Search results for: “”

GS1 (Indian geography)

India is a rich source of renewable energy. What are these sources and what are the geographic factors which make it so rich?

Demand – Discuss sources of energy such as solar, wind etc and why India is rich in them.

Approach –

• What are the sources of renewable energy? (4 marks)
• Why is Indian rich in them? List factors such as latitude, longitude, vegetation etc. (6 marks)

GS2 (International relations)

The recent surgical strikes by India in PoK mark a watershed moment in India’s Pakistan policy. Critically comment.

Demand – Contrast India’s present approach towards Pakistan with previous approaches. Is there a difference?

Approach –

• Previous approaches by India to deal with Pakistan’s sponsoring terror activities (3.5 marks)
• Is the present response really different? Illustrate with examples. (3.5 marks)
• Future implications. (3 marks)

GS3 (Internal security)

Despite radical organisations coming up all over the world, Indian youth have largely stayed away. What could be the reasons for this? Is the internet leading to a reversal of this trend?

Demand – Discuss why ISIS, Al Qaeda have very limited influence among Indian youth, and how the internet could be changing this.

Approach –

• Radical organisations and factors which stop their growth in India, e.g. culture of India, democracy (5 marks)
• How is the internet being used to spread radical ideologies? (5 marks)

GS4 (Ethics and attitudes)

Since ancient times Indian society has concentrated more on the duty of an individual than his rights, in contrast to western society. Is this attitude changing in India today?

Demand – Are Indians today more aware/demanding of their rights? Are we forgetting our duties?

Approach –

• Ancient Indian attitudes towards duty and rights (2.5 marks)
• Views of leaders such as Gandhi (2.5 marks)
• Role of constitution and modernisation in making people demand their right (2.5 marks)
• Is this a good trend or bad? (2.5 marks)

GS1 (Indian Geography)

India is a rich source of renewable energy. What are these sources and what are the geographic factors which make it so rich?

Best answer

Rahul Jain wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 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)

GS2 (International relations)

The recent surgical strikes by India in PoK mark a watershed moment in India’s Pakistan policy. Critically comment.

Best answer

Kunal Aggarwal wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 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)

GS3 (Internal security)

Despite radical organisations coming up all over the world, Indian youth have largely stayed away. What could be the reasons for this? Is the internet leading to a reversal of this trend?

Best answer

Srishti Srivastava wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 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)

GS4 (Ethics and attitudes)

Since ancient times Indian society has concentrated more on the duty of an individual than his rights, in contrast to western society. Is this attitude changing in India today?

Best answer

Aman Chauhan wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 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)

Or maybe, let’s put it mildly – no nukes but everything else. What then? What strategies do we have in place, what weapons, what new amazing innovations etc etc.

If Subramanian Swamy were to be believed – 10CR Indians should be ready for sacrifice against a total annihilation of Pakistan!

“In the event of a nuclear war, Pakistani nuclear bombs can kill not more than 10 crore people. We are the country of 112 crore population. But our nuclear bombs can wipe off Pakistan altogether.”

10 CR volunteers who agree that they are fine being nuked if India can obliterate Pakistan. India won’t use nuclear missiles first no? Hope you know all that – India’s no first use nuke policy.

No first use (NFU) refers to a pledge or a policy by a nuclear power not to use nuclear weapons as a means of warfare unless first attacked by an adversary using nuclear weapons.

Who else signed NFU? China, India, North Korea

What about USA? Russia, UK, USA, Pakistan, Israel – These guys said that we will use nuclear weapons only defensively. Even Pakistan!

Question for you guys: What’s the difference between a strategic and tactical nuclear missile?

---

Back to India’s war potential. I had a few questions while trying to research out this topic –

Confusion Level 1: What all new weapons have we made in recent past? UPSC might use this oppty to grill us on our awareness of our missiles and tanks and ships and what not?

CD has already done this compilation – Indian Missile Systems and other developments in 2015-16

Every year UPSC likes to ask the range, weight, body mass index etc of the new missiles so this should be a ready reckoner and you specifically need to cover the nuclear capabilities – Read this story on India’s Defence nuclear capabilities.

---

Confusion Level 2: I know about Surgical Strikes and all and I did well to remember that we made similar strike in Myanmar. Read Ensuring Peace in the Northeast and Myanmar operation.

But what are some of the other military doctrines of India which we should know about. A friend asked me this question – cold start, some joint practices, tactical warfare etc etc so I did some research.

This is a bit heavy stuff – I got a paper written by a retd. Brigadier and he did well to explain it to a lay-cat like me. Read original paper here.

