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  • Enemy Property in India

    • A Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Home Minister will monitor the disposal of over 9,400 enemy properties, which the government estimates is worth about Rs 1 lakh crore.
    • Two committees headed by senior officials will be set up for the disposal of immovable enemy properties vested in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India under The Enemy Property Act.

    What is “Enemy Property”?

    • In the wake of the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, there was migration of people from India to Pakistan.
    • Under the Defence of India Rules framed under The Defence of India Act, 1962, the Government of India took over the properties and companies of those who took Pakistani nationality.
    • These “enemy properties” were vested by the central government in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India.
    • The same was done for property left behind by those who went to China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war.
    • The Tashkent Declaration of January 10, 1966 included a clause that said India and Pakistan would discuss the return of the property and assets taken over by either side in connection with the conflict.
    • However, the Government of Pakistan disposed of all such properties in their country in the year 1971 itself.

    How did India deal with enemy property?

    • The Enemy Property Act, enacted in 1968, provided for the continuous vesting of enemy property in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India.
    • The central government, through the Custodian, is in possession of enemy properties spread across many states in the country.
    • Some movable properties too, are categorised as enemy properties.
    • In 2017, Parliament passed The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, which amended The Enemy Property Act, 1968, and The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.

    Who is an Enemy?

    • The amended Act expanded the definition of the term “enemy subject”, and “enemy firm” to include the legal heir and successor of an enemy, whether a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy; and the succeeding firm of an enemy firm, irrespective of the nationality of its members or partners.
    • The amended law provided that enemy property shall continue to vest in the Custodian even if the enemy or enemy subject or enemy firm ceases to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality, or that the legal heir or successor is a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy.
    • The Custodian, with prior approval of the central government, may dispose of enemy properties vested in him in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and the government may issue directions to the Custodian for this purpose.

    Why were these amendments brought?

    • The thrust of the amendments was to guard against claims of succession or transfer of properties left by people who migrated to Pakistan and China after the wars.
    • The amendments denied legal heirs any right over enemy property. The main aim was to negate the effect of a court judgment in this regard.

    What did these court orders say?

    • One major judgment was passed in the case of the estate of the erstwhile Raja of Mahmudabad, who owned several large properties in Hazratganj, Sitapur and Nainital.
    • Following Partition, the Raja left for Iraq and stayed there for some years before settling in London.
    • After The Enemy Property Act was enacted in the year 1968, the Raja’s estate was declared enemy property. When the Raja died, his son who stayed in India staked claim to the properties.
    • After a legal battle that lasted over 30 years, an apex court Bench on October 21, 2005, ruled in favour of the son.
    • The verdict opened the floodgates for further pleas in courts across the country in which genuine or purported relatives of persons who had migrated to Pakistan produced deeds of gift claiming they were the rightful owners of enemy properties.
    • On July 2, 2010, the then UPA government promulgated an Ordinance that restrained courts from ordering the government to divest enemy properties from the Custodian.
    • The 2005 SC order was thus rendered ineffective, and the Custodian again took over the Raja’s properties.

    Enactment of the Amended Law

    • A Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 22, 2010, and subsequently, a revised Bill was tabled on November 15, 2010. This Bill was thereafter referred to the Standing Committee.
    • However, the said Bill could not be passed during the term of the 15th Lok Sabha, and it lapsed.
    • On January 7, 2016, the President of India promulgated The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance, 2016, which was replaced by the Bill that became law in 2017.

  • Specialized Supervisory and Regulatory Cadre (SSRC)

    The RBI has decided to recruit 35% of the specialised supervisory and regulatory cadre from the market while the remaining 65% will be recruited via internal promotions.

    Specialized Supervisory and Regulatory Cadre (SSRC)

    • The SSRC will comprise officers in Grade B to Executive Director level.
    • In Nov. last year RBI decided to reorganize its regulation and supervision departments.
    • It merged the three regulatory departments (department of banking, non-banking and cooperative bank) into one and did likewise for the three supervisory departments.
    • As a result, there is only one supervisory department which looks after supervision of banks, NBFCs and cooperative banks and only one regulatory department for these three.
    • The move is aimed at dealing more effectively with potential systemic risk that could come about due to possible supervisory arbitrage and information asymmetry.

