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  • Streak Daily Compilation of Questions & Videos – Sep 16, 2021

    Maintaining consistency is one of the biggest issues faced by IAS Aspirants. Streak’s initiative is to help Aspirants in their day-to-day preparation. You can follow the monthly, weekly, and daily timetables and continue this streak until you find yourself on the final list.

    Please register for Streak Initiative (free) through this link:- https://www.civilsdaily.com/course/streak-daily-initiative/

    You will get following study material:-

    1. Questions (PDF).
    2. RSTV/Yojana monthly notes (PDF).
    3. Burning issue (PDF).
    4. Subject specific (PDF).
    5. Mentor’s phone call for support & encouragement.

    _____________________________________________

    Daily Study Plan with Answer Writing Challenge || STREAK FREE INITIATIVE FOR UPSC IAS – by Ravi Ranjan

    UPSC PRELIMS-2021 || Current Affairs Based Most Probable Questions on International Relations – by Sukanya Rana

    Q1) Consider statements on Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Partnership Initiative:

    1. Apatani wet rice cultivation and Kuttanad wetland agriculture are sites under FAO GIAHS.

    2. Kuttanad Wetland Agriculture System is the only system in India that favours rice cultivation below sea level.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q2) Consider the following statements on International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):

    1. The ICCPR is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

    2. All UN members are part of ICCPR.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q3) Consider the following statements:

    1. Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control treaty administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

    2. Non signatories to biological weapons convention include: Israel, Somalia, Iran, Syria.

    Select correct option:

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) 1 and 2

    d) None

    Q4) Consider the following statements:

    1. Prevention of arms race in outer space is a document governed under the outer space treaty.

    2. Fissile material cut off treaty is legally binding on its signatories.

    Select correct option:

    a) 1 only

    b)2 only

    c) 1 and 2

    d) None

    Q5) Consider the following statements with respect to Exercise Shantir Ogroshena 2021 

    1. It is a multilateral military exercise conducted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

    2. India and Pakistan are participating in the exercise along with Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

    Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

    a) 1 only 

    b) 2 only 

    c) Both 1 and 2 

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Hardly the India-China century

    Context

    Deng Xiaoping had told then-Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 that the 21st century would be “India and China’s century”, the current Chinese leadership has no patience for such pablum. They believe — indeed believe they know — that it is destined to be China’s century alone.

    The policy of side-stepping contentious issues and encouraging bilateral economic relations

    • There have always been political tensions, both over each country’s territorial claims over land controlled by the other, and China’s alliance with Pakistan, and India’s hospitality to the Dalai Lama.
    • But neither country had allowed these tensions to overwhelm them:
    • China had declared that the border dispute could be left to “future generations” to resolve.
    • India had endorsed the “One China” policy, refusing to support Tibetan secessionism while limiting official reverence for the Dalai Lama to his status as a spiritual leader.
    • India actions and statements have usually been designed not to provoke, but to relegate the border problem to the back burner while enabling trade relations with China (now worth close to $100 billion) to flourish.
    • India made it clear that it was unwilling to join in any United States-led “containment” of China.
    • From negligible levels till 1991, trade with China had grown to become one of India’s largest trading relationships. 
    • India engages with China diplomatically in the BRICS  as well as conducting annual summits of RIC (Russia-India-China).
    • India is an enthusiastic partner in the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank (NDB).
    • However, it has become increasingly apparent that the policy of side-stepping contentious issues and encouraging bilateral economic relations has played into Chinese hands.

    Chinese strategy in Galwan

    • In the Galwan clash, the Chinese troops seem to have been engaged in a tactical move to advance their positions along areas of the LAC that it covets, in order to threaten Indian positions and interdict patrols.
    • They are threatening India’s construction of roads, bridges and similar infrastructure on undisputed Indian territory, a belated effort to mirror similar Chinese efforts near the LAC in Tibet.
    • They have established a fixed presence in these areas well beyond China’s own ‘Claim Line’.
    • The objective seems to be to extend Chinese troop presence to the intersection of the Galwan river and the Shyok river, which would make the Galwan Valley off bounds to India.
    • The Chinese have constructed permanent structures in the area of their intrusion and issued statements claiming that sovereignty over the Galwan valley has “always belonged” to China.
    • Consolidation of LOC: China’s strategy seems to be to consolidate the LAC where it wants it, so that an eventual border settlement — that takes these new realities into account — will be in its favour.
    • Implications for India:  In the meantime, border incidents keep the Indians off-balance and demonstrate to the world that India is not capable of challenging China, let alone offering security to other nations.

