💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (June Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Search results for: “”

  • 4 Oct 2016 | GS3 | Pakistan has threatened first use of its nuclear weapons in the case of war with India. Throughout the 20th century the US and USSR did everything possible to avoid using nuclear weapons. What damage would nuclear weapons result in? How would we contain such damage?

    GS3 (Disaster and disaster management)

    Pakistan has threatened first use of its nuclear weapons in the case of war with India. Throughout the 20th century the US and USSR did everything possible to avoid using nuclear weapons. What damage would nuclear weapons result in? How would we contain such damage?

    Best answer

    Simran Bains wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10 (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)

    DAMAGE-

    -Loss of life and property. Loss of animals.

    -Destruction of environment, loss of habitable land.

    -Radiations can extend to other nations as well.

    -(If India does not retaliate against the nuclear strike) Huge population loss, contamination of land and water, spread of health problems that will continue to exist for decades and centuries. Genetic disorders, reproductive disorders.

    -(High chances that India will retaliate) Radiations might reach Iran and Afghanistan. Mutually assured destruction.

    -Likely that Pakistan will disappear from world map.

    -Indian economy might see a massive hit.

    CONTAINING THE DAMAGE-

    -Calculating the damage. Stopping nuclear risks. Saving lives.

    -Evacuation of the survivors.

    -Using nuclear weapons against a country takes hours and sometimes days. The moment Pakistan decided to nuke India, Indian allies will inform India, and Intelligence agencies can prepare at their best levels to minimize the damage and retaliate.

    -Preparation of emergency aid. Relief package, medication, clean water and safe food.

  • 4 Oct 2016 | GS2 | The government announced that it has gotten almost USD 10 billion in the recent Income Declaration Scheme. What is this scheme? Is this only a short term measure?

    GS2 (Government policies)

    The government announced that it has gotten almost USD 10 billion in the recent Income Declaration Scheme. What is this scheme? Is this only a short term measure?

    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)

    According to economic survey India’s direct tax collection is very narrow .Our country is a peculiar case of minimum tax payers among such huge population .Roughly a million agree to having income above 10 lakh rupees .This shows a massive under reporting of actual income and large scale tax evasion is being practised .
    To combat this menace income declaration scheme was introduced with following features –
    A- opportunity to declare undisclosed income and pay taxes ,with a 30%tax of then value along with 25% surcharge
    B.immunity from Benami transactions act,IT act and Black money act of 2015
    C.confidentiality of identity thereby promoting such declaration .
    But,it’s a short term measure which expires on 30th September ,same kind of schemes were seen in past too with scanty revelations .Although, this time around govt has collected 30000 crore rupees as tax to be used in rural infrastructure and development.
    BUT , certain Long term steps have to be adopted like –
    1.widen tax to GDP by expanding tax net
    2.tax large farm incomes
    3.rationalise subsidies
    4.simplify tax filings and returns
    5.strengthening of e-nivaran portal to fastrack tax payers grievances .
    6.check corporate tax avoidance
    7.Behavioural change among tax payers by moral suasion
    Although ,punishment helps in sending a strong message to the society ,still such schemes from time to time should be resorted to in order to increase the tax collection .After all it is this money which funds our defence ,infrastructure and even social welfare .

  • 4 Oct 2016 | GS1 | The IMD recently got its forecast for this year wrong. India will now get 3% less rain than normal. What are the phenomena that result in variations in Indian monsoon.

    GS1 (Indian Geography)

    The IMD recently got its forecast for this year wrong. India will now get 3% less rain than normal. What are the phenomena that result in variations in Indian monsoon.

    Best answer

    Shashank Pander wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer  of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)

    The Indian monsoon can be understood as the seasonal reversal of winds in south Asian region across Tibetan plateau to Masacrnes Islands, that result in the rainfall winds from south west causing rainfall over India in the post summer months.

    Being a seasonal reversal, it has various season to season variations that can be caused by:
    1. El-Nino: It refers to the above average heating of ocean waters in the west Pacific. Has negative correlation with intensity of S-W monsoon.
    2. La-Nina: It is the resetting of normal conditions, post El-Nino. Has positive correlation with strong S-W monsoon.
    3. Madden-Jullian Oscillations: Mobing air mass over Pacific and Indian Ocean surfaces – results in positive effect on Indian Monsoon.
    4. International Date Line El-Nino: negates the effect of standard el-Nino.
    5. Indian Ocean Dipole: Has negative correlation with strong Indian monsoon. It is essentially the see saw condition of water temperature over the Indian Ocean.
    6. Tropical Easterly Jet stream: It’s disappearance is closely related to the onset of monsoon.
    7. Less than optimal heating of Tobetan Hogh – causes lesser intensity of rainfall and the anti cyclone is weaker.
    8. Southern Indian Ocean atmospheric conditions , when disturbed due to the rogue wave and fierce westerlies – decrease the high pressure there.

    Apart from these urban ecosystem, especially cutting of palm forests in Indonesia, disturb in the Leeuwin current cycle due to coral reef degradation, and excess of particular matter in the atmosphere that results in rainless clouds are also responsible for variations in the intensity and temporal and space variations.

