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  • No mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles at Rushikulya in Odisha this year

    No mass nesting this year

    • The annual spectacle of the mass nesting of millions of Olive Ridley sea turtles near the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha is likely to be missed this year, as the time for it is almost over.
    • It’s been around one month since the mass nesting of last year.
    • If they do skip the beach, this won’t be the first time.
    • In 2002, 2007, 2016 and 2019, the turtles had not shown up at Rushikulya.
    • The Rushikulya river mouth is considered the second-biggest rookery in India after Gahirmatha.
    • Mass nesting in the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary occurred from March 9-23, 2021 and over 349,000 eggs were laid during this period.

    What could explain the miss in mass nesting

    • It is a natural phenomenon. During some years, they did not turn up for mass nesting even though a huge number had congregated in the sea.
    • Beach erosion might be one of the causes for the turtles staying away this year.

  • Don’t worry about the deficit

    The devastation caused by the second wave calls for the government to shed its worry over the fiscal deficit. The article deals with this issue.

    Role of fiscal policy to support economy through second wave

    • As India battles to contain the surge in COVID-19 cases, several states have already imposed severe restrictions at the local level.
    • The services sector has been hit the most as a consequence of these lockdowns and it would be difficult for India to deliver on this optimistic growth projection.
    • Against this background, the role fiscal policy can play to support the economy needs consideration.
    • The monetary policy is already accommodative and may not have enough room to further boost the economy.
    • With headline as well as core inflation inching up in recent months, the RBI may not be in a position to further cut the policy rate.
    •  As per the latest Union Budget, the fiscal deficit is estimated to moderate from 9.5 per cent of GDP in FY21 to 6.8 per cent of GDP in FY22.
    • This expected decline in fiscal deficit is not on account of lower fiscal spending but because of expectations of sharper revenue growth.
    • The revenue receipts are estimated to grow by 15 per cent and fiscal spending by 1 per cent this financial year.
    • With the debt to GDP ratio already more than 90 per cent, additional fiscal expansion will not be an easy choice for the government.

    Government need to create fiscal space

    • Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and the government will have to find ways to create fiscal space.
    • This has become especially important as the economy is yet to shrug off the impact of the previous lockdown.
    • Under these difficult circumstances, immediate measures must aim at providing the requisite social safety net to the poor and the vulnerable.
    • The central government has already announced it will distribute an additional five kg of grain to the 800 million beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act, which is welcome.
    • However, given the unprecedented uncertainty brought about by this COVID wave, the ration support under the PDS should be raised further.
    • The government should also consider transferring cash to the bank accounts of the poor, just as it did last time.
    • This becomes important as MGNREGA  may not provide the safety cushion that it is indeed to as long as lockdown measures remain in place.
    • The best stimulus perhaps would be to provide free vaccinations to the population as the benefits of faster and wider vaccine coverage more than outweighs its monetary cost.
    •  Immunisation is a public good. As we get over this crisis, the government must increase its outlay on physical and human health infrastructure.

    How to finance additional cost?

    •  Part of this additional cost may be financed by reducing non-essential government expenditures and use it for COVID-related expenditure.
    • The government may need to resort to additional borrowings from the market than budgeted earlier.
    • The RBI may allow inflation above the upper bound of 6 per cent only in the short run.
    • The plausible rise in interest rates may also be crucial to prevent capital outflows, given the global “economic outlook” when the US economy adopts an easy monetary policy combined with a huge fiscal stimulus.

    Conclusion

    The government should not be deterred by a worsening fiscal deficit in the short run as the additional growth that it generates may make debt consolidation easier when things normalise.

  • Supreme Court must oversee vaccination to protect the right to life

    The article highlights the role the Supre Court can play in universal vaccination in India.

    Why Supreme Court needs to step in

    • Amid raging debate over the vaccination strategy, the role the Supreme Court of India can play to safeguard the right to life guaranteed under Article 21, for which it is duty-bound to exercise jurisdiction under Article 32 needs consideration.
    • In this regard, universal vaccination is a glimmer of hope.
    • The Supreme Court of India can facilitate speed and deeper penetration of universal vaccination, which is now commonly accepted as the only possible solution to the pandemic in the long run.

