - 26 August 1987
Location - Montreal
Effective -26 August 1989
Stop the use of CFC’s emitting refrigerators and putting
a ban on the companies which use CFC’s.
• Previous research had hinted at the decrease in
the depletion of the ozone layer. Scientists
believe that the ozone layer would fully
recover by 2080.
FACTORS RECOVERING OZONE HOLE
72
• Montreal Protocol: It banned man-made gases • The writers of the report found that, if the
that damage the fragile high-altitude ozone Kigali Amendment is fully implemented, the
layer, found long term decreases in the world can avoid up to 0.4 per cent of global
atmospheric abundance of controlled ozone- warming this century, meaning that it will play
depleting substances and the ongoing recovery a major role in keeping the global temperature
of stratospheric ozone. rise below 2°C.
• The Antarctic ozone hole was expected to
gradually close, returning to 1980 levels in the
2060s, the report said.
• In 2019, the protocol is set to be strengthened
with the ratification of the Kigali Agreement
which limits the production of hydro fluoro (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
carbons (HFCs), ozone safe compounds that
are potent greenhouse gases.

NOTES :

73
 source, using technological options such as
converting them into biofuels and fertilizers.

(Scan the QR Code to watch the video)

(Click on the image to watch the video) NOTES :

Stubble Burning Causing Pollution in Delhi-NCR
Perspective of UPSC – GS paper-1 & Geography
What is Stubble:
Ø After harvesting, remaining crop’s residues are
called stubble.
Ø Mechanization of agriculture in Haryana leaves
some parts of the crops in the fields of the
state. Now, in order to grow the new crops, the
field area must be cleaned and wiped one.
Ø So, either the farmers will have to remove them
by hands or the easiest solution is to burn the
crop-residue/stubble. So this method is quite
easy for the farmers of the Haryana and thus
the smog and fumes created by those burnings
diffuses to the direction of north-east of India,
which exacerbate the atmosphere of the Delhi-
NCR at first hand.

Why pollution is high in Oct-Nov in Delhi-NCR:

Atmosphere is connected. Crops burning make smog
which escalates to the high altitude. Also, the burning
increases the temperature and the smog goes straight up.
Since, at higher altitude, temperature gets decreased,
leading to more pressure at high latitude and the
movement of the wind heads downwards. This
downward wind carries the smog along with it and
diffuses into the air of Delhi-NCR.

(Picture Courtesy – Times of India)

Primarily, the rice and other kharif crops get harvested
and procured and then farmers have to prepare the fields
for rabi crops. The stubbles are burnt in the months of
October and November.
Possible steps to control:
Ø States now want to give subsidy to farmers to
procure machines to remove straws post-
harvest or may be to make the machinery safer
in the process after harvest.
Ø Awareness programs for the farmers so that
they may able to know about the repercussions
of the burning of the stubbles.
Ø An innovative approach could be to use climate
change funds to turn farm residues into a re-

74
 Ingredients which are majorly used and they pollute,
primarily are: Aluminium, Barium, Potassium Nitrate
and Carbon, will be prohibited to use them in the
crackers.
Some Green Crackers:
• SWAS: Acronym stand for Safe Water Releaser,
SWAS crackers eliminates usage of Potassium
nitrate (KNO3) and Sulphur with consequent
reduction in particulate matter (30-35%) SO2 and
NOx. It’s thud is almost in match with the usual
crackers and in the range of 105-110 dBA. SWAS
won’t wither till the next three weeks after its
manufacturing.
(Click on the image above to watch the video) • STAR: Safe Thermite Cracker, eliminates usage of
Green Crackers and Supreme Court’s Decision: KNO3 and S with consequent reduction in
Green firecrackers either do not contain pollutants like particulate matter (up to 35-40%), SO2 and NOx. It
Aluminum, Barium, Potassium Nitrate or have lesser has sound intensity matching in the range of 105-
magnitude of them up to 30% reduced amount. Release 110 dBA.
of Particulate Matter can also be reduced up to 30% to • SAFAL: Safe Minimal Aluminium, SAFAL has
40% amount by Green Crackers.
minimal usage of Aluminium (only in flash powder
Prelude to the Pollution by them:
for initiation) with consequent significant reduction
Supreme Court on October 23, 2018 banned use of in particulate matter(35-40 %) compared to usual
barium and the series-crackers(in hindi, ladi or chataai) crackers, sound intensity up to 110-115dBA.
and ordered Petroleum and Explosives Safety
Organization (PESO) to make sure to permit only those PESO has been approached to analyze and test
crackers which meets the safety criterion. But, the SWAS/STAR/SAFAL from the viewpoint of safety,
cracker lobby wanted to file another petition for stability and other related issues.
allowing the use of Barium in making the crackers.
Modification in the Judgement:
Ø On October 31, 2018, Supreme Court modified
its judgement of October 23, allowing the time
for bursting crackers on Diwali and other
festivals to two hours, between 8 p.m. to 10
p.m. and also allowed usage of Barium till
2018, except Delhi-NCR.
Ø Also, allowing Tamil Nadu and states in the
vicinity of the state to decide when people can (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
burst crackers on festival days, saying
emphatically that the total time of bursting
crackers should not exceed more than two
hours. Authorities are free to decide to time NOTES :
slot, e.g. one hour in the morning and another
hour in the evening.
Ø Further, the court said its direction that only
green crackers can be manufactured and sold is
only applicable in Delhi and the National
Capital Region areas.

How it came:
Green Crackers are devised by CSIR (Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research) on the idea by
Minister of Science and Technology and afterwards
CSIR started to mull over the idea to make it.
An orifice into CSIR:

Estd in 1942 and the Prime Minister is the Ex-officio

chairman and Minister of Science and Technology is the
Vice-President of the organization. It is an autonomous
body and has proved itself the largest research
organization in India.

Eventually, experts have averred that there is no such

thing like ‘Green Cracker’ because a green cracker is
supposed to emit zero pollution, which is totally
impossible in case of any cracker.
Crackers and being Green:

75
 frequency of earthquakes, but until now it was thought
to have little influence on continental movement.
That’s because the speed of subduction was believed to
be dependent on the strength of the subducting plate as
it bends and slides into the viscous mantle, the semi
molten layer of rock beneath the Earth’s crust.
Ø Continental movement is driven by one plate
sinking under another so, in this scenario, the
strength of the portion of the plate being pulled
(Click on the image above to watch the video) into the Earth’s mantle (and the energy
UPSC Perspective: GS Paper 1 and GS Paper 3 under required to bend it) would be the primary
the section climate change. control of the speed of the plate movement,
Connection Between Life, Climate & Continent with sediment having little effect.
Movement Ø The rock made of sediment can create a
Lithosphere is the uppermost layer and it’s movement is lubricating effect between the plates,
happening. accelerating subduction and increasing plate
Fragments of the lithosphere are plates. e.g. velocity.
Ø As plate velocity increases, there would be less
time for sediment to accumulate, so the amount
of subducting sediment would be reduced.
Ø This may impact mountain building.

Oceanic Plate (in the ocean (crust +upper mantle )) and

Continental plate( land area and upper mantle)
The movement of these plates is taking place and due to (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
this large amount of water is entering into the earth’s
interior.
NOTES :

A new study by The University of Texas at Austin has

demonstrated a possible link between life on Earth and
the movement of continents.
Ø The findings show that sediment, which is
often comprised of pieces of dead organisms,
could play a key role in determining the speed
of continental drift.
Ø Sediments act as a lubrication for increasing
the speed of plates.
Ø The findings are important because they
describe potential feedback mechanisms
between tectonic movement, climate and life
on Earth.

