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  • 09 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    Fish samples in Chennai test positive for formalin

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/fish-samples-in-chennai-test-positive-for-formalin/

    Bioaccumulation is a phenomenon that has seen a rise in recent years. Read about formalin and also about bioaccumulation from environment notes/books. Can be asked in Prelims

    [op-ed snap] MSP Hike is a big blunder. Farmers are producers not objects of charity

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-msp-hike-is-a-big-blunder-farmers-are-producers-not-objects-of-charity/

    Very good editorial highlighting actual cause behind depressed prices of agricultural goods. Points can be quoted in related Mains answers.

    Centre plans stronger defenses for key data

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/centre-plans-stronger-defenses-for-key-data/

    Centre has been focussing on data privacy in the recent past after the right to privacy verdict. Read about the new policy.

    Trees offer multiple benefits — don’t kill them, breed them

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/trees-offer-multiple-benefits-dont-kill-them-breed-them/

    Read about value estimates of a tree and what is the impact of tree felling on the environment. Can be quoted in Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    Govt. to allow spouses of Indian nationals to convert visa category even if married abroad

    Spouses of the Indian nationals getting married abroad will no longer have to face difficulties in converting their tourist visa to dependent visa as the government plans to change existing rules

    The only important detail in news: As per the visa manual, a tourist visa can be converted to X2 visa only when the marriage takes place in India and gets registered within the validity of the present tourist visa

    ₹29.41 cr. spent on ferrying new notes post-demonetisation

    Over ₹29.41 crore was spent on using the Indian Air Force’s ultra-modern transport aircraft — the C-17 and the C-130J Super Hercules — to ferry the new ₹2,000 and ₹500 currency notes post-demonetisation

    No important detail from UPSC perspective

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

     

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Formalin, National Testing Agency, Mission Madhumeha

    Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news- Fish samples in Chennai test positive for formalin

    Formalin

    1. Formalin is 30-45% aqueous solution of Formaldehyde with water.
    2. Formaldehyde is a simple chemical compound made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
    3. All life forms – bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans – naturally produce formaldehyde as part of cell metabolism.
    4. Formaldehyde is perhaps best known for its preservative and anti-bacterial properties, but formaldehyde-based chemistry is used to make a wide range of value-added products.
    5. Formalin causes irritation in the eyes, throat, skin and stomach. In the long run, continued exposure causes harm to the kidneys, liver and can even cause cancers.
    6. In the fishing industry, formalin or formaldehyde is sprayed on the fish or injected into the fish or the fish is dipped into the solution. This helps keep the fish fresh for a longer time.

    B2B #2: From news- National Testing Agency to conduct NET, NEET, JEE (Mains) exams

    National Testing Agency

    1. It is a agency which will conduct examinations for higher and secondary education
    2. Its main purpose is to bring reforms in the education system
    3. Establishment of NTA will free CBSE, AICTE and other agencies from conducting various exams and enable them to focus on their core areas and work on improving the quality of education
    4. Initially, the CBSE staff will be deployed in this department and but later on the specialised people will be hired in the NTA

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name of the scheme : Mission Madhumeha

    Objectives : Effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.

    Salient Features : 1. It was Launched on National Ayurvedic Day .

    2.The Mission will be implemented throughout the country through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol.

    3.The guidelines in the protocol will be sent to various state governments, which will further circulate them across various medical institutions.

    4.The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy has also been developed for the self-assessment of the people with regards to possibilities of diabetes.

    5. The government is set to launch a mobile app which will suggest Ayurvedic medicines for diabetic patients.

    6.The app will be meant for use by both practitioners of Ayurveda as well patients.

    7.It will help in identifying the type of diabetes a patient is suffering from as well as recommend which Ayurvedic medicines can be administered to a patient.

    8.The app is based on a set of guidelines issued by AYUSH.

    Nodal Ministry : Ministry of AYUSH

  • 07 July 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions and Answers

    Q.1) Recently ECHO Model was seen in news.

    Which of the following best describes the purpose of ECHO Model?

    a) It is a Telemedicine Platform

    b) It is an Ultrasound Imaging Technology for detecting fractures

    c) It is used to analyse Gynaecologic complications

    d) It is an training platform for doctors.

    Inspired by: Ayushman Bharat: Hub-and-spoke model to help train health workers

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/ayushman-bharat-hub-and-spoke-model-to-help-train-health-workers/

     

    Q.2) The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recently added four species to a Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species. Which of the following species is/are amongst them?

