Category: Ranker Webinars

For UPSC 2024 aspirants, Register for Recorded Video+PDFs by Shubham sir.

👉What you should expect in 1-1 Live with Shubham Nagargoje sir?

Should you start with NCERTs? or directly Standard books? maybe start with just the newspapers first…. like these, there are a lot of questions in the minds of aspirants who are starting their UPSC 2024 preparation.

UPSC IAS-IPS-IFS is a dream of many but only a handful of them can make it a reality.

Every year millions of aspirants start from zero. But only a few can sit on a DM’s chair & the rest are stuck in the labyrinth of the gigantic syllabus or a cycle of repeated failure.

So, a seamless beginning matters.

Guys, there is a saying, “Well begun is half done.” so, don’t start UPSC 2024 Preparation just for being part of the rat race or to ‘gain experience’.  Instead, your start of IAS 2024 prep must be in such a way that it guarantees your destination, LBSNAA.

UPSC Prelims 2024 will be scheduled between May and June. That’s just 17 months away. As an aspirant, even if you are a beginner you might have already started preparation, but you must understand the criticality of the next 17 months. Everything that you do must be under a plan, a strategy.

To help you strategize we have planned a Masterclass by UPSC Topper, IPS, Shubham sir.

---

UPSC 2024 Masterclass Details:

Topic: How to start UPSC 2024 Prep from scratch? Level ‘0’ Strategy for a top 10 rank on the very 1st attempt

• Date: 20th February, (Monday)

• Time; 7:30 PM.
• FREE strategy + UPSC 2024 study package by IPS Shubham sir
• Mode: Online (Zoom link will be emailed to you)

---

What you should expect in 1-1 Live with IPS, Shubham sir

1. How to start UPSC 2024 Preparation like a topper and take level ‘0’ advantage.
2. Avoiding a random one, How to select the right NCERTs to start preparation and build a strong subjective foundation for Both Prelims and Mains
3. How to understand the syllabus and work on that.
   • What is the easiest way for all background aspirants to complete the UPSC syllabus?
4. How to divide your time for Daily newspaper, NCERTs, Advanced books like M. Laxmikant Etc.
5. How to make current affairs notes and update later by removing redundant information.
   • There are only two consolidated sources for current events. What exactly are they?
6. How to utilize PYQs for both Prelims and Mains.
7. How to manage time? because time management with consistency is the only thing for success in UPSC
   • How do you start your Optional Subject? and in how many months do you have to finish it?
   • How to pick conceptual subjects first and finish them one by one by December 2023
   • How to start minor subjects as soon as the conceptual subjects are finished
   • How to focus on only Prelims after December 2023 and revise by following 60, 45, 25, and 15 rules.
8. How to stick to the bare minimum sources so that your revision will be maximum?
9. Complete UPSC-CSE Preparation Timeline for a Working Professional
10. Recognize the UPSC requirement. What kinds of test series are useful? Which mock test series should be avoided?

You won’t afford to miss such an awesome LIVE webinar.

---

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.

---

What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

20th February (Monday) at 7:30 Pm | LIVE, ask me anything session on How to start UPSC 2024 Prep from scratch? Level ‘0’ Strategy for a top 10 rank on the very 1st attempt by UPSC Topper Shubham Nagargoje sir.

Context

• Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly was on a two-day visit to New Delhi, and both sides hope to cast a reset in their bilateral relations.
• These have been rather lukewarm despite many enduring linkages of their past histories, politics and people.

India-Canada Relations: A quick recap

• India established diplomatic relations with Canada in 1947.
• In recent years, both countries have been working to enhance bilateral cooperation in a number of areas of mutual importance.

History of migration

The history of Indian migration to Canada has a long, complex history, beginning in the mid-19th century and continuing to the present day.

• Indentured labour: The first recorded Indian migrants to Canada were indentured labourers brought to British Columbia in the late 1860s to work in the rapidly expanding lumber industry.
• Population measures: These workers were largely from Punjab, India, and they were part of a larger wave of Indian migration spurred by the British government’s encouragement of emigration in the hope of relieving population pressures in India.
• Less restrictive immigration: In the mid-20th century, the number of Indians migrating to Canada increased dramatically due to the Canadian government’s introduction of less restrictive immigration laws.

Today, the community includes people from all regions of India, as well as second and third-generation Canadians of Indian descent.

Indo-Canadian’s contribution in Freedom Struggle

[A] Ghadr Party

• The Ghadr party, also known as the Hindustan Ghadr Revolutionary Party nationalist revolutionary organization founded in May 1913 in San Francisco, California, with the aim of securing India’s freedom from British rule.  
• The party drew its membership mainly from Punjabi Sikh immigrants in the United States and Canada, but also included Hindu and Muslim immigrants from other parts of India.

[B] Support to INC

• Canada was one of the first countries to recognize the Indian National Congress and its aims.
• Canadian political leaders and public figures publicly expressed their support for the Indian struggle and advocated for India’s independence.
• In the 1940s, Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King publicly voiced his support for India’s independence and called for a peaceful transition to self-government.

[C] Open support for freedom

• Canada also provided moral support to the Indian struggle. In 1947, the Canadian Parliament unanimously passed a motion expressing support for India’s independence.
• This motion was a strong statement of solidarity with the Indian people and their struggle for freedom.
• Canada was an important supplier of resources to India during World War II, providing critical material such as food, clothing, and ammunition.
• Canada also provided financial aid to India’s independence movement, and Canadian citizens raised funds to support the cause.

