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  • Organ Transplantation in India

    The Government of India is implementing National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) to promote organ donation and transplantation across all States/Union Territories (UTs).

    National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP)

    • In 2019, the GoI implemented the NOTP for promoting deceased organ donation.
    • Organ donation in India is regulated by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.

    Types of Organ Donations

    • The law allows both deceased and living donors to donate their organs.
    • It also identifies brain death as a form of death.
    • Living donors must be over 18 years of age and are limited to donating only to their immediate blood relatives or, in some special cases, out of affection and attachment towards the recipient.

    (1) Deceased donors:

    • They may donate six life-saving organs: kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestine.
    • Uterus transplant is also performed, but it is not regarded as a life-saving organ.
    • Organs and tissues from a person declared legally dead can be donated after consent from the family has been obtained.
    • Brainstem death is also recognized as a form of death in India, as in many other countries.
    • After a natural cardiac death, organs that can be donated are cornea, bone, skin, and blood vessels, whereas after brainstem death about 37 different organs and tissues can be donated, including the above six life-saving organs

    (2) Living donors:

    They are permitted to donate the following:

    • one of their kidneys
    • portion of pancreas
    • part of the liver

    Features of the NOTP

    • Under the NOTP a National Level Tissue Bank (Biomaterial Centre) for storing tissues has been established at National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), New Delhi.
    • Further, under the NOTP, a provision has also been made for providing financial support to the States for setting up of Bio- material centre.
    • As of now a Regional Bio-material centre has been established at Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO), Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

    More moves for facilitation:  Green Corridors

    • Studies have suggested that the chances of transplantation being successful are enhanced by reducing the time delay between harvest and transplant of the organ.
    • Therefore, the transportation of the organ is a critical factor. For this purpose, “green corridors” have been created in many parts of India.
    • A “green corridor” refers to a route that is cleared out for an ambulance carrying the harvested organs to ensure its delivery at the destination in the shortest time possible.

    About NOTTO

    National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a national level organization set up under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    1. National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network
    2. National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank)

    [I] National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network

    • This has been mandated as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011.
    • The network will be established initially for Delhi and gradually expanded to include other States and Regions of the country.
    • Thus, this division of the NOTTO is the nodal networking agency for Delhi and shall network for Procurement Allocation and Distribution of Organs and Tissues in Delhi.
    • It functions as apex centre for All India activities of coordination and networking for procurement and distribution of Organs and Tissues and registry of Organs and Tissues Donation and Transplantation in the country.

    [II] National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank)

    • The Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act 2011 has included the component of tissue donation and registration of tissue Banks.
    • It becomes imperative under the changed circumstances to establish National level Tissue Bank to fulfill the demands of tissue transplantation including activities for procurement, storage and fulfil distribution of biomaterials.
    • The main thrust & objective of establishing the centre is to fill up the gap between ‘Demand’ and ‘Supply’ as well as ‘Quality Assurance’ in the availability of various tissues.

    The centre will take care of the following Tissue allografts:

    1. Bone and bone products
    2. Skin graft
    3. Cornea
    4. Heart valves and vessels

  • [RSTV Archive] Carbon Border Tax: Why is India opposing it

    The two-day G-20 ministerial meeting on environment and climate change in Italy are expected to raise their concerns over the European Union’s recent proposal on the first of its kind carbon border tax.

    Under this proposal, the 27 EU nations will impose a border tax on imports of carbon-intensive goods.  Yet to be legally formalized, the tax plan could come into force from 2026.

    So, what exactly is a carbon border tax? Why do developed countries want to impose such a tariff and why are developing nations opposed to the idea?

    What is Carbon Pricing?

    • Carbon pricing is an approach to reducing carbon emissions that uses market mechanisms to pass the cost of emitting to emitters.
    • Its goal is to discourage the use of fossil fuels, address the causes of the climate crisis and meet national and international agreements.
    • Well-designed carbon pricing can change the behavior of consumers, businesses and investors while encouraging technological innovation and generating revenue that can be used productively.
    • There are a few carbon pricing instruments, such as a carbon tax and cap-and-trade programmes.

