GS1 (Communalism)
Communalism is a social problem which has socio-economic causes and which has socio-economic solutions. Critically comment
Year: 2016
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12 Nov 2016 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions & Tikdams
Dear students,
When you submit your answer, if possible, give some reasoning & more info. along with the ABACAA format. Elaborate on what you know. This is going to help you retain & remember better.
NOTE: Prelims Daily compilation for October 2016 has been released for FREE – Click2Download
Q.1) With reference to No First Use Policy(NFU), consider the following statements:
1.NFU refers to a policy by a nuclear power not to use nuclear weapons as a means of warfare unless first attacked by an adversary using nuclear weapons.
2.India articulated its policy of No first use of nuclear weapons in 2003.
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
Q.2) Which of the following correctly describes about ‘Operation Green Hunt’.
a) Military operation for Bodo militants in Assam
b) Air Force’s rescue operations in Uttarakhand floods
c) Anti-naxalite offensive operations
d) Army-led rescue and relief mission in quake-hit Nepal
Q.3) Recently, Colombo declaration was in the news. Consider the following statements in this regard.
1.The declaration states that narcotic drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean poses a threat to peace and security in the region.
2.The delegates resolved to work towards making the Indian Ocean a “Drug Free Zone”.
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
Q.4) Kishenganga is a tributary of the river
a) Jhelum
b) Ravi
c) Beas River
d) Sutlej River
Q.5) Consider the following statements in regard to ‘Interpol’.
1.The International Criminal Police Organization is an intergovernmental organization facilitating international police cooperation founded in 1914.
2.It functions as a network of criminal law enforcement agencies from different countries.
3.It headquartered in Lyon, France.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) All of the above
Q.6) With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term ‘Araghatta’ refers to (CSP 2016)
a) Bonded labour
b) Land grants made to military officers
c) Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
d) Wasteland converted to cultivated land
Q.7) With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynasty histories and epic tales was the profession of who of the following?
a) Sharamana
b) Parivraajaka
c) Agrahaarika
d) Maagadha
Q.8) In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (CSP 2016)
1.Carbon dioxide
2.Carbon monoxide
3.Sulfur dioxide
4.Methane
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 4 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
IMPORTANT STUFF:
1. These questions are mostly derived from our daily newscards. Reading daily news from Civilsdaily’s App (click here) or website + solving these questions will help you reinforce the basics.
2. For a comprehensive preparation of IAS Prelims 2017 – consider joining one of the three Prelims Modules by CD – prelims.civilsdaily.com
3. Solutions will be uploaded at 8 p.m. Click here for solutions.
4. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here
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How Indian Babus react to Bank Notes issue
source
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the legal tender character of bank notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 would get cancelled from that mid-might, there were different reactions among the people all over the country- shock, confusion, and also a sense of happiness crossed the people.
Former IPS officer and Lt Governor of Puducherry Kiran Bedi Tweeted,
“…Times of gunny bags and suitcases gone”, talking about the end of decades old practice of carrying illicit cash. She further said: Within Minutes some Filthy Rich have become Poor. Money under mattresses is mere paper.
Shaktikanta Das, secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, GoI, reacted:
Powerful and decisive step by government to fight black money and use of fake currency notes for terror financing.
Ashok Lavasa, Finance Secretary, GoI, had following thoughts:
Yet another measure to attack the biggest menace of the country- black money. Citizens must understand, cooperate and join the fight against corruption.
Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary, GoI, said:
This is the biggest and the boldest step by the Government for containing black money. It is like a surgical strike on black money.
Ashok Khemka, IAS, Principal Secretary, Haryana praised:
Demonitization of 500 and 1000 rupee notes is master stroke by Central Government to curb black economy and fake currency. Kudos!
Shailaja Chandra, former IAS expressed her happiness:
Delighted with Integrity Initiative of PM. What will all those people who’ve stashed black money under their mattresses do? Learn a lesson!
Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog applauded in the following words:
Bold, dynamic and brilliant move to end the black money menace. Beginning of the cashless, paperless economy in India.
A K SAXENA (A retd. civil servant) lauded the Government with the following words:
Demonitisation, the first surgical strike by PM Modi, followed by Income Tax raids on the filthy rich across the country. What a deadly combination of steps to curb black money. Is India heading for cashless, paperless transactions in India? We can certainly look forward to cashless voting in coming assembly elections. The Opposition is desperate, frustrated, directionless and clueless about how to convert black into white money. It is better to burn illegal money or offer “Gupt daan of fake notes” to the Gods. Then get arrested by the income tax. Even, Gods are helpless, fearing income tax raids. What will happen to scores of self-proclaimed Babas who are custodians of black money of corrupt politicians and business lords?
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The daily news bookmarks in mobile app are not synced to the login account.
Bookmarks remains device specific. I Have two devices, the news bokmarked in one device are not seen in other. Kindly resolve this issue.
