The Supreme Court upheld amendments introducing restrictions in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) while holding that no one has a fundamental or absolute right to receive foreign contributions.
What is FCRA?
The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security.
First enacted in 1976, it was amended in 2010 when a slew of new measures was adopted to regulate foreign donations.
The FCRA is applicable to all associations, groups and NGOs which intend to receive foreign donations.
It is mandatory for all such NGOs to register themselves under the FCRA.
The registration is initially valid for five years and it can be renewed subsequently if they comply with all norms.
Why was FCRA enacted?
The FCRA sought to consolidate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by individuals, associations or companies.
It sought to prohibit such contributions from being used for activities detrimental to national interest.
What was the recent Amendment?
The FCRA was amended in September 2020 to introduce some new restrictions.
The Government says it did so because it found that many recipients were wanting in compliance with provisions relating to filing of annual returns and maintenance of accounts.
Many did not utilise the funds received for the intended objectives.
It claimed that the annual inflow as foreign contributions almost doubled between 2010 and 2019.
The FCRA registration of 19,000 organisations was cancelled and, in some cases, prosecution was also initiated.
How has the law changed?
There are at least three major changes that NGOs find too restrictive.
Prohibition of fund transfer: An amendment to Section 7 of the Act completely prohibits the transfer of foreign funds received by an organisation to any other individual or association.
Directed and single bank account: Another amendment mandates that every person (or association) granted a certificate or prior permission to receive overseas funds must open an FCRA bank account in a designated branch of the SBI in New Delhi.
Utilization of funds: Fund All foreign funds should be received only in this account and none other. However, the recipients are allowed to open another FCRA bank account in any scheduled bank for utilisation.
Shared information: The designated bank will inform authorities about any foreign remittance with details about its source and the manner in which it was received.
Aadhaar mandate: In addition, the Government is also authorised to take the Aadhaar numbers of all the key functionaries of any organisation that applies for FCRA registration or for prior approval for receiving foreign funds.
Cap on administrative expenditure: Another change is that the portion of the receipts allowed as administrative expenditure has been reduced from 50% to 20%.
What is the criticism against these changes?
Arbitrary restrictions: NGOs questioning the law consider the prohibition on transfer arbitrary and too heavy a restriction.
Non-sharing of funds: One of its consequences is that recipients cannot fund other organisations. When foreign help is received as material, it becomes impossible to share the aid.
Irrationality of designated bank accounts: There is no rational link between designating a particular branch of a bank with the objective of preserving national interest.
Un-ease of operation: Due to Delhi based bank account, it is also inconvenient as the NGOS might be operating elsewhere.
Illogical narrative: ‘National security’ cannot be cited as a reason without adequate justification as observed by the Supreme Court in Pegasus Case.
What does the Government say?
Zero tolerance against intervention: The amendments were necessary to prevent foreign state and non-state actors from interfering with the country’s polity and internal matters.
Diversion of foreign funds: The changes are also needed to prevent malpractices by NGOs and diversion of foreign funds.
Fund flow monitoring: The provision of having one designated bank for receiving foreign funds is aimed at making it easier to monitor the flow of funds.
Ease of operation: The Government clarified that there was no need for anyone to come to Delhi to open the account as it can be done remotely.
What did the Supreme Court observed now?
The apex court reasoned that unbridled inflow of foreign funds may destabilise the sovereignty of the nation.
The petitioners have argued that the amendments suffered from the “vice of ambiguity, over-breadth or over-governance” and violated their fundamental rights.
But the court countered that the amendments only provide a strict regulatory framework to moderate the inflow of foreign funds into the country.
Free and uncontrolled inflow of foreign funds has the potential to impact the socio-economic structure and polity of the country.
No one can be heard to claim a vested right to accept foreign donations, much less an absolute right, said the verdict.
Supreme Court’s assessment of Foreign Funds
Philosophically, foreign contribution (donation) is akin to gratifying intoxicant replete with medicinal properties and may work like a nectar.
However, it serves as a medicine so long as it is consumed (utilised) moderately and discreetly, for serving the larger cause of humanity.
Otherwise, this artifice has the capability of inflicting pain, suffering and turmoil as being caused by the toxic substance (potent tool) — across the nation.
Way forward
The court said charity could be found at home. NGOs could look within the country for donors.
Fundamental rights have to give way in the larger public interest to the need to insulate the democratic polity from the “adverse influence of foreign contributions”.
The third-world countries may welcome foreign donations, but it is open to a nation, which is committed and enduring to be self-reliant.
An unregulated inflow of foreign donations would only indicate that the government was incapable of looking after its own affairs and needs of its citizens.
The following three phases are envisaged for full implementation of the initiative:
Phase-I: Covering ICDS and PM POSHAN in India all over by March, 2022 which is under implementation.
Phase-II: Phase I above plus TPDS and OWS in all Aspirational and High Burden Districts on stunting (total 291 districts) by March 2023.
Phase-III: Phase II above plus covering the remaining districts of the country by March 2024.
What is Fortification?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has explicitly defined fortification.
It involves deliberate increasing of the content of essential micronutrients in a food so as to improve the nutritional quality of food and to provide public health benefit with minimal risk to health.
Types of food fortification
Food fortification can also be categorized according to the stage of addition:
Commercial and industrial fortification (wheat flour, cornmeal, cooking oils)
Biofortification (breeding crops to increase their nutritional value, which can include both conventional selective breeding, and genetic engineering)
Home fortification (example: vitamin D drops)
How is fortification done for rice?
Various technologies are available to add micronutrients to regular rice, such as coating, dusting, and ‘extrusion’.
The last mentioned involves the production of fortified rice kernels (FRKs) from a mixture using an ‘extruder’ machine.
It is considered to be the best technology for India.
The fortified rice kernels are blended with regular rice to produce fortified rice.
How does the extrusion technology to produce FRK work?
Dry rice flour is mixed with a premix of micronutrients, and water is added to this mixture.
The mixture is passed through a twin-screw extruder with heating zones, which produces kernels similar in shape and size to rice.
These kernels are dried, cooled, and packaged for use. FRK has a shelf life of at least 12 months.
As per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the shape and size of the fortified rice kernel should “resemble the normal milled rice as closely as possible”.
According to the guidelines, the length and breadth of the grain should be 5 mm and 2.2 mm respectively.
But why does rice have to be fortified in the first place?
India has very high levels of malnutrition among women and children.
According to the Food Ministry, every second woman in the country is anaemic and every third child is stunted.
Fortification of food is considered to be one of the most suitable methods to combat malnutrition.
Rice is one of India’s staple foods, consumed by about two-thirds of the population. Per capita rice consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month.
Therefore, fortifying rice with micronutrients is an option to supplement the diet of the poor.
What are the standards for fortification?
Under the Ministry’s guidelines, 10 g of FRK must be blended with 1 kg of regular rice.
According to FSSAI norms, 1 kg of fortified rice will contain the following: iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-125 microgram), and vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).
