The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sought inputs from telcos and other industry experts on the sale and use of radiofrequency spectrum over the next 10 years, including the 5G bands.
Try this PYQ:
Q. In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.?
Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament
Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees
Finance Commission
Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission
NITI Aayog
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 3, 4 and 5
(d) 2 and 5
What is 5G technology?
5G or fifth generation is the latest upgrade in the long-term evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks.
It mainly works in 3 bands, namely low, mid and high-frequency spectrum — all of which have their own uses as well as limitations.
Three bands of 5G
The low band spectrum has shown great promise in terms of coverage and speed of internet and data exchange, the maximum speed is limited to 100 Mbps (Megabits per second).
This means that while telcos can use and install it for commercial cellphones users who may not have specific demands for very high-speed internet, the low band spectrum may not be optimal for specialised needs of the industry.
The mid-band spectrum, on the other hand, offers higher speeds compared to the low band but has limitations in terms of coverage area and penetration of signals.
Telcos and companies, which have taken the lead on 5G, have indicated that this band may be used by industries and specialised factory units for building captive networks that can be moulded into the needs of that particular industry.
The high-band spectrum offers the highest speed of all the three bands, but has extremely limited coverage and signal penetration strength.
Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G have been tested to be as high as 20 Gbps (gigabits per second), while, in most cases, the maximum internet data speed in 4G has been recorded at 1 Gbps.
Where does India stand in the 5G technology race?
On par with the global players, India had, in 2018, planned to start 5G services as soon as possible, with an aim to capitalize on the better network speeds and strength that the technology promised.
Indian private telecom players have been urging the DoT to lay out a clear road map of spectrum allocation and 5G frequency bands so that they would be able to plan the rollout of their services accordingly.
One big hurdle, however, is the lack of flow of cash and adequate capital with some companies due to their AGR dues.
Global progress on 5G
More than governments, global telecom companies have started building 5G networks and rolling it out to their customers on a trial basis.
In countries like the US, some companies have taken the lead when it comes to rolling out commercial 5G for their users.
A South Korean company, which had started researching on 5G technology way back in 2011, has, on the other hand, take the lead when it comes to building the hardware for 5G networks for several companies.
Sudhanshu sir will be with you on Habitat at 8:30 pm for the discussion. Till then read about the golden hours and how to utilize them.
Attempting a test is not a one-off activity. By attempting a test you have opened a loop which you have to close subsequently. Else, it’s of no use and your 2 hours’ worth of effort will go in vain.
The first eight hours after any test are ‘golden hours’.
All the questions and the options that were bothering you are still fresh in your mind, some might still be bothering you after the test. It is essential for you to use these hours for paper analysis and dissection. Whatever insights, learnings, and correction that you are going to make within this golden hour, is going to stay with you for a really long time.
I am sure most of you can relate to this and have experienced it when you get a particular question wrong in a test and after realizing how silly of you was to get it wrong, your brain makes a promise to you – “Never ever am I going to repeat such a mistake or get this (or such kind of) question wrong…” and like that.
So, to utilise these golden hours I have a request for those who have attempted and submitted the test, please do this:
Check your registered email’s inbox and find the questions paper + solution.
Sit with the paper for at least 2 hours.
Go through all the questions (correct as well), analyze all the options. Refer to the books and notes if required
Recollect and if possible note down why you marked some question in a particular way (right and wrong or why you left a particular question)
It is a holistically designed crash course for the UPSC IAS prelims exam. To make it more efficient and outcome-oriented we’ve integrated it with Habitat.
Decimate Prelims 2021 @ Habitat is a three-phased program that ensures full coverage of current affairs syllabus, related static parts, tests, intensive discussions, and revision.
We’re going more intensive and comprehensive to make sure that you comfortably go beyond 130+ marks and literally decimate prelims.
UPSC is evolving, are you? Bury the old ways of IAS Prelims preparation.
How daily Habitat classes will be held?
Since we’re going to be comprehensive and effective, we’ve planned Habitat classes twice a day (2+2 hrs/day) as per a schedule.