  • [pib] National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP)

     

    NITI Aayog has released its vision for the National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP).

    National Data and Analytics Platform

    • The platform aims to democratize access to publicly available government data.
    • NDAP will host the latest datasets from various government websites, present them coherently, and provide tools for analytics and visualization.
    • It will spearhead the standardization of formats in which data is presented across sectors and will cater to a wide audience of policymakers, researchers, innovators, data scientists, journalists and citizens.
    • It will follow a user-centric approach and will enable data access in a simple and intuitive portal tailored to the needs of a variety of stakeholders.
    • The development of NDAP will take place over a period of one year. The first version of the platform is expected to be launched in 2021.

  • Get ready for the upcoming December Current Affairs Prelims Test on 25th January- sample questions highlighting our methodology

    Click here to enrol for the Prime Prelims TS

    Dear students,

    31st May 2020 is the D-day for all civil service aspirants.

    “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

    This quote by Abraham Lincoln clearly sums up how one should prepare for that day. So before entering the battlefield alone should have enough practice. Our Prime Prelims Test series which shall enrich you to acquaint yourself with the pattern of CSE-2020, assess your abilities, rectify your mistakes and make you confident to appear on the examination day.

    Our Prime Prelims Test Series follows the same approach as that adopted by UPSC. Our team of experts is quite enriched with the UPSC pattern and focal point of the questions and hence creates more chances for the aspirants to crack civil service examination by appearing our Test Series.

    The key philosophy of our prelims TS is Evidence-based question making: The 3600 questions you face in our mocks have their relevance established in UPSC’s trend analysis. We focus on themes that are important as per UPSC so that we maximize your chances of questions overlap with the actual UPSC Prelims.

    This Ancient and Medieval History test contains questions from the following themes:

    Nothing speaks more than the facts itself rather than a mere jargon. Here is a list of 5 sample questions from the upcoming test which will help you in identifying the standards and approach we follow. (you can skip this if you want to attempt these directly in the test). 

    Noone but only you can assess how it will help you in being the top percentile of aspirants. You have to practice ruthlessly and civils Daily provides you with a platform to hone your skills.

    Q.1) Which of the following is the most likely consequence of implementing the ‘Unified Payments Interface (UPI)’?

    a. Mobile wallets will not be necessary for online payments.

    b. Digital currency will totally replace the physical currency in about two decades.

    c. FDI inflows will drastically increase.

    d. Direct transfer of subsidies to poor people will become very effective.

     

    Q.2) Identify the correct statement(s) about the Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs):

    1. ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges like shares.
    2. ETF share prices fluctuate throughout the day.

    Choose the correct option from the codes given below:

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both of them

    d. Neither of them

     

    Q.3) In which of the following countries, the Indus River and its tributaries flow?

    1. India
    2. China
    3. Afghanistan
    4. Pakistan

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a. 1, 2 and 4 only

    b. 1 and 4 only

    c. 1, 3 and 4 only

    d. All of them

     

    Q.4) Identify the correct statement(s) about the ‘ Fit India Programme’:

    1. It aims to motivate every Indian to incorporate simple, easy ways of staying fit.
    2. It is part of the Khelo India Scheme.

    Choose the correct answer from the code given below:

    a. 1 only

    b. 2 only

    c. Both of them

    d. Neither of them

     

    Q.5) A rapid increase in the rate of inflation is sometimes attributed to the “base effect”. What is “base effect”?

    a. It is the impact of drastic deficiency in supply due to failure of crops

    b. It is the impact of the surge in demand due to rapid economic growth

    c. It is the impact of the price levels of the previous year on the calculation of inflation rate.

    d. None of them are correct

  • 24th January 2020| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement

    The topics covered in the upcoming AWE on 27th January are:

    Q.1) Indian Society and Diversity of India.

