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  • Important Schemes regarding Agriculture & Allied Sectors

    15th June 2021

    1.1 Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

    Objective

    ● To achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level.
    ● To enhance the recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices.
    ● To explore the feasibility of reusing treated municipal wastewater for peri-urban agriculture.
    ● To attract greater private investments in irrigation.
    ● To promote extension activities relating to water harvesting, water management and crop alignment for farmers and grass root level field
    functionaries.

    Salient features

    ● Decentralized State level planning and projectized execution’ structure, in order to allow States to draw up a District Irrigation Plan (DIP) and a State Irrigation Plan (SIP). These plans need to be prepared in order to access
    the PMKSY fund.
    ● It will be supervised and monitored by the Inter-Ministerial National Steering Committee (NSC) under PM with Union Ministers of all concerned Ministries. A National Executive Committee (NEC) is to be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog to oversee programme implementation.
    ● PMKSY has been formulated amalgamation ongoing schemes viz. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP); Integrated
    Watershed Management Programme (IWMP); and On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) component of National Mission on Sustainable
    Agriculture (NMSA).
    ● Water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
    ● Investments will happen at farm level. So, farmers know what is happening and can provide valuable feedback.
    ● Recently, the Long Term Irrigation Fund has been instituted under PMKSY in NABARD for funding and fast-tracking the implementation
    of incomplete major and medium irrigation projects.

    1.2 RASHTRIYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA – RAFTAAR (RKVY-RAFTAAR)

    Objective

    ● To make farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmer’s efforts, risk mitigation and promoting
    agribusiness entrepreneurship.
    ● To attend national priorities through several sub-schemes.
    ● To empower youth through skill development, innovation and agri entrepreneurship based business models.

    Salient features 

    ● RKVY, initiated in 2007 as an umbrella scheme for holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors, has been recently revamped as
    RKVY-RAFTAAR – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation for 2017-19 and 2019-20.
    ● It provided states with considerable flexibility and autonomy for planning and executing Programs.
    ● The decentralised planning for agriculture and allied sectors is initiated by the states through District Agriculture Plan and State Agriculture
    Plan based on agro-climatic conditions, availability of appropriate technology and natural priorities.
    ● It will incentivize states to increase allocations for agriculture and allied sectors and help in creation of post-harvest infrastructure and
    promotion of private investment in the farm sector across the country.
    ● Fund Allocation – 60:40 grants between Centre
    and States in states and 90:10 for North Eastern States and Himalayan States through following streams – o Infrastructure & Assets and Production Growth o RKVY-RAFTAAR special sub-schemes of National Priorities o Innovation
    and agri-entrepreneur development.

    Sub-schemes include

    ● Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India
    ● Crop Diversification Program – It is being implemented in the Original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh to diversify area from water-guzzling crop
    ● Reclamation of Problem Soil ● Foot & Mouth Disease – Control Program
    (FMD-CP)
    ● Saffron Mission
    ● Accelerated Fodder Development Programme (AFDP)

    1.3 NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION

    Objective

     Increasing production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and commercial crops through area expansion and productivity enhancement
    in a sustainable manner.
    ● Restore soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level.
    ● Enhancing farm level economy.

    Salient features

    ● It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which was launched in 2007.
    ● The approach of the scheme is to bridge the yield gap in respect of these crops through dissemination of improved technologies and farm management practices while focusing on districts which have high potential but relatively low level of productivity at present.
    ● Major Components – National Food Security Mission – Rice, National Food Security Mission – Wheat, National Food Security Mission – Pulses,
    National Food Security Mission – Coarse Cereals and National Food Security Mission –Commercial Crops.

    1.4 National Horticulture Mission

    1. To provide holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies, to enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income support to farm households
    2. To establish convergence and synergy among multiple ongoing and planned programmes for horticulture development
    3. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies, through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge
    4. To create opportunities for employment generation for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youth.

    Scheme:

    A National Horticulture Mission was launched in 2005-06 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to promote holistic growth of the horticulture sector
    through an area based regionally differentiated strategies. The scheme has been subsumed as a part of Mission for Integration Development of
    Horticulture (MIDH) during 2014-15.

    What is the National Horticulture Mission?

    The National Horticulture Mission is a government mission to support horticultural production in the country. NHM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in which the Government of India contributes 85%, and 15% is met by the State Governments.

    Factual Information:

    ● India ranks second in the global production of fruits and vegetables next to China.
    ● Started in 2005-06.

    1.5 SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

    Objective

    ● To issue soil health cards every 3 years, to all farmers of the country, so as to provide a basis to address nutrient deficiencies in fertilization practices.
    ● To strengthen the functioning of Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) through capacity building, the involvement of agriculture students and
    effective linkage with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) / State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).
    ● To diagnose soil fertility related constraints with standardized procedures for sampling uniformly across states.
    ● To build capacities of district and state level staff and of progressive farmers for promotion of nutrient management practices.

    Salient features

    ● It is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India in 2015.
    ● It is being implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory Governments.
    ● Assistance is provided to the State Government to issue Soil Health Card and also develop a database to improve service delivery.
    ● Soil Health Card issued to farmers carry crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilizers required for the individual farms.
    ● The experts will analyze the strength and weaknesses (micronutrients deficiency) of the soil collected from farms and suggest measures
    to deal with it.
    ● It will contain the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely N,P,K (Macronutrients); S (Secondary nutrient); Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micro – nutrients); and pH, EC, OC (Physical parameters).

