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  • B2B of the day: Press Council of India, News Broadcasters Association, Provisioning

    Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news- In name of fake news, Government frames rules to blacklist journalists

    Press Council of India

    1. The Press Council is a statutory, quasi-judicial body which acts as a watchdog of the press
    2. It adjudicates the complaints against and by the press for violation of ethics and for violation of the freedom of the press respectively
    3. It was first set up on 4 July 1964 by the Parliament to regulate the press in India
    4. The basis at that time was the Press Council Act, 1965 which resulted from the recommendations of the First Press Commission of India (1952-1999)
    5. After 2017, the Council functions under the Press Council Act 1978 which arose from the recommendations of the Second Press Commission of India (1978)
    6. The Press Council is headed by a Chairman: usually, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India
    7. It consists of a Chairman and 28 other members. Of the 28 members, 13 represent the working journalists

    News Broadcasters Association

    1. The News Broadcasters Association is a private association of different current affairs and news television broadcasters in India
    2. It was established by leading Indian news broadcasters in October 2008
    3. The association was set up to deal with ethical, operational, regulatory, technical and legal issues affecting news and current-affairs channels

     

    B2B #2: From News- RBI lets banks spread out provisioning for bond market losses over 4 quarters

    Provisioning

    1. When a loan is not being repaid, the Bank has to reconstitute this money from its other sources like Profit
    2. Setting aside of money from Profits to compensate a probable loss caused on lending a loan is called Provisioning
    3. Provisioning is done to cover the risk
    4. There are various percentages of Provisioning to the value of loan based on the duration the account has been out of order
    5. If an account stays non-performing for a prolonged period of time, the account is eventually written off and the account is closed
    6. The amount set aside as the provisioned money is used to close the account

  • [open SIP] Test 1- Polity: Link + Discussion

    Link for the test: Click2Attempt  (Let us know your score in comments)

    We have started our Open SIP program in conjunction with our PAID program (Click2Know all details of the program)

    We will be running this special FREE initiative on daily basis providing students with revision questions for static subjects as well as current affairs starting from June 2017

    Test 1 as per schedule (Click2View) is Polity

    Liked the test? You can join our FLT program containing more such high-level questions. The module contains 11 FLTs (8 paper 1 TS + 3 CSAT)

    Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join

    Want to do quick revision for Prelims? Join our SIP Comprehensive or SIP Mini modules giving you Static & Dynamic subjects coverage through video lectures

    SIP Comprehensive- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes + FLTs + CA Tests: Click2Join

    SIP Mini- Samanvaya + Lectures + Notes: Click2Join

  • B2B of the day: Government securities, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

    Here are 2 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

    B2B #1: From news- FBIL will now do the valuation of G-Secs

    Government securities

    1. A Government Security (G-Sec) is a tradeable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments
    2. It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation
    3. Such securities are short-term (usually called treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year) or long-term (usually called Government bonds or dated securities with the original maturity of one year or more)
    4. In India, the Central Government issues both, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs)
    5. G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments

    B2B #2: From News- Central Vigilance Commission wants to keep an eye on private banks

    Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

    1. CVC is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964 to address governmental corruption
    2. It has the status of an autonomous body, free of control from any executive authority
    3. It is charged with monitoring all vigilance activity under the Central Government of India, advising various authorities in central Government organizations in planning, executing, reviewing and reforming their vigilance work
    4. The CVC is not an investigating agency. The only investigation carried out by the CVC is that of examining Civil Works of the Government.
    5. The Commission shall consist of:
    • A Central Vigilance Commissioner – Chairperson;
    • Not more than two Vigilance Commissioners – Members

    6. The Central Vigilance Commissioner and the Vigilance Commissioners shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs (Member) and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People (Member)

  • CD Prelims TS 2018- FLT 1 (Economic Survey & IYB) discussion

    All aspirants who are giving tomorrow’s test should discuss all there doubts/queries about any question on this thread and not in the comments section of the test

    Around 20 questions of the test can be solved using Tikdam method

    Tikdams explanations in those selected questions are given in the explanation column itself

    By closely observing those questions after every test you will gradually learn the art of Tikdams which will assist you in clearing the UPSC prelims

    Highlights of tomorrow’s test:

     

    Q.1) Consider the following statements:

    1. The biologically determined natural sex ratio at birth is 1.05 males for every female.

    2. Any significant deviation from the biologically determined natural sex ratio at birth cannot be on account of human intervention.