    Q.4) Work culture, Quality of service delivery.

     

    Question 1)

    Socialism has lost its meaning because of the various forms of socialism in practice. Evaluate in context of the various forms of socialism in practice during 19th and 20th century. (15 Marks) 

    Question 2)

    What is the significance and importance of Comptroller and Auditor General of India and how its function in India differ from his British counterpart? (15 Marks)

    Question 3)

    ‘This year India is about to be the largest cotton producer surpassing China in output, yet for all that India lags behind the other major cotton-producing countries in terms of productivity (yield per unit area)’. In light of the above statement explain the reason for the low productivity of cotton and suggest ways to increase it. (15 Marks)

    Question 4)

    You are a Secretary in a government department. Your Minister has proposed an unemployment grant, which is expected to cost the public exchequer heavily. Having already made the decision, he asks you to come up with research to support the scheme. Despite your best efforts, you fail to find socio-economic benefit in it. You approach the Minister with relevant facts and studies and ask him to reconsider his decision. Instead, he asks you to suppress the negative impacts and actively promote the scheme through mass media as the perceived social impacts are more important than economic impacts. Elections are due in a short time and the political party currently in power is expected to win. You are also due for promotion at the same time. You are expected to fully cooperate in the situation and make the scheme a success, however flawed its foundations may be. (a) List the different stakeholders in the above situation and mention their prospective interests. (b) Discuss the ethical dilemma which you face in this situation. (c) Some of the alternatives for you to handle the situation could be: (i) Do as asked by the Minister. (ii) Insist on publication of results and let the public decide whether it wants the scheme. (iii) Call a press conference and brief the media about the results and the callous attitude of the Minister. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving reasons for it. (15 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

  • [op-ed of the day] The flawed spin to India’s cotton story

    Context

    This year, India is expected to be the world’s largest cotton producer, surpassing China in output. However, India’s productivity (yield per unit area), is much lower than other major cotton-producing countries.

    India’s experience with cotton

    • India is the only country growing hybrids: India is the only country that grows cotton as hybrids and the first to develop hybrid cotton back in 1970.
      • What are hybrids: Hybrids are made by crossing two parent strains having different genetic characters.
      • Greater yields: These plants have more biomass than both parents, and capacity for greater yields.
      • Require more inputs: They also require more inputs, including fertilizer and water.
      • Expensive seed production: Though hybrid cottonseed production is expensive, requiring manual crossing, India’s low cost of manual labour makes it economically viable.
      • Rest of the countries: All other cotton-producing countries grow cotton, not as hybrids but varieties for which seeds are produced by self-fertilization.
    • Key issues with the use of hybrids
      • Hybrid seed cannot be propagated over generations: A key difference between hybrids and varieties is that varieties can be propagated over successive generations by collecting seeds from one planting and using them for the next planting.
      • Purchasing the seeds is must: Hybrid seeds have to be remade for each planting by crossing the parents. So for hybrids, farmers must purchase seed for each planting, but not for varieties.
      • Pricing control to the companies: Using hybrids gives pricing control to the seed company and also ensures a continuous market.
      • Increased yield used as justification for high prices: Increased yield from a hybrid is supposed to justify the high cost of hybrid seeds.
      • However, for cotton, a different strategy using high-density planting (HDP) of compact varieties has been found to outperform hybrids at the field level.

    Cotton planting strategies

    • What other countries do?
      • Compact and short-duration varieties: For over three decades, most countries have been growing cotton varieties that are compact and short duration.
      • 5kg seeds/acre: These varieties are planted at high density (5 kg seeds/acre).
      • These varieties have 5-10 bolls per plant.
    • What is done in India?
      • Low density and long duration: Hybrids in India are bushy, long duration and planted at a ten-fold lower density.
      • 0.5 kg seeds/acre: Hybrids are planted at a lower density of 0.5kg/acre.
    • Which strategy is more beneficial?
      • The lower boll production by compact varieties (5-10 bolls per plant) compared to hybrids (20-100 bolls/plant) is more than compensated by the ten-fold greater planting density.
      • Experience of Brazil: The steep increase in productivity for Brazil, from 400 to 1,000 kg/hectare lint between 1994 and 2000 coincides with the large-scale shift to a non-GM compact variety.