Rice may also be fortified with zinc (10 mg-15 mg), vitamin A (500-750 microgram RE), vitamin B-1 (1 mg-1.5 mg), vitamin B-2 (1.25 mg-1.75 mg), vitamin B-3 (12.5 mg-20 mg) and vitamin B-6 (1.5 mg-2.5 mg) per kg.
Does fortified rice have to be cooked differently?
The cooking of fortified rice does not require any special procedure.
The rice needs to be cleaned and washed in the normal way before cooking.
After cooking, fortified rice retains the same physical properties and micronutrient levels as it had before cooking.
What is India’s capacity for fortification?
At the time of the PM’s announcement last year, nearly 2,700 rice mills had installed blending units for the production of fortified rice.
India’s blending capacity now stands at 13.67 lakh tonnes in 14 key states, according to figures provided by the Ministry.
FRK production had increased rapidly from 7,250 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes within 2 years.
How can a beneficiary distinguish between fortified rice and regular rice?
Fortified rice will be packed in jute bags with the logo (‘+F’) and the line “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12”.
Advantages offered
Health: Fortified staple foods will contain natural or near-natural levels of micro-nutrients, which may not necessarily be the case with supplements.
Taste: It provides nutrition without any change in the characteristics of food or the course of our meals.
Nutrition: If consumed on a regular and frequent basis, fortified foods will maintain body stores of nutrients more efficiently and more effectively than will intermittently supplement.
Economy: The overall costs of fortification are extremely low; the price increase is approximately 1 to 2 percent of the total food value.
Society: It upholds everyone’s right to have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent with the right to adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger
Issues with fortified food
Against nature: Fortification and enrichment upset nature’s packaging. Our body does not absorb individual nutrients added to processed foods as efficiently compared to nutrients naturally occurring.
Bioavailability: Supplements added to foods are less bioavailable. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient your body is able to absorb and use.
Immunity issues: They lack immune-boosting substances.
Over-nutrition: Fortified foods and supplements can pose specific risks for people who are taking prescription medications, including decreased absorption of other micro-nutrients, treatment failure, and increased mortality risk.
Back2Basics: Public Distribution System (PDS)
The PDS is an Indian food Security System established under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
PDS evolved as a system of management of scarcity through the distribution of food grains at affordable prices.
PDS is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments.
The Central Government, through the Food Corporation of India (FCI), has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of food grains to the State Governments.
The operational responsibilities including allocation within the State, identification of eligible families, issue of Ration Cards and supervision of the functioning of FPSs etc., rest with the State Governments.
Under the PDS, presently the commodities namely wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene are being allocated to the States/UTs for distribution.
Some states/UTs also distribute additional items of mass consumption through PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oils, iodized salt, spices, etc.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme
The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal program in India designed to better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide.
It is a wholesome freshly-cooked lunch served to children in government and government-aided schools in India.
It supplies free lunches on working days for children in primary and upper primary classes in government, government-aided, local body, and alternate innovative education centers, Madarsa and Maqtabs.
The program has undergone many changes since its launch in 1995.
The Midday Meal Scheme is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF), an additional tool for absorbing liquidity, at an interest rate of 3.75 per cent.
What is SDF?
In 2018, the amended Section 17 of the RBI Act empowered the Reserve Bank to introduce the SDF – an additional tool for absorbing liquidity without any collateral.
By removing the binding collateral constraint on the RBI, the SDF strengthens the operating framework of monetary policy.
The SDF is also a financial stability tool in addition to its role in liquidity management.
The SDF will replace the fixed-rate reverse repo (FRRR) as the floor of the liquidity adjustment facility corridor.
Both the standing facilities — the MSF (marginal standing facility) and the SDF will be available on all days of the week, throughout the year.
How it will operate?
The main purpose of SDF is to reduce the excess liquidity of Rs 8.5 lakh crore in the system, and control inflation.
The SDF rate will be 25 bps below the policy rate (Repo rate), and it will be applicable to overnight deposits at this stage.
It would, however, retain the flexibility to absorb liquidity of longer tenors as and when the need arises, with appropriate pricing.
The RBI’s plan is to restore the size of the liquidity surplus in the system to a level consistent with the prevailing stance of monetary policy.
Punjab government has announced gazetted holiday on the birth anniversary of Guru Nabha Dass, a 16th century saint, taking it out from list of restricted holidays.
Who was Guru Nabha Dass?
Guru Nabha Dass was born on April 8, 1537 at village Bhadrachalam on the bank of Godavari river in Khammam district, which falls in the present day Telangana.
He belonged to Mahasha also known as doom or dumna community, which is one of the Schedule Caste communities.
Since childhood, orphaned Guru Nabha Dass, whose original name was Narayan Dass, had an inclination towards spirituality.
Two religious gurus — Agar Dass and Keel Dass — who were passing through his village took the orphan child to a temple at Ghalta Dham, which is now main pilgrimage of Nabhadassias, at Jaipur.
People from this community are also known as Nabhadassias. They are known for making baskets and grain storage containers with bamboo.
His legacy
Guru Nabha Dass wrote ‘Bhagatmal’ in 1585.
It has the life history of around 200 saints. He died in 1643.
What is his connection with Punjab?
Guru Nabha Dass used to visit village Pandori in Gurdaspur district where people of Doom community live.
Some gurus of the community also used to live there.
What made government announce gazetted holiday now?
Political parties can’t manage to ignore the sentiments of such a large community.
The community had been requesting the government to declare April 8 as a gazetted holiday since long.
First Nikaalo Prelims Open Test was an eye opener for many by highlighting your weak spots. Knowing WEAK AREAS in early stage of preparation can give you time to improve upon them. Hence, as promised we are conducting the 2nd All India Open Prelims Test under our mission Nikaalo Prelims 2022.
GET READY TO EXPERIENCE THE COMPLETE EXAMINATION PATTERN!
We are conducting both GENERAL STUDIES and CSAT test with high quality UPSC level questions along with Test Discussion.
We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.
These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.
CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book.
DELIBERATELY CHANGING NAMES TO CONFUSE YOU. BE IT SCHEMES OR CONCEPTS. UPSC IS WELL KNOWN TO FLIP NAMES OF SIMILAR-SOUNDING SCHEMES AND CONCEPTS. LOOK AT THIS QUESTION.
Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of STRIVE
Improved performance of ITI.
Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
India International Skill Centers
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1 only
Correct answer- 1 and 2 only
In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP. Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.
CASE 2: Misleading names
A LOT OF TIMES ESPECIALLY IN MATCH THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF QUESTIONS MISLEADING NAMES ARE USED.
Ques. Consider the following pairs:
Schemes Objectives
NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 2 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused.
CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?
UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections.
Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:
The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.
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
Correct answer: 1 only
A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.
CASE 4: Going international.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND AID IN OUR SCHEMES AND POLICIES ARE RELEVANT. IF YOU EVER READ ABOUT THEM, KNOW THAT THE ISSUE IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY.
Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
This scheme is approved by the World Bank.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: 2 only
Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.
Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THE BARE MINIMUM. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY IN SUCH QUESTIONS. YOU EITHER KNOW THEM OR YOU DON’T.
Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
Annapurna.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a. 1 and 3
b. 2 and 3
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.
It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.
WHAT IS NIKAALO PRELIMS?
Mission Nikaalo prelims is a free fast-paced revision sequence to brush up your concepts for prelims. Major pillars of the programs are:
Prelims SPOTLIGHT
This initiative is meant to help you revise details and facts that can be asked in prelims. They are simplified, synthesized and prepared using most authentic sources. These can easily slip your mind or you can easily confuse these. Continuous Revision for the same is required. The themes picked up in the spotlight are not random but after analyzing and scrutinizing the PYQs of several years. Dare you to miss the updates!
Static Subject Revision and Tests
Coverage and Relevance are the 2 Pillars of our Tests. Practicing tests is crucial part of Prelims preparation.
3. Nikaalo Prelims Discussion on Civilsdaily IAS Official space
All material, notes and doubt sessions will take place on Civilsdaily IAS Official Space.
UPSC-CSE 2021 results have shaken the long held belief that the examination can only be cleared after multiple attempts. Most of the UPSC-CSE toppers like Satyam Gandhi (AIR 10), Ria Dabi (AIR 15), Yash Jaluka (AIR 4), Mamta Yadav (AIR 5) and Shashwat Tripurari (AIR 19) cleared the exam as fresh graduates in their very first attempt. How were they able to do it?
If you watch their strategy videos, you can find a common pattern — they started 12-24 months in advance before the exam.
One of the benefits of starting your preparation early is the time you would get to revise and practice test series upon completing the syllabus. Also, you would get ample time to pay attention to every subject. There are totally 9 papers in UPSC-CSE Mains and 2 papers in Prelims exams. Not to forget, the daily current affairs. Many aspirants need time to figure out how they can prepare in an understandable manner. That’s why starting your preparation eight months before the exam is not advisable.
We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realise that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things. So, what’s the best way to prepare?
This is what Civilsdaily mentor Rahul sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar.
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UPSC Interviews for 2021 have begun and you will be facing much dreaded ‘Role play and Situational questions’ by the panel.
While you know well that administration does not run on the whims and fancies of any individual administrator but is based on the authority vested in that post as per written schedules of power, there are other things you need to consider while answering these questions.
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The Bill proposes to collect “measurements” of convicted persons, those who are arrested (or detained under preventive detention laws) or those who have executed bonds promising good behaviour.
Dilution of right against self-incrimination
The Constitution, under Article 20(3), protects an accused from being compelled to give witness against himself.
This fundamental right has been diluted over the years.
In 2005, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was amended to allow a magistrate to order any person to give their handwriting samples for the purpose of an investigation or proceeding.
In 2019, the Supreme Court, in Ritesh Sinha v. State of UP, held that such handwriting samples could include voice samples.
It relied upon its judgment in the Kathi Kalu Oghad case (1962) that held that giving palm impressions or footprints could not be called self-incriminatory because impressions were unchangeable, except in rare cases”.
Instead, it held that the Constitution bars the compulsory extraction of a statement — oral or written — from the accused, “which makes the case against the accused person at least probable, considered by itself”.
Provisions in the Bill
While the databasing of convicted persons is not new, the new piece of legislation allows for taking information, including finger-impressions, palm-print impressions, footprint impressions, photographs, iris and retina scan, physical, biological samplesand their analysis, behavioural attributes including signatures, handwriting or any other examination referred to in Sections 53, 53A of the CrPC.
It also mandates the National Crime Records Bureau to store, preserve and destroy the record of measurements at the national level as well as process and share them with any law enforcement agency.
Issues with the Bill
Right against self-incrimination is unlikely to apply to technologies in use today.
Wide scope of under new technologies: The logic that was used in 1962 to interpret what would violate the right against self-incrimination is unlikely to apply to technologies in use today.
The Bill is vaguely worded and the nature of the processing, sharing, and dissemination of data it entails will most certainly involve the use of new and emerging technologies.
Their application to policing and the criminal justice system has new implications for the right against self-incrimination.
The compulsory submission of such information could have chilling effects after being subjected to new technologies – in other words, the past of an accused person might be enough to incriminate him.
Possibility of coercive data collection: The Bill proposes to collect “measurements” of convicted persons, those who are arrested (or detained under preventive detention laws) or those who have executed bonds promising good behaviour.
Only those arrested for petty offences that are punishable with less than seven years may not be obliged to allow the recording of measurements.
This rings a warning bell about coercive data collection, especially when seen in the light of the practices used to police oppressed communities.
For instance, under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, many nomadic and semi-nomadic communities were labelled hereditary criminals.
Despite the Act being repealed in 1952, these denotified tribal (“Vimukta”) communities continue to be treated as criminals by birth through the “Habitual Offenders” provisions in state-level police regulations that allow local police stations to keep records of such persons residing in their area.
It condemns a section of the country’s population to several cycles of arrest, bail, and acquittal.
The new piece of legislation could make the practice of history-sheeting, undertaken when a person is merely alleged of a crime, and not convicted, even more coercive.
Long storage period and no clear process for destroying information: the “measurements” are to be stored at the national level for 75 years, with no clear procedure outlined for destroying the information.
Conclusion
The right against self-incrimination is at the heart of protection against police excess and torture. Record-keeping as mandated by the Bill violates this right. Parliament must make laws that protect against such blatant attacks on fundamental rights and freedoms, rather than enable them.
Russia’s membership to the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), to which it was elected in 2020, was suspended after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) vote.
Why was Russia suspended from UNHRC?
Russia’s three-year term as member of the Council began on January 1, 2021.
With membership on the Council comes a responsibility to uphold high human rights standards.
It is this responsibility that Russia is alleged to have wilfully violated in Ukraine.
India stayed absent. Why?
India questioned the process by which the move to suspend Russia took place given that it happened before the international probe into the massacre.
New Delhi’s point is that it should have been brought before the Human Rights Council first, and not the UNGA, sources said.
This is a signal to the West that due process has not been followed, something that Indian interlocutors can draw Moscow’s attention to.
About UN Human Rights Council
The UNHRC is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
It addresses and makes recommendations on situations of human rights violations, and can discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations.
The UNHRC replaced the former UN Commission on Human Rights.
It was created by the UNGA on March 15, 2006, and the body met in its first session from June 19-30, 2006.
Working of the Council
In 2007, the Council adopted an “institution-building package” to set up its procedures and mechanisms. Among these were:
Mechanism of Universal Periodic Review to assess the human rights situations in all UN Member States.
It has Advisory Committee that serves as the Council’s think tank providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues.
Its Complaint Procedure, allows individuals and organisations to bring human rights violations to the Council’s attention.
The Council also works with the UN Special Procedures established by the former Commission on Human Rights, consisting of special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts etc.
Membership of the Council
The Council, which meets at the UN Office in Geneva, Switzerland, is made up of 47 UN Member States who are elected by majority vote through a direct and secret ballot at the UNGA.
