An Indian researcher has found that it is possible to use light as a fuel to move microbots in real-body conditions with intelligent drug delivery that is selectively sensitive to cancer cells
Microswimmers for drug delivery
Made from the two-dimensional compound poly (heptazine imide) carbon nitride (aka PHI carbon nitride), these microbots are nothing like the miniaturised humans.
They range from 1-10 micrometre (a micrometre is one-millionth of a metre) in size, and can self-propel when energised by shining light.
While carbon nitride is an excellent photo-catalyst, the two-dimensional PHI has a sponge-like structure full of pores and voids and charge storage properties.
The researchers found that the ions in the salty solution passed through the pores of PHI carbon nitride.
Thus, there was little or no resistance from the salt ions.
How do they swim across the blood?
The PHI carbon nitride microparticles are photocatalytic.
Like in a solar cell, the incident light is converted into electrons and holes.
These charges drive reactions in the surrounding liquid. The charges react with the fluid surrounding them.
This reaction, combined with the particle’s electric field, makes the microbots (micro-swimmers) swim.
As long as there is light, electrons and holes are produced on the surface of the swimmers, which in turn react to form ions and an electric field around the swimmer.
These ions move around the particle and cause fluid to flow around the particle.
So this fluid flow causes the micro-swimmers to move.
How does the ion movement occur?
The ions move from the bright surface of the micro-swimmer to the rear end.
The diffusion of the swimming medium in one direction propels the micro-swimmer in the opposite direction.
This is like a boat moving in the direction opposite to the oar strokes.
The particles are nearly spherical, and the incident light illuminates one-half of the sphere, leaving the other dark.
As photocatalysis is light-driven, it occurs only on the brightened hemisphere.
As the ions move from the bright side to the dark side, micro-swimmers march in the direction of the light source.
The current crisis in Ukraine will consolidate BRICS as the group will make further efforts to become a real alternative to the West to create a real multipolar world.
BRICS’ efforts to change world economic system
The group was brought together by geopolitical rather than economic considerations and this can be seen in the strategic interests shared by Russia and China.
Inclusion of non-Western states in international financial institutions: BRICS is actively involved in the efforts to change the world economic system by increasing the number of non-Western states in international financial institutes.
The BRICS countries decided to create the $100 billion BRICS Development Bank and a reserve currency pool worth over another $100 billion to offer an alternative to countries in the non-Western world when it comes to choosing the sources of funding for development or coping with serious economic crises.
Consequences of Ukraine crisis for BRICS
It demonstrates that the West has not abandoned the idea of a unipolar world and will continue building it up by drawing into its foreign policy orbit issues it calls “international” or even “common to mankind.”
Many non-Western states look at this as a new wave of colonialism.
This will increase the desire of non-Western countries to enhance their coordination and perhaps the current conflict is already showing signs in this respect.
The BRICS states are different in many respects and their disagreements with the West are rooted in different historical and political circumstances.
The current crisis in Ukraine will consolidate BRICS as the group will make further efforts to become a real alternative to the West to create a real multipolar world.
RIC controls 22 per cent of the global GDP and 16 per cent of global exports of goods and services.
The fallout from Russia’s alienation from the G-8 group of nations, raises the prospect that — tactically at least — Russia, India, and China might be playing their own triangular integrationist card within BRICS at Moscow’s initiative.
Eurasian integrationist core: This will create a north Eurasian integrationist core within BRICS, whichever way Moscow’s relations with the US and Europe play out.
Implications for India
Both the Asian giants — India and China — may stand to reap the “best of both worlds” as the Ukraine imbroglio plays out.
Investment: This could mean greater industrial and energy cross investments between Russia and India as well as between Russia and China.
Additionally, the proposed arrangement for rupee-ruble cross currency pairing could result in settlement of payments in non-dollar currencies with more countries looking at India’s sovereignFinancial Messaging Systems (SFMS), while also remaining connected with a central system like SWIFT.
Dedicated payment mechanism: This should also anchor India’s quest to build a dedicated payment mechanism for energy-related payments and settlements as a long-haul measure.
This could change the contours of the global payments landscape and benefit the rupee immensely.
Spotlight on India
As the war progresses, New Delhi has been receiving a stream of high-profile visitors from around the world.