    What is Carbon Border Tax?

    • A carbon border tax (CBT) is a tax on carbon emissions attributed to imported goods that have not been carbon-taxed at source.
    • The carbon border tax proposal is part of the European Commission’s European Green Deal that endeavours to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. 

    Objective:

    • To ‘incentivize’ greener manufacturing around the world and create parity with European manufacturers who are already subjected to substantial carbon levies.

    A move to benefit local EU manufacturers

    The carbon border tax has wide appeal in Europe. It is supported by the new president of the European Commission.

    • A carbon border tax is able to protect a country’s local manufacturers, motivating them to adhere to green regulations.
    • Many EU companies are at a cost disadvantage as they have been paying a carbon border tax and for carbon emissions since 2005 under the EU’s Emissions Trading System.
    • The new carbon border tax can therefore lead to a more level playing field against importers, especially those from nations with more lax environmental standards.

    What could the new proposal mean politically?

    • Notably, China’s continuing reliance on non-renewable energy to power its economy leaves it particularly vulnerable in this matter.
    • For example, given that China produces steel with blast furnaces that release a large amount of carbon, it will have to pay an additional layer of carbon border tax, which will increase its costs and its market price.
    • This will consequently reduce the competitiveness of steel produced in China, compared to steel from other countries that is made in more carbon-efficient mills that do not have to pay this additional tax.

    This suggests that the carbon border tax is also politically preferable to Europe as it slows down the gradually rising economy in China, and would therefore preserve the European countries’ competitiveness. 

    The BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries’ grouping had opposed the EU’s proposal.

    How does this impact India?

    • As India’s third largest trading partner, the EU accounted for €62.8 billion ($74.5 billion) worth of trade in goods in 2020, or 11.1% of India’s total global trade.
    • India’s exports to the EU were worth $41.36 billion in 2020-21, as per data from the commerce ministry.
    • The CBT would cover energy-intensive sectors such as cement, steel, aluminium, oil refinery, paper, glass, chemicals as well as the power sector.
    • By increasing the prices of Indian-made goods in the EU, this tax would make Indian goods less attractive for buyers and could shrink demand.
    • Sadly, India’s many ‘self-reliance’ tariffs are also a contributor to this.

    Issues with CBT

    • Impact on trade: The degree of impact on industrial sectors would be largely influenced by two factors: carbon intensity and trade intensity.
    • Altering competitiveness: For companies, it will raise the administrative burden of crossing borders and increase trade frictions, especially for small businesses. That will inevitably reduce choice and raise costs for consumers.
    • Promoting protectionism: The carbon tax may end up being protectionist, and will hit emerging economies like India hard.
    • Unfair practices under WTO: Depending on their design they could fall foul of WTO measures designed to prevent importing countries from discriminating against particular exporting countries.
    • A violation of Paris Accord: CBT compels developing countries to pay the same price as the developed countries to climate change. The EU is essentially bypassing the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ that should guide international climate action.

    Way forward

    • Carbon taxing is just one way of holding large emitters accountable for their role in harming the environment.
    • However, fundamental changes can’t be forced by tariffs.
    • If the planet is to have any hope of meeting the Paris Agreement goals, drastic measures that consider both the economic and social wellbeing of nations’ inhabitants must be taken.
    • This should take all nations into confidence than imposing such overnight tariffs.
    • It is no doubt that India must be in the forefront in climate politics. But it must also be cautious about the negotiations in global laws to protect domestic interests.

  • How To Complete Your UPSC IAS Syllabus And Manage Your Time? A Complete Guide To UPSC Preparation on How to Create a Perfect Personalised Timetable

    Aspirants,

    Click here to talk to a mentor

    The UPSC exam is undoubtedly the toughest exam in India with a syllabus so vast that most students feel overwhelmed within just a few weeks of starting their preparation. 

