Syllabus Coverage, Revision, Daily Practice, Study Material, And Instant Mentor Feedback
Dear Aspirants,
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The enrollments for the July batch of Foundation 2022 and the UAP 2022 program are open now.
Not only UPSC has a vast syllabus but it expects a certain level of intellectual, social, and emotional maturity from its aspirants. It’s a very complex task to come up with a study plan/timetable that harmonizes every element and takes into consideration the return on investment on certain topics.
We’ve just now launched the July batches for the following courses. It is the apt time you should start for IAS 2022. Any delay beyond this point will make things unmanageable for you.
Foundation 2022
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It is a complete program for IAS 2022 which includes:
MasterClasses -to ensure comprehensive coverage of all the portions of static syllabus along with an in-depth analysis.
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A dedicated mentor to guide you through the maze of the UPSC exam.
Exclusive membership to Civilsdaily Community on Habitat.
A mentor-guided assessment program to keep you on track at all times and bring in strategic interventions when and where required.
How are we going to approach UPSC IAS 2022?
Broadly, six factors determine your success in cracking this prestigious IAS exam. The most important being understandingthe expectations of UPSC; according to that planning and strategizing; then Learning – Knowledge and information; Analyzing – making linkages, connections, etc.; Executing and utilizing information; and Constant course correction – because mistakes are inevitable, need to rectify them asap.
Through our mentorship-driven and personalized approach, we’re hell-bent on simplifying things for you. Hence, we have come up with a plan that you will instantly connect with you and give you a vibe that yes you can do it!
1. Integrated Approach
Preparation for Prelims and Mains is harmonized. You study a subject, attempt prelims tests, and then attempt mains tests for the same. This leads to solid preparation.
Many institutes out there will not able to present an integrated approach. They offer separate timetables for prelims and mains confusing the students further. That’s not the case with us!
2. Priority-wise Coverage of subjects
We are starting with the most important subjects from the exam perspective first. These are very predictable + have a very high return on investment. They need to be mastered if one has to have a shot at the exam. Polity, Modern History, and Economics. The lower priority ones follow afterward.
3. Logical Division of Topics
Subjects have been divided into topics that logically fit together. Eg. for Polity we ask you to prepare in 2 parts – first, till Central Government and second, from State Government and beyond. This division is not ad-hoc and does not break the flow of your studies.
4. Base and Advanced Sources
We have divided the sources into 2 parts, Base Sources, and Advanced Sources. Base sources are those which you have to master. You should come to advanced sources only when you are thorough with the Base Sources.
All this under the guidance of a dedicated mentor who will oversee your progress, help you strategize your preparation, plan it and make it measurable, help you analyze and evaluate your preparation; and introduce strategic interventions wherever and whenever required.
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Recently, the government of Uttar Pradesh released a “Population Policy” in which it stated its intention to bring the gross fertility rate in the State down from the existing 2.7 to 2.1 by 2026.
Provisions in the Bill
This draft law, titled the Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021, seeks to provide a series of incentives to families that adhere to a two-child norm.
The Bill also intends on disentitling families that breach the norm from benefits and subsidies.
It promises public servants who undergo sterilisation and adopt a two-child norm several benefits.
The draft Bill also contains a list of punishments.
A person who breaches the two-child norm will be debarred from securing the benefit of any government-sponsored welfare scheme and will be disqualified from applying to any State government job.
Existing government employees who infringe the rule will be denied the benefit of promotion.
Transgressing individuals will be prohibited from contesting elections to local authorities and bodies.
Issues with coercive population control policies
1) Counter-productive measure
Through an affidavit filed in court, the central government argued that “international experience shows that any coercion to have a certain number of children is counter-productive and leads to demographic distortions”.
2) Against international obligations
India is committed to its obligations under international law, including the principles contained in the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, 1994.
Foremost in those principles was a pledge from nations that they would look beyond demographic targets and focus instead on guaranteeing a right to reproductive freedom.