This has included delegations from the US, Australia and Japan, India’s partners in the Quad.
The foreign minister of Greece has also been to India and the Israeli prime minister is scheduled to visit soon.
Even traditional rival China is making overtures to India at this time, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit.
Another suitor is Russia, which is now also becoming a supplier of discounted crude oil to India as Moscow recoils from sanctions enforced by western consumers of its natural gas.
Conclusion
New Delhi is basking in its well-deserved spotlight with well-crafted diplomacy. India could be looking at a new dawn.
Since its inception, UPSC-CSE has had toppers from various academic and socio-economic backgrounds who have cracked the exam with flying colours. It’s clear that one doesn’t have to go to Delhi or a coaching centre to crack UPSC-CSE.
If education, geographical and economic background doesn’t matter, then what does? Attitude, or precisely consistency. If you are persistent and adamant to clear UPSC- CSE and have given more than two attempts till now, then you must replace that with consistency. Because, being persistent might lead you to the door, but it’s consistency that unlocks it.
In last month’s Samanvaya 1-on-1 counselling sessions, our expert Civilsdaily mentors reached out to aspirants to address their concerns regarding UPSC-CSE preparation. These are the responses they often heard from them —
How do I start preparing after a gap of 3-4 months?
It’s easy for me to maintain consistency in GS Preparation but not Revision
I study daily, but can only remain focused for 2-3 hours. How do I improve?
My long working hours don’t allow me to study daily.
Why am I losing interest in completing a subject? It’ s easier to read a new subject everyday.
This week, we have decided to answer all these questions and take additional questions in our personalised & motivational counselling session.
Key-Takeaways from This Week’s Samanvaya, Free 1-on-1 Counselling Session?
If you want to experience the same mentorship as Rishab Sharma, then here’s the good news – your first UPSC mentorship is on us and is absolutely free! All you have to do is confirm your slot now.
This prompted us to reach out to one of our students who is currently an IPS officer, Rishabh Sharma. He cleared the exam in 2020 with AIR 454. After his first attempt, Rishabh had enrolled in Smash Mains program underSajal sir and also attended our free interview program. Cracking the mighty UPSC-CSE the second time, Rishabh explains what consistency means to him —
UPSC doesn’t just test your intellect. It tests your patience, mental strength, your emotions, the very character of yours . As far as the journey of CSE is concerned you might know when to start, but you never know when the journey will come to an end. So be consistent and enjoy the journey.
Every topper follows a plan, a method or strategy that makes it easier for them to study on a daily basis and complete the traget modules of the day. In this free live counselling session, we will explain the many ways you can do to avoid faltering on your preparation.
1. The difference between a consistent study pattern v/s an inconsistent one. How UPSC-CSE becomes easier over time with consistency?
2. Social media distraction. How to avoid spending long hours on social media?
3. Number of ideal breaks everyday. Why is it necessary to reward yourself with a short break from time to time?
4. Best way to plan your timetable in advance? Why daily timetable should not be rigid but yearly timetable should be well defined?
5. How to remain consistent when you are not opting for coaching?
6. What are the practical methods to maintain regularity in studies. Tips to sustain the fire and passion for studies.
7. Why using Public Libraries is a way to remain consistent in UPSC-CSE preparation?
8. What are the 4 factors that determine if you can remain consistent for a year? If not, then why should you work on them first before starting UPSC-CSE preparation?
Get Motivated to Maintain Overall Consistency for UPSC
It’s understandable we are humans and not programmable robots who can maintain the same level of interest everyday. However, maintaining an overall consistency throughout our preparation is neccessary to clear this competitive and vast exam.
Our philosophy behind MENTORSHIP is to get you out of this Snooze cycle. This ensures that you are the BEST VERSION of yourself in this journey. If you are under the impression that mentorship is weekly calls you attend, then you are mistaken, my friend. Trust us, your mentor will be your ‘FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE’.
TO EACH THEIR OWN – Every aspirant is different. Their strengths and weaknesses are different. Their time availability is also different. Identifying this is important so you don’t end up making unrealistic targets and lose momentum. Your mentor will make sure you start slow but remain consistent to build your confidence. Making your schedule structured based on our experience of working with 2500+ students is our first priority.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS – When you see yourself grow, it becomes easier to motivate yourself to push boundaries. Tracking your progress can happen in many ways like mentorship calls or chat sessions or by regular tests. The idea is to ensure that you don’t go off track in your preparation, and even if you do, we have your back.
