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  • [Burning Issue] India-Pakistan Relations

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    Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) approved the country’s first-ever National Security Policy (NSP) – which is designed to be a “Comprehensive National Security Framework” and covers a five-year period from 2022-26. Pakistan’s (official) policy now leaves the door open for trade with India even without the settlement of the Kashmir issue – provided there is headway in bilateral talks. Earlier, Kashmir used to be at the centre stage of all Pakistani outcry.

    New Security Policy

    • The country’s new policy would act as an umbrella document, to be used as a guideline for Pakistan`s foreign, international and defence related policies.
    • The five-year-policy document, which will span 2022-26, is being touted by the Pakistan government as the country’s first-ever strategy paper of its kind.

    Key highlights of the document

    • Focus on trade: The 100-page policy document has also put out elaborate plans to open trade and business ties with India.
    • Silent on Kashmir: Kashmir issue with India has been identified as a ‘vital national policy’ issue for Pakistan.
    • No public discussion: Only a part of the national security policy will be made public.
    • Defying hostility with India: The document states that Pakistan is not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years.
    • Curbing militancy: The new policy also deals with the issue of militant and dissident groups and advocates dialogue with ‘reconcilable elements.’
    • No re-conciliation with India: There are no prospects of rapprochement with India under the current government.
    • Others: On the internal front, the new policy identifies five key areas of population/migration, health, climate and water, food security and gender mainstreaming.

    Significance of such policy

    • Pakistan and India have mostly been at loggerheads with each other throughout history.
    • During the first term of Narendra Modi in 2014, the relations took a positive turn when he announced his intentions to have cordial relations with Pakistan.
    • He had also visited Islamabad in 2015 unannounced to attend a marriage ceremony in Ex-PMs family.
    • However, the relations deteriorated following the horrific 2016 Uri attacks.

    Concerns with Pakistan’s National Security Policy

    • The vision laid out in the policy: There are concerns that this will result in increasing unchecked military control within the country and affect the borer-tensions with India as well.
    • Increased corruption: The Pakistan Army has never fully exposed the country’s defence spending and it does not allow inspection of its huge network of economic businesses and real estate.
    • Might increase extremism: There are concerns that Pakistan’s National Security Policy will result in increased radical events of extremism in the wake of challenging the security issues.
    • Hamper country’s growth: Diverting resources from development to military, in addition to Pakistan’s philosophy and attitude, is seen to hamper the country’s social growth and economic management.

    Implications of the National Security Policy of Pakistan on India

    • The policy hints at peace with other countries, especially in the neighbourhood.
    • Strategic establishment in India would need to look at the policy in the context of security challenges.
    • The policy will impact Pakistan’s approach to India as an open-ended subject by changing the military engagements and infrastructure built up along the border areas.
    • The economic pressures and primacy in the National Security Policy make India review its trade policy towards Pakistan and take advantage of better economic dynamics.
    • India needs to demarcate a clear distinction between geo-politics and geo-economics in the context of provision of the policy.
    • The policy is unlikely to bring any change in Pakistan’s active support to cross-border terrorism and position on Kashmir.

    China as anchor

    • Stoutly refusing to open up trade with India, Pakistan has looked to other economic and commercial partners among whom China is by far the most important.
    • The security relationship was the anchor of the China-Pakistan ties. Now, Pakistan hopes that China will offer its assistance to transform its economy.
    • It looks to the mechanisms under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to play a crucial role through connectivity, port development, power production and other investments.

    Factors behind the complex bilateral ties between the two countries

    (1) Cross-border Terrorism

    • Terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan’s control remains a core concern in bilateral relations.
    • India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan to take credible, irreversible and verifiable action to end cross-border terrorism against India.
    • Pakistan has yet not brought the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks 2008 to justice in the ongoing trials, even after all the evidence have been provided to them.
    • India has firmly stated that it will not tolerate and comprise on issues regarding national security.
    • Based on attacks in India and involvement of the neighboring country, the Indian Army had conducted surgical strike at various terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control, as an answer to the attack at the army camp in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir.
    • India had again hit back over the cross-border terror attack on the convey of Indian security forces in Pulwama by carrying out a successful airstrike at a training camp of JeM in Balakot, Pakistan.

    (2) Kashmir

    • Due to political differences between the two countries, the territorial claim of Kashmir has been the subject of wars in 1947, 1965 and a limited conflict in 1999 and frequent ceasefire violations and promotion of rebellion within the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • The then princely state remains an area of contention and is divided between the two countries by the Line of Control (LoC), which demarcates the ceasefire line agreed post-1947 conflict.

    (3) Siachen Glacier

    • Siachen Glacier is located in Northern Ladakh in the Karakoram Range.
    • Most of the Siachen Glacier is disputed between India and Pakistan. Before 1984, neither of the two countries had any permanent presence on the glacier.
    • Under the Shimla Agreement of 1972, the Siachen was called barren and useless. This Agreement also did not specify the boundary between India and Pakistan.
    • When India got intelligence that Pakistan was going to occupy Siachen Glacier, it launched Operation Meghdoot to reach the glacier first.
    • Following the success of Operation Meghdoot, the Indian Army obtained the area at a higher altitude and Pakistan army getting a much lower altitude. Thus, India has a strategic advantage in this region.
    • Following the 2003 armistice treaty between the two countries, firing and bombardment have ceased in this area, though both the sides have stationed their armies in the region.