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

    Dear students,

    When you submit your answer, please do not simply give the answers in ABACAA format. Elaborate on what you know. If you used some tidkams to reach that answer, share it with the group!

    Q.1) Consider following statements regarding UN climate award for clean energy project.

    1. Indian NGO Swayam Paryavaran Prayog got UN climate award for clean energy project.

    2. Project includes training women to become clean energy entrepreneurs across Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

    3. UNFCCC has applauded this project for building a rural distribution network of women entrepreneurs.

    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

    Q.2) Recently, India ratified Paris climate deal at U.N. consider following statements with respect to this deal.

    1. Paris Climate Agreement was adopted by 185 nations in 2015.

    2. Agreement will only come into force if it is ratified by at least 65 countries that between them produce 55 per cent of global carbon emissions.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?  

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.3) Which of the following two states becomes first Open Defecation Free (ODF) states in urban areas?

    1. Madhya Pradesh

    2. Gujarat

    3. Assam

    4. Andhra Pradesh

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 2 and 3 only

    c) 2 and 4 only

    d) 1 and 3 only

    Q.4) Recently, Centre rethinks for plan to widen Employees’ Provident Fund coverage. Consider following statements with regard to Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

    1. The EPFO  administers a contributory provident fund, pension scheme and insurance scheme for organised sector

    2. EPFO got the National Award on e-Governance 2015-16 for launching the Universal Account Number (UAN)

    3. It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

    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

    Q.5) Recently, India expressed readiness to enhance cooperation on Arctic science and research. India’s Arctic research station is

    a) Maitri

    b) Bharati

    c) Himadri

    d) ArcIndia

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

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

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

    3. Solutions of today’s Prelims Daily – Click here

    4. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    5. What are tikdams? Read this, this and this

  • Do you also find E&B op-eds boring? Me too but I found an interesting one!

    If op-eds are like human beings then I mostly find that environment op-eds are like ARTS students and economics op-eds are like ENGINEERS. Confused Billi for one, is an engineer by training.

    Why I make such an observation is because I always felt that environmentalists are rarely bothered about the developmental concerns. And the thing is that aside from UPSC preparation where I have to unwittingly mug up some quotes and write down some point of views –

    Confusion Level 1: I always wonder if there an equation where we can put in some funda like:

    Environmentalists ki concerns + Economist ki development optimism = NET ANSWER (Profit yaa Loss?)

    You get the drift right? Engineers always feel that life would be much sorted if there were an equation available to understand the whole world view!

    You want examples? Take this one

    Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s grand culture show: Positives due to the culture meet on tourism, soft power etc + Negatives due to environmental losses & Health issues post that = What net dollar gain?

    Or should we have a happiness gain index (Just like Bhutan has a Gross National Happiness)

    You get the drift right? Koi Prelims question nahi aaega iss discussion se but you can get some really cool mains & interview level points. How! I was reading this op-ed from Live Mint

    1. Measures to safeguard the environment are often considered to be economic spoilers

    2. World Bank did a new study – The cost of air pollution: strengthening the economic case for action

    3. What’s different about this study? Usually economists rant about the costs of shutting down the factories due to environmental concerns. These guys said what about the “cost imposed on people living in regions where pollution and environmental degradation is higher.” Genius, right?

    This right here is first point for your mains, essay and interview masala!

    4. What were the findings? 

    # The welfare costs and lost labour income due to air pollution amounted to 8.5% of India’s GDP in 2013! Big numbers right! Seedhe quote karne ka hai isko to

    # The report ranks air pollution as the fourth biggest fatal risk factor in the world. Air pollution kills more people than tobacco, alcohol or drug use or unsafe sex in most countries. That’s a huge point of concern right?

    If you are reading this line, then you know that you have enough ammo to beat the shit out of a crazy economics major who shuns the environmentalists. So, essentially the arts’ student won.

    Infact – today’s Target Mains question was also on the similar lines – Read it later. This might also be a good time to revise PRELIMS specific basics on pollution and stuff – Air Pollution: Issues & Challenges and this Simple acts like brushing your teeth may be polluting the environment (this is more like a trivia blog).

    So, what next? I was happy for a while that somehow, some study is able to marry economist and an environmentalist but then I thought okay, so what is the world doing for it!

    But apne ko kya hai, apne ko to bass UPSC nikalna hai 🙂

    Now, the literature for environmental concerns & initiatives is huuuge! There is no way I can summarise everything in one post! I mean before entering into UPSC prep, I had no clue of UNEP and the Earth Summit of 1992 and then the Rio + 20 and so on. I am still grappling with its timeline and I still get confused with the outcomes of various talks, treaties, etc. etc.

    This is a blog on the roadmap to Paris Climate Talk – Part 3 and this is the blog on outcome of Paris Talk and this is the update on Lima-Paris Action Agenda.

    If someone can help this billi ki yahan pe chal kya raha hai, I will be forever indebted! For now, I am reading old cards listed on this story – NAPCC: India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change to understand the backstory on what India is doing.