    1. Northern River Terrapin
    2. Snow Leopard
    3. Arabian Sea Humpback Whale
    4. Red Panda

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    b) 2, 3 and 4 only

    c) 1, 3 and 4 only

    d) 1 and 2 only

    Inspired by: 4 species added to recovery programme by Wildlife Board

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/4-species-added-to-recovery-programme-by-wildlife-board/

     

    Q.3) With reference to the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) Scheme, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. It is a Centrally Sector Scheme.
    2. It aims to provide technical and financial assistance to States/UTs for protection of wildlife habitat.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    a) 1 only

    b) Both 1 and 2

    c) Neither 1 nor 2

    d) 2 only

    Inspired by: 4 species added to recovery programme by Wildlife Board

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/4-species-added-to-recovery-programme-by-wildlife-board/

     

    Q.4) Consider the following statements with respect to Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (EGSA):

    1. Under this a battalion of 800 Central Govt IAS Officers are sent to 117 aspirational districts to see the implementation of flagship government schemes.
    2. Third-party observers for each district are also accompanied with the teams for effective monitoring.

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

    a) Only 1

    b) Both 1 and 2

    c) None

    d) Only 2

    Inspired by: Govt. deploys 800 IAS officers for village outreach

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/govt-deploys-800-ias-officers-for-village-outreach/

     

    Q.5) With reference to the Collegium System, consider the following statements:

    1. It was devised in the Third Judges Case (1993).
    2. The Legislature has sought to replace the collegium system with a National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a) Neither 1 nor 2

    b) 1 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) 2 only

    For Solutions – Click Here

    Prelims Daily Archive – Click here

     

  • [Burning Issues] Neglected Tropical Diseases

     

    Image result for Neglected Tropical Diseases

     

    Related image

     

    • They are a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries and affect more than one billion people.
    • Populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock are those worst affected.
    • India leads the world in terms of the total number of cases for each of the major NTDs, excluding those that are spatially bound by their requirement for unique insect vectors or snail hosts.

    Why NTDs need attention

    • These 17 chronic parasitic, bacterial and viral infections have affected 1.6 billion people across 149 countries.
    • These remain underreported because the victims are the poorest and the most marginalized with no accessibility of  treatment
    • They cause severe illness like disability, disfigurement and cognitive impairment
    • They aggravate poverty by hurting pregnancy outcomes, slowing child development and lowering productivity.

    How India shares the burden of Neglected Tropical Disease (As per GBD Study, 2016)

    Neglected Tropical Disease Cases in India (as a % of world cases)
    Ascariasis 28%
    Hookworm disease 23%
    Trichuriasis(WhipWorm) 16%
    Dengue 53%
    Trachoma 53%
    Cysticercosis(Tapeworm Infection) 31%
    Leprosy (WHO data) 51%
    Cystic Echinococcosis 12%
    Kala-Azar 45%
    Rabies 33%
    Filariasis 29%

    India’s Performance

    • As per WHO (2017), India has achieved the target for eliminating kala-azar in 82 % sub-districts.
    • As per Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India is now free from ‘Infective Trachoma’.
    • India became the first member state of WHO, to eliminate chronic disease yaws in 2015.
    • Mass treatment
      • 75% of cases deworming cases received treatment in 2015.
      • 40 Cr filariasis cases received treatment.

    Initiatives by Government to curb Neglected Tropical Diseases

    National Rabies Control Programme : This programme is being restructured as Integrated National Rabies Control Programme under ‘One Health Approach’,with a aim to provide vaccination to stray dogs and free vaccines through Government hospitals

    • National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP): It is a comprehensive programme for prevention and control of vector borne diseases namely Malaria, Filaria, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Dengue and Chikungunya.
    • National Leprosy Eradication Programme: Programme was launched with a goal of elimination of leprosy as public health problem by 2005.

    Global Initiatives

    CEPI – Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations

    • It is a global alliance between governments, industry, academia, philanthropy, intergovernmental institutions, such as the World Health Organization, and civil society.
    • An alliance to finance and coordinate the development of new vaccines to prevent and contain infectious disease epidemics
    • It was officially launched in January 2017 at World Economic Forum(WEF) at Davos.
    • The Headquarters will be located in Oslo, Norway.
    • India has joined CEPI to lead the fight against epidemics.
    • CEPI’s plan includes preparations for possible outbreaks of Marburg fever, Lassa fever, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS), Nipah virus, Rift Valley fever, Chikungunya etc.