    India’s options

    • India has reinforced its military assets on the LAC to prevent deeper incursions for now.
    • And hopes to press the Chinese to restore the status quo ante through either diplomatic or military means.
    • Chinese and Indian officials are currently engaged in diplomatic and military-to-military dialogue to ease tensions, but de-escalation has been stalled for months.
    • Economic options: India has responded with largely symbolic acts of economic retaliation.
    • India has also reimposed tighter limits on Chinese investment in projects such as railways, motorways, public-sector construction projects, and telecoms.

    Limits to India’s economic retaliation

    • India is far too dependent on China for vital imports — such as pharmaceuticals, and even the active ingredients to make them, automotive parts and microchips that many fear it will harm India if it acted too strongly against China.
    • Imports from China have become indispensable for India’s exports to the rest of the world.
    • Various manufacturing inputs, industrial equipment and components, and even some technological know-how come from China; eliminating them could have a seriously negative effect on India’s economic growth.
    • And there are limits to the effectiveness of any Indian retaliation: trade with China may seem substantial from an Indian perspective, but it only represents 3% of China’s exports.
    • Drastically reducing it would not be enough to deter Beijing or cause it to change its behaviour.

    Consider the question “State of India-China relationship hardly indicate the 21st Century being the “India and China’s century”. In light of this, examine the factors responsible for this and suggest the way forward for India.”

    Conclusion

    This range of considerations seems to leave only two strategic options. Playing second fiddle to an assertive China or aligning itself with a broader international coalition against Chinese ambitions. Since the first is indigestible for any democracy, is China de facto pushing India into doing something it has always resisted — allying with the West?

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  • How lack of consistency can cost you an attempt in UPSC?

    How lack of consistency can cost you an attempt in UPSC?

    We talked to 8000+ aspirants in the last one year and their answers will surprise you.

    Inconsistency in UPSC preparation is like getting up at 5 am. A night before you set up your alarm. The motivation to get up is high at this point. But in the morning, when the alarm rings, we swipe it to the right with a thought “IN 5 MINUTES…FOR SURE!!”. This snooze cycle usually continues for some time till we realize it is 8 am. Already a bad start to the day! To add to it, you will spend the whole day repenting upon not being able to get up early, instead of focusing upon the time we have. The same goes for UPSC preparation. You set your targets but one slight glitch and your whole preparation go off track. Till the time you yourself realize this mismanagement, it is a bit too late. Anxiety builds up, performance levels fall. You are not able to achieve even 10% OF YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL on the D-day.

    WE ASKED 8000+ STUDENTS ONE SIMPLE QUESTION –

    “WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE THAT YOU ARE FACING IN YOUR UPSC PREPARATION?”

    YOU WILL BE ASTOUNDED THAT ONE ANSWER WAS COMMON IN REPLIES – INCONSISTENCY.

    They are Consistently Inconsistent. Meaning, they go through these highs and lows in their preparation. They are able to study for days, week but they hit a sudden gap in preparation. Then, they find it very hard to come back. The good news is that we have the solution.

    Click here to get your Personalised timetable for 3-MONTHS by parth sir

    Our philosophy behind MENTORSHIP is to get you out of this Snooze cycle. This ensures that you are the BEST VERSION of yourself in this journey. If you are under the impression that mentorship is weekly calls you attend, then you are mistaken, my friend. Trust us, your mentor will be your ‘FRIEND, PHILOSOPHER AND GUIDE’.

    How Mentorship can fight inconsistency in preparation?

    TO EACH THEIR OWN – Every aspirant is different. Their strengths and weaknesses are different. Their time availability is also different. Identifying this is important so you don’t end up making unrealistic targets and lose momentum. Your mentor will make sure you start slow but remain consistent to build your confidence. Making your schedule structured based on our experience of working with 2500+ students is our first priority. 

    TRACK YOUR PROGRESS – When you see yourself grow, it becomes easier to motivate yourself to push boundaries. Tracking your progress can happen in many ways like mentorship calls or chat sessions or by regular tests. The idea is to ensure that you don’t go off track in your preparation, and even if you do, we have your back.

    Get 1-1 mentorship now, register here

    EVOLUTION – A constant guidance is important to bring consistency to your UPSC preparation. Guidance is not about clearing your doubts or asking you to study when you don’t. It is also about the evolution of your preparation. This is where you and your mentor work as a team. A constant effort to PLAN AND BUILD UP YOUR ABILITY to learn in a faster and more efficient way.

    Receive personal guidance for upsc (register here)

    TALK IT OUT – The biggest hurdle in achieving your highest level of consistency is the emotional part. Every now and then, you. surround yourself with negative thoughts, you feel scared and depressed. Instead of resolving these emotional issues, you avoid them as it seems like a waste of your precious time. You have to understand that ignoring emotional troubles does not solve them. What your doing is building an emotional time bomb that may burst a week before your mains or prelims! This is where your MENTOR AS A FRIEND comes in. All our mentors have been through this journey. We understand your fears and anxieties. So, TALK IT OUT.