    (4) Sir Creek Dispute

    • Sir Creek is a 96 km estuary in the Rann of Kutch. Rann of Kutch lies between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan).
    • Pakistan claims the entire Sir Creek in accordance with a 1914 agreement that was signed between the Government of Sindh and Rulers of Kutch.
    • India, on the other hand, claims that the boundary lies mid-channel as per a 1925 map.
    • If one country agrees to the other’s position, the former will lose a vast amount of Exclusive Economic Zone that is rich with gas and mineral deposits.

    (5) Water disputes

    • The Indus Waters Treaty is the water distribution treaty signed between India and Pakistan, brokered by World Bank.
    • According to the treaty, three rivers, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas were given to India for exclusive use and the other three rivers, Sindh, Jhelum and Chenab were given to Pakistan.
    • This treaty failed to address the dispute since source rivers of Indus Basin were in India, having the potential to create drought and famines in Pakistan.
    • Last year, Modi Government had stated that India would no longer allow its share of river waters to flow into Pakistan in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
    • According to the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, India can exploit rivers under its control without disturbing the flow or quantum. India plans to divert its three rivers to the Yamuna.

    Major Achievements

    Some of the confidence-building measures taken to improve Indo-Pakistan relations are as follows:

    (1) Military CBMs

    • Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities was signed in 1988 and ratified in 1990. The first exchange took place on January 1, 1992.
    • As per the Agreement, India and Pakistan exchange the list of their nuclear installations to prevent attacking each other’s atomic facilities. This practise has been followed to date.
    • Agreement on Advance Notification on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements were brought into effect in 1991 played a crucial role in deescalating the tensions on both sides of the LoC.
    • A communication link between Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and the Indian Coast Guard was established in 2005 to facilitate the early exchange of information regarding anglers who are apprehended for straying into each other’s waters.
    • A hotline between the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both the countries have been in effect since 1965 and was used in an unscheduled exchange to discuss troop movements and allay tensions in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks.

    (2) Non-military CBMs

    • Delhi-Lahore Bus Service was initiated in 1999. It was suspended in the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament Attack.
      • The bus service was later resumed in 2003 when bilateral relations had improved.
      • This service was recently suspended in 2019 in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution.
    • Samjhauta Express was launched following the signing of the Shimla Agreement connects the Pakistani city of Lahore and the Indian town of Attari.
      • It had been suspended frequently, but due to negotiations, it was restarted. In 2019, it was suspended after the revocation of the special status of Kashmir.
    • Weekly Bus Service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad was initiated in 2005. It has withstood the test of times and still operational.
    • Since 2014, India has been successful in the repatriation of 2133 Indians from Pakistan’s custody (including fishermen), and still, about 275 Indians are believed to be in their custody
    • The Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines was signed between the two countries in 1974.
    • The protocol provides for three Hindu pilgrimages and four Sikh pilgrimages every year to visit 15 shrines in Pakistan while five Pakistan pilgrimage visit shrines in India.
    • An agreement between India and Pakistan for the facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Pakistan, was signed on 24 October 2019 in order to fulfill the long-standing demand of the pilgrims to have easy and smooth access to the holy Gurudwara.

    Failures in the CBM process

    • Although there are hotlines connecting both military and political leaders in both countries, they have been scarcely used when required the most.
    • The absence of communications has led to suspicions and accusations of misinformation.
    • There is a disproportionate emphasis on military CBMs and inadequate recognition of several momentous non-military CBMs.
    • Governments of both sides often use CBMs as political tools to win over specific constituencies, which can be very damaging in the long-run.
    • Public conciliatory statements, which are meant to be CBMs, can have the opposite effect if they are insincere.

    Way Forward

    (1) Reforming Pakistan’s political structure

    • Despite the democratic elections in Pakistan, the military wields real power in the country. This holds true especially on matters of defence, national security and foreign policy.
    • Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), consisting for personnel from Pakistan Armed Forces, is often accused of supporting and training separatist militant groups operating in India.
    • This makes it highly difficult for India to undertake diplomatic relations with the Pakistani government since it is not the decision-maker in the country.
    • Thus, a strong political reform in Pakistan, one that focuses on the welfare of the Pakistani nationals is vital to improving its relations with India.

    (2) People-to-people relations

    • Propaganda is currently being used by both sides through the media to justify each other’s stand on conflicting issues.
    • This is creating misconception, hatred and stereotyping among the people of both countries.
    • This method is also used for political gains of both nations, with the least consideration towards people’s welfare and the need for peace.
    • Steps must be taken to facilitate travel between the two countries, ease up visa regimes, provide security for tourists, set up student and faculty exchanges, and invite professionals, intellectuals and artists to events to promote the bilateral ties.

    (3) Promote trade

    Steps that can be undertaken to improve bilateral trade include:

    • Remove non-tariff barriers and bureaucratic hurdles that are currently impeding trade.
    • Cut down duties
    • Improve customs clearance procedures
    • Proportionate trade is beneficial for both sides and is possible through the right government policies.

    (4) Promoting soft diplomacy

    • Use of Indus Waters Treaty to promote hydro diplomacy. Both nations can come together to construct Water Grid between their territories to address the water problems in the region.
    • Cultural diplomacy can be used through the exchange of ideas, values, traditions, and other cultural aspects to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance socio-cultural cooperation and promote individual national interest.
    • Promotion of Cricket diplomacy i.e., the use of cricket as a diplomatic tool to overcome differences between the two countries.
    • To a certain extent, soft diplomacy improved the people-to-people relations between the two countries and eased the tensions on both sides.

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  • [Yojana Archive] Capacity Building of PSUs

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    December 2011: Aatmanirbhar Bharat

    Context

    • Training and capacity building in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) is an area that is gaining importance, particularly due to rapid advancements in technology and other operational methodologies.
    • To meet the training needs in the current dynamic scenario, it is imperative that there is synergising of resources and a more active exchange of technical knowledge and other related ideas among PSUs.

