Search results for: “”

In news: Small Savings Schemes
The Central government raised interest rates on eight of the 12 small savings schemes by 20 to 110 basis points for the January to March 2023 quarter.

Small Savings Schemes
- Small Savings Schemes are a set of savings instruments managed by the central government with an aim to encourage citizens to save regularly irrespective of their age.
- They are popular as they provide returns higher than bank fixed deposits, sovereign guarantee and tax benefits.
How are they managed?
- Since 2016, the Finance Ministry has been reviewing the interest rates on small savings schemes on a quarterly basis.
- All deposits received under various schemes are pooled in the National Small Savings Fund.
- The money in the fund is used by the Centre to finance its fiscal deficit.
What are the different saving schemes?

The schemes can be grouped under three heads –
1. Post office deposits
2. Savings certificates and
3. Social security schemes
(1) Post Office Deposits
- Under this we have the savings deposit, recurring deposit and time deposits with 1, 2, 3 and 5 year maturities and the monthly income account.
- The savings account currently pays an interest of 4% per annum and can be opened individually or jointly with an initial investment of Rs 500.
- The recurring deposit that pays 5.8% a year compounded quarterly matures after 60 months from the date of opening.
- It allows investors to save on a monthly basis with a minimum deposit of Rs 100 per month.
- Investments under the 5-year time deposit up to Rs 1.5 lakh further qualifies for benefit under section 80C of Income Tax Act.
(2) Savings Certificates
- Under this, we have the National Savings Certificate and the Kisan Vikas Patra.
- The National Savings Certificate pays interest at a rate of 6.8% per annum upon maturity after 5 years. The interest that is earned is reinvested into the scheme every year automatically.
- The NSC also qualifies for tax saving under Section 80C of the income tax act.
- The Kisan Vikas Patra, which is open to everyone, doubles your one-time investment at the end of 124 months signifying a return of 6.9% compounded annually.
- The minimum investment amount is Rs 1000 while there is no upper limit.
(3) Social security schemes
- In the third head of social security schemes, there is Public Provident Fund, Sukanya Samriddhi Account and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme.
1. Public Provident Fund
- The Public Provident Fund is a popular saving option for long term goals like retirement.
- It pays 7.1% a year and qualifies for tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
- Upon maturity of the account after 15 years, it can be extended indefinitely in blocks of 5 years.
- The accumulated amount and interest earned are exempt from tax at the time of withdrawal.
1. Sukanya Samriddhi Account
- The Sukanya Samriddhi Account was launched in 2015 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign exclusively for a girl child.
- The account can be opened in the name of a girl child below the age of 10 years.
- The scheme guarantees a return of 7.6% per annum and is eligible for tax benefit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
- The tenure of the deposit is 21 years from the date of opening of the account and a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can be invested in a year.
1. Senior Citizen Savings Account
- And finally, the 5-year Senior Citizen Savings Account can be opened by anyone who is over 60 years to age.
- It carries an interest of 7.4% per annum payable quarterly and qualifies for Section 80C tax benefit.
- These time-tested and safe modes of investments don’t offer quick returns, but are safer when compared to market-linked schemes.
Click and get your FREE Copy of CURRENT AFFAIRS Micro Notes

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
December 31, 2022

In news: Foundation Day of the INC

inc

A political party recently marked the 138th foundation day of Indian National Congress (INC) on December 28.

How the INC was founded?

The INC came into being on December 28, 1885.
The English bureaucrat Allan Octavian Hume is credited as the founder of the organisation.
On that day, 72 social reformers, journalists and lawyers congregated for the first session of the INC at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.
Stated objectives of INC included-

First, the fusion into one national whole of all the different elements that constitute the population of India.
Second, the gradual regeneration along all lines, spiritual, moral, social, and political, of the nation thus evolved; and
Third, the consolidation, of, the union between England and India.

Real motive behind: ‘Safety Valve’ Theory

At that point, the aim of this group was not to demand independence from the ongoing colonial rule but to influence the policies of the British government in favour of Indians.
Its objective is often described as providing a “safety valve” as the time, through which Indians could air out their grievances and frustration.
As Mr. Hume explained, the: Congress organization was ‘only one outcome of the labours of a body of cultured men, mostly Indians, who hound themselves together to labour silently for the good of India.’