The membership of the Council is based on equitable geographical distribution.
African and Asia-Pacific states have 13 seats each, Latin American and Caribbean states have 8 seats, Western European and other states 7 seats, and Eastern European states 6 seats.
The members serve for three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
Leadership of the Council
The Council has a five-person Bureau, consisting of a president and four vice-presidents, each representing one of the five regional groups.
They serve for a year each, in accordance with the Council’s annual cycle.
The Human Rights Council President of the 16th Cycle (2022) is Federico Villegas, who is the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva.
He was elected president of the Human Rights Council for 2022 in December 2021.
Meetings of the Council
The Human Rights Council holds no fewer than three regular sessions a year, for a total of at least 10 weeks.
These sessions take place in March (4 weeks), June (3 weeks) and September (3 weeks).
The Council met in its latest (49th) regular session from February 28 to April 1, 2022
If a third of the Member states requests, the Council can decide at any time to hold a special session to address human rights violations and emergencies.
Under the presidency of Nazhat S Khan of Fiji, the Council held a record five special sessions in 2021 — on Myanmar, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
The world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil, Indonesia, is facing domestic shortages, leading to price controls and export curbs.
What is the news?
It’s rare for any country that is the largest producer and exporter of a product to experience domestic shortages of the same product.
Consumers are unable to access or paying through the nose for a commodity in which their country is the preeminent producer and exporter.
What is Oil Palm?
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of the fruit of the oil palms.
The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel.
Palm oil production in Indonesia
Its palm oil production for 2021-22 (October-September) at 45.5 million tonnes (mt).
That’s almost 60% of the total global output and way ahead of the next bigger producer: Malaysia (18.7 mt).
It is also the world’s No. 1 exporter of the commodity, at 29 mt, followed by Malaysia (16.22 mt).
Do you know?
14,000 IDR is less than $1 or Rs 74! See the extent of depreciation one currency can undergo!
Have you ever heard of the Zimbabwean hyperinflation of 2009? One literally had to pay a heap of cash to buy a piece of bread!
Why in headlines?
Indonesia has seen domestic prices of branded cooking oil spiral, from around 14,000 Indonesian rupiah (IDR) to 22,000 IDR per litre between March 2021 and March 2022.
Much recently, the government imposed a ceiling on retail prices at 14,000 IDR.
This led to the product disappearing from supermarket shelves, amid reports of hoarding and consumers standing in long queues for hours to get a pack or two.
India’s imports of palm oil (in lakh tonnes)
Plausible factors
(1) Ongoing War
The possible reason has to do supply disruptions — manmade and natural — in other cooking oils, especially sunflower and soyabean.
Ukraine and Russia together account for nearly 80% of the global trade in sunflower oil, quite comparable to the 90% share of Indonesia and Malaysia in palm.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in port closures and exporters avoiding Black Sea shipping routes.
Sanctions against Russia have further curtailed trade in sunflower oil, the world’s third most exported vegetable oil after palm and soybean.
(2) Diversion for Bio-Fuels
Another factor is linked to petroleum, more specifically the use of palm oil as a bio-fuel.
The Indonesian government has, since 2020, made 30% blending of diesel with palm oil mandatory as part of a plan to slash fossil fuel imports.
Palm oil getting increasingly diverted for bio-diesel is leaving less quantity available, both for the domestic cooking oil and export market.
Impact on India
India is the world’s biggest vegetable oils importer.
Out of its annual imports of 14-15 mt, the lion’s share is of palm oil (8-9 mt), followed by soyabean (3-3.5 mt) and sunflower (2.5).
Indonesia has been India’s top supplier of palm oil, though it was overtaken by Malaysia in 2021-22 (see above table).
The restrictions on exports, even in the form of levy, take into cognizance Indonesia’s higher population (27.5 crores, against Malaysia’s 3.25 crore) as well as its ambitious biofuel program.
To that extent, the world – more so, the bigger importer India – will have to get used to lower supplies from Indonesia.
Answer this PYQ from CSP 2019:
Q.Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?
Indian tent turtle is now listed in Schedule –I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and is thereby provided the highest degree of protection.
Why in news?
The Indian tent turtle is threatened due to illegal mining in Narmada River.
This turtle has also been widely traded as a pet at aquariums.
Indian Tent Turtles
IUCN status: Least Concerned
The Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. The species is endemic to India and Bangladesh.
Its preferred habitats are freshwater rivers and swamps.
The species is native to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, with three subspecies recorded from the region viz., P. t. tentoria, P. t. circumdata and P. t. flaviventer.
t. tentoria occurs in peninsular India and is recorded from Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.
t. circumdata occurs in the western tributaries of Ganga and the rivers of Gujarat. It is found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
t. flaviventer occurs in the northern tributaries of Ganga and is recorded from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
Back2Basics: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
WPA provides for the protection of the country’s wild animals, birds and plant species, in order to ensure environmental and ecological security.
It provides for the protection of a listed species of animals, birds and plants, and also for the establishment of a network of ecologically-important protected areas in the country.
It provides for various types of protected areas such as Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks etc.
There are six schedules provided in the WPA for protection of wildlife species which can be concisely summarized as under:
Schedule I:
These species need rigorous protection and therefore, the harshest penalties for violation of the law are for species under this Schedule.
Schedule II:
Animals under this list are accorded high protection. They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life.
Schedule III & IV:
This list is for species that are not endangered. This includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules.
Schedule V:
This schedule contains animals which can be hunted.
Schedule VI:
This list contains plants that are forbidden from cultivation.
UPSC-CSE 2021 results have shaken the long held belief that the examination can only be cleared after multiple attempts. Most of the UPSC-CSE toppers like Satyam Gandhi (AIR 10), Ria Dabi (AIR 15), Yash Jaluka (AIR 4), Mamta Yadav (AIR 5) and Shashwat Tripurari (AIR 19) cleared the exam as fresh graduates in their very first attempt. How were they able to do it?
If you watch their strategy videos, you can find a common pattern — they started 12-24 months in advance before the exam.
One of the benefits of starting your preparation early is the time you would get to revise and practice test series upon completing the syllabus. Also, you would get ample time to pay attention to every subject. There are totally 9 papers in UPSC-CSE Mains and 2 papers in Prelims exams. Not to forget, the daily current affairs. Many aspirants need time to figure out how they can prepare in an understandable manner. That’s why starting your preparation eight months before the exam is not advisable.
We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realise that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things. So, what’s the best way to prepare?
This is what Civilsdaily mentor Rahul sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar.
Webinar Details
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you!
Colonial land revenue settlements, heavy burden of new taxes, eviction of peasants from their lands, and encroachments on tribal lands.
Exploitation in rural society and growth of intermediary revenue collectors, tenants and moneylenders.
Expansion of revenue administration over tribal lands leading to their loss of hold over agricultural and forest land.
Promotion of British manufactured goods, heavy duties on Indian industries, especially export duties, leading to devastation of Indian handloom and handicraft industries.