EVOLUTION – A constant guidance is important to bring consistency to your UPSC preparation. Guidance is not about clearing your doubts or asking you to study when you don’t. It is also about the evolution of your preparation. This is where you and your mentor work as a team. A constant effort to PLAN AND BUILD UP YOUR ABILITY to learn in a faster and more efficient way.
TALK IT OUT – The biggest hurdle in achieving your highest level of consistency is the emotional part. Every now and then, you. surround yourself with negative thoughts, you feel scared and depressed. Instead of resolving these emotional issues, you avoid them as it seems like a waste of your precious time. You have to understand that ignoring emotional troubles does not solve them. What your doing is building an emotional time bomb that may burst a week before your mains or prelims! This is where your MENTOR AS A FRIEND comes in. All our mentors have been through this journey. We understand your fears and anxieties. So, TALK IT OUT.
Don’t let inconsistency keep you away from your dreams.
Fill up the SAMANVAYA form given below. Let us know your problems and we will find a solution to it, just like our students say ” TOGETHER WE CAN AND WE WILL”. BOOK YOUR SLOT FOR YOUR FREE 1-0N-1 COUNSELLING SESSION IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS
How has Civilsdaily Mentorship, helped Aspirants become Toppers?
The most difficult challenge faced by EVERY candidate is inconsistency. Be it inconsistency in studies, answer-writing practice, covering the syllabus, or revision, every candidate finds it difficult to cope with. Buthow do successful candidates manage to FIGHT Inconsistency so consistently?
In UPSC 2020, Civilsdaily helped 80+ students secure ranks in their exams. In the top 100, every 3rd ranker was a Civilsdaily student.
A very recent success story would be Vishwa Shah, student of Civilsdaily Mentor, Sukanya Ma’am. Vishwa has cleared the GPSC exam to become the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Gujarat. He has penned a thank-you note yesterday. Heartiest Congratulations to Vishwa!
One of our other Civilsdaily Student, Shubham Nagargojecleared the exams in 2020 to become an IPS Officer. Shubham was gracious enough to let us know how he felt about Civilsdaily Samanvaya Guidance under Parth sir.
To know how all of them cleared the exam with our mentorship, visit the UnherdPodcast.
Now that results are announced for UPSC 2021 Prelims, out of 15 out of 25 students of Santhosh Gupta sir have been recommended to Mains. One such student, Rahul expresses his gratitude and extends his appreciation.
Most of our Mentors like Sudhanshu sir, Sajal sir, Santhosh sir, Pravin sir, Parth Verma sir and Sukanya Ma’am were UPSC aspirants themselves and have attended UPSC Mains more than five times and UPSC Interview more than twice. Hence their mentorship is always a blend of the best test series, comprehensive notes and current affairs knowledge.
All of them dedicate their time weekly to give 1-on-1 mentorship to every student where they discuss last week’s performance and next week’s approach.
Be it Telegram, Whatsapp or Habitiat channels, they are always available and clear student’s doubts in a turnaround time of 24 Hours.
Why Civilsdaily Mentors are the GPS for Your UPSC-CSE Preparation
Remember there is always light at the end of the tunnel and if you want to get out of the tunnel you have to follow the direction of the light! Our mentors’ give you direction which is divided into daily modules. All you have to do is study and complete them on time.
As every year passes by, we don’t get confident by the previous years’ performance and become laidback. Instead, we become more hungry to convert all our students into toppers.REGISTER HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST FREE SAMANVAYA COUNSELLING SESSION IN NEXT 24 HOURS
How are Current Civilsdaily Students Gearing up for UPSC-CSE 2022?
Initially, our Civilsdaily student Smriti wasn’t confident about Prelims when she began her preparation. Though she had joined Civilsdaily in 2020, she started studying for UPSC-CSE back in 2019. At that time, Smriti had enrolled in multiple institutes. Though, most of these institutes had promised a personal mentor, she was unable to get in touch with them on a daily basis. Also those mentors never scheduled test-series on a weekly basis. Hence, despite preparing for a year, Smriti had scored only 35 marks out of 200 in her first test series by Civilsdaily.
