The envoys to India of nine Eastern European countries called Bucharest Nine jointly wrote to acquaint the Indian public with the basic facts on the ground” about the “premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified Russian aggression in Ukraine”.
What is Bucharest Nine?
The “Bucharest Nine” is a group of nine NATO countries in Eastern Europe that became part of the US-led military alliance after the end of the Cold War.
The Bucharest Nine or Bucharest Format, often abbreviated as the B9, was founded on November 4, 2015, and takes its name from Bucharest, the capital of Romania.
The group was created on the initiative of Klaus Iohannis, who has been President of Romania since 2014, and Andrzej Duda, who became President of Poland in August 2015.
Composition
The B9 are, apart from Romania and Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the three Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
All members of the B9 are part of the European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
All nine countries were once closely associated with the now dissolved Soviet Union, but later chose the path of democracy.
Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria are former signatories of the now-dissolved Warsaw Pact military alliance led by the Soviet Union.
The other Warsaw Pact countries were the erstwhile Czechoslovakia and East Germany, and Albania. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were part of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
Functions of B9
The B9 offers a platform for deepening the dialogue and consultation among the participant allied states, in order to articulate their specific contribution to the ongoing processes across the North-Atlantic Alliance.
It works in total compliance with the principles of solidarity and indivisibility of the security of the NATO Member States.
Opposition to Russian expansion
The B9 countries have been critical of President Vladimir Putin’s aggression against Ukraine since 2014, when the war in the Donbas started and Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the B9 met in Warsaw.
Ukraine’s President has also appealed to the B9 for defense aid, sanctions, pressure on the aggressor Russia and create one anti-war coalition.
The Solomon Islands has defended plans to sign a security deal with Beijing that could allow China to boost its military presence in the South Pacific island nation. This has left Australia very concerned.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu.
It has a land area of 28,400 square kilometres and a population of 652,858.[10] Its capital, Honiara, is located on the largest island, Guadalcanal.
The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands.
It also includes the North Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea), but excludes outlying islands, such as the Santa Cruz Islands and Rennell and Bellona.
The islands have been settled since at least some time between 30,000 and 28,800 BCE, with later waves of migrants, notably the Lapita people, mixing and producing the modern indigenous Solomon Islanders population.
As UPSC Mains results were announced last week, Sajal sir (Co-Founder of Civilsdaily and Mentor ofSmash Mains 2021 Program) was flooded with calls by delighted aspirants who thanked him for his mentorship. Sajal Sir himself is the topper of GS 2017 Mains paper and mentor of 400 UPSC Toppers.
After a quick check, we found out 41 Smash Mains students are qualified to attend the interview this year. As we are waiting for their interview results, we will not be announcing their names right now. However, we are sharing the testimonies of the qualified aspirants. We wish them all the very best!
What would you do if UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam was conducted right now? What method would you use to solve the question paper? Would you start with Question 1 and work your way up to the 100th question, or would you take a different approach? Given the possibility of negative marking, how many questions would you generally attempt?
Any UPSC-CSE topper who has successfully cleared the Prelims exam, use the 3-2-1-0 E method, otherwise also called the 100-50-33-25 per cent method. What’s that?
Free Live Q&A Webinar with IAS Officer Kunal Chavan
The 3-2-1-0 E Method is nothing but the 4 stages of answering the UPSC Prelims paper. In the first round, you have to answer those questions you are 100% sure of (i.e you can eliminate all the 3 options), in the second round, answer those questions you are 50% sure of (can eliminate only 2 options) and the third round answer those question you are only 33% sure of (can eliminate only 1 option). Finally, just check those questions where you are unable to eliminate any options. To be on a safer side, leave those questions unanswered.
However, since UPSC prelims is a competitive exam, what can we do about those questions where you are 50-25% sure of? How do you find the right answers using your exisiting knowledge? This free live webinar, we have invited IAS officer Kunal Chavan to help you out.
IAS Officer Kunal Chavan belongs to the Orissa cadre. He started his UPSC-CSE preparation in 2015. The first time he was unable to clear prelims. In the next three attempts, he reached the interview stage. Finally he cleared the exam with an All India Rank 211 to become an IAS officer.