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11 Nov 2016 | GS4 | You are a brand manager in a fast growing food product company. Lately you and your colleagues have been assigned a project where you to have to form a branding strategy for a new product. The highlight of the product is that it contains lesser calories and is directed towards the new generation who are facing obesity related problems. However, you have come to know that there is a catch. The product contains an artificial low calorie sugar, which has been reported to cause severe health problems.
GS4 (Case Study)
You are a brand manager in a fast growing food product company. Lately you and your colleagues have been assigned a project where you to have to form a branding strategy for a new product. The highlight of the product is that it contains lesser calories and is directed towards the new generation who are facing obesity related problems. However, you have come to know that there is a catch. The product contains an artificial low calorie sugar, which has been reported to cause severe health problems. In this background –
a) Give an analysis of the possible outcomes based on whether you go ahead with the product launch or you oppose the move.
b) What will be the stand that you would take in the above scenario and why?
GS4 question powered by mitrasias.com
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11 Nov 2016 | GS3 | India’s exports have fallen for almost 2 years now. What are the reasons for such a contraction? What measures has the government taken to improve the situation?
GS3 (Indian Economy)
India’s exports have fallen for almost 2 years now. What are the reasons for such a contraction? What measures has the government taken to improve the situation?
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11 Nov 2016 | GS2 | Recently the government has demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. The government has said that the decision will help combat terror financing and corruption. Explain how demonetisation will help achieve each of these objectives. What are the costs of the demonetisation?
GS2 (Polity and Governance)
Recently the government has demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes. The government has said that the decision will help combat terror financing and corruption. Explain how demonetisation will help achieve each of these objectives. What are the costs of the demonetisation?
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11 Nov 2016 | GS1 | Critics point out that India’s population control policy is soft towards the male participant, which has led to many negative implication for women. Highlight those implications and also point out what changes are required in India’s population policy.
GS1 (Indian Society)
Critics point out that India’s population control policy is soft towards the male participant, which has led to many negative implication for women. Highlight those implications and also point out what changes are required in India’s population policy.
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11 Nov 2016 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions & Tikdams
Dear students,
When you submit your answer, if possible, give some reasoning & more info. along with the ABACAA format. Elaborate on what you know. This is going to help you retain & remember better.
NOTE: Prelims Daily compilation for October 2016 has been released for FREE – Click2Download
Q.1) Consider following statements with reference to International Competition Network (ICN).
1.ICN is an international body comprising 132 members exclusively devoted to international competition enforcement.
2.Competition Commission of India(CCI) is a member of the ICN since 2003.
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
Q.2) Consider following statements with respect to ‘The Cable Television Network Rules, 1994’.
1.Its provisions are not binding on all cable networks which are either downlinked to, or uplinked from, India.
2.Under its provisions, coverage of anti-terrorist operations by security forces will be restricted to periodic briefings by a designated officer.
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
Q.3) Consider the following statements with reference to recent demonetisation of notes.
1.Demonetization is the act of stripping a currency unit of its status as legal tender.
2.The Wanchoo committee had suggested demonetization as a measure to unearth and counter the spread of black money.
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
Q.4) Consider the following statements about ‘Geneva Convention’.
1.Geneva Convention forms cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), seek to regulate armed conflict and protect civilians.
2.India and Pakistan both parties to Geneva Convention.
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
Q.5) Consider the following statements about ‘Swing states’, in reference to recent US elections.
1.These states are called so because they swing between the Republicans and Democrats depending upon the election season.
2.Swing states are largely determined through opinion polls and results of previous elections.
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
Q.6) In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs: [CSP-2016]
Term description
1.Eripatti : land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.
2.Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3.Ghatikas : colleges generally attached to the temples.
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2
b) 3 only
c) 2 and 3
d) 1 and 3
Q.7) Which of the following is/are the advantage / advantages of practicing drip irrigation? [CSP-2016]
1.reduction of weed
2.reduction in soil salinity
3.reduction in soil erosion
Select the correct answer using the code given below:-
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) None of the above is an advantage of practicing drip irrigation
Q.8) Recently, linking of which of the following rivers was undertaken? [CSP-2016]
a) Cauvery and Tungabhadra
b) Godavari and Krishna
c) Mahanadi and Son
d) Narmada and Tapti
IMPORTANT STUFF:
1. These questions are mostly derived from our daily newscards. Reading daily news from Civilsdaily’s App (click here) or website + solving these questions will help you reinforce the basics.
2. For a comprehensive preparation of IAS Prelims 2017 – consider joining one of the three Prelims Modules by CD – prelims.civilsdaily.com
3. Solutions will be uploaded at 8 p.m. Click here for solutions.
4. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here
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What are the reasons for Judicial Pendency & What are the reforms needed?
source
In April 2016, there were more than 20 million cases pending in the Indian districts courts; two-thirds were criminal cases. 1 in 10 have been pending for more than 10 years. That means 10% cases have > 10 years of backlog!
