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What is Privilege Motion?
An MP from Telangana submitted a Privilege Motion against PM regarding his remarks over the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh.

What is Parliamentary Privilege?
- Parliamentary privilege refers to the right and immunity enjoyed by legislatures.
- The legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made in the course of their legislative duties.
- They are granted so that the MPs/MLAs can effectively discharge their functions.
- The powers, privileges, and immunities of either House of the Indian Parliament and of its members and committees are laid down in Article 105 of the Constitution.
- Article 194 deals with the powers, privileges and immunities of the State Legislatures, their members and their committees.
What is a Privilege Motion?
- When any of the rights and immunities are disregarded, the offence is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under the law of Parliament.
- A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.
- Each House also claims the right to punish as contempt actions which, while not breach of any specific privilege, are offenses against its authority and dignity.
What are the rules governing privilege?
- Rule No 222 in Chapter 20 of the Lok Sabha Rule Book and correspondingly Rule 187 in Chapter 16 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook govern privilege.
- It says that a member may, with the consent of the Speaker or the Chairperson, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a committee thereof.
- The rules however mandate that any notice should be relating to an incident of recent occurrence and should need the intervention of the House.
- Notices have to be given before 10 am to the Speaker or the Chairperson.
What is the role of the Speaker/Rajya Sabha Chair?
- The Speaker/RS chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion.
- The Speaker/Chair can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.
- If the Speaker/Chair gives consent under Rule 222, the member concerned is given an opportunity to make a short statement.
What is the Privileges Committee?
- In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker nominates a committee of privileges consisting of 15 members as per respective party strengths.
- A report is then presented to the House for its consideration. The Speaker may permit a half-hour debate while considering the report.
- The Speaker may then pass final orders or direct that the report be tabled before the House.
- A resolution may then be moved relating to the breach of privilege that has to be unanimously passed.
- In the Rajya Sabha, the deputy chairperson heads the committee of privileges, which consists of 10 members.
Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

Q.With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws etc. conferred by the constitution of delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?

(a) Committee on Government Assurances

(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation

(c) Rules Committee

(d) Business Advisory Committee

Post your answers here.

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February 11, 2022
Species in news: White-Cheeked Macaque
In an important discovery, scientists have recorded presence of White-Cheeked Macaque (Macaca leucogenys) from central Arunachal Pradesh.

White-Cheeked Macaque
- White- Cheeked Macaques are distinct from other macaques found in the region by displaying white cheeks, long and thick hairs on the neck area, and a longer tail.
- The species was discovered in 2015 by a group of Chinese scientists from the Modog region in southeastern Tibet.
- This discovery was considered a significant breakthrough as far as primates are concerned.
Existence in India
- From India, the species has not been sighted or reported after a single incidence of photographic capture from Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh in 2015.
- The number of these mammals reported from India stands at 434.
- The significance of the discovery is that it marks a new addition to mammals of India.
Protection status
- It has NOT been yet included in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India.
- The potential threat to all species of macaques in the landscape is due to hunting by locals for consumption and habitat degradation due to urbanization and infrastructure development.
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February 11, 2022
[Yojana Archive] India As a Space Power
UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

India’s Space Program: A backgrounder
1. Inception: Indian Space Programme began with the vision of Dr Vikram Sarabhai that we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies for the benefit of society.
2. Formation of INCOIS: It was with the formation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962.
3. First rocket into space: It was followed by the first sounding rocket launch from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in 1963 that the space programme formally took off.
4. Establishment of ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was formed in 1969, superseding INCOSPAR.
5. Separate department: With the establishment of the Space Commission and the Department of Space (DOS) in 1972, ISRO was brought under DOS.
Organizations associated with ISRO
1. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Trivandrum: Hub for sounding rockets, solid propellants, etc.
2. Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad: Payload development and related electronics
Journey of ISRO