Important Civil Uprisings
(1) Sanyasi Revolt (1763-1800)
Cause: The disastrous famine of 1770 and the harsh economic order of the British and the restrictions imposed on the pilgrims visiting the holy places.
Sanyasis were joined by a large number of dispossessed small zamindars, disbanded soldiers and rural poor. They raided Company factories and the treasuries, and fought the Company’s forces.
Curtailed by: Warren Hastings
Also referred to as the Fakir Rebellion.
Important leaders: Majnum Shah, Chirag Ali, Musa Shah, Bhawani Pathak and Debi Chaudhurani
Anandamath, a semi-historical novel by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is based on the Sanyasi Revolt.
(2) Revolt in Midnapore and Dhalbhum (1766-74)
Cause: Introduction of new land revenue system by the English in 1772.
The zamindars of Midnapore sided with the ryots in case of conflict between the ryots and the English revenue collecting officials.
Important leaders: Damodar Singh and Jagannath Dhal.
(3) Revolt of Moamarias (1769-99)
It was a potent challenge to the authority of Ahom kings of Assam.
The Moamarias were low-caste peasants who followed the teachings of Aniruddhadeva (1553-1624).
To crush these revolts, the Ahom ruler had to request for British help. The revolt weakened kingdom and it fell to a Burmese invasion and finally came under British rule.
(4) Revolt of Raja of Vizianagaram (1794)
In 1758, a treaty was made between the English and Ananda Gajapatiraju, the ruler of Vizianagaram, to jointly oust the French from the Northern Circars. In this mission they were successful.
English refused to honour the terms of the treaty. Anand Raju died before he could seriously tackle the English.
The East India Company demanded a tribute of three lakh rupees from Vizayaramaraju and asked him to disband his troops. This angered the raja as there were no dues to be paid to the Company.
The raja supported by his subjects rose up in revolt. The raja died in a battle at Padmanabham.
(5) Resistance of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (1797; 1800-05)
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, popularly known as Kerala Simham (Lion of Kerala) or ‘Pyche raja’, was the de facto head of Kottayam (Cotiote) in Malabar region.
Cause: The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92), extended English paramountcy over Kottayam in violation of an earlier agreement of 1790 which had recognized the independence of Kottayam.
The Poligars of Dindigal and Malabar rose up against the oppressive land revenue system under the British during 1801-06.
In September 1799, in the first Polygar War, the poligars of Tirunelveli District rose up in open rebellion.
Kattabomma Nayak of Panchalamkurichi was considered as the main leader of the rebellion. Though he managed to escape initially, he was later captured in Pudukottai, and publicly hanged in front of other Polygars as a warning.
The Second Polygar war of 1800-01, given the magnitude of participation, is also known as the ‘South Indian Rebellion’.
The suppression was followed by signing of the Carnatic Treaty on July 31, 1801, whereby the British assumed direct control over Tamil Nadu.
(7) Diwan Velu Thampi’s Revolt (1808-1809)
The East India Company’s harsh conditions imposed on the state of Travancore, after both of them agreed to a subsidiary alliance arrangement under Wellesley in 1805, caused deep resentment in the region.
Prime Minister Velu Thampi rise against the Company and assisted by the Nair troops. Velu Thampi addressed a gathering in Kundara and was later known as the ‘Kundara Proclamation’.
The Maharaja of Travancore had not wholly supported the rebellion and defected to the side of the Company. Velu Thampi killed himself to avoid capture. The rebellion petered out.
(8) Kutch or Cutch Rebellion (1816-1832)
There was a treaty between the British and Maharaja Bharamal II of Kutch in 1816, by which power was vested in the throne.
The British interfered in the internal feuds of the Kutch and, in 1819, Raja Bharmal II raised Arab and African troops with the firm intention of removing the British from his territory.
A British resident governed the areas as the de facto ruler with the help of a regency council.
(9) Rising at Bareilly (1816)
Immediate cause: The imposition of the police tax which aroused the burning indignation of the citizens.
Several armed Muslims from Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and Rampur rose in rebellion for the defense of the faith and the Mufti.
(10) Upsurge in Hathras (1817)
Cause: Progressive increase in high revenues, talukdar Dayaram constantly failed to pay arrears and even committed many acts of hostility by giving harbour to government fugitives.
So, the Company with a large army attacked Hathras in February 1817.
Rebels involved: Bhagwant Singh, Raja of Mursan
(11) Paika Rebellion (1817)
The Paiks of Odisha were the traditional landed militia and enjoyed rent free land tenures for their military service and policing functions on a hereditary basis.
Cause: British conquest of Odisha in 1803, and the dethronement of the Raja of Khurda had greatly reduced the power and prestige of the Paiks. Further, the extortionist land revenue policy of the Company caused resentment among zamindars and peasants.
Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar had been the military chief of the forces of the Raja of Khurda. In 1814, Jagabandhu’s ancestral estate of Killa Rorang was taken over by the Company, reducing him to penury.
The spark was lighted by the arrival of a body of Khonds into the Khurda territory in March 1817.
With active support of Mukunda Deva, the last Raja of Khurda, and other zamindars of the region, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar led a sundry army of Paikas forcing the East India Company forces to retreat for a time.
The rebellion came to be known as the Paika Bidroh (rebellion). The rebellion was brutally repressed by 1818. In 1825 Jagabandhu surrendered under negotiated terms.
The Paik Rebellion succeeded in getting large remissions of arrears, reductions in assessments, suspension of the sale of the estates of defaulters at discretion, a new settlement on fixed tenures and other adjuncts of liberal governance.
(12) Ahom Revolt (1828)
Cause: Defying on the pledge to withdraw from Assam after the First Burma War (1824-26), the British attempted to incorporate the Ahoms’ territories in the Company’s dominion. This sparked off a rebellion in 1828 under the leadership of Gomdhar Konwar, an Ahom prince along with compatriots.
Finally, the Company decided to follow a conciliatory policy and handed over Upper Assam to Maharaja Purandar Singh Narendra and part of the kingdom was restored to the Assamese king.
(13) Surat Salt Agitations (1840s)
Cause: The government’s step to raise the salt duty from 50 paise to one rupee.
The government withdrew the additional salt levy and its measure to introduce Bengal Standard Weights and Measures in face of people’s determined bid to resort to boycott and passive resistance.
(14)Kolhapur and Savantvadi Revolts
The Gadkaris were a hereditary military class which was garrisoned in the Maratha forts.
These garrisons were disbanded during an administrative reorganization in Kolhapur state after 1844. The Gadkaris rose in revolt and occupied the Samangarh and Bhudargarh forts.
Similarly, the simmering discontent caused a revolt in Savantvadi areas. A number of Sawantwadi rebels were tried for treason and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
Ultimately, after the imposition of martial law and meting out brutal punishment to the rebels, the order could be restored in Sawantwadi region.to bring the region under control.
(15) Wahabi Movement
It was essentially an Islamic revivalist movement founded by Syed Ahmed of Rai Bareilly who was inspired by the teachings of Abdul Wahab (1703-87) of Saudi Arabia and Shah Waliullah of Delhi.
