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  • Should India de-escalate conflict in South China Sea or capitalize on it to gain strategic advantage in the region? Critically comment.

  • What is the difference between militancy, insurgency and terrorism?

    This could be a question for MAINS, I believe?

  • What's happening in J&K and how has it spiralled so big

    I was reading Shah Faisal’s FB post + general google alerts on media clampdown of J&K newspapers… Has the issue just blown out? Can someone give me the context please of what went wrong and how?

  • Concept of SNOWLINE

    Can somebody clear the concept of Snowline to me?
    Snowline for eastern Himalayas is higher or the western Himalayas? And the reason for the same?

    Many thanks, in advance.

  • UPSC Prelims Modern History Trend Analysis: Part 4

    IAS pre 2010

    1. By a regulation in 1793, the District Collector was deprived of his judicial powers and made the collecting agent only. What was the reason for such regulation?

    1. Lord Cornwallis felt that the District Collector’s efficiency of revenue collection would enormously increase without the burden of other work
    2. Lord Cornwallis felt that judicial power should compulsorily be in the hands of Europeans while Indians can be given the job of revenue collection in the districts
    3. Lord Cornwallis was alarmed at the extent of power concentrated in the District Collector and felt that such absolute power was undesirable in one person.
    4. The judicial work demanded a deep knowledge of India and a good training in law and’ Lord Cornwallis felt that District Collector should be only a revenue collector

    Obviously concentration of power in one hand wasn’t good

    Learning – Reforms by Lord Cornwallis, Administrtative reform, Judicial reforms, commercial reforms, Cornwallis code

    2. With reference to Simon Commission’s recommendations, which one of the following statements is correct?

    1. It recommended the replacement of diarchy with responsible government in the provinces.
    2. It proposed the setting up of interprovincial council under the Home Department.
    3. It suggested the abolition of bicameral legislature at the Centre.
    4. In recommended the creation of Indian Police Service with a provision for increased pay and allowances for British recruits as compared to Indian recruits.
    • Simon commission came to investigate workings of govt of India act 1919 and Govt of India act 1935 was enacted on the recommendation of Simon commission
    • GOI act 1935 abolished dyarchy in provinces and gave them autonomy
    • Answer is clear

    Learning – boycott of Simon commission, assassination of Saunders, Nehru report, RTCs  

    3. Four resolutions were passed at the famous Calcutta session of Indian National Congress in 1906. The question of either retention OR of rejection of these four resolutions became the cause of a split in Congress at the next Congress session held in Surat in 1907. Which one of the following was not one of these resolutions?

    1. Annulment of partition of Bengal.
    2. Boycott.
    3. National education
    4. Swadeshi
    • Repeat
    • 4th resolution would obviously be on partition of Bengal not annulment

    Learning – politics played by moderates in this session, immediate cause of split in congress, Delhi durbar and annulment of partition

    4. After Quit India Movement, C. Rajagopalachari issued a pamphlet entitled “The Way Out”. Which one of the following was a proposal in this pamphlet?

    1. The establishment of a “War Advisory Council” composed of representatives of British India and the Indian States.
    2. Reconstitution of the Central Executive Council in such a way that all its members, except the Governor General and the Commander-in- Chief should be Indian leaders.
    3. Fresh elections to the Central and Provincial Legislatures to be held at the end of 1945 and the Constitution making body to be convened as soon as possible.
    4. A solution for the constitutional deadlock.
    • Way out would be way out of deadlock i.e constitutional deadlock as congress and Muslims leagues did not agree to Cripps proposals,  also k/as rajgopalachari formula
    • It was rejected by congress though Gandhi did talk to Jinnah based on this formula

    Learning – points of contention on Cripps proposals and Wavell plan, Rajgopalachari formula / CR formula

    5. Who among the following Governor Generals created the Covenanted Civil Service of India which later came to be known as the Indian Civil Service?

    1. Warren Hastings
    2. Wellesley
    3. Cornwallis
    4. William Bentinck

    Cornwallis – father of civil services

    Learning – Evolution of civil services, Macaulay committee

    6.With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:

    1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
    2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
    3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3

    3 is clearly wrong as Britain did occupy Pondicherry but returned it back, NCERT British – French conflict

    Learning – Carnatic Wars and treaties,

    7. For the Karachi session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme?

    1. Mahatma Gandhi
    2. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
    3. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
    4. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    • Repeat, covered in titbit
    • In this, congress told in concrete terms what Swaraj would mean in real terms to people. Provinces based on language were also announced

    Learning – imp points of this programme and differences with fundamental rights of independent India, Bombay Manifesto

    8.Who among the following were official Congress negotiators with Cripps Mission?