    In fact, the 2 biggest problems students face while preparing for this exam are:

    1. Syllabus Management And
    2. Time Management

    FACT: As an aspirant, you can either spend a lot of time and effort trying to figure out how to cope with your syllabus and manage time or you can simply speak with our mentors and get the right study plan and timetable custom-made for you!

    So, how can you learn to manage time and your syllabus? Here’s what you can do!

    • Syllabus Management:
      • Go through the entire syllabus thoroughly.
      • Mark the topics you feel comfortable with and those you aren’t familiar with.
      • Break down the syllabus into small parts and prioritise them in order.
      • Gather the relevant study material for the syllabus and start studying them in order.
      • Figure out where you need guidance – Is it with the subject matter? Do you need help with organising your syllabus? Or you just aren’t sure how to begin?

    Our guidance program is, in fact, designed specifically to solve this problem. We speak with students personally and understand their concerns on a one-on-one basis. Our mentors spend time understanding the individual requirements of our students and teach students how to break down the syllabus and create a plan they can stick to.

    Click here to talk to a mentor

    This is what our mentors do after speaking one-on-one with students:

    1. They assess the students and understand their requirements.
    2. They develop a study plan for the students that match their learning abilities.
    3. They break down the syllabus for the student to make it easier for them to cope.
    4. They provide important study material so that the student doesn’t feel lost.
    5. They provide regular feedback to students to help them remain focused.
    6. They handhold the students at every stage of the exam, supporting them with all their needs.
    • Time Management:
      • Prioritise your study material
      • Complete the easier topics first.
      • Allocate at least one hour to answer-writing
      • Allocate at least one hour to MCQ practice
      • Make notes on Current Affairs while reading the newspapermatter?
      • Allocate at least 2 hours for your optional.

    This plan, however, does not suit everyone since every student has a different learning pace and different time available. Our guidance program solves this problem by creating a personalised timetable for you after speaking with you personally. Our mentors understand the requirements of students and they know which topics require how much time. That is why they prepare a customised timetable for you and all you need to do is follow it!

    So, if you are starting to prepare for the exam, do not waste your time trying to reinvent the wheel. Just get in touch with us and we will create a study plan that is based around you. 

    CLICK HERE TO TALK TO A MENTOR

    Limited slots are available. Don’t wait, get in touch immediately!

    Few Kind Words before we wrap up.

  • STREAK DAILY INITIATIVE Day 2 WRAP UP (Free initiative by CD for UPSC Preparation)

    A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work. 

    The Streak Daily Initiative is aimed to help out UPSC 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.

    So, let us look at Today’s activities.

    For full-time Aspirants

    1. Council of Ministers at Central and State level
    2. Cabinet Committees
    3. Parliament

    For working Aspirants

    1. Council of Ministers at Central and State level
    2. Cabinet Committees
    3. PM & CM

    Target Assignment by Ravi Sir

    Try these Prelims Questions :

    Q1. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

    (a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people

    (b) Parliament can amend the constitution

    (c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved

    (d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

    Q2.Consider the following statements:

    1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
    2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
    3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.
      Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

    (a) only 1

    (b) only 2 and 3

    (c) only 1 and 3

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q3. Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences
    of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State?

    1.Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly

    2.Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State

    3.Dissolution of the local bodies
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1 and 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2and 3

    Q4. Which of the following are the members of the Cabinet Committee on
    Security?

    1. Prime Minister

    2. Minister of Home Affairs

    3. Minister of External Affairs

    4. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

    Select the correct answer using the code given below

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 1,2 and 3

    (c) 1,3 and 4

    (d) All are correct

    Q5. A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which

    (a) all political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government

    (b) the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

    (c) the Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them

    (d) the Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term

    Q 6. Consider the following statements:

    1.In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected.