    Issue of patent of vaccine

    • It is time to question patents claimed by vaccines that have been developed with aid from the state in research and development.
    • These patents, if established, must be immediately acquired with just and adequate compensation and made accessible to all manufacturers.
    • This was done for medicines for AIDS and it can be done again under the Patents Act.
    • The Court can also issue mandamus to undertake this exercise on an emergency basis.
    • Thereafter, all pharmaceutical companies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act must be allowed to manufacture vaccines at a pre-approved price of cost + 6 per cent return on investment.
    • States can also be directed to incentivise the setting up of new manufacturing facilities as a possible third wave, periodic booster doses and the need for ancillary vaccines make it a long-term phenomenon.
    • All this has to be ensured in addition to the free import of vaccines approved by advanced nations.

    Free for all

    • The availability of all the vaccines, whether indigenous or imported, must be free for all the recipients to be paid by GoI.
    • The vaccines can be distributed to states on a pro-rata basis as per population and price adjusted as part of general revenue sharing in GST.

    Vaccine administration

    •  The vaccine administration needs to be ramped up both in state and private facilities.
    • For vaccine hesitancy, we need to incentivise the vaccination through a direct deposit of Rs 500 in Jan Dhan accounts for each vaccinated member of BPL families.
    • This vaccination can be made compulsory for identifiable categories of persons from MGNREGA beneficiaries to Aadhaar Card holders to income-tax payers to bank account holders to driving-licence holders.
    • There must be a strict penalty to be recovered from those who do not get vaccinated without medical reasons.
    • Private efforts can be made eligible for reimbursement of cost.

    Conclusion

    The Supreme Court can steer us, with greater emphasis on the right to life. The pandemic may leave nothing and nobody behind to bicker about.

  • [pib] DRDO conducts maiden trial of Python-5 Air to Air Missile

    Tejas adds Python-5 in its capacity

    • Tejas, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, added the 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in its air-to-air weapons capability on April 27, 2021.
    • Trials were also aimed to validate enhanced capability of already integrated Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) AAM on Tejas.
    • The test firing at Goa completed a series of missile trials to validate its performance under extremely challenging scenarios.
    • The trials met all their planned objectives.
    • The missiles were fired from Tejas aircraft of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) flown by Indian Air Force (IAF) Test pilots.
    • The successful conduct was made possible with years of hard work by the team of scientists, engineers and technicians from ADA and HAL-ARDC along with admirable support from CEMILAC, DG-AQA, IAF PMT, NPO (LCA Navy) and INS HANSA.
  • UPSC Interviews 2020: Schedule your Mock + DAF questionnaire | Important topics inside

    UPSC Interviews 2020: Schedule your Mock + DAF questionnaire | Important topics inside

    Click here for DAF questionnaire and here for Important Topics

    Schedule your mock interview + DAF questionnaire

    Mock Interviews at Civilsdaily form a crucial part of UPSC interview preparation. The quality and diversity of the panel help prepare an aspirant for the actual interview at UPSC. 

    Aspirants have benefited greatly from the mock interview and the feedback they get from the panel members after their mock interview. At the same time, we work with the aspirants to improve upon the areas highlighted by the panel.

    Aspirants will also get a personalized DAF-based questionnaire based on extensive research and linkages with the issues of national and international importance.

    Upcoming Mock interview and session

    This week’s mock interview dates have been fixed.

    • Mock interview this week- 1st-2nd May (Book your slot)   
    • Time: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.  
    • Mode: Online 
    SCHEDULE YOUR MOCK INTERVIEW + DAF QUESTIONNAIRE

    Interview slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

    Panelists for Mock Interviews: 

    1. Shri Shankar Aggarwal, IAS (retd.)
    2. Dr. Noor Mohammad, IAS (retd.)
    3. Dr. P.K. Agrawal, IAS (Retd.)
    4. Shri T. N. Thakur, IAAS (retd.)
    5. Shri V. P. Singh, IRPS
    6. Mrs.Aditi Gupta, Corporate Leadership Specialist
    7. Prof. U.M. Amin, Jamia Milia University
    8. Mr. Himanshu Arora, Economist, JNU, PMEAC 
    9. Mr. Kunal Aggarwal, IRS
    10. Mr. Debraj Das, IPS

    Tentative: Shri Harsh V. Pant (Observer Research Foundation), Shri SN Tripathi, IAS (Director IIPA), Shri Yogesh Narain (Retd. Defence Secretary), Shri Dipankar Gupta (Indian Sociologist), and others.   