She then started writing 20-25 test series over the course of UAP 2021 and in her last test, her scores have drastically improved. She now scores in the range of 130-135 marks in prelims’ and 110+ in mains’ papers.
In Smriti’s own words she describes her Samanvaya Mentorship Experience to be —
“Our parents provide us financial and emotional support, friends provide us moral support and the right mentor gives you logistic and logical support for UPSC. There are days when I felt I won’t be able to compete against lakhs of aspirants. That’s when my mentor, Ravi sir reminded me of my improvement and encouraged me that I can crack it with the same consistency. We need someone, who tells us we are performing well especially when we cannot see that ourselves. The mentorship at Civilsdaily helped me become mentally stronger as a person. In other institutes, mentors are allotted only for doubt resolution. But at Civilsdaily, I am getting end-to-end mentorship via value added notes, classes, test series and detailed evaluation.”
Similarly our another Civilsdaily student, Ashishsums up his Samanvaya experience with Civilsdaily mentor,Pravin Sir, “Because of Pravin sir’s support, I am able to understand a topic in lesser time.”
This is how Pravin sir evaluates Ashish’s Mains Test Series every week. After every test series evaluation, Pravin sir schedules a 1 hour call to discuss how Ashish can improve his marks and the sources he can refer for key topics.
It’s Your Turn Get the Free 40 Min Counselling Session By a CD Mentor
Civilsdaily mentors are so dedicated, consistent and focused for your UPSC goal, that you will eventually become focused into turning your dreams to reality.
At the core of Civilsdaily UPSC mentorship, lies the fact that each one of you will have a unique journey while preparing for the exam. Some will get through on the first attempt without much effort while others will take both more time and more effort.
We want to understand you better to help you optimize your journey so you can focus on the right things and not waste time on the wrong ones. We are asking you to tap into the valuable experiences of mentors who underwent the same grind and realize the pitfalls and understand the shortcuts to make it.
In the first counselling session, we will understand your weaknesses. We then help you to stick to one plan or strategy throughout your preparation. We will then follow up with you on a daily basis to check if you are right on track. TALK TO OUR MENTORS & CLARIFY YOUR DOUBTS NOW
Passed by the Parliament this week, the Bill seeks to repeal The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920 and expands the scope of information the government can collect from convicts, arrested persons and other persons such as habitual offenders.
According to Union Home Minister, the sole objective of the legislation is:
To improve the conviction rate in the country
To protect the human rights of crores of law-abiding citizens
Send a strong message in the society
Opposition members, however, claim the legislation is:
Violative of fundamental rights
Infringes upon individual freedom and privacy
How valid are these concerns? What checks and balances does the proposed law provide to prevent misuse and how effective will it be in strengthening our criminal justice system?
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022: Major Propositions
It authorises law enforcement agencies to collect, store and analyse physical and biological samples of convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation in criminal matters.
It seeks to repeal the Identification of Prisoners Act 1920 which provided for the collection of only fingerprints and footprints.
The said Act, in its present form, provides access to a limited category of persons whose body measurements can be taken.
As per the Bill, any state government OR Union Territory administration may notify an appropriate agency to collect, preserve and share the measurements of a person of interest in their respective jurisdictions.
Key features of the Bill
The Bill seeks to:
Define “measurements”: To include finger impressions, palm-print and foot-print impressions, photographs, iris and retina scan, physical, biological samples and their analysis, etc.;
Empower the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB): To collect, store and preserve the record of measurements and for sharing, dissemination, destruction and disposal of records;
Empower a Magistrate: To direct any person to give measurements; a Magistrate can also direct law enforcement officials to collect fingerprints, footprint impressions and photographs in the case of a specified category of convicted and non-convicted persons;
Empower police or prison officers: To take measurements of any person who resists or refuses to give measurements
Authorises police to record signatures, handwriting or other behavioural attributes: Referred to in section 53 or section 53A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for the purposes of analysis.
Notable feature: Maintenance of Record
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) will be the repository of physical and biological samples, signature and handwriting data that can be preserved for at least 75 years.
The record of these measurements will be retained in digital or electronic form for a period of seventy-five years from the date of collection.