3) Against right to reproductive freedom and privacy
In Suchita Srivastava & Anr vs Chandigarh Administration (2009), the Court found that a woman’s freedom to make reproductive decisions is an integral facet of the right to personal liberty guaranteed by Article 21.
This ruling was endorsed by the Supreme Court’s nine-judge Bench verdict in K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017).
A reading of the plurality of opinions there shows us that the Constitution sees a person’s autonomy over her body as an extension of the right to privacy.
A simple reading of U.P.’s draft law will show us that, if enacted, it will grossly impinge on the right to reproductive freedom.
However, In Javed & Ors vs State of Haryana & Ors (2003), the Court upheld a law that disqualified persons with more than two children from contesting in local body elections.
But the present UP Bill is far more disproportionate, therefore, the judgment in Javed can no longer be seen as good law.
The UP government will likely argue that there is no violation of privacy here because any decision on sterilisation would be voluntary.
But, as we ought to by now know, making welfare conditional is a hallmark of coercion.
Therefore, the proposed law will fall foul of a proportionality analysis.
4) Negative consequences
An already skewed sex ratio may be compounded by families aborting a daughter in the hope of having a son with a view to conforming to the two-child norm.
The law could also lead to a proliferation in sterilisation camps, a practice that the Supreme Court has previously deprecated.
In Devika Biswas vs Union of India (2016), the Court pointed to how these camps invariably have a disparate impact on minorities and other vulnerable groups.
Way forward
Experiences from other States in India show us that there are more efficacious and alternative measures available to control the growth of population, including processes aimed at improving public health and access to education.
Conclusion
For one thing, the reasoning of the Bill goes against the Puttaswamy case. But as rousing as the nine-judge Bench verdict is, its legacy depends on how its findings are applied.
Top Features of Super- 25 group 1. 32 tests to cover the whole syllabus 2. Subject wise specific Critical input aimed at prelims-2021 3. Mentor Calls from Santosh sir twice a week (before and after test) 4. Weekly 2 Zoom meetings for discussions and Important topics discussion 5. Individual Personal attention by Santosh sir 6. Daily Monitoring of weekly targets 7. 360 Degree approach to learning Current Affairs of one year 8. Learn 3 fold approach of attempting prelims questions Results of Super-20 held last year gave result output of 60% i. e. 12 out of 20 students mentored by Santosh Sir qualified prelims-2020.
Reconquer batch-2 features: 1.32 Tests for prelims-2021 for fast forward revision and practice 2.Overall mentorship by Santosh Gupta sir 3.Current affairs Magazine by CivilsDaily of one year 4. Weekly 2 zoom meetings with me for Monitoring progress 5. Score boosting videos
Mock Interviews at Civilsdaily form a crucial part of UPSC interview preparation. The quality and diversity of the panel help prepare an aspirant for the actual interview at UPSC.
Aspirants have benefited greatly from the mock interview and the feedback they get from the panel members after their mock interview. At the same time, we work with the aspirants to improve upon the areas highlighted by the panel.
Upcoming Mock interview and session
This week’s mock interview dates have been fixed.
Mock interview this week- 17th July(Online) (Book your slot)
Aspirants will also get a personalized DAF-based questionnaire based on extensive research and linkages with the issues of national and international importance.
DAF questionnaire
Detailed Application Form (DAF) is one of the most important documents that you might have filled for UPSC interviews. A major part of the interview will revolve around the information and details provided in the DAF. It is more than your CV.
Your ability to defend your DAF before the panel is going to decide your success. Anticipating and preparing for the questions based on your DAF is an essential part of the interview preparation.
The proposed Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, have been drafted ostensibly in the name of the consumer. The rules are driven more by the desire to shield the traditional brick-and-mortar stores, and handicap e-commerce firms, especially the foreign ones.