What Will You Learn in This Q&A Webinar with IAS Officer Kunal Chavan
1. Analysing a test when attempting the paper. How to save time while answering each question?
2. What was the change in Kunal’s strategy after 2015? He will talk about the mistakes he made while studying for his first attempt.
3. The online revision sources Kunal used in the last few days to prelims. Why is it important to revise online sources of those topics you couldn’t score well in your test series?
4. The static part of current affairs and the dynamic part of NCERTs and standard books. What’s that?
5. How to use elimination techniques for each of the 4 rounds? Kunal Chavan sspeaks from his experience.
6. Finding hints in prelims questions. Kunal Chavan IAS will conduct live demonstration of certain UPSC questions.
7. The important prelims topics for 2022. Kunal Chavan IAS will list out the important topics for every subject.
Webinar Details
The free live webinar will be mostly in Q&A format, where IAS officer Kunal Chavan will answer every aspirant’s doubts. Since, it’s only a 1-hour session, the intake is limited. Hence, fill the registration form ASAP to confirm you slot!
Russia’s war on Ukraine has decisively shaped international opinion. Indian foreign policy is also going to be affected in a profound manner.
India’s foreign policy conundrum
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has put New Delhi in a foreign policy conundrum that will not disappear soon because Russia’s action has changed the global order.
India has not directly criticised Moscow’s action.
Memories of the historic Indo-Soviet partnership still seem to tip the scales when it comes to India’s vote at the UNSC.
Western countries have criticised India’s repeated abstentions at the UNSC on the issue of the Russian invasion.
The Western world has imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia and banned energy imports.
New Delhi is concerned about the impact of these sanctions on global finance, energy supplies, and transportation, amid growing signs that they will constrain India’s ability to import Russian oil.
India’s challenges
Russia’s increasing dependence on China: What must worry India is the fact that Russia will now become increasingly dependent on Chinese support to defend its policies.
The collapsing ruble, the punishing sanctions, and the dire state of the Russian economy will push Russia further into China’s military and economic orbit.
China’s challenge in Indo-Pacific: India’s real strategic challenge is surfacing in the Indo-Pacific with the rise of China, as Beijing has consistently sought to expand its zone of military, economic and political influence through the Belt and Road Initiative.
Though India would like the U.S. to continue to focus on China, it is not possible for Washington to ignore Russia’s aggression along NATO’s periphery.
How India’s ties with Russia changed over time
Since the end of the Cold War, Indians have been debating the contours of strategic autonomy.
For one section the doctrine of ‘multi-alignment’ is the 21st century avatar of strategic autonomy as India has been expanding its engagement with all the major powers.
Following the disintegration of the USSR, India joined Russia and China against the unipolarity of the U.S.
For some time, this common concern about unipolarity put the three countries on the same path towards mutual cooperation and understanding.
Later, Brazil and South Africa were also brought into this coalition.
However, it soon became clear that India and China did not see eye to eye.
Moreover, India was determined to maintain its partnership with Russia, an important arms supplier.
Its ties with the U.S. have also improved significantly since the end of the Cold War.
But continuing dependence on Russian weaponry has become India’s strategic headache.
Way forward for India
Under Mr. Putin, Russia is in a state of transition, swinging wildly from one crisis to another.
Therefore, it is too risky for India to pursue vague aims vis-à-vis Russia in these uncertain times.
A NATO-Russia Council was formed specifically to alleviate Russia’s concerns, and that Russia was recognised as one of the world’s leading industrial powers through a formal admission into the elite G-7.
Though Moscow has drifted much closer to Beijing, and is sharply critical of India’s engagement with the U.S. and the Quad, India finds it difficult to extend support to Ukraine.
It goes without saying that the U.S. is the country most likely to bolster India’s future as a great power.
Conclusion
It is not going to be easy for New Delhi to maintain its balancing act in the future as Washington hardens its position further. It is inevitable that during this time of diplomatic and strategic uncertainty, New Delhi needs to be ready to radically redefine its relationship with Moscow.
On March 11, speaking at the NCRB Foundation Day, the Union Home Minister remarked that the second phase of the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is set to be completed by 2026.
Increasing use of technology for policing
the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), a Rs 3,500 crore project, is set to be completed by 2026 with increased use of artificial intelligence, fingerprint systems and other tools of predictive policing.
