Check out Divyansh’s excerpt on how he cleared UPSC 2020:-
A graduate in Computer Science from IIT, Divyansh as a student was always brilliant in studies. Yet the transition from a software developer in Microsoft to civil services was not easy for him. During work, he read NCERT books to get an understanding of the UPSC syllabus. Once he decided that this is what he wanted to do, Divyansh resigned and prepared full time. He believes that once a decision is taken it is final; you may change plans to achieve the goal but never change the goal itself.
He has cleared the exam in his second attempt. However, the point to be noted is that in both his attempts, he cleared the prelims in one shot. What was his go-to strategy in Prelims? Divyansh studied Current Affairs from Civilsdaily and solved atleast 35-40 papers before the exam. This gave him a powerful intuition to get the right answers from elimination techniques. He believes that solving question papers gives one a solid perspective of a topic.
His strategy for Mains was preparing 1-2 pages of notes on every topic from online sources. He topped it up by taking Smash Mains test series. He appreciates the feedback and inputs given by Sajal Sir after every test. This gave him a clear understanding of what to write and the points he had missed in an answer. After his selection for the interview round, he also enrolled in our Interview Guidance Program.
Heartiest congratulations to Divyansh Singh AIR 425 UPSC Civil Services 2020
Prelims is over and it’s time to gear up for Mains; and if you have scored 90+ in UPSC Prelims 2021, you should start your Mains preparation immediately!!!
In UPSC 2020, Civilsdaily helped 80+ students secure ranks in their exams and 30 students of Civilsdaily have secured ranks in the Top 100. The same team that helped aspirants become rankers last year is back again to help you also.
Sukanya ma’am (Mains Program Head) and Birendra sir (Mains Program Coordinator) will be speaking with students at a FREE webinar to discuss the strategies for your Mains.
These are what you’ll get in the webinar:
When to start practicing answers if you are appearing for Mains?
What to study and what not to study. Smart hacks to complete and revise your syllabus in minimum time.
Debunking myths associated with answer writing.
What are the best practices in answer writing ?
Topper’s answer discussed and analysed live (Why did they score high marks).
X-factor required in your answers to score above 100 marks in GS.
Ideal strategy till Mains 2021.
How to allocate your time between GS and Optional?
Importance of Structure and Presentation in getting high marks in UPSC GS mains.
Open Q&A session with Participants.
Date: 13/10/2021
Time: 07:00 p.m. onwards
If you have scored 90+ in Prelims this year, then this webinar is meant for you. Register now.
Sukanya ma’am has firsthand experience of 4 mains and 2 interviews of UPSC. She has also appeared in the State PCS interview. Before she has worked as an officer in a public sector bank and now as a Mentor at Civilsdaily, she aims to guide future aspirants in finding success.
About Birendra Sir:
Birendra Sir has been part of Mentoring team at Civilsdaily for more than 2 years now. He has a rich experience of guiding 200+ students. Presently, he is working as Mains Coordinator at Civilsdaily.
If there’s one-stop, single-source reading material for PSIR, it is CD’s PSIR Optional Program for UPSC 2023. It is a Value Enhancement Program
AIR 267, Soham (IRS) will be heading the PSIR program and he will be taking lectures and mentorship sessions. Soham has scored one of the highest marks in the Optional and has a great base in the PSIR subject.
A Brief Overview Of CD’s PSIR Program
It is a 60 days program
Value addition lectures and notes by Soham Mandhare, AIR 267, UPSC 2021 IRS
Test series including 6 tests, Model answers
Test discussion with Soham sir
1-1 Post-test evaluation mentorship call by senior PSIR optional mentor
At the end of each session, you will get a LIVE Doubt-Clearing session with our faculty to get all your doubts cleared. We are working hard to make the program more featureful, highlight the best answers, and show the competency levels of students. So what are you waiting for? Enroll & get the feel of a real exam.
Since optional constitutes 500/2025 towards the merit list, it is important to outperform in it to get into the service of your choice.
It is a little more than 7 months to go for UPSC-CSE 2023. So, Guys, this is high time to make sure that the foundation for your ‘Optional’ Answer writing skills is strong. Our ‘Political Science & International Strategy’ (PSIR) Program is a handy opportunity to sharpen your Answer writing skills.
We are launching an advanced 60 days PSIR Optional Program. Rest assured, we have got you covered with all the conceptual clarity on important topics. For maximum retention and greater recall value in the exam hall, CD’S Exam Prep program has curated an exclusive series to help you strengthen the basics for UPSC Optional answer writing.
Also, you will get a lot of pointers to polish your written and interview skills for UPSC-CSE 2023, 24.