    What are Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)?

    • A state-owned enterprise in India is called a PSU or a public sector enterprise.
    • These companies are owned by the union government of India or one of the many state or territorial governments or both.
    • The company stock needs to be majority-owned by the government to be a PSU.
    • PSUs strictly may be classified as central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) or state level public enterprises (SLPEs).
    • CPSEs are companies in which the direct holding of the Central Government or other CPSEs is 51% or more.
    • They are administered by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

    Need for Capacity Building of PSUs

    • PSUs play a multifaceted role in India, laying a solid platform for industrial growth. These firms have contributed to economic prosperity by focusing on infrastructure development and expansion.
    • Many people have found work as a result of these businesses. PSUs want to boost exports while lowering imports.
    • Modern procedures and capacity building in the form of functional competencies, knowledge, and attitudes will encourage a culture of efficiency and competitiveness.

    Issues with PSUs through years

    • Economic failure: Inefficient PSU’s were largely responsible for the macro-economic crisis faced by India during 1980’s.
    • Lack of autonomy: Lack of autonomy, political interference, nepotism & corruption has further deteriorated the situation.
    • Bureaucratic rigidities: The entire mechanism did not turn out as efficient as it ought to be, all thanks to the prevailing hierarchy and bureaucracy.
    • Revenue losses: Due to the expenditure on items such as interest payments, wages and salaries of PSU employees and subsidies, the Government is left with hardly any surplus for capital expenditure on social and physical infrastructure.
    • Lack of Competitiveness: In an era of LPG industrial competitiveness has especially assumed an important role, necessitating privatization or disinvestment of PSUs.
    • Poor performance: Despite the huge injection of funds in the past decades, the functioning of many public sector units (PSUs) has traditionally been characterized by poor management, slow decision-making procedures, lack of accountability etc.

    Also in discussion: Strategic disinvestment of PSUs

    The Union Cabinet has approved sale of the government’s stake to cut shareholding in select public sector firms below 51% to boost revenue collections that have been hit by slowing economy.

    The following main objectives of disinvestment were outlined:

    • To reduce the financial burden on the Government.
    • To improve public finances.
    • To introduce, competition and market discipline.
    • To fund growth.
    • To encourage wider share of ownership.
    • To depoliticize non-essential services.

    Why disinvestment?

    • Presently, the Government has about Rs. 2 lakh crore locked up in PSUs.
    • Disinvestment of the Government stake is, thus, far too significant. The importance of disinvestment lies in the utilization of funds for:
    1. Financing the increasing fiscal deficit
    2. Financing large-scale infrastructure development
    3. For investing in the economy to encourage spending
    4. For retiring Government debt- Almost 40-45% of the Centre’s revenue receipts go towards repaying public
      debt/interest
    5. For social programs like health and education

    Way forward for capacity building of PSUs

    • Collaborative Facilities: There is a need to bring about collaboration between training facilities of various PSUs and create a pool of shared resources. It will create cross-synergization and develop a vibrant pool of common resources to be shared.
    • Centres of Excellences: Resource training should be institutionalized and two or more training institutes should be designated as “Centres of Excellence”.
    • Geographic Clusters: Identify geographic clusters where several training institutes from separate fields are located.
    • Thematic Clusters: There are different institutes offering similar core competencies. Tie-ups between such centres could help create Thematic Centres of Excellence.
    • Ethics standards: PSUs need to be built as agents of socio-economic growth in society. Training inputs can help in developing a sense of responsibility towards nation-building.

    Conclusion

    PSUs and banks need to collaborate on capacity building, share resources, identify and strengthen the core competencies. This will optimize resource utilization and have benefits of specialization.

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    Success in UPSC Civil Services Examination = 50% Knowledge + 50% Strategy. Both knowledge and strategy are important to clear this exam.

    You might have finished reading your mandatory standard books, but still is your preparation complete? Do you remember all the important facts in your current affairs syllabus? Have you practised maps yet? Do you know all the important kingdoms in Ancient & Medieval History? Do you have a strong conceptual clarity on the foundational topics of Prelims? Are there any questions you have come across while practising your test series which you want to discuss in a live webinar? Then, register yourself for our next Ask me Anything Session with Prelims Toppers & UPSC Mentors Shubham & Anurag.

    Open to All Free Live Q&A Webinar with Prelims Toppers & Civilsdaily Mentors Anurag & Shubham

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    How long has it been since you revised your GS subjects? First time reading of all books is always easy. In the second and third time readings, you will realise that your recollection of the topics is still sparse. All the topics might seem new, even when they are already read. In the second and third time readings, not only you are expected to write down notes but also start your subject-wise test series. So, how will you fit in revision study plan with your test series and current affairs schedule in the next five months?

    Since, there are five months for Prelims exams to begin in 2022, do you think its too early to start CSAT preparation? CSAT, is only a qualifying paper but it definitely is not a piece of cake. In the past two years, questions testing the analytical, reasoning and aptitude skills of candidates have become tougher. Many toppers have had to write Prelims a second time as they had underestimated CSAT the first time. Case in point, is our Civilsdaily student and IPS Officer Shubham Nagargoje.

    Most importantly, if you have not yet started UPSC preparation, but still want to give 2022 a decent attempt, then you might be unsure how you can do justice to Prelims preparation in the last five months. Anurag and Shubham sir will draw the correct roadmap for such learners.