Issues with the provisions of draft Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020
1) Fall-back liability clause is unfair for those operating through marketplace model
Under this provision, e-commerce entities will be liable in case suppliers on the platform fail to deliver the goods to consumers, causing them a loss.
E-commerce firms in India operate through either the inventory model or the marketplace model.
As FDI is permitted only in the marketplace model.
Under the marketplace model, e-commerce platforms don’t hold inventory, but simply connect buyers and sellers.
Foreign players typically operate through this model.
Considering that these platforms exercise little or no control over the inventory under this model, how can they be held liable for the sellers’ actions.
2) Identifying goods based on country of origin and providing fair opportunity to domestic sellers
The draft rules also require e-commerce platforms to identify goods based on their country of origin.
And when goods are being viewed for purchase by consumers, the rules also mandate platforms to provide suggestions to ensure “fair opportunity” for domestic sellers.
This raises the question as to why the Make in India campaign is being pushed through the Consumer Protection Act.
Surely, if domestic manufacturers are competitive, consumers will automatically gravitate towards them.
Interests of consumers, not domestic manufacturers, should be at the core of the consumer protection framework.
3) Overlapping/competing jurisdictions
Data protection: The draft rules have sought to safeguard consumer data by restraining e-commerce firms from sharing consumer data without consent.
But the data protection should be governed by the provisions under the Personal Data Protection Bill and not the Consumer Protection Act.
Considering the graded approach that is likely to be adopted under the Data Protection Bill, an e-commerce user’s data could be classified as per its vulnerability and be left under the jurisdiction of the data protection authority.
Dominant position: The rules also state that e-commerce entities are prohibited from abusing their dominant positions in the market.
The “abuse of dominant position” has been given the same meaning as that prescribed under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.
This will open the scope for new consumer protection authority to enter into issues of abuse of dominant position — the domain of the Competition Commission of India.
Consider the question “Over-regulation tends to curb competition and create monopolies instead of ensuring its holistic growth dovetailed with fair competition. In light of this, examine the issues with the draft Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020?”
Conclusion
The lines of demarcation that have been drawn up in the retail landscape — single brand vs multi-brand, online vs offline, domestic vs foreign — serve only to protect powerful vested interests, not benefit the consumer as is often proclaimed.
GS-1 Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
GS-2 Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
GS-3 Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth;Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. GS-4 Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections
HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?
Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.
A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.
You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.
Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.
Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.
If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 1st June is uploaded on 1st June then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis
If you are writing answers late, for example, 1st June is uploaded on 3rd June, then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.
We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Swatantra so that the mentor is notified about your answer.
*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. Swatantra Sir’s tag is available, tag him.
The world is facing gloomy times in midst of the pandemic, conflicts, and natural calamities.
Recently, we witnessed the horrors caused by nature in Chamoli district, the ground of the famed Chipko movement in Uttarakhand.
Nature’s warning is evident with visible cracks in its erstwhile harmonious relationship with humanity.
This essay/article emphasizes the need for building an ecological civilization and descending from the present cliff of uncertainty towards peaceful living and inclusive development and respect for nature.
The first industrial revolution that took place 250 years ago was primarily with coal and steam; the second with electricity and oil; the third with computers and its accessories; and now the fourth is a fusion of technologies in the physical, digital and technological worlds.
Civilizational chaos
The wave of industrial and green revolution marked a major turning point in earth’s ecology and humans’ relationship with the environment.
During the 20th century, with the detonation of the atomic bomb, humanity entered a new era.
Thus, we gained the power to destroy ourselves (mutually assured destruction), without the wisdom to ensure that we must avoid doing so.
Looming threats to mankind
Widespread industrialization, the proliferation of factories, destruction of forests for the construction of massive dams & power stations and the migration of people has all caused serious disturbances in the ecosystem.
The resulting climate change and global warming is a serious threat to the present as well as the future.
Both nature and world peace are under threat.
All these developments coupled with geopolitics have put humanity on a cliff and presents dangerous situations.