Forenoon session: 10am – 12:30pm
You’ll be provided with the base notes and reading material beforehand. In the Habitat class the focus will be on:
Explanation and conceptual clarity.
Making linkages with static part.
Relevance of the topic or its components for the prelims exam.
The kind of questions that could be asked from a particular topic.
Things you need to focus on and the things you can avoid.
You’ll get a video summary lecture of this discussion covering the most important and relevant aspects of the topic.
A discussion session on Habitat
Evening session: 7pm – 9pm
In the second session, we’ll be focussing on the application and utilization of the information part:
Doubts resolution
Daily mini-tests (MCQs) based on day’s discussions
Explanation, discussion, and Tikdams
Revision of the day’s topics
After this session, you’ll be provided with the PDFs of mini-tests, notes for the next session, and reference material (if required).
Habitat sessions will continue till Prelims 2021 in the next two phases as well.
MCQ discussion on Habitat
Decimate Prelims 2021 progression
Phase 1: Course coverage- 7 weeks
In the first 50 days, we are going to cover 2+ yrs current affairs, associated static topics, and prelims worthy issues. These will be covered in 4+ hours daily classes on Habitat.
1. Notes and Habitat video lectures
Crisp but comprehensive notes are going to cover these current affairs on a preliminary level. These will be followed by discussion sessions on Habitat.
2. Daily Habitat classes
Habitat classes will be conducted by the subject-specific mentors twice a day. Here in the first session, you’ll be having an in-depth discussion and analysis of the scheduled topics. Why a particular topic is important and how it could be asked in prelims will be discussed. In the second session of Habitat class, you’ll be attempting MCQs, resolving doubts, and revising.
By the end of the discussion, you will be provided with video summary lectures, MCQs, mindmaps, and reference material, etc.
Phase 2: Tests and Assessment, Discussion, Tikdams- Till May
In the second phase of Decimate Prelims 2021, we’re going to focus on the application of information; testing and evaluation; doubts resolution and course correction; and learning smart ways of attempting the paper through Tikdams sessions.
1. Test series and discussions
Since learning must be accompanied by regular assessment, Decimate Prelims includes 8 Full-Length tests, 10 Current affairs tests, and 4 CSAT tests. These are high-quality tests covering the most relevant issues for IAS prelims 2021.
Tests will be followed by discussion and analysis on Habitat will help in finding out the mistakes you are committing to and how to address them in a most effective manner.
2. Tikdams and Score boosting sessions
We’ve perfected Tikdams or the art of intelligent elimination. It has the potential of raising your score by 30 marks or more. Score boosting sessions, in this phase, will prepare you and enhance your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information).
3. Revision and discussion
We’re going to have scheduled revision and doubt resolution sessions on Habitat. These 4+hrs sessions will ensure thorough coverage of the IAS Prelims syllabus.
Phase 3: Probable questions discussion, intensive revision – till prelims
We’ll be providing 300+ most probable topics to you and will be having a discussion session on Habitat around these topics.
Moreover, intensive revision based on listicles, reports, and important topics will continue till your prelims.
Mentorship
Mentorship is an important component of Decimate Prelims 2021. It is essential for guiding your preparation towards the most effective path so that you can make the most out of this program.
On Habitat, you will get mentorship by subject-specific mentors and teachers. You can reach out to them whenever you want and get your doubts resolved as soon as you get them.
Notes and study material
As mentioned above high-quality PDF notes of current affairs, daily MCQs, discussion summaries, etc. are going to be provided. You’ll also be getting an annual subscription to Civils Digest, our monthly magazine.
Other reference material, listicles, etc. will be provided as and when required.
Take some rest. Test solutions and explanations will be emailed to you as soon as you submit the test. All India Ranking will be released on 18th Jan.
Quickly go through the solutions. Join us on this (click) Habitat group for the discussions and for doubts. We’ll discuss on how to proceed from there.
It is a holistically designed crash course for the UPSC IAS prelims exam. To make it more efficient and outcome-oriented we’ve integrated it with Habitat.