One crore fingerprints had already been uploaded and if these were available to all police stations as part of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS), there would no longer be any need to pursue criminals.
The existing systems of ICJS and CCTNS empower the state to cross-reference data between different pillars of the criminal justice system.
Recently, the Indore Police Commissioner unveiled a “fingerprint-based criminal record data fetching system” in which a small thumb impression machine can be added to a phone.
If the fingerprint recorded matches with the police database, all information about a person’s criminal record will be pulled up.
Issues with the use of technologies
Privacy concerns: The enthusiasm for generating and cross-referencing data to make policing more efficient ignores privacy concerns and structural faults of policing.
The Supreme Court in K.S Puttaswamy declared a fundamental right to informational privacy as paramount and noted that any measure that sought to collect information or surveil must be legal, necessary, and proportionate.
Fear of mass surveillance: Integrating “fingerprint-based criminal record data fetching system” to the list of predictive policing practices will give birth to mass surveillance, particularly of certain oppressed caste communities, based on little evidence.
Nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes were ascribed “criminality by birth” and considered as “hereditary criminals addicted to systematic commission of non-bailable offences” under the colonial Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
It has been replaced with the murky Habitual Offenders (HO) provisions, which have acted as a tool for police to continue to attribute criminality to Vimukta communities, by mandating their surveillance through regular check-ins at police stations.
Mere suspicion or FIRs filed against an individual are sufficient to trigger the discretionary powers of the police.
Consider the question “Use of technology in policing can make it better at the same time run the risk of making it more dangerous.” Critically examine.
Conclusion
With the increasing adoption of technology in policing, we must pay attention to the risks involved and the issue of misuse.
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
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.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
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
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.
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*.
We, at Civilsdaily are extremely happy for everyone who has cleared mains this time. Thank you for giving us a reason to cheer for you. It’s important to give yourself a pat or two, share the news with your family, eat a sweet and start preparing for Interview immediately.
You are just one step closer to achieving your LBSNAA dream! So don’t take the final round for granted and prepare with the same gusto as you did for Prelims and Mains.
For those that couldn’t make it this year, hang in there and don’t lose heart. You still have 2 more months for UPSC 2022 prelims. Before you start your preparation, get afree 1-on-1 counselling from us and understand how you can better your performance in 2022.
Don’t forget to upload your DAF 1 and draft DAF 2 in the above link.
Our team will reach out to you. We will discuss how to best fill your DAF 2, what should be your next step and how to prepare for different aspects.
Highlights of Transcend: Focused offerings for 3 distinct groups of IAS Mains-qualified aspirants
Freshers
Work Ex
Veterans
Dedicated Habitat group, telephonic and the zoom/google meet sessions, SWOT analysis via personalized questionnaire & in-person mock interviews with the panel.
This year, we intend to raise the bar even higher by providing trailblazing professional, personalized mentorship. There are 3 broad categories into which the IAS Mains-qualified candidates are be divided:
#1. Freshers: Facing 1st UPSC interview without work-ex
These candidates have given dedicated and exclusive time to UPSC preparation, often right after their graduation. We also have candidates who decide for UPSC a little later in life. These candidates have a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have quit their jobs to prepare for CSE, some may have household and family responsibilities, etc.
The interview, in the case of these aspirants, will focus on academics, mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, leadership and teamwork, variety and depth of interest, etc.
Freshers have the advantage of ‘excitement’ and ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitude, but they also suffer from fear-of-the-unknown.
For them, Transcend will revolve around psychological strengthening and belief formation besides personality development and polishing of soft skills.
#2. Work-Experience: Facing 1st UPSC interview with work-ex
The second category is of working professionals. These candidates have the advantages of leadership, tactfulness, foresight, and maturity. Of all other categories of candidates, the responses of working professionals are expected to be brief, well crafted, balanced, logical and reflecting emotional intelligence. Leadership is another area these aspirants are tested for.
Transcend will focus intensely on each of these general traits. Stress will be on the trends highlighted by the latest research in these domains.
#3. Veterans: Have faced the UPSC interview board in the past
Candidates who have appeared in the UPSC interview, probably more than once; but have consistently scored low marks.
