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  • Comprehensive Self-Study Plan for Physical Geography | IAS Prelims & Mains

    How to use this study plan?

    1. This study plan limits itself to Physical Geography
    2. We have kept 5 sources for completing the entire syllabus and we urge our students to follow only what’s been prescribed. Try not to go overboard
    Sources
    Source Source type Why this one?
    1. 11th NCERT – Fundamentals of Physical Geography
    2. 12th NCERT – Fundamentals of Human Geography
    Primary source: To be revised multiple times. Students should highlight or make notes from these to keep their revision times anageable • NCERT’s form the treasure trove of exam worthy information.
    • Many direct questions have previously appeared in prelims from NCERT.
    • The language is easy to understand and fundamental to conceptual clarity
    • Especially concentrate on Indian Geography for Prelims as almost 75% questions are related to India
    3. GC Leong Primary source: To be revised multiple times. Students should highlight or make notes from these to keep their revision times anageable • It is a brilliant book for physical geography and covers great depth in concepts which will help in Main exam
    4. NCERT 6th-10th Geography • Preliminary reading source to gather a wider understanding of the subject.
    • Readings in the cumulative revisions would suffice.
    • Caution: Ignore the maths part in this book
    • Important for foundational understanding.
    5. Orient Blackswan Atlas • Note!!: Important to view maps daily and try and mark places which one finds during their reading of books or current affairs • Most of Geography questions in prelims are are map based
    • Maps make the subject easier to grasp and fun

    Daywise plan + Feedback questions with Explanations & Tikdams where applicable

     

     Day

     1

    Rapid basics build up
     

    India map – States, their capitals and their neighbours

    • NCERT Class 6th – Full
     2 • India map – Major rivers of the Indus basin • NCERT Class 7th – Full
     3 • India map – Major rivers of Ganga Basin • NCERT Class 8th – Full
     4 + 5 • India map – Major rivers of Brahmaputra basin • NCERT Class 9th – Full
     6 + 7 • India map – Major rivers of the peninsular region • NCERT Class 10th – Full

    Focus Area : 

    • Concentrate on acquiring a basic understanding of topics

    • Locate the places mentioned eg Palk Strait, states through which Tropic of cancer passes, etc

    • For maps, mark the features with a pencil on your atlas and revise often

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    Q. In India, How many States Share the coastline ?

    A. 7
    B. 8
    C. 9
    D. 10

    Answer – C

    Standard Explanation + Tikdams for MCQs : Map awareness is crucial for such questions


    Day 8 : Revision


     

    Day

     9 + 10

    Physical Geography – Basics and Earth’s crust Revison of India maps already covered above  

    • 11th NCERT – Fundamentals of Physical Geography – Chapter – 1, 2, 3
    • GC Leong – Chapter 1, 2, 4

    Focus Area : 

    Develop an understanding of

    • Motion of the Earth – Rotation and Revolution – it’s impact on Day and Night and other phenomena

    • Inclination of the Earth’s Axis – it’s effect on seasons

    • Latitude and Longitude • Important Parallels and Meridians – the countries they pass through eg Equator, Prime meridian, etc

    • General understanding of Solar Eclipse, Lunar Eclipse and Tides and their significance

    • Earth’s crust

    • The Structure of the Earth – different layers, their arrangement vertically, different discontinuities

    • Rocks Classification– Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic with examples.

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    Consider the following factors:

    1. Rotation of the Earth

    2. Air pressure and wind

    3. Density of ocean water

    4. Revolution of the Earth

    Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1, 2 and 3

    (c) 1 and 4

    (d) 2, 3 and 4

    Answer – B

    Tikdam – Revolution doesn’t affect ocean currents but rotation does. Eliminate 4. Desnity also affects since denser water sinks. Therefore the answer has to be B

    Day

     

    11 + 12

    Physical Geography – Climate  

    • World Map – Major physical features of Australia

     

    • 11th NCERT – Fundamentals of Physical Geography – Chapter – 4
    • GC Leong – Chapter 13, 14

    13 + 14 Physical Geography – Climate types • World Map – Major physical features of Europe and Northern Asia • 11th NCERT – Fundamentals of Physical Geography – Chapter – 6
    • GC Leong – Chapter 15 – 18
    15 + 16 Physical Geography – Climate types • World Map – Major physical features of rest of Asia • GC Leong – Chapter 19 – 22
    17 Physical Geography – Climate types • World Map – Major physical features of Africa • GC Leong – Chapter 23 – 25

    Focus Area:

    Build conceptual clarity on

    • Composition and Structure of Atmosphere various layers of atmosphere significance of each layer

    • Heat Budget

    • Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming & Ozone hole.