    Don’t let inconsistency keep you away from your dreams.

    Fill up the SAMANVAYA form given below. Let us know your problems and we will find a solution to it, just like our students say ” TOGETHER WE CAN AND WE WILL”.

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  • [Important] How can working professionals crack UPSC with a serious time crunch?

    [Important] How can working professionals crack UPSC with a serious time crunch?

    Preparing for the UPSC exam can be a tough race against time. And if you are a working professional who is managing your job along with the preparation, coping with the syllabus can be extremely difficult.

    Your day starts with the pressure of your work. You may have to manage project deadlines, you have to attend office meetings, you may have to deal with clients at work, and spend a lot of time at your workplace.  In fact, by the time you reach home from work, you already feel exhausted and have no energy to study anymore.

    But does that mean you give up on your dreams?

    NO!

    We will discuss the important ways in which you can crack this exam through the following methods:

    1. Personalized timetable
    2. Personalized study plan
    3. Tracking your progress
    4. Investing in topics with good ROI
    5. Focusing on smart study

    We spoke with over 3,000+ working professionals who are also preparing for the IAS exam and the most difficult obstacle faced by almost every aspirant was – Managing the time for preparation.

    FILL THIS FORM TO SCHEDULE A FREE 1-1 CALL WITH OUR MENTORS (CLICK HERE)

    So, how can you manage your time better?

    Personalized timetable – Each aspirant has a different schedule. Some of you study before starting the day’s work, some of you return home after work and then study. The important thing to realize is that there is NO Perfect strategy. You need a plan that suits YOUR needs!

    Use this decison matrix to make correct choices

    You can start by dividing your day into different time slots and start by prioritising what you are weak at. You can shut the social media without completely shutting your social life. Figure out the best timetable that gives you the maximum free time to study and stick to it.

    Personalised study plan – Each aspirant learns at a different pace. Not only your timetable, but it is also important to organise your syllabus in order to cope with it. You can break the syllabus into smaller chunks, you can study concise material, and even find smart ways to save time.

    For example, if you do not find enough time to make notes from the newspaper, you can always study from compiled newspaper notes. You can save time by focusing on reading coaching notes, studying concise current affairs, etc. Plan your syllabus to deal with the most important static topics and current affairs first, then move to other study materials.

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    Tracking your progress – Cracking UPSC is not about perfection, it is about consistently progressing. And TRACKING your progress. Since you are pressed for time, it is extremely important that you monitor your progress closely.

    For example, when you give a mock test track the questions you got wrong, identify why you got those wrong, also look at the other options given in the question which you answered correctly. As you study, keep monitoring your progress. That’s the only way to make the best out of your limited time.

    Make every moment count – You know that you are facing a time crunch which means that you have to work hard for only that amount of time. So, give your everything. Use every micro opportunity to study. Read Current Affairs snippets, practice quick online quizzes, etc. to make sure not a single moment is wasted. And even if the progress is slow, do not worry, keep progressing!

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    Utilize the Travelling time: Always carry some study material which can be handy i.e. Newspapers or a small notebook and use it in the interim period of travel whenever possible

    Invest in only good Return on Investment (ROI) topics: If an aspirant has less time to prepare and revise, it is important to analyze the ROI that each topic under the syllabus will give you. Studying the syllabus is as important as preparing for the examination itself. Aspirants must have a clear understanding of the topics and the weightage that each portion is given. To do this, aspirants could compare the syllabus with the previous year’s question papers.

    Focus on smart work: Aspirants, especially those who are preparing along with handling a full-time job, must be smart when it comes to preparing. “Do not fall into the trap of reading everything under the sun. You do not have the luxury of time, so be smart in choosing what you study. Focus on limited content from limited resources. Use the time you have to revise ‘n’ number of times, rather than picking up newer material.

    And remember, When preparation gets tough, we’ll be there for you!

    Do not get overwhelmed by the time crunch, do not feel scared. There is a way to manage time and we can help you achieve your dreams.

    So far, more than 10,000 working professionals have benefited from the free 1-1 mentorship program of Civilsdaily. Please fill this registration form and our experienced Mentor will reach out to you and make a perfect personalized preparation schedule plan for you keeping in mind your serious time crunch.