Transformation towards freedom movement

Ans. Famous for 3P’s: Prayers, Protest and Petitions

The party’s work continued, to shift the colonial administrators’ attitudes and policies on the rights and powers allowed to Indians.
The members frequently protested issues of British colonialism, such as the Bengal famine and the drain of wealth from India.
However, these protests were at this point usually limited to prayers, petitions and protests, including writing letters to the authorities.
As the British rule continued, there grew differences in what the party’s functioning should be like.

Strength of INC

Diverse participation: One of the biggest strengths of the party, which helped it appeal to a broad section of Indian society, was having members who held different ideological positions.
Pan-India organization: Its popularity grew across every corner of India.

Early criticism of INC

Non-effective: Hume and the party were criticised, by the British for attempting to change the existing systems that favoured them and by some Indians for not achieving significant results.
Elite-organization: The party largely consisted of educated, upper-class people who were likely to have studied abroad.

Splits and reconvening

In Surat in 1906, the divisions between the ‘moderates’ led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Surendranath Banerjea, and the ‘extremists’ led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak came to the fore and there was a split.
While Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai wanted the Congress to boycott the visit of the Prince of Wales in protest against the Bengal Partition a year prior, the moderates opposed any such move.
But by 1915, the Bombay session saw these two groups coming together again as one.
The pattern of splits and eventual cohesion continued well after Indian independence, even after the party came to completely dominate successive general elections under PM Jawaharlal Nehru.

Important sessions of INC

Year	Session	President	Importance
1885	Bombay	W C Banerjee	First session
1888	Allahabad	George Yule	First English President of INC
1896	Calcutta	Rahimtullah M. Sayani	National song ‘Vande Mataram’ sung for the first time
1906	Calcutta	Dadabhai Naoroji	Dadabhai Naoroji coined the term Swaraj.
1907	Surat	Rash Behari Ghosh	Party splits into extremists and moderates
1911	Calcutta	Bishan Narayan Dar	National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ sung for the first time
1916	Lucknow	Ambica Charan Mazumdar	Reunion of Congress and Lucknow Pact, Joint session with the Muslim league
1917	Calcutta	Annie Besant	First Woman President of the INC
1919	Amritsar	Motilal Nehru	Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre took place
1924	Belgaum	M K Gandhi	Only session where MK Gandhi was the President
1925	Kanpur	Sarojini Naidu	First Indian Woman President of INC
1927	Madras	M A Ansari	Independence Resolution was put forward
1928	Calcutta Session,	Motilal Nehru	All India Youth Congress formed
1929	Lahore	Jawaharlal Nehru	Poorna Swaraj Resolution @ 26^th January, Civil Disobedience Movement launched
1931	Karachi	Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	A resolution on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Progress was passed. Gandhi-Irwin pact was endorsed and Gandhiji was nominated to represent INC in the second round table conference
1936	Lucknow	Jawaharlal Nehru	Idea of Socialism was imbibed
1938	Haripura	Subhas Chandra Bose	National Planning Committee set up under Nehru, Haripura Resolution passed, which demanded Poorna Swaraj, including the princely states as well.
1940	Ramgarh	Abul Kalam Azad	He was the longest-serving President of INC during British rule. Quit India Movement started in 1942
1946	Meerut	J.B. Kripalani	Last session before Indian independence

Try this PYQ:

Q.Consider the following statements

The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu.

The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

[wpdiscuz-feedback id=”txs06h4ihh” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

Click and get your FREE Copy of CURRENT AFFAIRS Micro Notes

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

December 31, 2022

What are Globular Clusters?

cluster

Astronomers and scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) while studying the Omega Centauri have found that hot stars and white dwarfs emitted less ultraviolet radiation than expected.

Omega Centauri

It is the most massive globular cluster system in our galaxy.
It was first identified as a non-stellar object by Edmond Halley in 1677 and as globular star cluster orbiting Milky Way galaxy by John Herschel in 1830s.
It contains approximately 10 million stars and is about 16,000 light-years away.
It also includes stars of a variety of ages, whereas other globular clusters contain stars from only one generation.
It is the largest and brightest globular cluster in the Milky Way.

What is a globular cluster?

A globular cluster is a spheroidal conglomeration of stars.
Globular clusters are bound together by gravity, with a higher concentration of stars towards their centres.
They can contain anywhere from tens of thousands to many millions of member stars.
They orbit mostly in the extended stellar halos surrounding most spiral galaxies.

