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GS I (Women Empowerment) (Duplex)

Despite the improvement in the condition of women empowerment, Indian women are still facing spousal violence by the hands of insecure family members and are forced to disown their properties. Discuss. What needs to be done ?

Demand-

Raised financial power to women makes them more vulnerable.  Woman will be physically assaulted in a marriage if she owns properties. This shall be discussed with solution to problem.

Tikdam- Very easy. Domestic voilence due to property ownership of women. Analyse safegurads, write reasons & solutions.
Approach-

-Explain steps taken by government in this area. Reason for its non effectiveness. Causes behind this violence. Brief on impact of this violence.(5 marks)

– Issues with existing safeguard. Suggest Solutions to the problem. (3 marks)

– Way forward (2 marks)

GS II (Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure) (Hattrick)
India’s inter-state disparity is not just confined to income levels. The states diverge on several other economic, social and demographic indicators. Elucidate. What are the challenges to India in coming future?

Demand-

Explain the interstate disputes i terms of the various indicators. Quote examples of states.  Mention challenges and solutions.

Approach-

– Discuss about the various indicators and disparity.  Reasons of this should be mentioned (4 marks)

– Explain the challenges due to this disparity. Quote some past experiences (3 marks)

– Challenges and solutions (3 marks)

GS III (Economic Development) (Hattrick)

India is likely to post its first current account surplus in nine years, which should bolster the rupee though it is not a good sign for the economy as it reflects weak investment demand at home and subdued exports. Critically examine.

Demand-

Its bit difficult question and requires information about the current account situation in India.

Question’s other part is negative impact of the surplus situation. Try discussing by taking a one or two years situation in consideration so that writing answer would become easy.

Approach-

-Brief on the importance and meaning of account surplus. How it helps the rupees with example of any year (4 marks)

– Explain the weak investment and export impact because of the current account surplus in India. Relate this with experience of India or any country (4 marks)

-Challenges and way ahead in future to reduce impact of current account surplus (2 marks)

GS IV (Information sharing and transparency in government) (Duplex)

Is the liquor ban is a good idea ? Discuss.

Demand-

Simple-Put both the sides and arrive on conclusion.

Approach-

– Explain why it should be banned. One example will be required showing vaious positive sides of liquor banned (4 marks)

– Explain why it should not be banned. Give an example and impact of banning. (4 marks)

– Challenges in liquor banning, solution and way ahead (2 marks)

The Hindu and Editorials

Editorials

A first step to wholesome reform

Context – Supreme Court in its recent judgement in Youth bar association of India vs Union of India and others case held that police shall mandatorily register and upload the FIR with in 48hrs on to worldwide web.

It has many positive repercussions

1. Registration of FIR will increases
2. It reduces the unnecessary interference of politicians.

On the other hand, Supreme Court also took care of other practical aspects in Judgement, That is privacy and logistics.

If issues of privacy or national security are involved, the upload of FIR can be differed. But the decision can only be taken at the level of DySP. The decision is appealable before a committee headed by SP or police commissioner.

On logistics front, if the Internet connectivity is not available in the remote location of a police station, it can be uploaded with in 72hours by sending it to the district headquarters through a special messenger.

But the challenges remain

• Police resources at the grass root level are grossly inadequate.
• Corruption in police departments.

The above needs to be addressed. If not,changes remains grossly cosmetic.

 

Af Pak transit trade agreement

Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pakistan

Afghanistan and Pakistan transit and trade agreement can be fruitful and advantageous to both the countries only of India-Pakistan trade gets strengthened. As of now, the agreement permits goods from Afghanistan to India and not vice versa. It mean that the trucks need to go back with out any load and it becomes financially unviable. In this scenario, Afghanistan is looking for restrictions on Pakistan trade to Central Asia through its soil. Both of these are harming the prosperity of the respective countries. Here,

1. Due to lack of direct trade between India and Pakistan, trade through a third country route is increasing.
2. India, Pakistan and Afghanistan are developing alternative routes for trade with each other and China. They are cumbersome and expensive. For instance,India is looking a trade through chabahar port and Pakistan through China Pakistan economic corridor.
3. Pakistan also shall realize that threat to its market is not from Indian goods but from cheap Chinese goods.

 

States in Higher education – Involve  the States more in higher education.

In India, the quality of education is a major challenge. The solution is adopted for the same is the expansion of central educational institutions. In India as state universities and their affiliated colleges constitute close to 95% of access to higher education. In this context, it is not possible to raise the standards of higher education with out involvement of the states.

Added to this, private sector participation shall not see education as business only model and shall have an active participation in research in to the problems of the society.

 

Sharing with out caring

https://www.civilsdaily.com/story/national-water-commission-reality/

Cauvery water dispute is turning out to be less about water and irrigation and more about linguistic chauvinism and regional identity. Involvement of local politics is the major reasons for the same., So, as Cauvery water dispute redress all tribunal suggested, the water sharing should be left in the hands of technical experts and not politicians.