    Which of the statement/s given above is/are incorrect?

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Q.2)  What does the term “”exports superstars”” mean in the Economic Survey?

    a) Firms that account for a disproportionately large share of exports.

    b) Small and medium enterprises only that account for large quantum of exports.

    c) Top 1% of the firms in India according to their Market Capitalisation.

    d) None of the above

     

    Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding tax-GDP ratio:

    1. Higher tax-GDP ratio will overcome the fiscal vulnerability.

    2. Tax-GDP ratio has remained almost constant since last three decade.

    Which of the above statement/s given above is/are correct?

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) None of the above

     

    Q.4)  Which of the following/s is most likely to increase export-GDP ratio of India?

    1. Competitive exchange rates

    2. Open capital accounts

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    a) 1 only

    b) 1 and 2 only

    c) 2 only

    d) None of the above

    Best of luck!

    Didn’t subscribe to our Flagship Test series? Cover up by joining FLT’s

    Our FLT module contains 8 tests for GS Paper 1 & 3 tests for CSAT paper

    Know all details about the program and join here: Click2Join

  • Doubt regarding Carbon credits

    Doubt: How is the rate of carbon credit decided and how fixes it. There was a question regarding this in 2011 prelims ?

  • 30 March 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    Note: Please comment your responses to questions in the comment section. It will help you in assessing yourself.

    Q.1) With reference to the Vikas (rocket engine) which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It is a family of solid fuelled rocket engines.
    2. It is used in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) series of expendable launch vehicles only and not in the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) series.
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    a) Neither 1 nor 2
    b) 1 only
    c) 2 only
    d) Both 1 and 2
    Inspired by: GSAT-6A gives India bigger eye in the sky

    Q.2) The Kisan Credit Card scheme is implemented by which of the following banks?
    1. Commercial banks
    2. Regional Rural Banks
    3. State co-operative banks
    Select correct option using the codes given below.
    a) 1, 2 and 3
    b) 2 and 3 only
    c) 1 and 2 only
    d) 1 and 3 only
    Inspired by: [op-ed snap] A smart card for the farmer

    Q.3) The Geographical Indications (GI) tag is related to which of the following international organisation?
    a) UNESCO
    b) International Trade Organization
    c) World Trade Organisation
    d) None of the above
    Inspired by: Madhya Pradesh’s Kadaknath chicken gets Geographical Indication tag

    Q.4) Assertion (A) : ‘Balance of Payments’ represents a better picture of a country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world than the ‘Balance of Trade’.
    Reason (R) : ‘Balance of Payments’ takes into account the exchange of both visible and invisible items whereas ‘Balance of Trade’ does not.
    a) A is true but R is false
    b) A is false but R is true
    c) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
    d) Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

    Q.5) With reference to the Fifteenth Finance Commission, consider the following statements:
    1. The commission was set up to give recommendations for five fiscal years commencing on 1 April 2020.
    2. It is established by the Finance Ministry.
    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
    Inspired by: Why South India states are objecting to Finance Commission’s mandate

    Q.6) Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
    a) the mosque for the use of Royal Family
    b) Akbar’s private chamber prayer
    c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions.
    d) the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs

    Q.7) In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/ constraints in its wider / greater implementation?
    1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place.
    2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops.
    3. There is a demand­ supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    a) 1 and 2
    b) 3 only
    c) 2 and 3
    d) None

    Q.8) With reference to ‘Eco­ Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. Eco­ Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 .
    2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco­ Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities, in those zones except agriculture.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

    1. Daily newscards have been enriched with back2basics and note2students – Make notes daily

    2. Liked Tikdams? Join our Flagship TS which helps you perfect this approach – Flagship Prelims for IAS 2018

    3. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    4. Click here for Solutions.

  • [Interview Transcripts 2018] Shashank Goyal

    Ms. Smita Nagaraj Board

    Date: 21 March 2018

    Chairperson

    1. NIT-IIM and now civil services. Is it now the new career norm?
    2. There is extensive marketing being adopted in govt schemes. Is it necessary?
    3. Do we focus more on objectives or outcomes while designing marketing strategies?
    4. Questions on positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.

    Member 1

    1. 2 questions on Delhi pollution-causes, steps taken by the govt, causes of stubble burning
    2. How would you environmental awareness in society?
    3. How do we counter China?
    4. Why aren’t we raising CPEC on international forums?
    5. What are wearables?