The study, published Nov. 15 in Earth and Planetary

Science Letters, describes how sediment moving under
or subducting beneath tectonic plates could regulate the
movement of the plates and may even play a role in the
rapid rise of mountain ranges and growth of continental
crust.
How is sediments created?
Ø Sediment is created when wind, water and ice
erode existing rock or when the shells and
skeletons of microscopic organisms like
plankton accumulate on the sea floor.
Sediment entering subduction zones have long been
known to influence geological activity such as the

76

(Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective: GS Paper 1
Huge Amount Of Water Dragged Into Earth Interior
Ø Slow-motion collisions of tectonic plates under
the ocean drag about three times more water
down into the deep Earth than previously
estimated, according to a first-of-its-kind
seismic study that spans the Mariana Trench
(Earth’s deepest point)
Ø This research shows that subduction zones
move far more water into the Earth’s deep
interior—many miles below the surface—than
previously thought.
Ø The observations from the deepest ocean
trench in the world have important implications
for the global water cycle.
relatively stable over geologic time, varying
from less than 1,000 ft.
Ø This means that all of the water that is going
down into the Earth at subduction zones must
be coming back up somehow, and not
continuously piling up inside the Earth.
Ø Scientists believe that most of the water that
goes down in the trench comes back from the
Earth into the atmosphere as water vapor when
volcanoes erupt hundreds of miles away.
Ø But with the revised estimates of water from
the new study, the amount of water going into
the earth seems to greatly exceed the amount of
water coming out.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :

Lithosphere is the uppermost layer.

Fragments of the lithosphere are plates.
Oceanic Plate (in the ocean (crust +upper mantle )) and
Continental plate( land area and upper mantle)
The movement of these plates is taking place and due to
this large amount of water is entering into the earth’s
interior.
Ø Ocean water atop the plate runs down into the
Earth’s crust and upper mantle along the fault
lines that lace the area where plates collide and
bend.
Ø Then it gets trapped. Under certain temperature
and pressure conditions, chemical reactions
force the water into a non-liquid form as
hydrous minerals—wet rocks—locking the
water into the rock in the geologic plate.
Ø All the while, the plate continues to crawl ever
deeper into the Earth’s mantle, bringing the
water along with it.
Ø Previous studies at subduction zones like the
Mariana Trench have noted that the subducting
plate could hold water. But they could not
determine how much water it held and how
deep it went
Ø For the Mariana Trench region alone, four
times more water subducts than previously
calculated. These features can be extrapolated
to predict the conditions under other ocean
trenches worldwide
Ø And for water on the Earth, what goes down
must come up. Sea levels have remained

77
 (Click on the image above to watch the video)
UPSC Perspective: GS paper 1 and paper 3
The Study:
Tropical Cyclones:
Cyclones in tropic are known as tropical cyclones.
For their formation temperature of 27 degrees or above
is required.
Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons are all same things.
Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons?
Ø They're all the same, officially tropical
cyclones.
Ø But they just use distinctive terms for a storm
in different parts of the world.
Ø A hurricane is used in the Atlantic, Caribbean
Sea, central and northeast Pacific.
Ø They are typhoons in the northwest Pacific.
Ø In the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, they
are called cyclones. Tropical cyclone is used in
the southwest India Ocean.
Ø In the southwestern Pacific and southeastern
India Ocean they are severe tropical cyclones.
Concept:
Ø The mixed layer is the upper portion of the
surface layer where active air–sea exchanges
generate surface turbulence which causes the
water to mix and become vertically uniform in
temperature and salinity.
Ø The surface layer of the ocean, known as the
ocean mixed layer, is approximately 200
meters (656 feet) deep on average.
Ø This layer is constantly exchanging gases with
the atmosphere and experiencing mixing
caused by winds, heat transfer, evaporation.
Ø Mixed layer should have temperature 27
degrees or above that.
Ø Mixed layer plays a very important role in the
formation of cyclone.
Ø A new study published in Earth’s Future, a
journal of the American Geophysical Union,
finds the ocean mixed layer deepened along
tropical cyclone tracks by 1.7–2.0 meters from
2002-2015, while other factors changed only
marginally.
Ø The authors conclude this deepening could be
responsible for the uptick in intense typhoons
from 1980 to 2015, and they project the
increase of intense typhoons will continue at a
greater rate than previously projected in the
coming decades.
Ø Changes to the uppermost layer of the earth’s
oceans due to rising temperatures are likely
causing an increase in intense Pacific Ocean
typhoons, suggesting strong typhoons may
occur more frequently than scientists project in
the coming decades, according to new
research.
Ø Intense typhoons, like 2013’s Super Typhoon
Haiyan, are classified based on high wind
speeds, often of 130 mph or more.
Ø Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest
tropical cyclones ever recorded, and scientists
have noticed an increase in the proportion of
intense typhoons occurring each season in the
Pacific Ocean since the 1980s but have not
been able to explain why.
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :
78
 The above picture is of the mangrove which enhance the
biodiversity and attract many birds.

(Click on the image above to watch the video) (Scan the QR Code to watch video)
Greater Flamingo at Hope Islands

NOTES :

Greater flamingoes at Hope Island after 25 years.

Ø A flock of five greater flamingoes has been
spotted along the coast of Hope Island, a part of
the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra
Pradesh.
Ø Flamingoes being spotted along the coast can be
considered as an indicator of a healthy coastal
environment.
Ø Out of the six species of flamingo on our planet,
the Greater Flamingo is the most common and
widespread member of the flamingo family.
Ø These famous pink birds can be found in warm,
watery regions on many continents and also
occur in Asia in the coastal regions of India and
Pakistan, Central America, South America, the
Caribbean and in Southern Europe.
Ø When flamingos flock together, they are
referred to as a ‘colony’ or a ‘stand’.
Ø Greater Flamingos are found in a variety of
saltwater habitats, including salt or alkaline
lakes, estuaries, shallow coastal lagoons and
mudflats.
Ø The Greater Flamingo rarely inhabits areas of
freshwater other than using freshwater inlets for
bathing and drinking.
Ø Greater Flamingos that live outside the tropics
often migrate to warmer climates for the winter
months.
About Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS)(1978)
Ø The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is a
wildlife sanctuary and estuary situated in
Andhra Pradesh. It covers an area of 235.7
square kilometers.
Ø It is the second largest stretch of mangrove
forests in India with 24 mangrove tree species
and more than 120 bird species.

79
 Ø PRELIMS bits : About Andaman and
Nicobar island :

(Click on the image above to watch the video)

UPSC Perspective : GS1- geography of Andaman island Ø The Andaman and Nicobar islands ( A&N
& GS2 - issue related to vulnerable section of society islands), popularly known as ‘Bay Islands’, are
situated in the Bay of Bengal, midway between
Ø Why in News? peninsular India and Myanmar, spreading like
An American national was killed allegedly by the a broken necklace in the North-south direction.
Sentinelese tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar Ø The total geographic area of A&N islands is
Islands after he illegally entered the protected zone 8249 sq km, of which Andaman group of
on November 16. islands cover 6408 sq km while Nicobar group
cover 1841 sq km.
Ø Who are the Sentinelese? Ø Two islands of volcanic origin are found,
The Sentinelese are a negrito tribe who live on the namely the Narcondam and the Barren islands.
North Sentinel Island of the Andamans. The The former is now apparently extinct while the
inhabitants are connected to the Jarawa on the basis latter is still active.
of physical, as well as linguistic similarities. Their Ø The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by
numbers are believed to be less than 150 and as low the Ten Degree Channel which is 150 Kms.
as 40. wide.
Ø The population of the islands is about 4 lakh,
Ø How are the tribal protected? which includes six particularly vulnerable
The Govt. of India issued the Andaman and Nicobar tribal groups (PVTGs).
Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Ø The indigenous people of Andamans are the
Regulation, 1956 to declare the traditional areas Great Andamanese, the Jarawa; the Onge; and
occupied by the tribes as reserves. It prohibited the Sentinelese (the most isolated of all the
entry of all persons except those with authorization. groups).
Photographing or filming the tribe members is also
an offence. The rules were amended later to enhance
penalties.
But restricted area permits were relaxed for some islands
recently. In a major step earlier this year, the Indian
government excluded this island and 28 others in the
Union Territory from the Restricted Area Permit or RAP (Scan the QR code to watch video)
regime till December 31, 2022. The lifting of RAP
means foreigners can go to the island without permission
from the government.
NOTES :
Ø What is Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
regime?
Ø RAP regime was notified under the Foreigners
(Restricted Areas) Order, 1963.
Ø Under it, foreign nationals are not normally
allowed to visit protected or restricted area
unless Government is satisfied that there are
extra-ordinary reasons to justify their visit.
Ø Every foreigner, except citizen of Bhutan, who
desires to enter and stay in protected or
restricted area, is required to obtain special
permit from competent authority having power
to issue such permits to foreigner, seeking it.
Ø Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan
and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin are
exception and are not allowed to enter such
areas.