    1.6 PM FASAL BIMA YOJANA

    Objective

    ● To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of natural calamities, pests & diseases.
    ● To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure
    their continuance in farming. ● To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and
    modern agricultural practices.
    ● To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.
    Intended beneficiary.
    ● All farmers including sharecroppers and tenant farmers growing notified crops in a notified area during the season who have insurable interest in the crop are eligible.

    Salient features

    ● It replaced all other existing insurance schemes except the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (uses weather parameters as
    proxy for crop yield in compensating the cultivators for deemed crop loses) .
    ● A uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops.
    ● In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%.
    ● There is no upper limit on Government subsidy so farmers will get claim against full sum insured without any reduction.
    ● The difference between the premium paid by farmers and the actuarial premium charged was paid by the Centre and state government in
    the ratio of 50:50.
    ● It is compulsory for loanee farmers availing crop loans for notified crops in notified areas and voluntary for non-loanee farmers.
    ● Yield Losses: due to non-preventable risks, such as Natural Fire and Lightning, Storm, Hailstorm, Cyclone, Typhoon, Tempest, Hurricane, Tornado.
    Risks due to Flood, Inundation and Landslide, Drought, Dry spells, Pests/ Diseases also will be covered.
    ● Post-harvest losses are also covered.
    ● Mandatory use of technology: Smart phones, drones etc., will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to reduce the number of crop cutting
    experiments.
    ● The Scheme shall be implemented on an ‘Area Approach basis’. Defined Area (i.e., unit area of insurance) is Village or above. It can be a
    Geo-Fenced/Geo-mapped region having homogenous Risk Profile for the notified crop.
    ● Presently, 5 public sector insurers (Agriculture
    Insurance Company of India, United India Insurance Company etc.) and 13 private insurance companies are empanelled for implementation of the scheme.
    ● Recently, states have been allowed to set up their own insurance companies for implementing the scheme.

    1.7 National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture

    National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) has been formulated for enhancing agricultural productivity especially in rainfed areas focusing on integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management and
    synergizing resource conservation.

    Objectives

    ● To make agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative and climate resilient by promoting location specific Integrated/Composite Farming Systems
    ● To conserve natural resources through appropriate soil and moisture conservation measures
    ● To adopt comprehensive soil health management practices based on soil fertility maps, soil test based application of macro & micro nutrients, judicious use of fertilizers etc.
    ● To optimize utilization of water resources through efficient water management to expand coverage for achieving ‘more crop per drop’.
    ● To develop capacity of farmers & stakeholders, in conjunction with other on going missions e.g. National Mission on Agriculture Extension &
    Technology, National Food Security Mission, National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) etc., in the domain of
    climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
    ● To pilot models in select blocks for improving  productivity of rainfed farming by mainstreaming rainfed technologies refined through NICRA and by leveraging resources  from other schemes/Missions like Mahatma
    Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), RKVY etc.;
    and
    ● To establish an effective inter and intra Departmental/Ministerial coordination for accomplishing key deliverables of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture under the aegis of National Action Plan on Climate
    Change (NAPCC).

    1.8 PARAMPARAGAT KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA

    Objective

    ● Promotion of commercial organic production through certified organic farming.
    ● pesticide residue free produce and improved health of consumer
    ● Raise farmer’s income and create potential markets for traders.
    ● Motivate the farmers for natural resource mobilization for input production.
    ● Increase domestic production and certification of organic produce by involving farmers.

    Intended beneficiary
    ● Farmers doing organic farming
    ● Farmers from NE India such as Sikkim
    ● Food processing industries
    ● Organic foods – export industry

    Salient features
    ● “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” is an elaborated component of Soil Health Management (SHM) under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
    ● Cluster Approach: Fifty or more farmers form a cluster having 50 acre land to take organic farming. Each farmer will be provided Rs. 20000
    per acre in three years for seed to harvesting crops and to transport them to market.
    ● Government plans to form around 10 thousand clusters in three years and cover an area of 5 Lakh hectares under organic farming.

    Components –
    ● Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification through cluster approach – mobilization of farmers, form clusters, identification of land resources and training on organic farming and PGS Certification and
    quality control.
    ● Adoption of organic village for manure management and biological nitrogen harvesting through cluster approach –action plan for Organic Farming, Integrated Manure Management, Packing, Labelling and Branding
    of organic products of cluster.