    Why should India opt for short duration variety?

    • Cotton being a dryland crop: Cotton is a dryland crop and 65% of the area under cotton in India is rain-fed.
      • Advantage of short duration variety in the rain-fed area: Farmers with insufficient access to groundwater in these areas are entirely dependent on rain. Here, the shorter duration variety has a major advantage as it reduces dependence on irrigation and risk.
      • Particularly late in the growing season when soil moisture drops following the monsoon’s withdrawal.
      • This period is when bolls develop and water requirement is the highest.
    • Productivity and input costs of the varieties: It has more than twice the productivity.
      • Half the fertilizer (200 kg/ha for hybrids versus 100 kg/ha for varieties).
      • Reduced water requirement.
      • And less vulnerability to damage from insect pests due to a shorter field duration.

    Impact of Policy

    • Why India persisted with hybrids during 1980-2002
      • Two phases of policy have contributed to this situation.
      • The first phase- Before GM cotton: The answers lie with the agricultural research establishment.
      • The second phase: The phase where the question of hybrids versus compact varieties could have been considered, was at the stage of GM regulation when Bt cotton was being evaluated for introduction into India.
      • International experience not taken into account: It would not have been out of place to have evaluated the international experience, including the context of the introduction of this new technology.
      • Agro-economic conditions were not taken into account: Importantly, agro-economic conditions where it would be used should have been a guiding factor.
      • The narrow scope of evaluation: The scope of evaluation by the GM regulatory process in India was narrow, and did not take this into account.
      • Consequently, commercial Bt hybrids have completely taken over the market, accompanied by the withdrawal of public sector cottonseed production.

    Key takeaways

      • Frist–Outcome of technology depends upon the context: Outcome of using a technology such as Bt is determined by the context in which it is deployed, and not just by the technology itself.
        • Negative fallout: If the context is suboptimal and does not prioritise the needs of the principal stakeholders (farmers), it can have significant negative fallouts, especially in India with a high proportion being marginal and subsistence farmers.
      • Second–Better consultation in policy: There is a need for better consultation in policy, be it agriculture as a whole or crop-wise.
        • Socioeconomic consideration in GMO risk assessment: India is a signatory to international treaties on GMO regulation (the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety), which specifically provide for the inclusion of socio-economic considerations in GMO risk assessment.
        • However, socioeconomic and need-based considerations have not been a part of the GMO regulatory process in India.

    Conclusion

    Given the distress, the cotton-growing farmers are facing this is the right time to review the grounds on which Bt cotton was introduced in India.

  • IAS Allied Services Work Profile | Get into Best Service through UPSC DAF

     

    In this video, Sajal sir discusses job profiles of IAS & allied services that will help you choose these services better while filling DAF for UPSC Mains & Interview.

    Need help with filling DAF? Fill this form and we will take it forward from here

    Click here to fill Samanvaya form | We will call you.

  • 23rd January 2020 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 346]

  • SAMANVAYA: Students Preparing for UPSC 2020 less than 5 months to go – get fired up

    SAMANVAYA: Students Preparing for UPSC 2020 less than 5 months to go – get fired up

    Click here to fill the form, tell us about your preparation and we will email you a revision plan specifically designed for you.

    Out of ~2000 students selected for Interviews, ~400 were enrolled in our programs, over 1100 used our app and current affairs on a regular basis. Another 200 have used us sparingly. 

    We have launched the Decimate Prelims Program. We are putting in our best effort to help all our students get a competitive edge.

    Click here to fill the form, tell us about your preparation and we will email you a revision plan specifically designed for you.