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 SPICE OF THE MONTH

About Spice of the Week series

• "Spice" series is an initiative aimed at improving answer and essay writing for civil services and
state civil services examination.

• While preparing, the aspirants spend majority time reading and revising from static books and
current affair magazines but miss on how to make their answers richer in actual exam
scenario.

• For e.g. a well written and high scoring answer includes some supporting examples or relevant
data/quote, a proper definition to introduce or some big idea to conclude.

• Even in Essay Writing, not many students prepare a dedicated repository of good examples,
quotes, data points, etc. - which can make their essay richer and readable.

• In this weekly series, we try to put together such material (called as 'Spice') that can be directly
used in your answers and essay.

• We believe that this material if used intelligently can give your answers an extra edge of at least
1 to 2 marks per question - which is all that is required to separate the topper from the rest.

• Last but not the least, we will be successful in our endeavor if we are able to develop this habit
in each and every serious aspirant - whereby they identify the spice from their daily reading
and use it to maximize their score by sprinkling it in right amounts in their answers/essay.

Disclaimer: Spice is an add-on to your existing preparation. It is not a replacement of the static
books and/or current affairs preparation.

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Ø Financial Inclusion • Financial Inclusion is the process of ensuring access to appropriate financial products and
Ø Inclusive Growth • Economic growth that is distributed fairly across society and creates opportunities for all.
Ø Self Help Group • Self Help Group (SHG) is a small voluntary group (15-20 members) formed by people
Ø Global Warming • Warming of the Earth's average global temperature because of an increase in the
Ø Systemic failure
Ø Justice delayed
Ø Judicial pendency
Ø Federalism
Ø Political Intolerance
Ø Article 19
Ø Judicial Activism
Ø Pro-people governance
Definition of the Month
services needed by vulnerable groups at an affordable cost in a fair and transparent manner
by mainstream Institutional players. (RBI)
(OECD)
preferably from the same socio-economic background in order to promote small savings and
credit amongst its members.
concentration of GHGs which leads to an enhancement of greenhouse effect.
Ø During the last 100 years, the global mean temp. has increased by 0.3-0.6 C 0
Ø In 2016, NASA declared that since 2001, Earth has seen 16 of 17 warmest years on
record.
Ø Rate of warming in the past 50 years was double the rate observed over past 100 years
Examples of the Month
Polity:
• 31 years after the Hashimpura massacre near Meerut, the Delhi HC reversed a trial
court acquittal order and sentenced to life imprisonment 16 police personnel for their
role in the killing of 38 Muslims. It said “this case points to the systemic failure that
results, not infrequently, in miscarriage of justice”.
• States are using Article 254 (2) to bypass safeguards built into the 2013 Land
Acquisition law, such as right to consent, social impact assessment and, in the case of
Tamil Nadu, even rehabilitation and resettlement.
ü Art 254 is about inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the
Legislatures of States. It was never intended, even in its broadest sense, to weaken
Central laws because they were found to be inconvenient.
• AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has forced the makers of the Tamil film Sarkar to cut a scene
and mute some dialogue, ostensibly because they are critical of government policy or
offend their sensibilities. AIADMK supporters went on a rampage in cinemas that
screened the film, and in chorus, State Ministers spoke of legal action against the
producers.
• Supreme Court Judgments restraining Judicial Activism:
ü In Ram Jawaya v. The State of Punjab (1955), the court observed: “Our Constitution
does not contemplate assumption, by one organ or part of the state, of functions that
essentially belong to another.”
ü In Union of India v. Deoki Nandan Aggarwal (1991), “The power to legislate has not
been conferred on the courts.”
ü In Suresh Seth v. Commissioner, Indore Municipal Corporation (2005), the court
observed: “Under our Constitutional scheme, Parliament and Legislative Assemblies
exercise sovereign power to enact laws.”
• Supreme Court Judgments practicing Judicial Activism:
ü In Arun Gopal v. Union of India (2017), SC fixed timings for Diwali fireworks and
prohibited non-green fireworks, although there are no laws to that effect.
ü In M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (2018), SC directed that no BS-4 vehicle should be
sold after Mar 30, 2020, and that only BS-6 vehicles can be sold after that.
ü In Subhash Kashinath Mahajan v. State of Maharashtra (2018), the court amended the
SC/ST Atrocities Act, 1989, by annulling Section 18 which said that no anticipatory
bail will be granted to persons accused under the Act; by requiring a preliminary
enquiry; and by prohibiting arrest under the Act except with permission in writing by
the appropriate authority.
ü NGT ordered that no 15-year-old petrol-driven or 10-year-old diesel-driven vehicle will
ply in Delhi, and the SC has directed impounding such vehicles, though neither the
NGT nor the Supreme Court are legislative bodies.
• Former SC Judge Markandey Katju => "If judges are free to make laws of their
choices, not only would that go against the principle of separation of powers, it could
also lead to uncertainty in the law and chaos as every judge will start drafting his own
laws according to his whims and fancies."
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes plans to recommend that the “Indian Forest
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 Service” change its name to the “Indian Forest and Tribal Service”.
• It feels this is necessary because forest service routinely interacts with forest-dwelling
tribes and, therefore, needs to consider the interests of both the forests and these
communities.

Ø Modernization of Land Records • Telangana has started ‘Bhudhaar’ - an 11-digit unique figure aimed at enabling easy
identification of details of the land parcel. It is first of its kind in the country.

Society & Human Development:

Ø Socio-cultural • American Jewish community is in mourning after a gunman killed 11 worshippers in a

Polarization Pittsburgh synagogue in the deadliest attack ever on Jews in the United States. Pittsburgh
Ø Anti-Cultural synagogue gunman said he wanted all Jews to die.
Globalization
Ø Changing Religion with • A major meeting of Catholic bishops ended with a call for women to play a greater role in
times Church decision making. Pope Francis told young people that they should not be obsessed
with “doctrinal formulae” but blend its rules with social activism to help those in need.
Ø Women empowerment • Kudumbashree (1997) is the poverty eradication and women empowerment program
implemented by State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of Kerala Govt..
• Kudumbasree Mahila Mall in Kozhikode is the first mall in the country with an all-women
crew. It houses business establishments by around 75 women entrepreneurs or groups,
including those from the Kudumbasree fold.
• Lithuania’s capital Vilnius installed traffic lights featuring female symbols to celebrate the
100th anniversary of women getting the vote in the Baltic state.
• Right for women to vote was written into the Lithuanian Constitution on Nov 2, 1918, putting
it among the first countries to grant women suffrage, ahead of France or the US.
Ø Women safety • MHA has planned Safe City projects in 8 cities under Nirbhaya Fund. Lucknow is the first
city chosen for this project, which includes an:
ü Integrated Smart Control Room
ü Pink outposts exclusively administered by women police
ü Pink patrols by policewomen
ü Setting up Pink toilets
ü Women Help Desks in all police stations with counselors
ü Safety measures in buses, including cameras
ü Street lighting in identified hot spot areas
ü Gender sensitization and awareness campaigns
Ø Sexual harassment • Vishakha guidelines introduced by the apex court in 1997 were evolved into a parliamentary
law called the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal) Act of 2013. SC is hearing a PIL to extend guidelines to ashrams, madrasas and
Catholic institutions.
Ø Child labor • Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi stressed the need to eliminate child labor from mica mining
in Jharkhand, and stakeholders to become “champions in change”.
Ø Clean India • Swachh Nyayalaya’ project has been proposed to have clean courts, right from the Supreme
Court and the High Courts to the 3,388 lower courts.
Ø Access to Water • With 82 Cr people who still do not have access to piped water, the government is increasingly
starting to accept small water enterprises — such as water ATMs and community purification
plants — as an alternative solution.
ü Water ATMs are automated water dispensing units, which provide communities with 24/7
safe water access. They are solar powered and cloud connected, thus enabling remote tracking
of the water quality and of each pay per use transaction.
Ø Drug abuse • Drug use is growing in Manipur and youth, mostly teenagers, are falling victim to it. Manipur
has long been a transit corridor for transportation of drugs between rest of India and Myanmar.
Ø Improving Quality of • As part of the listening enhancement program, Karimnagar district administration has started
Education an initiative where Students tune into English news broadcast on All India Radio. This is
followed by discussion to check their vocabulary, general knowledge and grasp on current
affairs.
Ø Women's rights • Elders of Tokalapalli village in West Godavari have banned women from wearing nighties
during the day after the latter were subject to humiliating remarks when they ventured out in
them. A violation could set a woman back by ₹2,000.
Ø Promoting SHGs • Odisha government will provide free smartphones to all the 6 lakh women SHGs under its
Mission Shakti programme.
Ø Women empowerment • As part of its “female empowerment” drive, Kerala government is setting up “She Lodges” or
Ø Women security women’s only hostels all over the state. These will be managed and maintained by