1. Doctrine, strategy and tactics are closely related but they are not the same.

2. Doctrine = encapsulates the current dominant thinking on an issue. So, it’s more like a flavour of the month. Something which we sit in close doors and decide basis our past war experiences etc etc.

One such and now prevalent doctrine is the COLD WAR DOCTRINE. Exact definition –

The main objective of the Cold Start Doctrine is to launch a retaliatory conventional strike against Pakistan inflicting significant harm on the Pakistan Army before any international community could intercede, but not in way Pakistan would be provoked to make a nuclear attack.

– May 2001, Operation Vijayee Bhava was done to check our prowess. In 2011, Operation Sudarshan Shakti was conducted to revalidate Cold Start Doctrine.

At this point, I just thought about the doctrine preceding this cold start one! And I googled to find that it was – Sundarji Doctrine (1981–2004). The limitation of the Sundarji doctrine was exposed on 13 December 2001, when five masked men attacked the Indian Parliament.

According to the Cold Start Doctrine, battle Groups will be well forward from existing garrisons. India’s elite strike forces will no longer sit idle waiting for the opportune moment, giving Pakistan the luxury of time.

---

Confusion Level 3: By now I know about the might of Indian weapons and our latest war doctrine. It would be great if you can help me with this info…

#1. What are strike corps, holding corps and mixed corps?

#2. What are paramilitary forces and how are they different from Army, Navy, Airforce etc?

#3. The structure of Indian Army? I believe COAS = Chief of the Army Staff. Is this relevant for IAS?

#4. If Paramilitary forces do not come under the armed forces – then who are their controlling agencies?

---

Confusion Level 4: I resolved this on my own. Do you know that India has 4 types of borders!

#1. International Border (IB) – This type of border is internationally recognised and legal. An agreement is signed between two countries regarding sharing this border. Clearly demarcated. India shares IB with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and a part of Pakistan ( Radcliffe line)

#2. Line of Control(LoC) – It is de facto border shared by India and Pakistan, dividing Kashmir controlled by India and Kashmir controlled by Pakistan. LoC has its roots in the ceasefire lines which were drawn up in 1948 ( first war between India and Pakistan). Please note – LoC is neither internationally recognised nor it has any legal status. 

#3. AGPL (Actual Ground Position Line) – The line that divides current positions of Indian and Pakistani troops in the Siachen Glacier region.The line extends from the northernmost point of the LOC (Line of Control) to Indira Col.

#4. LAC – The Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the effective border between India and China. The LAC is 4,057-km long and traverses three areas of northern Indian states: western (Ladakh, Kashmir), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh)

With Nepal, we have open borders!

---

Questions from Prelims Daily

#1. Which reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fueled by liquid propellant only.
3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.

#2. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

(a) Amphibious warfare ship

(b) Nuclear-powered submarine

(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

#3. What is CA-MRSA ?

a) missile system developed by Israel.
b) computer worm designed to attack industrial programmable logic controllers.
c) bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics
d) California based exploration project of Mars.

#4. Which of the following is correct about India’s Missile Technology?

1. Astra is an Anti-Tank Missile.

2. Nag is an Air-to-Air Missile.

Select the correct option/options given below:

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both                     

d) None

#5. Which of the following is correct about Indian Navy?

1. INS Vikramaditya, India’s only Aircraft carrier was taken from United States.
2. INS Vikrant is a indigenous Aircraft Carrier of India.
3. INS Visakhapatnam is a destroyer ship of Indian Navy.

Select the correct option/options given below:
a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) All of the above

#6. Q.10. Which of the following is correct about INS Arihant?

1. INS Arihant is a nuclear powered submarine of India.
2. INS Arihant is fitted with India’s own K-15 ballistic missiles that can be launched from under water.
3. INS Arihant has bought India into league of top 3 countries that possess nuclear powered submarine.

Select the correct option/options given below:
a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) All of the above

#7. Which of the following is a centre for launching satellites?

a) Wheeler Island
b) Baikonur Cosmodrome
c) John F. Kennedy Space Centre
d) Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre

source

This is a news thread for the utterly confused, the complete newbies, for the confused billis who have no clue why and how the world works!

We read a news headline and we go in a deep meditative screen gaze! Wut the hell keeps on happening everyday! I just understood surgical strikes the other day and a friend popped up the question of – what is cold doctrine, what is tactical strike, what is our no nuke first policy, what is our doctrine of attack across 3 wings of army, airforce and navy!

I had no clue. I was busy researching on this indus water treaty! Why did Nehru ji sign this at all!! Anyway – here is my confused research 🙂

Confusion Level 1 – What is this indus water treaty? Are there other treaties that we have signed with other neighbours?

