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  • [Prelims Spotlight] UN International Sea Bed Authority, GEF

    Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news- Govt. plans ‘ISRO-like’ ocean mission 

    UN International Sea Bed Authority

    1. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an intergovernmental body that was established to organize, regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, an area underlying most of the world’s oceans
    2. It is an organization established by the Law of the Sea Convention
    3. It is based in Kingston, Jamaica
    4. Currently, the Authority has 167 members and the European Union, composed of all parties to the Law of the Sea Convention
    5. The Authority operates by contracting with private and public corporations and other entities authorizing them to explore, and eventually exploit, specified areas on the deep seabed for mineral resources essential for building most technological products

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name : GEF

    Objective : Established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit as a separate institution. Earlier was a part of WB. Partnership of 18 agencies. Financial mechanism for 5 conventions * Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) * United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) * UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) * Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) * Minamata Convention on Mercury The GEF, although not linked formally to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MP), supports implementation of the Protocol in countries with economies in transition.

    Headquarters : Washington, United States of America

    Year Founded : 1991

    Category : Environment

  • [Prelims Spotlight] UN Convention Against Corruption, Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme

    Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Layers of protection: on changes in anti-corruption law

    UN Convention Against Corruption

    1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is a multilateral treaty negotiated by member states of the United Nations (UN) and promoted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
    2. It is one of several legally binding international anti-corruption agreements
    3. UNCAC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 31 October 2003
    4. UNCAC’s goal is to reduce various types of corruption that can occur across country borders, such as trading in influence and abuse of power, as well as corruption in the private sector, such as embezzlement and money laundering
    5. Another goal of the UNCAC is to strengthen international law enforcement and judicial cooperation between countries by providing effective legal mechanisms for international asset recovery
    6. UNCAC requires state parties to the treaty to implement several anti-corruption measures that focus on five main areas:
    • prevention
    • law enforcement
    • international cooperation
    • asset recovery
    • technical assistance and information exchange

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name of the scheme : Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme

    Objectives : 1. Strengthening and improving quality of basic TB services addressing TB HIV co-infection, other co-morbidities and MDR-TB 2. Engaging with care providers both in the public and the private sector 3. Targeted intervention in the vulnerable population and strengthening urban TB control along with active case finding activities 4. Integrating newer molecular diagnostics for TB in the health system (CBNAAT) for early diagnosis of MDR TB 5. Leveraging of Information Communication Technology for enhancing TB notification and strengthening of monitoring

    Salient Features : 1. Under the RNTCP, Government is committed to end tuberculosis by 2025. 2. The strategies adopted for this purpose include strengthening and improving quality of basic TB services, engaging with providers other than public, addressing TB HIV co-infection, other co-morbidities and programmatic management of drug resistant TB.

    Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

     

  • 30 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    [op-ed snap] Government-mukt governance

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-government-mukt-governance/

    Very important editorial. Contains an international index and important data related to e-governance. High chances of a question in Pre as well as Mains.

    India plans to buy missile shield from U.S.

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-plans-to-buy-missile-shield-from-u-s/

    Read about NASAMS. Can be asked in Prelims.

    Govt to roll out DigiYatra offering for air passengers soon

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/govt-to-roll-out-digiyatra-offering-for-air-passengers-soon/

    Make notes of digiyatra initiative. Important for Prelims.

    All about the FASTag

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/all-about-the-fastag/

    Note all details regarding issuance and usage of FASTag. Can be asked in Prelims

    Low Relevance News

    In favour of restoring Allahabad’s name: Ram Naik

    Amid a growing clamour by the BJP and Hindu seers to rename Allahabad city as Prayag, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has said he is in favour of the change

    Mr Naik said changing the name of Allahabad city to its ancient name of Prayag was “appropriate” and timely, given that the Kumbh Mela 2019 was a few months away

    Read about Kumbh Mela as intangible cultural heritage. The news is of zero relevance for the exam.

    Indian firm to supply heavy vehicles to Army

    For the first time, an Indian vehicle manufacturer will deliver heavy duty, high mobility vehicles for the Army’s Russian-built Smerch Multi-Barrel Rocket launchers (MBRL) as well to carry strategic missiles developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

    In April, Ashok Leyland was awarded a ₹100-crore contract for 81 high mobility 10×10 vehicles by the Army to replace the Russian vehicles which currently carry the Smerch launchers

    No important details from exam point of view.

