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  • 20 June 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions with Answers

    Q. 1 Which of the following is true about the Unorganized Workers Identification Number (UWIN)
    1. It will be allotted by the union ministry of labour for the workers in unorganized sector
    2. Aadhar is mandatory for those who want to enrol into UWIN
    3. UWIN will include details of the workers as well as their nuclear and extended families
    a) All three are correct
    b) 1 and 2 only
    c) 1 only
    d) 2 only

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 2. Consider the following

    The new amendments in POSCO suggests:

    1. Death penalty for the rape of minor below the age of 12
    2. If the girl is below 16 years the punishment is rigorous imprisonment not less than 10 years and may extend to life imprisonment

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 3. Which of the following is true about National Health Resource Repository (NHRR)
    1. It will be a registry for authentic, standardized, updated geo-spatial data for public and private healthcare
    2. ISRO is project technology partner for providing data security
    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 4. Consider the following
    1. Vishakha guidelines are set of procedural guidelines for use in cases of sexual harassment in India
    2. The Sexual harassment at workplace Act 2013 is based on these guidelines

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 5. Consider the following
    1. Prandhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) (Urban)includes rehabilitation of slum dwellers through private partnership
    2. Subsidies are provided for house construction and enhancement under the PMAY

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    For Solutions – Click Here

  • 20 June 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

    Rajya Sabha fault lines clear for Deputy Chairman poll

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/rajya-sabha-fault-lines-clear-for-deputy-chairman-poll/

    Elections for Vice chairman of Rajya Sabha are due next week. Since UPSC has asked a question related to the presidential election in Prelims this year, there is a probability that a direct or indirect question on this topic can be asked next year.

    Along with news, go back to Laxmikant and read all details about Rajya Sabha and its functioning

    India launches its first National Healthcare Facility Registry

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/india-launches-its-first-national-healthcare-facility-registry/

    Read about NHRR and National Health Profile. Less important for Prelims but has a high chance of appearing in GS Paper 2 in Mains.

    How to make affordable housing more attractive

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/how-to-make-affordable-housing-more-attractive/

    With launch of various welfare schemes for poor, their performance and lacunae also need to be noted.

    The newscard discusses ways to help make PMAY more inclusive. All points are useful and can be used directly in Mains.

    Low Relevance News

    India, Maldives talks to end logjam

    Proposed meeting between India & Maldives later this month to resolve various issues which are affecting bilateral relations.

    Substantial points can only be taken from final statements after the meeting. Nothing important as of now.

    India for rules-based world order: Ram Nath Kovind

    President Ram Nath Kovind has said that India wants to be a rule framer in a multi-polar world

    President Kovind’s speech highlighted the syncretic connections between the European and Indian traditions of art, politics and state formation

    Nothing important from exam point of view.

    Govt. Poster for easy recall

     

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    Watch the video to know rigorous testing methodology followed by us for ensuring comprehensive Prelims preparation for our TS subscribers and how it will benefit you

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    For students joining before the end of this month, you will get it for Rs. 6372 (Special discounted TS price)

  • [Prelims Spotlight] INS Vikramaditya

     

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name – INS vikramaditya

    Defence forces– Navy

    Module types – Warships

    Brief Intro – INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier which entered into service with the Indian Navy in 2013. Originally built as Baku and commissioned in 1987, the carrier served with the Soviet Navy and later with the Russian Navy (as Admiral Gorshkov) before being decommissioned in 1996

  • 19 June 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions with Answers

    Q. 1. Consider the following
    1. Digital Silk road involves the agenda of deepening space co-operation
    2. It also involves improving the efficiency of policing systems among the BRI countries

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Source– https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 2. Consider  the following
    1. F-sand is a water filtration method
    2. It was created with Moringa Oleifera plant and silica
    3. It helps in reducing turbidity of water

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    1. F-sand is a water filtration method
    2. It was created with Moringa Oleifera plant and silica
    a) Only 2
    b) 2 and 3
    c) 1,2 and 3
    d) Only 3

    Source– https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 3. Consider the following
    1. UIDAI  is planning to make all financial and non financial companies use Aadhaar Virtual Ids to authenticate customers
    2. The virtual ID is introduced to address privacy concerns around sharing Aadhaar numbers for authentication