The court or Magistrate, for reasons to be recorded in writing, can direct agencies to maintain the records.
The records are to be destroyed in the case of any person who has not been previously convicted of an offence punishable under any law with imprisonment for any term.
Refusal to Comply
Resistance to or refusal to allow the taking of measurements under this Act shall be deemed to be an offence under section 186 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC);
No suit or any other proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done, or intended to be done in good faith under this Act or any rule made thereunder;
Central government or state government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act;
Manner of collection, storing, preservation of measurements and sharing, dissemination, destruction and disposal of records under sub-section (1) of section 4;
Comparison of key provisions of the 1920 Act and the 2022 Bill
1920 Act
Changes in the 2022 Bill
Data permitted to be collected
Fingerprints, foot-print impressions, photographs
Adds: (i) biological samples, and their analysis, (ii) behavioural attributes including signatures, handwriting, and (iii) examinations under sections 53 and 53A of CrPC (includes blood, semen, hair samples, and swabs, and analyses such as DNA profiling)
Persons whose data may be collected
Convicted or arrested for offences punishable with rigorous imprisonment of one year or more Persons ordered to give security for good behaviour or maintaining peaceMagistrate may order in other cases collection from any arrested person to aid criminal investigation
Convicted or arrested for any offence. However, biological samples may be taken forcibly only from persons arrested for offences against a woman or a child, or if the offence carries a minimum of seven years imprisonmentPersons detained under any preventive detention law On the order of Magistrate, from any person (not just an arrested person) to aid investigation
Persons who may require/ direct collection of data
Investigating officer, officer in charge of a police station, or of rank Sub-Inspector or above
Officer in charge of a police station, or of rank Head Constable or above. In addition, a Head Warder of a prison
Magistrate
Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate of first class. In case of persons required to maintain good behaviour or peace, the Executive Magistrate
With inputs from PRS.
Why need such law?
The world has undergone technological and scientific changes, crime and its trend have increased.
Advanced countries across the globe are relying on new “measurement” techniques for reliable results.
It was felt necessary to expand the “ambit of persons” whose measurements can be taken as this will help investigating agencies gather sufficient legally admissible evidence and establish the crime of the accused person.
The Bill will not only help our investigation agencies but also increase prosecution.
There is also a chance of an increase in conviction rates in courts through this.
Practical significance of the bill
Beyond the accuracy of biometrics: The existing law only allowed authorities to take only fingerprint and footprint impressions of a limited category of convicted persons.
Ambit of the persons: The new bill also expands the “ambit of persons” whose measurements can be collected will help the investigating agencies to obtain necessary legally admissible evidence and establish the crime of the accused person.
Unfolding the covert crimes: Criminals are proficient in identity theft and identity fraud. They keep changing their modus operandi.
Enhancing national security: The bill will help to check serious national and global threats posed by them.
Issues with the Bill
Un-constitutionality: The proposed law will be debated against Article 20(3) of the Constitution, which is a fundamental right that guarantees the right against self-incrimination.
Violation of Article 21: Dissemination of biometric and biological data is against Article 21 of the Constitution.
Misuse of preventive detention provisions: The Bill also seeks to apply these provisions to persons held under any preventive detention law.
Legislative competence of Centre: The Bill was beyond the legislative competence of Parliament as it violated fundamental rights of citizens, including the right to privacy.
Lack of data protection in India: While the European Union has the General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) and additional statutes, India’s structure is still in development, with new regulations promising to rationalise data protection.
Non-conformity of parliamentary debate: The government resorted to the usual binary arguments: If prisoners have human rights, so do victims. The Bill is not about victims but about arrestees, detenus and prisoners.
Others: While the jurisprudence around the right to be forgotten is still in an early stage in India, the Puttaswamy judgment discusses it as a facet of the fundamental right to privacy.
Potential for Misuse
Contentious provisions: The Bill proposes to collect samples even from protesters engaged in political protests. There is no MP, MLA, political worker, trade unionist, student leader, social activist or progressive writer or poet who has never been arrested or who can claim to be never be arrested.
