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  • Timbuktu: The faraway land

    Timbuktu is a western African city whose name is a metaphor for a place too exotic and remote to even imagine, now is in the grasp of Covid-19.

    Try this question from CSP 2018:

    Q.Very recently, in which of the following countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due to starvation caused by war/ethnic conflicts?

    (a) Angola and Zambia

    (b) Morocco and Tunisia

    (c) Venezuela and Colombia

    (d) Yemen and South Sudan

    Timbuktu

    • Timbuktu is a city in Mali, situated 20 km north of the Niger River.
    • The mystique of Timbuktu owes a lot to its inaccessibility, which continues even today.
    • It is located on the southern tip of the Sahara desert where there is nothing but thousands of miles of barren desert to its north.
    • It was a regional trade centre in medieval times, where caravans met to exchange salt from the Sahara Desert for gold, ivory, and slaves from the Sahel, which could be reached via the nearby Niger River.

  • 3rd July 2020| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement

    Important Announcement:  Topics to be covered on 6th July-

    GS-1  Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

    GS-4  Case studies

    Question 1) 

    Propaganda can lead to cult leadership, and propaganda along with cult leadership could be dangerous for peace and stability within the country and for the world. Comment with reference to Nazism in Germany. 10 marks

    Question 2)

    India has been chosen as the non-permanent member of the UNSC and will be there at the critical time in the history of the UNSC. What should be India’s priority and approach as a member of the UNSC? 10 marks

     

    Question 3)

    What is universal basic income (UBI)? What issues it could face while implementing in India? Suggest the steps to address the issues in the UBI. 10 marks

    Question 4)  

    Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. 10 marks

     

     

    Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.

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  • 2nd July 2020 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 472]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 471]

  • Role played by judiciary in curbing police violence

    Judiciary has played a significant role in tackling the problems of police violence. Yet, we come across some incident of violence intermittently. So, what went wrong? And what needs to be done? These issues are addressed in this article. 

    Role played by judiciary

    • Supreme Court’s interventioned against police violence came through in cases such as Joginder Kumar v. State of UP [1994] and D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal [1997].
    • In these cases, guidelines to secure 2 rights – a right to life and a right to know – in the context of any state action were issued.
    • Through these guidelines, the Court sought to curb the power of arrest.
    • It also ensured that an accused person is made aware of all critical information regarding the arrest.
    • Information of arrest also has to be conveyed to friends and family immediately in the event of being taken in custody.
    • It took a decade, and in the form of amendments, as the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008 to give statutory backing to these judicial guidelines.
    • It remains part of the law today.

    Significance of Prakash Singh Case

    • The Supreme Court went even further in the case, Prakash Singh v. Union of India [2006].
    • In this case, it pushed through new legislation for governing police forces to be passed by States across India.
    • A key component of the new legislation was a robust setup for accountability that contemplated a grievance redress mechanism.
    • However, several States are yet to legislate on the matter and remain in contempt of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

    Scientific investigation

    • Judiciary has supported techniques such as narcoanalysis, ensuring video recording of investigations, passing orders for installing closed-circuit television cameras inside police stations.
    • Through technology, one can hope to reduce the need for interacting with the body as a source of evidence.
    • But how often police employ physicality to obtain evidence will remain the deciding factor.

    Impeding issues

    • Despite all this, there are reports suggesting that across India there are as many as five custodial deaths a day.
    • Presence of continued institutional apathy towards the issue of police reform.
    • Judiciary’s approach of simply passing directions and guidelines, has proven to be a failure.
    • It is the ordinary magistrate, and not the constitutional court, who is the judicial actor wielding real power to realise substantial change in police practices. Hence, poor change.
    • There is a gap between the highest court and the lowly police officer in India.
    • Studies show despite criminal laws being struck down as unconstitutional, they continue to be enforced in various parts of the country by local police.

    What can be done?

    • Constitutional courts could reorient their guidelines to try and change the practices of magistrates.
    • It is the local magistrate before whom all arrested and detained persons must be produced within 24 hours.
    • Thus, magistrate becomes the point of first contact for a citizen with the constitutional rule of law.
    • The overworked magistrate, struggling with an ever-exploding docket, is very often in a rush to get done with the remand case.
    • This need to change with more involvement of Constitutional courts.