    1.9 NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL MARKET
    (NAM)

    Objective

    ● To promote genuine price discovery
    ● Increases farmers’ options for sale and access to markets
    ● Liberal licensing of traders / buyers and commission agents. One license for a trader valid across all markets in the State
    ● Harmonisation of quality standards of agricultural produce
    ● Single point levy of market fees, i.e on the first wholesale purchase from the farmer.
    ● Provision of Soil Testing Laboratories in/ or near the selected mandi to facilitate visiting farmers to access this facility in the mandi itself

    Intended beneficiary 

    ● 585 regulated wholesale markets in states/union territories (UTs).
    ● Farmers
    ● Local traders
    ● Bulk buyers, processors
    ● Farm produce exporters
    ● Overall economy of the nation

    Salient features
    ● NAM is a pan-India electronic trading portal which seeks to network the existing APMCs and other market yards to create a unified national
    market for agricultural commodities.
    ● Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) has been selected as the lead agency to implement it.
    ● Central government will provide the software free of cost to the states and in addition, a grant of up to Rs. 30 lakhs per mandi or market or
    private mandis will be given for related equipment and infrastructure requirements.
    ● New Features added to the scheme such as E-NAM Mobile App, BHIM Payment facility, MIS dashboard for better analysis and insights,
    grievance redressal mechanism for Mandi Secretaries and integration with Farmer Database to ease the registration and identification process will further strengthen e-NAM.
    ● Fund Allocation – The Scheme is being funded through AgriTech Infrastructure Fund (AITF).

    1.10 KRISHI VIGYAN KENDRAS

    Objective
    ● To be a frontline extension in agriculture, and to serve as a single window mechanism for addressing the technology needs of farmers
    ● To demonstrate location specific technologies and build capacity of farmers
    ● To serve as links between research and extension and also with farmers
    Intended beneficiary
    ● Rural youth, farm women and Farmers (skill development training)
    Salient features
    ● Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)has created a network of 645 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country and 106 more
    KVKs will be established.
    ● Directorate of Extension in State Agriculture Universities also helps KVKs in its activities.
    ● KVKs lay strong emphasis on skill development training of rural youth, farm women and farmers
    ● Provide latest technological inputs like seeds,planting materials and bio-products.
    ● Advise farmers on timely crop/enterprise related recommendations, including climate resilient technologies.
    ● Diagnose and solve problems emerging from district agro-ecosystems and lead in adoption of innovations.

    1.11 MERA GAON-MERA GAURAV

    Objective

    ● To promote direct interface of scientists withthe farmers and hasten the land to lab process.
    ● To imbibe a sense of ownership among the agricultural scientists
    ● To provide farmers with required information, knowledge and advisories on regular basis by adopting villages.

    Intended beneficiary

    ● Scientists with ground level experience
    ● Farmers

    Salient features
    ● This scheme involves scientists of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and state agricultural universities.
    ● Groups of four multidisciplinary scientists each will be constituted at these institutes and universities. Each group will “adopt” five villages within a radius of maximum 100 km.

    1.12 Price Stabilization Fund

    Objective: to safeguard the interest of the growers and provide them financial relief when prices fall below a specified level.

    Scheme:
    ● Central Sector Scheme.
    ● To support market interventions for price control of perishable agri-horticultural commodities.
    ● PSF will be used to advance interest free loan to State Governments and Central agencies to support their working capital and other expenses on procurement and distribution interventions for such commodities.
    ● Procurement of the commodities will be undertaken directly from farmers or farmers’ organizations at farm gate/mandi and made available at a more reasonable price to the consumers.
    ● Initially the fund is proposed to be used for onion and potato only. Losses incurred, if any, in the operations will be shared between the Centre and the States.

    Framework and Funding:

    ● States will set up a revolving fund to which theCentre and State will contribute equally, i.e. 50:50.
    ● The ratio of Centre-State contribution to the State-level corpus in respect of Northeast States will, however, be 75:25.

    1.13 Mission Fingerling

    ● It is a programme to enable holistic development and management of the fisheries sector in India.
    ● The mission aims to achieve the target to enhance fisheries production from 10.79 mmt (2014-15) to 15 mmt by 2020-21 under the Blue Revolution.

    Programme:

    ● Government has identified 20 States based ontheir potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Fingerling production and Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.
    ● This program will facilitate the establishment of Fingerling rearing pond and hatcheries.
    ● This will converge in the production of 20 lakh tonnes of fish annually, which will in turn benefit about 4 million families.
    ● The implementation of this program will supplement the requirement of stocking materials in the country up to a large extent, which is a much needed input to achieve the enhanced fish production.

    1.14 Umbrella Scheme Green Revolution — Krishonnati Yojana

    AIM

    These schemes look to develop the agriculture and allied sector in a holistic and scientific manner to increase the income of farmers by enhancing
    production, productivity and better returns on produce.

    The Schemes that are part of the Umbrella Schemes are :-

    i. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
    ii. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
    iii. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
    iv. Submission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
    v. Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP)
    vi. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM)
    vii. Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plan Quarantine (SMPPQ)
    viii. Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and Statistics (ISACES)
    ix. Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC)
    x. Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM)
    xi. National e-Governance Plan (NeGP-A) The Schemes/Missions focus on
    creating/strengthening of infrastructure of production, reducing production cost and marketing of agriculture and allied produce.