Decimate Prelims 2021 @ Habitat is a three-phased program that ensures full coverage of current affairs syllabus, related static parts, tests, intensive discussions, and revision.
We’re going more intensive and comprehensive to make sure that you comfortably go beyond 130+ marks and literally decimate prelims.
UPSC is evolving, are you? Bury the old ways of IAS Prelims preparation.
How daily Habitat classes will be held?
Since we’re going to be comprehensive and effective, we’ve planned Habitat classes twice a day (2+2 hrs/day) as per a schedule.
Forenoon session: 10am – 12:30pm
You’ll be provided with the base notes and reading material beforehand. In the Habitat class the focus will be on:
Explanation and conceptual clarity.
Making linkages with static part.
Relevance of the topic or its components for the prelims exam.
The kind of questions that could be asked from a particular topic.
Things you need to focus on and the things you can avoid.
You’ll get a video summary lecture of this discussion covering the most important and relevant aspects of the topic.
A discussion session on Habitat
Evening session: 7pm – 9pm
In the second session, we’ll be focussing on the application and utilization of the information part:
Doubts resolution
Daily mini-tests (MCQs) based on day’s discussions
Explanation, discussion, and Tikdams
Revision of the day’s topics
After this session, you’ll be provided with the PDFs of mini-tests, notes for the next session, and reference material (if required).
Habitat sessions will continue till Prelims 2021 in the next two phases as well.
MCQ discussion on Habitat
Decimate Prelims 2021 progression
Phase 1: Course coverage- 7 weeks
In the first 50 days, we are going to cover 2+ yrs current affairs, associated static topics, and prelims worthy issues. These will be covered in 4+ hours daily classes on Habitat.
1. Notes and Habitat video lectures
Crisp but comprehensive notes are going to cover these current affairs on a preliminary level. These will be followed by discussion sessions on Habitat.
2. Daily Habitat classes
Habitat classes will be conducted by the subject-specific mentors twice a day. Here in the first session, you’ll be having an in-depth discussion and analysis of the scheduled topics. Why a particular topic is important and how it could be asked in prelims will be discussed. In the second session of Habitat class, you’ll be attempting MCQs, resolving doubts, and revising.
By the end of the discussion, you will be provided with video summary lectures, MCQs, mindmaps, and reference material, etc.
Phase 2: Tests and Assessment, Discussion, Tikdams- Till May
In the second phase of Decimate Prelims 2021, we’re going to focus on the application of information; testing and evaluation; doubts resolution and course correction; and learning smart ways of attempting the paper through Tikdams sessions.
1. Test series and discussions
Since learning must be accompanied by regular assessment, Decimate Prelims includes 8 Full-Length tests, 10 Current affairs tests, and 4 CSAT tests. These are high-quality tests covering the most relevant issues for IAS prelims 2021.
Tests will be followed by discussion and analysis on Habitat will help in finding out the mistakes you are committing to and how to address them in a most effective manner.
2. Tikdams and Score boosting sessions
We’ve perfected Tikdams or the art of intelligent elimination. It has the potential of raising your score by 30 marks or more. Score boosting sessions, in this phase, will prepare you and enhance your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information).
3. Revision and discussion
We’re going to have scheduled revision and doubt resolution sessions on Habitat. These 4+hrs sessions will ensure thorough coverage of the IAS Prelims syllabus.
Phase 3: Probable questions discussion, intensive revision – till prelims
We’ll be providing 300+ most probable topics to you and will be having a discussion session on Habitat around these topics.
Moreover, intensive revision based on listicles, reports, and important topics will continue till your prelims.
Mentorship
Mentorship is an important component of Decimate Prelims 2021. It is essential for guiding your preparation towards the most effective path so that you can make the most out of this program.
On Habitat, you will get mentorship by subject-specific mentors and teachers. You can reach out to them whenever you want and get your doubts resolved as soon as you get them.