    Consider the question “Custodial torture is an anathema to democracy. Examine the issues related to custodial torture and how is it against the basic fundamental rights? What steps should be taken to prevent such acts by the police functionaries?”

    Conclusion

    The repeated instances of custodial deaths and tortures point to the inadequacies of the legal framework and lack of implementation. So, there is an urgent need for plugging the loopholes and some changes in approach.

  • Crisis facing the global order

    The corona crisis has laid bare the fissures in the global order. This article examines the four issues that are principal global challenges. Pandemic has accentuated these challenges.

    Principal global challenges

    • 1) Geopolitical tensions 2) Climate crisis. 3) Global mistrust. 4) The dark side of the digital world —  are four issues which U.N. Secretary-General Guterres listed as primary threats.
    • The four challenges have, for now, been overshadowed by the corona pandemic crisis.

    1.Climate change challenge

    • The drop in emissions in 2020 is projected to be about 8 per cent down on last year.
    • This drop will just put us on track to where we should be if we are to reach the Paris agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5 C.
    • The threat of climate change, although raising its head again, has been constrained.

    2.Digital space and its dark side

    • Cyberspace has been a digital saviour during the corona crisis.
    • Virtual communications enhanced through various services, new apps, expanded coverage has been key to enhanced virtual lives for millions by increase of the avenues for working from home, video chat connectivity and online delivery of goods.
    • Companies that have deftly used cyberspace have prospered the most: Amazons net capital gain has been over $400 billion in 2020.
    • However, a surge in cybercrime and cyber fraud is anticipated, if not there already.
    • The logic being that cyberspace use has expanded without commensurate growth in security features.
    • Thee are dire projections of an impending “cyber Pearl Harbour”.

    3.Geopolitical tensions

    • Accentuation of geopolitical tensions during the corona crisis is well-documented.
    • The US-China relationship was already deteriorating, the blame game over the virus has exacerbated it.
    • The brazen behaviour of China in matters relating to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, South China Sea and the India-China border has added to the inflammable state of geopolitics.
    • Rarely has the world seen such paucity of international cooperation since World War II.
    • The unravelling of the international institutions and partnerships that have been built since World War II is stark.

    4.Trust deficit among states

    • Trust amongst states has plummeted to its worst since World War II.
    • When faced with corona crisis shortages, almost all EU states responded at the national level.
    • Globally, at one time, more than 70 per cent of the world’s ports of entry — air, sea and land — restricted travel.
    • According to a Global Trade Alert study, nearly 90 governments blocked the export of medical supplies while 29 restricted food exports.

    Efficiency to self-sufficiency

    • Lack of trust is also impacting diversified supply chains.
    • The corona crisis is driving a shift from efficiency to self-sufficiency.
    • Japan is paying companies to relocate factories from China.
    • President Emmanuel Macron has pledged “full independence” for France in crucial medical supplies by year-end.
    • Prime Minister Modi has called for self-reliance and being vocal for local in India.
    • In the US, support for “Buy American” benchmarks for government health spending has growing bipartisan support.

    India’s role

    •  Challenges that transcend borders are of cardinal importance to India’s well being.
    • It is, therefore, time to conceptualise, in concrete terms, pathways to address them.
    • This will need to include our envisaging the new order and India’s own role in it as well as who our partners in this venture are to be.
    • Others are already working on their game plans.

    Consider the question “The cracks in the global order were apparent but the pandemic has accentuated the challenges to the global order. In light of this, examine the challenges to global order is facing the role that India should play.”

    Conclusion

    If India wants to be “rule shapers” rather than being “rule takers”, then we need to start working in partnership at blueprints for change. It is never too early to plan for the future

  • Reforming Digital policy

    Pandemic has been ravaging the economies across the globe but digital services have escaped the onslaught and are thriving. For India, this could be an opportunity. This article highlights the importance of the sector and how some proposed measures could have an adverse impact on the sector.