    1.15 Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

    1. The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce as announced in the Union Budget for 2018.
    2. It is expected that the increase in MSP will be translated to farmers’ income by way of robust procurement mechanism in coordination with
    the State Governments.
    The three schemes that are part of AASHA are:
    1. the Price Support Scheme (PSS)
    2. the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS)
    3. the Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPPS)
    ● These three components will complement the existing schemes of the Department of Food and Public Distribution.
    ● They relate to paddy, wheat and other cereals and coarse grains where procurement is at MSP now.
    ● PSS – Under the PSS, physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies.
    ● Besides, NAFED and Food Corporation of India will also take up procurement of crops under PSS.
    ● The expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the Centre.
    ● PDPS – Under the PDPS, the Centre proposes to cover all oilseeds.
    ● The difference between the MSP and actual selling/modal price will be directly paid into the farmer’s bank account.
    ● Farmers who sell their crops in recognised mandis within the notified period can benefit from it.
    ● PPSS – In the case of oilseeds, States will have the option to roll out PPSS in select districts.
    ● Under this, a private player can procure crops at MSP when market prices drop below MSP.
    ● The private player will then be compensated through a service charge up to a maximum of 15% of the MSP.

    1.16 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

    What is the news: The Central Government notified a decision to extend the benefit of ₹6,000 per year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
    scheme to all 14.5 crore farmers in the country, irrespective of the size of their landholding.
    ● Central sector scheme

    Objective

    ○ To provide income support to all farmer families having cultivable land.
    ○ To supplement the financial needs of the farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income.

    Salient Features:

    ● The revised Scheme is expected to coveraround 2 crore more farmers, increasing the coverage of PM-KISAN to around 14.5 crore
    beneficiaries.
    ● Responsibility of identifying the landholder farmer family eligible for benefit under the scheme shall be of the State/UT Government.
    ● The lists of eligible beneficiaries would be published at the village level to ensure transparency.
    ● Exclusions: Certain categories of beneficiaries of higher economic status such as institutional landholders, former and present holder of constitutional posts, persons who paid income tax in the last assessment year etc. shall not be eligible for benefit under the scheme.
    ■ Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over ₹10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits.
    ■ For the purpose of exclusion State/UT Government can certify the eligibility of the beneficiary based on self-declaration by the beneficiaries.
    ● A dedicated PM Kisan Portal will be launched for the implementation of the scheme.
    ● This is a Central Sector Scheme and will be funded fully by the Government of India

     

     

     

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  • The road from Galwan, a year later

    What happened in Galwan?

    • The Indian and Chinese armies are engaged in the standoff in Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie in eastern Ladakh.
      • A sizable number of Chinese Army personnel even transgressed into the Indian side of the de-facto border in several areas including Pangong Tso.
      • The actions on the northern bank of Pangong Tso are not just for territorial gains on land, but enhanced domination of the resource-rich lake.
    • The stand-off at Ladakh’s Galwan Valley has escalated in June 2020 due to the infrastructure projects that India has undertaken in the recent years. India is building a strategic road through the Galwan Valley – close to China – connecting the region to an airstrip.
      • China is opposed to any Indian construction in the area. In 1962, a stand-off in the Galwan area was one of the biggest flashpoints of the 1962 war.
    • The border, or Line of Actual Control, is not demarcated, and China and India have differing ideas of where it should be located, leading to regular border “transgressions.” Often these don’t escalate tensions; a serious border standoff like the current one is less frequent, though this is the fourth since 2013.
      • Both countries’ troops have patrolled this region for decades, as the contested 2,200-mile border is a long-standing subject of competing claims and tensions, including a brief war in 1962.
    • Reasons: The violent clash happened when the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the LAC and attempted to unilaterally change the status quo.
      • It is part of China’s ‘nibble and negotiate policy’. Their aim is to ensure that India does not build infrastructure along the LAC. It is their way of attaining a political goal with military might, while gaining more territory in the process.

    The current situation in Ladakh

    •  With a continued deployment of 50,000-60,000 soldiers, the Indian Army has been able to hold the line to prevent any further ingress by the PLA.
    • There has been no progress in talks after the disengagement at Pangong lake and Kailash range in February.
    • Outside of Ladakh, the Indian Army remains in an alert mode all along the LAC to prevent any Chinese misadventure but the bigger change has been its reorientation of certain forces from Pakistan border towards the China border.
    • The Ladakh crisis has also exposed India’s military weakness to tackle a collusive threat from China and Pakistan.

    External balancing

    • To deal with the threat of combined China and Pakistan, the Government opened backchannel talks with Pakistan which led to the reiteration of the ceasefire on the Line of Control.
    • The Ladakh crisis has also led the Government to relook external partnerships, particularly with the United States.
    • The U.S. military officials have earlier spoken of the intelligence and logistics support provided to the Indian forces in Ladakh.
    • The military importance of the Quad remains moot, with India reportedly refusing to do joint naval patrolling with the U.S. in the South China Sea, the two treaty allies of the U.S., Japan and Australia, also refused.

    Challenges for India

    • India attempts to counter the growing Chinese influence in the neighbourhood have faltered, exacerbated by the mishandling of the second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
    • With the widening power gap between New Delhi and Beijing, the challenge is as much economic as it is geopolitical.
    • Despite the border crisis and the Indian restrictions on Chinese technology companies, China displaced the U.S. to be India’s biggest trade partner in 2020-21, up to nearly 13% of India’s total trade compared to 10.4% a year ago.
    • For the past few decades, Indian planners operated on the premise that their diplomats will be able to manage the Chinese problem without it developing into a full-blown military crisis.
    • Militarily, Chinese incursions in Ladakh have shown that the idea of deterrence has failed.
    • India has learnt that it can no longer have simultaneous competition and cooperation with China.
    • A new reset in bilateral ties, àla the early 1990s, is difficult because China is now in a different league, competing with the U.S.