Notes and study material
As mentioned above high-quality PDF notes of current affairs, daily MCQs, discussion summaries, etc. are going to be provided. You’ll also be getting an annual subscription to Civils Digest, our monthly magazine.
Other reference material, listicles, etc. will be provided as and when required.
Banks, especially the Public Sector Banks have to play an important role in the pandemic afflicted economy. With that aim, the government has been envisaging the Bank Investment Company (BIC) for the improvement of PSB governance. The article discusses the issues with the BIC.
Background of the BIC
Recent reports suggest that the upcoming budget may include proposals for a Bank Investment Company (BIC), anchoring the government’s shareholding in its banks.
The BIC was proposed by the P J Nayak Committee constituted by the RBI in 2014 to examine governance at public and private sector banks.
The committee had offered two options — privatisation or a complete overhaul of bank governance.
The overhaul of bank governance is envisaged in the form of a gradual disassociation of the government from the operations, management and governance of PSBs.
The BIC is a welcome step in as much as it signals the government’s intent to pursue reforms to improve the governance and performance of PSBs.
Concerns with the BIC
The ownership and governance of the BIC itself will be crucial.
BIC will need to be allowed to garner the requisite talent and expertise and operate with freedom.
In the absence of this, it would merely add another layer while preserving the status quo.
The less than encouraging experience of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) that was to precede the BIC is instructive.
Why BBB failed to achieve its objectives
The BBB was set up in 2016 to advise on the selection and appointment of senior board members and management.
However, in practice, the BBB’s advice has not always been heeded to, and appointments have not always been made on time.
The BBB, as originally conceived, was to consist of three senior bankers.
However, it was expanded to include representatives from the RBI and the government.
The BBB was also originally envisaged by the committee as a temporary arrangement.
However, no further steps have been forthcoming after its establishment.
Way forward for BIC
The government would need to ensure the necessary freedom for the BIC to operate while circumscribing its own role.
The ultimate success of these reforms will depend on how the government disassociates itself and empowers the BIC.
The objectives of the BIC would have to be clearly defined too.
If capital raising is one of the goals, the structure of a holding company — with a portfolio of comparatively better performing and non-performing banks — to attract investments must be assessed.
In this regard, the RBI has reportedly, in the past, expressed reservations on the BIC structure being a potential challenge for investors to assess the relative risks, returns and performance of the banks.
This raises the question of whether privatisation would not be a better alternative, particularly as the transition of the government from an owner to a pure financial investor in its banks is likely to take time.
Conclusion
Given these concerns, privatisation may be a better alternative. The budget could signal this intent by announcing the first step — the repeal of the Bank Nationalisation Acts and the State Bank of India Act.
The first Decimate Prelims Open(free) Test 2021 will be live tomorrow. – 17th Jan. Three free Tests, have been scheduled on 17th Jan, 24th Jan, and 31st Jan 2021, before the start of our DECIMATE PRELIMS 2021 program.
The first test will go live at 10 am on 17th Jan 2021 (on the same link as given in point 1).
Other details:
These are full-length tests- 100 questions, 2hrs
Mode- Online, in English
What to do after the test?
Take some rest. Test solutions and explanations will be emailed to you as soon as you submit the test. All India Ranking will be released on 18th Jan.
Quickly go through the solutions. Join us on this (click) Habitat group for the discussions and for doubts. We’ll discuss on how to proceed from there.
It is a holistically designed crash course for the UPSC IAS prelims exam. To make it more efficient and outcome-oriented we’ve integrated it with Habitat.
Decimate Prelims 2021 @ Habitat is a three-phased program that ensures full coverage of current affairs syllabus, related static parts, tests, intensive discussions, and revision.
We’re going more intensive and comprehensive to make sure that you comfortably go beyond 130+ marks and literally decimate prelims.
UPSC is evolving, are you? Bury the old ways of IAS Prelims preparation.
How daily Habitat classes will be held?
Since we’re going to be comprehensive and effective, we’ve planned Habitat classes twice a day (2+2 hrs/day) as per a schedule.
