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  • 80% Success Rate for Smash Mains 2020 Students & 85% of UPSC 2021 Mains Questions Are From Smash Mains 2021 !!|| [50 seats left] 1-on-1 Mentorship provided by Sajal sir (GS Topper 2017)  to get 100 marks above cut off in Mains||  Smash Mains 2022 : New Batch || Invite only program  || Register here

    80% Success Rate for Smash Mains 2020 Students & 85% of UPSC 2021 Mains Questions Are From Smash Mains 2021 !!|| [50 seats left] 1-on-1 Mentorship provided by Sajal sir (GS Topper 2017) to get 100 marks above cut off in Mains|| Smash Mains 2022 : New Batch || Invite only program || Register here

    With over 80% enrolled students in 2020 attending UPSC interviews, Smash Mains 2022 is back. Also, what we have noticed is about 85% of questions in UPSC Mains paper are from Smash Test Series.

    As an aspirant if you have taken many test series, but are unable to score above 100 marks and want to improve your scores before Mains 2022, then this program is for you!

    If coaches of sportspersons have themselves been players, then shouldn’t mentors of UPSC aspirants have cleared UPSC Mains themselves?

    It’s about time you find a Rahul Dravid or a Pullela Gopichand to mentor your Upsc preparation. Just practising test series without knowing the ways to present an answer is not the way to clear Mains. An ideal test series program should have 1-on-1 mentorship and guidance by veterans who have themselves topped the exams!

    Instead of getting demotivated and comparing yourself to other students, get mentorship support like Kunal Aggrawal IRS did when he could only score 75/250 marks in Mains mock tests.

    Why UPSC toppers are convinced that Smash Mains helped them succeed?

    A serving IPS officer, who had written the Mains exam again in 2021 to aim for IAS posting, gave us his feedback of our Smash Mains Test Series

    Read other answers over here.

    How has Smash Mains helped 2021-2022 Aspirants in Preparing for UPSC?

    What do aspirants need in their UPSC preparation journey? They need a senior who will give them moral support and the required logistics to prepare for the tough exam in a simplified manner.

    You can clear the exam only with confidence and consistency. And to achieve both, you require a personalised mentor. Many aspirants feel just attending classes or tests is not beneficial for them. So we tweaked our program to include mentorship both in our tests series and classes. Aspirants feel they can reach out to us anytime with their concerns and we are available to sort them out.

    Message from Sajal Sir

    Dear Students,

    For some of you prelims has never been a challenge for you. You have been missing the mains cut-off with a small margin (repeatedly). This means that there are some fundamental issues with your approach. You might be aware or not about this. But just realization is not enough, you have to work on its execution as well. And bringing that to fruition will be possible through a guided process under a meticulously designed plan.

    Smash mains is a highly personalized and intensive handholding program for the crème-de-la-crème (veterans) amongst UPSC aspirants (the intake is 50 students).

    Note: The Entry is Restricted to those who have appeared in UPSC interview in the past 2 years or have missed the mains cut off by a whisker.

    The focus is on identifying and highlighting the issues with your preparation (information / analysis / utilization). According to your strength and weaknesses, a tailor-made strategy is developed. Under Sajal sir’s strict monitoring, incremental improvements are aimed every day, after every session.

    My marks in UPSC 2017 GS Mains paper were:

    • GS Paper 1 – 132
    • GS Paper 2 – 125
    • GS Paper 3 – 130

    Key Takeways About Smash Mains 2022

    Every 3rd Ranker in Top 100 is from Civilsdaily|| MAINS MANTHAN 2021 ||  Register Now – Civilsdaily

    Every 3rd Ranker in the Top 100 of UPSC 2020 is a Civilsdaily Student.

    Your mentor, Sajal Sir is himself the 2017 topper of GS Mains. He has appeared for interview many times.

    Over 400 students have emerged as toppers under Sajal Sir’s mentorship in the last 7 years.

    Sajal Sir will daily motivate you on our chat-based platform, Habitat and have weekly 1-on-1 discussions with you after every test.

    You don’t have to waste any more time finding the strategy (value added notes, test series or timetable ) for the next 3 months. You will get the guidance for it.

    You will gain access to Civildaily’s Samachar Manthan – For holistic and comprehensive coverage of Current Affairs.

    You will have exclusive membership to Smash Mains club in Habitat.