    Way forward

    • Think globally, act locally. Study and adopt global ‘best-practices’ after customising them to local needs.
    • Apply integrated approach. Instead of targeting various diseases individually, follow a holistic strategy.
    • Ensure efficient and effective collaboration across various govt departments.
    • Partner with Civil Society Organisations (especially with WASH – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – sector) for ground-level implementation and monitoring.

  • 07 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    India to control Mattala Airport in Hambantota

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-to-control-mattala-airport-in-hambantota/

    Indian move to counter Chinese encroachment in Sri Lanka. Note the name of the port and places nearby. Can be asked in Prelims.

    Supreme Court upholds Chief Justice of India as ‘Master of Roster’

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/supreme-court-upholds-chief-justice-of-india-as-master-of-roster/

    After the 4 judges of SC shown anger towards the functioning of the collegium system and other processes in SC, it had become quite necessary to fix the hole in the ship.

    The judgment comes with regard to this and clears doubts regarding the regular functioning of SC

    Govt. deploys 800 IAS officers for village outreach

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/govt-deploys-800-ias-officers-for-village-outreach/

    Although there have been talks of cooperative federalism to increase compatibility between centre and states, this move can be a prime example of centralized tendency of administration.

    Points can be quoted in Mains & Essay.

    Ayushman Bharat: Hub-and-spoke model to help train health workers

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/ayushman-bharat-hub-and-spoke-model-to-help-train-health-workers/

    Read and make notes about the ECHO model as being a unique approach to solving manpower issue in the healthcare system.

    Low Relevance News

    SC defers plea on use of govt. land

    The Supreme Court has referred to a larger bench the question of whether religious activities can be allowed on government land or property in a secular State

    Nothing important from exam perspective until a final verdict is announced

    Supreme Court judge defends verdict on SC/ST Act

    Supreme Court judge, Justice A.K. Goel, in his farewell speech justified his controversial March 20 verdict which overrode the written law to grant anticipatory bail to those accused of Dalit atrocities

    No important points for exam in the news

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

  • Samachar Manthan Week 2: India Maldives Ties

    To know more about our Samachar Manthan course which deals with enhancing your Mains answer writing skills along with Current Affairs preparation, read & Subscribe here  

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Minmata Convention

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name : Minmata Convention

    Brief Intro : The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions

    Objective : To protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

    Type : Conventions

    Category : E&B

    Year : 2013

    Importance (wr. Prelims) : High

    Place : Minmata

    Key Terms/ Institutions spinoffs : 1.Under the provisions of the Minamata Convention, developed under United Nations sponsorship, governments have agreed on a range of mercury-containing products whose production, import and export will be banned by 2020. 2.It also seeks to decrease the discharge of mercury into the air, water and land, to promote proper storage and disposal of mercury, as well as reduce the use and discharge of mercury in the process of gold mining in developing countries. 3.The pact, which is expected to take effect in 2016 at the earliest, also calls for a ban by 2018 on the use of mercury to produce acetaldehyde, which was the cause of Minamata disease. 4.It will also provide financial aid through a fund to developing countries to assist their efforts to cut mercury emissions, but does not refer to issues such as compensation for victims and who should be obliged to restore mercury-contaminated environments.

  • 06 July 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions and Answers

    Q.1) The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) gives three definitions of production costs of agricultural crops. Which of these definitions given below is/are correctly matched?

    1. A2: ​​All paid-out expenses in cash and kind, incurred by farmer for sowing.
    2. C2: ​​A2 + All forgone interest and rentals on owned land and fixed capital assets.
    3. A2+FL:​Actual paid out cost including unpaid family labour.

    Select the correct code from the following options:

    a) All of the above
    b) 1 and 2
    c) 1 and 3
    d) 2 and 3

    Inspired by: [op-ed snap] The price is right

    Q.2) Recently the Law commission’s report titled Legal Framework: Gambling and Sports Betting including Cricket in India was published.  

    Consider the following statements with respect to the recommendations made by the commission:

    1. Parliament may legislate in the exercise of its powers under Articles 249 or 252 of the Constitution to legalize gambling and betting.
    2. In case legislation is made under Article 249, states other than the consenting states will be free to adopt the same.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) None of the above

    Inspired by: Allow gambling, betting on sports as regulated, taxable activities: Law panel

    Q.3) Consider the following statements about Poverty in India:

    1. The World Bank defines a person as extremely poor if she is living on less than 1.90 international dollars a day, which are adjusted for inflation as well as price differences between countries.
    2. India is no longer home to the highest number of people living in extreme poverty.
    3. Research by Brookings Institution say Nigeria had 87 million people living in extreme poverty in May 2018, compared to 73 million in India.