Komagatamaru Incident: The Komagata Maru incident was an incident in 1914 involving the Japanese steamship Komagata Maru, carrying 376 Indian passengers who were denied entry to Canada. They had sailed from Hong Kong, intending to immigrate to Canada, but were refused entry at the port of Vancouver due to the Canadian government’s continuous journey regulation. The passengers, mostly Sikhs from Punjab, were forced to return to India, where they were met with violence and harassment by British colonial authorities. The incident has become a symbol of Canada’s history of racist immigration policies aimed at excluding Asians.

Significant collaborations

• Trade: Canada is India’s second largest export destination and is the third largest source of imports for India. It is a major source of FDI for India, with total investments of nearly USD 5.5 billion.
• Investment: India and Canada have strong bilateral relations which have been further strengthened by the India–Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), signed in 2009.
• Collaboration on STEM: India and Canada are also engaged in several joint development projects in the areas of science and technology, health, education, and climate change.
• Energy: India and Canada have recently signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy.
• Security: India and Canada are also cooperating in the field of defence, with joint military exercises and training programs.
• Global institutional reforms: India and Canada are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the G20, and cooperate on several international issues.

Recent souring of ties

[A] Racist Policies

• Canada’s perceived shift away from its traditional stance of neutrality has put at odds with India’s traditional non-alignment policy.
• Additionally, Canada’s criticism of India’s human rights record has been seen as offensive by many in India, leading to strained diplomatic relations.
• Additionally, Canada’s failure to exempt India from visa requirements has also been seen as a sign of disrespect.

[B] Open support of Khalistan movement

• Over 100,000 Canadians recently took part in voting for the Khalistan Referendum in Brampton, Ontario on 19 September which was organised by pro-Khalistani.
• Visuals on social media showed a huge number of men, women queueing up to vote in for Khalistan Referendum. 
• Indian government had warned Canadian govt against the anti-India forces growing in the country.
• However, the Canadian government refused to stop them from expressing their views by holding the Khalistan Referendum and linking it with a “peaceful and democratic” process.

[C] Other Impediments

• Trade decline: India-Canada bilateral trade has been declining since 2013 and currently stands at around $7 billion. There is room to increase this trade and investments in both directions.
• Illegal immigration: Canada has been increasingly concerned about illegal immigration from India, as well as the backlog in processing applications for legal immigration, both of which have caused tension between the two countries.
• No security consensus: India and Canada have been working to enhance their defense and security ties, but the two countries have yet to sign a formal security agreement.
• Under-utilized agriculture: Canada and India have been in negotiations to open up the agricultural sector to more trade, but disagreements over import restrictions and subsidies continue to be a major obstacle.
• Human rights allegations on India: India and Canada have also clashed over human rights issues, with Canada criticizing India’s policies on religious minorities, freedom of speech, and other human rights issues.

Why is Canada suddenly recognizing India’s importance?

[A] Indo-Pacific Strategy

• First is Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy that was issued last November. While it calls China “an increasingly disruptive global power,” it describes India as Canada’s “critical partner” for its regional and global objectives. This is music to Indian ears.
• Indeed, this 23-page report mentions India 27 times, underlining their “shared tradition of democracy and pluralism, a common commitment to a rules-based international system.”

[B] Merchandise trade

• Canada and India have strong economic ties, with two-way merchandise trade between the two countries reaching $9.5 billion in 2019.
• Canada is also India’s second-largest source of foreign direct investment, and Indian investments in Canada have grown significantly in recent years.

[C] Cultural ties

• Canada and India also have strong people-to-people ties, with the Indian diaspora in Canada estimated to be more than one million strong.
• Sikhs constitute a significant proportion of the Indian diaspora, they make up less than one percent (a little over 500,000) of Canada’s total population.
• Cultural tourism is boosting between the two countries.

[D] Newfound enthusiasm

• This newfound enthusiasm was visible in the press release issued in Canberra on the eve of the Canadian foreign minister’s visit to India.
• India’s growing strategic, economic and demographic importance makes it a critical partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific.
• In turn, Canada can be a reliable supplier of critical minerals, a stronger partner in the green transition, as well as a major investor.

Why is Canada important for India?

• Destination for Indian students: Canada is one of the top sources for foreign students for Indian universities. India is the second largest source of immigrants to Canada.
• 2^nd largest trade partner: Canada is India’s second-largest trading partner, and trade between the two countries has been growing steadily.
• Vibrant diaspora: Canada is home to a large and vibrant Indian diaspora, and the two countries enjoy strong people-to-people ties.
• Source of FDI: Canada is also an important source of foreign direct investment for India, and provides an important source of capital to Indian businesses.
• Liberal visas and citizenship: Canada is also an important source of skilled immigrants for India and is a popular destination for students and professionals from India.
• Trade partnership: Both nations look forward to their proposed Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) before they finalize their CEPA.

Way forward

• Strengthening diplomatic ties: India and Canada should work towards strengthening their diplomatic ties, by engaging in more frequent diplomatic exchanges and dialogue. This could include increasing the number of high-level visits between both countries, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, and education.
• Enhancing trade relations: India and Canada should focus on enhancing their bilateral trade relations, by exploring the potential for increased exports and investment. This could involve investing in joint initiatives that promote economic growth, as well as taking steps to reduce barriers to trade and investment.
• Nurturing people-to-people ties: India and Canada should aim to encourage more people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. This could include increasing the number of students and scholars studying and teaching in each other’s countries, as well as promoting cultural exchanges and tourism.
• Enhancing security cooperation: India and Canada should work together to enhance their security cooperation, by increasing information sharing and collaboration on countering terrorism, cyber-security, and other common security threats.
• Technology collaboration: India and Canada should explore new areas of collaboration, such as in the fields of renewable energy, space exploration, and artificial intelligence. This could involve engaging in joint research and development initiatives, as well as exploring opportunities for joint ventures.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89192905948?pwd=cGVqQlR5Tjd3NTQ3RnRtcXh1cnR0UT09

Meeting ID: 891 9290 5948
Passcode: 510163

---

UPSC Prelims 2023 is 100 days away and this is for you if don’t feel secure w.r.t. your prep.