    One of our other Civilsdaily Student cleared the exams in 2020 to become an IPS Officer. He wrote the 2021 exam again as he aims for an IAS posting. This is what he said about our program

    If you are still not convinced then go through this video by UPSC 2020 AIR 425 topper Divyansh Singh who tells us how Sajal sir helped him develop 1-2 pages notes for every topic.

    Progression of Smash Mains 2022

    After completing the Mains Test series, you will have a one-to-one detailed and in-depth interaction with Sajal sir. Final refinements are done to every answer. Value addition material, as well as pointers, will be provided here. We will work with you to ensure you have enough material for value addition. Our focus will be on providing tips that add the missing X factor to your answers.

    Why is Smash 2022 the best way to prepare for mains?

    Individual attention and approachability are the USPs of this program. Listen to what our Smash Mains 2020 student and topper Pooja Gupta (AIR 42) says about the program.

    Not putting Penguins among the Fowls – You already know how to write an average answer (you’re missing it by a few marks actually). You want to know how to increase your score from 90 to 110-115. The approach followed by other institutes in their Test series is the same for a veteran and a complete newbie and here lies the problem. Without personalized one-to-one interaction with someone like Sajal sir (who has scored these awesome marks), it will be difficult for you to rectify these minute yet very important shortcomings.

    Evaluation is a strength of this program and we put it on a high priority. Sajal sir himself is involved in the process, unlike other institutes where evaluation is outsourced to those who themselves might not have appeared for mains (It’s bizarre). It shouldn’t be based on ‘model answers’ as there are 3-4 ways of approaching an answer. Only a seasoned player will be able to go beyond these model answers and be able to appreciate your approach (If it’s innovative) even if it differs from the model answers provided.

    Test copies get checked in a time-bound manner. The questions, answers and material provided are of the highest quality.

    Always on time and insightful discussions end with a reality check and motivation to perform better in the next test.

    Emphasis on execution and utilization of knowledge – Mains is not only about knowledge but the way you express the relevant knowledge in the most optimum manner.

    Sajal sir’s interventions are highly specific and not generalized. Sitting right in front of you he walks you through each and every question. Always there, he will not let you lose your focus.

    AIR 148 UPSC 2020 topper and our Civilsdaily student, Ponmani explains why answer writing with mentorship is necessary for Mains.

    We deliver what we promise.

    The Batch of Smash Mains Program will start soon.

  • How to Tackle Static Questions based on Current Affairs in Prelims 2022? || Free Live Webinar by Prelims Topper & UPSC Mentor Santosh Sir who Scored 145+ six times|| Limited Slots, Register Now

    How to Tackle Static Questions based on Current Affairs in Prelims 2022? || Free Live Webinar by Prelims Topper & UPSC Mentor Santosh Sir who Scored 145+ six times|| Limited Slots, Register Now

    Many experts would like to say that the weightage of Current affairs in prelims has declined since 2018. The truth is far from true. Current Affairs has been revived and is now included in questions from static syllabus topics. This approach has given rise to questions with more analytical dimensions that are thought oriented. 

    You might be reading a question and trying to remember it from a book, when it’s actually from the newspaper! Certain Current affairs questions of the 2021 Prelims have surprised us as well. Let’s try to understand this better with an example:

    Consider the following statements regarding Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’.

    1. The Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ or the Circum-Pacific Belt, is an area along the Pacific Ocean that is characterised by active volcanoes.
    2. About 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes occur here.
    3. It traces from New Zealand clockwise in an almost circular arc and extends upto western coast of North America.

    This question is from the topic, ‘World Geography’. Also it was in the news this week.

    Free Open to All Webinar to Tackle Current Affairs Questions From Static Topics

    Here’s an exercise for all UPSC 2022 aspirants. Take a look at your syllabus, select a topic. Do you know atleast ten current affairs news related to this topic from the last one year?

    If not, then it’s never too late. You still have 4.5 months left. So take the first big step by registering for this free live webinar by Prelims veteran Santosh sir.

    Santosh sir has cleared prelims 6/6 times and scored 145+ in all of them. In his Smash Prelims 2020 program, 15 out of 25 students cleared the exam to write Mains 2021.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 50f70a4d-c239-44a5-b49b-9b93617a378f-461x1024.jpg
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    Key Takeaways of Free Live Webinar by Santosh Sir — 

    1. How to tackle static questions based on current affairs with accuracy? Using pre-existing knowledge to find the right option.