    2.According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q 7. Consider the following statements:

    1.The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit.

    2.The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions.

    3.There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 2 and 3 only

    Q 8. Consider the following statements regarding ‘No confidence motion’

    1. Only a motion expressing want of confidence in the
      council of ministers as a whole is admitted
    2. A no confidence motion needs to set out grounds on
      which it is based.
    3. Any no confidence motion once moved can’t be
      withdrawn
    4. Rajya Sabha is not empowered to entertain a motion of
      no confidence

    Which of the following given above are not correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1, 2, and 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Q 9. The Provision for the Calling Attention Notices has restricted the scope of which of the following?

    (a) Short duration discussion

    (b) Question hour

    (c) Adjournment motion

    (d) Zero hour

    Q 10. The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect
    is passed by the

    (a) Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership

    (b) Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership

    (c) Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership

    (d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting

    Q 11. Consider the following statements related to Article 368 of the
    Constitution:

    1. A Constitutional Amendment Bill can be passed at a joint session
      of Parliament in case of deadlock between the two Houses.
    2. It is obligatory for the President of India to give his assent to a
      Constitutional Amendment Bill passed under Article 368.
    3. To amend 7 th Schedule of the Constitution, ratification of more
      than half of the State legislature is essential.
    4. A proposal to amend the Constitution can only be introduced in
      the House of the People.

    Which of these are correct?

    (a) 1 ,2 and 3

    (b) 1, 3 and 4

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) All are correct

    Video Discussion of Prelims Questions by Santosh Sir:

    Try these Mains Questions :

    Q: Identify the major obstacles in the smooth functioning of Parliamentary democracy in India. (15)

    Q: ‘The essential purpose of the Cabinet committee is to relieve the cabinet of some burden of work.’ Discuss (10)

    Video Discussion of Mains Questions by Sukanya Ma’am:

    Stay tuned with us for tomorrow’s targets.

    ——————————————————————————————–

    Visit our course page for further details

    Register on our course page to access Free Streak study material

  • Emigration Bill 2021 does not go far enough

    Context

    The Emigration Bill 2021 could be introduced in Parliament soon and presents a long-overdue opportunity to reform the recruitment process for nationals seeking employment abroad.

    An overview of Emigration Act 1983

    • Labour migration is governed by the Emigration Act, 1983.
    • The Act sets up a mechanism for hiring through government-certified recruiting agents — individuals or public or private agencies.
    • It outlines obligations for agents to conduct due diligence of prospective employers,
    • Sets up a cap on service fees.
    • Establishes a government review of worker travel and employment documents (known as emigration clearances) to 18 countries mainly in West Asian states and South-East Asian countries.

    What are the improvements in Emigration Bill 2021?

    • It launches a new emigration policy division.
    • It establishes help desks and welfare committees.
    • It requires manpower agencies to conduct pre-departure briefings for migrants.
    • It increases accountability of brokers and other intermediaries who are also involved in labour hiring.

    Shortcoming in Emigration Bill 2021

    • Lacks human rights framework: The 2021 Bill lacks a human rights framework aimed at securing the rights of migrants and their families.
    • For example, in a country such as the Philippines, it explicitly recognises the contributions of Filipino workers and “the dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens”.
    • Workers to bear recruitment payments and service charges: the Bill permits manpower agencies to charge workers’ service fees, and even allows agents to set their own limits.
    • This provision goes against International Labour Organization (ILO) Private Employment Agencies Convention No. 181 and the ILO general principles and operational guidelines for fair recruitment.
    • The ILO Convention and guidelines recognises that it is employers, not workers who should bear recruitment payments including the costs of their visas, air travel, medical exams, and service charges to recruiters.
    • Criminalise worker: The Bill permits government authorities to punish workers by cancelling or suspending their passports and imposing fines up to ₹50,000 for violating any of the Bill’s provisions.
    • Criminalising the choices migrant workers make is deplorable, runs contradictory to the purpose of protecting migrants and their families, and violates international human rights standards.
    •  Recruiters and public officials could misuse the law to instil fear among workers and report or threaten to report them.
    • Gender dimension not adequadely addressed: This Bill does not also adequately reflect the gender dimensions of labour migration where women have limited agency in recruitment compared to their counterparts.
    • Women are more likely to be employed in marginalised and informal sectors and/or isolated occupations in which labour, physical, psychological, and sexual abuse are common.
    • Limited space for representation: The Bill also provides limited space for worker representation or civil society engagement in the policy and welfare bodies that it sets up.