Promotes self-incrimination: The bill fails to comply with Article 20(3) of the Constitution, which explicitly states that no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
Violation of prisoners’ rights: Use of force to take measurements in the Bill violates the rights of the prisoners laid down in series of Supreme Court judgements, such as A.K. Gopalan (1950), Kharak Singh (1962), Charles Sobhraj (1978), Sheela Barse (1983) and Pramod Kumar Saxena (2008).
Lack of clarity: The statement of objects says it provides for collection of measurements for “convicts and other persons” but the expression “other persons” is not defined. It is ambiguous whether the ‘measurements’ include narcoanalysis, polygraph test, BEAP and psychiatric examination.
Overpowering the state: The bill overpowers the state by facilitating invasive biometric measurements for all arrested, convicted, and detained persons, regardless of the gravity of the offense.
Profiling of the criminals (and the citizens): If taken to its logical conclusion is an attempt to create a comprehensive profile of all the citizens in this country.
Way forward
Balancing threats and rights: No society is perfect, nor is ours. There are deeply held biases and prejudices embedded in our social consciousness. Our police is a product of its social milieu, and as such is far from being perfect. However, that does not mean we do not empower it with requisite powers and instruments.
Political will: There is no law in India which is not misused. We can have much political willpower that we will not allow it to be misused.
Third-party regulation: The bill can limit state power with third party regulator having the power to enforce the rules and penalise infractions.
Global best practices: These best practices must go hand in hand with expanded biometrics collection rather than following as an afterthought.
Only then can the government’s stated intent of modernising its criminal identification processes turn into a beneficial reality, rather than a citizen’s nightmare.
Before taking the prelims exam, it’s always better to try the mock tests of various institutes to evaluate your level of understanding and knowledge. Once you know the weak spots, you can spend the rest of the days in revising them.
After the exam, CD Mentors will discuss the solutions of the questions on the Civilsdaily Official Space. Join here
What Must a Quality Prelims Test Have?
A quality mock test wiill highlight your shortcomings in all the areas.
We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.
These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2022
Sometimes we find the correct answer very easily without reconsideration, but when we look back at the key we realise that it was a blunder.
Ques. Which of the following is a violation of Fundamental Rights
a. Not paying minimum wages
b. Banning of a book
c. Banning of loudspeakers after 9 pm.
d. Banning a speech
Correct answer- A
In our country, there are millions of people who are underprivileged and deprived. They may be subjected to exploitation by their fellow human beings. One such form of exploitation in our country has been begar or forced labor without payment. Another closely related form of exploitation is buying and selling of human beings and using them as slaves. Not paying minimum wages is a kind of exploitation.
CASE 2: Relating names and use common sense
A lot of times you can solve the questions by relating or breaking the term asked.
AmbiTAG was recently seen in the news, What is AmbiTAG
a. It is a device to collect soil information for farmers
b. It is a device that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines, and even body organs and blood
c. It is used for providing weather-related information in High Altitude areas
d. None of the above
Correct answer: B
IIT Ropar in (Punjab) has developed a first of-its-kind IoT device AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines, and even body organs and blood. AmbiTag continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge. The device helps know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation.
CASE 3: Are you done with ncerts?
We can not deny the ncerts. Every year we get basic questions from ncerts. You can find them here as well
Which of the following statements with regards to the term ‘Republic’ is/are correct? 1. Every democratic country is also a de facto republic. 2. In Presidential Government the Head of the State is indirectly elected while in a Republic, the Head of the State is directly elected. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: 1 only
Both Statements are Incorrect: A democratic polity can be classified into two categories — monarchy and republic. A republic also means two more things: one, vesting of political sovereignty in the people and not in a single individual ; second, the absence of any privileged class and hence all public offices being opened to every citizen. There are many democratic countries which have Monarchs as their Head of the State hence they are Democracy but not Republic. Example Britain. In Republics, the head of the State is elected through either be direct or indirect election. Ex. India is republic country in which head of state is elected indirectly and USA is Presidential Government in which the Head of the State is directly elected.
CASE 4: Going international.
International collaboration and aid in our schemes and policies are relevant. If you ever read about them, know that the issue is of critical importance for the government and society.
Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
This scheme is approved by the World Bank.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: 2 only
Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.
Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.
CASE 5: Core of the core
You should be able to remember the bare minimum. There is no other way in such questions. You either know them or you don’t.