    2. Learn 360 degree approach to current affairs. How can you read daily compilation, PIB, newspapers, Yojana and Kurushetra all in 1.5 hours?

    3. Keywords approach to reading newspapers. How to make shorthand notes based on this?

    4. Learn to interlink Static and Current affairs topics. Should reading for current affairs and a chapter in the static book happen at the same time?

    5. How to handle the surprise questions from current affairs? The surprise questions from 2021 prelims exams.

    6. Current affairs trend analysis. What are the topics where most of the current affairs questions come from?

    Webinar Details

    Current affairs is not merely about knowing, but it has become a game of linking and interlinking. Don’t miss the chance to get value addition inputs to score better in the examination! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are welcome to attend.

    Date – 24 January 2022 (Monday)

    Time – 7:00 P.M.

    Limited slots are available. Please register immediately.

  • How to Tackle Static Questions based on Current Affairs in Prelims 2022? || Free Live Webinar by Prelims Topper & UPSC Mentor Santosh Sir who Scored 145+ six times|| Limited Slots, Register Now

    How to Tackle Static Questions based on Current Affairs in Prelims 2022? || Free Live Webinar by Prelims Topper & UPSC Mentor Santosh Sir who Scored 145+ six times|| Limited Slots, Register Now

    Many experts would like to say that the weightage of Current affairs in prelims has declined since 2018. The truth is far from true. Current Affairs has been revived and is now included in questions from static syllabus topics. This approach has given rise to questions with more analytical dimensions that are thought oriented. 

    You might be reading a question and trying to remember it from a book, when it’s actually from the newspaper! Certain Current affairs questions of the 2021 Prelims have surprised us as well. Let’s try to understand this better with an example:

    Consider the following statements regarding Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’.

    1. The Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ or the Circum-Pacific Belt, is an area along the Pacific Ocean that is characterised by active volcanoes.
    2. About 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes occur here.
    3. It traces from New Zealand clockwise in an almost circular arc and extends upto western coast of North America.

    This question is from the topic, ‘World Geography’. Also it was in the news this week.

    Free Open to All Webinar to Tackle Current Affairs Questions From Static Topics

    Here’s an exercise for all UPSC 2022 aspirants. Take a look at your syllabus, select a topic. Do you know atleast ten current affairs news related to this topic from the last one year?

    If not, then it’s never too late. You still have 4.5 months left. So take the first big step by registering for this free live webinar by Prelims veteran Santosh sir.

    Santosh sir has cleared prelims 6/6 times and scored 145+ in all of them. In his Smash Prelims 2020 program, 15 out of 25 students cleared the exam to write Mains 2021.

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 50f70a4d-c239-44a5-b49b-9b93617a378f-461x1024.jpg
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG-20211029-WA0019-461x1024.jpg
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG-20211029-WA0018-461x1024.jpg
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG-20211029-WA0016-461x1024.jpg

    Key Takeaways of Free Live Webinar by Santosh Sir — 

    1. How to tackle static questions based on current affairs with accuracy? Elimination Techniques for Prelims that can be used.

    2. Learn 360 degree approach to current affairs. How can you read daily compilation, PIB, newspapers, Yojana and Kurushetra all in 1.5 hours?

    3. Keywords approach to reading newspapers. How to make shorthand notes based on this?

    4. Learn to interlink Static and Current affairs topics. Should reading for current affairs and a chapter in the static book happen at the same time?

    5. How to handle the surprise questions from current affairs? The surprise questions from 2021 prelims exams.

    6. Current affairs trend analysis. What are the topics where most of the current affairs questions come from?

    Webinar Details

    Current affairs is not merely about knowing, but it has become a game of linking and interlinking. Don’t miss the chance to get value addition inputs to score better in the examination! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are welcome to attend.

    Date – 24 January 2022 (Monday)

    Time – 7:00 P.M.

    Limited slots are available. Please register immediately.

  • Why India needs a single agency to guard its borders

    Context

    Recent developments warrant a comprehensive review of border management to ensure the all-weather security of our borders.

    What makes India’s border management difficult?

    • India shares land borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, which stretch approximately 15,106 km.
    • In addition, we have an approximately 3,323 km-long LoC with Pakistan, which further extends to the rechristened 110 km stretch of “Actual Ground Position Line” (AGPL) dividing the Siachen glacier region.
    • Further east, we have the 3,488 km LAC with China.
    • We share maritime boundaries with Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Indonesia; we have a 7,683 km coastline and an approximately 2 million sq km exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
    • This makes India’s task more complex than most other countries.