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

     

  • 27 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    Explained: Privilege Motion

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/explained-privilege-motion/

    Read and make notes about privilege motion. Can be asked in Pre as well as Mains

    Lok Sabha passes Anti-Trafficking Bill

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/lok-sabha-passes-anti-trafficking-bill/

    A major step to curb the menace of trafficking and protect vulnerable groups such as women and children.

    Low Relevance News

    Row over shifting of Nehru’s photograph at NMML

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has accused the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) administration of removing the photograph of Jawaharlal Nehru from the main seminar room and replacing it with that of Deen Dayal Upadhyay

    Nothing important from exam point of view

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

     

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Kaivalya, Parigraha


    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Key words related to History : Kaivalya

    Dynasty/era : Mahavira period

    Meaning : 1.Kaivalya is a state of solitude, aloneness, isolation and detachment. The word is derived from the Sanskrit kevala, meaning “alone” or “isolated.” 2.It is a separation of purusha (Self or Soul) from prakriti (primal matter). The state of kaivalya is the main goal of Raja yoga. 3.It is a detachment and independence from relationships, egoism, attraction, aversion and the cycle of birth and death. One can achieve this state by performing austerities, yoga practice and discipline. One who achieves this state is called a Kevalin.

    Key words related to History : Parigraha

    Dynasty/era : Mahavira period

    Meaning : 1.Parigraha-parimana is one the 12 vratas or vows of a layperson in Jainism. Specifically, it is a vow to limit attachment to worldly possessions. 2.Unlike monks or ascetics who observe such vows more strictly, the layperson may make a vow to limit his or her attachment to certain possessions or a certain number of possessions, or they may vow to limit attachment for a specified period of time.

  • 26 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    [op-ed snap] India’s Magna Carta

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-indias-magna-carta/

    100 years of any event is important and Montford report is an important milestone in Modern Indian History. Read all details and go back to history notes to revise this topic in entirety. Very important for Pre as well as Mains.

    Banks agree to resolve stressed assets quickly

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/banks-agree-to-resolve-stressed-assets-quickly/

    Indian banks have signed an inter-creditor agreement and this might help in early resolution of NPAs. Read about Project Sashakt along with this.

    [op-ed snap] Iran can’t issue threats to seek India’s help

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-iran-cant-issue-threats-to-seek-indias-help/

    As the deadline for Iran’s sanctions comes near, India’s worries will only increase. Read editorial and make notes for Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    Slight delay in delivering VVPATs

    The Election Commission has said all VVPATs would be delivered well within the time required for preparations ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls

    In May 2017, the Commission had placed an order of 16.15 lakh VVPATs to the Public Sector Unit (PSU) manufacturers Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, to meet the requirements for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections

    Note the manufacturers. A possibility of it being asked in Prelims remains. No other important points in the news.

    Jio Institute hasn’t been given Eminence status: Javadekar

    The proposed Jio Institute had not been granted the Institution of Eminence status, as only a Letter of Intent had been issued

    A committee headed by N. Gopalaswami was set up to bring Indian Universities on a par with world universities and funding of Rs. 1000 crore would be granted only to public universities

    Note the committee and funding clause. Nothing else is important in the news.

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

     

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Aditya-L1


    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name : Aditya-L1

    Details : It is India’s first solar mission. It will study the sun’s outer most layers, the corona and the chromospheres and collect data about coronal mass ejection, which will also yield information for space weather prediction.

    Significance of the mission : The data from Aditya mission will be immensely helpful in discriminating between different models for the origin of solar storms and also for constraining how the storms evolve and what path they take through the interplanetary space from the Sun to the Earth.

    Position of the satellite : In order to get the best science from the sun, continuous viewing of the sun is preferred without any occultation/ eclipses and hence, Aditya- L1 satellite will be placed in the halo orbit around the Lagrangian point 1 (L1) of the sun-earth system. What are Lagrangian points and halo orbit? Lagrangian points are the locations in space where the combined gravitational pull of two large masses roughly balance each other. Any small mass placed at that location will remains at constant distances relative to the large masses. There are five such points in Sun-Earth system and they are denoted as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. A halo orbit is a periodic three-dimensional orbit near the L1, L2 or L3.