83
 Kudumbashree, a network of 2.77 lakh women’s neighborhood SHGs. The first She Lodge is
in Thrissur.
Ø Mental Health • From winning 23 gold medals and setting 39 world records to battling a strong urge to end his
life, Olympic champion Michael Phelps has come a long way. 33-year-old swimmer is now a
staunch voice against fighting stigma around mental illness.
Ø Conserving traditional • Culture Ministry's Vedic Heritage Portal will be a 'one-stop solution' on Vedas and science. It
knowledge will contain “pure scientific information”, audio-visual documentation of oral traditions,
manuscripts and publications and “tools/implements/objects related to Yajna etc.”.
Ø Impact of Seasonal • Literacy levels in rural households of India dip with seasonal migration, the UNESCO global
Migration on Education education monitoring report 2019 has observed.
• About 80% of seasonal migrant children in seven cities lacked access to education near work
sites, and 40% are likely to end up in work rather than education, experiencing abuse and
exploitation.
• Inter-State migration rates have doubled between 2001 and 2011. An estimated 9 million
migrated between States annually from 2011 to 2016.
• Tackling? Right to Education Act in 2009 made it mandatory for local authorities to admit
migrant children.
Ø Of Women, • Assam’s barefoot counselors are grassroots level counselors whose job is to provide
Ø By Women, emotional, psychological support to aggrieved women.
Ø For Women
Ø Technology for Health • To address the problem of inadequacy of ambulances, the Andhra Pradesh government has
Services announced an Ola and Uber-like app-based service that enables the public to book a private
ambulance digitally. Through the digital pooling of private ambulances, the government plans
to complement its existing fleet.
Ø Tribal Health • Tribal communities face “triple burden” of disease:
Ø Health in Transition ü High rates of malnutrition and communicable diseases (TB, leprosy, HIV etc),
ü Rise in non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, and hypertension)
ü Burden of mental illness and subsequent addiction
• Supporting figures:
ü 42% tribal children are underweight (1.5 times higher than non-tribal children)
ü Tribal constitute 8.6% pop. but 30% cases of malaria.
ü In fact, 50% of all malaria-related deaths are of tribal’s.
ü 25% tribal adults are hypertensive.

Economy:

Ø Universal Basic Income • In Kenyan villages, a charity organization (Give Directly) is testing the effectiveness of
UBI by giving a fixed monthly donation of ~$22. Working in six African countries, it
sends money straight to the poor, allowing them to choose their own priorities.
ü According to the WB, over a third of Kenya’s nearly 50 million citizens live below the
international poverty line of $1.90 a day.
Ø Studying Behavior for Public • GST officers will study the behavioral pattern of certain taxpayers to nudge them to
Policy comply with tax laws, in a departure from the current practice of focusing only on
deterrent action to check evasion. (also read about Richard Thaler)
Ø Migration • Global compact for migration is the first, inter-governmentally negotiated agreement,
prepared under the auspices of the UN, to cover all dimensions of international
migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
Ø Digital Tax • UK will hit big tech firms with a “digital services tax” from 2020. Crucially, it switches
taxation from focusing on profits (which can be artificially lowered) to revenues (which
are a lot harder to conceal).
Ø MSMEs • Govt. has launched a portal that would enable the units to get a loan in just 59 minutes
and interest subvention of 2%.
• Public sector companies had now been asked to compulsorily procure 25%, instead of
20%, of their total purchases from the MSMEs.
ü Of the 25% procurement mandated from the MSMEs, 3% must now be reserved for
women entrepreneurs.
Ø Technology for farmers • Tea Research Association (TRA) is planning to harness front line technologies based on
artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor-based machinery to boost tea quality while
equipping the age-old industry to face the ravages of climate change.
• Menace of paddy stubble has led to innovative machines like Happy Seeder and Super
Seeder which help sowing the wheat even in standing paddy stubble.
Ø Preventing frauds • RBI has initiated steps to set up a digital Public Credit Registry (PCR) to capture details

84

Ø Growth vs. Stability
Ø Waterways
Ø Public Private Partnership
Ø Data-driven Policy
Ø Competitive federalism
Ø Agriculture Reforms
Ø Make in India
Ø Balanced Regional
Development
Ø KBK Region
Ø Digital Monopolies
Ø Need for well Regulated
Capitalism
Ø Saving Capitalism from
Capitalists
Ø Digital Currencies
Ø Entrepreneurship
Ø Startups
Ø Technology for farmers
Ø Boost to Industry
Ø Regional Development
Ø Rise of China
Ø Digital Protectionism
Ø Data sovereignty
of all borrowers, including willful defaulters and also the pending legal suits in order to
check financial delinquencies.
• Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said the RBI was like a seat belt in a car,
without which accidents could happen. Historically, the relationship between the RBI
and the government has been precisely this — the government wants to focus on
improving growth and it does all it can within the limits set by the RBI which are based
on financial stability.
• Jalmarg Vikas Project, assisted by WB, aims to upgrade navigability on NW 1 from
Varanasi to Haldia by 2023. Three multimodal terminals will be developed - Varanasi,
Sahibganj & Haldia.
• Northeast milestone ->
ü Fly ash transported from NTPC’s Kahalgaon plant to Guwahati’s Pandu Inland Port,
marking one of the longest hauls in waterways sector movement in India. Govt. called it
“a critical integrated movement through 3 waterways — NW1 on Ganga, the Indo-
Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route, and NW2 on Brahmaputra.
• At present, airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Cochin are managed
under the PPP model. PPP mode has helped create world-class airports, while also
helping the AAI increase its revenues.
ü Cabinet has given “in principle” approval for operating, managing and developing six
non-metro airports — Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram
and Mangaluru — under PPP.
• Centre to reward high-performing States based on a New index to check ease of doing
agri-business with marketing reforms (25%) and governance and land reforms (20%)
carrying almost half of the weight in its scoring system.
• NITI Aayog already brings out a Agricultural Marketing and Farm Friendly Reforms
Index, rating States on their implementation of such reforms. In the initial edition of
that Index in 2016, Maharashtra stood first in the rankings, followed by Gujarat.
• Odisha govt. has created a Defence and Aerospace Manufacturing Policy (2018) to
attract defence manufacturers.
ü Odisha offers comparative advantages such as large scale aluminum and steel
production, deep sea ports, missile testing facility (ITR Balasore) and aligned research
and training institutes.
• Google owns 92% market share of searches, FB an almost 70% share of social
networks. Both have a duopoly in ads with no credible competition/regulation.
• Amazon, meanwhile, is crushing retailers and faces conflicts of interest as both the
dominant e-commerce seller and the leading online platform for third-party sellers.
• Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android completely control mobile app market, and they
determine whether businesses can reach their customers and on what terms.
• Central banks should look seriously at issuing digital currency in order to “fill the void
left by the decline of cash”, according to Christiane Lagarde, head of the IMF.
ü Some — including Sweden’s Riksbank, the Bank of Canada and the People’s Bank of
China — are already considering issuing digital currency to the public.
• Himachal Pradesh flagged off a “Startup Yatra” aimed at turning youth into job
providers from jobseekers. He said the State government would provide all possible
help to the youth to develop entrepreneurship under the scheme.
• Solar Bubble Dryer (SBD) is a low-cost grain drying technology that aims to provide a
simple and flexible alternative to sun-drying, while protecting from spillage, animals,
weather and vehicles running over the grains.
ü The quantitative loss in traditional sun-drying method is estimated to be in the range of
15 to 30% between harvesting and milling. Due to quality loss, farmer do not get proper
price of their produce.
• Govt. approved a proposal making jute packaging mandatory for all food grains. The
jute sector in India employs approximately 3.7 lakh workers directly.
• In 2000, Bill Clinton said "The internet would inevitably push China toward
democracy. How could any country control something so free-flowing and still hope to
be technologically vibrant?" He was wrong.
• Today, China has the world’s only internet companies that can match America’s in
ambition and reach - Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba.
• If people in the West didn’t see this coming, it was because they mistook China’s
authoritarianism for hostility toward technology.
• Data localization requires data about a nations' citizens or residents be collected,
processed, and/or stored inside the country.
• In April, the RBI had given 6 months to global payment firms to store transaction data
85