Click here to JOIN the PSIR OPTIONAL PROGRAM.
Trends In PSIR Optional Paper
For concept/idea-based questions:
For concept/idea-based questions:
Who theorized it and what inspirations behind it if any
Core points explaining the idea, include a diagram/flowchart (rare, only if it helps)
Arguments for and against the idea, citing scholars
Relevance in present times / critical analysis
For current affairs-based questions:
A generic opening surrounding the event/news, a quote if I could remember one
Core points explaining the situation
Explain and against arguments, citing scholars
Critical analysis / pragmatic opinion or solution, citing scholars if needed
WHAT THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Value addition Lectures by AIR 267, Soham + Test series + Evaluation of Questions + Doubt Clearing Session + 1-to-1 mentorship + Notes
60 days value addition program
Value addition lectures and notes by Soham sir (over Zoom/Google meet)
Mentorship-overall schedule preparation
6 test detailed evaluations within 48 hours of submission and One-on-One (on-call) discussion for each test
Value addition material by Soham sir
Access to Community administered by Soham sir and PSIR faculty
Doubt sessions on-demand for conceptual clarity, interlinking aspects
Strategy mentorship session with Soham sir (weekly)
Focusing on answer writing analysis, model answers, and test discussion by Soham sir. Maintaining the flow of answers, use of keywords, use of scholars’ quotes, coverage of dimensions, etc
The Environment Ministry has issued draft rules that mandate producers of plastic packaging material to collect all of their produce by 2024 and ensure that a minimum percentage of it be recycled as well as used in subsequent supply.
What is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product (plastic packaging) until the end of its life.
India had first introduced EPR in 2011 under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 and E-Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2011.
What are the new EPR rules for Plastic Waste?
(A) Plastic packaging
The new EPR guidelines covers three categories of plastic packaging including:
Rigid plastic
Flexible plastic packaging of single layer or multilayer (more than one layer with different types of plastic), plastic sheets and covers made of plastic sheet, carry bags (including carry bags made of compostable plastics), plastic sachet or pouches
Multi-layered plastic packaging which has at least one layer of plastic and at least one layer of material other than plastic.
It has also specified a system whereby makers and users of plastic packaging can collect certificates — called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates — and trade in them.
(B) Ineligible plastics for EPR
Only a fraction of plastic that cannot be recycled will be eligible to be sent for end-of-life disposal such as road construction, waste to energy, waste to oil and cement kilns.
Only methods prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board will be permitted for their disposal.
Targets for recycling
In 2024, a minimum 50% of their rigid plastic (category 1) will have to be recycled as will 30% of their category 2 and 3 plastic.
Every year will see progressively higher targets and after 2026-27, 80% of their category 1 and 60% of the other two categories will need to be recycled.
If entities cannot fulfil their obligations, they will on a “case by case basis” be permitted to buy certificates making up for their shortfall.
Effects on non-compliance
Non-compliance, however, will not invite a traditional fine.
Instead, an “environmental compensation” will be levied, though the rules do not specify how much this compensation will be.
Challenges in mandatory EPR
There are several challenges faced by both producers and bulk consumers that hinder proactive participation.
Consumer awareness: Waste segregation has been the greatest challenge in India owing to lack of consumer awareness.
Lack of compliance: The plastic producers do not wish to engage in the process holistically and take the effort to build awareness.
Large scale involvement: The EPR doesn’t take into account the formalization of informal waste pickers, aggregators and dismantlers.
Lack of recycle infrastructure: These challenges range from lack of handling capacity to illegitimate facilities in the forms of multiple accounting of waste, selling to aggregators and leakages.
Way forward
Tracking mechanism: What India needs is to develop tracking mechanisms and provide oversight of waste compliance, in order to ensure that the mechanism of waste disposal is streamlined.
Strict enforcement: While enforcement strictness is of paramount importance, it is also vital to build an incentive structure around this to ensure better complicity by the producers.
Innovation: The time is ripe for innovators to come up with an alternative for plastics and the strong will of the Government to rid the toxic waste in a sustainable and safe manner.
Try answering this PYQ:
Q.In India, ‘extended producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following?
(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011
The Ministry for Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has published proposed amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
The FCA is the principal legislation that regulates deforestation in the country.
It prohibits the felling of forests for any “non-forestry” use without prior clearance by the central government.
The clearance process includes seeking consent from local forest rights-holders and from wildlife authorities.
The Centre is empowered to reject such requests or allow it with legally binding conditions.
In a landmark decision in 1996, the Supreme Court had expanded the coverage of FCA to all areas that satisfied the dictionary definition of a forest; earlier, only lands specifically notified as forests were protected by the enforcement of the FCA.
