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24 hrs to go | UPSC skill to master: Linking static with Current Affairs for Prelims and Mains | Case-study inside | Register now for Webinar on 8th July | Limited seats
Register for the webinar. Submit your query and get Telegram group + access to FREE resources. Mangesh sir will also share a special compilation of PDF with you post-webinar.
There are certain skills you need to master for UPSC. One of the most important ones is Linking Current Events/Affairs with Static or General Studies topics.
It is easier said than done. It takes a certain level of knowledge, experience, and practice. But, like any other skill, it could be learned and mastered under a teacher/mentor.
Why is it important? Let us take two examples:
Saint Ramanujacharya was in news in Feb 2022 when PM Modi unveiled a statue of the saint – The statue of Equality
For any serious aspirant, it was common sense that a question could be asked in the UPSC Prelims 2022 exam. But UPSC wouldn’t ask directly, it will link it to the GS.
This question was in fact asked in Prelims and a Mains question is also expected in 2022. Moreover, if you would have covered and connected the CA while doing your NCERTs this question was secured.
A direct question was asked in UPSC CSE Prelims 2022. Below is the question. (Ques.) The world’s second tallest statue in the sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?
- (a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
- (b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent, and wholly authoritative.
- (c) Logical arguments were meant for the highest bliss.
- (d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Taking another example: Ukraine war has been in news. If one were to make notes and have to connect it with Static geography or International relations for Mains they can do it in the manner as below.
Webinar on 8th July, 7 pm – Friday
Mangesh Azade sir will be taking a LIVE webinar on coming Friday. This is a must for those who want to learn and master this skill. We will be taking up case studies and solving both prelims and mains questions.
Register for the webinar. Submit your query and get Telegram group + access to FREE resources. Mangesh sir will also share a special compilation of PDF with you post-webinar.
About Mangesh Azade sir
Mangesh sir is a senior IAS mentor at CivilsDaily and he has been mentoring UPSC aspirants and now rankers for more than 4 years now. Mangesh sir has an experience of 3 UPSC interviews and has cleared the Intelligence Bureau exam and UPSC CAPF (ACs) exam, which he didn’t join. He is a passionate mentor and has students’ interests in mind always. He has successfully mentored almost 50 rankers to date.
Top Newspaper is saying about Civilsdaily Mentorship
The Hindu has acknowledged the success rate of CD’s Smash mains Mentorship Our ‘Hall Of fame’ have to say about our UPSC programs
Quora Digests:
Samachar Manthan program for UPSC current affairs -
6th July 2022| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)
Topics for Today’s questions:
GS-1 Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
GS-2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
GS-3 Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
GS-4 Probity in Governance: Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Question 1)
Q.1 State the salient features of the Bhakti movement in the medieval period. Also, discuss its role in the growth of regional languages in India. (10 Marks)
Question 2)
Q.2 Multilateral negotiations will be increasingly difficult in the present chaotic global situation. It is only by working bilaterally with potential allies that India can attain the status of a pole in the new world with steadfast friends and followers. Critically examine. (15 Marks)
Question 3)
Q.3 How does the Ukraine crisis affect India’s energy security? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)
Question 4)
Q.4 Although open and transparent governance has gained ground, do you agree with the view that there is merit in withholding some information from people? Justify your arguments with examples. (10 Marks)
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
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Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
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A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
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You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
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Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
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Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
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If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
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If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
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We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*.
- For the philosophy of AWE and payment:
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Civilsdaily reaches Pune | The foundation stone for a great success in UPSC and MPSC has been successfully placed in Maharashtra | Talk to our Marathi (MPSC+UPSC specialist) Mentors
Integrated Approach: UPSC/MPSC-relevant tests | study material |Experienced mentors and dedicated Marathi faculty.
A houseful seminar conducted by CivilsDaily. The foundation stone for a balanced success in UPSC, along with MPSC has been successfully placed in Pune. Yes, Civilsdaily reached Pune.
Sajal sir addressing aspirants from Maharashtra
CivilsDaily recently conducted a Mega Seminar in Pune and it was a full house. The energy and excitement among the aspirants from Maharashtra was exhilarating. As a result of our great success in UPSC 2021, and on the insistence of CivilsDaily’s alumni (ex-rankers) and our students from the state, we have decided to open our first offline center in Maharashtra, in Pune.