---

Most of the aspirants at this point in time tend to go haywire in their preparation, not knowing how to prioritize and what to study and what to avoid, how to evaluate and measure progress, make improvements, which often leads to confusion, frustration, and in many cases, repeated failures.

Session by Santosh sir: Last 100 days strategy for UPSC Prelims 2023. Filling critical gaps in your preparation.

Santosh sir needs no introduction when it comes to UPSC Prelims. He is the Prelims guru for CivilsDaily’s thousands of aspirants who cleared Pre last year with thumping success.

Santosh sir will be sharing with you a strategy and a blueprint for the remaining 100 days.

1. What 10 things you must be doing to secure prelims 2023
2. How to fill critical gaps in your preparation?
3. Avoiding pitfalls in your preparation, especially 3 months before prelims.
4. How to solve the current affairs based static questions
5. Most important themes for UPSC Prelims 2023

Date: 17th Feb || Time: 7:30 pm || Mode: Online

Mode: Online (Zoom link will be emailed to you)

Contact here: +91 7303316700

2 Day UPSC Prelims 2023 special sessions

We will have a special 2-Day session by two UPSC toppers, Prabhat sir, AIR 377 & Santosh sir, Asst Commissioner, GST who themselves have faced UPSC Prelims multiple times and cleared it with 120+ scores.

They will help you define the strategy and approach for the last three months of UPSC Prelims preparation. They will also help you with these things:

1. Bringing awareness on what your preparation at this stage looks like and how to bridge the critical gaps – in syllabus completion (GS and Current Affairs) and approach.
2. Making improvements and assessing prep level wrt mocks.
3. Last 100 days’ strategy
4. Sticking to the bare minimum for the most optimum UPSC pre-2023 preparation.

---

Day 1 with Prabhat sir: Studying what’s important and ignoring the rest. Optimizing preparation like a Topper.

Prabhat sir will discuss how he approached the last 3 months of his preparation for Prelims. He will discuss basically two things:

1. Sticking to the bare minimum wrt current affairs and GS subjects.
2. Following the 80/20 rule, there are 20% of the themes from which you can actually take your success rate up by 80%
3. The art of attempting mocks for UPSC Prelims
4. Avoiding 5 mistakes in assessing UPSC Mock tests.

Date: 15th Feb || Time: 7:30 pm || Mode: Online

Mode: Online (Video link will be emailed to you)

---

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

Post-webinar Santosh sir will be sharing:

1. 100 most important topics for UPSC Prelims 2023
2. Smash Prelims PDF Notes for FREE
3. Smash Prelims 3 Mock Tests
4. One-to-one mentorship session with senior mentors from Civilsdaily

What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

Context

• Academic cheating has become a major problem in many countries, including India.
• To address this issue, the State of Uttarakhand in northern India has recently enacted new anti-copying laws to curb cheating in exams.
• We will take a closer look at India’s strictest Anti-Copying Law which has come into force in Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance

• The new anti-cheating law in Uttarakhand is legislation that aims to reduce cheating during exams and promote fairness in the educational system.
• This comes after the UKPSC paper leak which led to cancellation of exams for around 1.4 lakh government job aspirants and to understand the implications of this law.

Key provisions

• 10 year ban: Under `Anti-copying law’, candidates involved in cheating will be punished and a `ban of 10 years` will be imposed on them.
• Fine and imprisonment: There is a provision to impose a fine of 10 crore along with life imprisonment or 10 years in jail for the copycat mafia. 
• Property confiscation: Apart from this, there is also a provision to attach the property of the copying mafia.

Need for the law

• Integrity of the educational system: It undermines the integrity of the education system and the value of educational qualifications, and it also detracts from students’ learning experiences.
• Prevent opportunism: The laws aim to ensure that students can obtain their qualifications through honest and fair means and to promote a culture of academic integrity.
• Create level playing field: The objective of the law is to create a level playing field for all students and ensure that educational achievements are based on merit and hard work rather than cheating.

Issues with academic cheating/copying

• Induces culture of Dishonesty: Cheating encourages a culture of dishonesty and opportunism, leading to a lack of respect for the academic process and for the institution as a whole.
• Compromises merit: The new laws were introduced in response to concerns about the high levels of academic dishonesty in the State and the negative impact it has on the education system and society as a whole.
• Promotes imposters: Cheating and copying can lead to a lack of understanding of the subject, which can lead to poor performance at work.
• Curse for the talent: Cheating undermines the educational system. It devalues the hard work of those who have studied and learned the material legitimately.
• Unfair advantage: Exam cheating gives students an unfair advantage over those who choose to work hard and study for their exams. This puts those who don’t cheat at a disadvantage and can lead to feelings of resentment and frustration.
• False sense of accomplishment: Cheating and copying can lead to a false sense of accomplishment, as students may not learn the material fully and may perform poorly on exams or assignments.
• Discourages hardwork: Cheating can lead to a lack of motivation, as students may not feel the need to work hard and learn when they know they can simply copy or cheat.
• Lack of personal growth: Cheating on an exam does not help students learn or grow, as it does not provide any real understanding of the material. It also does not help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their academic and professional careers.
• May lead to dropouts: Cheating erodes the trust between faculty and students, as faculty may become suspicious and less willing to invest in their students.