    Key-Takeaways of Free Live Ask Me Anything Session with Shubham & Anurag Sir

    Both Shubham and Anurag sir have attended interview round of UPSC-CSE as aspirants two to three times respectively and cleared the prelims five to six times respectively with a score above 110 marks. In their Q&A webinar, they will be welcoming doubts from all aspirants in these areas —

    1. What to target for prelims 2022? For those who have started their UPSC preparation only this month onwards.

    2. How to revise GS for Prelims? How to form a test series and revision schedule that are in sync with each other?

    3. Is CSAT a child’s play?

    4. The different kinds of Mock Tests for Prelims. What are they and where will you find them?

    5. Tricky topics of Prelims 2022. What are the topics where questions deviate from the standard sources?

    6. Difference in preparation- Prelims vs Mains Preparation. What are the differences when it comes to books, current affairs sources and taking down notes on same topics?

    7. Analysing test performance. How to change or increase your topic-wise sources in GS Prelims after taking a test?

    Webinar Details

    It’s time to level up and revise the same syllabus that took you one year to complete in the next 5 months! We hope this webinar will help all 2022 aspirants implement the suggestions of Shubham and Anurag sir

    Date: 15 January 2022 (Saturday)

    Time: 6 P.M.

    REGISTER HERE FOR ASK ME ANYTHING SESSION WITH ANURAG & SHUBHAM SIR

  • 14th January 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1     Effects of globalization on Indian society

    GS-2    Constitution of India—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure; Representation of People’s Act

    GS-3    Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. 

    GS-4   Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1 How does Indian society maintain continuity in traditional social values? Enumerate the changes taking place in it.(15 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2 What makes curbing hate speech a challenging task? How social consensus against hate speech could go a long way in curbing it? (10 Marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3 How liberal economic policies and growing inequalities leads to social problems? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4 While discretion is necessary for effective discharge of duties, it is also a major factor responsible for corruption in administration at all levels. Comment. In this context, suggest some ways in which smooth execution of responsibilities can be ascertained while minimising corruption. (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  October is uploaded on 11th October 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 October is uploaded on 13th October, 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: 

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  • How to Stick to UPSC Syllabus & Still Score Above Cut-Off in Prelims 2022?|| Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham & Anurag Sir|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    How to Stick to UPSC Syllabus & Still Score Above Cut-Off in Prelims 2022?|| Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham & Anurag Sir|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    register here for ask me anything session with anurag & shubham sir

    Success in UPSC Civil Services Examination = 50% Knowledge + 50% Strategy. Both knowledge and strategy are important to clear this exam.

    You might have finished reading your mandatory standard books, but still is your preparation complete? Do you remember all the important facts in your current affairs syllabus? Have you practised maps yet? Do you know all the important kingdoms in Ancient & Medieval History? Do you have a strong conceptual clarity on the foundational topics of Prelims? Are there any questions you have come across while practising your test series which you want to discuss in a live webinar? Then, register yourself for our next Ask me Anything Session with Prelims Toppers & UPSC Mentors Shubham & Anurag.

    Open to All Free Live Q&A Webinar with Prelims Toppers & Civilsdaily Mentors Anurag & Shubham

    REGISTER HERE FOR ASK ME ANYTHING SESSION WITH ANURAG & SHUBHAM SIR

    How long has it been since you revised your GS subjects? First time reading of all books is always easy. In the second and third time readings, you will realise that your recollection of the topics is still sparse. All the topics might seem new, even when they are already read. In the second and third time readings, not only you are expected to write down notes but also start your subject-wise test series. So, how will you fit in revision study plan with your test series and current affairs schedule in the next five months?

    Since, there are five months for Prelims exams to begin in 2022, do you think its too early to start CSAT preparation? CSAT, is only a qualifying paper but it definitely is not a piece of cake. In the past two years, questions testing the analytical, reasoning and aptitude skills of candidates have become tougher. Many toppers have had to write Prelims a second time as they had underestimated CSAT the first time. Case in point, is our Civilsdaily student and IPS Officer Shubham Nagargoje.

    Most importantly, if you have not yet started UPSC preparation, but still want to give 2022 a decent attempt, then you might be unsure how you can do justice to Prelims preparation in the last five months. Anurag and Shubham sir will draw the correct roadmap for such learners.

    Key-Takeaways of Free Live Ask Me Anything Session with Shubham & Anurag Sir

    Both Shubham and Anurag sir have attended interview round of UPSC-CSE as aspirants two to three times respectively and cleared the prelims five to six times respectively with a score above 110 marks. In their Q&A webinar, they will be welcoming doubts from all aspirants in these areas —

    1. What to target for prelims 2022? For those who have started their UPSC preparation only this month onwards.

    2. How to revise GS for Prelims? How to form a test series and revision schedule that are in sync with each other?

    3. Is CSAT a child’s play?

    4. The different kinds of Mock Tests for Prelims. What are they and where will you find them?

    5. Tricky topics of Prelims 2022. What are the topics where questions deviate from the standard sources?

    6. Difference in preparation- Prelims vs Mains Preparation. What are the differences when it comes to books, current affairs sources and taking down notes on same topics?

    7. Analysing test performance. How to change or increase your topic-wise sources in GS Prelims after taking a test?

    Webinar Details

    It’s time to level up and revise the same syllabus that took you one year to complete in the next 5 months! We hope this webinar will help all 2022 aspirants implement the suggestions of Shubham and Anurag sir

    Date: 15 January 2022 (Saturday)

    Time: 6 P.M.

    REGISTER HERE FOR ASK ME ANYTHING SESSION WITH ANURAG & SHUBHAM SIR

  • China does not have it all its way in the South China Sea

    Context

    South-East Asian countries are increasingly wary of their giant neighbour.