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  • Important Literature

    16th Sept 2021

     

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    Vedas

    • It is written in highly stylized poetic style and the language is full of symbols and myths.
    • The Vedas were initially handed down orally by generations of Brahmin families but it is estimated by historians that they were compiled around 1500 BC-1000 BC.
    • In the Hindu tradition, they are considered sacred because they are the divine revelations, which were determined by gods to guide humans eternally.
    • They also have larger implications on our lives as they treat the universe and its inhabitants as one big family and preach Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
    • There are four major Vedas: Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. These were mostly written by vedic seers and poets called the rishis who envisioned the cosmic mysteries and wrote them in the form of Sanskrit poetry.
    • All the Vedas give prominence to yagna (sacrifice). The Brahmanas, the Upanishads and the Aranyakas accompany each Veda.
    Brahmanas
    • The Brahmanas are part of the Hindu sruti (revealed knowledge) literature. Each Veda has a Brahmana attached to it, which is essentially a collection of texts with commentaries on the particular Veda.
    • They are usually a mixture of legends, facts, philosophy and detailed explanations of Vedic rituals.
    • They also consist of instructions as to how to properly conduct rituals and enunciate the science of sacrifice.
    • They also explain the symbolic significance of the sacred words used in the rituals.
    • Each Veda has its accompanying Brahmana.
    Arayankas
    • The Arayankas are also texts attached to the Vedas and they describe the rituals and sacrifices involved in the Vedas from various perspectives.
    • They are said to be compilations of ritualistic information on the birth and death cycles as well as the complexity of the soul.
    • It is argued that holy and learned men, called Munis, who preferred to dwell within the limits of the forests, taught them.
    Upanishads
    • We have more than 200 known Upanishads and the teacher usually passed them down verbally to his students in the forest while they sat in front of him.
    • This tradition was part of the guru-shishya parampara.
    • These are treatises written in Sanskrit and give an account of the Vedas in predominantly monastic and mystical terms.
    • As they are generally the last part of the Vedas, they are also known as Vedanta or ‘end (anta) of the Veda’.
    • The Upanishads are said to have the ‘truth’ about human life and show the way towards human salvation or moksha.
    • Out of the above-mentioned 200 Upanishads, a set of 108 Upanishads has been called the Muktika Canon.

    Sanskrit Drama

      Kalidasa  Malavikagnimitra (The love story of Malavika a maiden of Queen and Agnimitra the son of Pushyamitra Shunga)   Vikramorvasiya (Love story of Vikram and Urvasi)   Abhigyana Shakuntala (the recognition of Shakuntala)
    SudrakaMricchakatika (The Little Clay Cart) Love affair of young brahmin Charudatta with a wealthy courtesan.  
    VishakhduttaMudra Rakshasa (is a political drama and narrates the ascent of king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India)   Devi Chandraguptam
    BhavabhutiUttara Ramacharitam (the later life of Rama). It was written in 700 AD.
    BhasaSwapnavasavadatta (Vasavadatta in a dream), Pancharatra, Urubhanga (story of Duryodhana during and after his fight with Bhima.
    Harshavardhana (wrote 3 Sanskrit plays)Ratnavali (about the love story of princess Ratnavali, daughter of the king of Ceylon and king Udayana. We find here, the mention of the celebration of Holi for the first time).
    Other Major Sanskrit texts
      CharakCharak Samhita (Book on Medicine)
    SushrutaSushruta Samhita (Book on surgery).  
    MadhavaMadhava Nidana (Book on pathology)
    VaramihiraPancha-Siddhantika (Book on astrology)   Brihat Samhita (book on wide-ranging subjects like planetary movements, geology, architecture, etc.
    AryabhattaAryabhatiya (Book on astronomy and mathematics)
    LagdhacharyaBook on astrology
    PingalaBook on Mathematics
    BhaskaraSiddhanta Shiromani