It is located on the Southern Bank of the Brahmaputra River. Varieties of Grassland can be seen here that provide habitat to Indian Rhinoceros.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
UPSC-CSE 2021 results have shaken the long held belief that the examination can only be cleared after multiple attempts. Most of the UPSC-CSE toppers like Satyam Gandhi (AIR 10), Ria Dabi (AIR 15), Yash Jaluka (AIR 4), Mamta Yadav (AIR 5) and Shashwat Tripurari (AIR 19) cleared the exam as fresh graduates in their very first attempt. How were they able to do it?
If you watch their strategy videos, you can find a common pattern — they started 12-24 months in advance before the exam.
One of the benefits of starting your preparation early is the time you would get to revise and practice test series upon completing the syllabus. Also, you would get ample time to pay attention to every subject. There are totally 9 papers in UPSC-CSE Mains and 2 papers in Prelims exams. Not to forget, the daily current affairs. Many aspirants need time to figure out how they can prepare in an understandable manner. That’s why starting your preparation eight months before the exam is not advisable.
We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realise that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things. So, what’s the best way to prepare?
This is what Civilsdaily mentor Rahul sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar.
Webinar Details
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you!
Sri Lanka’s ruling Rajapaksa family is facing mounting public anger, calls for resignations and political defections amidst the island’s worst economic crisis in its post-independence history.
Reasons for the crisis
1] Overnight switch to organic farming and import ban on fertiliser: There was the decision to ban fertiliser imports and switch overnight to organic farming.
The decision was reversed after sustained farmer protests but not before damage had already been done to crop yields.
2] Then, precious foreign exchange was wasted in propping up the rupee while imposing controls on key imports that led to shortages and price rise.
3] For several months, as the crisis deepened with rolling power-cuts and shortages of essentials, the government refused to seek IMF assistance.
It has now relented on the IMF, but Sri Lanka’s economic distress has been prolonged and deepened by this indecision.
Contradictions in the Sri Lanka’s politics
While the immediate causes of popular anger are explicable, the crisis also reveals a more enduring contradiction at the foundation of Sri Lanka’s politics.
Sinhala nationalist-inspired policies: What this crisis shows is that Sinhala nationalist-inspired policies are no longer financially or politically viable.
Hardline approach toward Tamils: The Rajapaksas first rode to power in September 2005 on the wave of Sinhala nationalist antipathy against the then-ongoing Norwegian-mediated peace process with the LTTE.
Upon his election as president, Mahinda expanded the military and launched a full-frontal military offensive that ended with the LTTE’s total defeat and destruction in May 2009.
After the war, instead of seeking a political settlement with the Tamils, Mahinda Rajapaksa unrolled a de-facto militarised siege of the Tamil-speaking areas and population.
Assertive foreign policy: The hardline approach to the Tamils and their demands was also linked to a new, more assertive foreign policy.
The government turned away the long-established pattern of alignments with Western states and India.
Mistrust of India: There is a long-standing mistrust of India amongst Sinhala Buddhist nationalists who see it as the source of historic Tamil invasions.
The Rajapaksas translated this sentiment into policy, pushing back against Indian attempts to forge closer economic ties and a constitutional settlement of the Tamil question.
Ties with China: In place of these ties, the Rajapaksas ostentatiously set out to forge new alliances, principally with China.
The Rajapaksas also bet on a new geo-political optimism.
They believed that with China’s rise, Sri Lanka’s location on east-west trade lanes would become a prized asset.
They were confident that in the global competition for power triggered by China’s rise, international actors would be compelled to seek Sri Lanka’s favour for fear of “losing” it to the other side.
With this geo-political calculus in mind, they assuredly rebuffed Western and Indian demands.
None of the great powers who were supposed to be competing for Sri Lanka’s favour have stepped up to offer a bailout, although the sums are quite small by global standards.
The bid for total sovereign autonomy has crash-landed and yet the alternatives are also politically difficult.
More leverage to international actors
The irony of Sri Lanka’s push for total sovereign autonomy is that it has given international actors more leverage than they had before.
Going to the IMF will require concessions on human rights and good governance to secure preferential access to European markets.
At the same time, Indian bilateral assistance has conditionalities on clearing controversial investments.