    Emerging trends in economies

    • Economic growth has dropped, and the competition for foreign investment is intensifying.
    • There are national campaigns to shift supply chains and the urgent necessity to reverse recessionary trends.
    • The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development just released its latest World Investment Report.
    • The report projected that FDI to developing Asian economies could drop by as much as 45%.

    Why digital services would beat this trend

    • Digital services have become critical to every 21st century economy.
    • Digital services are filling gaps when national or global emergencies interrupt more traditional modes of commerce.
    • It enables access to and delivery of a wide array of products across multiple sectors.

    How it matters for India

    • India offers undeniable potential for innovative homegrown start-ups.
    • India has a huge and increasingly digitised population.
    • Indian government policies will be key determinants in how quickly and at what level the economy attracts new investment.
    • Fostering innovation, and expanding its exporting prowess will also matter.

    Three pending measure

    • Three pending reform measures under consideration are-
    • 1) Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB).
    • 2) The e-commerce policy.
    • 3) The Information Technology Act Amendments.

    Issues with these measures

    • These regulatory reforms seem to emphasise a focus on protecting the domestic market for domestic companies.
    • It also prioritises government access to data.
    • It may be difficult to reconcile these approaches with India’s strong interest in i) promoting data privacy ii) protecting its democratic institutions iii) encouraging FDI and India’s position as a global leader in information technology.

    India-US trade relationship issue

    • The India-U.S. trade relationship is uncertain.
    • The bilateral relationship is an important factor for greater trade and investment in digital services.
    • India and the U.S. are yet to conclude negotiation on a bilateral trade agreement that could address some digital services issues.
    • The U.S. just initiated a “Section 301” review.
    • The review seeks whether digital services taxes in 10 countries constitute “unfair” trade measures, including India’s equalisation levy.

    Consider the question “Digital services have become critical to every 21st-century economy and more so for Indian economy. In light, highlight the salience of digital services for the Indian economy and what are the issues that could affect the growth trajectory of the sector in India?”

    Conclusion

    Post-COVID-19 international cooperation and approaches to good governance in the digital sphere will be top-priority initiatives. The steps India takes now could well establish itself as a true global leader.

  • 2nd July 2020| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement

    Important Announcement:  Topics to be covered on 3rd July-

    GS-1  History of the world including events from the 18th century.

    GS-4 Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters.

    Question 1) 

    Unifying post-partition India and princely states under one administration was perhaps the most important task facing the political leadership. Explain. 10 marks

    Question 2)

    The cracks in the global order were apparent but the pandemic has accentuated the challenges to the global order. In light of this, examine the challenges to global order is facing the role that India should play. 10 marks

     

    Question 3)

    Digital services have become critical to every 21st-century economy and more so for the Indian economy. In light, highlight the salience of digital services for the Indian economy and what are the issues that could affect the growth trajectory of the sector in India? 10 marks

    Question 4)  

    Discuss in what way PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) can bring in more e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence leading to a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. 10 marks

     

     

    Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check  here: Click2Join

  • West Bank Annexation Plan

    Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli leader’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would not start on the original target date as the British PM made an extraordinary appeal to Israel to call off the plan.

    The strategic location of Gaza strip, West Bank, Dead Sea etc. creates a hotspot for a possible map based prelims question. 

    Consider this PYQ from 2015 CSP:

    Q. The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:

    a) Central Asia
    b) Middle East
    c) South-East Asia
    d) Central Africa

    Must read:

    [Burning Issue] West Asia Peace Plan

    Where is West Bank Located?

    • The West Bank is located to the west of the Jordan River.
    • It is a patch of land about one and a half times the size of Goa, was captured by Jordan after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
    • Israel snatched it back during the Six-Day War of 1967 and has occupied it ever since.
    • It is a landlocked territory, bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel to the south, west, and north.
    • Following the Oslo Accords between the Israeli government and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) during the 1990s, part of the West Bank came under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
    • With varying levels of autonomy, the Palestinian Authority controls close to 40 per cent of West Bank today, while the rest is controlled by Israel.

  • AWE – Reminder – Enrollments Open for the Month of July & August and Important Announcement regarding the plan for the Month of July

    Dear students,

    AWE Program is gaining popularity and seeing a lot of participation.    