    • Temperature Zones – Tropical, Temperate, Frigid ; their characteristics

    • Global Pressure Belts- Low Pressure, High Pressure, Doldrums, Horse Latitudes

    • The various Planetary Winds and their role in influencing climate

    • Various atmospheric phenomenta like cyclones and anticyclones, jet streams, air-masses, their occurence and formation, properties and impact

    • Concepts like Temperature Inversion, Albedo.

    • Have a basic idea about major Climate Types – Tropical, Desert, Mediterranean, Taiga, Arctic (or Polar type)

    • Their Distribution, climate and economic importance

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    Consider the following

    1. The winds which blow between 30° N and 60° S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.

    2 The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.

    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

    Answer – b

    2. During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the: (2013)

    1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky

    2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds

    3. violent upward movement of air and water particles

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3

    (C) 1 and 3

    (d) None of the above produces the thunder

    Answer – d

    3. Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over.

    Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

    a) Savannah

    b) Equatorial

    c) Monsoon

    d) Mediterranean

    Answer – b

    Explanation-

    1. Westerlies flow between latitudes 30-60 degrees North and 30-60 degrees South. The statement mentions 30N-60S. So it is wrong.
    The western cyclonic disturbances are weather phenomena of the winter months brought in by the westerly flow from the Mediterranean region. They usually influence the weather of the north and north-western regions of India. They are a non-monsoonal precipitation pattern driven by the Westerlies.

    Tikdam: read clearly – n to n , s to s noth N to S,

    2. Self explanatory

    3. Equatorial climate is characterized by consistently high temperatures (around 30 °C), with plentiful precipitation (150–1,000 cm), heavy cloud cover, and high humidity, with very little annual temperature variation. Wet equatorial regions lie within about 12° latitude of the Equator.

    Tikdam: classical equatorial climate – no season (each day same), afternoon thudestrorm


    Day 18 : Cumulative Revision


     

    Day

     

    19

    Physical Geography – Oceans  

    • World map – Major Rivers & physical features of North America

    • 11th NCERT – Fundamentals of Physical Geography – Chapter – 5
    • GC Leong – Chapter 12

    Focus Area: 

    Carefully note

    • Configuration of Ocean Floor – Continental Shelf, Slope, Rise, Abyssal Plan, Trenches.

    • Ocean Currents (important) and factors influencing their movement – eg Winds, Temperatures, Salinity, Earth’s Rotation,

    • Types- Warm and Cold Currents and their direction

    • Their influence on the climate and vegetation as well as benefits and problems caused eg mixing of Warm and Cold currents helps fisheries but produce intense fogs

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

    a) The Earth’s rotation on its own axis

    b) Convergence of the two equatorial currents

    c) Difference is salinity of water

    d) Occurance of the belt of calm near the equator

    What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

    Answer – b

    Explanation – The equatorial countercurrents are driven by a distinct surface wind pattern in the tropics. Strong westward trade winds result in westward surface flow in most of the tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. However, several hundred mi. (km.) north of the equator the winds are much weaker, in comparison.

    The stronger winds to the south pile up water where the winds are weak. As a result, the surface of the ocean can be up to 6 in. (15 cm.) higher and the thermocline (region of strongest decrease of temperature with increasing depth) as much as 328 ft. (100 m.) deeper than it is directly to the north.

    The excess water flows eastward under the influence of the Earth’s rotation, giving rise to the equatorial countercurrents

    20 Physical Geography – Volcanism and fluvial landforms • World map – Major Rivers & physical features of South America • GC Leong – Chapter 3, 5
    21 Physical Geography – Glacial, Arid and Limestone landforms • World Map – Major oceans and seas of the world
    • their coastal countries
    • warm and cold currents and their direction of flow
    • GC Leong – Chapter 6, 7, 8
    22 Physical Geography – Lakes, Coastal, Islands • World map – Major volcanoes of the world; major river deltas • GC Leong – Chapter 9, 10, 11

    Focus Area:

    Concentrate on

    • Landforms associated with each exogenetic agent eg barchans in arid regions due to wind

    • For map activity one should learn to recognise major physical features with a particluar continent/country. Eg Missisippi should spring USA to mind, Selvas should bring South America to mind

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?  Geographical Feature                              Region

    (a) Abyssinian Plateau :                         Arabia

    (b) Atlas Mountains :                           North-Western Africa

    (c) Guiana Highlands :                       South-Western Africa

    (d) Okavango Basin :                           Patagonia

    Answer – b

    Atlas mountain ranges are situated in the north western part of Africa. They extend almost 2000 km. They pass through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

    Tikdam: Abyssinia is the old name of Ethiopia.