Syed Ahmed condemned the western influence on Islam and advocated a return to pure Islam and society. Syed Ahmed was acclaimed as the desired leader (Imam).
A countrywide organization with an elaborate secret code for its working under spiritual vice-regents (Khalifas) was set up, and Sithana in the north-western tribal belt was chosen as a base for operations.
Since Dar-ul-Harb (territory of War or Chaos) was to be converted into Darul-Islam (the land of Islam), a jihad was declared against the Sikh kingdom of Punjab.
After the defeat of the Sikh ruler and incorporation of Punjab into the East India Company’s dominion in 1849, the English dominion in India became the sole target of the Wahabis’ attacks.
The Wahabis played an important role in spreading anti-British sentiments. A series of military operations by the British in the 1860s weakened the Wahabi resistance.
(16) Kuka Movement
Founded in 1840 by Bhagat Jawahar Mal (also called Sian Saheb) in western Punjab. A major leader of the movement after him was Baba Ram Singh (founded the Namdhari Sikh sect).
Its basic tenets were abolition of caste and similar discriminations among Sikhs, discouraging the consumption of meat and alcohol and drugs, permission for intermarriages, widow remarriage, and encouraging women to step out of seclusion.
On the political side, the Kukas wanted to remove the British and restore Sikh rule over Punjab; they advocated wearing hand-woven clothes and boycott of English laws and education and products.
So, the concepts of Swadeshi and non-cooperation were propagated by the Kukas, much before they became part of the Indian national movement in the early twentieth century.
As the movement gained in popularity, the British took several steps to crush it in the period between 1863 and 1872. In 1872, Ram Singh was deported to Rangoon.
Peasant Movements
(1) Narkelberia Uprising
Mir Nithar Ali (1782-1831) or Titu Mir inspired the Muslim tenants in WestBengal to rise against landlords, mainly Hindu, who imposed a beard-tax on the Faraizis, and British indigo planters.
Often considered the first armed peasant uprising against the British, this revolt soon took on a religious hue. The revolt later merged into the Wahabi movement.
(2) The Pagal Panthis
The Pagal Panthi, a semi-religious group mainly constituting the Hajong and Garo tribes was founded by Karam Shah.
But the tribal peasants organized themselves under Karam Shah’s son, Tipu, to fight the oppression of the zamindars.
They refused to pay rent above a certain limit and attacked the houses of zamindars. The government introduced an equitable arrangement to protect these peasants, but the movement was violently suppressed.
(3) Faraizi Revolt
The Faraizis were the followers of a Muslim sect founded by Haji Shariat-Allah of Faridpur in Eastern Bengal. They advocated radical religious, social and political changes.
Shariat-Allah son of Dadu Mian (1819-60) organized his followers with an aim to expel the English intruders from Bengal. The sect also supported the cause of the tenants against the zamindars.
Most of the Faraizis joined the Wahabi ranks.
(4) Moplah Uprisings
Cause: Hike in revenue demand and reduction of field size, coupled with the oppression of officials, resulted in widespread peasant unrest among the Moplahs of Malabar.
The second Moplah uprising occurred after the Moplahs came to be organised by the Congress and the Khilafat supporters during the Non-cooperation Movement.
Tribal Revolts
Causes for Tribal Revolts
The land settlements of the British affected the joint ownership tradition
As agriculture was extended in a settled form by the Company government, the tribals lost their land, Shifting cultivation in forests was curbed and this added to the tribals’ problems.
Exploitation by the police, traders and money-lenders.
Christian missionaries came to these regions and their efforts interfered with the traditional customs of the tribals. Some general laws were also abhorred for their intrusive nature.
Characteristics of Tribal Revolts
Tribal identity or ethnic ties lay behind the solidarity shown by these groups.
The resentment against the imposition of laws by the ‘foreign government’ that was seen as an effort at destroying the tribals’ traditional socioeconomic framework.
Many uprisings were led by messiah-like figures who encouraged their people to revolt.
The tribal uprisings were doomed from the beginning, given the outdated arms.
(1) Pahariyas’ Rebellion
The British expansion on their territory led to an uprising by the martial Pahariyas of the Raj Mahal Hills in 1778.
The British were forced to usher in peace by declaring their territory as damni-kol area.
(2) Chuar Uprising
Cause: Famine, enhanced land revenue demands and economic distress goaded the Chuar aboriginal tribesmen of the Jungle Mahal of Midnapore district and Bankura district (in Bengal) to take up arms.
The most significant uprising was under Durjan (or Durjol) Singh in 1798. Other leaders were Madhab Singh, Raja Mohan Singh.
The uprising lasted from 1766 to 1772 and then, again surfaced between 1795 and 1816.
(3) Kol Mutiny (1831)
Cause: Large-scale transfers of land from Kol headmen to outsiders like Hindu, Sikh and Muslim farmers and money-lenders who were oppressive and demanded heavy taxes. Besides, the British judicial and revenue policies badly affected the traditional social conditions of the Kols (inhabitants of Chhotanagpur).
The Kols resented this and in 1831, under the leadership of Buddho Bhagat, the Kol rebels killed or burnt about a thousand outsiders. Only after large-scale military operations could order be restored.
(4) Ho and Munda Uprisings (1820-1837)
The Raja of Parahat organized his Ho tribals to revolt against the occupation of Singhbhum. The revolt continued till 1827 when the Ho tribals were forced to submit.
However, later in 1831, they again organized a rebellion, joined by the Mundas of Chotanagpur, to protest against the newly introduced farming revenue policy and the entry of Bengalis into their region.
Though the revolt was extinguished in 1832, the Ho operations continued till 1837.
(5) Santhal Rebellion
Cause: The Santhals of Rajmahal Hills resented the oppression by revenue officials, police, money-lenders, landlords—in general, by the “outsiders’ (whom they called diku).
The Santhals under Sido and Kanhu rose up against their oppressors, declared the end of the Company’s rule and asserted themselves independent in 1854.
It was only in 1856 after extensive military operations that the situation was brought under control. Sido died in 1855, while Kanhu was arrested in 1866.
A separate district of Santhal Parganas was created by the Government to pacify the Santhals.
(6) Khond Uprising
The Khonds lived in vast hill tracts stretching from Tamil Nadu to Bengal, covering central provinces, and in virtual independence due to the inaccessible mountainous terrain.
Their uprisings from 1837 to 1856 were directed against the British, in which the tribals of Ghumsar, china-ki-medi, Kalahandi and Patna actively participated.
The movement was led by Chakra Bisoi in the name of the young Raja.
The main issue was the attempt by the government to suppress human sacrifice (Mariah), the introduction of new taxes by the British and the influx of Zamindars and money-lenders.
The British formed a Maria agency, against which the Khonds fought with Tangi, a king of battle-axe, bows-arrows and even swords.
Latter Savaras and some local militia clans also joined in, led by Radha Krishna Dand Sena. Chakra Bisoi disappeared in 1855 after which the movement petered out.