The FCA is brief legislation with only five sections of which-
Section 1 defines the extent of coverage of the law,
Section 2 restrictions of activities in forest areas and the rest deals with the creation of advisory committees, powers of rule-making and penalties.
Why is the Act being amended now?
The current definition of forests has locked land across the country; even private owners cannot utilise their own property for non-forestry purposes.
The pressure for forest land diversion has been coming from — Ministries such as Rail and Roads.
Under the Act, any diversion of any forest land for any purpose, including assignment of leases, needs prior approval of the Centre.
What defines ‘Forest’ under this act?
Previously, the Act had applied largely to reserve forests and national parks.
In 1996, ruling in T N Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India Case, the Supreme Court had expanded the definition and scope of forest land.
It would thus include all areas recorded as forest in any government record, irrespective of ownership, recognition and classification.
The court also expanded the definition of forests to encompass the “dictionary meaning of forests”.
This would mean that a forested patch would automatically become a “deemed forest” even if it is not notified as protected, and irrespective of ownership.
The Act would also be applicable over plantations in non-forest land.
What are the proposed amendments?
(A) Exemptions for Road and Railways
The MoEFCC has proposed that all land acquired by the Railways and Roads Ministries prior to 1980 be exempted from the Act.
Once the lands had been acquired for expansion, but subsequently, forests have grown in these areas, and the government is no longer able to use the land for expansion.
The Ministries will no longer need clearance for their projects, nor pay compensatory levies to build there.
(B) Relaxation
It distinguishes individuals whose lands fall within a state-specific Private Forests Act or comes within the dictionary meaning of forest as specified in the 1996 Supreme Court order.
The government proposes to allow the “construction of structures for bona fide purposes’’ including residential units up to 250 sq m as a one-time relaxation.
(C) Defense and other projects
Defence projects near international borders will be exempted from forest clearance.
Oil and natural gas extraction from forested lands will be permitted, but only if technologies such as Extended Reach Drilling are used.
Strip plantations alongside roads that would fall under the Act will be exempted.
What are the concerns?
Legalizing private ownership of forests: The rules will facilitate corporate ownership.
Deforestation: The exemption of forests on private land will lead to the disappearance of large tracts of forests.
Fragmentation: Exemption for private residences on private forest will lead to fragmentation of forests, and open areas such as the Aravalli mountains to real estate.
Tribal concerns: The amendments do not address what will happen to tribals and forest-dwelling communities over the cleared lands.
Threat to wildlife: Exemption for roads and railways on forest land acquired prior to 1980 will be detrimental to forests as well as wildlife – especially elephants, tigers and leopards.
Positives with the amendment
It has proposed making forest laws more stringent for notified forests, making offences non-bailable with increased penalties including imprisonment of up to one year.
It has disallowed any kind of diversion in certain forests.
It has attempt to define and identify forests once and for all — something that has been often ambiguous.
On Dec 18, 2021, after years of delays, the James Webb Space Telescope is scheduled to launch into orbit and usher in the next era of astronomy.
James Webb Space Telescope
JWST is a joint NASA–ESA–CSA space telescope that is planned to succeed the Hubble Space Telescope as NASA’s flagship astrophysics mission
It is the most powerful space telescope ever built.
It will enable a broad range of investigations across the fields of astronomy and cosmology, including observing some of the most distant events and objects in the universe,
It would help understand events such as the formation of the first galaxies, and detailed atmospheric characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets.
Its significance
Some have called JSWT the “telescope that ate astronomy.”
It is said to look back in time to the Dark Ages of the universe.
What does the ‘Dark Ages’ of the universe mean?
Evidence shows that the universe started with an event called the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, which left it in an ultra-hot, ultra-dense state.
The universe immediately began expanding and cooling after the Big Bang.
One second after the Big Bang, the universe was a hundred trillion miles across with an average temperature of an incredible 18 billion F (10 billion C).
Around 400,000 years after the Big Bang, the universe was 10 million light-years across and the temperature had cooled to 5,500 F (3,000 C).
Throughout this time, space was filled with a smooth soup of high-energy particles, radiation, hydrogen and helium.
There was no structure. As the expanding universe became bigger and colder, the soup thinned out and everything faded to black.
This was the start of what astronomers call the Dark Ages of the universe.
How will JWST study this?
Ans. Looking for the first light
The Dark Ages ended when gravity formed the first stars and galaxies that eventually began to emit the first light.
Astronomers aim to study this fascinating and important era of the universe, but detecting first light is incredibly challenging.
Compared to massive, bright galaxies of today, the first objects were very small and due to the constant expansion of the universe, they’re now tens of billions of light years away from Earth.