    Dear Students, 

    Our lectures on paper discussions and posts on solutions and sample structures have received over 20,000 hits collectively.  

    It is time to get serious with your preparation and we have got your back.

    After numerous conversations with so many aspirants, we have started understanding your problems better and standardizing solutions for the same.

    These are being incorporated into our Samanvaya program. It is these practices that will make the program more effective.

    At the core of Samanvaya lies the fact that each one of you will have a unique journey while preparing for the exam. Some will get through on the first attempt without much effort while others will take both more time and more effort. We want to understand you better to help you optimize your journey so you can focus on the right things and not waste time on the wrong ones. We are asking you to tap into the valuable experiences of mentors who underwent the same grind and realize the pitfalls and understand the shortcuts to make it.

    Samanvaya program involves the following –

    1. Identifying your weaknesses

    Over 80% of students who claimed to have revised NCERTs were unable to answer basic questions. Many were not comfortable with at least 1 GS subject and Optional. Many struggled with ‘What went wrong’ after 2-3 years of hard work.

    Our mentors will help you assess your preparedness and suggest accurate strategies.

    2. Strategy and study plan discussions

    Over 90% of students couldn’t stick to a plan. Study plans and strategies are iterative in nature and we want to help you with that. Many are unable to perform in tests despite preparing hard. This could be due to a variety of factors – lack of adequate prep, jitters in the exam hall, inadequate revision, lack of practice of test series or just a bad day at work. Tell us what you think went wrong and we’ll figure out a way to get you over the line next time.

    3. Helping you understand the exam better

    Which books to read, different approaches, etc. Over 60% of students we talked to did not find NCERTs relevant and saw no point in being thorough with them.

    4. Lack of motivation

    We have all had those days when it’s been hard to motivate ourselves to hit the books and just study. It happens to the best of us sometimes and for some of us, it happens more frequently. And it is understandable, Civil Service preparation is a long and often lonely process. Every aspirant, from toppers to those who have quit have been overwhelmed by this process at some point.

    Samanvaya Code of Conduct

    • Be honest with your mentors about your preparation levels and stage.
    • Follow their advice and participate in tests and assignments that they set for you
    • Stay active in the telegram groups, ask doubts, don’t hold yourself back.
    • Don’t expect spoonfeeding. You have to drive the initiative.

    Click here to fill the form, tell us about your preparation and we will email you a revision plan specifically designed for you.

    Here’s the feedback that we got from some of our students:

    Click here to fill the form, tell us about your preparation and we will email you a revision plan specifically designed for you.

  • [op-ed snap] Think climate change action, act glocal

    Context

    The recent global climate summit, the annual Conference of the Parties (COP25), held in Madrid was a failure and that the multilateral process to address the climate crisis is broken. The growing global stalemate gives India the chance to focus on the State and sub-State levels.

    COP 25 at Madrid and what future prospects

    • Wealthy countries disowning responsibility: At several discussions on finance, ambition, transparency of support and pre-2020 action, wealthy countries were recalcitrant.
      • Disavowing obligations: Although responsible for using the bulk of the carbon space in the atmosphere, they now disavow their obligations. With some even denying anthropogenic climate change.
      • Complete severance of science from negotiations: At this stage, there is a complete severance of climate science from the negotiations and agreements at the global level.
      • The question is, what can we do now?
    • What can happen at the next COP?
      • Hope of little change: The next COP will be held at Glasgow, U.K. (in late 2020) and there may be little change in the outcomes.
      • The global political order may not alter much. The fact that we live in an unequal and unjust world is not going to change either.
    • What else can happen on the global level?
      • Right leader: The right political leaders could nudge action in a new direction.
      • Green New Deal could pass: Younger members could be elected to the U.S. Congress and the Green New Deal could pass sometime in 2021.
      • Growing activism: In the meantime, climate activism is increasing awareness and having some success in removing insurance and financial support for fossil fuel companies. But these kinds of changes will occur slowly.
      • Participation of other stakeholders at next COP: At least one expert has called for a parallel action COP at future summits where sub-state actors, civil society groups, non-governmental organisations and academics can share ideas and nudge action.