 

The ceasefire in Syria

Vienna Conference to end Syria’s endless agony

Context – The Putin Plan in Syria is to retain the Syrian state structure  and a collective fight of all major powers against jihadist groups including the Islamic state. Russian intervention has strengthened the Assad regime and weakened the rebels in Syria. In this scenario, fight against Islamic state is unifying global forces. So, the major challenges in achieving a ceasefire agreement are

• Rebels are not a unified group. Russia wants Fateh al-sham need to be singled out and attacked and USA is uncertain.
• USA is skeptical on Russia and Assad regime attack on Rebels.

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With inputs from CivilsPrep

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About the service:

The Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) is a Group A service and holds responsibility for maintaining complete accounts of the Defence Services. It has civilian officers under the Ministry of Defence. The Defense Accounts Department has a history of more than two hundred years old.

The first position to be placed in after appointment is that of Assistant Controller of Defence Accounts. The defence accounts offices are in cantonment, states. Defence command headquarters are under the jurisdiction of the IDAS.

The Defence Accounts department serves the three Defence Services: DRDO, Border Road Organisation, Ordinance factories and other inter-services organisations.

The Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) is the Head of the Indian Defence Accounts Service and functions as internal Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer to the three Services Chiefs.

Various Posts held:

They also serve in Rashtrapati bhavan, PMO, Cabinet Secretariat, Passport offices, Autonomous bodies, PSU’s, constitutional bodies like UPSC, Seventh pay commission, 3G Spectrum design committee and international organisations like IMF, WTO, ICAO, PMI-UK, PMI-US, among others. IDAS officers are also placed in intelligence agency like R&AW.

The eligibility criteria for the Indian Defence Accounts Service exam is the same as for other services. Once the candidate clears the civil services and gets allotment to the Indian Defence Account Service as per his rank, he has to go through specific training.

Indian Defence Accounts Service Recruitment and Training:

The selected candidates’ training grounds are at, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Meerut, and Pune. The Indian Defence Accounts Service training is carried out for almost 1 and half years. Before the main training, the trainee officers are trained for auditors and clerks for phase of 2 months. After the two months training they are posted officially in Defence Accounts Director’s Office.

The training programme is divided in to 4 stages

• 2 – weeks in Basic Training
• 3 weeks in Functional or Specific Training
• 2 – weeks in Computer Allied Training
• 1 week in Aptness or Grooming Module.

The last stage, that is, the Perfection or Grooming Module is managed by IDAS Officers or Guest Faculty. After being effectively trained as auditors and clerks, the trainees are posted at the Defence Accounts Authority’s office.

Here they are strongly guided by the senior Administrative Officers or IDAS Officers with practical training in Accounting and Costing Sections, Audit. The apprentice auditors are supposed to attend classed in accurate attire in RTC course group.

Why Indian Defence Accounts Services:

IDAS has a great demand of officers and is considered a diversified service. An added distinction is the fast pace of promotions of these officers as compared to their counterparts in Group A services. It gives its officers opportunity to reach higher echelons of seniority – viz., joint secretary, additional secretary in various ministries and Secretary( Defence Finance) etc.

As per ncert std.11 chapter.4 : Vote power of President is Discretionary power of President & As per Laxmikant, there is no clearly mentioned. Plz resolve my doubly,sir.Thank you

GS I (Culture) (Duplex)

Nationalist and freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the man who turned the private, household Ganesh Chathurthi celebration into the present day carnival. Do you think that the spirit with which the festival was started is lost?

GS II (e-governance) 

India which takes pride in being one of the leaders in the field of Information Technology however ranks low when it comes to e-governance. Attitudinal change, a change of mindset among political rulers, bureaucrats and the people are required to usher in this tool of modern administration. Elucidate.

GS III (Economic Development)

Greater flexibility and leniency for employers over employees will lead to increased investment in the manufacturing sector, more employment, exports, and eventually, the growth of the economy. Critically comment in connection to labour reforms.

GS IV (Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders) (Simplex) (Analytical)

Personal interaction on a professional level is what keeps leaders going and what inspires them to try harder in everything they do. Discuss.

Spoiler #1: If you have joined the CD’s Flagship Test Series and have not attempted the TS1 yet, please go ahead and do so before you read this post. Click here to login and attempt your test.

Spoiler #2: For those appearing for IAS 2017 and planning to join the CD’s Prelims TS later, these are some of the most discussed questions from the first TS. They will give you a feel of how we test our students’ core concepts and give them detailed explanations.