How are they formed?

No one knows precisely how globular clusters formed. Or what role, if any, they played in the development of galaxies.
We know globular clusters are the oldest, largest and most massive type of star cluster. And globular clusters contain the oldest stars.
Their age is determined by their almost complete lack of what astronomers call metals, the heavier elements forged in star interiors.

Our Milky Way has over 150 globular clusters

Our own Milky Way has over 150 globular clusters, with perhaps more, hidden by galactic dust.
The Andromeda galaxy (M31), our neighboring spiral galaxy, appears to have around 300 globular clusters.

Difference between a globular cluster and an open cluster

Globular clusters are big, symmetric and old. They can reach 300 light-years in diameter and contain 10 million stars. On the other hand, open star clusters, contains sibling stars, scattered through the disk of our galaxy and presumably other galaxies.
Globular star cluster are very symmetrical in shape, and are densest toward their centers. Open star clusters are irregular in shape and loosely grouped together.
Globular clusters orbit in the halo of our galaxy. Plus, center around the galaxy’s core and expanding above and below the galactic disk. Open star clusters tend to orbit within the disk.
Globular star clusters contain million of stars. Yet some globular clusters, like Omega Centauri, contain millions of stars. Open star clusters contain only hundreds of stars.

Click and get your FREE Copy of CURRENT AFFAIRS Micro Notes

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

December 31, 2022

(WATCH LIVE:-Joining Link Inside) CUET 2023 Workshop: All about CUET – pattern, syllabus, and strategy |🎯FREE Registration- Get Free notes and Telegram group link inside
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81631296363?pwd=T2E1VG9RbHVueGVvYm1EQTNrOStxUT09

Meeting ID: 816 3129 6363

Passcode: 586567

4th January, at 5 PM | You won’t want to miss the Dedicated Workshop on CUET 2023 by Sudhanshu sir | FREE Registration Open

(Click) Register FREE CUET Workshop

CUET 2023 exam will be held from the 21st to the 31st of May 2023. This is the right time for you should start your preparation for CUET 2023.

Table of content
Sudhanshu sir, senior faculty and Program Director for CUET, will be discussing the most important themes according to the nature and syllabus of CUET 2023. This is going to be important if your want to ace CUET 2023

Often, college is said to be the best time of your life, according to an old saying. While there’s no denying the fun that comes from throwing the craziest themed parties, living on your own, and finally getting a taste of adulthood. College is also the Gateway to a fulfilling career.

Sudhanshu Mishra.

CivilsDaily IAS the leading preparatory institute for Civil Services has more than enough reasons to be the best in CUET exam preparation:

You won’t want to miss the Dedicated Workshop on CUET 2023 | 4th January, at 1 PM | FREE Registration Open

(Click) Register FREE CUET Workshop

Click here and join CUET Telegram Link for FREE

What is CUET?

CUET 2023 is one of the most prestigious National level entrance exams that cater to thousands of aspirants every year to get admission into various UG (Undergraduate) and PG (Postgraduate) courses in 45 Central Universities. Students give this exam after class 12th.

Why is CUET important?

Since 2022, admissions to more than 45 universities have been made mandatory under CUET constituting many top-tier colleges and institutes like BHU, DU, JNU, etc.

Students who couldn’t get into these top colleges and universities can re-appear and take an attempt in CUET 2023.

Apart from that, CUET provides a common platform & equal opportunities to all candidates across the country and also from rural & remote areas.

Workshop Details:

(Click) Register FREE CUET Workshop
- 7th January (Saturday) at 1 PM
- This is open and FREE to all
- The zoom link will be emailed to you post-registration
Key takeaways: How to prepare for CUET 2023?
- Since you have to prepare while still in school how to balance the CUET 2023 preparation with the school syllabus?
- Moreover, the nature and syllabus of this exam are derived mostly from school subjects, So how to integrate the preparation instead of preparing after board exams?
- You must have a timetable to help you cover the syllabus on time. So how to schedule tests, give mock tests on scheduled days, do plenty of revision well before the exam and keep yourself up to date with respect to current affairs and GK.
- Topics like general aptitude and reading comprehension need not only practice but the know-how of skills and techniques to tackle them in the most efficient manner – with speed and accuracy.
- As the pattern of the exam is a part of the Civil Services Prelims exam (UPSC). Which NCERTs and which other reference books are to be followed?
- What should be your CUET 2023 approach for the next 5 months even if you have just started the preparation after this Workshop? Strategy for the next 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and like that, will be shared with you.
- Selective and smart study through CUET trend-validated topics and themes: 50 Most Important themes for upcoming CUET 2023 that will guarantee your selection in your favorite college.
- How to Understand the expectations of CUET, and devise an evolving adaptive strategy for CUET 2023. If your strategy didn’t work, how to restrategize will also be elaborated.
- How to attempt Mock Tests! How to read & revise PYQs. ‘What to read & what not to read?
- Short-time smart Revision techniques that are common, standard, and used frequently. What exactly are they?
- How to take full advantage of the FREE CivilsDaily’s Preparatory Package and personalized mentorship session
- Last but not the least, apart from all the above discussion everyone joining the session can ask their doubts, fear, queries, Etc
7th January, at 1 PM | FREE Registration Open

(Click) Register FREE CUET Workshop

CivilsDaily’s FREE Workshop package

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

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

7th January, at 1 PM | FREE Registration Open

(Click) Register FREE CUET Workshop
December 30, 2022
Place-Based Conservation Under CBD
Context
- At the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), member countries adopted the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (GBF) that includes four goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.
Click and get your FREE Copy of CURRENT AFFAIRS Micro Notes

What is target 30×30 among 23 targets?
- Conservation through ecological representative: Among the 23 targets, Target 3, colloquially known as “30×30,” requires that “at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative.
- Area-based conservation measures: Such area should be well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.
Assessment of protected areas
- Protected area: Place-based conservation has usually taken the form of Protected Areas wherein human occupation or at least the exploitation of resources is limited. The definition provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in its categorisation guidelines for protected areas has been widely accepted across regional and global frameworks.
- Different level of protection: There are several kinds of protected areas that vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international organisations involved.
- Currently only 17% is protected: Currently, about 17 percent of terrestrial and 8 percent of marine areas are within documented protected and conserved areas.
- Less than desirable quality: The quality of these areas has fallen far short of the commitments; less than 8 percent of land is both protected and connected. In the face of such a lacuna, the 30×30 target represents a significant commitment.
What are the challenges towards conservation of biodiversity areas?
- Improving the quality: One of the main challenges will be to improve the quality of both existing and new areas, as biodiversity continues to decline, even within many Protected Areas. Protected and conserved areas will need to be better connected to each other for movement of species, and for ecological processes to function.
- Large countries have to take big steps: Demographically large, high population density countries, and the very high density small and city-states are unlikely be able to bring significant additional terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas under Protected Area management.
- Addressing animal and human settlement: Moreover, species range shifts due to the effects of impacts of climate change will have to be taken into account. Challenges faced by Protected Areas that are experiencing coastal squeeze due to rising sea level on one side, and hard human settlements on the other will also have to be addressed.
- Investment for management: All of these measures will require significant investments for effective management and community involvement, particularly those areas that harbour megafauna. The track record of the Global North, thus far, has been poor in meeting its commitments on financial support for climate and biodiversity initiatives.
What should be the way forward?
- Better connectivity: Innovative area-based conservation measures will have to be considered for better connectivity for movement of species megafauna in particular between protected and conserved areas. Areas adjoining and or connecting Protected Areas that are not formally managed for conservation will have to be considered for protection; agricultural lands.
- Conservation development mechanism: Akin to the Clean Development Mechanism under the climate convention, UNFCCC, a carbon offset scheme allowing countries to fund greenhouse gas emissions-reducing projects in other countries and claim the saved emissions as part of their own efforts to meet international emissions targets.
- Mobile protected areas: Innovative management will be required for Protected Areas that are experiencing coastal squeeze due to rising sea level on one side, and hard human settlements on the other. In high altitude and coastal areas, Protected Areas will have to be conceived as mobile rather than static, confined to a set of geographical coordinates. Mangrove and alpine ecosystems
Conclusion
- Only declaring the certain area as protected area will not improve the quality of protected area and it is mere a lip service to conservation efforts. Investment backed by effective, result oriented and time bound action plan for place-based conservation should be the path ahead.
Mains Question

Q. What is 30×30 target under CBD? What are the challenges in area-based conservation and suggest the way forward?

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
December 30, 2022
Day 11| Daily Answer Wars| CD WarZone
Topics for Today’s question:

GS-1 Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present – significant events, personalities, issues.