Shortage of judges in the judicial system is not the only reason for mounting pendency of cases in India. Law Commission of India Chairman and former Supreme Court judge Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan said that the approved strength of judges are enough to end backlog.
In fact, the law ministry was found saying that the judge-population ratio was a poor substitute for sound scientific analysis to arrive at the real reasons behind huge pendency.
Here are the other important reasons for Judicial Pendency:
#1. Lack of IT prowess: Lack of proper court management systems and inadequate administrative staff
#2. Human Resource Issues: Quality of lawyers being produced en masse by barely regulated law schools, civil procedure rules that still date back to the first decade of the 20th century
#3. Increasing awareness in Public: Workload has increased because of an increase in awareness among the public and education. There has been an expansion of liberty and courts are bound by the public’s faith in the judiciary
#4. Void of Technical Expertise: In the increasingly complex field of law, specialised knowledge has become indispensable. But very often company and patent cases are listed before judges who have been familiar with criminal cases, and the latter class presented before judges who are adept in civil cases. There is an urgent need of creating specialized benches.
#5. Proliferation through Special Leave Petitions (SLPs): A lot of cases are entertained under article 136, which would otherwise not fall in the criminal/appellate/advisory jurisdictions.
Article 136 deals with extraordinary power of the apex court to grant special leave in cases. The Supreme Court may, in its discretion, grant special leave to appeal from any judgment, decree, determination, sentence or order in any cause or matter passed or made by any court or tribunal in the territory of India.
#6. Attitudinal Issues: Frequent transfers of judges takes the interest out of them to hear the cases that their successor may give judgement to
10 Point reform agenda
The 245th Law Commission Report on “Arrears and Backlogs: Creating Additional Judicial (W)omanpower has recommended the following measures
1. Calculating Adequate Judge Strength through a more scientific analysis of data – In this context, the Commission has negated a simplistic method like Judge-Population ratio (Number of judges required per million people) in favour of a Rate of Disposal Method.
In the Rate of Disposal Method, one looks at the current rate at which judges dispose of cases. Then, given that the institutions and disposal rate remain the same, the Courts would need how many more additional judges to keep pace with the new filings in Court so that the newly instituted cases do not add to the existing backlog.
2. Judges to be appointed on a Priority basis: India currently has 1/5th of the number of judges it needs and thus, the Judges need to be appointed on a priority basis.
3. Increasing the age of retirement for Subordinate Court Judges to 62 years.
4. Creation of Special Courts for traffic/police challan cases: They constitute about 37.4% of the existing pendency before the subordinate courts.
5. Provision for staff and infrastructure
6. Periodic Needs Assessment by High Courts: Monitoring the rate of institution and disposal of cases and revising the adequate strength of Judges since a High Court is equipped with all the information relating to the subordinate courts in the State. The Malimath Committee had recommended setting up of Vigilance Cells in each district by the High Court to monitor the performance of subordinate judicial officers.
7. Uniform data collection and data management methods: to bring in greater transparency.
8. Need for a system-wide reform: The Commission has recommended the following:
● Greater encouragement to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Lok Adalats <Can you tell us the difference among various types of ADRs, mediation, arbitration and conciliation? Answer in comments>
● Setting up non-mandatory time frames and performance benchmarks for resolution of different types of cases based on rational criteria.
9. Use of Technology : Has been recommended by the 230th Law Commission Report and the Malimath Committee Report to
(a) Club cases filed on similar points of law, which can be decided on the basis of a single judgment.
(b) Track old cases, which have become infructuous and dispose them off quickly
(c) Setting up E-Courts and ushering in E-filing. Has received a major boost under the e-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project.10. Creation of All-India Judicial Service: Provided for under Article 312 of the Indian Constitution. The idea has been mooted by various bodies including the First Judicial Pay Commission and accepted by the Supreme Court. Art 2012 proposal regarding creation of this service has not received responses from all States and this proposal continues to be hanging in the air <can you tell us the procedure of creation of new all India service? Answer in comments>
Way ahead
Many steps are currently being taken by the Government and the Courts to address this problem.
Monthly National Lok Adalats are carried out for expeditious disposal of claims.
In March 2016, the Monthly Lok Adalat disposed of about 1.5 lakh cases and settled claims worth Rs. 100 crores <Where can one appeal against the decision of Lok Adalats. Also tell us about the jurisdiction of Lok Adalats. Answer in comments>
In criminal cases, the setting-up of fast-track Courts and “plea bargaining” have further expedited matters <Can you tell us what’s plea bargaining? Answer in comments>
The e-courts project, aimed at providing better Court management and a database of all pending cases with easier filing of important documents is underway.
Moreover, the National Litigation Policy 2015 is awaiting ministerial approval and seeks to reverse the trend of Government being the biggest litigant <Did you know one of the argument for rejecting NJAC was that govt was the biggest litigant, therefore can have no role in appointment of judges>.
However, in view of the burgeoning backlog and urgency of reducing backlog, the efforts need to be severely expedited.
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