Sajal sir felicitaitng CD toppers from Maharashtra Yes, this is the all-dimensional extension of CD. Whether it is Delhi or Pune, it’s a distinction without a difference. Acknowledging the need to ensure removing the trauma of relocation, the students of Maharashtra face, we will be providing the best preparation and resources to you that too at your place.
With the focus on overall development, Civilsdaily’s dedicated offline mentor teachers group stands by all UPSC & MPSC aspirants without a second thought.
Read about the new pattern and more below.
Table of content:
- Changed pattern of MPSC
- Implications of this change
- CivilsDaily’s Maharashtra students and their performance in UPSC 2021
- CivilsDaily IAS in Pune
- Tackle MPSC with UPSC: Mega Seminar in Pune by Sajal sir and UPSC rankers from Maharashtra
- How the Pune Center will help aspirants from Maharashtra?
- Some of the UPSC rankers from Maharashtra
- Register for the Mega Seminar and 1-1 discussion with Sajal sir and UPSC rankers.
MPSC changes pattern: Aligned with UPSC, to be implemented from 2023
Maharashtra PSC has recently released a notification citing changes in the pattern. Now the main examination will be subjective/descriptive in nature (essay type answers) instead of objective (MCQ type) questions. Also, an Ethics paper has also been introduced, modern history will also be included.
From earlier 6 papers in MPSC Mains now we will have 9 papers, with total marks now standing at 1750 in Mains, closely resembling UPSC’s pattern.
Papers Subjects Marks Nature of papers Paper 1 Marathi 300 Descriptive (Qualifying) Paper 2 English 300 Descriptive (Qualifying) Paper 3 Essay (Marathi or English) 250 Descriptive Paper 4 GS 1 250 Descriptive Paper 5 GS 2 250 Descriptive Paper 6 GS 3 250 Descriptive Paper 6 GS 4 250 Descriptive Paper 8 Optional Paper 1 250 Descriptive Paper 9 Optional Paper 2 250 Descriptive 1750 Marks Closely resembling the UPSC pattern Implications of this change
It has certainly made MPSC mains more comprehensive, requiring a wide-based knowledge just like UPSC.
- It will be easier for UPSC aspirants to prepare for MPSC and vice-versa.
- It improve the percentage of Marathi candidates appearing and clearing UPSC as the paper pattern is almost the same.
- It will give equal opportunity to those from rural as well as urban areas. Now every candidate must play on a level playing field.
- For those UPSC aspirants who have exhausted their attempts, they would find it easier to appear and crack MPSC.
- Aspirants who will reappear in 2023 will have to consider it as a fresh attempt as they have to study almost from scratch.
All these pose an opportunity as well as a challenge for aspirants but for sure it calls for a change in strategy.
CivilsDaily’s performance in UPSC 2021 and an overwhelming number of our Rankers from Maharashtra
UPSC 2021 results were released a few days back and it was a major validation of CivilsDaily’s student-centric approach, personalized mentorship, and commitment to your goal – cracking the UPSC IAS exam.
..amazing observation was the overwhelming number of rankers from Maharashtra.
This was evident from 200+ rankers, including 30+ in the top 50 in the UPSC 2021 exam. Another amazing observation was the overwhelming number of rankers from Maharashtra.
Moreover, we have thousands of CivilsDaily students from the state.
On the insistence of CivilsDaily’s alumni (ex-rankers) and our students from the state, we will be opening our first center in Maharashtra very soon, in Pune.
How is the Pune center going to help UPSC and Civil Services Aspirants from Maharashtra?
Saves you from the trauma of relocation
Aspirants have to leave their home state to Delhi, Karol Bagh for UPSC prep. It seriously dismantles their mental peace and continuity in preparation.
Now you no longer have to leave your state and come to Delhi for UPSC preparation.
Financially
Financially, by saving huge expenditure incurred in Karol Bagh on renting and tuition fees.
Now prepare for both: UPSC and MPSC
Recently the notification for MPSC was released and since the pattern is similar to UPSC now, we will be helping you prepare for MPSC as well.