    Background of dispute

    • Disputes in the South China Sea go back decades.
    • But it was only ten years ago that China, which makes maritime claims for nearly the whole sea, greatly upped the ante.
    • Countries involved: They involve Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam, all with contesting claims.
    • China provoked a stand-off that left it in control of an uninhabited atoll, Scarborough Shoal, which under un maritime law clearly belongs to the Philippines.
    • Then China launched a massive terraforming exercise, turning reefs and rocks into artificial islands hosting airstrips and bases.

    China’s strong-arm tactics

    • China’s long-term aim is to project Chinese power deep into the South China Sea and beyond, and to hold the Americans away during any conflict.
    • The immediate aim, though, is to dominate politically and economically as much as militarily.
    • China has challenged oil-and-gas activity by both Indonesia and Malaysia, and sent drilling rigs to both countries’ eezs and continental shelves.
    • It has bullied foreign energy companies into dropping joint development with Vietnam and others.

    Implications

    • China has paid a diplomatic price.
    • Impact on relations with ASEAN: Had Mr Xi engaged in none of the terraforming and bullying, China would be better admired among members of the ten-country Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
    • Naval presence of the US: The United States and its Western allies have upped their naval presence in the sea, welcomed by most ASEAN members.

    Negotiation on Code of conduct on South China Sea

    • For years China dragged its feet on agreeing with ASEAN a code of conduct on the South China Sea, a principle agreed on 20 years ago in order to promote co-operation and reduce tensions.
    • These days, China likes to play willing.
    • China is demanding, in effect, the right of veto over ASEAN members’ naval exercises with foreign powers.
    • It also wants to keep out foreigners from joint oil-and-gas development.
    • Such demands are unacceptable to members.

    Conclusion

    Despite China’s efforts to establish its wild claims of sovereignty, China has been facing sustained resistance from the ASEAN countries.

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  • A new form of socialism powered by cooperative economic enterprises is required

    Context

    Inequalities of wealth have increased around the world and India is becoming one of the world’s most unequal countries.

    Role of globalisation and privatisation in increasing economic distress

    • Economic despair is feeding the rise of authoritarianism, nationalism, and identity politics.
    • Role of Globalisation: Opening national borders to free trade became an ideology in economics in the last 30 years.
    • Taxes of incomes and wealth at the top were also reduced.
    • The ideological justification was that the animal spirits of ‘wealth creators’ must not be dampened.
    • With higher taxes until the 1970s, the U.S. and many countries in Europe had built up their public health and education infrastructure and strengthened social security systems.
    • The rich are now being taxed much less than they were.
    • The pie has grown larger but the richest few have been eating, and hoarding, most of it themselves.
    • Role of privatisation: ‘Privatisation’ of everything became another ideological imperative in economics by the turn of the century.
    • Selling off public enterprises raises resources for funds-starved governments.
    • Another justification is efficiency in delivery of services, setting aside ethical questions of equity.
    • When ‘public’ is converted to ‘private’, rich people can buy what they need.
    • The gaps between the haves and the have-nots become larger.

    How liberal economic policies are creating illiberal societies

    • Liberal economists, promoting free markets, free trade, and privatisation, are worried by nationalism and authoritarian governments.
    • They rail against “populist” policies of governments that subsidise the poor and adopt industrial strategies for self-reliance and jobs for their citizens.
    • Liberals must re-examine their ideas of economics, to understand their own culpability in creating authoritarian and identitarian politics.

    The failure of capitalism and communism

    • While communism had lifted living standards, and the health and education of masses of poorer people faster than capitalism could, communism’s solution to the “property” question — that there should be no private property — was a failure.
    • It deprived people of personal liberties.
    • Capitalism’s solution to the property problem — replacing all publicly owned enterprises with privately owned ones (and reducing taxes on wealth and high incomes) has not worked either.
    • It has denied many of their basic human needs of health, education and social security, and equal opportunities for their children.
    • The private property solution has also harmed the natural environment.

    Way forward

    • Climate change and political rumblings around the world are both warnings that capitalism needs reform.
    • Economic policies must be based on new ideas.
    • Thought leaders and policymakers in India must lead the world out of the rut of ideas in which it seems to be trapped.
    • Principles of human rights must not be overpowered by property rights.
    • A new form of “Gandhian” democratic socialism, powered by cooperative economic enterprises, is required in the 21st century, to create wealth at the bottom, not only at the top, and save humanity and the planet.

    Conclusion

    A new form of ‘Gandhian’ democratic socialism powered by cooperative economic enterprises is required.

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

  • PROGRAM STARTS FROM JAN 15, ONLY 08 SEATS LEFT|| Last Two Days to Enroll for UPSC-CSE Prelims 2022 Program by Santosh Sir who scored 145+ in Prelims 6 Times || 1-1 Mentorship Driven Program,Over 100 Prelims tests, Weekly Value Added Notes, 1.5 years of Current affairs coverage through Live Classes & Strategy Calls|| Classes + Test Series TIMETABLE with SAMPLES INSIDE

    PROGRAM STARTS FROM JAN 15, ONLY 08 SEATS LEFT|| Last Two Days to Enroll for UPSC-CSE Prelims 2022 Program by Santosh Sir who scored 145+ in Prelims 6 Times || 1-1 Mentorship Driven Program,Over 100 Prelims tests, Weekly Value Added Notes, 1.5 years of Current affairs coverage through Live Classes & Strategy Calls|| Classes + Test Series TIMETABLE with SAMPLES INSIDE

    for doubts regarding SMASH PRELIMS 2022 PROGRAM, click here
    to know features and structure of smash prelims 2022 click here
    click here for samples of prelims 2021 test paper, discussions & notes
    check here for the full test series timetable OF SMASH PRELIMS 2022
    CHECK HERE FOR LIVE CLASSES TIMETABLE OF SMASH PRELIMS 2022
    click here to enroll for smash prelims 2022