    1. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
    2. Acharya J. B. Kripalani and C. Rajagopalachari
    3. Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad
    4. Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai
    • Gandhiji stopped negotiating after RTC. Obviously tallest leaders would be the negotiators in such important proposals.
    • Others were Patel and Rajgopalachari
    • Both Congress and leagure rejected the propsal

    Learning – point of contention b/w league and congress over Cripps proposals, why did congress reject Cripps, Cripps offer an improvement over August offer

    9. What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement?

    1. The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon
    2. A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak
    3. The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill
    4. Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers

    Repeat, very imp.

    Learning – Sequence of events in Swadeshi movement, Resolutions passed in Calcutta session, Politics played, Formation of Muslim League, Split in congress, annulment of partion, reunification

    10..Consider the following statements:

    1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Mahatma Gandhi to come to Champaran to investigate the problem of peasants.
    2. Acharya J. B. Kriplani was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s colleagues in his Champaran investigation.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • A farmer Rajkumar Shukla not Dr. Rajendra Prasad persuaded Gandhiji
    • Gandhiji was accompanied by Babu Rajendra Prasad, J. B. Kripalani, Mahadev Desai Gandhijee

    Learning – Gandhiji’s first three satyagrahas and associated leaders

    11..Consider the following statements:

    1. The “Bombay Manifesto” signed in 1936 openly opposed the preaching of socialist ideals.
    2. It evoked support from a large section of business community from all across India.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    • Bombay plan and Bombay manifesto are different
    • Bombay plan was during WW 2
    • In Bomaby Manifesto, they actually opposed Nehru’s socialist ideas / cooperative ideas
    • I am not sure about support from a large section but as it was proposed by leading Businessmen, might be true

    Learning – Freedom movement and capitalist class, Bombay plan

  • list of countries India has signed civil nuclear Deal.

    Can anyone name all the countries India had signed Civil Nuclear Agreement ?

    I know a few – US, Canada, France, Namibia, Kazakhstan, Australia( not sure whether it concluded) , SL ( doubtful)…..

    Please correct if any thing is wrong.

    There are 12 countries in total. I guess. Please help me out.

  • Environment

    Is Paris agreement legally binding or not?

  • It is argued that the Special Category Status given to certain states has become an instrument that has outlived its relevance and utility. Do you agree with this assessment? Critically analyse.

  • “Given that economic benefits under the ‘Special Category’ status are minimal and have been diluted over the years, States would be better off seeking a special package.” Analyse.

  • Citizenship and Related Issues

    • What is citizenship?
    • What does constitution say about citizenship?
    • Special rights enjoyed by citizens
    • Legislations in this regard
    • Termination of citizenship
    • What are OCI and PIO?
    • Merger of OCI and PIO
    • Other changes to citizenship provisions
    • Legislation to give citizenship to minorities
    • Bill to amend citizenship act, 1955

    What is citizenship?

    Citizenship is the status of a person recognized under the custom or law as being a member of a country. A person may have multiple citizenships and a person who does not have citizenship of any state is said to be stateless.

    What does constitution say about citizenship?

    The provisions of citizenship are covered by Articles 5 to 11 and are embodied in Part II of the Constitution.

     

    • Article 5 refers to citizenship not in any general sense but to citizenship on the date of the commencement of the Constitution.
    • Articles 6 and 7 deal with two categories of persons, namely, those who were resi­dents in India but had migrated to Pakistan and those who were residents in Pakistan but migrated to India.
    • Article 8 deals with Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India
    • Under Article 9 of the Constitution, and person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of any foreign State, even if qualified for Indian citizenship under any provision of the Constitution, may not be a citizen of India.
    • Article 10 says that every person who is or is deemed to be a citizen of India under any of the foregoing provisions of this Part shall, subject to the provisions of any law that may be made by Parliament, continue to be such citizen.
    • Article 11 deals with power of Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law and states that nothing in the foregoing provisions of this Part shall derogate from the power of Parliament to make any provision with respect to the acquisition and termination of citizenship and all other matters relating to citizenship.