(7) Early Munda Uprising (1789-1832)
In the period of 1789-1832, the Munda rose up in rebellion seven times against the landlords, dikhus, money-lenders and the British, who instead of protesting them sided with the oppressors.
In the post-1857 period with a hope of a better future, many Mundas turned to the Evangelical Lutheran mission, which was overseeing mission work in Chhotanagpur.
However, many apostates became more militant and broke away, spearheading the cause of seeking redressal of their grievances once they realized that the missionaries could not provide the solution to them.
Their movement identified as ‘sardariladai’ or ‘war of the leaders’ was fought with the aim of expelling dikhus; and restoration of the Munda domination over their homeland.
The tribal chiefs rose up against the erosion of Khuntkatti System or Joint tenures.
While it failed it did not peter out but remained dormant and in need of a charismatic leader. It was given a new life by Birsa Munda in 1899.
(8) Bhils and Kolis Uprisings
Cause: The Bhils were concentrated in the hill ranges of Khandesh in the previous Maratha territory. The British occupation in 1818 brought in the outsiders and accompanying dislocations in their community life.
A general Bhil insurrection in 1817-19 was crushed by the British Military forces and though some conciliatory measures were taken to pacify them, they again revolted under the leadership of Seva Ram in 1825 and the situation remained unsettled until 1831 when the Ramosi Leader Umaji Raje of Purandhar was finally captured and executed.
Minor revolts again took place in 1836 and 1846 as well.
The Bhils’ local rivals for power, the Kolis of Ahmednagar district, also challenged the British in 1829 but were quickly subdued by a large army contingent.
The seeds of rebellion, however, persisted, to erupt again in 1844-46, when a local Koli leader successfully defied the British government for two years.
(9) Ramosi Risings
The Ramosis, the hill tribes of the Western Ghats, had not reconciled to British rule and the British pattern of administration.
They rose under Chittur Singh in 1822 and plundered the country around Satara.
(10) Khasi Uprising
The Khasis, Garos, Khamptis and the Singphos organized themselves under Tirath Singh to drive away the strangers from the Brahmaputra Valley.
The uprising developed into a popular revolt against British rule in the area.
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Why Civilsdaily Mentors are the GPS for Your UPSC-CSE Preparation
Remember there is always light at the end of the tunnel and if you want to get out of the tunnel you have to follow the direction of the light! Our mentors’ give you direction which is divided into daily modules. All you have to do is study and complete them on time.
As every year passes by, we don’t get confident by the previous years’ performance and become laidback. Instead, we become more hungry to convert all our students into toppers.REGISTER HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST FREE SAMANVAYA COUNSELLING SESSION IN NEXT 24 HOURS
How are Current Civilsdaily Students Gearing up for UPSC-CSE 2022?
Initially, our Civilsdaily student Smriti wasn’t confident about Prelims when she began her preparation. Though she had joined Civilsdaily in 2020, she started studying for UPSC-CSE back in 2019. At that time, Smriti had enrolled in multiple institutes. Though, most of these institutes had promised a personal mentor, she was unable to get in touch with them on a daily basis. Also those mentors never scheduled test-series on a weekly basis. Hence, despite preparing for a year, Smriti had scored only 35 marks out of 200 in her first test series by Civilsdaily.
She then started writing 20-25 test series over the course of UAP 2021 and in her last test, her scores have drastically improved. She now scores in the range of 130-135 marks in prelims’ and 110+ in mains’ papers.
In Smriti’s own words she describes her Samanvaya Mentorship Experience to be —
“Our parents provide us financial and emotional support, friends provide us moral support and the right mentor gives you logistic and logical support for UPSC. There are days when I felt I won’t be able to compete against lakhs of aspirants. That’s when my mentor, Ravi sir reminded me of my improvement and encouraged me that I can crack it with the same consistency. We need someone, who tells us we are performing well especially when we cannot see that ourselves. The mentorship at Civilsdaily helped me become mentally stronger as a person. In other institutes, mentors are allotted only for doubt resolution. But at Civilsdaily, I am getting end-to-end mentorship via value added notes, classes, test series and detailed evaluation.”
Similarly our another Civilsdaily student, Ashishsums up his Samanvaya experience with Civilsdaily mentor,Pravin Sir, “Because of Pravin sir’s support, I am able to understand a topic in lesser time.”
This is how Pravin sir evaluates Ashish’s Mains Test Series every week. After every test series evaluation, Pravin sir schedules a 1 hour call to discuss how Ashish can improve his marks and the sources he can refer for key topics.
It’s Your Turn Get the Free 40 Min Counselling Session By a CD Mentor
Civilsdaily mentors are so dedicated, consistent and focused for your UPSC goal, that you will eventually become focused into turning your dreams to reality.
At the core of Civilsdaily UPSC mentorship, lies the fact that each one of you will have a unique journey while preparing for the exam. Some will get through on the first attempt without much effort while others will take both more time and more effort.
We want to understand you better to help you optimize your journey so you can focus on the right things and not waste time on the wrong ones. We are asking you to tap into the valuable experiences of mentors who underwent the same grind and realize the pitfalls and understand the shortcuts to make it.
In the first counselling session, we will understand your weaknesses. We then help you to stick to one plan or strategy throughout your preparation. We will then follow up with you on a daily basis to check if you are right on track. TALK TO OUR MENTORS & CLARIFY YOUR DOUBTS NOW
The Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice N.V. Ramana, while delivering the annual (and the 19th edition) D.P. Kohli Memorial Talk minced no words in condemning the utter subordination of agencies to the executive and its disastrous consequences for the cause of justice.
Key takeaways
Resisting the pressure: The CJI called upon investigators to stand up to unethical pressures in order not to betray the trust reposed in them by the public.
Strong court: We need a strong Supreme Court and equally strong High Courts to keep our investigators on the straight and narrow path.
Fixed tenure: Earlier, CBI Directors were changed at will.
Mandatory tenure was meant to insulate the CBI Director from the caprice of the executive.
This process has since been expanded to include the CJI in the selection panel.
Strong leadership: The CBI now has some of the brightest Indian Police Service officers in its higher echelons.
However, it is not enough if the middle-rung supervisors alone are straightforward.
Should there be an umbrella organisation?
The CJI had proposed an umbrella organisation that will oversee all investigating agencies.
This idea was meant to avoid having multiple agencies looking into the same set of allegations.
Apart from its impracticality, such a novel body could generate its own problems — of turf wars and ego clashes.
Way forward
There is a need to focus on weeding out the dishonest among officers and rewarding those who have shown and proven themselves to be honest and professionally innovative.
Conclusion
There needs to be a strong and virtuous leader who will not only be honest but also stick his neck out to protect his deputies if and when confronted by an unscrupulous political heavyweight.
First Nikaalo Prelims Open Test was an eye opener for many by highlighting your weak spots. Knowing WEAK AREAS in early stage of preparation can give you time to improve upon them. Hence, as promised we are conducting the 2nd All India Open Prelims Test under our mission Nikaalo Prelims 2022.