    Literature in Pali and Prakrit

    • It is said that Lord Buddha used Pali to give his sermons and it is in the same language that they have been recorded. The Buddhist literature can be divided into Canonical and Noncanonical works.
    • The Canonical literature consists of ‘Triptikas’ or baskets (of knowledge).
    • The three Tripitakas are: Vinaya Pitaka, which covers the rules and regulations, which should be followed by the Buddhist monks. The Sutta Pitaka contains dialogues and speeches of the Buddha that deal with morality and righteous dharma. Lastly, the Abhidhamma Pitaka that concentrates on the philosophy and metaphysics.
    • It also contains discussions on various topics like ethics, theory of knowledge and psychology.
    • The Jatakas are the best example of Buddhist non-canonical literature. These are compilation of the stories from the previous births of Buddha.
    • The stories of the Bodhisattva or the (future) would-be Buddha are also discussed in these Jatakas. Although these stories propagate Buddhist religious doctrines, they are available in Sanskrit and Pali. Each story of the birth of the Buddha is equivalent to a Jataka tale.
    • It was believed that Buddha passed through 550 births before he was born as Gautama. These tales combine the popular tales, ancient mythology as well as sociopolitical conditions in North India between 600 BC and 200 BC.
    • The great epic Buddhacharita by Aswaghosha (78 A.D.) is another example of Buddhist literature in Sanskrit. Another major religion, Jainism, produced texts in Prakrit.
    • They form the basis of the Jain canonical literature. Some of the Jain texts were also written in Sanskrit like the Upamitibhava Prapancha Katha of Siddharasi (906 A.D.).
    • The most important Jain texts written in Prakrit are the Angas, the Upangas and the Parikramas. Apart from these the Chhedab Sutra and the Malasutra are also considered to be sacred by the Jains.
    • Amongst the secular writers attached to the Jains were Hemachandra who wrote a treatise on lexicography and grammar. Mention could also be made of Haribhadra Suri who wrote in the eighth century.
    • These treatises help us to expound on the sociopolitical history of areas densely populated by the Jaina community, which mostly comprised of traders.
    • Lastly, Prakrit poetry has some elements of erotica through texts like the Gathasaptashati (700 verses) by Hala written in 300 A.D.
    • While Hala has only contributed 44 verses in this volume, what sets this apart is a large number of female poetesses who have contributed to this work.
    • The most prominent amongst them are Pahai, Roha, Sasippaha, Mahavi and Reva.
    Other Buddhist literary texts
    • Dipavamsa: It was probably written in 3rd-4th centuries BCE in Anuradhapur (Sri Lanka), during the reign of King Dhatusena. It literally means “Chronicle of the Island”. It mentions about the visit of Buddha to Sri Lanka and the relics of Buddha.
    • Milinda Panha: It contains a dialogue between King Meander (or Milinda) and Buddhist monk Nagasena. It means “Questions of Milinda”. These are one of the highest philosophical enquiries.
    • Mahavamsa: It is an epic poem written in Pali language. It dates back to 3rd-4th centuries BCE during the reign of King Vijaya. It is a historical account of various kingdoms of South Asia.
    • Mahavastu: It contains Jakata and Avadana tales. It is written in mixed Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit. It is said to compiled between 2nd century BC-4th century AD.
    • Lalitavistara Sutra: meaning “The play in full”, it is an important Mahayana text. It contains various stories associated with the life of Buddha till his first sermon at Sarnath.
    • Udana: It is one of the oldest Theravada (Old School) Buddhist text. It contains the famous story of “Blind Men and the Elephant”.
    • Bodhi Vamsa: It was prose-poem, written in century 10th century in Sri Lanka. It was translated from a Sinhalese version. It was written by Upatissa and is written in Pali. Udanavarga: It is a compilation which contains utterances of Buddha and his disciples. It is written in Sanskrit.
    • Mahavibhasa Shastra: It is said to be written around 150CE. It contains discussions about other non-Buddhist philosophies also. It is essentially a Mahayan text.
    • Abhidharmamoksha: It is written by Vasubandhu and is a widely respected text. It is written in Sanskrit. It contains discussion on Abhidharma.
    • Visuddhimagga: It is written by Buddhagosha in 5th century. It is a text of Theravada doctrine. It contains discussions on various teachings of Buddha.

    Jain Literature

    • Apart from writing in Prakrit and Ardha Magadhi, Jain monks wrote in many other languages depending on the era, region and the patrons who supported them.
    • They wrote in Tamil during the Sangam Age in south India.
    • They also wrote in Sanskrit, Shauraseni, Gujarati, and Marathi.
    • They can be broadly divided into two major categories; Canonical or religious texts called Jain Agamas or Agam and non-canonical literary works.
    Jain Agamas
    • They are the sacred texts and are said to be the teachings of the Jain tirthankars. They are said to be originally compiled by the Gandharas who were immediate disciples of Mahavira.
    • These texts are important for Svetambaras. The present Angas are said to re-compiled in a council of monks of Svetambaras sect held in Vallabhi (Gujarat) during mid-5th century AD.
    • The Digamabara sect believes that original teachings were lost long ago and they do not accept the authority of Agamas compiled in Valabhi. Agamas comprised of 46 texts.
    • They are 12 Angas, 12 Upanga, 10 Prakirnakas, 4 Mulasutras, 6 Chedasutras, 2 Chulika Sutra. They were written in Ardha-Magadhi Prakrit language.
    • The Angas teach reverence for all forms of life, strict codes of vegetarianism, asceticism, compassion and non-violence.
    • The 12 Angas are:
    1. Acharanga Sutra: Oldest agama.
    2. Sutrakritanga: describes code of conduct for Jain monks, metaphysics etc
    3. Sthananga Sutra.
    4. Samavayanga Sutra: discussion on essence of Jainism, astronomy, mathematics, etc.
    5. Vyakhyaprajnapti or Bhagavati Sūtra
    6. Jnatrdharma Katha.
    7. Upasakadasa
    8. Antakrddaasah
    9. Anuttaraupapatikadasah.
    10. Prasnavyakaranani: Description of sins.
    11. Vipakasruta: stories and illustrations.
    12. Drstivada: contained 14 Purvas
    • Digambaras gave sacred status to two works: the Karmaprabhrita (discussion on Karma) or Shatkhandagama and the Kashayaprabhrita.
    • Some other important Jain works and authors are:
    • Bhadrabahu (3rd century BC) is one of the greatest Jain monks and was the teacher of Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote the sacred Uvasaggaharam Stotra, Kalpa Sutra (Biographies of Jain Tirthankars). He was the pioneer of the Digambara sect.
    • Acharya Kundkund’s Samayasara and Niyamasara discusses the Jain philosophy.
    • Samanta Bhadra’s Ratna Karanda Sravakachara (Life of a Jaina householder) and Aptamimansa was written around 2nd century AD.
    • Ilango Adigal’s Silappadikaram considered one of the greatest epics of Tamil literature written in 2nd century AD, is a moralistic discourse. It revolves around Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of the Pandyan Dynasty, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom.
    • Tirutakkatevar’s Civaka Cintamani is also one of the epics of Tamil literature.
    • Nalatiyar, an ancient Tamil text was written by Jain monks.
    • Umasvati’s Tattvartha-sutra (1st -2nd century AD) is an important jain work in Sanskrit on logic, epistemology, ethics, and astronomy.
    • Jinasena (8th-9th centuries) was a revered Digamabara monk. He wrote Mahapurana and Harivamshapurana. He was the disciple of another famous Jain monk Virasena.
    • Haribhadra Suri (6th century AD) a Jain author wrote in Sanskrit.
    • Hemachandra Suri (12th century), a famous scholar wrote grammars of Sanskrit and Prakrit.