Live lectures, Offline 1:1 Mentorship, Testing centre in Pune
We will be providing the best classroom lectures; UPSC-relevant tests and study material; experienced mentors and dedicated faculty.
CivilsDaily will always remain committed to a personalized and student-centric approach and will live for its vision of making UPSC and government service exam preparation simpler, effective, result-oriented, and affordable to every aspiring student.
Mega Seminar on 5th July, at Gokhale Institute, Pune: Sajal sir and UPSC Rankers from Maharashtra – was a huge success
We have another seminar planned.
Get a golden chance to meet and discuss 1-1 with Rankers and Sajal sir at Pune center.
Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, the alma mater of Sajal sir and a few other UPSC rankers from CivilsDaily, has acknowledged the good work and has requested us to be hosted by the esteemed institute.
You can meet Sajal sir and rankers there and discuss the strategy and approach required to tackle both MPSC and UPSC.
Venue:
to be shared soon
Date and time: to be shared soon
Feel free to call/WhatsApp for any clarification or details: +91 8668582260.
We are all the more motivated now to churn out more and more rankers from Maharashtra.
Some of our Ranker from Maharashtra
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DAF I – Detailed Application Form for UPSC CSE 2022 released | How to fill it? Discuss with us (link inside)
Dear students,
UPSC has released DAF I for those who have cleared the Prelims exam and will be writing Mains 2022. Last date to fill your DAF I is 15th July 2022, till 6 pm. You can start filling it out today.
You will need to register yourself on the UPSC website if you have not done already for filling the DAF I.
Smash Mains 2022: Strictly for Rankers and high potential aspirants
Trusted by Rankers, Acknowledged by The Hindu | (Advanced program for Veterans and High Potential candidates) Register now!
We had launched Smash Mains Program for UPSC 2022 earlier this month and now 5 seats are remaining.
If you have appeared for UPSC interview(s) previously and are super close to clearing this exam but Mains is your Achilles heel. Then this is for you.
Smash Mains Program is a highly personalized and intensive handholding program for the crème-de-la-crème (veterans) amongst UPSC aspirants (the intake is 50 students & Last 5 seats are remaining).
Unique Features of the program:
- Invite/Register-only
- Those who are scoring less marks in GS in mains consistently, need to send your mark sheet and test copy here.
- Based on that Sajal sir will select the students.
- One-to-one detailed and in-depth interaction with Sajal sir.
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Status of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in South Asia
China has felt a need to re-visit the various projects under the BRI in different South Asian countries.
Why in news?
- At the recently concluded summit of G-7 leaders in Germany, US and his allies unveiled their $600 billion plan called the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Intelligence.
- This is being seen as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), valued at a trillion U.S. dollars by some experts.
What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
- In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his visits to Kazakhstan and Indonesia, expressed his vision to build a Silk Road Economic Belt and a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
- He then aimed to break the “bottleneck” in Asian connectivity. This vision led to the birth of the BRI.
- The initiative envisioned a Chinese-led investment of over $1 trillion in partner countries by 2025.
- More than 60 countries have now joined BRI agreements with China, with infrastructure projects under the initiative being planned or under construction in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
How does BRI work?
- To finance BRI projects, China offers huge loans at commercial interest rates that countries have to pay within a fixed number of years.
- The west has accused China of debt-trapping by extending “predatory loans” that force countries to cede key assets to China.
- However, research indicates that low and middle-income countries are often the ones to approach China after not being able to secure loans from elsewhere.
- In recent years, the BRI seems to have experienced a slowing down as annual Chinese lending to countries slimmed from its peak of $125 billion in 2015 to around $50 to 55 billion in 2021.
What have been the BRI’s investments in Pakistan?
- On his 2015 visit to Pakistan, Xi unveiled the BRI’s flagship project and its biggest one in a single country — the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- The CPEC envisioned multiple projects involving energy, transport and communication systems.
- At the centre of the CPEC was the $700 million development of the city of Gwadar into a smart port city that would become the “Singapore of Pakistan”.