    Way forward

    • The Ministry of External Affairs must start at the top, and draft a clearer purpose which explicitly recognises the contributions of Indian workers, the unique challenges they face, and uphold the dignity and human rights of migrants and their families.

    Conclusion

    The new Bill is better than the Emigration Act 1983, but more reforms are needed to protect Indian workers.

  • Crack UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Exam In 10 Days || Exam’s Almost Here, Limited Time To Crack It || Join Immediately

    Crack UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant Exam In 10 Days || Exam’s Almost Here, Limited Time To Crack It || Join Immediately

    click here to enroll in CAPF revision club by Rohit sir

    Complete Coverage, Daily Practice, Revision, And Most Expected Questions || Link for FREE CAPF session at 9 pm below

    Dear aspirants,

    The UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandant exam is on August 8. There is not much time but you can still increase your score by over 30 marks and crack the exam in 10 DAYS! Join OFFICERS CLUB by Rohit Sir immediately.

    https://youtu.be/zHZZaj-SUuo
    Join free capf session by rohit sir (9:00 pm)

    Here’s what you will get in the Officers club:

    1. 10 Days intensive session with complete coverage.
    2. 18 months Current Affairs. 
    3. Daily Habitat discussions and doubt sessions (chat-based).
    4. Video lectures on important topics.
    5. Google meet session.
    6. 10 Essays, 5 Precis, 4 Notice.
    7. Complete revision

    And more…

    Don’t let this opportunity slide away! Clear the exam in ONE-SHOT!

    Rohit sir is also taking FREE session today at 9:00 pm.

    What do you have to do?

    free capf revision session by rohit sir
    1. Join Habitat For Absolutely Free Sessions!
    2. Read The Discussions Happening On The General Page.
    3. Click On The Blue Box To Join The Discussion.
    4. Participate, Ask Questions, Engage, And Learn!

    Here is a list of topics and discussions you can join immediately:

    Revise Economics for IAS PrelimsRavi Ranjan11:00 am
    Essay WritingAnand Prakash12:30 pm
    Science and TechDr. Keerti1:00 pm
    Samadhan CSATRavi Ranjan2:00 pm
    UPSC EPFORohit Yadav3:00 pm
    Chat pe News: Current AffairsAnjum Sharma4:30 pm
    Polity Laxmikant Amoghavarsha5:30 pm
    Indian society and Social IssuesSiddharth 6:00 pm
    Samvad: Indian AgricultureRadhika Didwania7:30 pm
    Prelims HeistParth Verma8:30 pm
    Officer club for CAPF AC Rohit Yadav9:00 pm
    Environment MCQsIshika9:30 pm

    And many more…

    Whatever you need, we have it here.

    Join the club of your choice here (for free)

    How to join a discussion?

    After you have joined/registered on Habitat for free, go to the General club. Click on the blue box of the session you want to attend.

  • How To Complete Your UPSC IAS Syllabus And Manage Your Time? A Complete Guide To UPSC Preparation on How to Create a Perfect Personalised Timetable

    Aspirants,

    Click here to talk to a mentor

    The UPSC exam is undoubtedly the toughest exam in India with a syllabus so vast that most students feel overwhelmed within just a few weeks of starting their preparation. 