    Tamil (Sangam) Literature

    • ‘Sangam’ means fraternity and this literature was very popular amongst the masses.
    • This literature is a collection of works that contains approximately 2381 poems that have been attributed to 473 poets and there is a corpus of literature written by 102 poets that remains anonymous.
    • The poets included men and women from different classes of society. The literary tradtion was so popular that the period between 300 BC and 300 AD, during which most of these were composed and compiled, is often called Sangam period.
    • There are two major schools of Sangam literature: aham/agam which is the ‘inner field’ and concentrates on the abstract discussion of human aspects like love, sexual relations, etc.
    • The second school is the ‘puram’ or the ‘outer field’ which discusses the human experiences like social life, ethics, valour, customs, etc.
    • This literature bears the name ‘Sangam’ because the kingdom of Pandya organised assemblies where poets, bards and writers would flock from various parts of South India.
    • These assemblies were called ‘Sangamas’ and the literature produced in the duration of these assemblies was called Sangam literature.
    • There were three Sangams organized over a period of 600-700 years. However, the conclusive historical account of the first two Sangams are not available.
    • The first and second Sangams are considered legends and myths by many scholars. There were three major Sangams organized:
    SangamKingdomPlace of organizationChairmanBooks
    First or HeadPandyaMaduraiAgastya or ShivaNo book has survived. Used Agattiyam as grammar.
    Second or Middle Sangam periodPandyaKapatapuramInitially, it was Agastya and then his disciple Tolkappiyar took over.Around 2,000 poems were collected and compiled into Tolkappiyam. Tolkappiyam is a textbook on Tamil grammar giving the inflection and syntax of words and sentences and also includes classification of habitats, animals, plants and human beings
    ThirdPandyaMaduraiNakkirarMost of the existing corpus of Sangam literature was written.

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  • UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 Admit Cards are out !!!

    Dear students,

    UPSC has released admit cards for Civil Services (Preliminary) examination, 2021. The exam is scheduled to be held on 10th Oct 2021.

    Click here to download your admit card.

    Do read the instructions carefully. In the wake of COVID, special instructions have been issued by UPSC.

  • 16th September 2021 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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    [WpProQuiz 782]

    [WpProQuiz_toplist 782]

  • Centre and states must strike bargain on GST

    Context

    After one and a half years of dispute, and with the economy showing signs of recovery, a path forward for the GST finally seems visible. This opportunity needs to be seized to strike the Centre-State bargain.

    How GST performed so far

    •  The contributors are many but the critical one has been simply a lack of revenues.
    • Initially, the GST performed well, with collections soaring to Rs 11.8 lakh crore in the first full year of implementation in 2018-19.
    • But in 2019-20, the growth rate decelerated sharply. And in 2020-21, collections actually fell.
    • As future collections became uncertain, a gap opened up between the amount that the Centre felt it could afford to promise and the minimum that the states felt they needed and were entitled to.
    • More recently, however, confidence in GST has improved.
    • Collections have revived, averaging Rs 1.1 lakh crore in the first five months of the current fiscal year, exceeding even pre-pandemic levels.