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Source– https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q. 4. Consider the following
    1. Infectious  disease commonly known as ‘flu’ is caused by Influenza virus
    2. The three main categories into which influenza strains are classified is high-medium-low

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) Only 2
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q.5. Consider the following
    1. OPEC is an intergovernmental organization of 14 nations
    2. It involves delegations headed by the oil ministers of member countries
    3. OPEC conferences happen at least twice a year ordinarily at Vienna headquarters

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    a) Only 1
    b) 1 and 2
    c) 1 and 3
    d) All three are correct

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    For Solutions – Click Here

  • 19 June 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

    In a first, WHO recommends quadrivalent influenza vaccine

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/in-a-first-who-recommends-quadrivalent-influenza-vaccine/

    Read about types of influenza and need for a quadrivalent vaccine.

    A static science topic combined with CA makes this a potential source of Prelims question

    Aadhaar virtual IDs becoming a real problem for NBFCs

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/aadhaar-virtual-ids-becoming-a-real-problem-for-nbfcs/

    Note all details about Aadhar Virtual IDs and problems being faced in its use.

    Some of them can also be quoted in Mains answers.

    Govt. teams up with Google for flood warning

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/govt-teams-up-with-google-for-flood-warning/

    Note departments concerned with flood warnings and information dissemination.

    Also, read about Artificial intelligence and machine learning which have a high probability of appearing in mains

    Indian plant seed could bring clean water to millions 

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/indian-plant-seed-could-bring-clean-water-to-millions/

    Plant species in news have been appearing in Prelims year after year. Very very important.

    Low Relevance News

    Road map laid for India-U.S. meet

    Indian and U.S. experts began three-day consultations to find meeting points in bilateral relations in preparation for the first-ever 2+2 dialogue

    COMCASA and BECA are the two foundational agreements that India is yet to sign and these will be discussed in the meeting.

    Nothing important from exam perspective as such agreements have been hitherto asked in the exam

    Arab group wants India on board in Yemen

    The Arab coalition which is fighting to secure the strategic Yemeni port of Hodeidah will be reaching out to India for its support

    Note down Hodeidah. Nothing else is important for the exam.

    Govt. Posters for easy recall

  • [Prelims Spotlight] Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Influenza, International Labor Organization (ILO)

    Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news – Why this week’s OPEC meeting matters for India

    Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

    1. OPEC  is an intergovernmental organization of 14 nations
    2. The 14 countries accounted for an estimated 44 percent of global oil production and 73 percent of the world’s “proven” oil reserves
    3. OPEC’s stated mission is “to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets, in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers, and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry
    4. The OPEC Conference is the supreme authority of the organization and consists of delegations normally headed by the oil ministers of member countries
    5. The Conference ordinarily meets at the Vienna headquarters, at least twice a year and in additional extraordinary sessions when necessary

    B2B #2: From news – In a first, WHO recommends quadrivalent influenza vaccine

    Influenza

    Influenza is a virus that actually has hundreds of different strains. The virus mutates frequently, but the strains are classified into one of three main categories—A, B, or C.

    Influenza A is the group that most commonly causes illness in humans.

    1. All influenza A viruses are further broken down into H and N subtypes. So, any influenza virus that is described as “H#N#” (such as H1N1) is an influenza A virus.
    2. There are 16 H subtypes and nine N subtypes, but only three combinations have actually caused highly contagious illness in humans.
    3. Other combinations have been found to infect other species (such as birds and pigs), but they have not caused widespread human infections.
    4. The three combinations that cause almost all outbreaks of the flu in humans are H1N1, H2N2 and H3N2.
    5. Even in these subtypes, the influenza virus can mutate and change each year. For this reason, influenza viruses are also named using:
    • The host of origin (swine, chicken, etc., or no host if it is of human origin)
    • The geographical location of origin (Hong Kong, Alberta, etc.)
    • Strain number
    • Year of discovery (or isolation)

    Influenza B

    1. Influenza B is less common but still causes outbreaks of seasonal flu.
    2. One or two strains of influenza B are included in the seasonal flu vaccine every year to protect people from the strain(s) that researchers believe are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming flu season.
    3. The quadrivalent flu vaccine contains two strains of influenza B but the traditional trivalent flu vaccine only contains one.
    4. Influenza B is not broken down into subtypes like influenza A is, but it is broken down into individual strains.
    5. Typically, two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B are included in the seasonal flu vaccine. Quadrivalent flu vaccines contain two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B.
    6. Influenza B can cause outbreaks of seasonal flu but they occur less frequently than outbreaks of influenza A.

    Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

    Name : International Labor Organization (ILO)

    Objective : Deal with labour issues, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all

    Members : 186 of the 193 member states of the United Nations plus the Cook Islands are members of the ILO The UN member states which are not members of the ILO are Andorra, Bhutan, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, and North Korea

    Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland

    Year Founded : Established in 1919

  • 18 June 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

     

    Q.1 Consider the following

    1. Skill India Initiative aims to train more than 40 crore people by 2022

    2. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna is part of Skill India mission

    Which of the above is correct?

    a) 1 Only

    b) 2 Only

    c) 3 Only

    d) Both 1 and 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q.2 Martabali port is situated in which of the following countries

    a) Japan

    b) China

    c) Indonesia

    d) Singapore

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

     

    Q.3 Consider the following

    1. Rim of Pacific is world’s largest maritime warfare exercise
    2. China also participated in the Rim of Pacific Exercise held on 23 May 2018

    Which of the above is correct?

    a) Only 1

    b) Only 2

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    Q.4 Consider the following

    1. SAGAR is a maritime initiative for ensuring peace stability and prosperity of India in Indian Ocean region
    2. It’s in line with the Indian Ocean Rim Association

    Which of the above is correct?

    1. Only 1
    2. Only 2
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

     

    Q.5 Consider the following

    1. Composite water management Index launched recently is under the ministry of  drinking water and sanitation
    2. Among the Himalayan and north eastern states Assam has topped the index for composite water management
    3. The index is tool to assess and improve performance in efficient management of water resources

    a) 1 only

    b) 1,2 and 3

    c) 2 only

    d) 3 only 

    Source- https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/

    For Solutions – Click Here 

     

     

  • Burning Issues- Unprecedented Pre Monsoon Storms

    Image result for dust storm india causes

    UNPRECEDENTED PRE-MONSOON STORMS IN INDIA

    How can we say that the pre-monsoon season in 2018 has witnessed unprecedented storm activity?

    1. Since February this year India has experienced 44 storms all over the country (16 States)
    2. The wind speed, many times, exceeded 130 km per hour (when the threshold speed for storms is 90-100 km per hour).
    3. Even though storms are common for North and north western region of India occurring in the months of April to June, but they are generally accompanied with little or no rain. But this time it was heavy rain, hails and strong winds which increased the intensity and impact of the storm
    4. The severe impact of this storm on the lives, livelihood, livestock of the people has made it unprecedented

    What was the impact of this surge in storms?

    1. The storms caused massive damage to the property – around 5000 houses collapsed
    2. Massive loss of life – More than 400 deaths and over 700 injured
    3. The dust storm affected people’s livelihood besides killing their livestock and destroying their crops
    4. There is lack of basic infrastructure – water and electricity – as the electric poles are uprooted due to storms and people cannot use the water pumps in the absence of electricity

    Reasons behind the phenomena

    Unusually hot conditions

    • Temperatures of over 40 degree Celsius have been observed in northwest, central and east and north peninsular India. Maximum temperature was upto 8 degrees celsius above normal. This led to an intense heat wave.
    • Interaction of hot air near the surface with colder winds from the western disturbances gave rise to intense and widespread storms
    • For example, in Rajasthan, one of the worst affected states 46 degree Celsius temperatures were recorded and  a record-breaking 50 degree Celsius was recorded in neighboring Pakistan

    Western Disturbances (WD)

    • These are extra tropical or temperate cyclones originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain to the northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent
    • While the western disturbances normally peak between December and February, a greater number of active WD have been observed in spring and summer months
    • Instead of the normal 2-3 active WD seen during the month of April and May, over the past month and a half at least 10 separate active WDs have been observed.
    • WDs carry high-velocity winds that agitate the atmosphere and aggravate storm conditions