    In fact, the 2 biggest problems students face while preparing for this exam are:

    1. Syllabus Management And
    2. Time Management

    FACT: As an aspirant, you can either spend a lot of time and effort trying to figure out how to cope with your syllabus and manage time or you can simply speak with our mentors and get the right study plan and timetable custom-made for you!

    So, how can you learn to manage time and your syllabus? Here’s what you can do!

    • Syllabus Management:
      • Go through the entire syllabus thoroughly.
      • Mark the topics you feel comfortable with and those you aren’t familiar with.
      • Break down the syllabus into small parts and prioritise them in order.
      • Gather the relevant study material for the syllabus and start studying them in order.
      • Figure out where you need guidance – Is it with the subject matter? Do you need help with organising your syllabus? Or you just aren’t sure how to begin?

    Our guidance program is, in fact, designed specifically to solve this problem. We speak with students personally and understand their concerns on a one-on-one basis. Our mentors spend time understanding the individual requirements of our students and teach students how to break down the syllabus and create a plan they can stick to.

    Click here to talk to a mentor

    This is what our mentors do after speaking one-on-one with students:

    1. They assess the students and understand their requirements.
    2. They develop a study plan for the students that match their learning abilities.
    3. They break down the syllabus for the student to make it easier for them to cope.
    4. They provide important study material so that the student doesn’t feel lost.
    5. They provide regular feedback to students to help them remain focused.
    6. They handhold the students at every stage of the exam, supporting them with all their needs.
    • Time Management:
      • Prioritise your study material
      • Complete the easier topics first.
      • Allocate at least one hour to answer-writing
      • Allocate at least one hour to MCQ practice
      • Make notes on Current Affairs while reading the newspapermatter?
      • Allocate at least 2 hours for your optional.

    This plan, however, does not suit everyone since every student has a different learning pace and different time available. Our guidance program solves this problem by creating a personalised timetable for you after speaking with you personally. Our mentors understand the requirements of students and they know which topics require how much time. That is why they prepare a customised timetable for you and all you need to do is follow it!

    So, if you are starting to prepare for the exam, do not waste your time trying to reinvent the wheel. Just get in touch with us and we will create a study plan that is based around you. 

    CLICK HERE TO TALK TO A MENTOR

    Limited slots are available. Don’t wait, get in touch immediately!

    Few Kind Words before we wrap up.

  • Streak Daily Initiative: Question Hour – Day 2

    Questions for the Day:

    Try these Mains Questions :

    Q: Identify the major obstacles in the smooth functioning of Parliamentary democracy in India. (15)

    Q: ‘The essential purpose of the Cabinet committee is to relieve the cabinet of some burden of work.’ Discuss (10)

    Try these Prelims Questions :

    Q1. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

    (a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people

    (b) Parliament can amend the constitution

    (c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved

    (d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

    Q2.Consider the following statements:

    1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
    2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
    3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.
      Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

    (a) only 1

    (b) only 2 and 3

    (c) only 1 and 3

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q3. Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences
    of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State?

    1.Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly

    2.Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State

    1. Dissolution of the local bodies


    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1 and 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2and 3

    Q4. Which of the following are the members of the Cabinet committee on
    Security?

    1. Prime Minister

    2. Minister of Home Affairs

    3. Minister of External Affairs

    4. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

    Select the correct answer using the code given below

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 1,2 and 3

    (c) 1,3 and 4

    (d) All are correct

    Q5. A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which

    (a) all political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government

    (b) the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

    (c) the Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them

    (d) the Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term

    Q 6.Consider the following statements:

    1.In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 percent of the votes polled, to be declared elected.

    2.According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q 7. Consider the following statements:

    1.The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit.

    2.The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions.