    SCHEDULE YOUR MOCK INTERVIEW + DAF QUESTIONNAIRE

    DAF questionnaire

    Detailed Application Form (DAF) is one of the most important documents that you might have filled for UPSC interviews. A major part of the interview will revolve around the information and details provided in the DAF. It is more than your CV.

    Your ability to defend your DAF before the panel is going to decide your success. Anticipating and preparing for the questions based on your DAF is an essential part of the interview preparation.

    DAF-based-questionnaire-Sample 1Download
    DAF-based-questionnaire-Sample 2Download

    As a part of Transcend: Interview Guidance Program for UPSC interviews we provide you a personalized and elaborate DAF-based questionnaire.

    Fill the form below for DAF questionnaire.

    SCHEDULE YOUR MOCK INTERVIEW + DAF QUESTIONNAIRE

    Important interview topics

    Most important Interview Topics 2020Download
    • Report of 15th Finance Commission
      • Do you agree with the new criteria defined under Terms of Reference by FC?
      • What are the major challenges being faced by several states?
    • Monetisation of deficit
      • What do you understand by Monetisation of Deficit?
      • Is it a Feasible solution for an economy like India?
    • Better Relations: Onus on Pakistan
      • What responsibility does India have on this?
      • Does the Onus lie on India’s side also to extend the hands of friendship? 
    • Delhi: LG’s role redefined
      • What is the major area of tussles?
      • Do you think such steps might lead to erosion of federation and a spot on elected parties having full-fledged legislature? 
    • Reservation: reviewing 50% cap
      • Is this still needed?
      • What can be the other alternatives?
    • Regulating Social Media Influencers
      • Why such regulation needed, despite Media being considered as the 4th Pillar of democracy?
      • Spread of Fake News is because of Unaware citizenry? What’s your view on this?
      • What are the other causes?
    • Need for Agricultural reforms
      • Is the Farmer Protest right?
      • What is the cause for such unrest? 
      • Why is there such a trust deficit?
    • Nota and option of Re-Election
      • Is the option of NOTA effective in Indian Democracy?
      • What can be done then to reduce the money and muscle power? 
    • Climate Change and India
      • Why such urgency now? Immediate reasons?
      • What is India’s position in terms of mitigating CC impact? 
      • Why the burden on developing countries? 

     

    • Time to implement Uniform Civil Code
      • Do you think UCC is now the need of the hour?
      • Any challenges in its implementation? Why?
      • What is the Constitutional mandate on this?
    • India-UK bilateral ties
      • Does Brexit change the equations between India and EU?
      • What major impact can India have after the whole Brexit scenario?
    • France: Liberty and fight against terror
      • Debate on secularism and its type?
      • Is India a perfect example for positive secularism? 
    • Atma Nirbhar Bharat 3.0
      • Is this Atmanirbharta possible in India?
      • Then why 1991 LPG reforms were brought at the first instance?
      • Where are we lacking exactly?
    • Education Sector reforms
      • Will NEP fill all the existing gaps in the Education sector?
      • Is RTE successful in India?
      • Providing education in Mother Tongue- do you find some relevance in it? 
      • Then why so much focus on english medium?
    • Empowering women
      • What is the most im[ortant factor for making women really empowered?
      • Will it improve the status of the female population in the country? 
      • What are the main hindrances in empowering this section of society?
    • Monetise and Modernise Mantra for PSUs
      • Privatisation or not? Why?
      • Why not improve the existing structure rather than going for privatisation?
    • Strengthening our start-up ecosystem
      • Is India ready for a startup ecosystem?
      • Then why do they get merged with MNCs after a few years and why not they themselves striving to become a MNC?
    • Raising marriageable age for women
      • Why such notions in India?
      • Will it improve the position of women in families?
      • Do you agree with marrying a woman older than you?
    • Emerging Technologies- Global Challenges
      • Why is it creating so much of fuss?
      • A day without INTERNET and COMPUTERS/SMART DEVICES?
    • India’s Humanitarian Diplomacy
      • Why so much focus on soft diplomacy?
      • Has it provided any advantage to India in International arena?
    • Quad Summit: India’s gain
      • What gains will it bring?
      • Can it be seen as a counter attack on China?
    • India’s engagement with Africa
      • What are the stakes for India in Africa?
      • How can India take a stronghold against China there?
    • Biden Presidency and India-US ties
      • How will it be different from Trump’s Presidency?
      • Any relief for India?
      • What can be the major challenges? 
    • Afghan Peace Talks and India
      • India’s stand on Taliban?
      • Should India change its stand?
    • Relations with Nepal in Covid Era
      • We can choose our friends but not our neighbours- its relevance in nepal’s context?
    • India’s leadership in Post-Covid world
      • What are the major areas where India should focus first?
      • Can we be able to beat China on any front ?
    • India’s Vaccine Diplomacy
      • What is the idea behind this?
      • Is it not Fiscal Imprudence?
    • Challenges for India as a global power
      • Major areas of conflicts?
      • How can  India emerge to be a winner on these fronts ?
    • India and G7 summit
      • Do you think the invitation has some relevance for India?
    • RCEP: Challenges and way forward
      • What could have been the scenario if India would have joined it?
      • Is it a mature step from India’s perspective?
    • Cyber security and India’s preparedness 
      • Is India prepared on this front?
      • What are the ethical challenges involved?
      • Need for Responsible technology? How?
    • LAC pullback: nothing conceded
      • Where does India stand now after this whole stand-off scenario?
      • Will it bring some respite in the near future?
      • Why do the issues remain unresolved?
      • Can it be considered as a historical mistake?
    • Contempt of Court
      • Difference between Civil and Criminal Contempt.
      • Should it be removed?