Question:

Q. Battle of Plassey was a watershed moment in history marking the end of middle ages and beginning of modern phase in India. Comment. (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WARS (DAW)?
1. Daily 1 question either from General Studies 1, 2, 3 or 4 will be provided via live You Tube video session.
2. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
3. The answer needs to be submitted by joining the telegram group given in the link below.
  https://t.me/cdwarzone
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
1. For the philosophy of Daily Answer Wars and payment:
Daily Answer Wars | CD warzone

Payment Link DAW
December 30, 2022
30th Dec 2022 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

[WpProQuiz 1201]

[WpProQuiz_toplist 1201]

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

December 30, 2022
India-China relations: China Inconsistent in its words and actions
Context
- India-China relations have been under enormous strain in recent years. The Indian foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, on many occasions has stated that India-China relations are going through an extremely difficult phase. For the two to return to normalcy in the relationship, he added that it will depend on three mutuals: mutual sensitivity, mutual respect and mutual interest.
Click and get your FREE Copy of CURRENT AFFAIRS Micro Notes

Chinese foreign minister statement
- Statement by Wang Yi: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China is ready to work with India in improving bilateral ties.
- Statement said China will work with India for steady China-India growth: Speaking at a symposium on the international situation and China’s foreign relations in 2022, Wang reportedly said that both countries “have maintained communication through the diplomatic and military-to-military channels, and both countries are committed to upholding stability in the border areas. We stand ready to work with India in the direction toward steady and sound growth of China-India relations.
- Statement against the backdrop of Tawang clash: The Chinese foreign minister’s statement comes against the backdrop of the December 9 clash near Tawang in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, where soldiers on both sides sustained minor injuries.
Strained relationship between India-China
- No sign of taking a back step: Even though the two sides managed to bring the Tawang situation under control, the reality is that the number of forces on deployment on either side of the border after the Galwan clash two years back shows no sign of being pulled back, a stark reminder of the far-from-normal state of relations between India and China.
- Despite of commander level talks, no fruitful negotiation on disengagement: Despite 17 rounds of military talks at the army commander level, the two sides have not been able to resolve their differences and accomplish a complete disengagement of their military forces.
- Statement by India: Following the 17th session of military talks last week, the Indian Ministry of Defense issued a statement that blandly stated that both sides will maintain the security and stability on the ground in the Western Sector and that they agreed to stay in close contact and maintain dialogue through military and diplomatic channels and work out a mutually acceptable resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest.
Is there any positive change in Chinese strategic thinking?
- Chinese foreign policy is just the same: It is unclear if Wang’s comment on India-China relations reflects any fundamental change in China’s foreign policy. Clearly, there has been no general softening of China’s attitude.
- Speech was a part of diplomacy: The minister’s statement on India was part of a long speech taking stock of China’s diplomacy and foreign relations in 2022.
- Particular focus on United states: In the statement, there was a particular focus on the troubled nature of its ties with the United States, calling out Washington’s erroneous China policy. Wang went on to say that it was U.S. stubbornness in seeing China as its peer competitor and Washington’s “blatant blockade, suppression and provocation against China” that has put the relationship in “serious difficulties.
- Concerned about Taiwan: The minister noted Taiwan is a red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. He also made note of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan to which the minister said that China has taken firm and resolute measures, which have strongly deterred anti-China elements in the United States and the Taiwan independence forces.
- Indirect reference to QUAD: The Quad, which comprises the U.S., Japan, India and Australia, also found an indirect mention in Wang’s speech. He stated that China is opposed to “bloc confrontation and zero-sum competition.
- Aggressive with each of India’s security partner: Each of India’s new security partners among the Quad countries has been subjected to China’s aggressive behavior in military, political and economic terms, which has brought a new depth of strategic purpose to the Quad.
Way ahead
- India’s relationship with China has been teetering from bad to worse over the last 32 months since the standoff in Ladakh began, and it seems unlikely to improve unless Beijing’s calculus vis a vis India and the region undergoes a drastic change.
- On the current status of the ties Indian foreign minister, S. Jaishankar, remarked that “the state of the border will determine the state of the relationship.”
- While Delhi’s G20 leadership may bring opportunities for engagement with Beijing, what is required first is a clear vision and a grand strategy to deal with the China challenge, instead of reacting to each crisis as it emerges
Conclusion
- Inconsistencies, both in China’s words and also between words and actions, will likely reduce the willingness of other countries, including India, to take seriously China’s statements about wanting a reset of ties.
Mains question

Q. India-China relations, though occasionally showing signs of peace and cooperation, have often been afflicted by tension and mistrust. China is inconsistent in words and actions. Discuss.