Benefits provided by the Law

The new anti-cheating law in Uttarakhand is a step in the right direction, for it provides several benefits:

• Fairness and integrity: The law aims to reduce instances of cheating and promote fairness in the educational system. By imposing severe punishments on those who cheat, it creates a level playing field for all students and ensures that educational achievements are based on merit and hard work.
• Credibility of the educational system: The new law helps to maintain the credibility of the educational system and ensures that educational degrees and certificates are recognised as legitimate and reflective of actual knowledge and skills.
• Discouragement of cheating: By imposing severe punishments on those who cheat, the law is intended to discourage cheating and promote a culture of honesty and hard work. This can lead to an overall improvement in the quality of education in the state.
• Increased value of educational achievements: With fewer instances of cheating, the value of educational achievements are expected to increase. This can improve the job prospects of students and increase the overall competitiveness of the state’s workforce.
• Improving academics quality: Many schools and colleges are now taking steps to improve the quality of education and reduce students’ stress levels in best possible manner.
• Broader message: In addition to addressing the issue of academic cheating, the new anti-copying laws in Uttarakhand are also having a wider impact on the education system in the entire nation. The new laws are also helping to promote a more ethical and responsible attitude among students, both in Uttarakhand and in other parts of India

Criticisms of the legislation

• Coercive punishments: Some students and parents have criticised the laws, arguing that they are too harsh and that they unfairly penalise students. We as a nation pardon death penalty but attenuate such petty mistakes.
• Doesn’t address root cause of cheating: They also argue that the laws do not address the root causes of cheating, such as the lack of quality education and the high level of stress and competition faced by students.
• Performance pressure on marginalized students: The new law could lead to some unintended consequences, such as increased pressure on students to perform well and avoid cheating, which could negatively impact their mental health and well-being.

Way forward

• Taking all stakeholders to table: In the long term, the success of the laws will depend on the ability of educators, students, and parents to work together to create a supportive and ethical learning environment that values knowledge, hard work, and integrity.
• Provide quality education: This requires a commitment to providing quality education, reducing the stress level faced by students, and promoting a positive and ethical attitude among students and other members of the education community.
• Address mental health of students: It is important to ensure that the law is implemented in a way that strikes a balance between promoting fairness and protecting the well-being of students. Ex. Pariksha pe Charcha by PM.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83267454882?pwd=SnE0MGgxTXFJcmNCTVhqcFZHWlFXQT09

Meeting ID: 832 6745 4882
Passcode: 347487

---

UPSC Workshop for 2nd Day: Decoding How to start UPSC 2024 preparation like a Topper? | Register 1-1 Live Session With 2 UPSC Rankers to get a free PDF of the most value-added notes

---

UPSC has a very rational approach w.r.t. the IAS-IPS exam. In every stage of the exam- Prelims, Mains, and Interview it has certain expectations from the candidate, you in this case. Whether you are worthy or not is then judged by the exam set by UPSC.

The issue that most of the aspirants face is the lack of clarity about what the UPSC really expects from them. They tend to go haywire in their preparation, not knowing how to prioritize and what to study, which often leads to confusion, frustration and in some cases, repeated failures.

The solution to this problem lies in understanding the expectations of the UPSC at each stage of the exam. Knowing what the UPSC wants from the aspirants will help in shaping up their preparation, making it more effective and result-oriented.

By having a clear understanding of the UPSC’s expectations, aspirants can align their preparation accordingly, prioritize their study material, and set realistic targets. This will not only help in saving time and effort but also increase the chances of success. In addition, it will bring consistency to their preparation and make it more productive.

13th Feb 2023 (Monday), 5:00 pm

Mode: Online (Zoom link will be emailed to you)

What you should expect after Day 2

• How 99% of aspirants crowd follow the traditional way to start UPSC preparation blindly. And so the ultimate success rate is 0.0053%. But, how do toppers avoid this, start UPSC preparation &  acquire a day ‘0’ advantage?

• Having a Clear Understanding of the UPSC’s expectations, syllabus and pattern.
• Different approaches you should be having for different stages of UPSC CSE and integrating those approaches.
• Following 80/20 principle for UPSC prep
• Make a Study Plan and Stick to It 

• Learn How to Manage Time, Resources and prioritize tasks
• Break Down the Syllabus into Revision-Manageable Parts
• How to read newspapers and magazines regularly
• Make Notes & Use Flashcards
• Analyze Your Weakness and Strengths
• Understand the Pattern and Marking Scheme

Do’s and Dont’s; and breaking the myths around UPSC. Eg. Aspirants from rural or non-engineering backgrounds are at a disadvantage

Contact here: +91 7303316700

---

Get recorded session of Day 1: How to crack UPSC with 5hr/day prep? Time management for Working UPSC 2023 & 2024 aspirants

👨‍🎓By Soham sir, AIR 267, Super Mentor- Civilsdaily

11th Feb 2023 (Saturday), 7:30 pm

Soham Mandhare, IRS and a Super Mentor at CivilsDaily will be LIVE for a 1-1 LIVE webinar to discuss practical and proven Time-Management strategies to bring productivity and efficiency to your UPSC preparation, with just 5 hours of study time.

What you should expect on Day 1?

• How to manage time for UPSC Preparation if you’re a working Professional? How to utilize the time, left in your hand, in the best possible way?

• UPSC preparation timetable and schedule with just 5 hrs of daily study time?

• How to identify those people or things that deplete your energy and waste your time?

• How to break down the syllabus into small chunks, and develop an effective & workable study strategy for UPSC preparation.

• How to complete the syllabus, in a short time! 

• How to prioritize conventional topics/subjects?