    Which of the given statements is/are correct?

    a) 1, 2 and 3
    b) 1 and 2
    c) 2 and 3
    d) 3 only

     

    Q.4) Which of the following statements are correct about Bharat Emission Standards?

    1. In 2016, the Indian government announced that the country would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020.
    2. Bharat Stage IV emission norms have been in place since April 2010 and it has been enforced for entire country since April 2017.
    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) None of the Above

    Inspired by: [pib] ICAT releases First BS-VI engine certificate

    Q.5) Consider the following statements about Crew Escape (Pad Abort) System:

    1. The Crew Escape System is an emergency escape measure to quickly pull the crew module — the astronaut cabin — along with astronauts out to a safe distance from the launch vehicle in the event of a launch abort.
    2. The first ‘pad abort’ test critical for a future human space mission was conducted successfully by ISRO from Wheeler Islands, Odisha.

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

    a) Only 1
    b) Only2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) None of the above

    For Solutions – Click Here

    Prelims Daily Archive – Click here

  • 06 July 2018 | High Relevance vs Low Relevance News , Govt. Posters for easy recall

    Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

    We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

    Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

    Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

    Click on news headlines to read the full news

    High relevance news

    [pib] ICAT releases First BS-VI engine certificate

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-icat-releases-first-bs-vi-engine-certificate/

    Read about ICAT & BS Norms. High probability of appearing in Prelims/Mains seeing the rise in air pollution levels and no solution in sight currently

    HEFA to allot ₹1 lakh crore for education

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/hefa-to-allot-%e2%82%b91-lakh-crore-for-education/

    Read the news and note micro details such as where can funding be used and what all institutions come under the agency. A twisted statement can be framed in Prelims.

    ISRO’s first ‘pad abort’ test, critical for future human space mission, successful

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/isros-first-pad-abort-test-critical-for-future-human-space-mission-successful/

    Another feather in cap for ISRO. Note details about the technology and where will it be useful. Factual questions related to ISRO missions are frequently being asked in Prelims.

    Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be ‘legal persons’

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/uttarakhand-hc-declares-animals-to-be-legal-persons/

    After rivers being declared as legal persons, animals are also under the same protection.

    A historic judgment that will have a far-reaching impact on the conservation status of animals

    Note important points to quote in Mains answers as well as Essay.

    Low Relevance News

    SC seeks plan to eradicate leprosy

    The Supreme Court has directed the government to constitute a separate wing devoted to create and extend public awareness that leprosy is curable and not contagious

    Nothing very important from exam perspective. The government has implemented some measures to eradicate leprosy discrimination

    India to take back helicopters gifted to Maldives

    India-Maldives ties have been soaring in recent times due to China’s intervention in Maldives domestic politics.

    Nothing important in news from exam perspective

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Poverty, Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Rajukas

    Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Is India winning the battle against extreme poverty?

    Definitions of Poverty

    Read more about the Poverty Line in India in this blog

    Poverty Lines in India: Estimations and Committees

    B2B #2: From news- HEFA to allot ₹1 lakh crore for education

    Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA)

    1. It will be formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) within a PSU Bank or the Government-owned-NBFC (Promoter).
    2. HEFA will have an authorized capital of 2,000 crore rupees and the government equity would be 1,000 crore rupees.
    3. The HEFA will also mobilize CSR funds from Corporates/PSUs which will, in turn, be released for promoting research and innovation in these institutions on grant basis.
    4. The principal portion of the loan will be repaid through the ‘internal accruals’ of the institutions earned through the fee receipts, research earnings etc.
    5. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions will be eligible to join as members of the HEFA.
    6. For joining as members, the educational institution must agree to escrow a specific amount from their internal accruals for a period of 10 years to the HEFA.

    B2B #3: From news- Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be ‘legal persons’

    Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

    1. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
    2. The Act further recognizes slaughter for food. Section 11 of the Act does not categorize slaughter of animals for food as cruelty.
    3. It makes a specific exemption for “destruction of any animal as food for mankind unless such destruction or preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.
    4. As per the provisions of the law, the government of India formed the Animal Welfare Board of India.

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Key words related to History : Rajukas

    Dynasty/era : Mauryan period

    Meaning : The pllar Edict IV refers to the rajukas as officers “set over many hundred thousand of people and charged with the duty of promoting the welfare of the janapadas.Rajukas performed judicial duties.

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