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5 Questions with Explanations/ Tikdams/ Mentor notes

#1. Consider the following statements with regard to the Indian Constitution:

1. The Indian Constitution does not make ethnic identity a criterion for citizenship.

2. The Fundamental Rights can be violated by government when it is necessary.

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

Suggestion: It is an inclusive question. Hence Option 2 is incorrect. Extract from NCERT – “The Fundamental Rights are so important that the Constitution itself ensures that they are not violated by the government. It can be abridged away but cannot be violated”

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#2. Consider the following:

1. Constitution completely forbids employment of children below the age of 14 years in all sectors.

2. Freedom to assemble peaceably is considered as a core hallmark of democracy.

Which of the following is/are correct?

a 1 only

b 2 only

c Both 1 and 2

d Neither 1 nor 2

Suggestion: NCERT extract: “The Constitution forbids employment of children below the age of 14 years in dangerous/ unsafe to life and health jobs like factories and mines. With child labor being made illegal and right to education becoming a fundamental right for children, this right against exploitation has become more meaningful.”

It specifically says that it forbids dangerous jobs as mentioned above. Children employable as domestic help etc. is not completely forbidden.

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#3. Consider the following about division of powers between center & state:

1. Economic and financial powers are centralized in the hands of the central government by the Constitution.

2. Dispute about division of power between union & state can be resolved by the Judiciary.

Which of the following is/are incorrect?

a 1 only

b 2 only

c Both 1 and 2

d Neither 1 nor 2

Suggestion: NCERT extract : “Any dispute with respect to power between union and state can be resolved by the judiciary on the basis of constitutional provisions. “

It says since, Judiciary is the only authority that can resolve the disputes between states and centre, hence it can do so. The add on is that judiciary can do anything on the basis of constitutional provisions.

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#4. Consider the following statements:

1. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been made on the basis Articles 43 and 44 of Constitution.

2. The Constitution clearly states that executive powers of the center are superior to the executive powers of the States.

Which of the following is/are correct?

a 1 only

b 2 only

c Both 1 and 2

d Neither 1 nor 2

Suggestion: Constitution states this that center government powers are superior to states. It is understood in the: 

(a) manifestation of subjects mentioned in Union List as well as 

(b) laws made by parliament prevailing over state laws in case of conflict

(c) Subject on Concurrent List laws made by the centre and state, centre law will prevail in case of conflict.  

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#5. On 22 January 1947, Objectives Resolution was unanimously adopted. Consider the following statements about its components:

1. India is an independent, sovereign, secular & republic nation.

2. Territories forming the Union shall be autonomous units and they will exercise all powers and functions of the government and administration.

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

Suggestion: Most candidates have marked the answer as d on the basis of what they practically happening. But be careful as to question is talking about the Objectives Resolution and not what territories actual functioning. Hence Statement 2 is correct.

PS: For detailed explanations + tikdams, you will have to download the pdf on the test portal. The access is restricted to the Flagship Test Students. Link to the test portal – Click here

If you attempted the TS1 and applied some tikdams from your end, feel free to discuss those questions here. Let the community learn from your hacks!

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A medical graduate from rural Rajasthan, Dr. Ravindra Goswami, started his preparation after the age of 30. After working for two years in the Government setup as medical officer, he realized that he could deliver more as a citizen if he entered in administrative services. He failed in his first attempt and believing it to be a learning step, instead of a failing step, he finally qualified in 2015.

At an age when the social structure was not in favour of him- being married and father of two children, society was expecting more active involvement in family matters. It was his wife who showed him the path to try to realise the dream of becoming an IAS officer.

He sacrificed the good Post Graduation degree in Surgery and took the non-clinical branch so that he could devote time to study for IAS. People around him kept on telling that he had crossed the good age of UPSC preparation and it was futile effort, but he kept his head strong and moved forward.

Preparation Strategy:

His preparation strategy is a perfect example of hardwork and dedication. As a working professional, he relied heavily on online study sources especially for GS. For optional he consulted the standard text books.

On a typical day, he used to get up at 6am and study the optional for two hours, then while travelling from Huda city center Metro to AIIMS metro, he used to finish The Hindu, while on workplace he developed a habit of surfing online IAs study sites. At 6pm after reaching back home he used to write answers for 3 hours and crosscheck them. He reserved his time slot from 9-10 to watch RSTV.

He did prepare notes for optional subject, but not for GS due to paucity of time.

Mood swings and distractions:

He never read on Sundays, and used to share his thoughts with his wife.

“She kept on motivating me during mood swings.” Watching some comedy movies or inspirational movies like the Million Dollar Baby used to break the monotony of his weekday struggles.

Prelims strategy: He practiced almost 10000 questions and they are very essential for gaining greater accuracy.

Optional Subject: Medical Science

Mains Strategy: He attempted all the questions asked, as he is of the view that you know at least something about a topic and you should write that something on paper. He also tried to include as many dimensions of the problem in the answer as possible to give a holistic view of problem. He completely disbelieves in filler material like stuff and was not very conscious about how less words he was writing.

End Note:

“Believe in yourself, then only you can claim belief of UPSC.”