Forenoon session: 10am – 12:30pm
You’ll be provided with the base notes and reading material beforehand. In the Habitat class the focus will be on:
Explanation and conceptual clarity.
Making linkages with static part.
Relevance of the topic or its components for the prelims exam.
The kind of questions that could be asked from a particular topic.
Things you need to focus on and the things you can avoid.
You’ll get a video summary lecture of this discussion covering the most important and relevant aspects of the topic.
A discussion session on Habitat
Evening session: 7pm – 9pm
In the second session, we’ll be focussing on the application and utilization of the information part:
Doubts resolution
Daily mini-tests (MCQs) based on day’s discussions
Explanation, discussion, and Tikdams
Revision of the day’s topics
After this session, you’ll be provided with the PDFs of mini-tests, notes for the next session, and reference material (if required).
Habitat sessions will continue till Prelims 2021 in the next two phases as well.
MCQ discussion on Habitat
Decimate Prelims 2021 progression
Phase 1: Course coverage- 7 weeks
In the first 50 days, we are going to cover 2+ yrs current affairs, associated static topics, and prelims worthy issues. These will be covered in 4+ hours daily classes on Habitat.
1. Notes and Habitat video lectures
Crisp but comprehensive notes are going to cover these current affairs on a preliminary level. These will be followed by discussion sessions on Habitat.
2. Daily Habitat classes
Habitat classes will be conducted by the subject-specific mentors twice a day. Here in the first session, you’ll be having an in-depth discussion and analysis of the scheduled topics. Why a particular topic is important and how it could be asked in prelims will be discussed. In the second session of Habitat class, you’ll be attempting MCQs, resolving doubts, and revising.
By the end of the discussion, you will be provided with video summary lectures, MCQs, mindmaps, and reference material, etc.
Phase 2: Tests and Assessment, Discussion, Tikdams- Till May
In the second phase of Decimate Prelims 2021, we’re going to focus on the application of information; testing and evaluation; doubts resolution and course correction; and learning smart ways of attempting the paper through Tikdams sessions.
1. Test series and discussions
Since learning must be accompanied by regular assessment, Decimate Prelims includes 8 Full-Length tests, 10 Current affairs tests, and 4 CSAT tests. These are high-quality tests covering the most relevant issues for IAS prelims 2021.
Tests will be followed by discussion and analysis on Habitat will help in finding out the mistakes you are committing to and how to address them in a most effective manner.
2. Tikdams and Score boosting sessions
We’ve perfected Tikdams or the art of intelligent elimination. It has the potential of raising your score by 30 marks or more. Score boosting sessions, in this phase, will prepare you and enhance your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information).
3. Revision and discussion
We’re going to have scheduled revision and doubt resolution sessions on Habitat. These 4+hrs sessions will ensure thorough coverage of the IAS Prelims syllabus.
Phase 3: Probable questions discussion, intensive revision – till prelims
We’ll be providing 300+ most probable topics to you and will be having a discussion session on Habitat around these topics.
Moreover, intensive revision based on listicles, reports, and important topics will continue till your prelims.
Mentorship
Mentorship is an important component of Decimate Prelims 2021. It is essential for guiding your preparation towards the most effective path so that you can make the most out of this program.
On Habitat, you will get mentorship by subject-specific mentors and teachers. You can reach out to them whenever you want and get your doubts resolved as soon as you get them.
Notes and study material
As mentioned above high-quality PDF notes of current affairs, daily MCQs, discussion summaries, etc. are going to be provided. You’ll also be getting an annual subscription to Civils Digest, our monthly magazine.
Other reference material, listicles, etc. will be provided as and when required.
It is a holistically designed crash course for the UPSC IAS prelims exam. To make it more efficient and outcome-oriented we’ve integrated it with Habitat.
Decimate Prelims 2021 @ Habitat is a three-phased program that ensures full coverage of current affairs syllabus, related static parts, tests, intensive discussions, and revision.
We’re going more intensive and comprehensive to make sure that you comfortably go beyond 130+ marks and literally decimate prelims.