    The chance for India to develop climate change action at State and Sub-state level

    • Chance to develop climate change action: The stalemate at the global level offers India the opportunity to focus earnestly on developing its climate change action at State and sub-State levels.
      • Peripheral status of climate change: In the states, the environment and climate continue to be relegated to peripheral status.
      • Damage to the environment: This neglect has led to the destruction of ecosystems, forests, water-bodies and biodiversity.
      • Vulnerability and economic costs of the neglect: Numerous studies have shown the high economic and ecological costs and loss of lives due to extreme events.
      • We do not need more data to stimulate action. As is also well recognised, India is extremely vulnerable to the effects of warming.

    Progress made by the states so far

    • The first round of SAPCCs: With support from bilateral agencies, States initially took different approaches in the first round of State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs).
      • Some of them set up separate climate change cells while some collaborated with academic institutions.
      • A few produced detailed action plans while others developed strategy documents.
      • Still, others integrated improvements in energy efficiency (contributing to reducing emissions), while almost all focused on adaptation.
    • The synergy between climate change and development:
      • Attention to climate change offers co-benefits to India for development. For instance-
      • Efficiency reduces pollution: Improving energy efficiency in industry reduces costs and local pollution.
      • Transport and congestion: Improving public transport reduces congestion, pollution and improves access.
      • Natural farming and fertilisers: Using natural farming methods reduces fossil fuel-based fertilizers, improves soil health and biodiversity.
      • These examples show that there are synergies in the steps to be taken for good development and climate change.
    • Next round of SAPCCs and strategies
      • The next round of the SAPCCs is being drawn up, under recommendations from the Centre.
      • Where should be the focus? The focus ought to be on integrating the response to climate change with the development plan in different departments.
      • States together to contribute NDCs: Since the States together are to deliver the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that India has promised, it means that they require guidance from the Centre.
      • Unfortunately, most State government departments are handling climate change as a fringe issue and do not seem to recognise its urgency.

    Integration of various sectors for climate action

    • Identification of sectors: Line departments for government schemes and programmes in key development sectors, such as agriculture, transport and water, should be identified for carefully integrating actions that respond to climate change.
      • Integration at district level: This integration should also take place at district and sub-district levels. But only a demonstration of its success in some departments would show how this can be done.
      • The realisation of climate as an important issue: But first and foremost, States need to get the signal that climate is an urgent issue.
    • Funds for implementing SAPCCs
      • How funds for implementing SAPCCs will be obtained is not clear.
      • There will not be enough from the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund and bilateral agencies to support all States unless new sources are found.
      • Use of coal cess: The coal cess in India is a good initiative, and as others have pointed out, could be used for environment and climate-related expenses.
      • Alternative sources: Alternative sources from high emissions’ industries and practices would be an option, but still probably insufficient.

    Way forward

    • Performance analysis of first SAPCCs: There is also needs to be a clear analysis of how the first round of action plans fared.
      • Challenges and performance: What were the challenges and how did they perform?
      • Reasons for success and failures: Which approaches and projects were successful and ought to be scaled up and what lessons do the failures offer?
      • Finally, what institutional structure works best?
    • Need for the greenhouse gas inventory: The country needs reliable greenhouse gas inventories.
      • Individual research groups and the civil society initiative, GHG Platform India, have been producing such inventories.
      • Such inventories would be useful in synchronising and co-ordinating State and Central mitigation programmes.
    • Programmes with longer timelines: States must also develop their programmes with longer timelines.
      • With mid-course correction based on lessons and successes that can be integrated into the next stage of the plan.
      • If the second round of SAPCCs were treated as an entry point to long-term development strategy, the States and the country would be better prepared for climate change.
    • Ultimately, climate should be part and parcel of all thinking on development.

     

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