Such a person has the advantage of the experience of the official set-up. She is aware of the entire process, her DAF and does not have fear-of-the-unknown. She has possibly taken mock interviews in her previous attempts but success eludes her owing to some fundamental flaw, which if unidentified, will compromise her chances yet again.
For veterans, our Transcend mentors will analyze your DAF, previous mock interviews, transcript of real interview/s and will have detailed discussions to pinpoint the weakness. Then will follow the personalized recovery strategy.
We are the only institution in this space that brings such high levels of clarity and purpose to the interview program.
All in all, ‘Transcend’ from Civilsdaily is the finest tool you can choose to uncover the shimmering light of your personality and to realize the simmering desire of your heart.
Take that final leap. You are in good hands now.
What to expect in the coming weeks?
#1. Once you submit your DAF 1 and other details on the link & email, we request you to send a video snippet (shot over a mobile selfie at pravin[at]civilsdaily.com) on the questions listed below. These are basic, time tested questions that do not need any preparation but helps us understand your default presentation styles:
Why do you want to join the civil services?
Why should you be selected over the other candidates?
Which in-service officer has inspired you the most and why?
One feedback that you received from a friend, peer or superior which fundamentally changed the way you operate in the world or look at the world?
We want you to be uninhibited, relaxed and natural when you make this video. All questions are compulsory (especially 2, 4 and 5).
#2. We will get back to you with the feedback on your DAF and this video exercise.
#3. Post that, your progress will be tracked in mock interviews and taken over the telephone, skype, and panel-driven mocks and you will be given access to interact with both our in-house mentors and industry experts to fine-tune your reasonings.
We will work on your innate tendencies and help you carve out the best version of yourself.
Finance Minister sought to remind Parliament that it was the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who internationalized the Kashmir issue by taking it to the United Nations.
Kashmir at UN
The United Nations has played an advisory role in maintaining peace and order in the Kashmir region soon after the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947.
India took this matter to the UN Security Council, which passed resolution 39 (1948) and established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to investigate the issues and mediate between the two countries.
Following the cease-fire of hostilities, it also established the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to monitor the cease-fire line.
Why did Nehru agree to these terms?
In December 1947, because the British perhaps suggested Nehru that this matter will not be resolved unless you take it to the UN.
British were convinced that an intermediary was needed.
Nehru, a loyalist to the British agreed upon the terms laid by Mountbatten.
It was Nehru who first put forth the idea of a referendum under the aegis of UN soon after independence.
There is evidence to believe Sardar Patel was uncomfortable with Nehru taking the matter to the UN, and thought it was a mistake.
Issue: Adventurism by Pakistan
The discussions in the Security Council on our complaint of aggression by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir took a very unfavourable turn.
Pakistan then succeeded, with the support of the British and American members creating a western bias against India.
Pakistan is misusing this till date paving wave for third-party intervention.
It is an issue which should not have gone to a global forum, it is essentially an Indian issue.
Article 35 of UN Charter
There has been some debate on whether India chose the wrong path to approach the UN.
In 2019, Home Minister said that had Nehru taken the matter to the UN under Article 51 of the UN Charter, instead of Article 35, the outcome could have been different.
India pointed out that J&K had acceded to India, and that the “Government of India considered the giving of this assistance by Pakistan to be an act of aggression against India.
Articles 33-38 of the UN Charter occur in Chapter 6, titled “Pacific (peaceful) Settlement of Disputes” :
These Articles lay out that:
the parties to a dispute that has the potential for endangering international peace and security are not able to resolve the matter through negotiations between them, or by any other peaceful means, or with the help of a “regional agency”
the Security Council may step in, with or without the invitation of one or another of the involved parties, and recommend “appropriate procedures or methods of recommendation”
Article 35 only says that any member of the UN may take a dispute to the Security Council or General Assembly
Article 51, which occurs in Chapter 7, titled “Action With Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression”
It says that a UN member has the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if attacked
Issues with the internationalization of Kashmir
Kashmir issue no longer remains bilateral; it has thus been internationalized.
However, India has been successful in perhaps internationalizing terrorism but not the Kashmir problem.
But unwarranted statements against India’s sovereign concerns are increasing these days.
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