    Member 2

    1. On hobbies:
    1. Which recent books have you read?
    2. On Anne Frank- what inspires you?
    3. Does glass ceiling exist? Does in exist more in India or in the West?
    4. Your motivating personality (whom we are aware of)…name two more?
    5. NAM has been integral to our FP. We are digressing from it? What are your views on this?

    Member 3

    1. The purpose of Government is not to do business. What do you think?
    2. What is ‘fire in the belly’?
    3. Which is your favorite business case study of MBA curriculum? Followup qn- what motivates
    such people?
    4. Solar projects need too much land? Is it a hindrance? Followup- what are your views on rooftop
    solar projects?
    5. Situational: You are a DC in a district with a very reputed govt engg college. Students are
    demanding for postponement of exams. Having postponed once, they are demanding
    postponement again. What will be your role?

    Member 4

    1. Job profile: What kind of sales you are in? Why change in job?
    2. What is social marketing?

    3. Need for regulations in marketing? Followup- is there any regulatory framework for marketing
    in govt schemes and programmes?
    4. A very important personality was born in your birthplace (Mhow)? Who was he?
    5. There are so many schemes in his name. How do we improve implementation? Followup- How
    do we improve scheme monitoring ?
    6. Situational: You are an IFS officer. You are asked to organize celebration of Nelson Mandela’s
    100th birth anniversary. How will you go about it?

    Chairperson

    1. Government is increasing the number of IIT/NIT/IIMs. Don’t you think it dilutes the brand?
    (involved a discussion of 2 3 questions about the evolution of college that I graduated from and
    need and role of such institutions of eminence)

    Member 3 requested the Chairperson for one more question

    1. Are you a PGDM or an MBA?
    2. What is Alzheimer’s disease?

    End of the personality test

  • [Interview Transcripts 2018] Kunal Aggarwal

    Sh. Arvind Saxena Board 
    Date: 19th March 2018
    Session: Afternoon Session
    Optional: Political science and International Relations
    Work experience: 3 years as Software Developer
    Interview Transcript
    Chairman
    1. What have you been doing?
    2. So, what were you doing at the *company where I worked*?
    3. What is Kizuna bond project? (from DAF)
    4. So how are India-Nepal relations now?
    5. What is the involvement of China in Nepal? Have you heard of cheque book diplomacy? Can India compete with China on this? How can India gain it’s space in Nepal then?
    6. What do you think of Aadhar card? Aren’t there security issues?
    7. Should we have aadhar? US and UK are rolling back their social security systems. Shouldn’t we learn from them?
    8. Views on AI – two opposite views from Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. What do you think about AI?
    Member 1
    1. Why do you want to join civil services?
    2. So, you belong to Sonipat or you are currently staying there?
    3. What progress do you see in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Sonipat?
    Member 2
    1. How are Panchayats doing in India?
    2. Do they have real powers? What are their issues?
    3. What is your opinion on Khap Panchayats?
    4. What kind of TV Shows do you watch? (Hobby)
    5. Do you watch reality tv shows?
    6. How do they impact children? Is it bad or good?
    7. How is technology impacting the people? Does it always help? *Discussion on that*
    Member 3
    1. Why did you leave your job and want to join civil services?
    2. What was your experience at *previous job*?
    3. Can you expect them in civil services?
    Member 4
    1. Bank frauds questions
    2. Privatisation or not?
    3. Air India privatization? Will it help or not?
    Chairman: *Continuing from M2*
    1. So you said watching news helps. Do you think it is always good?
    2. Discussion on Fb misuse of data?
    3. Have you heard of fake news?
    4. How do you as a civil services aspirant ensure you do not consume fake news?
    5. How do you discuss news with people?

  • 29 March 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    Note: Please comment your responses to questions in the comment section. It will help you in assessing yourself.