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
December 30, 2022
Growing ties Between India-Saudi Arabia
Context
- The presidency, which India has recently assumed for the period between 1 December 2022 and 30 November 2023, will likely open more avenues for cooperation on multiple fronts with countries like Saudi Arabia, a key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, also a member state of G20.
Click and get your FREE Copy of CURRENT AFFAIRS Micro Notes

India-Saudi Arabia Relationship
- Fourth largest trading partner: Since the last few years, India-Saudi Arabia relations have become comprehensive and robust, with the kingdom not only becoming New Delhi’s fourth largest trading partner but also an important collaborator in the joint combat against all forms of terrorism, money laundering, and terror financing.
- 18% of India’s energy Imports: It is noteworthy that the bilateral trade in the fiscal year 2021-2022 stood at US$42.8 billion, and the kingdom alone accounts for 18 percent of India’s energy import, which reflects the significance of the country from the standpoint of New Delhi’s energy and economic security calculus.
- Collaboration on defence corridor: Simultaneously, military-security and defence cooperation have also gained momentum, which has been triggered by a certain commonality of security threats and challenges, and the interests of the respective governments to collaborate in the defence industrial sector (within the ambit of their military modernisation programmes).
- Non-oil areas of cooperation: The ties between the two countries, now, are not only concentrated on the oil-energy trade alone (as it has been the pattern) but both sides have started to explore the possibilities of working together on domains such as renewable energy, climate change, healthcare, food security, education, technology, etc.
Partnership in Green and clean energy
- Collaboration with Indian companies: In November 2020, Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, called on foreign investors to “invest on their own” or to collaborate with Indian companies in the country’s green energy sector.
- Reducing dependency on hydrocarbon: Similarly, Saudi Arabia, striving to reduce its dependency on a hydrocarbon-based economy, is investing in the same sector.
- Saudi Vision 2030 programme: In line with its Saudi Vision 2030 programme, it launched (in 2021) the Saudi Green Initiative which works on “increasing Saudi Arabia’s reliance on clean energy, offsetting emissions, and protecting the environment.
- Ambitious targets by both country: Riyadh, ushering in a new era of energy diplomacy, is building partnerships with countries that have similar ambitions. This, to a great extent, has facilitated the need to expand cooperation with India in the renewable energy sphere. While the Indian government works towards generating 450 Gigawatt about 60 percent of electricity using renewable and clean sources, Saudi Arabia also aims at about 50 per cent, both to be achieved by the year 2030.
India-Saudi Arabia cooperation in health sector and during Covid19
- Cooperation with west Asia region: India has stepped up its healthcare-related engagements with the wider West Asian region, and, particularly in matters related to the production of vaccines, joint medical researches, exchange of best-fit practices, and so on.
- Healthcare professionals to Saudi Arabia: During the peak of the aforementioned pandemic, the Indian government assisted its Saudi counterpart in their fight against this outbreak, mainly by dispatching hundreds of Indian healthcare professionals.
- Vaccine acceptancy: Saudi Arabia was also one of the few countries that recognised “Serum Institute of India’s Covishield as an approved COVID-19 vaccine” for any travellers who wanted to enter the kingdom.
- MoU on health and medical products: Now, what could act as a catalyst in elevating the interactions from the existing level is the Indo-Saudi Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on health and medical products regulations that were signed during the 2019 visit of Modi to Riyadh.
Cooperation in Food Security
- Investment by Saudi and UAE: It could be noted that, in 2019, to act as a safeguard from any food insecurity, UAE and Saudi Arabia GCC states decided to invest in India’s organic and food processing industries.
- Win-win situation in food cooperation: With India’s expertise in the field of crop production and overall agricultural activities, and also being a net exporter of agricultural commodities (especially rice), strengthening of partnerships could prove to be highly beneficial for the populace of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and other GCC countries that continue to depend on external sources for their food security, mostly owing to the lack of fertile soil.
Conclusion
- While India-Saudi Arabia ties are expected to grow further, there also exists a potential for collaboration beyond this bilateral engagement. This is precisely because, in the emerging international order, there is also a growing call for a collective response to the multidimensional crises the world is facing today.
Mains Question

Q. Briefly describe the India-Saudi Arabia relationship? How both countries are collaborating on clean energy and food security?