[A] Satellites

(1) Launching of a Satellite
- India’s first satellite Aryabhata, which was launched on 19 April 1975, from a launch centre in the former Soviet Union.
- Later, Bhaskara-I and II, the two experimental earth observation satellites, provided the confidence to build complex operational remote sensing satellites.
(2) Communication satellites
- APPLE- Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment was India’s first experimental communication satellite.
- These satellites were launched free-of-cost, which reflects India’s successful international space cooperation policy.
(3) INSAT Program
- Two further significant satellite communication experiments were SITE– Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (1975-76) and STEP– Satellite Telecommunication Experimental Project (1977)
- This paved the way for INSAT (Indian National Satellite) series of satellites.
[B] Transportation Modules

(1) SLV
- In the space transportation domain, the commissioning of the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3) project in the early 1970s was the first indigenous experimental satellite launch vehicle.
- As a four stage, all solid, launch vehicle, SLV-3 had its successful launch in July 1980, thrusting India into the select league of six countries with the capability to launch satellites on their own.
- The ASLV- Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle project, in the early 1980s, was the next step of evolution in launch vehicle technology.
(2) PSLV
- In mid 80s came the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) project. PSLV was successfully launched in 1994.
- The vehicle has proven to be a workhorse of ISRO, logging over 50 successful missions, launching national as well as foreign satellites.
- On 15 February 2017, PSLV created a world record by successfully placing 104 satellites.
- The nation embarked upon a highly challenging quest to master the complex cryogenic technology.
(3) GSLV
- The commissioning of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) in the 1990s was a step in this direction. The launch vehicle was designed with three stages.
- With the injection of Chandrayaan-2 into Earth Parking Orbit in July 2019, GSLV Mk III successfully entered into its operational phase.
(4) SSLV
- The Small Satellites Launching Vehicles (SSLVs) used for commercial launching of small satellites is under incubation.
[C] Remote Sensing Satellites
- INSAT-1B, India’s first multipurpose operational satellite was launched in 1983. It brought major revolution in
- India’s telecommunications, television broadcasting, and weather-forecasting domains.
- In 1988, IRS-1A, the first operational satellite built in India, started imaging the earth. During the 1990s, ISRO began building INSAT-2 series of multipurpose satellites indigenously.
- Today, India has a fleet of advanced remote sensing satellites.
- High Throughput Satellites (HTS) such as GSAT- 11, GSAT-29, and GSAT-19 are supporting the Digital India campaign by boosting the broadband connectivity in rural India.
Major accomplishments

(1) Chandrayaan
- The space science missions of India– Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, AstroSat, and Chandrayaan-2– have caught the attention of the world.
- With Chandrayaan-1, India became the fourth country to send a probe to the lunar surface after the United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan.
- It conclusively discovered water molecules on the lunar surface, it was widely hailed as a path-breaking discovery.
(2) Mission Mangal (Mars Orbiter Mission)
- Launched by PSLV in November 2013, the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft encountered Mars in September 2014.
- With this, ISRO has become the fourth space agency to successfully send a spacecraft to Mars orbit.
(3) Others
- AstroSat: It recently made a major breakthrough by discovering one of the earliest galaxies in extreme- Ultraviolet light.
- NAVIC: ISRO has also successfully established and operationalized Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) which provides highly accurate Position, Navigation, and Time information to users.
- GAGAN: Further, through GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), ISRO is providing Satellite-based Navigation services for better Air Traffic Management over Indian Airspace.
Future Projects
- Gaganyaan Programme: It was approved by the Government of India in 2018. It has the stated objective of demonstrating human space flight capability to Low- Earth Orbit (LEO) for a defined duration and safe recovery after the mission.
- Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC): This was constituted in ISRO for implementing the vision on the human space flight programme.
Major breakthroughs: Commercialization of Space Activities
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe): The creation of the IN-SPACE to promote, handhold, and authorise Non-Government Private Entities (NGPEs) to undertake space activities shall unleash the next wave of advancements in the sector.
- New Space India Limited (NSIL): Empowering the PSU NSIL to own the operational launch vehicles and space assets of ISRO, opens up a new chapter in the management of space activities in the country.
- ANTRIX: ISRO also has a business branch called Antrix, which markets ISRO’s space products and technologies to a global audience.
Various challenges
- Security concerns from private activities: Government worries over knowledge sharing, launch methods, and satellite capabilities have led to a reluctance to allow private actors in the market due to the security concerns.
- Long gestation period: Many approval processes take a long time to complete. Approvals take around a year and a half. This comes at a time when the next three to four years are critical for the sector’s growth.
- State control: The ISRO is directly controlled by the Department of Space (DOS), which is under the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Licensing issues: Another regulatory worry is the licensing structure for satellite earth station gateways, which needs to be transformed to make it easier for any satellite operator to set one up.
- Limited indigenization: Another challenge is promoting indigenous innovation. In the new global climate, the challenge for the country is to continue to benefit from this innovation.
Way forward
- Creating a policy and regulatory framework that is predictable for both ISRO and private firms.
- Future planetary exploration and space travel should include the private sector.
- Allowing commercial enterprises to rent ISRO testing facilities for the purpose of testing their products and equipment.
- Improved regulatory clarity would result in fewer hurdles to entry for private companies and better synergy between ISRO and private partners.
- Private companies are given incentives to develop satellites or test rockets, lowering costs and increasing incentives for enterprises to build operational spacecraft.
- ISRO would assist the private sector in attracting both domestic and foreign direct investment by offering access to its satellite technology, facilities, and orbital slots (FDI).
Conclusion
- There is a need to liberalise the space sector and allow more private players to use ISRO facilities for developing, launching, and deploying a variety of applications.
- The government should take appropriate measures to enable the private sector to ensure that India remains at the forefront of the global space industry.
Also read:

[Burning Issue] India’s Space Programme
February 11, 2022
What are the 5 Methods to Maintain Daily Consistency in Current Affairs, Optional & GS Preparation?|| What are the 4 Factors you Need to Work on if you can’t Study Regularly?|| Free Live Webinar by UPSC-CSE 2020 IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

register here for free live webinar by rishab sharma ips

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.

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE LIVE WEBINAR BY RISHAB SHARMA IPS

Open to All, Free Live Webinar by IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma sir

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 under Sajal 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 webinar, Rishab Sharma IPS will be explaining the many ways he ensured that he never faltered on his preparation.

What you will be learning from Rishab Sharma IPS in this webinar?

1. The difference between a consistent study pattern v/s an inconsistent one. How did UPSC-CSE become easier for Rishab Sharma IPS due to consistency?
2. Social media distraction. How did Rishabh Sharma IPS 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. Did Rishabh Sharma IPS plan his 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? Rishabh Sharma answers.
6. What are the practical methods to maintain regularity in studies. Tips to sustain the fire and passion for studies by Rishab Sharma IPS
7. Why using Public Libraries is a way to remain consistent in UPSC-CSE preparation? How helpful is it according to Rishabh Sharma?
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?

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE LIVE WEBINAR BY RISHAB SHARMA IPS

Webinar Details

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.

We hope this webinar by Rishabh Sharma IPS will give you a fresh and clear start to prepare for UPSC-CSE 2022-23

Date: 11 February, 2022 (Friday)

Time: 7PM

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE LIVE WEBINAR BY RISHAB SHARMA IPS

February 10, 2022
What are the 5 Methods to Maintain Daily Consistency in Current Affairs, Optional & GS Preparation?|| What are the 4 Factors you Need to Work on if you can’t Study Regularly?|| Free Live Webinar by UPSC-CSE 2020 IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

register here for free live webinar by rishab sharma ips

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.

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE LIVE WEBINAR BY RISHAB SHARMA IPS

Open to All, Free Live Webinar by IPS Officer Rishabh Sharma sir

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 under Sajal 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 webinar, Rishab Sharma IPS will be explaining the many ways he ensured that he never faltered on his preparation.

What you will be learning from Rishab Sharma IPS in this webinar?

1. The difference between a consistent study pattern v/s an inconsistent one. How did UPSC-CSE become easier for Rishab Sharma IPS due to consistency?
2. Social media distraction. How did Rishabh Sharma IPS 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. Did Rishabh Sharma IPS plan his 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? Rishabh Sharma answers.
6. What are the practical methods to maintain regularity in studies. Tips to sustain the fire and passion for studies by Rishab Sharma IPS
7. Why using Public Libraries is a way to remain consistent in UPSC-CSE preparation? How helpful is it according to Rishabh Sharma?
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?