    Q.1) Which of the followig body/Ministry deals with the matter related to Anti-Dumping?

    a) Department of Industry Policy and Promotion

    b) National Company Law Tribunal

    c) Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal

    d) Intellectual Property Appellate Board

    Q.2) ) The Shri Narayan Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) Movement(1902-03) was related to which of the following community?

    a) Mopilla Community

    b) South Indian Tea Planters

    c) Ezhava Community in Kerala

    d) North Eastern Tea Planters

    Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding the Sulphur Dioxide gas:

    1. It is a gas covered under the Kyoto Protocol.

    2. Sulfur dioxide is sometimes used as a food preservative.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a) 2 only

    b) Neither 1 nor 2

    c) 1 only

    d) Both 1 and 2

    Q.4) Which of the following statements correctly explain the term Food Credit?

    a) It is the credit given to BPL families for buying vegetables.

    b) It is the credit provided by commercial banks for procuring foodgrains from farmers.

    c) It is a special loan scheme for Food parks,

    d) It is a component of MGNREGA.

    Q.5) The Amaq News Agency, sometimes seen in news, is related to which of the following country/organisation?

    a) North Korea

    b) Pakistan

    c) Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

    d) Syria

    Q.6) The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycot’ were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the(CSE: 2016)

    a) Agitation against the partition of Bengal

    b) Home Rule Movement

    c) Non Cooperation Movement

    d) Visit of Simon Commission to India

    Q.7) With the reference to the Religious history of India, consider the following statement:(CSE: 2016)

    1.The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana Sect of Buddhism

    2.Bodhisattva is the compassionate one on his way to enlightenment

    3.Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 and 3 only

    c) 2 only

    d) 1, 2, and 3

    Q.8) ‘Doctors without borders (medecins sans frontiers)’ often in the news is (CSE: 2016)

    a) a division of world health organization

    b) a non governmental international organization

    c) an inter- government agency sponsored by European union

    d) a specialized agency of the united nations

     

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

    1. Daily newscards have been enriched with back2basics and note2students – Make notes daily

    2. Liked Tikdams? Join our Flagship TS which helps you perfect this approach – Flagship Prelims for IAS 2018

    3. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    4. Click here for Solutions.

  • 28 March 2018 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    Note: Please comment your responses to questions in the comment section. It will help you in assessing yourself.

    Q.1) With reference to the Indus Water Treaty, consider the following statements:
    1. As per the provisions of the treaty, India and Pakistan can use equal percentage of the total water.
    2. The treaty was brokered by the World Bank.
    Which the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) Both 1 and 2
    c) 2 only
    d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Inspired by: India, Pakistan to hold Permanent Indus Commission meet

    Q.2) The President can issue the removal order after an address by the Parliament. Consider the following statements regarding Impeachment of Supreme Court judges in India:
    1. The removal of a judge of the SC is regulated by the Judges Inquiry Act,1968.
    2. The address has to be presented to the President in the same session of Parliament for such a removal.
    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
    Inspired by: Talks revived to consider impeachment of CJI

    Q.3) With reference to the RUSA scheme which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
    2. The scheme was launched for special category states only.
    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
    a) Both 1 and 2
    b) 1 only
    c) Neither 1 nor 2
    d) 2 only
    Inspired by: [op-ed snap] A game-changer for higher education

    Q.4) The first Indian to join the Viceroy’s Executive Council was:
    a) Dadabhai Nairoji
    b) Rabindranath Tagore
    c) Mahatma Gandhi
    d) Satyendra Prasad Sinha

    Q.5) The Tiangong-1 is expected to fall back to Earth. With reference to the Tiangong-1, recently seen in news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1. It is a low earth satellite.
    2. It was an experimental space lab.
    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: China’s space lab Tiangong-1 expected to fall to earth this week

    Q.6) With reference to ‘Near Field Communication (NFC) Technology’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (CSE: 2015)
    1. It is a contactless communication technology that uses electromagnetic radio fields.
    2. NFC is designed for use by devices which can be at a distance of even a metre from each other.
    3. NFC can use encryption when sending sensitive information.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 3 only
    c) 1 and 3 only
    d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q.7) The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to (CSE: 2015)
    a) Central Asia
    b) Middle East
    c) South-East Asia
    d) Central Africa

    Q.8) Convertibility of rupee implies (CSE: 2015)
    a) being able to convert rupee notes into gold
    b) allowing the value of rupee to be fixed by market forces
    c) freely permitting the conversion of rupee to other currencies and vice versa
    d) developing an international market for currencies in India

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

    1. Daily newscards have been enriched with back2basics and note2students – Make notes daily

    2. Liked Tikdams? Join our Flagship TS which helps you perfect this approach – Flagship Prelims for IAS 2018

    3. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    4. Click here for Solutions.

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