UPSC is evolving, are you? Bury the old ways of IAS Prelims preparation.
How daily Habitat classes will be held?
Since we’re going to be comprehensive and effective, we’ve planned Habitat classes twice a day (2+2 hrs/day) as per a schedule.
Forenoon session: 10am – 12:30pm
You’ll be provided with the base notes and reading material beforehand. In the Habitat class the focus will be on:
Explanation and conceptual clarity.
Making linkages with static part.
Relevance of the topic or its components for the prelims exam.
The kind of questions that could be asked from a particular topic.
Things you need to focus on and the things you can avoid.
You’ll get a video summary lecture of this discussion covering the most important and relevant aspects of the topic.
A discussion session on Habitat
Evening session: 7pm – 9pm
In the second session, we’ll be focussing on the application and utilization of the information part:
Doubts resolution
Daily mini-tests (MCQs) based on day’s discussions
Explanation, discussion, and Tikdams
Revision of the day’s topics
After this session, you’ll be provided with the PDFs of mini-tests, notes for the next session, and reference material (if required).
Habitat sessions will continue till Prelims 2021 in the next two phases as well.
MCQ discussion on Habitat
Decimate Prelims 2021 progression
Phase 1: Course coverage- 7 weeks
In the first 50 days, we are going to cover 2+ yrs current affairs, associated static topics, and prelims worthy issues. These will be covered in 4+ hours daily classes on Habitat.
1. Notes and Habitat video lectures
Crisp but comprehensive notes are going to cover these current affairs on a preliminary level. These will be followed by discussion sessions on Habitat.
2. Daily Habitat classes
Habitat classes will be conducted by the subject-specific mentors twice a day. Here in the first session, you’ll be having an in-depth discussion and analysis of the scheduled topics. Why a particular topic is important and how it could be asked in prelims will be discussed. In the second session of Habitat class, you’ll be attempting MCQs, resolving doubts, and revising.
By the end of the discussion, you will be provided with video summary lectures, MCQs, mindmaps, and reference material, etc.
Phase 2: Tests and Assessment, Discussion, Tikdams- Till May
In the second phase of Decimate Prelims 2021, we’re going to focus on the application of information; testing and evaluation; doubts resolution and course correction; and learning smart ways of attempting the paper through Tikdams sessions.
1. Test series and discussions
Since learning must be accompanied by regular assessment, Decimate Prelims includes 8 Full-Length tests, 10 Current affairs tests, and 4 CSAT tests. These are high-quality tests covering the most relevant issues for IAS prelims 2021.
Tests will be followed by discussion and analysis on Habitat will help in finding out the mistakes you are committing to and how to address them in a most effective manner.
2. Tikdams and Score boosting sessions
We’ve perfected Tikdams or the art of intelligent elimination. It has the potential of raising your score by 30 marks or more. Score boosting sessions, in this phase, will prepare you and enhance your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information).
3. Revision and discussion
We’re going to have scheduled revision and doubt resolution sessions on Habitat. These 4+hrs sessions will ensure thorough coverage of the IAS Prelims syllabus.
Phase 3: Probable questions discussion, intensive revision – till prelims
We’ll be providing 300+ most probable topics to you and will be having a discussion session on Habitat around these topics.
Moreover, intensive revision based on listicles, reports, and important topics will continue till your prelims.
Mentorship
Mentorship is an important component of Decimate Prelims 2021. It is essential for guiding your preparation towards the most effective path so that you can make the most out of this program.
On Habitat, you will get mentorship by subject-specific mentors and teachers. You can reach out to them whenever you want and get your doubts resolved as soon as you get them.
Notes and study material
As mentioned above high-quality PDF notes of current affairs, daily MCQs, discussion summaries, etc. are going to be provided. You’ll also be getting an annual subscription to Civils Digest, our monthly magazine.
Other reference material, listicles, etc. will be provided as and when required.
The article highlights the issues with the criteria applied by the UGC to evaluate the faculty research.