• How to divide your time and keep a balance between Prelims and mains preparation?

• Selective reading or studying: How to deal with the ocean of current affairs and a mountain of GS?

• How to tackle Optional subject preparation, Making Notes, and improving answer writing habits in a short time

• Many more untold tips and techniques that only a topper can elaborate

Time: 7:30 pm onwards

Mode: This Workshop will be held online mode. We will share a Zoom link in your email. Please register.

Contact here: +91 7303316700

---

---

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.

---

What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

Context

• The Indian banking sector remains resilient and stable.
• Various parameters relating to capital adequacy, asset quality, liquidity, provision coverage and profitability are healthy.
• That’s the statement from the RBI amid heightened concerns about the exposures of banks to a business conglomerate.

Why in news?

• The Budget 2023-24 has no provisions for capital infusion.
• This reflects the confidence of the government in the robust position of the Indian banking system.

Key indicators from Financial Stability Report (December 2022)

• High aggregate deposits: The Indian banking sector recorded a healthy growth in deposits and advances during FY 2022, with the aggregate deposits of the scheduled commercial banks rising by 11.7% and the aggregate advances increasing by 10.2%.
• Decline in NPAs: The gross non-performing assets (NPA) ratio of all scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) declined from 9.1% in March 2021 to 8.2% in September 2022, driven by a reduction in NPAs of public sector banks (PSBs).
• Adequate capital: The Indian banking sector is well capitalized, with the capital-to-risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of SCBs at 13.3% as of September 2022, higher than the regulatory requirement of 11.5%.
• Credit growth increased: Credit growth of banks remained strong during FY 2022, with the credit growth of SCBs increasing from 8.4% in March 2021 to 10.1% in September 2022.
• Moderate liquidity: RBI liquidity management operations during FY 2022 provided significant liquidity support to the banking system and helped to maintain overall financial stability.

What led to improvements of banking prospects?

• Non-impacted by global recession: The financial system remained resilient to external shocks as the overall capitalization of the banking sector improved and credit growth remained strong.
• Stable Rupee: The Indian rupee (INR) remained largely stable during FY 2022, with the rupee depreciating by 0.8% against the US dollar (USD) during the year.
• Stable equity markets: The Indian equity markets performed well during FY 2022, with the BSE Sensex recording a gain of 24.2% during the year.
• High forex reserves: The foreign exchange reserves of India stood at US$ 574.2 billion as of December 2022, a rise of 13.5% over the level at end-March 2021.
• Healthy credit ratings: International rating agencies like Moody’s Investor Service and Standard & Poor’s global rating have upgraded their outlook for the Indian banking system based on its performance in the last couple of years.

What contributes to resilient and stability in Indian banking system?

• RBI’s prudency: The RBI as a regulator is excellent and it is well-recognized in the world. It handles the regulation and supervision of such a heterogeneous system involving cooperative banks, foreign banks, and even NBFCs with great efficiency.
• RBI’s global stature: The respect the RBI commands in the world is extremely high. For instance, the Federal Reserve, Washington invited officers of RBI in 2009 after the collapse of the Lehman Brothers.
• Timely assessment: RBI is extremely watchful at the macro, institutional, and individual levels and releases periodical reports like the Financial Stability Report.
• Checks and balances: The Asset Quality Review which RBI initiated in 2018 is crucial in identifying and plugging the loopholes. The banks have deployed a risk assessment department and risk assessment officers. RBI has made various provisions and starts flagging the risks ex. Special Mention Account.

Achievements of the Indian Banking Sector

• NPA crisis under control: The issues of NPA and Twin Balance Sheet problems were addressed through proactive measures of government and RBI like Recognition, Resolution, Recapitalization, and Reforms.
• Credit Growth: The credit growth in the banking sector has been very impressive in the past few years. The credit to GDP ratio has increased from 48.3% in 2008 to 74.3% in 2018. This has led to increased availability of credit to businesses and individuals.
• Expansion of banking services: The banking sector in India has seen tremendous growth in the past decade. The number of bank branches has grown from around 80,000 in 2000 to more than 1,50,000 in 2018. This has led to an increase in the access of banking services to the masses.
• Financial Inclusion: The banking sector has also played an important role in making financial services accessible to the unbanked population of India. The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) launched in 2014 has been a major success, with more than 32 crore accounts opened so far.
• Digitization: The banking sector has seen a rapid digitization, with banks providing various digital services such as mobile banking, internet banking, and cardless cash withdrawals. This has enabled customers to access banking services from anywhere, anytime.
• Financial Innovation: The banking sector has also seen a great deal of financial innovation. Banks have introduced various new products and services such as credit cards, debit cards, and mutual funds. These products have helped customers to access a wide range of financial services.

Systemic risks to Indian Banks

• Non-Performing Assets (NPAs): With the rise in NPAs, banks are exposed to the risk of defaults, write-offs and losses.
• Credit Risk: Banks are exposed to credit risk when borrowers are unable or unwilling to repay their loans.
• Interest Rate Risk: Banks are exposed to interest rate risk when their assets and liabilities have different maturities and/or interest rates.
• Regulatory Risk: Banks are subject to stringent regulations and changes in regulations can significantly impact their profitability.
• Operational Risk: Banks are exposed to operational risk from a variety of sources, including technical failures, fraud, and human error.
• Cybersecurity Risks: As banks become increasingly reliant on digital systems and processes, there is an increased risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.