    3.There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 2 and 3 only

    Q 8. Consider the following statements regarding ‘No confidence motion’

    1. Only a motion expressing want of confidence in the
      council of ministers as a whole is admitted
    2. A no confidence motion needs to set out grounds on
      which it is based.
    3. Any no confidence motion once moved can’t be
      withdrawn
    4. Rajya Sabha is not empowered to entertain a motion of
      no confidence

    Which of the following given above are not correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1, 2, and 3 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Q 9. The Provision for the Calling Attention Notices has restricted the scope of which of the following?

    (a) Short duration discussion

    (b) Question hour

    (c) Adjournment motion

    (d) Zero hour

    Q 10. The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect
    is passed by the

    (a) Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership

    (b) Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership

    (c) Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership

    (d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting

    Q 11. Consider the following statements related to Article 368 of the
    Constitution:

    1. A Constitutional Amendment Bill can be passed at a joint session
      of Parliament in case of deadlock between the two Houses.
    2. It is obligatory for the President of India to give his assent to a
      Constitutional Amendment Bill passed under Article 368.
    3. To amend 7 th Schedule of the Constitution, ratification of more
      than half of the State legislature is essential.
    4. A proposal to amend the Constitution can only be introduced in
      the House of the People.

    Which of these are correct ?

    (a) 1 ,2 and 3

    (b) 1, 3 and 4

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) All are correct

    Sukanya madams video would be out at 7:00 PM and Santosh sir would provide the video at 9:00 PM.

    Watch this space for more updates exclusively for you.

  • Revival of Construction sector

    Context

    The latest estimates of the fourth quarter of financial year 2020-21 (January-March) brought some relief, for policymakers.

    Interpreting the construction sector GVA increase

    • The construction sector showed a 15 per cent increase in gross value added (GVA) in the last quarter, which is nearly double the growth experienced by the sector in the previous year (7.7 per cent).
    • Sign of better times: The buoyant growth of this sector has been hailed by policymakers not just as a sign of better times to come,
    • Addressing distress: Growth in the construction sector is also considered as the capacity of the economy to address the distress that households have faced in the past year.
    • Addressing needs of workforce: The Chief Economic Advisor pointed to the high growth rates in construction possibly to indicate that growth would address the needs of the beleaguered workforce.
    • The Union budget 2021 has also allocated a considerable sum towards infrastructure and construction in the hopes of the sector playing a catalysing role.

    Issues with relying on the growth of high-employment sector

    • No strong correlation: While GVA and/or GDP are considered as indicators of economic health, it has been argued in detail how it may not be prudent to rely on these alone as measures of economic welfare.
    • In particular, mere growth in a sector may not necessarily translate into benefits for its workers.
    • In the last quarter of 2019-2020, when construction GVA grew at nearly 8 per cent, employment in the same sector grew by 3 per cent based on our estimates from CMIE-CPHS.
    • Fallback employment option: The fact that employment grew in this sector even during a crisis year is largely because of the fact that the construction sector emerged as a fallback employment option for many displaced workers.
    • During “normal” times, the sector typically employs only about 10-15 per cent of India’s total workforce.
    • Even if this sector were to expand in line with its GVA growth, it will not be able to provide employment beyond a certain level.
    • Employment alone is not enough: Moreover, employment alone is not enough.
    • Earnings for an average daily wage worker in the sector have actually declined this year.
    • Again, the overall economic growth in GVA in the sector has not been passed on to the workers.

    Way forward

    • Any relief effort that relies solely on economic growth as a means to uplift workers will be sorely inadequate as we see from the experience of workers in construction.
    • The need of the hour is to go beyond relying on sectoral growth as a means of delivering relief to workers.
    • Direct transfers of cash and food are also needed, as is livelihood support through employment guarantee programmes.

    Conclusion

    While boosting growth of high-employment sectors is one strategy to adopt, this has its limitations. The capacity of a sector is limited in terms of the number of workers that it can absorb, and the extent to which growth can benefit workers.

    Back2Basics: What is GVA?