Future of Peace
The future of peace and harmony in the 21st century is likely to be directly linked to issues concerning five key realities of life today:
Ecology, global warming, and climate change
Nuclear weapons, the emerging technology of warfare and the continuing arms race among nation-states
Geopolitics and nationalism
Religious extremism and
Poverty and inequality
We do not know how to retrieve the present dangerous situation away from its self-destructive ways. This needs to be appreciated in a threefold perspective:
[1] Nature
Today there is a credible threat to human survival from global warming and climate change with the potential to damage the lives and habitats of billions of people in different parts of the world.
The enormity of the challenge of conservation of ecology and halting climate change is formidable and calls for making changes in our behavior and thinking.
At the heart of the matter is: How do we move towards building fresh sensitivities for conservation in our civilizational processes?
Five events of the recent times need to be particularly referred to:
Outbreak of pandemic SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in Hong Kong in 2002-03;
Bushfires in Brazil and Australia of 2019;
Continuous extinction of species
Forest fires in California alongside the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and
Coronavirus pandemic
These five events have given us signals that if ecology problems are not attended to urgently the world may not need world wars to destroy itself.
[2] Science
In the last decades of the 20th century, the focus of society has shifted decisively towards science and its domineering daughter, technology, both in the western and developing countries.
This has led to the globalization of products, cultural values, and information. It is integrating markets and trade.
But what becomes of environment and nature in such a scenario, remains a matter of great concern.
We have been brought to an alarming situation primarily on account of excessive greed, faulty planning, insensitive politics, and lack of imagination.
Technology, being value-neutral, has accelerated the pace of the downward journey.
Outcome: Climate change
Climate change and global warming are posing serious problems.
The biggest polluter has been the release of carbon dioxide.
To control it with speed, we have to change the terms of the market. It is based on the law of profit.
A change would mean rejecting the general line of dealings in the market in the world for the sake of the long-term interests of the human race. Are we ready for this major break? And, here wisdom comes.
[3] Wisdom
Wisdom is defined as ‘the ability to use one’s knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments.’
Wisdom is a product of experiences and reflections not only of the present generation but of the civilizational processes of a nation and also of the world.
Human beings can destroy their environment as well as can rise above petty interests, use technology and reverse the process of destruction of plant species and minimize carbon emissions.
At the present juncture, if we do not make use of our cumulative wisdom, nature will be harmed and succeeding generations will blame us for our failure.
We have to keep the Vedic precept of ‘माता भूमिः पुत्रो अहं पृथिव्याः ’ (‘This earth is our mother and we are its sons.’) in our minds.
Thankfully, on 12 December 2015, the Global Climate Accord was reached among 195 countries of the world in Paris.
The Paris Accord as it came to be known, commits countries to actions and policies that would restrict the rise in global temperatures ‘well below’ 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) by the year 2100.
Way Forward
We have to generate hope, courage, and respect for nature.
We should employ science and human ingenuity with determination to overcome the present state of despondency.
If science, spirituality, and wisdom go hand in hand, one can create a better world on this earth. Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not for every man’s greed’.
It should become the maxim of the post-Covid world, that it will need farsighted leadership and efficient institutions of governance.
There is an imperative requirement to contemplate and work towards building an ecological civilization that would outline the ways of living in harmony with nature.
Bahudha Approach is based on the maxim enjoined upon us by the Rigveda. It proclaims: Ekam Sad Vipra Bahudha Vadanti The Real is One, the learned speak of it variously. This provides for dialogue among different religions, cultures, and ways of living. It celebrates diversity and respect for harmonious living and nature.
Conclusion
The post-Covid world would be a different world.
It has made evident that we are all interdependent and have to work for sharing economic benefits as well as fruits of science together, irrespective of religious, ethnic, economic, and cultural divides.
We have to move towards building an ecological civilization and descending from the present cliff of uncertainty towards peaceful living and inclusive development and respect for nature.