Ø India-Pakistan-China
Ø Soft power
Ø Internal Security threats
Ø Diaspora
Ø Hard power
Ø Self defense
Ø Idea of Unipolar vs. Multi-
polar world
Ø Dominance of Dollar
Ø Fake news
Ø Cyber security
Ø Global Immigration Debate
Ø Power of People to People
Relations
Geography, Environment & Biodiversity:
Ø Soil Biodiversity
Ø Water conservation
of Indian customers within India.
IR , Defence & Security:
• India has opposed a proposed luxury bus service between Pakistan and China that would
pass through parts of POK and Gilgit-Baltistan — terming it “a violation of India’s
sovereignty”.
• Satyajit Ray’s epic masterpiece, Pather Panchali, has been included in BBC’s list of 100
best foreign language films and is the only film from India to feature in it.
• Former UP DGP Prakash Singh recently said that “attempts were being made to revive
insurgency” in Punjab. He referred to a pro-Khalistan rally held recently in London for
"Referendum 2020".
ü Referendum 2020 rally, organized by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), is trying to understand if
Punjabis across at least 20 countries want a separate state. If they find that they do,
they’ll call for a referendum by 2020.
• Nearly 100 Indian-Americans are on the ballot for the US midterm elections. All eyes
are on the so-called “Samosa Caucus” — the unofficial group of 5 Indian-Americans in
the current Congress.
• India has declared that its nuclear triad, stated in its nuclear doctrine, is operational after
indigenous ballistic missile nuclear submarine INS Arihant achieved a milestone by
conducting its first deterrence patrol.
• India is one of eight countries to receive temporary exemptions from U.S. sanctions on
Iran. More than 20 countries have decreased their imports of Iranian crude when US
pulled out of “ Iran Deal” . EU, which has stayed in the deal, has been frustrated by US
efforts to stifle European business’s activities with Iran.
• According to BBC research, a rising tide of nationalism in India is driving ordinary
citizens to spread fake news. It also found that facts were less important to some than the
emotional desire to bolster national identity. Also, right-wing networks are much more
organized than on the left, pushing nationalistic fake stories further.
• CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey said there was no perfect solution to deal with the problem
of “fake news” and “misinformation” on social media. He likened the problem to that of
security and said that even the best lock can be broken and the challenge was to keep
building better locks.
• France has launched a global cyber arms pact — but US, Russia and China haven’t
signed. It is backed by more than 50 states, including all EU members. It’s also been
endorsed by tech giants like Microsoft and Facebook.
ü Signatories will adhere to a set of common principles, such as agreeing to stop cyber
attacks on critical infrastructure like electrical grids and hospitals and combat
intellectual-property theft online.
• Of the 23 players in the French Football squad which won the FIFA World Cup 2018,
around two-thirds are immigrants of Arab or African descent.
• The visa-free corridor for Sikhs from India to Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib, revered as the
place where Guru Nanak is said to have spent his final days and where he breathed his
last, seems to have become possible not through an agreement between India and
Pakistan, but with one side deciding not to oppose what the other had decided. Instead
both are actively, and competitively, claiming ownership of a move that is a big leap
forward for people-to-people relations.
ü This would allow Sikhs to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in
November 2019.
ü The length of the corridor is about 4 km, 2 km on either side of the international border.
• According to Living Planet Report (LPR) 2018, India’s soil biodiversity is in grave peril.
Soil biodiversity encompasses the presence of micro-organisms, micro-fauna (e.g.
nematodes), and macro-fauna (ants, termites and earthworms).
• Mission Kakatiya is a program for restoring all the minor irrigation tanks and lakes in
Telangana. The tanks and lakes are dug to remove silt for increasing water storage
capacity.
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Ø Culture Vs. Biodiversity
Ø Biodiversity
Ø Growth vs. Biodiversity
Ø Protecting Rivers - starting
from Ganga
Ø Wildlife trade
Ø Growth vs. Environment
Ø Biodiversity depletion
Ø Innovative Green Funding
Ø Responsible Capitalism
Ø Best from Waste
Ø Responsible Capitalism
Ø Illegal Development
Floodplains
Ø Growth vs. Environment
Ø Animal protection
Ø Impact of Disasters
Biodiversity
Ø Walk the Talk
Environment
Ø Environmental Ethics
Ø Waste to Art
• Mission Bhagiratha — Telangana government’s ambitious project to provide piped
drinking water to every household. It is inspired from the comprehensive drinking water
grid implemented in Gujarat.
• As Diwali celebrations peak, so does the number of owls illegally trapped and sacrificed
for tantric rituals and ceremonies during the festive season. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade
monitoring network, has issued an advisory to enforcement agencies calling for
increased efforts to help curb trafficking and sacrifice of owls.
• After about 25 years, a flock of five greater flamingoes (long-legged and long-necked
birds) were spotted along the coast of Hope Island, a part of the Coringa Wildlife
Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh.
• A study has revealed the complex ecological consequences of Wind farms in Chalkewadi
(MH). With their constantly-whirring blades, wind turbines have decreased birds of prey,
while increasing the fan-throated lizards (almost 3 times) – small, colorful reptiles that
the birds prey on. The lizards showed altered behavior, physiology and even less-
flamboyant body colors.
• National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018,
proposes to create a management structure that will supervise the health of the 2,500 km
long Ganga. Amongst other things, it lays down restrictions to ensure the “uninterrupted,
ecological flow” of the river.
• China withdrew a 25-year ban on trading in products made from tigers and rhinos under
“special circumstances”. It effectively gives sanction to organized crime syndicates,
paving the way for international wildlife trade and pushing demand for these products.
China acceded to CITES in 1981.
ü India is home to ~60% of tigers and 80% of greater one-horned rhinos in world. Siliguri
Corridor contributes significantly to the world’s illegal animal trade.
• Rampant mining in the Aravalli mountain range has led to disappearance of 31 hills
which has serious environmental consequences. Supreme Court has asked to stop.
ü Rajasthan has a rich reserve of copper, lead, zinc, rock phosphate, soapstone, silica sand,
limestone, marble and gypsum in the Aravalli mountain range.
• WWF is warning that koalas could be wiped out in some Australian states amid
deforestation and increasing attacks by livestock. They are on track to be extinct by 2050
in New South Wales if current land clearing rates continue.
• Noise pollution is hurting dolphin population in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin
Sanctuary in Bihar, India’s only sanctuary for its national aquatic animal.
• Seychelles has launched the world’s first sovereign blue bond—a pioneering financial
instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects.
ü The bond, which raised $15 million, demonstrates the potential for countries to harness
capital markets for financing the sustainable use of marine resources.
• In a bid to reduce global air pollution, Swedish company IKEA announced its plan to
turn rice straw into a new renewable material source for its products. The project, part of
the company’s ‘Better Air Now’ initiative, will begin from India and is focussed on New
Delhi, Gurugram and Faridabad.
on • There are about 3,000 illegal nurseries over the floodplains of Yamuna in New Delhi.
NGT had noted that activities relating to cement pots and nurseries were going on
without permission from the DDA which is causing pollution as broken pots are being
converted into debris and deposited on the riverbed itself.
• India’s elephants now have their first dedicated hospital near Taj Mahal. The ‘jumbo’
hospital is a collaboration b/w UP Forest Department and conservation NGO Wildlife
SOS. The modern facility will treat injured, sick and geriatric elephants.
• NGT, hearing a plea on increasing unnatural elephant deaths, has asked MoEF&CC to
consider declaring all elephant corridors as eco-sensitive zones.
on • In the devastation caused by Cyclone Gaja, hundreds of birds that once made the Point
Calimere sanctuary their home have died, trees have been uprooted or their branches
broken or defoliated. Carcasses of birds are found in some places.
on • World leaders will participate in an innovative climate change summit that will take
place entirely online so it is carbon neutral. Virtual Climate Summit is the brainchild of
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, whose low-lying Pacific island nation will
drown beneath rising seas if global warming continues unabated.
• The virtual summit’s main aim is to encourage the international community to keep
global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
• Waste disposal is a huge challenge for every Indian city, but Bhubaneswar has found a
special use for some of its metal waste — it has transformed them into works of art. The
Bhubaneswar Open Air Museum of Waste-to-Art, coming up in the Kalinga Nagar
township, has 28 impressive sculptures created from metal scrap.
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 Science & Technology:

Ø Digital addiction • The fear of screens has reached the level of panic in Silicon Valley. There is a growing
Ø Mental Health consensus that screen time is bad for kids. Parents are asking nannies to keep phones,
tablets, computers and TVs off and hidden at all times. Some are even producing no-
phone contracts, which guarantee zero unauthorized screen exposure, for their nannies
to sign.
Ø Robotics • Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is set to be the first airport in the country to
commence commercial use of TaxiBots — semi-robotic tow trucks — to help airlines
reduce use of air turbine fuel during taxiing.
ü Planes taxi from parking bay to runway or vice versa using their own engines to provide
thrust. However, an aircraft can be steered with both its engines off with the help of a
TaxiBot, which lifts and holds the aircraft’s nose wheel and transports it from the
terminal to runway and back.
Ø Artificial Intelligence gone • Amazon decided to shut down its experimental AI recruiting tool after discovering it
wrong discriminated against women. Algorithm learned to systematically downgrade women’s
CV’s for technical jobs such as software developer.
Ø Robotics • A group of young engineers from Kerala have designed a robot which they have named
Ø Indigenous tech ‘Bandicoot’ - first manhole cleaning robot indigenous developed. It is capable of
entering and cleaning sewers and manholes.
Ø Artificial Intelligence • China's state news agency Xinhua has unveiled a virtual newsreader. An AI system has
been used to synthesize the presenters' voices, lip movements and expressions based on
those of real Xinhua presenters.
Ø Advances in Space Technology • GSLV Mk III, India’s heaviest and most powerful rocket launcher, has launched GSAT
Ø Indigenization of Technology 29, the heaviest satellite launched from the Indian soil into a Geosynchronous Transfer
Orbit.
ü GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy-lift rocket with two solid fuel strap-on engines in
the first stage, a liquid propellant core as second stage and a cryogenic engine for the
third stage.
ü It is designed to carry satellites weighing in the range of 4000 kg into Geosynchronous
Transfer Orbit (GTO) or satellites weighing about 10,000 kg to a Low Earth Orbit
(LEO).
• GSLV Mk III rocket has been designated as the launch vehicle for India’s second moon
mission Chandrayaan 2 which is scheduled for January next year and India’s first
human space flight which is being targeted for 2022.
Ø Indigenous Technology • The first trial run of indigenously developed Indian's engineless train, the "Train 18"
was successfully conducted on tracks at Moradabad-Rampur section.

Ethics:

Ø Divided by culture, united by • Caught in a four-decade, inter-State dispute, the villagers of Umru (on Assam-
nature Meghalaya border) come together to ensure a safe stopover for Amur falcons.
ü Both Gorkhas and Khasi communities come together and have fixed a fine of ₹25,000
for anyone caught ensnaring or killing the birds.
ü Around Oct, huge numbers of Amur falcons arrive in NE India from Siberia en route to
their final destination - Somalia, Kenya and South Africa. These birds have one of the
longest migration routes of all, doing up to 20,000 km a year.
Ø Will power • The story of Karthyayini Amma in Kerala’s Cheppad, Alapuzzha — the oldest person
ever to take part in Kerala’s literacy examination — is a heartwarming tale of the
triumph of individual will. She not only aced the exam, scoring 98 out of 100, but also
expressed her desire to continue with her primary education.
Ø Animal rights • Avni, the tigress that is said to have killed 13 villagers, was shot dead near Borati
Ø Man animal conflict village in Yavatmal by a team of Forest Department officials and a civilian hunter.
Wildlife activists allege that no efforts were made to tranquillize Avni.
ü Court had ordered to shoot the animal as a last resort, and with a proper squad
comprising a wildlife biologist and tranquillizing specialist.
Ø Environmental Ethics • Villagers of Koonthankulam (TN) have a voluntary ban on crackers to ensure a peaceful
stay for the migratory birds atop the acacia and neem trees in the village.
Ø Leadership • On whether he could still work with Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe said: “I’ll have no
problem working with him, that’s a question you must ask him. The Constitution
doesn’t make provision for personal prejudices."
Ø Gandhian Ethics • Cyril Ramaphosa, who was Nelson Mandela’s choice for future President of South

88
 Africa, is a keen Gandhi follower. In April 2018, Ramaphosa led nearly 5,000 people at
the annual ‘Gandhi Walk’ in Lenasia, an Indian township south of Johannesburg,
seeking to promote community awareness and fitness.
Ø Valor • Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, considered the hero of the ‘Battle of Longewala’
Ø Courage and who was later awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, died recently. He held off a Pakistani
Ø Leadership attack while leading a small group of soldiers through the night during the 1971 war.
The 1997 film Border, in which Sunny Deol played the role of Brigadier Chandpuri,
was based on the Longewala battle.
Ø Courage • Meghalaya’s known RTI Activist Agnes Kharshiing was assaulted by a group of
Ø RTI Activist criminals in the coal- and limestone-rich East Jaintia Hills district.
Ø Real patriotism ü Majority of Meghalaya's coal reserve is mined indiscriminately by private and
community landowners. NGT banned coal mining and ordered sealing of coal pits. It,
however, allowed transport of 3.4 MT of extracted coal.
ü Ms. Kharshiing documented illegal mining and transport of coal over the last four years,
thus earning the wrath of the coal mafia.
• In March, RTI activist Poipynhun Majaw, 38, was killed for exposing a nexus between
the local tribal council and cement companies that were allegedly allowed to mine
limestone without permission.
Ø Corporate Ethics • Last year, amendments to the Companies Act caused one of the biggest disruptions to
Ø Accountability India Inc’s functioning in recent times. Under the new Act, all companies were
mandatorily required to rotate their auditors, the people who draw up and certify the
financial state of health of any business enterprise.
Ø Perseverance • Mary Kom is the only woman to become World Amateur Boxing champion for a record
Ø Excellence six times, and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the seven
Ø Simple Living world championships. (6 Gold, 1 Silver)
Ø High Thinking

Data of the Month:

Ø Sub-national Economic • Andhra Pradesh has achieved the number one rank in the country with an average
Growth growth of 10.5% during the last four years. It has surpassed many developed States such
as Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Ø Air pollution • WHO report says India faces the highest air pollution-related mortality and disease
burden in the world, with > 2 million deaths occurring prematurely every year,
accounting for 25% of the global deaths due to poor air quality.
• India has set a target to reduce PM by 30% in 5 years, with 2019 as the base year.
Ø WB Ease of Doing Business • India jumped 23 ranks in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2018 to 77. In
the 2017 report, the country was ranked 100.
Ø World Urbanization • Nearly 55% of the world's population now lives in urban areas. About 1.4 million people
move to cities around the world every week.
Ø Oceans & Global warming • IPCC: world’s oceans have absorbed 90% of the temperature rise caused by man-made
carbon emissions
Ø Water quality • India is ranked at 120 out of 122 countries on the Water Quality Index, said Niti Aayog,
adding that 70% of the country’s water supply is contaminated.
Ø Green Buildings • Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) has assessed that less than 2%
Ø Sustainable habitats of India's buildings are green buildings.
Ø Ozone Layer • Ozone layer that shields life from cancer-causing solar rays is recovering at a rate of 1 to
Ø Global Warming 3% per decade, reversing years of dangerous depletion caused by the release of harmful
chemicals, a UN study said.
Ø National Health Profile 2018 • Rs. 3 per day is spent on an average Indian’s healthcare
• Government spends 1.3% of GDP on healthcare when world average is 6%
• One allopathic doctor serves a population of 11,000 (10 times of WHO limit)
Ø Child health • India continues to have the highest burden of pneumonia and diarrhoea child deaths in
the world.
Ø Women participation in • NSSO- Labor Bureau Data => Owing to increased mechanization, lower international
Agriculture demand for labor intensive industries, among other reason, share of women workers in
agriculture has fallen from 44 to 30% in the last 3 decades.
Ø Youth awareness • ORF-WEF survey: ‘70% youth unaware of govt. skill development programs’. The low
training participation was mostly due to financial barriers and time constraints.