    Multiple agencies securing borders

    • Complexity is accentuated by the fact that along with the army, we have multiple other security agencies — the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and the Paramilitary Forces (PMF) — sharing the responsibility.
    • While the army is deployed along the LoC and AGPL, the Border Security Force (BSF) looks after the international border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
    • Guarding the LAC has been assigned to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Assam Rifles.
    • The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is responsible for guarding the borders with Nepal and Bhutan.
    • The Assam Rifles looks after our border with Myanmar.
    • In a nutshell, in addition to the army, we have four agencies guarding borders with six neighbours.
    • Conversely, maritime borders are guarded by a single agency — the Coast Guard.

    Need for review of the border management

    • There is a lack of a coherent policy on training, planning and the conduct of guarding operations among various outfits.
    • Overall coordination is also affected.
    • Our adversary on the western border has often escalated violations by resorting to the prolonged use of military resources.
    • Chinese provocations along the LAC are military operations.
    • Clearly, the peace-time scenario is now by and large militarised.

    Way forward

    • Single security agency: In this scenario, India needs a single security agency adequately equipped, suitably armed and trained in advanced military drills and sub-unit tactics to guard our borders.
    • Manpower from Army: Further, to augment the battle efficiency, a fixed percentage of manpower, including the officer cadre, should be drawn on deputation from the army.
    • Paramilitary force under Ministry of Defence: To ensure the desired training and operational standards, this single security agency should be designated as a paramilitary force under the Ministry of Defence and operate under the army.
    • Mergers: The ITBP and the SSB should be fully merged into the new outfit; the BSF and CRPF still have important internal security duties and can be partially merged.
    • The reorganised Assam Rifles too should retain its role of conducting counter-insurgency operations and act as a reserve for the army for conventional operations.
    • Most countries have raised specialised and dedicated armed bodies for border security.
    •  Iran has the Border Guard Command, Italy has the Border Police Service, Russia has created a Border Guard Service, whereas in the US, it is under Homeland Security.
    • Most of these countries, based on threat perception and for better combat cohesion, have placed these organisations under the command of the armed forces.

    Conclusion

    India should adopt a single agency with adequate resources and training to deal with the evolving challenges.

    UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

     

  • How to fix the anti-defection loophole

    Context

    It is time that we took a fresh look at the Tenth Schedule to our Constitution.

    Shortcomings of the anti-defection law

    • Partisan nature of Speaker: Paragraph 3 of the Tenth Schedule was omitted by the Constitution (91st Amendment) Act, 2003, which came into effect on January 1, 2004.
    • Paragraph 3, as it existed prior to the amendment, protected defectors as long as one-third of the members of a political party formed a separate group. 
    • In the context of small assemblies, one-third of the members could easily be cobbled together.
    • Often, the speaker of the assembly was seen to be collaborating with the political party in power to protect the defectors under the one-third rule.
    • Such partisan conduct of the speakers is at the heart of a non-functional Tenth Schedule.
    • The seeming political bias of the speakers acting as tribunals is apparent from how disqualification petitions are dealt with.
    • We have seen this happen in Manipur, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other jurisdictions.
    • Allowing two-third members to merge with another party: After the omission of paragraph 3, paragraph 4 allowed for the protection of defecting members provided two-thirds of the members of the legislative party merged with another political party.
    • This provision has invariably been misused.
    • Constitutional flaw in provisions of paragraph 4: Third, there is a constitutional flaw in the manner in which the provisions of paragraph 4 have been enacted.
    • Paragraph 4(1) stipulates that a member of the house will not be disqualified from his membership where his original political party merges with another political party and he claims that he and other members have become members of the other political party or a new political party is being formed by such merger.
    • However, paragraph 4(2) provides that such a merger would be deemed to have taken place only if not less than two-thirds of the members of the legislative party agreed to such a merger.
    • This allows for clandestine corruption where two-thirds of the members of the legislative party are bought over, by means fair or foul, to either topple governments or to strengthen a razor-thin majority of the party in power.
    • This makes the entire provision unworkable and unconstitutional.
    • Prolonging the proceedings: We have witnessed situations where, even though the provisions of paragraph 4 are not ex-facie attracted, the speaker of the assembly makes sure that the proceedings are interminably prolonged so that the term of the assembly comes to an end before the proceedings under the Tenth Schedule against those ex-facie defectors have been concluded.