    Smash Prelims Program is back after a thumping success in Prelims 2021. Out of 25 students Santosh sir has mentored, 15 have cleared prelims this time. Our students were kind enough to take time out of their hectic Mains preparation and let us know how Santosh sir’s mentorship benefitted them in the exams. We wish them all the very best for the upcoming Mains exam from 7th January onwards!

    https://youtu.be/oTRUMSOQEY4
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    Why Your Focus for Next 5 Months Must be About Scoring Above Cut-Off Marks in UPSC-CSE Prelims? Isn’t the last 1 Month Enough for This?

    REGISTER HERE FOR DOUBTS REGARDING SMASH PRELIMS 2022 PROGRAM
    CHECK HERE FOR PRELIMS live classes TIMETABLE -SMASH PRELIMS 2022
    check here for prelims test series timetable – smash prelims 2022
    click here to enroll for smash prelims 2022

    Every year, the competition for UPSC-CSE is increasing while vacancies are decreasing drastically. This year there are only 712 vacancies as against 2019 which had 927 vacancies. However, atleast 10 lakh students will attempt the prelims exam. This is why right now, it’s important to start having an Olympic Athlete mindset. You need to daily focus on scoring above the cut-off marks in your test series.

    Civilsdaily Student and 2019 UPSC-CSE AIR 8 Topper Abhishek Saraf had practiced nearly 6000+ MCQs under us to clear prelims!

    What makes prelims tough? It’s because the paper is unpredictable. If this year, science questions are a breeze then the next year you will have to answer advanced concept-based questions. Unlike Mains, Prelims has negative markings.

    Toppers like Pranav Vijayvergiya (AIR 65) and Swati Sharma (AIR 17) have found Prelims to be tougher than Mains. In fact, Pranav failed to clear Prelims thrice. But, in his fourth attempt he took Civilsdaily mentorship and cleared Prelims, Mains and Interview in one shot!

    Are you feeling low that you are unable to get the required cut-off marks in your test series. Worry not, for about 65% of the UPSC toppers have said that they scored below cut-off marks till December. But by June, they were able to boost their marks to get through the prelims hurdle. It’s time to be like them now.

    One has to be good at elimination methods to choose the right option amongst two similar ones. Our Smash Prelims Program started as a pilot project last year with an aim to introduce step-wise improvement in our chosen 25 aspirants. Over a period of 2 months, Santhosh sir inculcated confidence in aspirants who were either newbies or gave too many attempts. This year, we achieved a remarkable 60% success ratio. Next year, we have set our eyes on 100%. Yes, we are ambitious and aspirational just like any other UPSC aspirant.

    Why is Mentorship Required for UPSC-CSE Prelims in Every Step – From Test Series, to Study Materials, Classes to Doubt Resolution?

    If you are appearing for UPSC-CSE 2022 exams, you might have completed your entire prelims and mains syllabus right now. So what are your main priorities right now? To succeed in UPSC-CSE Prelims 2022, you have to check all these boxes in terms of preparation—

    You need clear strategy for next 150 days.

    You need to revise effectively to remember whole syllabus at the eve of exam.

    You need to practice lots of tests to score accurately, to understand elimination techniques and reduce exam anxiety.

    You need to revise current affair of 1.5 years that you have been studying daily.

    You need a mentor to fill the critical gaps that have been ignoring till now as you had no one to address them for you.

    Zoom session.jpg
    Santhosh Sir’s Weekly Zoom Session

    Do you want to have a mentor who conducts and evaluates medium to advanced test series regularly? A mentor explains to you the different kinds of elimination techniques after you have taken a test series. Before attending a test do you want the mentor to discuss with you the study materials required for the test and provide the right notes with integrated current affairs? While studying a subject, you might have umpteen number of questions. Having someone who responds quickly and explains the topics in simple terms saves your time. And, after a test do you want an experienced mentor to discuss the right answers and motivate you? Do you want the mentor to provide you classes on static+dynamic prelims topics? If yes, then this is the right program for you! The registrations are open for all UPSC 2022 aspirants

    REGISTER HERE FOR DOUBTS REGARDING SMASH PRELIMS 2022 PROGRAM
    check here for smash prelims 2022 live classes schedule
    check here for smash prelims 2022 test series schedule
    click here to enroll for smash prelims 2022

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    Self Preparation with Mentorship: What do Civilsdaily Students think of Santosh Sir’s Mentorship for UPSC-CSE Prelims?

    Santhosh Sir, Core Civilsdaily Mentor. He has attended Interview Thrice & Cleared Prelims 6/6 times with above 145 marks.

    We asked Santosh sir’s students about their opinion on mentorship — if it was something that saved their time or wasted their time in studies and this is what they had to say:

    Kamini: “If I can say in one word, then Santosh sir’s mentorship is unique. Before I joined his program, I used to score 90 marks in Full Length Test Series. Santhosh sir had done in depth analysis of my test papers and suggested ways to reduce the negatives. Right now I am able to score 100+ in advanced test series of not only Civilsdaily but other institutes. He is always available to clear my doubts and solve my issues on call or phone. No issue is too big enough for Santosh sir. He has always told me after you finish a test series, read the same topics again and take another test series the same day to see if your marks improve. From Santosh sir’s polity and economic survey notes, we got questions in 2021 Prelims. I always feel its better to do self studies with mentorship than join coaching institutes and get spoon fed with information.”