    Conclusion

    The events of the past one year have significantly altered India’s thinking towards China. The relationship is at the crossroads now. The choices made will have a significant impact on the future of global geopolitics.

    B2BASICS

    Line of Actual Control

    • Demarcation Line: The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.
    • LAC is different from the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan:
      • The LoC emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War.
      • It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. It is delineated on a map signed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement.
      • The LAC, in contrast, is only a concept – it is not agreed upon by the two countries, neither delineated on a map or demarcated on the ground.
    • Length of the LAC: India considers the LAC to be 3,488 km long, while the Chinese consider it to be only around 2,000 km.
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  • A template for Indian engagement with the West

    The article highlights the significance of the recent G-7 summit for India.

    India’s engagement with the West

    • Two important messages emerge from India’s participation in G-7 with the members of the G-7 and three other invited guests — Australia, South Africa and South Korea.
    • First is that India is a “natural ally” of the G-7 and its partners.
    • The other is the emphasis on shared democratic values that bind India with the West.
    • The two ideas are certainly not new to India’s foreign policy, but they acquire special importance at the current juncture.
    • In the last few years, India embarked on an expansive engagement with Europe.
    • This G-7 summit can be seen as the beginning of an institutionalisation of India’s cooperation with the West.

    What makes this G-7 Summit different from the past Summits?

    • China factor: After the 2008 financial crisis, the more representative G-20, which includes China, Russia, India and many others, seemed to supersede the G-7.
    • But amidst the growing sense that China has gamed the global economic order to America’s disadvantage, there has been renewed interest in like-minded coalitions like the G-7.
    • Widening the base of G-7: There is also the recognition of the case for widening the base of institutions like the G-7 beyond the geographic West to include large democracies like India.
    • Coalition of democracies: The case for a “coalition of democracies” was certainly gaining ground over the last two decades within American academia and the political class.
    • But economic globalisation and the absence of great power rivalry meant there was no compelling policy urgency to construct an “alliance of democracies”.
    • That condition has altered radically in the last few years amidst the growing US tensions with China and Russia. 

    Dealing with the challenges presented by China

    • U.S. President Biden declared his main objective as rallying democracies to meet the great challenges of our time, especially those presented by China.
    • G-7 summit has responded to Biden’s call in the following forms:
    • 1) By offering the outline of a potential alternative to China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.
    • 2)By calling for a reorientation of global supply chains away from China.
    • 3) By demanding a fresh inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic in China.
    • 4) By reprimanding Beijing policies in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
    • 5) By raising concerns about the conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
    • However, there is a strong view that the door must be kept open for engagement with China on issues like climate change while calling out its unacceptable policies.

    India’s relations with China: New context for engagement with West

    • The rupture in the US engagement with China coincides with the rapid deterioration in India’s relations with China.
    • This also sets up a new context for India’s partnership with the West.
    • If the Indo-Pacific provides a regional basis for India’s engagement with the US and Europe, mitigating climate change and the management of the Covid-19 pandemic provides a global template for India’s engagement with the West.

    Way forward

    • The case for renewal and reform of democratic institutions is urgent in both the US and India.
    • So is the need for sustained consultations between India and its Western partners on a range of new challenges presented by digital technologies, including radicalisation, disinformation, electoral interference, cyber-attacks and the role of large social media companies. 
    • The statement on open societies provides a sound basis for such an engagement.

    Conclusion

    India must begin institutionalisation of its relationship with the West and increase its engagement on various common issues including the China challenge.

  • Explained: SC move to quash OBC quota in Maharashtra Local Bodies

    The Supreme Court last month quashed Maharashtra’s review petition challenging its earlier verdict that scrapped a quota for OBCs in the state’s local bodies, triggering a war of words between the ruling and opposition parties.

    What is the OBC reservation in local bodies?

    • The Maharashtra government set up a 27 percent quota in local bodies for OBCs in 1994.
    • The 27 percent reservation was applicable to all urban (Municipal Corporations, Councils and Nagar Panchayat) and rural bodies (Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayat) across the state.
    • In Maharashtra, the OBCs include the Denotified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category.
    • This quota for OBCs increased their representation in rural and urban local bodies.

    What is the history of the demand for an OBC census in Maharashtra?

    • As per the Mandal Commission report, the last caste-wise census was conducted in 1931 and it was later discontinued.
    • Based on the data from the 1931 census, the Mandal commission worked out the OBC population to be 52 per cent and recommended a 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in view of the SC judgment limiting reservation up to 50 per cent.
    • There was already a 22.5 per cent reservation for SC and ST categories.
    • The Mandal Commission report recommended 27 per cent reservation in government jobs and promotions along with others.
    • The report gave momentum to OBC leaders and the community’s demand for a caste-wise census of OBC.

    Need for a caste-wise census

    • The 2011 census included data about the socio-economic caste census but has not released the data citing the errors in it.
    • In 2018, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls the following year, the Centre announced that OBC enumeration will be done in the 2021 census.
    • But this promise could not be tested with the onset of the pandemic and the indefinite delay in population enumeration.
    • OBC leaders fear the OBC enumeration may never actually happen.

    How did the matter reach the SC?