    We request all students to renew their subscription for the upcoming months. Let’s keep the momentum going. 

    The accuracy and fairness of exams can be impacted by some candidate’s fear or anxiety around the exam process. Taking a test in Civilsdaily’s Daily Answer Writing Enhancement (AWE) Program doesn’t just measure how much you know, it helps reinforce the learning and make it more likely that you can retrieve the same information later.

    It’s a fact that taking an AWE test can actually be more beneficial to learning than spending the same amount of time studying. Answer writing practises through Civilsdaily’s Daily AWE program can reduce test anxiety and helps you ace the GS Mains answer writing. And what is a better way to practice for UPSC Mains Examinations than attempting Questions which are the closest to demands of UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination? The more you are accustomed to sitting for a period of time, answering questions, and pacing yourself, the more comfortable you will feel when you actually sit down to take the real UPSC Mains examinations yourself.

    We are working hard to make the program more featureful, highlight the best answers, show the competency levels of students.

    Here is the schedule for the Month of July for topics being covered in GS Paper 1 and Paper 4

    July 2020

    Date Question 1 Question 4
    1st July, Wednesday Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent) Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
    2nd July, Thursday Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information.
    3rd July, Friday History of the world including events from the 18th century.  Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters. 
    6th July, Monday Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.- their forms and effect on the society. Case studies
    7th July, Tuesday Indian Society and Diversity of India. Case studies
    8th July, Wednesday Role of women and women’s organization. Case Studies
    9th July, Thursday Population and associated issues, poverty, and developmental issues. Case Studies
    10th July, Friday Urbanization, their problems, and their remedies. Case Studies
    13th July, Monday Effects of globalization on Indian society. Work culture, Quality of service delivery.
    14th July, Tuesday Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism. Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
    15th July, Wednesday Salient features of the world’s physical geography. Essence, determinants, and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
    16th July, Thursday Distribution of key natural resources across the world. Human Values
    17th July, Friday Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries. Attitude
    20th July, Monday Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone, etc. Case studies
    21st July, Tuesday Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Case studies
    22nd July, Wednesday Indian culture covering the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature, and Architecture. Case studies
    23rd July, Thursday Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present. Case Studies
    24th July, Friday The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country. Case Studies
    27th July, Monday Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.

    Monthly Rs. 1300 + taxes: Click2Join (bi-monthly payments accepted)

    The fee is for 2 months combined.

    For more information on how the program proceeds, click here –

     

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/course/daily-answer-writing/

  • United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

    The alleged torture and custodial killing of TN father and son by police last week pointed towards a broken criminal justice system and highlighted the need for police reforms and the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT).

    Practice question for mains:

    Q.There is an urgent need for reforming the criminal justice system in India in light of rising cases of custodial torture and killings. Comment.

    United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)

    • The UNCAT is an international human rights treaty, under the review of the UN and was adopted in 1984.
    • It aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment around the world.
    • The convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture in any territory under their jurisdiction and forbids states to transport people to any country where there is reason to believe they will be tortured.
    • Since the convention’s entry into force, the absolute prohibition against torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment has become accepted as a principle of customary international law.

    The Committee against Torture (CAT)

    • It is a body of human rights experts that monitors implementation of the Convention by State parties.
    • The Committee is one of eight UN-linked human rights treaty bodies.
    • All state parties are obliged under the Convention to submit regular reports to the CAT on how rights are being implemented.
    • Upon ratifying the Convention, states must submit a report within one year, after which they are obliged to report every four years.
    • The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of “concluding observations.”
    • Under certain circumstances, the CAT may consider complaints or communications from individuals claiming that their rights under the Convention have been violated.

    Optional Protocol to CAT

    • The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) was adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2002.
    • It provides for the establishment of a system of regular visits undertaken by independent international and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

    India needs to ratify UNCAT

    • India signed the convention in 1997 but it remains among a handful of countries including Pakistan and China which are yet to ratify the convention.
    • India is in the company of 25 other nations which have not ratified.
    • The National Human Rights Commission had said custodial violence and torture are already “rampant” in the country.
    • About 1,731 people had died in custody in 2019 a/c to NHRC report.

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