    Cyclonic circulations

    • Swirling motion of the winds caused due to low-pressure area is called cyclonic circulations
    • In the build-up of the massive storms at the beginning of May, five separate cyclonic circulations were observed across the country

    Troughs

    • A trough is an extended area of low pressure.
    • This is where moisture laden winds from the Bay of Bengal met hot and dry air from central and western India. These winds also came in contact with the cold front that develops due to active WDs.
    • The confluence of these different winds culminated in intense and widespread storms across the Indo-Gangetic plain.
    • Similarly, a North-South trough was formed from Bihar to Northern Tamil Nadu along which stormy weather was observed in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka

    Easterly winds

    • Easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal carry moisture and is associated with pre-monsoon thunderstorms in the eastern coast. But this usually happens in the winter months. This year, the easterlies have continued well into May and have interacted with the WDs owing to the east-west trough. This fuelled intense activity over large parts in south india.

    Anomalies at sea surface

    • The anomalies in sea surface temperatures (i.e 1-2 degree warmer waters) over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea have spurred greater moisture transfer than usual by the easterly and westerly winds (respectively) causing the spate of storms.

    Why are these storms climatologically atypical?

    1. While the timing of the storms was as expected, their extent and intensity surprised many a scientist (explained above)
    2. Unusually hot weather conditions ushering in heat waves across north, northwest and central India (explained above)
    3. An unexpected activity of Western disturbances (explained above)        
    4. The surprising behavior of Easterly winds (explained above)   
    5. The anomalies in the sea surface temperatures over Bay of Bengal (explained above)

    Why were the forecasts by IMD inaccurate?

    Outdated forecasting models

    • India uses the (obsolete) NowCast model.
    • Switch to the contemporary ‘Unified Model’ is hamstrung by lack of data.

    Inadequate Doppler radars

    • IMD has installed only 25 doppler radars so far across the country
    • These cover only 12.5% of India’s land area.

    Poor maintenance and upkeep of instruments.

    • Some of the Doppler radars were not functioning when the storms hit.

    The differences in the nature of the storms over the Indian region made the predictions difficult

    • Unlike the climatic-scale storms seen in the Middle-East, the recent storms in India had weaker vertical torque but strong horizontal torque.

    Way ahead for India

    • Many initiatives have been taken by countries who face similar challenges to control the effects of a dust storm. India needs to learn from their experiments.
    • Example- The great green wall that has been developed by China along the Mongolian drylands, this massive corridor of vegetation purportedly acts as a windbreak for intense sandstorms emanating from the north and reduces the transport of dust further south thereby limiting the possibility of desertification
    • Besides learning from the interventions of other countries the most important step for India is to develop its weather forecasting and monitoring infrastructure

  • 18 June 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

    [op-ed snap] Countering China in the Indo-Pacific

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-countering-china-in-the-indo-pacific/

    The op-ed not only lists various important naval exercises and ports but also highlights the ways in which India can use partnerships with the USA, Japan & Australia to its advantage. A must-read for both Pre as well  as Mains

    [op-ed snap] Parched or polluted: on India’s water crisis

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-parched-or-polluted-on-indias-water-crisis/

    Niti Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index has highlighted the serious condition of water resources in India. Immediate measures that can be taken are mentioned in the op-ed and can be quoted in Mains answers based on this issue.

    India’s proposed Assumption Island deal stands cancelled

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/indias-proposed-assumption-island-deal-stands-cancelled/

    Note on maps position of Assumption island and all nearby places. UPSC has turned back to places in news approach from 2018 Prelims. Also, remember about SAGAR program & IORA

    Low Relevance News

    Centre accused of ‘illegally’ denying details on RTI Act

    An activist has accused the government of “illegally” withholding information about amendments proposed to the Right to Information Act, 2005

    Not much relevant for exam apart from the following:

    Important detail: Section 8(i)(i) of the RTI Act, 2005 exempts the government from giving information about Cabinet papers, including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers

    PM renews call for debate on simultaneous polls

    PM Modi has again called for widespread consultation on simultaneous elections in the country during the fourth governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog

    The topic has appeared in UPSC Mains in 2017 and has bleak chances of appearing again. Also, no important details from UPSC perspective

    Govt. Posters for easy recall

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