    • The quota was exceeding the 50 per cent limit which is contrary to SC 2010 judgment of K Krishna Murthy (Dr.) and Ors. vs. Union of India and others.
    • The court granted the status quo and the elections were delayed.
    • On March 4 this year, The SC read it down in stating that it may be invoked only upon complying with the triple conditions before notifying the seats reserved for OBC category in the concerned local bodies.
    • The triple conditions included setting up “a dedicated Commission to conduct a contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua local bodies, within the State”.
    • This was to specify the proportion of reservations required to be provisioned local body-wise in light of recommendations of the commission.
    • It also stated that such reservation, in any case, shall not exceed the aggregate of 50 per cent of the total seats reserved in favour of SCs, STs and OBCs taken together.
    • The apex court observed the reservation for OBCs is only “statutory”, to be provided by the state legislations, unlike the “constitutional” reservation regarding SCs/STs which is linked to the proportion of the population.

    What do OBC leaders say now?

    • There has been a mixed response from the OBC leaders to the SC verdict, with some welcoming it while others lamenting on losing reservation.
    • Some say it will pave the way for conducting the OBC census in the state.
    • So far, there was no data about the OBC population and our demand for the OBC census for the last 30 years have fallen on deaf ears.
    • With this SC order, the state has to conduct the census now.
    • Else, there will be no OBC reservation in the local bodies polls and the ruling parties will have to pay a huge price for it.

    What lies ahead?

    • The SC judgment is applicable to the elections of all local bodies — rural and urban.
    • As per a statement from the CM’s office, the SC verdict is likely to impact around 56,000 seats in all local bodies in the state.
    • This includes polls pending due to Covid and the upcoming elections.
    • So, the state election commission will consult with the state government whenever the local bodies’ polls are held and will decide on the OBC reservation as per the SC order.
  • What is Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)?

    The Centre has informed the Supreme Court regarding the purchase of grains by the States and the UTs under the Open Market Sales Scheme (OMSS) in 2021-2022 while debunking apprehensions that those without ration cards may be left to die.

    Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)

    • OMSS refers to the selling of food grains by the government/government agencies at predetermined prices in the open market from time to time.
    • This scheme aims to enhance the supply of grains especially during the lean season and thereby to moderate the general open market prices, especially in the deficit regions.
    • The Food Corporation of India (FCI) on the instructions from the Government, sells wheat and rice in the open market from time to time.
    • This enhances the supply of wheat and rice especially during the lean season and moderates the open market prices, especially in the deficit regions.

    Components of the scheme

    The present form of OMSS comprises 3 schemes as under:

    1. Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.
    2. Sale of wheat to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction by dedicated movement.
    3. Sale of Raw Rice Grade ‘A’ to bulk consumers/private traders through e-auction.

    Selling through a transparent process

    • For transparency in operations, the Corporation has switched over to e-auction for sale under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).
    • The FCI conducts a weekly auction to conduct this scheme in the open market using the platform of commodity exchange NCDEX (National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited).
    • The State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations are also allowed to participate in the e-auction if they require wheat and rice outside TPDS & OWS.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus:

    (a) Transportation cost only

    (b) Interest cost only

    (c) Procurement incidentals and distribution cost

    (d) Procurement incidentals and charges for godowns

  • New Shephard rocket system for cost-effective access to space

    Last week, Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos’s space company called Blue Origin concluded the online auction for the first seat on New Shephard, a rocket system meant to take tourists to space.

    What is New Shephard?

    • New Shephard has been named after astronaut Alan Shephard – the first American to go to space – and offers flights to space over 100 km above the Earth and accommodation for payloads.
    • Essentially, it is a rocket system that has been designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Karman line – the internationally recognized boundary of space.
    • The idea is to provide easier and more cost-effective access to space meant for purposes such as academic research, corporate technology development, and entrepreneurial ventures among others.
    • Apart from its academic and research-oriented goal, New Shephard will also allow space tourists to experience microgravity by taking them 100 km above the Earth.

    Its components

    • The rocket system consists of two parts, the cabin or capsule, and the rocket or the booster.
    • The cabin can accommodate experiments from small Mini Payloads up to 100 kg.
    • As per Blue Origin, the Mini Payloads provide easier space access to students, who are part of educational institutions that are developing their own space programs.
    • Further, the cabin is designed for six people and sits atop a 60 feet tall rocket and separates from it before crossing the Karman line, after which both vehicles fall back to the Earth.
    • All the six seats in the capsule are meant for passengers, each of whom gets their own window seat. The capsule is fully autonomous and does not require a pilot.

    How does it work?

    • The system is a fully reusable, vertical takeoff and vertical landing space vehicle that accelerates for about 2.5 minutes before the engine cuts off.
    • After separating from the booster, the capsule free falls in space, while the booster performs an autonomously controlled vertical landing back to Earth.
    • The capsule, on the other hand, lands back with the help of parachutes.

    A boost for space tourism

    • Space tourism seeks to give laypeople the ability to go to space for recreational, leisure, or business purposes.
    • The idea is to make space more accessible to those individuals who are not astronauts and want to go to space for non-scientific purposes.
  • History of Tulu and the demand for Official Language Status

    Various organizations have initiated a Twitter campaign demanding official language status to Tulu in Karnataka and Kerala and received an overwhelming response.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.Consider the following languages:

    1. Gujarati
    2. Kannada
    3. Telugu

    Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language / Languages’ by the Government?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Who all speak Tulu in India now and what is its history?