Also, the earliest stars were surrounded by gas left over from their formation and this gas acted like fog that absorbed most of the light.
It took several hundred million years for radiation to blast away the fog. This early light is very faint by the time it gets to Earth.
Try this PYQ:
Consider the following phenomena:
Light is affected by gravity.
The Universe is constantly expanding.
Matter warps its surrounding space-time.
Which of the above is/are the predictions of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media?
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy Rates for P&K Fertilizers for the year last quarter of the year 2021-22.
An aspirant from rural agrarian background is quite habitual to hear about NPK 10-26-26, 20-20-0-13 & 12-32-16. They often get to find the plastic gunny bags mentioning this!
Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS)
The NBS Scheme for fertilizer was initiated in the year 2010 and is being implemented by the Department of Fertilizers.
Under the scheme, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis is provided on each grade of subsidized P&K fertilizers, except for Urea based on the nutrient content present in them.
It is largely for secondary nutrients like N, P, S and K and micronutrients which are very important for crop growth and development.
In India, urea is the only controlled fertilizer and is sold at a statutory notified uniform sale price.
What is NPK?
So now that you know what the numbers on fertilizer mean, you need to know why NPK is important to your plants.
All plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow. Without enough of any one of these nutrients, a plant will fail.
Nitrogen (N): It is largely responsible for the growth of leaves on the plant.
Phosphorus (P): It is largely responsible for root growth and flower and fruit development.
Potassium (K): It is a nutrient that helps the overall functions of the plant perform correctly.
Knowing the NPK values of fertilizer can help you select one that is appropriate for the type of plant you are growing.
What NBS provides?
Fixing MRP of NPK fertilizers: The scheme allows the manufacturers, marketers, and importers to fix the MRP of the Phosphatic and Potash fertilizers at reasonable levels.
Maintaining stock level: The MRP will be decided considering the domestic and international prices of P&K fertilizers, inventory level in the country and the exchange rates.
Inflation control: The NBS ensures that an adequate quantity of P&K is made available to the farmers at a statutory controlled price.
Issues with NBS
Leaves urea: Urea which the most widely used, is left-out in the scheme and hence it remains under price control as NBS has been implemented only in other fertilizers.
Cost on exchequer: Fertilizer subsidy is the second-biggest subsidy after food subsidy.
Costs on Economy and Environment: The NBS policy is not only damaging the fiscal health of the economy but also proving detrimental to the soil health of the country.
Black marketing: Subsidised fertilizers is getting diverted to bulk buyers/traders or even non-agricultural users such as plywood and animal feed makers.
Back2Basics: Soil Health Card (SHC)
Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme is promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
An SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his/her holding and advice him/her on the dosage of fertilizers and also the needed soil amendments, that s/he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run.
SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings.
It will be made available once in a cycle of 2 years, which will indicate the status of soil health of a farmer’s holding for that particular period.
The SHC given in the next cycle of 2 years will be able to record the changes in the soil health for that subsequent period.
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
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.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
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
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.
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*.
Prelims is over and it’s time to gear up for Mains; and if you have scored 90+ in UPSC Prelims 2021, you should start your Mains preparation immediately!!!
In UPSC 2020, Civilsdaily helped 80+ students secure ranks in their exams and 30 students of Civilsdaily have secured ranks in the Top 100. The same team that helped aspirants become rankers last year is back again to help you also.
Sukanya ma’am (Mains Program Head) and Birendra sir (Mains Program Coordinator) will be speaking with students at a FREE webinar to discuss the strategies for your Mains.
These are what you’ll get in the webinar:
When to start practicing answers if you are appearing for Mains?
What to study and what not to study. Smart hacks to complete and revise your syllabus in minimum time.
Debunking myths associated with answer writing.
What are the best practices in answer writing ?
Topper’s answer discussed and analysed live (Why did they score high marks).
X-factor required in your answers to score above 100 marks in GS.
Ideal strategy till Mains 2021.
How to allocate your time between GS and Optional?
Importance of Structure and Presentation in getting high marks in UPSC GS mains.
Open Q&A session with Participants.
Date: 13/10/2021
Time: 07:00 p.m. onwards
If you have scored 90+ in Prelims this year, then this webinar is meant for you. Register now.
Sukanya ma’am has firsthand experience of 4 mains and 2 interviews of UPSC. She has also appeared in the State PCS interview. Before she has worked as an officer in a public sector bank and now as a Mentor at Civilsdaily, she aims to guide future aspirants in finding success.
About Birendra Sir:
Birendra Sir has been part of Mentoring team at Civilsdaily for more than 2 years now. He has a rich experience of guiding 200+ students. Presently, he is working as Mains Coordinator at Civilsdaily.
