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  • 7 Oct 2016 | GS1 | Recently genetically modified crops and seeds have been in the news. Should GM crops be allowed? Discuss with special reference to environment and biodiversity.

    GS1 (Not strictly a GS1 topic, but still answer it!)

    Recently genetically modified crops and seeds have been in the news. Should GM crops be allowed? Discuss with special reference to environment and biodiversity.

    Best answer

    Namrata Rai wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    Genetically modified crops are those crops whose genes are modified by genetic engineering to insert new traits like pesticide resistance, increased nutritional value, etc.
    After the public furore over Bt Brinjal, GEAC’s approval for Bt Mustard has again brought the protests to limelight.
    The resistance is ascribed to impacts these crops have on Environment and biodiversity –
    1. Opponents say these crops are not enough researched upon and may have unknown effects like anti-biotic resistance development, allergies, etc.
    2. Cross contamination of other crops may lead to rise of “superweeds”.
    3. May wipe out species due to unknown mutational effects.
    4. BT Cotton’s failure to fight pink bollworms defeats the idea of creation of the BT variety.
    5. Also monopoly of few global giants has made seeds unaffordable for farmers.
    6. Bt crops need a lot of water degrading the already scarce resource.

    However they are considered ‘Environment friendly’ because –
    1. They need less pesticides preventing contamination of soil and water.
    2. They selectively target species not hurting the ecological food chains.

    Essentially, the repercussions are dangerous for the environment hence should be avoided. This has also been acknowledged in various protocols like Cartagena, Nagoya Protocol, etc.
    Hence, Governments should enhance conventional crops’ quality via research. Proper implementation of National Farmers Policy holds the way ahead.

  • bookmark option

    sir please provide bookmark option for dekstop also .

  • 7 Oct 2016 | Prelims Daily: CA Questions with Tikdams & Tidbits

    Dear students,

    When you submit your answer, if possible, give some reasoning & more info. along with the ABACAA format. Elaborate on what you know. This helps the whole community to know more and learn more!

    Q.1) Consider following statements in regard to ‘World Sustainable Development Summit’.

    1. The objective of summit is to creating environmental consciousness and promoting leadership to tackle the challenges of climate change.

    2. The theme of the summit was ‘Beyond 2015: People, Planet and Progress’.

    3. It was organized by The Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 3 only

    c) 1 and 3 only

    d) 1, 2 and 3 only

     

    Q.2) Consider following statement with reference to Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016.

    1. This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded for the design and synthesis of molecular machines.

    2. Bernard Feringa was the first person to develop a molecular motor.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Q.3) Recently, Singapore-Rajasthan come forward on collaboration in launch of the Centre for Excellence in Tourism Training (CETT) at

    a) Jaipur

    b) Udaipur

    c) Jodhpur

    d) Jaisalmer

     

    Q.4) Consider following statements in regard to ‘GSAT-18 satellite’.

    1. GSAT-18 satellite is a communication satellite built by the ISRO.

    2. GSAT-18 satellite launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Q.5) Marshall islands located in

    a) Atlantic Ocean

    b) Pacific Ocean

    c) Indian Ocean

    d) Atlantic Ocean

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

    1. These questions are mostly derived from our daily newscards. Reading daily news from Civilsdaily’s App (click here) or website + solving these questions will help you reinforce the basics.

    2. For a comprehensive preparation of IAS Prelims 2017 – consider joining one of the three Prelims Modules by CD – prelims.civilsdaily.com

    3. Download the solutions – Click here

    4. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    5. How to apply Tikdams? Read this, this and this

  • 7 Oct 2016 | Debate | Can the sexes ever be equal?

    Despite every organisation, every government and the whole world in general talking about the importance of gender equality and increasing the participation of women in the workforce, there is only minor progress.

    For some background see here – http://bit.ly/2dJlIHq

    Even the US, supposed to be much ahead in these matters, will only elect its first female president ever. Since there is limited progress even after decades of trying are we doing something wrong? Even women in workforce complain about the bad working conditions. Something very relevant to us are these policewomens stories of bad working conditions –

    http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/09/life-of-female-cops-in-karnataka/

    The debate is whether the India can ever reach a point of complete equality of the sexes? And why do women feel that are workplace conditions are bad even after having women CM’s, PM’s, Presidents in India? Will female IAS, IPS etc officers make a difference?

  • Public Apology to NeoStencil for Sharing their Videos

    I sincerely apologize to NeoStencil for trying to share their videos illegally yesterday evening. I am deeply sorry for my actions and that I used this portal for carrying out such an illegal activity.
    With all honesty I assure that I will never repeat this crime again.

    Its an humble request to withdraw all the complains filed against me as this will ruin my career and devastate my family and parents.

  • Editorials

    Why don’t you cover all the editorials of Hindu and also economics topics in app

  • 6 Oct 2016 | Debate | Should we choose the private or public route for our education sector?

    In India, we have government schools where teachers are absent but schooling is very cheap/free. And we have private schools where education standards are higher but are more expensive. The best universities in the world are private. In light of this, should we start encouraging more private schools?