    Need for urgent attention to Article 164(1B)

    • This allows for the toppling of governments by inducements of various kinds.
    • The motivation is that a fresh election allows the disqualified member to be re-elected.
    • He then becomes a member of the assembly once again, as its term is not over and can also be appointed a minister.
    • Under Article 164(1B), such a defection has no real consequences.

    Way forward

    • 1] Ensure impartiality of Speaker: Speakers, when elected must resign from the party to which they belong.
    • At the end of their term, there should be a cooling-off period before they can become members of any political party.
    • 2] Omit Paragraph 4 through Amendment: Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule should be omitted by moving a constitutional amendment.
    • 3] Make disqualification for 5 years: All those disqualified under paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule should neither be entitled to contest elections nor hold public office for five years from the date of their disqualification.
    • Article 164(1B) should be omitted by moving a constitutional amendment.
    • Set time limit to decide petition for disqualification: All petitions for disqualification of members under paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule should be decided, by adopting a summary procedure, within a period of three months.

    Consider the question “Has anti-defection law succeeded in curbing the defections and ensuring the stability of the elected governments? Give reasons in support of your argument.”

    Conclusion

    If our polity wants to get rid of open corruption, it needs to take urgent steps to plug existing loopholes that have made the Tenth Schedule unworkable.

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    Back2Basics: Article 164(1B)

    • A member of the Legislative Assembly of a State or either House of the Legislature of a State having Legislative Council belonging to any political party who is disqualified for being a member of that House under paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a Minister under clause (1) for duration of the period commencing from the date of his disqualification till the date on which the term of his office as such member would expire or where he contests any election to the Legislative Assembly of a State or either House of the Legislature of a State having Legislative Council, as the case may be, before the expiry of such period, till the date on which he is declared elected, whichever is earlier.
  • Amar Jawan Jyoti and its Relocation

    The iconic Amar Jawan Jyoti (AJJ) at India Gate was extinguished as a part of its merger with the flame at the National War Memorial (NWM). This has sparked a political controversy.

    What is the Amar Jawan Jyoti?

    • The eternal flame at the AJJ underneath India Gate in central Delhi was an iconic symbol of the nation’s tributes to the soldiers who have died for the country in various wars and conflicts since Independence.
    • Established in 1972, it was to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
    • The then PM Indira Gandhi had inaugurated it on Republic Day 1972, after India defeated Pakistan in December 1971.

    Description of the bust

    • The key elements of the Amar Jawan Jyoti included a black marble plinth, a cenotaph, which acted as a tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
    • The plinth had an inverted L1A1 self-loading rifle with a bayonet, on top of which was a soldier’s war helmet.

    How the eternal flame was kept burning?

    • For 50 years the eternal flame had been burning underneath India Gate, without being extinguished.
    • But on Friday, the flame was finally put off, as it was merged with another eternal flame at the National War Memorial.
    • Since 1972, when it was inaugurated, it used to be kept alive with the help of cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG.
    • One cylinder could keep one burner alive for a day and a half.
    • In 2006 that was changed. Though a project that cost around Rs 6 lakh the fuel for the flames was changed from LPG to piped natural gas, or PNG.
    • It is through this piped gas that the flame marking the tribute to Indian soldiers had been kept alive eternally.

    Why was it placed at India Gate?

    • The India Gate, All India War Memorial, as it was known earlier, was built by the British in 1931.
    • It was erected as a memorial to around 90,000 Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army, who had died in several wars and campaigns till then.
    • Names of more than 13,000 dead soldiers are mentioned on the memorial commemorating them.
    • As it was a memorial for the Indian soldiers killed in wars, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was established underneath it by the government in 1972.

    Reasons for its relocation

    • The correct perspective is that the flame will not be extinguished, but just moved to be merged with the one at the National War Memorial.
    • The flame which paid homage to the soldiers killed in the 1971 War, does not even mention their name, and the India Gate is a “symbol of our colonial past”.
    • The names of all Indian martyrs from all the wars, including 1971 and wars before and after it are housed at the National War Memorial.
    • Hence it is a true tribute to have the flame paying tribute to martyrs there.
    • Further, it can also be seen as part of the government’s redevelopment of the entire Central Vista, of which India Gate, the AJJ and the National War Memorial are parts of.