    Confusion Level 2: While reading up on these links, I wondered what if there is an essay question in general with a theme like – We are not doing enough for the environment  OR the famous old age – world has everything for your need but not for your greed etc. etc. What different can one write? What case studies can we give to give a simple, easy to understand narrative and voila, I found this nice interactive comparison done by guardian – Which countries are doing the most to stop dangerous global warming?

    Do read the links. You will like them (I hope). Tell me if you liked reading the post. What else do you want to be covered?

  • Organ & Tissue Transplant- Policies, Technologies, etc.

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

    Dear students,

    When you submit your answer, please do not simply give the answers in ABACAA format. Elaborate on what you know. If you used some tidkams to reach that answer, share it with the group!

    Q.1) Consider following statements with regard to ‘Advantage HealthCare India 2016 (AHCI 2016) summit’.
    1. It is the first ever International Summit on Medical Value Travel being organized in India for promoting health care services exports from India.
    2. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family welfare.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.2) Consider following statements with regard to Ujjwal Distribution Assurance Yojana (UDAY).
    1. UDAY was launched for operational and financial turnaround of State owned Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs).
    2. Scheme aims to reduce the interest burden, reduce power losses in Distribution sector, and improve operational efficiency of DISCOMs
    3. Scheme is implemented by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
    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

    Q.3) Recently, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) was in the news.
    Consider following statements with regard to CPEC.
    1. The CPEC is part of China’s larger regional transnational ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) initiative.
    2. It intend to link islamabad in Pakistan to Gwadar deep sea port close to Pakistan’s border with Iran.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.4) Recently, Some amendments has been proposed to the Citizenship Act, 1955.
    Which of the following statements are proposed amendment to act?
    1. It seeks to grant citizenship to Muslim minorities from Muslim majority countries
    2. It seeks to reduce from 11 years to 6 years the aggregate period of residence required in India to be eligible for Indian citizenship.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q.5) ‘New Delhi declaration on Education’ was recently in the news. Which of the following international organisation has adopted this declaration?

    a) G20
    b) ASEAN
    c) BRICS
    d) APEC

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

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

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

    3. Solutions of today’s Prelims Daily – Click here (Correction: answer to 1 is a)

    4. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    5. What are tikdams? Read this, this and this

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

    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)

  • 3 Oct 2016 | GS 1 | India is a rich source of renewable energy. What are these sources and what are the geographic factors which make it so rich?

    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)

    India’s ratification of Paris Climate Accord and the fact that her INDCs emphasize towards renewable energy sources, it is indeed fortunate that India is blessed with many such sources:
    1. Solar energy: Half of the country lies below Tropic of Cancer thus ensuring abundant amount of solar energy for us to harness.(e.g. the entire area below Tropic of Cancer)
    2. Wind energy: India being a peninsula and sunlight too playing its role in differential heating creates potential for wind energy harnessing.(e.g. Gujarat,Tamil Nadu etc.)
    3. Hydel Power: Presence of mountainious terrain coupled with voluminous rivers presents us a great opportunity for hydel power generation(e.g. Satluj,Damodar Valley,Sivasamudram etc.)
    4. Tidal Power: Presence of long coastline facilitates generation of tidal energy.
    5. Geothermal energy: Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh is a source of geothermal energy.
    6. Biomass: We generate a huge amount of organic waste(including agro waste too) which can be tapped for renewable energy too like BIOGAS.

    Our govt has also taken note of this abundance and hence instituted various initiatives and policies like National Solar Mission,International Solar Alliance,National Off-Shore Wind Policy, providing incentives to renewable energy producers etc. which can provide for energy independence and sustainable future for the country.

  • 3 Oct 2016 | GS2 | The recent surgical strikes by India in PoK mark a watershed moment in India’s Pakistan policy. Critically comment.

    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)

    India and Pakistan have been fighting over Kashmir since the Independence in 1947. The two countries have not been able to come to a conclusion and this causes huge problems for people. Surgical strikes means limited penetration in foreign territory to attack specifically identified targets without any other collateral damage. Recently, Indian troops performed surgical strikes at 7 points in border areas of J&K to attack terrorist launch pads.

    – India has always avoided confrontation and escalation of issues.
    – Indian government sought cooperation from Pakistan government to curb terrorism in the region
    – After the Mumbai attack and Pathankot attack recently, Government seemed investigation from Pakistan government and provided them with evidence
    – Surgical strikes were done even in past but they were not publicised and accepted at international level

    However, recent changes in government policy towards Pakistan marks big shift
    – DGMO and government announced the strikes as soon as they were completed and contacted Pakistan DGMO
    – India seemed international support and summoned the diplomats from various countries to brief them on surgical strikes
    – India has tried to isolate Pakistan in international community i.e. G20, ASEAN+, UN etc.
    – It was explicitly declared after the strikes that the operation was completed and the Indian side do not seek any escalation

    These public declarations are a major shift and ensure that the international community knows about happenings. This policy of isolation will have to be supported with more diplomatic measures and cautious military action without escalating the situation to war.

More posts