    SCHEDULE YOUR MOCK INTERVIEW + DAF QUESTIONNAIRE

  • [pib] Agreement between India and UK on custom cooperation approved

    Background of the agreement

    • The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister has approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement with the UK on Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
    • The Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries.
    • It will also help in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.
    • The Agreement takes care of Indian Customs’ concerns and requirements, particularly in the area of exchange of information on the correctness of the Customs value, tariff classification and origin of the goods traded between the two countries.

    Impact

    • The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences.
    • The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.

  • Govt leverage in Covid-19 vaccine pricing

    How government regulate prices of drugs

    • The Supreme Court flagged the issue of differential pricing for vaccines among States and the Centre and directed the central government to clarify it in an affidavit.
    • To ensure accessibility, the pricing of essential drugs is regulated centrally through The Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
    • Under Section 3 of the Act, the government has enacted the Drugs (Prices Control) Order (DPCO).
    • The DPCO lists over 800 drugs as “essential” in its schedule, and has capped their prices.
    • The capping of prices is done based on a formula that is worked out in each case by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which was set up in 1997.

    So, why the government is not regulating price of vaccines through DPCO

    • This is because the regulation through DPCO is not applicable for patented drugs or fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs.
    • This is why the price of the antiviral drug remdesivir, which is currently in great demand, is not regulated by the government.
    • To bring vaccines or drugs used in the treatment of Covid-19 such as remdesivir under the DPCO policy, an amendment can be brought.

    What other options government can explore to deal with the vaccine price issue

    1) Patent Act 1970

    • The Patent Act 1970 has two key provisions that could be potentially invoked to regulate the pricing of the vaccine.
    • Section 100 of the Patents Act gives the central government the power to authorise anyone (a pharma company) to use the invention for the “purposes of the government”.
    • It enables the government to license the patents of the vaccine to specific companies to speed up manufacturing and ensure equitable pricing.
    •  Under Section 92 of the Act, which deals with compulsory licensing, the government can, without the permission of the patent holder, license the patent under specific circumstances prescribed in the Act.
    • Section 92 can be invoked in case of circumstances of national emergency or in circumstances of extreme urgency or in case of public non-commercial use.
    • After the government issues a notification under Section 92, pharma companies can approach the government for a licence to start manufacturing by reverse engineering the product.
    • However, in the case of biological vaccines like Covid-19, even though ingredients and processes are well known, it is difficult to duplicate the process from scratch.
    • The process will also entail new clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy, which makes compulsory licensing less attractive.

    2) The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

    • Section 2 of this law gives the government “power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease”.
    • These broad, undefined powers can be used to take measures to regulate pricing.
    • However, the law lacks the teeth to implement such an important policy framework.
    • Violation of the Act is penalised under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with “disobedience to order duly promulgated by (a) public servant”.

    3) Direct procurement by the Centre

    • Apart from these legislative options, experts suggest that the central government procuring directly from the manufacturers could be the most beneficial route to ensure equitable pricing.
    • As the sole purchaser, it will have greater bargaining power.