    What explains the weak revenue performance of the GST?

    • Slowing economy: The GST’s past performance now seems much better than it once did.
    • We now know that after 2018-19, nominal GDP growth slowed from 10.5 per cent in 2018-19 to 7.8 per cent the next year and -3 per cent in 2020-21.
    • Effective rate cuts: The RBI has pointed out, the effective tax rate has fallen by nearly 3 percentage points because of rate cutting in 2019, in which both the Centre and states were complicit.
    • Thus the weak revenue performance of the GST now seems attributable to wider economic difficulties and policy actions, rather than problems with the tax itself.

    Necessary changes: Opportunity for striking bargain for Centre and States

    1) Principle of compensation must be re-cast: Create revenue buffer

    • As the GST was a new tax, so states were guaranteed against the teething troubles that would inevitably arise for the next five years.
    • Five years on, this logic is less compelling.
    • The GST as tax reform has reached maturity, well understood by producers, consumers, and tax officials.
    • At the same time, the last few years have exposed the vulnerability of the states to shocks such as Covid-19 pandemic.
    • Way forward: To prevent this situation from recurring, the authorities should create a revenue buffer that could be tapped in a time of need.
    • In sum, there is a bargain waiting to be struck: The states give up their demand for an extension of the compensation mechanism, while the Centre offers a new counter-cyclical buffer.
    • As the figure shows, in good economic times, GST revenues will be robust but it is against downturns that states need protection.
    • The shift to revenue insurance, in turn, should allow the compensation cess to be abolished. 

    2) The GST structure needs to be simplified and rationalised

    • The GST structure needs to be simplified and rationalised, as recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission and the Revenue Neutral Rate report.
    • New rate structure: A new structure should have one low rate (between 8 and 10 per cent), one standard rate (between 16 and 18 per cent) and one rate for all demerit goods.
    • The single rate on demerit goods also requires eliminating the cesses with all their complexity.

    3) The GST Council’s working needs changes

    • Consensus-based decision making in GST Council can be sustained only if there is a shared sense of participatory and inclusive governance. 
    • Nearly two decades ago, when the VAT was being introduced, Yashwant Sinha established a culture of consensual discussions on indirect taxes.
    • He did this by requiring the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers to be headed by a finance minister from an Opposition-run state government.
    • The spirit of this idea could be translated to the GST Council.

    Consider the question “Inherent importance of GST and its significance for the cooperative federalism underline the necessity for the Centre and the States to strike the win-win bargain. In light of this, examine the issues with the GST and suggest the way forward to deal with these issuef.”

    Conclusion

    Cooperative federalism is not a gesture or one-off outcome. It is, above all, a disposition, resulting from quotidian democratic practice. By rehabilitating cooperative federalism’s finest achievement — the GST — the Centre and states can help restore India’s broader economic prospects.

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  • NEET

    The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a bill exempting the State from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate (UG) medical courses.

    About NEET

    The NEET has replaced the formerly All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT).

    It is an all-India pre-medical entrance test for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical (MBBS), dental (BDS) and AYUSH (BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, etc.) courses.

    The exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).

    TN law: Permanent Exemption for NEET

    • The Bill exempts medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu from taking NEET examination for admission to UG degree courses in Indian medicine, dentistry and homeopathy.
    • Instead, it seeks to provide admission to such courses on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination, through “Normalization methods”.
    • The aim of the Bill is to ensure “social justice, uphold equality and equal opportunity, protect all vulnerable student communities from being discriminated”.
    • It seeks to bring vulnerable student communities to the “mainstream of medical and dental education and in turn ensure a robust public health care across the state, particularly the rural areas”.

    Why TN is against NEET?

    • Non-representative: TN opposes because NEET undermined the diverse societal representation in MBBS and higher medical studies.
    • Disfavors the poor: It has favored mainly the affordable and affluent sections of the society and thwarting the dreams of underprivileged social groups.
    • Exams for the elite: It considers NEET not a fair or equitable method of admission since it favored the rich and elite sections of society.
    • Healthcare concerns: If continued, the rural and urban poor may not be able to pursue medical courses.

    Can any state legislate against NEET?

    • Admissions to medical courses are traceable to entry 25 of List III (Concurrent List), Schedule VII of the Constitution.
    • Therefore, the State can also enact a law regarding admission and amend any Central law on admission procedures.

    Views of the stakeholders appointed by TN

    • A majority of stakeholders were not in favor of the NEET requirement.
    • NEET only worked against underprivileged government school students, and had profited coaching centres and affluent students.
    • NEET had not provided any special mechanism for testing the knowledge and aptitude of the students.
    • The higher secondary examination of the State board itself was an ample basis for the selection of students for MBBS seats.