    If you need a background see this article – http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2016/10/right-to-education-india-access-for-children/

    If you were in charge of policy, what would your philosophy be? Public or private? Leave your comments!

  • 6 Oct 2016 | Target Mains: GS Questions & DNA Framework

    GS1 (Indian geography)

    What are the features of tropical cyclones? Why is India one of the worst affected by cyclones even though other parts of the world have more tropical cyclones?

    Demand – Features of tropical cyclones, why is India more vulnerable than other countries.

    Approach –

    – Features of tropical cyclones (5 marks)

    – Reasons we suffer more damage (factors such as population, coastline etc) (5 marks)

    GS2 (Governance and transparency)

    For the success of the Right to Information (RTI), a major challenge is to develop capacities for access to information. Discuss. How can the capacities of public authorities and citizens be enhanced?

    Demand – Importance of capacity and awareness in implementing RTI.

    Approach –

    – What is RTI? (3.5 marks)

    – What prevents access to information? (3.5 marks)

    – How can you improve ability of all parties to share and access information? (3 marks)

    GS3 (Indian economy)

    What is inflation targeting? What steps have been taken by government and RBI to achieve it?

    Demand – Define inflation targeting and how it is being achieved.

    Approach –

    – Define inflation targeting (3 marks)

    – Measures taken by government (7 marks)

    GS4 (Case study)

    During your election duty you catch a vehicle full of cash. It belongs to a politician certain to win the election. He wants you to release the vehicle and you can’t reach your senior. What are your options and what action will you choose?

    Demand and Approach – No hints in case studies!

  • 6 Oct 2016 | GS4 | During your election duty you catch a vehicle full of cash. It belongs to a politician certain to win the election. He wants you to release the vehicle and you can’t reach your senior. What are your options and what action will you choose?

    GS4 (Case study)

    During your election duty you catch a vehicle full of cash. It belongs to a politician certain to win the election. He wants you to release the vehicle and you can’t reach your senior. What are your options and what action will you choose?

    Best answer

    Aman Chauhan wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    The given case study highlights the malpractices being resorted to ,to influence election results ,sway voters threatening the fairness of elections which are hallmark of our democracy .
    Options In such situations –
    1.Let the vehicle go ( reflecting unethicality ,non accountability and lack of moral values )
    2.Tell the politician that I can’t do anything without my seniors permission ( reflecting timidity and gullibility )
    3.But, I will take an immediate action to Siege the vehicle and take driver in custody asking questions and proper investigation about money and involvement of others . I will further complain to the state election commission so as to check in the matter further and hold the election as void if needed . I will file an FIR against the politician .Once the seniors are available ,I will inform them of the matter and the action I have taken .
    Also, I will voice my concern to them about the politician involvement and his request to me ,to let it go .So,he should be punished for trying to manouver an officer on election duty and adopting such practices , by being jailed and disqualified to contest elections .
    Further. I will check that why the vehicle wasn’t intercepted by any other officer from police to other authorities because in that case it will show unethicality , non accountability ,lack of honesty and integrity among them which is matter of grave concern for the administration because as is said “A chain is as strong as its weakest link ”
    It is the duty of Election commission to conduct free and fair elections so that democracy can prevail .But,such events and politicians need to be identified and barred so as to preserve the fairness of electoral mandate .

  • 6 Oct 2016 | GS3 | What is inflation targeting? What steps have been taken by government and RBI to achieve it?

    GS3 (Indian economy)

    What is inflation targeting? What steps have been taken by government and RBI to achieve it?

    Best answer

    Kunal Krishna wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    Extreme high inflation or low inflation, both is detrimental to economy. Thus, maintaining general price in an acceptable range is major objective/economic policy for any government. This is called inflation targeting.

    In India, CPI(Consumer Price Index) is used as a measure for inflation targeting.

    Steps taken by government to containing inflation :
    * Urjit Patel committee was constituted to study and suggest the range of inflation and mechanisms to implement them.
    * RBI and the government signed the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement in February, 2015. The framework set to implement the Committee’s recommendation.
    * As per the committee’s recommendation, an inflation target of 4% with a band of +/2% was set.
    * The government also set up a 6 member Monitory Policy Committee(MPC) chaired by RBI governor. The committee upon consecutive failure for 3 quarters will have to report the reasons of its failure, thus making it accountable to public.
    * Since food is major part of CPI, containing food inflation due to lean monsoon is essential. Thus, government has taken steps to create rural infrastructure like PMKSY, PMGSY, DDUGJY for feeder separation to ensure sufficient power to farmers, e-NAM portal and import of pulses.
    * The state governments has also been asked to raid hoarding of food stocks and cartelisation .
    * The GST constitutional amendment act is also bound to contain inflation in long run by subsuming multiple taxes which had cascading effect on prices.

    Inflation targeting is should not be merely MPC’s sole responsibility. Governments both at central and state level must work in tandem to contain inflation in the set range. Setting a uniform tax in range of 15-17% by GST council, implementation of rural schemes by states can help inflation targeting achievable without relying on unpredictable rain.

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