After independence we had conflict with Pak over most of the things no! So the 6 rivers that flow through that border area –
Pak took these three western rivers (the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum)
India took these three eastern rivers (the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej)

But India got 20% control over Indus waters!

Who brokered the deal? World Bank! Also, also – this was no water sharing – it was plain, simple partition! Rivers ka bhi partition.

Do we have river sharing anywhere? YES. I was thinking bangladesh, nepal and china and I found this.

“Bangladesh, the eastern neighbour with which India hopes to resolve differences on sharing of Teesta and Feni rivers, is criss-crossed by over 300 rivers, 54 of which are common with India.”
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bangladesh-a-country-that-shares-54-rivers-with-india-1584128

China we know of course has influence in Brahmaputra’s flow. And Prelims waley ye bhi pooch saktey hain –

“The Brahmaputra, one of India’s major rivers, originates in Tibet and flows into Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before going into Bangladesh.”

So, China did this 19 hours ago – http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/china-blocks-brahmaputra-tributary-impact-on-water-flow-in-india-not-clear/story-QVAYbO2iOBFUSynwwpyneN.html

Think of Nepal and we have this –

A Treaty on Integrated Development of Mahakali was signed between India and Nepal in February, 1996 which came into force in June 1997 (Mahakali Treaty).
River in case = Sarda

Who else is left? Bhutan? Aah – I have no patience to google it coz i have a new question!

Confusion Level 2: Can we just walk off the indus water treaty? Just like that! Like a boss?

Modi sir to bol diye ki blood and water cannot flow together but but Nehru Sir has signed this clause!

“Article XII of the treaty says “The provisions of this Treaty, or, the provisions of this Treaty as modified under the provisions of Paragraph (3), shall continue in force until terminated by a duly ratified treaty concluded for that purpose between the two governments.” Still if India wants to go about abrogating it, the country should abide by the 1969 Vienna convention on the law of treaties”

Vienna convention on laws of treaties!!! I have no time to google it coz I wonder if let’s say we stop the flow. What next – Do we have reservoirs to hold water? I know its not UPSC stuff but what if there are dams and UPSC just asks about PRELIMS ques on those!!!

I found that india has no storage facility on western rivers. Okay, I googled about Vienna Treaty and India’s case in it and found that India has neither signed nor ratified the law on treaties 🙂

Read more here – http://swarajyamag.com/world/how-india-can-unilaterally-walk-away-from-the-indus-waters-treaty

But, hypothetically if in case we break the treaty – what do we get!

– India will get more share from Indus and will help in developing Irrigation and HEP in J&K.
– However many neighbours like Nepal and Bangladesh with whom we’ve water treaties may go sceptical.
– China may get an excuse to build even more dams at Brahmaputra and we can’t oppose forcefully.

Confusion Level 3: What do experts say on this. Coz op-eds likhne to band nahi hue. Every human who has an opinion and a laptop is writing sagas over this.

Here’s what I found –

WB Says: At most the World Bank would step into, as per the treaty, to appoint a “neutral expert”, or help set up a Court of Arbitration, in case of a dispute.

Expert 1: India does not have the enough storage facility to create a supply problem immediately for Pakistan.
“It has to raise its dam structures and that will take time. There is also another angle to it. India, even if it wants to, cannot take the water out of Kashmir Valley. So, the water of the three rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) will remain in their basin and India cannot divert that to other areas due to geographical reasons. India can stop the supply for some time, but cannot divert it.”

Expert on China: China is quietly signalling India that any abrogation of the Indus Waters Treaty to punish its all-weather friend Pakistan will have consequences for this country as well.

All this tells me that kuch nahi hone wala. Ek Mains ka ques banega shayad but Prelims… maybe yes.

Questions from Prelims Daily 

#1. Consider following statements in regard to ‘Indus Water Treaty’.

1. India is allowed to use only 30 per cent of river Indus water for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes.

2. A Permanent Indus Commission was set up as a bilateral commission to implement and manage the Treaty.

3. Though Indus originates from Tibet, China has been kept out of the Treaty.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Questions from Target Mains

#1. It is argued that a review of the Indus Water Treaty could prove to be a double-edged sword for India. Discuss why.

#2. From India’s point of view, what are the the pros and cons of the Indus water treaty? Examine.

#3. How did India and Pakistan solve Indus river water sharing problem? Do you think both countries can resolve their other bilateral problems in the same manner? Critically examine.

Root cause of our social and national degradation is our treatment of women.

Instructions: Write the following essay in 1000-1200 words.