    • Tulu is a Dravidian language spoken mainly in two coastal districts Dakshina Kannada and Udupi of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala.
    • As per the 2011 Census report, there are 18,46,427 Tulu-speaking people in India. Some scholars suggest Tulu is among the earliest Dravidian languages with a history of 2000 years.
    • Robert Caldwell (1814-1891), in his book, A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South-Indian Family of Languages, called Tulu “one of the most highly developed languages of the Dravidian family”.

    So what exactly is the demand by Tulu speakers?

    • The Tulu speakers, mainly in Karnataka and Kerala, have been requesting the governments to give it official language status and include it in the eighth schedule to the Constitution.
    • Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri are the 22 languages presently in the eighth schedule.

    Tulu art, culture and cinema

    • Tulu has a rich oral literature tradition with folk-song forms like paddana, and traditional folk theatre yakshagana.
    • Tulu also has an active tradition of cinema with around 5 to 7 Tulu language movies produced a year.
    • Tulu films are being screened every day in Mangaluru and Udupi in at least one theatre.

    What is the present status of Tulu?

    • According to Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Dayananda G Kathalsar,
    • People who speak Tulu are confined to the above-mentioned regions of Karnataka and Kerala, informally known as Tulu Nadu.
    • At present, Tulu is not an official language in the country.
    • Efforts are being made to include Tulu in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.
    • If included in the eighth schedule, Tulu would get recognition from the Sahitya Akademi.

    Back2Basics: Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution

    • The Eighth Schedule lists the official languages of the Republic of India.
    • At the time when the Constitution was enacted, inclusion in this list meant that the language was entitled to representation on the Official Languages Commission.
    • This language would be one of the bases that would be drawn upon to enrich Hindi and English, the official languages of the Union.
    • The list has since, however, acquired further significance.
    • In addition, a candidate appearing in an examination conducted for public service is entitled to use any of these languages as the medium in which he or she answers the paper.
    • As per Articles 344(1) and 351 of the Indian Constitution, the eighth schedule includes the recognition of the 22 languages.

    ‘Classical’ languages in India

    Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).

    How are they classified?

    According to information provided by the Ministry of Culture in the Rajya Sabha in February 2014, the guidelines for declaring a language as ‘Classical’ are:

    • High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
    • A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
    • The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
    • The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
  • Prime Prelims Ts 2022 launched | Program starting from 19th June 2021 | Enrollment open

    Program starting from 19th June 2021


    40 Tests (8 Basic, 8 Advanced, 10 Current Affairs, 10 Full Length, 4 CSAT)

    Download PDF for better visibility – Prime Prelims TS 2022 Time Table


     It’s 2021-22 session and we are set to look at the brighter side of Covid mayhem. Apparently, it dented our confidence but not the will to stand tall. So much happened over the last couple of years and now things are set for a revival. Several exams were battered with UPSC Civil Services being no exception.

    Despite the churnings happening around us, few fundamentals couldn’t be challenged at least about the UPSC exam. Much coveted UPSC civils service has always attracted the best talents from across India. Hence on the flip side heightening the competition. So, you really have to strive hard. As a result, a focussed and measured approach is always needed and that too throughout the year.

    Those who have already faced the exam would know it themselves. The importance & contribution of the Mock Tests in finetuning the prep process cannot be overemphasized.

    I wouldn’t mention anyone else but cite my own example.

    During the first year of preparations, I used to struggle through Hindu and Express for current affairs. Investing around 4 hours a day fighting the menace of changing context all on my own. Then I realised the need for something which had the potential to give me clarity on the content and samples of what comes in the exam.

    It then became evident that a reliable touch of direction and a source of instant help, whenever necessary is indispensable. That’s when I would know what are my weaknesses and how to correct them. Not only that but also how to mend my gaps in understanding.

    These sessions have the power of healing touch and reassurance. That’s how I could divert all my energy with a needle tip precision and forsake all the non-core worries to my mentors/course designers.

    Now fast forward to the present, to prove the point we have many testimonies and attestations. Not the least many top rankers in several pep talks have emphasised the importance of Mocks / Practice Test papers. And Civilsdaily IAS has always been at the centre stage.

    Comparison Between With Mentorship, Without Mentorship and Other Program

    Presenting you few highlights about our Prime Prelims Program 2022

    1. Complete course revision with Test Paper-based time-plan

    The complete course has 36 Test papers, to enhance the exam worthiness of an aspirant. Especially those who have their house (concepts) in order about the course/syllabus. The idea of solving test or mock papers is with the intent to find out the gaps in our preparation. Sometimes they are also helpful for the mains or subjective type questions.

    2. A holistic mix of Static – cum- Dynamic Test series

    Course completion is what we care to establish with each finishing module. And this incorporates the aspect of Current affairs and Associated statics as well. Hence an aspirant gets a holistic mix of Static cum Dynamic elements featured in this course.