  • 25 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    Explained: Ending “No detention Policy” in schools

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/explained-ending-no-detention-policy-in-schools/

    Read this explainer to understand the recent decision of scrapping no detention policy and its effects on the education system

    Parliament gives nod to Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/parliament-gives-nod-to-prevention-of-corruption-amendment-bill/

    A major step in curbing corruption. Note important features of the bill. Can be asked in Pre as well as Mains.

    [op-ed snap] India needs smart urbanization

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-india-needs-smart-urbanization/

    A very nice editorial showing the way forward for smart cities and urbanization in India. Important for Mains

    [op-ed snap] Anti-trafficking Bill may lead to censorship

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snapanti-trafficking-bill-may-lead-to-censorship/

    Women and children are worst victims of trafficking and a bill introduced to protect them might become counterproductive. Editorial highlights all such sticking points. Read and make notes.

    Low Relevance News

    Govt stand on Lokpal appointment is ‘wholly unsatisfactory,’ says Supreme Court

    The Supreme Court has said the government’s stand on completing the appointment of a Lokpal, an ombudsman to protect the common man from corruption in public service and power centres, was “wholly unsatisfactory

    Though passed in 2014, the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013 had not been implemented all these years because there was no Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the 16th Lok Sabha

    The only important thing in the news is the provision of inclusion of LoP in the search committee.

    Privilege notices against Modi, Rahul, Nirmala Sitharaman under my consideration, says Speaker

    LS speaker had received five privilege notices against the Prime Minister and five against the Defence Minister from members of Opposition parties for allegedly misleading the House on the Rafale deal during the debate on the motion of no-confidence against the government and these are under her consideration

    Not important right now. If admitted, the issue becomes important. Will be covered then.

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

     

  • [Prelims Spotlight] National AYUSH Mission, Prahaar


    Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1:  [pib] Special AYUSH Clinics for the Elderly

    National AYUSH Mission

    1. Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has launched National AYUSH Mission (NAM) during 12th Plan for im­plementing through States/UTs.
    2. The basic objective of NAM is:
    • to promote AYUSH medical systems through cost-effective AYUSH services,
    • strengthening of educational systems,
    • facilitate the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy (ASU &H) drugs and sustainable availability of ASU & H raw-materials.
    1. It envisages flexibility of implementation of the programmes which will lead to a substantial participation of the State Governments/UT.
    2. The NAM contemplates the establishment of a National Mission as well as corresponding Missions in the State level.

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name : Prahaar

    Defence Forces : Army

    Module Type : Missiles

    Brief Intro : Prahaar is a solid-fuelled Surface-to-surface guided short-range tactical ballistic missile that would be equipped with omni-directional warheads and could be used for hitting both tactical and strategic targets

  • 24 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    Kerala trumps high-profile peers to top Public Affairs Index 2018

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/kerala-trumps-high-profile-peers-to-top-public-affairs-index-2018/

    Read about PAI and associated details. Can be asked in Prelims

    Iran becomes India’s No. 2 oil supplier

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/iran-becomes-indias-no-2-oil-supplier/

    sanctions on Iran will have a big impact on India too. Read the news to know how. Can be asked in Mains.

    [op-ed snap] Two engines of the economy need to fire

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-two-engines-of-the-economy-need-to-fire/

    Investment has been slowing down in recent past and it needs quick revival to bring a boost in across economy. Editorial discusses measures to be adopted to bring the change.

    Low Relevance News

    Medical tourists flocking to India

    A rare combination of advanced facilities, skilled doctors, and low cost of treatment have made India a popular hub of medical tourism, attracting a large number of foreign patients every year

    The Niti Aayog has identified medical value travel (MVT) as a major source of foreign exchange earnings. India currently has around 18% of the global medical tourism market

    Not very important from exam perspective

    New rules to allow appeals on NRC

    The Centre is all set to amend the rules that would enable residents whose names don’t feature in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to file an appeal before the Foreigners Tribunals in Assam

    The amendments will be made to the rules in the Foreigners Tribunal Order, 1964 as under the existing law only State or Police could move the Tribunal against a person suspected to be illegally staying in Assam

    Will be important when amendment actually happens. Currently its just a proposal

    Govt. Poster for easy recall