Way forward
Push non-reversible changes: International actors who really want to help Sri Lanka should use this leverage to push for tangible and non-reversible changes in the treatment of Tamils and Muslims whatever leadership emerges in Colombo.
Eemilitarisation and normalisation of relations with the Tamils and Muslims: The crisis can serve as a reality check for the Sinhala nationalist leadership and electorate. The model of economic and political governance they have pursued is unsustainable, and the alternatives must be faced.
The most pressing of these is the demilitarisation and normalisation of relations with the Tamils and Muslims.
Sinhala political attention can perhaps then be turned to the other pressing failures of governance that have brought Sri Lanka to this state.
Conclusion
The Rajapaksas may be the principal protagonists of this crisis but the underlying script they have followed is a Sinhala Buddhist one and until Sri Lanka finds a new script it cannot find peace or stability.
The celebrations to mark the 25th year of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have been accompanied by the announcement of several new initiatives.
Important outcome of BIMSTEC Summit
The summit had several important outcomes: Expanding the grouping’s agenda, deepening cooperation between the member countries and planning systematically for consistency and coherence.
1] Finalisation of charter
The Bay of Bengal Community was launched in 1997. But its charter, finalised last week, was more than two decades in the making.
The 20-page document adopted at the fifth BIMSTEC Summit articulates the purpose, principles and legal standing of the organisation.
It also delineates the process to admit new members – this requires the consensus of the members.
The emphasis on consensus is important, given the sensitivities of the member countries.
One important provision in the charter is to keep regular meetings on track and provide enough scope to the BIMSTEC Permanent Working Committee to keep the process energised.
2] Development on connectivity issues
Amongst the important decisions is the one related to the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity.
The region requires seamless connectivity through multi-modal channels that improve links within and amongst the member countries.
These channels should be in sync with the regulatory frameworks of the member countries.
There are proposals to extend the trilateral highway project between Thailand, Myanmar and India to Laos and Cambodia. Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal have also evinced interest in the project.
Digitisation has enhanced cooperation in customs regulations and facilitated and improved cargo clearance procedures. All this will surely enhance investment linkages and improve regional trade.
3] A systemic approach to streamline the evolution of BIMSTEC.
Establishing an Eminent Persons’ Group (EPG) for formulating a vision document for the region will help in articulating the aspirations of the collective.
EPGs have been quite useful in the EU and ASEAN.
For instance, the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (AIEPG) was constituted in 2005 after the Eighth ASEAN-India Summit.
Its recommendations still guide the grouping’s work.
In 2011, the EU constituted an EPG to suggest a roadmap to address the challenges arising from the resurgence of intolerance and discrimination in Europe.
4] MoU for legal assistance and mutual cooperation
The MoU for legal assistance in criminal matters and additional MoUs for mutual cooperation between diplomatic academics and training institutes would help in creating an ecosystem of deeper knowledge-related cooperation.
The technology transfer facility proposed in Colombo is likely to augment these efforts.
India’s leading role
India has promised $1 million to set up a Secretariat in Dhaka.
India has identified several other areas where it will support the collective.
Delhi will provide a $3 million grant to the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate, promote collaboration between industries and start-ups, and launch programmes that will help in the adoption of international standards and norms.
Agricultural trade analysis: Delhi has also suggested a regional value chain based agricultural trade analysis – this will be conducted by the RIS.
The Asian Development Bank and the New Delhi-based ICRIER have stewarded awareness programmes on trade facilitating measures in the member countries.
Support to Sri Lanka and Nepal: The pandemic has created fresh challenges and aggravated old ones in the countries of the region, particularly Sri Lanka and Nepal.
India’s support to these countries, especially in financial matters, could help in reducing undesirable external intervention in the region.
Way forward
Need for FTA: The early completion of the regional free trade agreement could provide a fillip to the organisation’s efforts.
Promote research on cultural and civilisation linkages: Besides economic links, the Bay of Bengal countries share a cultural and civilisational legacy.
The role of institutions like Nalanda University in promoting research on cultural and civilisational linkages and improving the adoption of sustainable practices would be equally significant.
Conclusion
The collective’s fifth summit that concluded in Colombo showcased member nations’ resolve to facilitate connectivity and security and enhance the prosperity of the region.