  • Major oil and gas producers form Net Zero Producers’ Forum

    About the Net Zero Producers’ forum

    • Five of the world’s major oil and gas producers are working together to ‘develop pragmatic net-zero emission strategies’.
    • Qatar, the US, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Norway, collectively responsible for 40% of global oil and gas production, will come together to form a cooperative forum that will develop pragmatic net zero-emission strategies.
    • Energy producers are faced with unique responsibilities to furnish the world with energy but the climate crisis requires serious leadership and a strong alliance to deliver a path to net-zero.

    Strategies and technologies

    • The Net Zero Producers’ Forum will consider strategies and technologies which include methane abatement, circular carbon economy approach, development and deployment of clean energy and carbon capture and storage technologies, diversification from reliance on hydrocarbon revenues etc.

    Source:

    https://www.energy.gov/articles/joint-statement-establishing-net-zero-producers-forum-between-energy-ministries-canada

  • 30th April 2021 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 615]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 615]

  • Finding the balance between work and UPSC IAS preparation | Samanvaya for working aspirants

    Finding the balance between work and UPSC IAS preparation | Samanvaya for working aspirants

    Click here to fill the Samanvaya form for 1-1 mentorship. We will call you within 24 hours. (Also provided at the bottom of the article)

    Working junta is mature. To lecture them about working hard and smart is a duplication of effort because they already are active and smart. There is no dearth of samanvaya between them and their dream and it is evident from the fight Aishwarya Sheoran had put up by clearing upsc 2019 and obtaining 93rd rank. She didn’t only break the stereotypes but also became an example for all those who are in pursuit of their samanvaya.

    Samanvaya is not about correcting the mismatch or spending money around bogus conversation. But it’s the touch of balance that keeps the necessary spark on for the goal to be realised.

    Working aspirants have known the world up close and have faced many socio-economic-political issues firsthand. For them, the need to clear an exam that brings social prestige and recognition becomes even more important. But guys, to begin with, this exam has many components and it’s the last one which many are willing to cherish.

    What about the ones before the final phase of appreciation and glory? How to manage the months of mental stress and work-life imbalance that keeps many out of the much-needed samanvaya. Best minds are always organized and that happens when you hit the right balance. Working aspirants may take advantage of both worlds provided they are given the right guidance or else they may even end up getting sandwiched and lose efficiency.

    Many aspirants I have spoken to, fall in the second category and find life a lot harder ever since they have started to nurture “to be an IAS” dream. Then what’s wrong, to keep high ambition is not right? Or managing the ambition went wrong. Definitely, it’s always admirable to aim high and remain ambitious. So as a corollary, the problem is with “ambition management”.

    This is where Samanvaya comes in. Its “not panacea” but the “right path”. As UPSC IAS is never about making leaders but about awakening leaders. There is a leader in everyone of you / us. We need to be tinkered the right way. Like Jamwant in Ramayana, we want to help you awaken that balance to keep your study-work organized. The true potential is obtained only when you are pulled towards study not when you are pushed to think of study.

    So finally, what do we do in our Samanvaya program?

    We truly believe that there is no substitute for hard work and pain. Samanvaya is all about finding the direction in which you must do your hard work. Everyone, whether working or not, is a human being in making for years. So that makes for unique case study with every single aspirant. Samanvaya is as much a discovery for you as it is for us. We help you discover and uncover the best you, not for anything else but for this exam only. But yes there are externalities, good ones indeed!

    What after Samanvaya?

    Proceed > Plan > Prosecute

    You get a Team of mentors. One who is in constant touch with you (aspirant ) and many who are indirectly keeping a watch on the individual’s progress and relay necessary feeds for course correction.

    Now, who are Mentors and what’s a mentorship program?

    1. Mentors – Who are they? Other than being the best and most experienced in the UPSC ecosystem, they work with you on your strengths and weaknesses. That’s when you get a solution specific to you. It’s never a copy-paste. In this process, you always leave a gainer.
    2. Again mentors  – You not only make professional relations but also hew a rapport and is like a guide. And mind you, there are always mechanisms in the backend to top-up any situation which appears to be going out of your control. Thanks to constant feedback, we have our house in order.

    And about the mentorship program, it is best understood when we talk about it and see what best can we do for you?

    Let’s get on this journey with a short questionnaire. 

    Samanvaya for UPSC IAS Working aspirants

    Fill up this form to schedule a 1-1 mentorship session with senior mentors from Civilsdaily IAS. We’ll call you within 24 hours.

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