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE LIVE WEBINAR BY RISHAB SHARMA IPS

Webinar Details

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.

We hope this webinar by Rishabh Sharma IPS will give you a fresh and clear start to prepare for UPSC-CSE 2022-23

Date: 11 February, 2022 (Friday)

Time: 7PM

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE LIVE WEBINAR BY RISHAB SHARMA IPS

February 10, 2022
10th February 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)
Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1 Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

GS-2 Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act

GS-3 Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

GS-4 Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

Question 1)

Q.1 In view of the visible trends in India’s urbanisation, discuss the key considerations for a new urbanisation policy to guide the planning and management of cities in a sustainable manner. (15 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 What are the issues with opinion polls in India? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 Indian Railways has suffered from chronic under-investment, which has adversely impacted key areas of its operations. In this context, discuss the challenges faced by the railways in speedy creation of infrastructure. Also, mention the steps taken by the government in this regard. (15 Marks)

Question 4)

Q.4 “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” – Desmond Tutu. What does this quote mean to you? (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
4. Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.

For the philosophy of AWE and payment:

CLICK HERE To join Daily AWE
February 10, 2022
How to Multitask Efficiently as a UPSC Aspirant|| It takes only 1 attempt to crack UPSC-CSE if you fine-tune your preparation now!|| Callback in 24 Hrs, Fill Free 1-on-1 Personalised Mentorship for UPSC 2022-23
SAMANVAYA: FREE 1-ON-1 ON-CALL MENTORSHIP SESSION (CLICK)

Fill Samanvaya form to discuss and resolve your UPSC IAS preparation issues, doubts, and insecurities with us.

Finding success in the UPSC journey requires every aspirant to identify their “weak” areas and rectify them.

I think my number of revisions of the syllabus is still less.

Why are my marks stagnant in the mock test? Do I need a new book?

Should I change the optional subject?

At any given point during preparation days, these questions cross every aspirant’s mind. While it is important to have the right technique aka “smart study” strategy for this examination but is that enough?

Samanvaya: FREE 1-ON-1 on-call MENTORSHIP SESSION (click)

MENTAL HEALTH as an issue has always carried a sense of stigma in Indian society. So, why should the stress and anxiety associated with UPSC preparation be treated any differently!

Even if you are one of those courageous extroverts who speak about these mental challenges, you always have that one friend who sends you a motivational quote to get you over your MOOD SWINGS with some extra advice to memorize the quote as it can be helpful for GS 4 and essay.

Honestly, sometimes you need more than a motivational quote. In our interaction with some 1000+ students, even the smallest act of acknowledging an aspirant’s anxiety and stress can go a long way in maintaining the right frame of mind during preparation.

GAIN THE RIGHT CONFIDENCE TO HANDLE BOTH SUCCESS AND FAILURE

CLICK HERE FOR SAMANVAYA 1-On-1 Mentorship registration

Emotional Stability is crucial to remain sane during this preparation and also to enjoy the whole process. The first step towards a balanced approach is to identify that as a human having lows and highs is pretty much normal. If you are not able to finish the decided target, then it is alright to feel bad and push yourself a little extra for the next day. What you need to avoid is “unhealthy behaviour”. For example, putting yourself under so much pressure that your performance starts to deteriorate or belittling yourself that it starts to affect your confidence.

We are not here to diagnose any clinical conditions. But as former aspirants and gaining years of experience through mentorship, we are a big advocate of people’s interaction for healthy minds.

Sometimes, in this preparation, all you need is a person to hear you out and understand you. And unfortunately, some of us are not able to find that one person in our family or friends. There is no shame in asking for emotional help. It helps if you have a person who can listen to your worries and reduce some of your pressure. Talking to your mentor can make you feel supported in the toughest times. The worst part of silo preparation is that aspirants tend to create the idea that all these emotional upheavals are exclusive to them. Trust us this is not true!

Why Mentorship helps you double your efforts in half the time?

A holistic UPSC preparation includes the right technique to complete your syllabus, revisions and mock test and a healthy mindset.

Reach out to us if you feel like nothing is going right in your preparation. Talk to our mentors about your emotional worries, and remove the burden of anxieties from your preparation.