- Other major projects are the orange line metro, coal power plants to tackle energy shortages and the Main Line 1 rail project from Peshawar to Karachi.
Pace of progress in Pakistan
- Multiple reports have shown that shipping activities at the Gwadar Port is almost negligible so far, with only some trade to Afghanistan.
- Gwadar residents have also protested against the large security force deployed to protect Chinese nationals involved in projects.
- Chinese nations has also became the target of multiple deadly attacks by Baloch freedom fighters.
- Coal plants were set up and managed by Chinese firms to improve the power situation in Pakistan.
- Chinese power firms closing down their operations as the latter did not pay dues worth 300 billion in Pakistani rupees (approximately $1.5 billion).
What about Sri Lanka?
- In Sri Lanka, multiple infrastructure projects that were being financed by China came under the fold of the BRI after it was launched in 2013.
- In 2021, Colombo ejected India and Japan out of a deal to develop the East Container Terminal at the Colombo port and got China to take up the project.
- Some BRI projects in Sri Lanka have been described as white elephants — such as the Hambantota port.
- The port had always been secondary to the busy Colombo port until the latter ran out of capacity.
- Other key projects under BRI include the development of the Colombo International Container Terminal, the Central Expressway and the Hambantota International Airport among others.
Projects in Afghanistan
- Afghanistan has not comprehensively been brought into the BRI, despite a MoU being signed with China in 2016.
- China had promised investments worth $100 million in Afghanistan which is small in comparison to what it shelled out in other South Asian countries.
- The projects have not materialised so far and uncertainties have deepened after the Taliban takeover last year.
Projects in Maldives
- Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Maldives comprises two hundred islands, and both India and China have strategic interests there.
- One of the most prominent BRI projects undertaken in the Maldives is the two km long China-Maldives Friendship Bridge — a $200 million four lane bridge.
- Most of China’s investment in the Maldives happened under former President Abdullah Yameen, seen as pro-China.
Projects in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh, which joined the BRI in 2016, has been promised the second-highest investment (about $40 billion) in South Asia after Pakistan.
- It has been able to benefit from the BRI while maintaining diplomatic and strategic ties with both India and China.
- It has managed to not upset India by getting India to build infrastructure projects similar to BRI in the country.
- BRI projects include Friendship Bridges, special economic zones, the $689.35 million-Karnaphuli River tunnel project, upgradation of the Chittagong port, and a rail line between the port and China’s Yunnan province.
- However, multiple projects have been delayed owing to the slow release of funds by China.
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What are Critical Minerals?
India and Australia have decided to strengthen their partnership in the field of projects and supply chains for critical minerals.
What is the news?
- Australia has confirmed that it would commit A$5.8 million to the three-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership”.
What are Critical Minerals?
- Critical minerals are elements that are the building blocks of essential modern-day technologies, and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
- These minerals are now used everywhere from making mobile phones, computers to batteries, electric vehicles and green technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
- Based on their individual needs and strategic considerations, different countries create their own lists.
- However, such lists mostly include graphite, lithium, cobalt, rare earths and silicon which is a key mineral for making computer chips, solar panels and batteries.
- Aerospace, communications and defence industries also rely on several such minerals as they are used in manufacturing fighter jets, drones, radio sets and other critical equipment.
Why is this resource critical?
- As countries around the world scale up their transition towards clean energy and digital economy, these critical resources are key to the ecosystem that fuels this change.
- Any supply shock can severely imperil the economy and strategic autonomy of a country over-dependent on others to procure critical minerals.
- But these supply risks exist due to rare availability, growing demand and complex processing value chain.
- Many times the complex supply chain can be disrupted by hostile regimes, or due to politically unstable regions.
- They are critical as the world is fast shifting from a fossil fuel-intensive to a mineral-intensive energy system.
What is China ‘threat’?
- China is the world’s largest producer of 16 critical minerals.
- China alone is responsible for some 70% and 60% of global production of cobalt and rare earth elements, respectively, in 2019.
- The level of concentration is even higher for processing operations, where China has a strong presence across the board.
- China’s share of refining is around 35% for nickel, 50-70% for lithium and cobalt, and nearly 90% for rare earth elements.