Impact of UGC standardisation on social sciences and humanities research
UGC has been the regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards in higher education, while addressing challenges of globalisation.
Processes of UGC mandated standardisation have in particular impacted social sciences and humanities research in Indian universities.
Over the years, UGC has linked institutional funding to ranking and accreditation systems like NAAC and NIRF.
In order to evaluate institutions, these bodies have evolved criteria, which rank universities based on faculty research measured by citations in global journal databases like SCOPUS.
In comparison, importance granted to research outputs like books or other forms is declining.
Issues with the criteria
The insistence of publication in journals fails to distinguish between the varied trajectory of disciplines.
While in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Management) disciplines, research is often highly objective and quantified.
In social sciences and humanities research is subjective, analytical and argumentative.
In disciplines like history, sociology, politics, philosophy, psychology and literature, researchers spend years writing books that engage with ideas in complex ways.
In devaluing books as authentic forms of research, UGC does major disservice to scholars of social sciences and humanities.
Due to emphasis on publication, teachers spend most of their productive time writing articles and getting them published, thereby missing out on quality engagement with pedagogy and research.
Issues with the process of peer review
The process of peer review itself is subjective, and depends upon the knowledge, inclination and availability of time of the particular reviewer.
It is often quite challenging for scholars to meet peer-review standards of A-listed journals.
This has actually required the UGC to expand its own list, ending up including and subsequently deleting a large number of locally published journals.
Issue of inaccessibility
Publication of research in paywalled journal databases makes research inaccessible for students as universities continue to cut down library budgets.
Students and teachers, access articles through pirated sites like Libgen and Scihub, prone to be shut down at any point of time as evident from the litigations.
Clearly, access to knowledge is structurally made inequitable in favour of the elite and/or moneyed institutions and their constituents.
Way forward
The above arguments maintain for the possible multiplicity that can emerge as the end-result of research.
Interdisciplinary and practice-based research can throw up social and ecological experiments, artworks and performances, and numerous new outcomes yet to be conceived as research outputs.
While the UGC hopes to raise the standards to global levels, precarity of employment, longer teaching hours, a dismal student-teacher ratio, lack of sabbaticals, research and travel grants, access to research facilities and office space, adversely impact the research potential of teachers.
Regulating research needs to be replaced with facilitating research, allowing minds to think and gestate.
Regulations without facilitation will merely bureaucratise the governance of knowledge without generating any pathbreaking insights.
Conclusion
The UGC needs to widen its criteria which values publication of a book as much as a research paper in the mandated journal to widen the research in social sciences and humanities.
Russia has announced that it was pulling out of the Open Skies Treaty, saying that the pact had been seriously compromised by the withdrawal of the United States.
The New START, INF and now the OST …. Be clear about the differences of these treaties. For example- to check if their inception was during cold war era etc.
Open Skies Treaty (OST)
OST is an agreement that allows countries to monitor signatories’ arms development by conducting surveillance flights over each other’s territories.
The idea behind the OST was first proposed in the early years of the Cold War by former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower.
It came to existence decades later and was signed in 1992, during the George H.W. Bush presidency and after the Soviet Union had collapsed.
The OST came into effect in 2002 under the George W. Bush administration and it allows its 34 signatories to conduct unarmed reconnaissance flights over the territory of treaty countries.
Issues with the OST
The U.S. has used the treaty more intensively than Russia.
Between 2002 and 2016, the U.S. flew 196 flights over Russia (in addition to having imagery from other countries) compared to the 71 flights flown by Russia.
Nepal has raised the Kalapani boundary dispute with India during the Joint Commission meeting of the Foreign Ministers.
Q.The India-Nepal bilateral relations these days are increasingly seen through the lens of China factor. Examine.
Kalapani Boundary Issue
Mapped within Uttarakhand is a 372-sq km area called Kalapani, bordering far-west Nepal and Tibet.
A treaty signed between Nepal and British India in 1816 determined the Makhali river, that runs through Kalapani, as the boundary between the two neighbours.