    What else is planned with the extinguish?

    • The canopy next to the India Gate will get a statue of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
    • The new statue will be 28 feet high.
    • Till the statue is completed, a hologram statue of Bose will be placed under the canopy, which he will unveil on January 23.
    • The canopy used to have a statue of Kind George V, which was removed in 1968.

    Why Netaji?

    • January 23 this year marks his 125th birth anniversary.
    • From this year onwards, Republic Day celebrations will start on January 23, as opposed to the usual practice of starting it on January 24, to mark the birth anniversary of Bose.
    • It will end on January 30, the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated.
    • The government had earlier announced that Bose’s birth anniversary would be celebrated as Parakram Divas.

    What is the National War Memorial and when was it made?

    • The National War Memorial, which is around 400 meters from India Gate was inaugurated in February 2019, in an area of around 40 acres.
    • It was built to commemorate all the soldiers who have laid down their lives in the various battles, wars, operations and conflicts of Independent India.
    • There are many independent memorials for such soldiers, but no memorial existed commemorating them all at the national level.
    • Discussions to build such a memorial had been ongoing since 1961, but it did not come up.

    Its architecture

    • The architecture of the memorial is based on four concentric circles.
    • Largest is the Raksha Chakra or the Circle of Protection which is marked by a row of trees, each of which represent soldiers, who protect the country.
    • The Tyag Chakra, the Circle of Sacrifice, has circular concentric walls of honour based on the Chakravyuh.
    • The walls have independent granite tablets for each of the soldiers who have died for the country since Independence.
    • As of today, there are 26,466 names of such soldiers on these granite tablets etched in golden letters.
    • A tablet is added every time a soldier is killed in the line of duty.
    • The final is the Amar Chakra, the Circle of Immortality, which has an obelisk, and the Eternal Flame.
    • Busts of the 21 soldiers who have been conferred with the highest gallantry award of the country, Param Vir Chakra, are also installed at the memorial.

     

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  • Declaration on Forests and Land Use

    At COP-26 in Glasgow, countries got together to sign the Declaration on Forests and Land Use (or the Deforestation Declaration). However, India was among the few countries that did not sign the declaration.

    What is this Deforestation Declaration?

    • It was signed by 142 countries, which represented over 90 percent of forests across the world.
    • The declaration commits to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation.
    • The signatories committed $19 billion in private and public funds to this end.

    Why did India abstain from joining?

    • India had concerns about the linkage the declaration makes between deforestation, infrastructure development and trade.
    • Any commitment to the environment and climate change should not involve any reference to trade, cited India.
    • Analysts in India have linked the decision to a proposed amendment to the Forest Conservation Act 1980 that would ease the clearances presently required for acquiring forest land for new infrastructure projects.

    India abstained from many things

    • A look at India’s positions on some other recent critical pledges and decisions related to climate change reveals a clear pattern of objections or absence.
    • At CoP26, India was not part of the dialogue on Forests, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT).
    • FACT, which is supported by 28 countries seeks to encourage “sustainable development and trade of agricultural commodities while protecting and managing sustainably forests and other critical ecosystems”.
    • India also voted against a recent draft resolution to allow for discussions related to climate change and its impact on international peace and security to be taken up at the UNSC.

    Why should India join this declaration?

    • Broadly speaking, all of India’s objections are based on procedural issues at multilateral fora.
    • Although justifiable on paper, these objections seem blind to the diverse ways in which climate change is linked to global trade, deforestation, agriculture, and international peace, among other issues.
    • For context, consider India’s palm oil trade. India is the largest importer of crude palm oil in the world.
    • Palm oil cultivation, covering roughly 16 million acres of land in Indonesia and Malaysia, has been the biggest driver of deforestation in the two countries.

     

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  • MEETING LINK INSIDE, REGISTER & JOIN|| How to Finish UPSC-CSE Syllabus before 2023 if you are a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker?||  Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Ranadheer Ravula|| Unlock the Truths & Bust the Myths of UPSC-CSE 2023 Preparation

    MEETING LINK INSIDE, REGISTER & JOIN|| How to Finish UPSC-CSE Syllabus before 2023 if you are a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Ranadheer Ravula|| Unlock the Truths & Bust the Myths of UPSC-CSE 2023 Preparation

    Team is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

    How to Prepare for UPSC-CSE as a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker? || Ranadheer Ravula

    Date & Time: Jan 21, 2022 @07:00 PM (Login 06:45 PM onwards) India

    Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93780401967pwd=VWNaaEIzd3VSdUN2QXFHUlZ6L2NTdz09

    Meeting ID: 937 8040 1967

    Passcode: 220397

    Before starting your UPSC preparation, you might have heard many things about it from your friends, relatives and even from the internet. But, have you ever thought your research on how to study for the world’s toughest exam could be steeped in myths?