Way ahead

• Privatization in near future: After addressing key concerns like the NPAs and recapitalization, the government is moving towards the substantive reform of privatization. It was also announced in the Budget speech of 2022-23 that the idea is to have a few big banks.
• Increased monitoring and compliance: RBI is also constantly improving its ways and mechanism of monitoring and regulation to be risk-proof in the future. Banks are also in compliance with the Large Exposure Framework (LEF) guidelines issued by the RBI.
• Leveraging technology: In the mechanisms deployed by the RBI, there is a red alert in case of any discrepancy in the system. Technology can help to a great extent in increasing the frequency and time efficiency of addressing such red alerts. Thus, RBI should leverage technology.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

Soham Mandhare, IRS and a Super Mentor at CivilsDaily will be LIVE for a 1-1 LIVE webinar to discuss practical and proven Time-Management strategies to bring productivity and efficiency to your UPSC preparation, with just 5 hours of study time.

⭐Get Soham sir’s Timetable and Notes

---

Being one of the most prestigious and sought-after careers in India, Civil Services is a dream for many. We’ve seen UPSC toppers who chose these over their high-paying corporate jobs.

However, for many working professionals, aspiring to be an IAS-IPS, balancing a demanding job with their aspirations to crack this exam can be a tough task. And they can’t quit becoming a full-time aspirant.

Isn’t this the usual story?

• 9 hours office, 1 hour in travel, 1 hour for washing and eating, 8 hours for sleep. 19 hours just GONE!

• Time left → 24 hours – 19 hours = 5 hours. Where to start, what to read & revise in these 300 minutes. 

• How to complete the syllabus, and attempt mock tests in such a short time?

---

Preparing with a full-time job was the best decision…and CivilsDaily made it easy for me.

Mantri Mourya, AIR 28, UPSC 2021

---

Responsibilities and financial independence must not stop you from following your passion and making your dream come true.

With long work hours and limited time to study, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and like you’re not making progress. Unmanageable preparation takes a toll on your mental-physical health and UPSC attempt/efforts.

If you can’t increase the study time then better spend those 5 hours under a solid strategy where you are able to maintain a razor-sharp focus, gradual improvements, and are able to measure progress.

Soham Mandhare, IRS and a Super Mentor at CivilsDaily will be LIVE for a 1-1 LIVE webinar to discuss practical and proven Time-Management strategies to bring productivity and efficiency to your UPSC preparation, with just 5 hours of study time.

---

Masterclass on 11th February, (Saturday) at 7:30 PM.

Mode: Online

Link: Zoom link will be shared on email post registration

FREE Entry but limited seats

---

Important Takeaways:

• How to manage time for UPSC Preparation if you’re a working Professional? How to utilize the time, left in your hand, in the best possible way?
• UPSC preparation timetable and schedule with just 5 hrs of daily study time?
• How to identify those people or things that deplete your energy and waste your time?
• How to break down the syllabus into small chunks, and develop an effective & workable study strategy for UPSC preparation.
• How to complete the syllabus, in a short time! 
• How to prioritize conventional topics/subjects?
• How to divide your time and keep a balance between Prelims and mains preparation?
• Selective reading or studying: How to deal with the ocean of current affairs and a mountain of GS?
• How to tackle Optional subject preparation, Making Notes, and improving answer writing habits in a short time
• Many more untold tips and techniques that only a topper can elaborate

---

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.

Note: Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited seats are available.

---

What The Hindu mentioned about Civilsdaily Mentorship

Soham Mandhare, IRS and a Super Mentor at CivilsDaily will be LIVE for a 1-1 LIVE webinar to discuss practical and proven Time-Management strategies to bring productivity and efficiency to your UPSC preparation, with just 5 hours of study time.

Why in news?

• Digitization initiatives in India and the work with digital public goods have been extraordinary, said Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella.

Context

• India’s digital infrastructure has not only changed how Indians live and operate but it has also caught the fancy of other countries around the world.
• In this article, we will focus on a global technology commons that has the ability to address some of the world’s toughest challenges which India has much to contribute.

What are Digital Public Goods (DPGs)?

• Digital public goods are public goods in the form of software, data sets, AI models, standards or content that are generally free cultural works and contribute to sustainable national and international digital development.
• Several international agencies, including UNICEF and UNDP, are exploring DPGs as a possible solution to address the issue of digital inclusion, particularly for children in emerging economies.

How is it different from physical public good?

• Abundance: The nondepletable, nonexclusive, and nonrivalrous nature of digital public goods means the rules and norms for managing them can be different from how physical public goods are managed.
• Everlasting: DPGs can be infinitely stored, copied, and distributed without becoming depleted, and at close to zero cost.
• Inclusiveness: DPG is a good that is both non-excludable (no one can be prevented from consuming this good) and non-rivalrous (the consumption of this good by anyone does not reduce the quantity available to others).

Examples of DPGs

1. Wikipedia
2. DHIS2, an open source health management system.
3. Free and open-source software (FOSS), since FOSS is licensed to allow it to be shared freely, modified and redistributed, it is available as a digital public good.
4. Open educational resources, which by their copyright are allowed to be freely re-used, revised and shared.

Digital public goods in India

• Aadhaar: Built on the foundation of Aadhaar and India Stack, modular applications, big and small, are transforming the way we make payments, withdraw our PF, get our passport and driving license and check land records, to name just a few activities.
• Unified Payment Interface (UPI): To give an example, consider the surge in UPI-based payments in India. This kind of growth doesn’t happen with a few entitled and privileged people using UPI more and more; it happens with more and more people using UPI more and more.
• DIKSHA Portal: The use of DIKSHA, the school education platform built on the open-source platform Sunbird, has followed the same trajectory — today close to 500 million schoolchildren are using it.