The Treaty of Sugauli concluded between British India and the Kingdom of Nepal in the year 1816, maps the Makhali River as the western boundary with India.
But different British maps showed the source of the tributary at different places which were mainly due to underdeveloped and less-defined surveying techniques used at that time.
However, the river has many tributaries that meet at Kalapani. For this reason, India claims that the river begins at Kalapani but Nepal says that it begins from Lipu Lekh pass, which is the source of most of its tributaries.
While the Nepal government and political parties have protested, India has said the new map does not revise the existing boundary with Nepal.
India claims that the river begins at Kalapani but Nepal says that it begins from Lipu Lekh pass, which is the source of most of its tributaries.
Legal Dimension of Issue
According to International Laws, the principles of avulsion and accretion are applicable in determining the borders when a boundary river changes course.
Avulsion: It is the pushing back of the shoreline by sudden, violent action of the elements, perceptible while in progress. Also, it can be defined as the sudden and perceptible change in the land brought about by water, which may result in the addition or removal of land from a bank or shoreline.
Accretion: It is the process of growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup. It is the natural, slow and gradual deposit of soil by the water.
If the change of the river course is rapid – by avulsion – the boundary does not change. But if the river changes course gradually – that is, by accretion – the boundary changes accordingly.
Since, the Gandak change, of course, has been gradual, India claimed Susta as part of their territory as per international laws.
On several occasions, India has tried to resolve the issue through friendly and peaceful negotiations, but the Nepali leadership has always shown hesitation in resolving the issue.
In Nepal, the issue has become a tool for arousing strong public sentiment against India. Therefore, resolving the issue may not be in the best interest of Nepal’s domestic politics.
Significance for India
The Lipu Lekh pass serves strategic importance for India as a key point to monitor Chinese troop movement.
The link road via Lipulekh Himalayan Pass is also considered one of the shortest and most feasible trade routes between India and China.
The Nepalese reaction would probably have triggered in response to Chinese assertion.
An undefined boundary claimed by Nepal
Nepal’s western boundary with India was marked out in the Treaty of Sugauli between the East India Company and Nepal in 1816.
Nepali authorities claim that people living in the low-density area were included in the Census of Nepal until 58 years ago.
Five years ago, Nepali Foreign Minister had claimed that the late King Mahendra “handed over the territory to India”.
By some accounts in Nepal, this allegedly took place in the wake of India-China War of 1962.
India’s trade with China last year fell to the lowest since 2017, with the trade imbalance declining to a five-year low on the back of a slump in India’s imports from China.
Try this PYQ:
Q.Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years? (CSP 2019)
(a) China
(b) India
(c) Myanmar
(d) Vietnam
India-China Trade
Two-way trade in 2020 reached $87.6 billion, down by 5.6%, according to new figures from China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC).
India’s imports from China accounted for $66.7 billion, declining by 10.8% year-on-year and the lowest figure since 2016.
It, however, rose to the highest figure on record, for the first time crossing the $20 billion-mark and growing 16% last year to $20.86 billion.
What constitutes India’s import from China?
While there was no immediate break-up of the data in 2020, India’s biggest import in 2019 was electrical machinery and equipment, worth $20.17 billion.
Other major imports in 2019 were organic chemicals ($8.39 billion) and fertilizers ($1.67 billion), while India’s top exports were iron ore, organic chemicals, cotton and unfinished diamonds.
India’s exports to China
The past 12 months saw a surge in demand for iron ore in China with a slew of new infrastructure projects aimed at reviving growth after the COVID-19 slump.
China’s total iron ore imports were up 9.5 per cent in 2020.
A friction-induced low
The trade deficit, a source of friction between India and China, declined to a five year-low of $45.8 billion, the lowest since 2015.
Whether 2020 is an exception or marks a turn away from the recent pattern of India’s trade with China remains to be seen.
While India’s imports from China declined, so did India’s imports overall with a slump in domestic demand last year.
There is, as yet, no evidence to suggest India has replaced its import dependence on China by either sourcing those goods elsewhere or manufacturing them at home.