Ø Global Warming • By 2022, India is expected to have 25% of world’s AC units. The refrigerants used for

89

Ø Lifestyle diseases
Ø Hunger
Ø Agriculture vs. Hunger
Ø Pharmaceutical Industry
Ø Disinvestment
Ø Reforms in Criminal Justice
System
Ø Power & Politics
cooling are the major contributors to global warming, and if left unchecked, they could
cause temperatures to rise by 0.5 C. - Rocky Mountain Institute.
0
• China is the ‘diabetes capital of the world’ and Chandigarh continues to remain the
‘diabetes capital of India’. In a study published by ICMR-INDIAB, there is prevalence
of 13.6% in Chandigarh, while the national average in 15 states was 7.3%.
• As per NFHS-2016:
ü stunted (low height for age) children under five is significantly higher (38.4%) than
global (22.9%) average
ü underweight (low weight for age) children rate (35.7%) is a lot higher than the global
average (13.5%)
ü India is home to over 53.3 million stunted, 49.6 million underweight and 29.2 million
wasted (low weight for height) children under five.
• Malnutrition continues to be high in agricultural surplus States like Haryana (34%
stunting and 29.5% underweight).
ü Worryingly, malnutrition in some of its agriculturally-developed districts (Karnal,
Panipat, Sonipat, Rohtak, Gurugram) is even higher than the average of Odisha.
• Madhya Pradesh has registered double-digit growth in food grain production, but acute
malnutrition is still critical in most of its districts with a high proportion of underweight
(42.8%) and stunted children (41.9%).
• Indian pharmaceutical sector industry supplies over 50% of the global demand for
various vaccines, 40% of generic demand in the U.S. and 25% of all medicines in the
U.K. Over 80% of antiretroviral drugs (used in AIDS fight) are supplied by India.
• The current NDA government, accounts for a whopping 58% of all the disinvestment
that has taken place since 1991. (2.1 out of 3.63 Lakh crore)
ü It is almost twice that done by the UPA government over both its terms in power.
• Undertrial prisoners accounted for 62% of India’s prison population, against the world
average of 18-20%. The statistic raised questions about the humaneness of our system.
• Vacancies in forensic labs are alarmingly high. The forensic laboratories, at both the
Central and State levels, are used to examine crucial evidence which could decide
between life and death in many criminal cases. Avg. = 40%; UP = 80%.
Quotes of the Month:
Power
• Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him
power. – Lincoln
• Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. – Lord Acton
Politics
• In Politics, there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only permanent
interests. - William Clay
Political Participation
• One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being
governed by your inferiors. – Plato
• The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -
Edmund Burke
Indian Politicians
• India is a young country run by old men. – Devesh Kapur
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 PRELIMS CAPSULES:
Ques.1 With reference to Kisan Credit Card(KCC), consider the following statements:
1. The scheme was launched in India in 1998 to provide affordable and timely credit to Indian farmers.
2. Loan through this scheme is provided only to the cultivator farmer not tenant farmers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques. 2 Which of the following gases are released in atmosphere due to Stubble Burning?
1. Methane
2. Carbon di oxide
3. Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN)
4. Volatile Organic compound(VOC)
5. Sulfur Di Oxide
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 5
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 4, and 5

Ques. 3 With reference to Central Board of Investigation(CBI), consider the following statements:
1. CBI is non-constitutional and non-statutory body.
2. It derives its powers from DPSE Act 1946.
3. It operates under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Home Affairs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 Only
(b) 2 and 3 Only
(c) 1 and 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Only

Ques. 4 Consider the following statements with reference to Reserve bank of India(RBI) Act 1934:
1. Scheduled banks are defined under this act.
2. This act has special provision under section 7 which allows only the Finance Ministry to issue directions to RBI under
public interest.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques. 5 Consider the following statements:

1. Global warming is a long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system.
2. Anti-global warming method such as stratospheric aerosol injection is the only method to reduce global warming.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.6 Consider the following statements with reference to Tuberculosis(TB):

1. India is the country with the highest burden of TB in the world.

2. TB eradication plan of India is lagging behind World health Organisation (WHO) target year.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a) 1 Only
b) 2 Only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.7 With reference to Private Member Bill in Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:

91
1. The introduction of Private member Bill in any House requires fourteen days’ notice.
2. A Constitutional Amendment bill can be a Private Member bill
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.8 The term ‘Green Crackers’ is a/an:

(a) New type of crackers which produce only green emission with no air pollution.
(b) Crackers are so named because they do not contain harmful chemicals that would cause air pollution.
(c) Certified crackers which produce no sound and light.
(d) None of the above.

Ques.9 The term ‘Nuclear Triad’ was recently seen in the news with reference to:
(a) Ballistic Missiles system recently procured by India from Russia.
(b) A Special type of Submarine which can fire nuclear torpedo above as well as below the sea level.
(c) It is a three-pronged military force structure that consists of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed
submarines and strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles.
(d) None of the above

Ques.10 Consider the following statements with reference to 13 East Asia Summit:
th

1. It is regional forum of only ASEAN countries.

2. India participated in this summit as Dialogue Partner.
3. The first summit of this forum was held in 2005.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 Only
(c) 1 Only
(d) 1 and 3

Ques.11 With reference to Kepler Space Telescope, Consider the following statements:

1. It is joint project of NASA and European Space Agency (ESA).

2. It was launched in the year 2009.
3. It uses Transit Detection method.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ques.12 With reference to INS Arihant, consider the following statements:

1. It is nuclear powered submarine under Project 75I.
2. It is constructed under the advance technology vessel (ATV) programme.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.13 Consider the following statements with reference to Ease of doing business Index, 2018:
1. It is published by World Bank covering 11 different parameters.
2. India’s rank is second to China in BRICS group.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.14 Regarding Inland Waterways in India, which of the following statements are correct?
1. There are 111 Inland waterways in India.
2. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) regulates the infrastructure of National Inland Waterways, created in the
year 2016.
(a) 1 Only
92
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.15 Consider the following statements:

1. The indices of Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (NEER) and Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) are used as
indicators of external competitiveness.
2. NEER and REER are inversely proportional to each other.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.16 With reference to ‘Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary’ recently seen in news, consider the following
statements:
1. The sanctuary was created for conservation of blackbuck antelope.
2. It is protected area under Ramsar Wetland Convention.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.17 What is ‘Currency Swap’ Agreement, sometimes seen in the news?

(a) It is method approved by IMF, in which countries exchange their currencies through its portal.
(b) It is an agreement made under the aegis of World Bank to provide finance to less developed countries accepting their
less valued currency.
(c) It is an agreement between two countries to swap certain amount of currency among their own currencies.
(d) None of the above.