- It also controls cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from where 70% of this mineral is sourced.
- In 2010, China suspended rare earth exports to Japan for two months over a territorial dispute.
What are countries around the world doing about it?
- US has shifted its focus on expanding domestic mining, production, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and materials.
- India has set up KABIL or the Khanij Bidesh India Limited to ensure mineral security of the nation.
- Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) and KABIL had recently signed an MoU aimed at ensuring reliable supply of critical minerals to India.
- The UK has unveiled its new Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre to study the future demand for and supply of these minerals.
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Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986
The Union Environment Ministry proposes to soften the provisions of the EP Act (EPA) by replacing a clause that provides for imprisoning violators with one that only requires them to pay a fine.
Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986
- EP Act was passed under Article 253 of the Constitution, which empowers the Centre to enact laws to give effect to international agreements signed by the country.
- The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the UN Conference on the Human Environment.
- They relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property.
- It was enacted in 1986 on the backdrop of Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
- The Act was last amended in 1991.
Why this Act?
- The Act is an “umbrella” legislation that has provided a framework for the environmental regulation regime in India.
- It covers all major industrial and infrastructure activities and prohibits and regulates specific activities in coastal areas and eco-sensitive areas.
- The Act also provides for coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under other environment-related laws, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
Key provisions
- The Environment (Protection) Rules lay down procedures for setting standards of emission or discharge of environmental pollutants.
- The objective of Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 is to control the generation, collection, treatment, import, storage, and handling of hazardous waste.
- The Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Rules define the terms used in this context, and sets up an authority to inspect, once a year.
- The Cells Rules,1989 were introduced with a view to protect the environment, nature, and health in connection with the application of gene technology and micro-organisms.
Try this PYQ:
Q. Consider the following statements:
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to
- State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the Procedure and manner in which it sought.
- Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.
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=”at8cv2iqvf” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]
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What is Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)?
India’s services firms saw growth in new business and output accelerate to a 11-year high in June, as per the survey-based S&P Global India Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI).
What is the news?
- The index rose to 59.2 last month, from 58.9 in May, signalling a strengthening in demand across the services sector, which had borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)
- PMI is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors.
- It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before.
- It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.
- The PMI is compiled by IHS Markit based on responses to questionnaires sent to purchasing managers in a panel of around 400 manufacturers.
How is the PMI derived?
- The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions.
- Executives from a reasonably big sample, running into hundreds of firms, are asked whether key indicators such as output, new orders, business expectations and employment were stronger than the month before and are asked to rate them.
How does one read the PMI?
- A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction.
- Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. The rate of expansion can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month data.
- If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the economy is expanding at a faster rate.
- If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.
What are its implications for the economy?
- The PMI is usually released at the start of the month, much before most of the official data on industrial output, manufacturing and GDP growth becomes available.
- It is, therefore, considered a good leading indicator of economic activity.
- Economists consider the manufacturing growth measured by the PMI as a good indicator of industrial output, for which official statistics are released later.
- Central banks of many countries also use the index to help make decisions on interest rates.
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Three new ‘exotic’ sub-atomic particles discovered
The Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment has observed three never-before-seen particles.
What is the discovery?
- CERN was investigating the slight differences between matter and antimatter by studying a type of particle called the “beauty quark”, or “b quark”.
- The three “exotic” additions — a new kind of “pentaquark” and the first-ever pair of “tetraquarks” — to the growing list of new hadrons were found.
- This discovery will help physicists better understand how quarks bind together into these composite particles.
What are Quarks?
- Quarks are elementary particles that come in six “flavours”: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.
- They usually combine together in groups of twos and threes to form hadrons such as the protons and neutrons that make up atomic nuclei.
- But they can also combine into four-quark and five-quark particles, called tetraquarks and pentaquarks.
- These exotic hadrons were predicted by theorists about six decades ago — around the same time as conventional hadrons — but they have been observed by LHCb and other experiments only in the past 20 years.
What about tetraquarks and pentaquarks?
- Most exotic hadrons discovered in the past two decades are tetraquarks or pentaquarks.
- They contain a charm quark and a charm antiquark — with the remaining two or three quarks being an up, down or strange quark or their antiquarks.
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