Lack of direction in your UPSC IAS preparation, an absence of a well-defined strategy and inability to make required necessary changes either due to lack of guidance or awareness are the biggest killers of your LBSNAA dream.

Therefore, it is essential for you to get your approach rectified and tuned as per the demands of UPSC. If you feel lost in UPSC preparation and have been gripped by negativity, self-doubt, and demotivation, this is for you.

Fill the Samanvaya form for a free on-call mentorship session. We’ll call you within 24 hours.

Abhishek has benefited from Civilsdaily’s approach, so did 70+ candidates who cleared UPSC IAS 2019

The Perfect exam cracking pattern

Integrate them in your preparation. We’ll tell you how to do it

It’s about how ‘you’ should be doing it instead of how someone else did it. That is the ‘elephant in the room’.

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP SESSION: Samanvaya

Our 3 tier mentoring:

1. First step starts with this Samanvaya call: Once you fill in the form, our senior mentors will have a 1-to-1 detailed discussion (on-callbased on which we create a step by step plan for next week, next month and so on.

2. You are given access to our invite-only chat platform, Habitat where you can connect with mentors, ask your daily doubts, discuss your test-prep questions and have real-time live sessions on news and op-eds, and find your optional groups.

Daily target monitoring.

3. The third and the most personalized tier is the dedicated 1 on 1 mentor allotment who stays with you through the course of your UPSC preparation – always-on chat and on scheduled calls to help you assess, evaluate, and chart the next milestone of your IAS 2022/2023 journey.

Daily target monitoring on Habitat

Who are you?
1. Working Junta? If you are preparing for IAS 2022-23 and working simultaneously, we can help you strategize and decipher the IAS exam and design a timetable that fits right in your hectic schedule.
2. First-time prep? If you are in the last year of college or thinking of dropping a year and preparing for IAS 2022-23 full time, we’ll help you pick the right books and craft a practical & personal strategy.
3. Have appeared before? and weren’t successful. We’ll help you identify your mistakes, rectify them for the necessary course correction. Let this be your final and successful attempt.
You just have to take 5 minutes out and fill this form: Samanvaya For IAS 2022-23

Talk to senior mentors from Civilsdaily: Fill Samanvaya form for IAS 2022 and IAS 2023. Once done, we will call you within 24 hours or so.

Fill up the following details in Samanvaya form given below to schedule a free one-on-one mentorship session with senior mentors from Civilsdaily. We’ll call you within 24 hours.

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Samanvaya: click here for a free 1-on-1 mentorship session
February 10, 2022
10th February 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

[WpProQuiz 898]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 898]

UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

February 10, 2022
Central Media Accreditation Guidelines 2022
The Centre has issued a new policy on the accreditation of journalists, introducing an entire section about reasons that can result in the suspension of the accreditation.