    3. Mentor & Discussion help for 1-1

    This is an important element for aiding/expediting the process of course completion within a specified time limit. Mentorship with tests is going to help an aspirant keep a track of the syllabus, which was earlier either glossed over or paid little attention to. Mentors will be the person who would have the responsibility to ensure you end up with all the papers. Also, imparting valuable advice to stay sane and mindful.

    Test Mentorship calls would be provided once you are up-to-date with all the allotted tests. Calls would be scheduled as per this plan:

    1. One call after the first two tests. Aimed at guiding the basics.
    2. One call after the successful completion of basic tests.
    3. One call after the successful completion of Advanced tests.
    4. One call before the start of FLTs.
    5. One call before the Prelims Exam.

    4. All India Rankings

    All India rankings are here to help you deal with the moments of truths vis-à-vis your preparation level. They give you the necessary nudge to focus back on evaluating the current state of preparation. Your mentor would have a lot more to focus on wrt the rankings you achieve.

    5. Performance-based Aspirant Cohorts on Civilsdaily Habitat

    At Civilsdaily, you would get a community always ready to deal with unexpected roadblocks. We aim to create a like-minded and similarly placed aspirant cohort. For a better discussion of tasks and problem-solving capabilities. So as a member of any Cohort, chat (responsibly) with other learners.

     If you have a question, chances are, you’re not alone. Reach out in the discussion forum to ask for help from other learners taking this program.

    6. CivilsDaily Habitat Sessions – Ask Anything

    Where your queries about courses/syllabus / basic doubts would be addressed to keep you always on the move.

    Throughout this course, you will learn about the techniques of time management, the ability to find a static–dynamic convergence. Also, peace of mind about course completion under the guidance of a mentor. The mentor would also provide a lot of reading material from time to time. But sometimes, you may need to look things up on your own for extra learning. Things change fast in our dynamic socio-political setup, so it is critical to do your own research so you can stay up-to-date on what is new.

    7. Tikdams for mastering the art of intelligent guesstimates

    Tikdam technique is a very important skill which can boost your score by 30+ marks. It will prepare you and enhance your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information). 

    We not only impart but make you practice these skills in our Test Series. We will provide:

    1) Static and Tikdam Lectures: Lectures on static subjects will *not* focus on explaining you the basics but instead focus on important details/trivia you skip to miss. From a prelims perspective, these details become very important. We are also releasing 30+ Hours of Advanced Video Lectures on Static subjects – Polity, History, Geography, Economy

    2) Economic Survey and Budget lectures: The importance of Union budget and economic survey can’t be overstated, not only for UPSC prelims but also for Mains and Essay as well, it is a not to be missed section for preparation. Even for UPSC interview candidates, these lecture series are very important.


    3) Static PDF Notes: Civilsdaily has been known for its high-quality content. In this Program, We will be providing Static notes of various Subjects like Economics, Arts and Culture, Environment, Geography, History etc.

    Our Testimonials:

    What is there on Habitat?

    • #DDS sessions – Dedicated sessions every day to resolve doubts in real-time. Never keep a doubt to yourself.
    • An ecosystem for co-learning and active learning.
    • A highly motivated community to bring flexibility and consistency to your preparation.
      Samachar Manthan Civilsdaily IAS Current Affairs UPSCHabitat – Desktop and Mobile view

    Program inclusion:

    • 40 Tests
      • 8 Basic tests
      • 8 Advanced tests
      • 10 Current Affairs
      • 10 Full-Length Tests
      • 4 CSAT tests
    • Civilsdaily’s Monthly Magazine Combo
    • Individual Mentorship
    • Economic Survey & Budget Videos and Notes
    • Advanced Static + Tikdam Videos
    • Admission to the exclusive Civilsdaily Prelims club on Habitat.
    • Monthly Zoom call and Static PDF notes.

    This is what our students have to say about our mock tests..

    Feedback for 2021 Prelims Mocks

    Civilsdaily’s Community: Testimonials

    Two variants of Prelims Ts 2022:

  • NatGeo recognizes ‘Southern Ocean’ as globe’s fifth ocean

    The National Geographic magazine has recognized the ‘Southern Ocean’ as the world’s fifth ocean June 8, 2021 hoping others will soon follow suit.

    Answer this PYQ from CSP 2019 in the comment box:

    Q.The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where:

    (a) warm and cold atmospheric currents meet

    (b) rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea

    (c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet

    (d) continental shelf is undulating

    Southern Ocean

    • The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60° S latitude and encircling Antarctica.
    • As such, it is regarded as the second-smallest of the five principal oceanic divisions: smaller than the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans but larger than the Arctic Ocean.
    • Over the past 30 years, the Southern Ocean has been subject to rapid climate change, which has led to changes in the marine ecosystem.

    What has NatGeo attempted?

    • The magazine says the Southern Ocean is the only ocean ‘to touch three other oceans and to completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them’.
    • Its northern limit is a latitude of 60 degrees south.
    • It is also defined by its Antarctic Circumpolar Current that was formed 34 million years ago. The current flows from west to east around Antarctica.
    • The Southern Ocean is home to large populations of whales, penguins, and seals.

    Why such a move?

    • Usually, the magazine has followed the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) on marine names, it said in an article notifying the change.
    • The IHO too had recognized ‘Southern Ocean’ as a distinct body of water surrounding Antarctica in 1937 but had repealed the same in 1953.

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