    Read other testimonials of santosh sir’s mentorship

    Sweetie Raj: “I am a banking professional, living with a joint family. Attending coaching classes is out of question because I won’t have time to read the books myself. Santosh sir helps me self-study by providing me mentorship daily. I study daily from 9PM to 3AM. Santosh sir has been available for 1 hour strategy calls even during this time. No other teacher would have wanted me to succeed as much as he wants me to. I can understand concepts by myself and don’t need help in that. I want someone who pushes me to complete the target modules, checks if I did my mains answer writing for the day and analyses the previous year question papers with me. Because of Santosh sir, I understood that its just not enough reading one book but at the same time I dont have to waste time reading many books. He tells me the topic-wise sources to refer. Also he has designed a study plan for me that I can follow every week. Once, I told Santhosh sir I was missing test series discussion classes as it was conducted at 7PM. Immediately, he provided me recorded videos and kept the session at 8.30PM.”

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    Specific Features of Smash Prelims 2022 by Santosh Sir

    Sincere aspirants who are scoring in the range of 80-90 marks must not attend last minute crash courses right now. They should instead focus on self revision, test series practice and guided mentorship to qualify for UPSC Prelims 2022. Here are the features of Prelims Focused Program by Civilsdaily —

    Pillar-1

    PRELIMS TESTS:

    40 Full Length Tests(12 Basic + 6 Advanced + 10 CA tests + 8 Full tests + 4 CSAT).

    In addition to this, in the month of January, we will have 60 sectional tests for practice. This will have 50 questions each. Hence, totally 100 Test Papers (40 FLTs + 60 Sectional Test Papers)

    FIRST TEST WILL START ON JANUARY 15TH. SO, REGISTER ASAP.

    REGISTER HERE FOR DOUBTS REGARDING SMASH PRELIMS 2022 PROGRAM

    Pillar-2

    VALUE ADDITIONS NOTES AND CLASSES BY VETERAN CIVILSDAILY MENTORS like SUDHANSHU SIR, SAJAL SIR & SUKANYA MA’AM
    • Polity: Sudhanshu sir will conduct two sessions covering all the Polity Fundamentals, a session analyzing past year papers, another session on important current affairs related to polity this year and will discuss your test solutions.
    • History: Santosh Gupta sir will conduct a session on Sectoral Developments in Modern History, a session analyzing past year papers, and test discussion.
    • Economy: Sajal sir will conduct sessions on economic survey, trend analysis, discussion of most important economic current affairs, past year paper analysis, and economy final test discussion.
    • Geography: Santosh sir will conduct sessions on the most difficult aspects like Geography Mapping, Economic Geography, and Indian Agriculture.
    • Environment: Sukanya Ma’am will cover sessions on Environment innovatively. Key concepts like vegetation and biome, Indian wildlife, conventions and protocols, national parks and sanctuaries, agriculture and sustainable development, and environment current affairs will be covered.
    • Science & Technology: This year’s prelims paper questioned on the basic concepts of science. Keeping this in mind, Santosh Gupta sir will conduct 2 sessions on One basic concept and current affairs of science and technology.

    Other Value Additions

    1. Smash Prelims-2022 Content: 2 years of Current Affairs notes + Videos

    2. Civilsdaily Current Affairs Magazines for 1 year

    3. Civilsdaily compilations of Yojna, Kurukshetra, PRS and RS TV.

    4. Civilsdaily Budget And Economic Survey Summary.

    5. Handouts on key subject-wise static topics to remember the terms and definitions for Prelims 2022.

    Pillar-3

    Santosh Gupta sir’s mentorship program

    1. Introductory mentor call to every aspirant immediately upon commencement of program.

    2.  Weekly zoom strategy session by Santosh sir for doubt clearance and continuous improvement.

    3.  1-1 mentor calls after 3-4 tests by mentor. After every test series, zoom sessions will be conducted by Birendra sir with all members of the batch for test discussion.

    4.  Support from mentors on the Habitat Group.

    5. Frequent sessions with toppers for support and guidance. will have these special features for aspirants.

    6. Mentor will guide on the FCE Approach i.e the Factual and Conceptual Methods of Elimination.

    7. Mentor call as per request and mandatory check up call by mentor once a month.

    check here for full smash prelims 2022 test series schedule
    check here for full smash prelims 2022 live classes schedule

    Samples From Smash Prelims Program 2021

    Sample 1-on-1 Mentorship for Smash Prelims
    Sample 1-on-1 Test Discussion on Google Meet
    Sample Environment & Biodiversity Test Series
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    Sample classes on CSAT & Topic Wise Analysis
    https://youtu.be/OcGSeXe31ek
    Sample Notes & Handout Material
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    click here for smash prelims sample handout notes
    click here to enroll for smash prelims 2022

    Toppers’ Speak: How Civilsdaily Mentorship Helped Me Clear UPSC?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSwO38weHAA

    About Santosh Gupta Sir

    Santosh sir has scored above 140 twice in UPSC prelims and 120 plus in all 6 attempts. He has written all 6 mains and has appeared for Interviews 3 times. He has qualified UPSC EPFO and BPSC 56-59th also. As the Prelims coordinator at Civilsdaily, he has helped 15 out of 25 students clear the prelims examination this year.