What is the Policy for Accreditation?
- The new policy lays down guidelines on how PIB accreditation will be granted to eligible journalists.
- It is prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and issued by the Press Information Bureau.
- At the moment there are 2,457 PIB-accredited journalists in the country.
Conditions laid
- For the first time, it specifies conditions that can result in the journalist losing accreditation.
- The new policy has ten points that may result in the accreditation being canceled, including if a journalist is charged with a “serious cognizable offense”.
- If a journalist acts in a manner that is prejudicial to the following conditions, his/ her accreditation can be canceled:
1. Sovereignty and integrity of India
2. Security of the nation
3. Friendly relations with foreign states
4. Public order
5. Decency or morality or
6. Defamation or incitement of an offense
7. In relation to Contempt of Court
- Accreditation is also liable to be withdrawn/suspended if it is found to have been misused.
Who is eligible for accreditation?
- Applications for accreditation are vetted by a Central Press Accreditation Committee headed by the DG, PIB.
- After a journalist applies, a mandatory security check is conducted by the Home Ministry, which includes police verification of the journalist’s residence.
(1) Journalists
- But a journalist needs to have a minimum of five years of professional experience as a full-time working journalist or a cameraperson in a news organization, or a minimum of 15 years as a freelancer to become eligible.
- Veteran journalists, with over 30 years of experience, and who are older than 65 years of age, too are eligible.
- Accreditation is only available for journalists living in the Delhi NCR region.
- Similar rules apply to foreign news organizations and foreign journalists.
(2) Newspapers
- A newspaper or a periodical needs to have a minimum daily circulation of 10,000, and news agencies must have at least 100 subscribers.
(3) Digital platforms and others
- The policy has introduced a provision that journalists working with digital news platforms are also eligible, provided the website has a minimum of 10 lakh unique visitors per month.
How does accreditation help?
- Professional status: The policy mentions that the accreditation does not “confer any official or special status” on the journalists, but only recognizes them as “professional working journalists”.
- Reporting important offices: In certain events where VVIPs or dignitaries such as the President, the Vice President, or the Prime Minister are present, only accredited journalists are allowed to report from the premises.
- Source Identity: Accreditation ensures that a journalist is able to protect the identity of his or her sources.
- Authencity: An accredited journalist does not have to disclose who he or she intends to meet when entering offices of union ministries, as the accreditation card is valid for entry.
- Perks and benefits: Accreditation brings certain benefits for the journalist and his or her family, like being included in the Central Government Health Scheme, and some concessions on railway tickets.
What concerns does this raise?
- Intimidation: This could result, at times, in such powers trying to intimidate journalists or to block information from coming out.
- Alleged defamation: A common tool used by powerful people is filing of defamation cases against journalists and media platforms.
- Prevents constructive criticism: Journalists often report on issues and policy decisions that the government may not like.
- Subjectivity of criteria: The new policy’s provision about acting “in manner which is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India can be subjective.
- No watchdog: The policy is silent on who will decide if a journalist’s conduct violates any of these conditions.
- Media trials: Any investigative story on sensitive issues could be held to be in violation of any of these provisions.
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February 10, 2022
What is SWIFT?
As tensions peaks over Ukraine the United States could exclude Russia from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT).

What is SWIFT?
- SWIFT is an international network for banks worldwide to facilitate smooth money transactions globally.
- It is basically a messaging network used by banks and financial institutions globally for quick and faultless exchange of information pertaining to financial transactions.
- The Belgium-headquartered SWIFT connects more than 11,000 banking and securities organization in over 200 countries and territories.
- First used in 1973, it went live in 1977 with 518 institutions from 22 countries, its website states.
What exactly is it?
- SWIFT is merely a platform that sends messages and does not hold any securities or money.
- It facilitates standardized and reliable communication to facilitate the transaction.
How does it facilitate banking?
- Each participant on the platform is assigned a unique eight-digit SWIFT code or a bank identification code (BIC).
- If a person, say, in New York with a Citibank account, wants to send money to someone with an HSBC account in London, the payee would have to submit to his bank the London-based beneficiary’s account number along with the eight-digit SWIFT code of the latter’s bank.
- Citibank would then send a SWIFT message to HSBC. Once that is received and approved, the money would be credited to the required account.
How is the organization governed?
- SWIFT claims to be neutral. Its shareholders, consisting of 3,500 firms across the globe, elect the 25-member board, which is responsible for oversight and management of the company.
- It is regulated by G-10 central banks from Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, the UK, the US, Switzerland, and Sweden, alongside the European Central Bank.
- Its lead overseer is the National Bank of Belgium.
- The SWIFT oversight forum was established in 2012.
- The G-10 participants were joined by the central banks of India, Australia, Russia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, the Republic of Turkey, and the People’s Republic of China.
- Europe, Middle East, and Africa are highest contributors to SWIFT.
What happens if one is excluded from SWIFT?
- US excluding Russia from SWIFT could have serious repercussions on how Russian banks carry out international financial transactions.
- If a country is excluded from the most participatory financial facilitating platform, its foreign funding would take a hit, making it entirely reliant on domestic investors.
- This is particularly troublesome when institutional investors are constantly seeking new markets in newer territories.
- An alternative system would be cumbersome to build and even more difficult to integrate with an already expansive system.
Are any countries excluded from SWIFT?
- Iranian banks were ousted from the system in 2018 despite resistance from several countries in Europe.
- This step, while regrettable, was taken in the interest of the stability and integrity of the wider global financial system, and based on an assessment of the economic situation.
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February 10, 2022

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