    There are many myths associated with UPSC preparation which beginners assume to be the truth and this ultimately, costs them an attempt. To avoid this, we suggest that you attend one of Civilsdaily’s weekly mentor-led free webinars that can help gain clarity while navigating the UPSC maze. Additionally, we also keep a Q&A session for everyone to clear their doubts. All you have to do is, fill in the form below and confirm your presence.

    What are the Myths assumed to be Truths by Most UPSC Aspirants?

    Aspirants think preparing for UPSC means reading everything under the sun, memorizing facts and having unlimited knowledge on undefined topics. However, the truth is far from true. UPSC, just like any other exam has a defined syllabus and questions would only be asked on those topics. Yes, the syllabus is vast compared to other exams but it certainly is well defined.

    Yet another UPSC myth which needs to be busted is  — the more books you read, the more you can score. The formula of qualifying for this exam lies in reading, practicing and revising frequently. UPSC also doesn’t always check your factual knowledge. If you know about inflation properly, but don’t know how the recent policies by the government to reduce inflation then that is concerning.

    Many aspirants think that one has to write long, lengthy and complicated answers in Mains to score better marks. However, by doing so they end up scoring lesser as this is not what the examiner is looking for. If you have a clear idea of the focus areas in Prelims, Mains & Interview, it will be easier for you to ace this exam.

    Key-Takeaways of the Free Live Webinar by Ranadheer Sir

    Our Civilsdaily mentor, Ranadheer Ravula will be taking the examples of his topper students and highlight how they had prepared for the exam keeping these things in mind –

    1. How should the syllabus be approached to complete it within the time limit?

    2. Is there a demarcation between Prelims and Mains studies? How to manage time between both?

    3. How to determine the primary focus areas of the Prelims, Mains, and Personality tests?

    4. How to apply bookish as well as classroom knowledge to the exam?’

    5. How to diminish your fear of Mains Answer Writing?

    6. Why should you not allow yourself to go more than 7 days without revising?

    7. How should Current Affairs be efficiently used for both Prelims and Mains exams?

    Webinar Details

    Don’t miss the chance to get value addition inputs to score better in the examination! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are welcome to attend.

    Date – 21 January 2022 (Friday)

    Time – 7:00 P.M.

    Limited slots are available. Please register immediately.

  • Webinar Today @ 7PM, Registration Closing in 1 Hr|| How to Finish UPSC-CSE Syllabus before 2023 if you are a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker?||  Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Ranadheer Ravula|| Unlock the Truths & Bust the Myths of UPSC-CSE 2023 Preparation

    Webinar Today @ 7PM, Registration Closing in 1 Hr|| How to Finish UPSC-CSE Syllabus before 2023 if you are a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Ranadheer Ravula|| Unlock the Truths & Bust the Myths of UPSC-CSE 2023 Preparation

    Before starting your UPSC preparation, you might have heard many things about it from your friends, relatives and even from the internet. But, have you ever thought your research on how to study for the world’s toughest exam could be steeped in myths?

    There are many myths associated with UPSC preparation which beginners assume to be the truth and this ultimately, costs them an attempt. To avoid this, we suggest that you attend one of Civilsdaily’s weekly mentor-led free webinars that can help gain clarity while navigating the UPSC maze. Additionally, we also keep a Q&A session for everyone to clear their doubts. All you have to do is, fill in the form below and confirm your presence.

    What are the Myths assumed to be Truths by Most UPSC Aspirants?

    Aspirants think preparing for UPSC means reading everything under the sun, memorizing facts and having unlimited knowledge on undefined topics. However, the truth is far from true. UPSC, just like any other exam has a defined syllabus and questions would only be asked on those topics. Yes, the syllabus is vast compared to other exams but it certainly is well defined.

    Yet another UPSC myth which needs to be busted is  — the more books you read, the more you can score. The formula of qualifying for this exam lies in reading, practicing and revising frequently. UPSC also doesn’t always check your factual knowledge. If you know about inflation properly, but don’t know how the recent policies by the government to reduce inflation then that is concerning.