Key Indian initiative: ‘India Stack’

• India Stack is a set of (application programming interface) APIs that allows governments, businesses, startups and developers to utilize a unique digital Infrastructure to solve India’s hard problems towards presence-less, paperless, and cashless service delivery.
• The Open API team at iSPIRT has been a pro-bono partner in the development, evolution, and evangelization of these APIs and systems.

APIs included in India Stack:

The following APIs are considered to be a core part of the India Stack-

• Aadhaar Authentication
• Aadhaar e-KYC
• eSign
• Digital Locker
• Unified Payment Interface (UPI)
• Digital User Consent – still work in progress.
• GSTN –Goods and Services Tax Network
• BBPS –Bharat Bill Payment System
• ETC – Electronic Toll Collection (known under the brand FASTag)

Why need DPGs?

• Cost Effectiveness: The cost of setting up an open source-based educational infrastructure, to supplement the physical infrastructure, for an entire country is less than laying two kilometers of high-quality road.
• Lower investment required: The investments required for transporting digital public goods are minuscule in comparison and there is no chance of a debt trap. Also, the code (platform) is highly reusable.
• Instantly visible outcomes: Unlike physical infrastructure such as ports and roads, digital public goods have short gestation periods and immediate, and visible impact and benefits.
• Faster service delivery: Processes get streamlined and wait times for any service come down dramatically. Issuances of passports, PAN cards and driving licences are such examples.
• Plugging the leakages: It eliminates ghost beneficiaries of government services, removes touts collecting rent, creates an audit trail, makes the individual-government-market interface transparent and provides efficiencies that help recoup the investments quickly.
• Wider outreach: Productivity goes up and services can be scaled quickly. Benefits can be rapidly extended to cover a much larger portion of the population.

Most significant utility of DPGs: Digital Diplomacy

 (1) Boost India’s Image as a leading technology player

• It will take made-in-India digital public goods across the world and boost India’s brand positioning as a leading technology player in the digital age. 
• India’s digital diplomacy will be beneficial to and welcomed by, all emerging economies from Peru to Polynesia, from Uruguay to Uganda, and from Kenya to Kazakhstan.

(2) Enhancing the productivity of emerging economies

• Emerging economies are characterized by gross inefficiencies in the delivery of government services and a consequent trust deficit.
• Digital public goods spread speed, transparency, ease and productivity across the individual-government-market ecosystem and enhance inclusivity, equity and development at scale.

Challenges associated with DPG Diplomacy

• Privacy issues: Potential violations of privacy and possible weaponization of data is a primary issue related to such digital initiatives.
• Increase in Inequalities: Success in the digital provision of services is dependent on many underlying factors, including digital literacy, education and access to stable and fast telecommunication services.
• Cybersecurity threats: While channels and databases used by the Government for transmission and storage are usually secure, other players in the ecosystem may not possess the requisite expertise or security to prevent and respond to breaches.
• Unserved remote areas: With digital services not being uniformly distributed, communities in remote areas often require on-ground staff to deploy and supplement digital tools.

Global liaison over DPGs: Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA)

• The DPGA is a multi-stakeholder initiative with a mission to accelerate the attainment of sustainable development goals in low- and middle-income countries by facilitating the discovery, development, use of, and investment in digital public goods.
• It is a UN initiative launched in 2019.

Way Forward

• Data localization: India needs to ensure that digital goods diplomacy doesn’t become an exercise to gather data and provisions must be made for data localization.
• Training of Individuals: Individuals across the countries need to be trained in cyber security for successful digital goods diplomacy. A lead can be taken up by CERT-In.
• No Authoritative nature: India needs to ensure that data with the state doesn’t lead to authoritarianism in these countries. Decentralized and distributed storage using Blockchain technology can be used by India.
• Ensuring Inclusivity: Digital ecosystems should be guided by factors of availability, accessibility, affordability, value and trust.
• Citizen-Centralism: There is a need to ensure the design is citizen-centric and ensures inclusive access to services at the last mile will help drive adoption and sustain these ecosystems.
• Data privacy robustness: Designing privacy-protection and secure databases are critical. It is, therefore, imperative that regulations governing any digital initiative must take into account provisions of the Personal Data Protection Bill.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more

Concluded successfully on 6th February (Monday) | A must for non-science/ non-engineering background aspirants | Get FREE PDF, Telegram group link, and mentorship session

---

As a UPSC aspirant, you’re no stranger to the pressure and competition that comes with preparing for one of the most prestigious exams in the country.

But the mysterious, unpredictable, and devious nature of CSAT paper can send shivers down the spine of even the veteran UPSC aspirants. AIR 109, Areeba; IPS Shubham Nagargoje; and many such aspirants have failed to clear Prelims due to CSAT in their UPSC journeys at one point in time or the other.

---

15 Golden Hacks by Zeeshan sir will help in balancing CSAT-GS preparation for UPSC Prelims 2023

---

Also, you’ve likely heard the myths: only engineers or those with strong math and English skills can succeed in CSAT. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, anyone with the right strategy and bent of mind with smart preparation can score 90+ in CSAT.

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a special masterclass with Zeeshan Sir, who has demonstrated this time and again.

This masterclass is completely free and open to all UPSC aspirants, but seats are limited. Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best and take your CSAT preparation to the next level.

---

Don’t let CSAT kill your UPSC dream.

Outcomes aren’t in your hand but efforts are.