    A move inspired by a SC Judgement

    • This thinking of the State may be due to the observation made by the Supreme Court in the selection process of postgraduate (PG) courses in medicine.
    • The Medical Council of India (MCI) had prescribed certain regulations providing reservations for in-service candidates.
    • The Supreme Court struck down regulation 9(c) made by the MCI on the ground of the exercise of power beyond its statute.

    Not a similar case

    • It must be remembered that the Supreme Court was only dealing with a regulation framed by the MCI.
    • The requirement of NEET being a basic requirement for PG and UG medical courses has now been statutorily incorporated under Section 10D of the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act.
    • When the Tamil Nadu government issued an order in 2017 providing for the reservation of 85% of the seats for students passed out from the State board it was struck down by the Madras High Court.
    • The introduction of internal reservation for government school students is under challenge before the Madras High Court. Similarly, NEET as a requirement is also pending in the Supreme Court.
    • Unless these two issues are decided, NEET cannot be removed by a State amendment.

    The bill cannot be passed

    • The present move to pass a fresh Bill on the same lines is most likely to meet the same fate.
    • The President refused to give his assent to this bill.
    • It is significant that no other State in India has sought an exemption from NEET and, therefore, exempting Tamil Nadu alone may not be possible.
    • Even among the seats allotted to the State, there is no bar for students from other States from competing or selecting colleges in Tamil Nadu.

    The bigger question

    • The question is not whether the State government can amend a law falling under the Concurrent List.
    • The question is whether the State government can exempt Section 10D of the IMC Act, which is a parliamentary law that falls under the Central List (Entry 66).
    • Moreover, the Supreme Court has also upheld NEET as a requirement.
    • Mere statistics highlighting that a majority of the stakeholders do not want NEET in Tamil Nadu is not an answer for exempting the examination.

    Again, it is State and Centre are at crossroads

    • Normally, a Bill requires assent from the Governor to become a law. Stalin’s contention is that this Bill deals with education, which is a Concurrent List subject.
    • Admissions to medical courses fall under Entry 25 of List III, Schedule VII of the Constitution, and therefore the state is competent to regulate the same.
    • Yet, as far as matters relating to the determination of standards for higher education are concerned, the central government has the power to amend a clause or repeal an Act.
    • So, just the passing of the Bill doesn’t enable the students to get exempted from writing NEET.
    • Already, Union Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare has held that if any State wants to opt out of the exam, it has to seek permission from the Supreme Court.

    Options for Tamil Nadu

    • Data is necessary only when there is power to legislate on the subject concerned.
    • Since the Bill, which will become an Act only after the President’s nod, will come into effect only from the next academic year, the battle for and against the NEET requirement will continue in courts.
    • Hopefully, the courts will determine the legality and have a definite solution to the question of medical admissions within the next year.
    • Till such time, students who wrote NEET will fill the seats under the State quota.

    Way forward: Preventing Commercialization of Medical Education

    • The time may also have come to examine whether NEET has met its purposes of improving standards and curbing commercialization and profiteering.
    • Under current norms, one quite low on the merit rank can still buy a medical seat in a private college, while those ranked higher but only good enough to get a government quota seat in a private institution can be priced out of the system.
    • The Centre should do something other than considering an exemption to Tamil Nadu.
    • It has to conceive a better system that will allow a fair admission process while preserving inter se merit and preventing rampant commercialization.

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  • AUKUS Partnership for Indo-Pacific

    The Biden administration has announced a new trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific, between Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. (AUKUS).

    What is AUKUS?

    • AUKUS, as the partnership is being called, will strive over the next 18 months to equip Australia with nuclear propulsion technology.
    • As part of this, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines with help from the UK and the US.
    • It will also involve a new architecture of meetings and engagements between the three countries, as well as cooperation across emerging technologies (applied AI, quantum technologies and undersea capabilities).
    • Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines, when they deploy, will be armed with conventional weapons only and not nuclear weapons.

    Why such an alliance?

    • Tensions have been high between Australia and an increasingly assertive China, its largest trade partner.
    • Australia banned Chinese telecom giant Huawei in 2108 and its PM called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 last year.
    • China retaliated by imposing tariffs on or capping Australian exports.

    Not to substitute Quad or others

    • This alliance does not and will not supersede or outrank existing arrangements in the Indo-Pacific region such as the Quad, which the US and Australia form with India and Japan, and ASEAN.
    • AUKUS will complement these groups and others.

    Significance

    • There has been only one other time that the US has shared as “extremely sensitive” submarine propulsion technology — more than 60 years ago, back in 1958, with Great Britain.
    • The US is working to move past the 20-year war in Afghanistan and the chaotic U.S. exit from Kabul.
    • The Biden Administration has put countering China at the center of his economic and national security efforts, describing it as the biggest challenge of this era.

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