(Click) FREE 1-to-1 on-call Mentorship by IAS-IPS officers | Discuss doubts, strategy, sources, and more
December 30, 2022
(WATCH LIVE- Direct link inside) UPSC Mega Workshop Day AIR 267, Soham Mandhare: Most important themes for UPSC Prelims 2023 and strategy for the next 145 days |🎯FREE Registration
Zoom Link:* https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85474503966?pwd=YVk1WC8rU0ZtNmlhSnZrYnZnaGRVUT09

Meeting ID: 854 7450 3966

Passcode: 884680

30th December, at 7 PM | UPSC Mega Workshop Day AIR 267, Soham Mandhare: Most important themes for UPSC Prelims 2023 and strategy for the next 145 days. | FREE Registration Open

(Click) Register FREE for Soham’s Mega UPSC Workshop

The UPSC 2023 is just knocking at the door. And the Prelims exam is scheduled for May 28th, 2023. That’s just 4.5 months away.

Acknowledging the high unpredictability, an infallible strategy, and previous years’- based trend analysis is of utmost importance. If you want to crack UPSC with a rank in 2023, no random study in current affairs, nor every chapter from every subject is required.

The Best Way of clearing Prelims is to have a clear vision of essential themes, a plan for dealing with current affairs, and the ability to maintain clarity of the syllabus
AIR 267, Soham Mandhare

UPSC Topper AIR 267, UPSC 2021 will be discussing the most important themes from Current Affairs and GS syllabus for UPSC Prelims 2023. These are going to be the most relevant and probable topics for the upcoming prelims.

(Click) Register FREE for Soham’s Mega UPSC Workshop

Webinar Details:
- 30th December (Friday) at 7 PM
- The zoom link will be emailed to you post-registration
Key takeaways: How to make a timetable for UPSC?
- Selective and smart study through UPSC trend-validated topics and themes: 50 Most Important themes for UPSC Prelims 2023 that will guarantee your 120+
- What should be your Prelims 2023 approach for the next 4.5 months even if you have just started the preparation for UPSC 2023? Strategy for the next 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and like that, will be shared with you.
- The rock-steady strategy made by Rankers for UPSC Prelims 2023 for the next 4.5 months.
- How do UPSC rankers pick specific and certain topics both from current affairs and static GK which are more important than the others? How to build a topper’s thinking and how to cover the UPSC syllabus? The syllabus, and not the books, must be completed.
- Trend analysis of past 6 years’ papers of UPSC Prelims by Soham Mandhare. Lessons to be learned. ‘Pattern Analysis. UPSC is the most dynamic in nature. So, the most important step is to analyze the pattern of the exam. Find ‘Do’s & ‘Don’ts’ in current affairs.
- How to attempt Mock Tests! How to read & revise PYQs. ‘What to read & what not to read?
- How to Understand the expectations of UPSC, and devise an evolving adaptive strategy for UPSC 2023 Prelims and Mains. If your strategy didn’t work, how to restrategize will also be elaborated. What should be your approach for the next 4.5 months even if you have just started the preparation? Strategy for the next 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and like that, will be shared with you.
- Short-time smart Revision techniques that are common, standard, and used frequently. What exactly are they?
- How to take full advantage of the FREE CivilsDaily’s Preparatory Package and personalized mentorship session
- Last but not the least, apart from all the above discussion everyone joining the session can ask their doubts, fear, queries, Etc
(Click) Register FREE for Soham’s Mega UPSC Workshop

CivilsDaily’s FREE Webinar package

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

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

What The Hindu opined about Civilsdaily Mentorship

Karishma Nair, AIR 14 was also Sajal sir’s student

AIR 65, Pranav mentored under Sajal sir for UPSC 2020

(Click) Register FREE for Soham’s Mega UPSC Workshop
December 30, 2022