CSAT MASTERCLASS DETAILS

Date and Time: 6th February, 7:30 pm (Monday)

Link: Zoom link will be shared on email post registration

FREE Entry but limited seats

---

Important Takeaways:

1. 15 Golden Hacks by Zeeshan sir. We will also share a PDF of these so please register.
2. Trend analysis of the last 4 years of CSAT paper. How UPSC CSAT has been evolving, changing patterns and difficulty levels?
3. How to deal with maths and logical reasoning questions irrespective of your academic background?
4. Balancing CSAT and GS preparation? Avoid over-preparing or under-preparing for CSAT.
5. How do select topics and sections which are high scoring and have a high return of investment wrt time spent during preparation?
6. List of super easy topics for CSAT that you must not ignore.
7. From where and how to start reading and practicing comprehension. How many comprehensions you should try to solve in the paper?
8. How to approach the CSAT paper for best time management and high score?
9. How to use smart elimination techniques in CSAT paper? The most important part of this webinar masterclass.

---

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

Post-webinar we will share important PDFs, timetable framework, and notes.

Other than this a strategy package will be emailed to you.

Note: Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited seats are available.

---

What do our students have to say about Zeeshan sir’s CSAT and Prelims sessions?

6th February (Monday) | 1-1 LIVE Masterclass on Clearing CSAT is easy even if you are terrible in maths and belong to a non-science or engineering background by Zeeshan Hashmi sir.

Context

• The judgments delivered by the Supreme Court will now be translated into four languages —Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Odia — Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud informed.
• We must understand that the language which we use namely English, is a language which is not comprehensible, particularly in its legal avatar, to 99.9% of our citizens, said CJI.

CJI pitches for judgements in regional languages

• Expert committee under Justice Abhay Oka: A committee has been formed, headed by SC Judge Abhay Oka, to translate the judgments into four languages. CJI also intends to appoint retired judicial officers, apart from translators, for verifying machine translation of the Supreme Court judgments.
• State-wide translations: It has a mission that every high court across the country should will have a committee of two judges, one of whom should be a judge who is drawn from the district judiciary “because of their sheer width of experience”.
• AI-based translation: CJI further said that they are also developing a software and setting up a team where machine learning for translation of the SC judgments will be used.

Why such move?

• English barrier: The use of obsolete, archaic or old English words which have passed from the English language but have been kept alive by their frequent use in the Legal profession.
• Excessive use of jargons: The use of Latin, and sometimes French, words, and phrases to express a rule, principle, doctrine, maximum, etc. which can be easily phrased in English
• Legal language complexities: The practice of assigning common English words a new, different, unusual and purely legal meaning or assigning these words some exclusive legal definitions.
• Attitude of legal professionals: The ridiculed tendency of legal professionals both lawyers and judges to write often long and complex sentences without any punctuation.

Why is English such prominent legal language in India?

• Better than legacy language: The language used in Courts in India has seen a transition over centuries with the shift from Urdu to Persian and Farsi scripts during the Mughal period which continued in subordinate courts even during the British Rule.
• Codified laws and legal system: The British introduced a codified system of law in India with English as the official language.
• Creating cohesiveness: Just like cases from all over the country come to the Supreme Court, judges and lawyers of the Supreme Court also come from all parts of India.
• Ease of legal education: Without the use of English, it would be impossible to discharge their duty. All judgments of the Supreme Court are also delivered in English.

Need for such reform

• Creating awareness: The judgements should be converted into other regional languages so that the masses can benefit and the true meaning of legal education can be achieved.
• Create law abiding citizens: Obscurity of law creates complexity. If law is comprehensible to the common man, it will have a positive impact.
• Removing language barriers: Masses in India has always been uncomfortable with English language despites its popularity in education system.
• Promoting multilingualism: Ever since the introduction of New Education Policy, the centre has been very active in promoting multilingualism across the country.

Various provisions for regional languages

• India Constitution: Article 348(1) provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English language until Parliament by law otherwise provides. Article 348 (2) provides that the Governor of the State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of the Hindi language or any other language used for any official purpose of the State.
• Official Language Act, 1963: The Act reiterates this and provides under Section 7 that the use of Hindi or official language of a State in addition to the English language may be authorized, with the consent of the President of India, by the Governor of the State for the purpose of judgments, decrees etc. made by the High Court for that State. No law has been made in this regard by the Parliament so far.  
• Law Commission of India: The 18th Law Commission Report on “Non-Feasibility of Introduction of Hindi as Compulsory Language in the Supreme Court of India” (2008) has, recommended that the higher judiciary should not be subjected to any kind of even persuasive change in the present societal context. The Government has accepted the stand of the Commission.
• Demand from various States: The centre has received proposals from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Karnataka to permit use of Tamil, Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali and Kannada in the proceedings of their respective High Courts. The use of Hindi has been authorized long back in the proceedings as well in the judgments, decrees or orders in the High Courts of the States of Rajasthan, MP, UP and Bihar.

How can this be achieved?

• Encourage local languages: The need of the hour is to encourage local language in courts, which will not only increase the confidence of common citizens in the justice system, but they will feel more connected to it.
• Executive-judiciary liaison: The confluence of the judiciary and legislature will prepare the roadmap for an effective and time-bound judicial system in the country.

Way forward

• The language of law should be cleaned up so that any person of average intelligence can understand its meaning.
• The legal language can be simplified by using the following steps.
  • It should be insisted that the laws written by the legislatures can be made understandable to average laymen as well as to the legal professional
  • These laws must be written in non-technical terms
  • Legislatures should use short sentences with adequate punctuation
  • Use of Latin and French phrases should be abandoned
  • Use of obsolete archaic English words should be abandoned and at last, the same meaning of words should be applied to those legal terms as the same meaning in common usage

Conclusion

• It is true that language acts as a barrier in the spread of Legal education however language barrier coupled with professional barrier acts as the real challenge.

Crack Prelims 2023! Talk to our Rankers

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more