Ques.18 With reference to contagious disease Polio, Consider following statements:

1. India is declared free from all types of Polio virus by World Health Organisation (WHO) recently.
2. IPV is cheaper and safer than OPV, being globally used for vaccination.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.19 Consider the following statements:

1. The Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India is the highest policy making body on payment systems in the country.
2. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and
settlement systems in India.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques. 20 Consider the following statements with reference to ‘SAWEN’:

1. It is an inter-governmental wildlife law enforcement body of South Asian Countries to combat wildlife crimes.
2. It was officially launched in the year 2011.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.21 Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Non-Banking Finance Companies(NBFCs):
1. NBFCs are necessarily registered under Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
2. NBFCs cannot issue Commercial Papers.
3. In India, NBFCs can accept demand deposit.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 and 3

93
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ques.22 Consider the following statements with reference to E-commerce in India:

1. Recently a policy regulating e-commerce in India was launched.
2. 100 percent FDI is allowed in inventory model of e-commerce business in India.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques. 23 With reference to ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’, consider the following statements:
1. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises.
2. The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) is the nodal programme of the Government to
develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques. 24 IPCC released a report regarding Climate Change, Consider the following statements with reference to it:
1. The report makes it clear that the impact of 1.5°C warming is lesser than what was anticipated earlier and little
allowance can be provided to countries for emission of greenhouse gases.
2. Report provides ample evidence for Decline in crop yields, unprecedented climate extremes and increased susceptibility
could push poverty by several million by 2050.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.25 Consider the following statements with reference to National Small Savings Fund(NSSF):
1. This fund is administered by Department of Economic Affairs.
2. The objective of NSSF is to de-link small savings transactions from the Public Account of India and ensure their
operation in a transparent and self-sustaining manner.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.26 Consider the following statements with reference to World Wildlife Fund for Nature(WWF):
1. It is a specialized agency of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The Living Planet Report is published every two years by WWF.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.27 With reference POSHAN Abhiyaan, consider the following statements:

1. It is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022.
2. It targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, over nutrition, anaemia and reduce low birth weight.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.28 Consider the following statements about GSLV MK III-D2/ GSAT 29:
94
1. GSAT 29 is the heaviest satellite launched from India.
2. It is a remote sensing satellite to observe Jammu & Kashmir and North- Eastern States of India for natural resources.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.29 Consider the following statements with reference to WTO Dispute resolution process:
1) The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) makes decisions on trade
disputes between governments that are adjudicated by the Organization.
2) Dispute Settlement Body can punish countries not following WTO Agreement rules.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.30 Consider the following about ‘Black Holes’:

1. It is basically a massless region with strong gravitational effects.
2. It is created when a massive star dies and the matter gets squeezed into a tiny space under a heavy force of gravity.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.31 Consider the following statements with reference to Continental Shelf and Continental Slope:
1. The continental shelf and the slope are part of the continental margin.
2. Slope of Continental Shelf is lower than Continental Slope.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.32 Recently this country launched World’s first Sovereign Blue Bond:
(a) Mauritius
(b) Seychelles
(c) Maldives
(d) China

Ques.33 Consider the following statements:

1. Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas is released by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
2. The report of 2018 highlights, threats to soil biodiversity and pollinators.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.34 Consider the following statements with reference to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their Tribes:
1. The Andamans are separated from the Nicobar group by Eleven Degree Channel.
2. Sentinelese tribes are Mongoloids.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.35 Consider the following statements with reference to Pulses:

1. Water efficiency of Pulses is high as compared to beef.
2. Intercropping with Pulses increases farm biodiversity and create more diverse landscape for animals and birds.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?

95
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.36 With reference to UN Environment Award 2018, consider the following statements:
1. UN Environment awarded Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) with the Asia Environment Enforcement Award.
2. Only United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) sponsors this award.
3. WCCB has been conferred this award in Innovation category.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 Only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ques.37 Consider the following statements with reference to the recent dissolution of Jammu and Kashmir assembly:
1. The President dissolved the assembly after Governor’s request.
2. The effective strength of assembly is less than its total strength of 111 members.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.38 ‘Green House Gas Bulletin’ is annually released by an International Organization. Which of the following releases
this Bulletin:
(a) United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP)
(b) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC)
(c) World Meteorological Organization(WMO)
(d) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)

Ques.39 Consider following statements with reference to Election commission of India(ECI):

1. Election Commission is an all India Constitutional Body.
2. The conditions of service of Election commissioners are determined by the Parliament.
3. The constitution has specified the term of the members of the Election Commission.
Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ques.40 Consider the following statements with reference to GROWTH India Telescope:
1. It is part of multi-country collaborative initiative located at Hanle, Ladakh.
2. The fully robotic optical research telescope is designed to capture cosmic events occurring in timescales much shorter
than light years – years, days and even hours.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.41 With reference to Anti-Dumping Duty, Consider the following statements:

1. It is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair
market value.
2. It is levied and imposed by Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.42 The term ‘Moscow Format’, recently seen in the news in the context of:
(a) New alliance by Non-NATO members to combat NATO.
(b) Peace process between Russia and Ukraine.
96
(c) New initiative for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.
(d) Defense alliance between Eurasian Nations and Russia.

Ques.43 Consider the following statements:

1. Martial Law is has been defined under the Constitution.
2. Declaration of Martial Law automatically suspends all Fundamental Rights of the people in the territory it is imposed.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.44 With reference to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of WHO(World Health Organisation), consider the
following statements:
1. It is the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO and entered into force in 2005.
2. The protocol binds on countries for enforcement measures such as seizures and disposal of seized products.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.45 Which of the following is incorrect about Strait of Gibraltar:

(a) A narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
(b) Gibraltar is part of Spain and Morocco.
(c) Gibraltar located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula.
(d) None of the above

Ques.46 Arrange the following cities in the direction from south to north:
1. Bangkok
2. Kuala Lumpur
3. Hanoi
4. Phnom Penh
5. Vientiane
6. Nay pyi daw
Select the correct answer from the following codes given below:
(a) 6-5-4-3-2-1
(b) 5-6-3-4-2-1
(c) 4-2-6-5-3-1
(d) 2-4-1-5-6-3

Ques.47 ‘Tiangong’ recently seen in news, is a:

(a) Space Observatory launched by China.
(b) Communication Satellite launched by China.
(c) China’s space station program.
(d) Latest nuclear sub-marine of China

Ques.48 Consider the following statements:

(a) Koalas are indigenously found in North-East India.
(b) Koalas are declared Vulnerable in IUCN red List.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 Only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ques.49 Consider the following statements:

1. Sub-ordinate Courts in India functions subordinate to State High Courts.
2. There is no provision In Indian Constitution for organization of subordinate courts and left it to the state government to
make provisions.
3. Judges of Sub-ordinate courts are appointed by the Chief Justice of high courts in consultation with senior Judges.
Which of the following statements are incorrect?
(a) 2 and 3

97
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ques.50 Consider the following Countries:

1. Canada
2. India
3. Mexico
4. Australia
5. China
6. Singapore
7. USA

Which of the above Countries are members of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3, 4 and 6
(c) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
(d) All of the above

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 Mains Answer Writing Practice Questions:

1. Examine the significance of ASEAN for India’s economic, geo-strategic and security
imperatives?

2. Discuss the nature of collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), their
achievements and future projects.

3. CBI has come under the scanner in recent days. Discuss the issues faced by India’s
premier investigative agency and the role of judiciary in ensuring that CBI no longer
functions as a “caged parrot”?

4. India accounts for one of the highest numbers of diarrhoea and pneumonia deaths
among children in the world. Analyse its causes and examine what efforts have been
made by the government to address this issue

5. Discuss the steps taken by the government for improving the ease of doing business in
India and what more needs to be done.

6. Discuss how section 7 of RBI act empowers the central government to intervene in
the functioning of the RBI. What are the recent issues surrounding the act. Discuss.

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 Solutions to the Prelims Capsule:
Solution: 1 (a) Solution: 26 (b)
Solution: 2 (d) Solution: 27 (a)
Solution: 3 (a) Solution: 28 (b)
Solution: 4 (a) Solution: 29 (a)
Solution: 5 (b) Solution: 30 (a)
Solution: 6 (d) Solution: 31 (c)
Solution: 7 (b) Solution: 32 (b)
Solution: 8 (b) Solution: 33 (b)
Solution: 9 (c) Solution: 34 (d)
Solution: 10 (a) Solution: 35 (c)
Solution: 11 (a) Solution: 36 (b)
Solution: 12 (b) Solution: 37 (b)
Solution: 13 (c) Solution: 38 (c)
Solution: 14 (d) Solution: 39 (a)
Solution: 15 (b) Solution: 40 (c)
Solution: 16 (c) Solution: 41 (a)
Solution: 17 (c) Solution: 42 (c)
Solution: 18 (d) Solution: 43 (d)
Solution: 19 (c) Solution: 44 (a)
Solution: 20 (c) Solution: 45 (b)
Solution: 21 (d) Solution: 46 (d)
Solution: 22 (d) Solution: 47 (c)
Solution: 23 (c) Solution: 48 (b)
Solution: 24 (c) Solution: 49 (a)
Solution: 25 (b) Solution: 50 (c)

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