    Day 23+24 : Cumulative Revision


    Day

     

    25 + 26

    Human Geography • World Map – straits, isthumus, gulfs and bays  

    • 12th NCERT – Fundamentals of Human Geography – Chapters – 1-4
    • 12th NCERT – India – People and Economy –

    Chapter – 1-3

    Focus Area:

    Note: For Human Geography, the relevant data should be taken from current affairs and not from books as they are outdated

    • Population problems, human development related issues and migration. Focus on India but be aware of world scenario

    • This part is very dynamic so be abreast of current affairs

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    Consider the following pairs :

    Tribe                                         State

    1. Limboo (Limbu) :          Sikkim

    2. Karbi :                                 Himachal Pradesh

    3. Dongaria :                         Odisha

    4. Bonda :                               Tamil Nadu

    Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 and 4 only

    (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    Answer – A

    Consider the following pairs: Community sometimes mentioned in the news In the affairs of 

    1. Kurd : Bangladesh

    2. Madhesi : Nepal

    3. Rohingya : Myanmar

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    a) 1 and 2

    b) 2 only

    c) 2 and 3

    d) 3 only Answer – C

    Factual and current affairs related. You know or you don’t

    Day

     

     

    27 + 28

    Human Geography  

     

    • World Map – major islands and their marginal seas of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean

    – Pay attention to the North-South and East-West alignment of countries/islands/seas

    • 12th NCERT – Fundamentals of Human Geography – Chapters – 5-7
    • 12th NCERT – India – People and Economy – Chapter – 7-9

    Focus Area:

    Pay special attention to

    • The classification of activities

    • India’s resource wealth – India’s position globally in terms of production,

    • Mineral resources and major mining/extraction areas

    • Industrial regions, centres and advantages and problems in each sector

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    In which of the following regions of India are shale gas resources found?

    1. Cambay Basin

    2. Cauvery Basin

    3. Krishna-Godavari Basin

    Select the correct answer using the code given below

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 3 only

    c) 2 and 3 only

    d) 1, 2 and 3

    Answer – D

    Explanation – Shale gas is the natural gas that is trapped within shale formations. ONGC sought permission for drilling 11 exploratory wells for shale oil and shale gas in Cambay basin at Mehsana, Ahmedabad and Bharuch districts of Gujarat, one well in Cauvery basin at Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and five wells in KG Basin at East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Other regions in India where shale gas resources are found – Cauvery, Ganga & Assam and Assam – Arakan ; Gondwana basin (including Damodar )

    Day

     

    29 + 30

    Human Geography  

     

    • World Map – major islands and their marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean + Antactica

    – Pay attention to the North-South and East-West alignment of countries/islands/seas

    • 12th NCERT – Fundamentals of Human Geography – Chapters – 8-10
    • 12th NCERT – India – People and Economy – Chapter – 10-12, 4

    Focus Area : 

    Pay special attention to • Issues related to transport sector – the ranks of various types in usage, infrastructure and their specific problems

    Previous year’s MCQs to judge one’s level of understanding + Tikdams:

    What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?

    1.Bangkok

    2.Hanoi

    3.Jakarta

    4.Singapore

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    A.     4-2-1-3

    B.     3-2-4-1

    C.     3-4-1-2

    D.     4-3-2-1

    Answer – C

    Explanation : See map.

    Tikdam – Basic awareess tells that Jakarta (Indonesia) has to be the southernmost. Leaves us with 2 options B & C


    Day 31 + 32+ 33 – Revision of Human Geography



    Day 34+35+36 – Cumulative Revision from day 9 except Human Geography + Maps full revision



    Day 38 – Test


     

  • 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 SolutionsClick 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 SolutionsClick 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