    Special rights enjoyed by citizens

    Fundamental Rights provided in Indian constitution are available to citizens of India only; some of the fundamental rights which are not enjoyed by a non-citizen of India are:

    • Right to be discriminated on the basis of religion, race, sex, cast or birth of place
    • Equal opportunities in public employment
    • Right of six democratic freedoms (Article 19) + Cultural & educational rights

    Only citizens of India have the right:

    • To hold civil office
    • Right to vote
    • Right to be judges of courts

    Again, citizens alone have the right to hold certain high offices such as those of the President, Vice-President, Governor of a State, Judge of Supreme Court and High Courts, Attorney General, etc. the right to vote to elect a member of the Lok Sabha and a Vidhan Sabha and the right to become a Member of the Parliament and a State Legislature are reserved for citizens only.

    Legislations in this regard

    The legislation related to this matter is the Citizenship Act 1955, which has been amended by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1986, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1992, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2003, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005.

     

    • Acquisition of Indian Citizenship as per Citizenship Act 1955: Indian Citizenship can be acquired under the following ways:
    1. Citizenship at the commencement of the constitution of India
    2. Citizenship by birth
    3. Citizenship by descent
    4. Citizenship by registration
    5. Citizenship by naturalization.

    Termination of Indian Citizenship as per Citizenship Act 1955: One can lose citizenship of India in 3 ways – Renunciation, Termination and Deprivation

    There are 3 situations under which a citizen of India may lose his Indian Nationality.

    • By Renunciation: If any citizen of India who is also a national of another country renounces his Indian citizenship through a declaration in the prescribed manner, he ceases to be an Indian citizen of registration of such declaration.
    • By Termination: Any person who acquired Indian citizenship by naturalisation, registration or otherwise,, of he or she voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country he shall have ceased to be a citizen of India from the date of such acquisition.
    • By Deprivation: The Central Government is empowered to deprive a citizen of his citizenship by possible grounds of a citizenship certificate by means of fraud, false representation, concealment of any material fact; disloyalty of disaffection towards the Constitution shown by act or speech; assisting an enemy with whom India is at war.

    What are OCI and PIO?

    source

    Merger of OCI and PIO and how it will help

    The government has decided to merge the two cards of PIO and OCI and go ahead in this direction.

    • Merging PIO and OCI will lead to simplification of the rules under a single umbrella.
    • It was envisaged that merger of the card would facilitate visa-free travel to India, rights of residency and participation in business and educational activities in the country.
    • This is aimed at simplifying the visa-free entry for people of Indian origin into India.
    • The merger of the two cards could make PIO cardholders eligible for benefits already enjoyed by OCI cardholders.
    • Merging of the two cards will facilitate travel of Indians staying abroad and their participation in various activities in India.

    Other changes to citizenship provisions

    The Union Cabinet has approved proposals for extending several benefits to ‘persecuted’ minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh living in India on long-term visas. Many members of the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities have come to India fearing persecution in their home countries.

    • The beneficiaries can buy property for self-occupation or use in self-employment.
    • They are allowed free movement within the State of their stay, and can get their long-term visa papers transferred from one State to another.
    • The government has permitted them to apply for long-term visas from the place of their current residence, even if they have moved to the present place without seeking permission.
    • The government has waived the penalty on late application for extension of their short- or long-term visas. The registration fees for citizenship will be reduced to Rs. 100 from Rs. 3,000-15,000.

    Soon, the Citizenship Rules, 2009, will be amended to help such persons get citizenship.

    Legislation to give citizenship to minorities

    • In other legislation People belonging to minority communities of Pakistan, staying in India on a Long Term Visa, will soon be able to get citizenship.
    • The Centre will set up a 4-day camp here to grant Indian citizenship to those who migrated to India from Pakistan between 1971 and 2009. The application process is divided into three categories to bucket them according to their year of migration.

    Bill to amend citizenship act, 1955

    • The government is also likely to introduce a Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955
    • Amendment: Definition of “illegal migrants” to be changed that will enable the government to grant citizenship to minorities
    • The minorities aimed are at mostly Hindus, from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who have fled their country fearing religious persecution

    Read all details about this bill and associated issues here:

    [Burning Issues] Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) 2016

    References:

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