    REGISTER HERE FOR DOUBTS REGARDING SMASH PRELIMS 2022 PROGRAM
    click here to enroll for smash prelims 2022
  • How to Stick to UPSC Syllabus & Still Score Above Cut-Off in Prelims 2022?|| Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham & Anurag Sir|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    How to Stick to UPSC Syllabus & Still Score Above Cut-Off in Prelims 2022?|| Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham & Anurag Sir|| Limited Slots Available, Register Now

    register here for ask me anything session with anurag & shubham sir

    Success in UPSC Civil Services Examination = 50% Knowledge + 50% Strategy. Both knowledge and strategy are important to clear this exam.

    You might have finished reading your mandatory standard books, but still is your preparation complete? Do you remember all the important facts in your current affairs syllabus? Have you practised maps yet? Do you know all the important kingdoms in Ancient & Medieval History? Do you have a strong conceptual clarity on the foundational topics of Prelims? Are there any questions you have come across while practising your test series which you want to discuss in a live webinar? Then, register yourself for our next Ask me Anything Session with Prelims Toppers & UPSC Mentors Shubham & Anurag.

    Open to All Free Live Q&A Webinar with Prelims Toppers & Civilsdaily Mentors Anurag & Shubham

    REGISTER HERE FOR ASK ME ANYTHING SESSION WITH ANURAG & SHUBHAM SIR

    How long has it been since you revised your GS subjects? First time reading of all books is always easy. In the second and third time readings, you will realise that your recollection of the topics is still sparse. All the topics might seem new, even when they are already read. In the second and third time readings, not only you are expected to write down notes but also start your subject-wise test series. So, how will you fit in revision study plan with your test series and current affairs schedule in the next five months?

    Since, there are five months for Prelims exams to begin in 2022, do you think its too early to start CSAT preparation? CSAT, is only a qualifying paper but it definitely is not a piece of cake. In the past two years, questions testing the analytical, reasoning and aptitude skills of candidates have become tougher. Many toppers have had to write Prelims a second time as they had underestimated CSAT the first time. Case in point, is our Civilsdaily student and IPS Officer Shubham Nagargoje.

    Most importantly, if you have not yet started UPSC preparation, but still want to give 2022 a decent attempt, then you might be unsure how you can do justice to Prelims preparation in the last five months. Anurag and Shubham sir will draw the correct roadmap for such learners.

    Key-Takeaways of Free Live Ask Me Anything Session with Shubham & Anurag Sir

    Both Shubham and Anurag sir have attended interview round of UPSC-CSE as aspirants two to three times respectively and cleared the prelims five to six times respectively with a score above 110 marks. In their Q&A webinar, they will be welcoming doubts from all aspirants in these areas —

    1. What to target for prelims 2022? For those who have started their UPSC preparation only this month onwards.

    2. How to revise GS for Prelims? How to form a test series and revision schedule that are in sync with each other?

    3. Is CSAT a child’s play?

    4. The different kinds of Mock Tests for Prelims. What are they and where will you find them?

    5. Tricky topics of Prelims 2022. What are the topics where questions deviate from the standard sources?

    6. Difference in preparation- Prelims vs Mains Preparation. What are the differences when it comes to books, current affairs sources and taking down notes on same topics?

    7. Analysing test performance. How to change or increase your topic-wise sources in GS Prelims after taking a test?

    Webinar Details

    It’s time to level up and revise the same syllabus that took you one year to complete in the next 5 months! We hope this webinar will help all 2022 aspirants implement the suggestions of Shubham and Anurag sir

    Date: 15 January 2022 (Saturday)

    Time: 6 P.M.

    REGISTER HERE FOR ASK ME ANYTHING SESSION WITH ANURAG & SHUBHAM SIR

  • How to deal with hate speech

    Context

    On January 12, 2022 , the Supreme Court of India agreed to hear petitions asking for legal action to be taken against the organisers of, and speakers at, the “Hardwar Dharma Sansad”.

    What constitutes hate speech

    • Hate speech is speech that targets people based on their identity, and calls for violence or discrimination against people because of their identity.
    • There is an absence of any legal or social consensus around what constitutes “hate speech.”
    • As societies around the world have long understood, the harm in hate speech is not restricted to direct and proximate calls to violence.
    • Inciting discrimination is part of hate speech: Hate speech works in more insidious ways, creating a climate that strengthens existing prejudices and entrenches already-existing discrimination.
    • This is why – with the exception of the United States of America – most societies define hate speech in terms of both inciting violence, but also, inciting discrimination.

    Challenges in dealing with hate speech

    • Legal challenge: Our laws – as they stand – are unequipped to deal with the challenges of hate speech.
    • The laws commonly invoked in such cases are section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (blasphemy) and section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (creating enmity between classes of people).
    • Hate speech will not always be self-evident: Hate speech, by its very nature, will not always trumpet itself to be hate speech.
    • Rather, it will often assume plausible deniability – as has been seen in the Hardwar case, where statements, worded with the right degree of ambiguity, are now being defended as calls to self-defence rather than calls to violence.
    • Any comprehensive understanding of hate speech is a matter of judgment, and must take into account its ambiguous and slippery nature.
    • Lack of social consensus against hate speech: No matter how precise and how definite we try to make our concept of hate speech, it will inevitably reflect individual judgment. 
    • If, therefore, social and legal norms against hate speech are to be implemented without descending into pure subjectivity, what is needed – first – is a social consensus about what kind of speech is beyond the pale.
    •  In Europe, for example, holocaust denial is an offence – and is enforced with a degree of success – precisely because there is a pre-existing social consensus about the moral abhorrence of the holocaust.

    Conclusion

    Achieving this social consensus is an immense task, and will require both consistent legal implementation over time, but also daily conversations that we, as a society need to have among ourselves.

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

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