    Many aspirants think that one has to write long, lengthy and complicated answers in Mains to score better marks. However, by doing so they end up scoring lesser as this is not what the examiner is looking for. If you have a clear idea of the focus areas in Prelims, Mains & Interview, it will be easier for you to ace this exam.

    Key-Takeaways of the Free Live Webinar by Ranadheer Sir

    Our Civilsdaily mentor, Ranadheer Ravula will be taking the examples of his topper students and highlight how they had prepared for the exam keeping these things in mind –

    1. How should the syllabus be approached to complete it within the time limit?

    2. Is there a demarcation between Prelims and Mains studies? How to manage time between both?

    3. How to determine the primary focus areas of the Prelims, Mains, and Personality tests?

    4. How to apply bookish as well as classroom knowledge to the exam?’

    5. How to diminish your fear of Mains Answer Writing?

    6. Why should you not allow yourself to go more than 7 days without revising?

    7. How should Current Affairs be efficiently used for both Prelims and Mains exams?

    Webinar Details

    Don’t miss the chance to get value addition inputs to score better in the examination! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are welcome to attend.

    Date – 21 January 2022 (Friday)

    Time – 7:00 P.M.

    Limited slots are available. Please register immediately.

  • Webinar Today @ 7PM, Registration Closing in 3 Hrs|| How to Finish UPSC-CSE Syllabus before 2023 if you are a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker?||  Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Ranadheer Ravula|| Unlock the Truths & Bust the Myths of UPSC-CSE 2023 Preparation

    Webinar Today @ 7PM, Registration Closing in 3 Hrs|| How to Finish UPSC-CSE Syllabus before 2023 if you are a Working Professional, College Student or Homemaker?|| Free Live Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Ranadheer Ravula|| Unlock the Truths & Bust the Myths of UPSC-CSE 2023 Preparation

    Before starting your UPSC preparation, you might have heard many things about it from your friends, relatives and even from the internet. But, have you ever thought your research on how to study for the world’s toughest exam could be steeped in myths?

    There are many myths associated with UPSC preparation which beginners assume to be the truth and this ultimately, costs them an attempt. To avoid this, we suggest that you attend one of Civilsdaily’s weekly mentor-led free webinars that can help gain clarity while navigating the UPSC maze. Additionally, we also keep a Q&A session for everyone to clear their doubts. All you have to do is, fill in the form below and confirm your presence.

    What are the Myths assumed to be Truths by Most UPSC Aspirants?

    Aspirants think preparing for UPSC means reading everything under the sun, memorizing facts and having unlimited knowledge on undefined topics. However, the truth is far from true. UPSC, just like any other exam has a defined syllabus and questions would only be asked on those topics. Yes, the syllabus is vast compared to other exams but it certainly is well defined.

    Yet another UPSC myth which needs to be busted is  — the more books you read, the more you can score. The formula of qualifying for this exam lies in reading, practicing and revising frequently. UPSC also doesn’t always check your factual knowledge. If you know about inflation properly, but don’t know how the recent policies by the government to reduce inflation then that is concerning.

    Many aspirants think that one has to write long, lengthy and complicated answers in Mains to score better marks. However, by doing so they end up scoring lesser as this is not what the examiner is looking for. If you have a clear idea of the focus areas in Prelims, Mains & Interview, it will be easier for you to ace this exam.

    Key-Takeaways of the Free Live Webinar by Ranadheer Sir

    Our Civilsdaily mentor, Ranadheer Ravula will be taking the examples of his topper students and highlight how they had prepared for the exam keeping these things in mind –

    1. How should the syllabus be approached to complete it within the time limit?

    2. Is there a demarcation between Prelims and Mains studies? How to manage time between both?

    3. How to determine the primary focus areas of the Prelims, Mains, and Personality tests?

    4. How to apply bookish as well as classroom knowledge to the exam?’

    5. How to diminish your fear of Mains Answer Writing?

    6. Why should you not allow yourself to go more than 7 days without revising?

    7. How should Current Affairs be efficiently used for both Prelims and Mains exams?

    Webinar Details

    Don’t miss the chance to get value addition inputs to score better in the examination! This webinar is absolutely free. All aspirants are welcome to attend.

    Date – 21 January 2022 (Friday)

    Time – 7:00 P.M.

    Limited slots are available. Please register immediately.