    • Gross value added (GVA) is an economic productivity metric that measures the contribution of a corporate subsidiary, company, or municipality to an economy, producer, sector, or region.
    • GVA is essentially a measure of the “net” value of output — deducting the cost of any input that went into its production from its total value.
    • GVA thus adjusts gross domestic product (GDP) by the impact of subsidies and taxes (tariffs) on products.

  • The convergence and lag in Indo-US partnership

    Context

    As the Indian leadership reviews US ties this week with the visiting Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, a paradox stands out.

    Deepening Indo-US ties

    • India and the US have come a long way since the 1990s.
    • There is growing political and security cooperation, expanding economic engagement, widening interface between the two societies, and the intensifying footprint of the Indian diaspora in the US.
    • Convergence of interests: That ambition, in turn, is based on the unprecedented convergence of Indian and American national interests.
    • Agenda for cooperation: The two countries have already agreed on an ambitious agenda for bilateral, regional and global cooperation.

    Debate in India over Indo-US relation: A paradox

    • The discourse within India’s strategic community continues to be anxious.
    • Some of the questions that animate the media and political classes have not changed since the 1990s.
    • Issues in the debate: Debate focuses on US’s stand on the Kashmir issue, democracy and human rights and its impact on India-US relations.
    • Contradictory fears: There are also contradictory fears such as whether the US extend full support in coping with China.
    • While we expect the US to give guarantees on supporting us, we insist that India will never enter into an alliance with the US.
    • Small state syndrome in India: As India’s relative weight in the international system continues to grow, it creates much room for give and take between India and the US.
    • Yet, a small state syndrome continues to grip the foreign policy elite.
    • The situation is similar on the economic front.
    • Although India is now the sixth-largest economy in the world, there is unending concern about the US imposing globalisation on India.
    • Even as India’s salience for solutions to climate change has increased, India’s debate remains deeply defensive.

    Factors responsible paradox

    • Missing the big picture: The narrow focus on the bilateral precludes an assessment of the larger forces shaping American domestic and international politics.
    • That, in turn, limits the appreciation of new possibilities for the bilateral relationship.
    • Underinvestment in American studies: The problem is reinforced by India’s under-investment in public understanding of American society.
    • Russia and China have put large resources in American studies at their universities and think tanks.
    • The Indian government and private sector will hopefully address this gap in the not-too-distant future.

    Policy shifts unfolding in the US

    • Domestic economic policies: If the economic policy drift in the last four decades was to the right, Biden is moving left on the relationship between the state and the market — on raising taxes, increasing public spending and addressing the problem of sharp economic inequality.
    • Economic policy and globalisation: Biden has also joined Trump in questioning America’s uncritical economic globalisation of the past.
    • If Trump talked of putting America First, Biden wants to make sure that America’s foreign and economic policies serve the US middle class.
    • Foreign policy: Biden has concluded that four decades of America’s uncritical engagement with China must be reconstituted into a policy that faces up to the many challenges that Beijing presents to the US.
    •  Biden is also focused on renewing the traditional US alliances to present a united front against China.
    • He is also seeking to overcome Washington’s hostility to Russia by resetting ties with Moscow.

    Question of democracy and human rights

    • Democracy is very much part of America’s founding ideology.
    • But living up to that ideal at home and abroad has not been easy for the United States over the last two centuries.
    • Delhi and Washington will also have much to discuss on the challenges that new surveillance technologies and big tech monopolies pose to democratic governance.
    • The exclusive American focus on democracy promotion has been rare, costly and unsuccessful.
    • India’s own experience at spreading democracy in its neighbourhood is quite similar.
    • But that discussion is only one part of the expansive new agenda — from Afghanistan to Indo-Pacific, reforming global economic institutions to addressing climate change, and vaccine diplomacy to governing new technologies that beckon India and the United States.

    Conclusion

    As they intensify the bilateral cooperation, the two sides will hopefully turn the Indo-US partnership from a perennial curiosity to a quotidian affair.

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