GET READY TO EXPERIENCE THE COMPLETE EXAMINATION PATTERN!
We are conducting both GENERAL STUDIES and CSAT test with high quality UPSC level questions along with Test Discussion.
We at Civilsdaily understand the nuances of setting a paper. Through five cases explaining five questions, we’ll try to give you an idea about the varied difficulty level of prelims questions.
These questions have been taken from the first test of Nikaalo Prelims All India Open Mock Test 2020 about Government Schemes and Policies.
CASE 1 – The oldest trick in the book.
DELIBERATELY CHANGING NAMES TO CONFUSE YOU. BE IT SCHEMES OR CONCEPTS. UPSC IS WELL KNOWN TO FLIP NAMES OF SIMILAR-SOUNDING SCHEMES AND CONCEPTS. LOOK AT THIS QUESTION.
Ques. Which of the following are the result areas of STRIVE
Improved performance of ITI.
Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training.
India International Skill Centers
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1 only
Correct answer- 1 and 2 only
In the above question, STRIVE has been used for SANKALP. Both of them were announced at the same time for boosting Skill India Mission. It is very easy to get confused mark a wrong answer.
CASE 2: Misleading names
A LOT OF TIMES ESPECIALLY IN MATCH THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF QUESTIONS MISLEADING NAMES ARE USED.
Ques. Consider the following pairs:
Schemes Objectives
NIDHI: nurturing ideas and innovations into successful startups.
SATYAM: rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation.
MANAK: to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and increasing the research & development base.
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 2 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
Misleading yet important names of initiatives under Ministry of Science and Technology have been used here. All pairs are correctly matched but it is very easy to get confused.
CASE 3: Are you rooted in society?
UPSC has been playing with the expenditure figures and other such facts. It is done not only for the sole reason of checking your rote memory, but the ability to think in-depth about the issues faced by various sections.
Ques. With reference to ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) Scheme’, consider the following statements:
The scheme provides for the installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas.
The farmers will have to spend 50% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps.
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
Correct answer: 1 only
A very important scheme. The farmers have to tolerate only 10% of the total expenditure to acquire and install solar pumps. The Central Govt. will provide 60% cost while the remaining 30% will be taken care of by bank as credit. One must understand the inability of Indian farmers to spend 50% on solar pumps. This would have helped in eliminating options also.
CASE 4: Going international.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AND AID IN OUR SCHEMES AND POLICIES ARE RELEVANT. IF YOU EVER READ ABOUT THEM, KNOW THAT THE ISSUE IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY.
Ques. With reference to Atal Bhujal Yojana, consider the following statements:
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with funding pattern of 50:50 between Government of India and states.
This scheme is approved by the World Bank.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: 2 only
Here the Government of India’s collaboration with World Bank makes it important. Half of the financial contribution is from the World Bank in this initiative.
Students must not ignore the contribution of international institutions especially if it is of such overwhelming nature.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THE BARE MINIMUM. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY IN SUCH QUESTIONS. YOU EITHER KNOW THEM OR YOU DON’T.
Ques. Which of the following are the components of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)?
National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)
Annapurna.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
a. 1 and 3
b. 2 and 3
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August 1995, represents a significant step towards the fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution.
It is a very important scheme under Ministry of Rural Development. Students are supposed to do flagship schemes of various ministries.
WHAT IS NIKAALO PRELIMS?
Mission Nikaalo prelims is a free fast-paced revision sequence to brush up your concepts for prelims. Major pillars of the programs are:
Prelims SPOTLIGHT
This initiative is meant to help you revise details and facts that can be asked in prelims. They are simplified, synthesized and prepared using most authentic sources. These can easily slip your mind or you can easily confuse these. Continuous Revision for the same is required. The themes picked up in the spotlight are not random but after analyzing and scrutinizing the PYQs of several years. Dare you to miss the updates!
Static Subject Revision and Tests
Coverage and Relevance are the 2 Pillars of our Tests. Practicing tests is crucial part of Prelims preparation.
3. Nikaalo Prelims Discussion on Civilsdaily IAS Official space
All material, notes and doubt sessions will take place on Civilsdaily IAS Official Space.
We, at Civilsdaily are extremely happy for everyone who has cleared mains this time. Thank you for giving us a reason to cheer for you. It’s important to give yourself a pat or two, share the news with your family, eat a sweet and start preparing for Interview immediately.
You are just one step closer to achieving your LBSNAA dream! So don’t take the final round for granted and prepare with the same gusto as you did for Prelims and Mains.
For those that couldn’t make it this year, hang in there and don’t lose heart. You still have 2 more months for UPSC 2022 prelims. Before you start your preparation, get afree 1-on-1 counselling from us and understand how you can better your performance in 2022.
Don’t forget to upload your DAF 1 and draft DAF 2 in the above link.
Our team will reach out to you. We will discuss how to best fill your DAF 2, what should be your next step and how to prepare for different aspects.
Highlights of Transcend: Focused offerings for 3 distinct groups of IAS Mains-qualified aspirants
Freshers
Work Ex
Veterans
Dedicated Habitat group, telephonic and the zoom/google meet sessions, SWOT analysis via personalized questionnaire & in-person mock interviews with the panel.
This year, we intend to raise the bar even higher by providing trailblazing professional, personalized mentorship. There are 3 broad categories into which the IAS Mains-qualified candidates are be divided:
#1. Freshers: Facing 1st UPSC interview without work-ex
These candidates have given dedicated and exclusive time to UPSC preparation, often right after their graduation. We also have candidates who decide for UPSC a little later in life. These candidates have a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have quit their jobs to prepare for CSE, some may have household and family responsibilities, etc.
The interview, in the case of these aspirants, will focus on academics, mental alertness, critical power of assimilation, leadership and teamwork, variety and depth of interest, etc.
Freshers have the advantage of ‘excitement’ and ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitude, but they also suffer from fear-of-the-unknown.
For them, Transcend will revolve around psychological strengthening and belief formation besides personality development and polishing of soft skills.
#2. Work-Experience: Facing 1st UPSC interview with work-ex
The second category is of working professionals. These candidates have the advantages of leadership, tactfulness, foresight, and maturity. Of all other categories of candidates, the responses of working professionals are expected to be brief, well crafted, balanced, logical and reflecting emotional intelligence. Leadership is another area these aspirants are tested for.
Transcend will focus intensely on each of these general traits. Stress will be on the trends highlighted by the latest research in these domains.
#3. Veterans: Have faced the UPSC interview board in the past
Candidates who have appeared in the UPSC interview, probably more than once; but have consistently scored low marks.
Such a person has the advantage of the experience of the official set-up. She is aware of the entire process, her DAF and does not have fear-of-the-unknown. She has possibly taken mock interviews in her previous attempts but success eludes her owing to some fundamental flaw, which if unidentified, will compromise her chances yet again.
For veterans, our Transcend mentors will analyze your DAF, previous mock interviews, transcript of real interview/s and will have detailed discussions to pinpoint the weakness. Then will follow the personalized recovery strategy.
We are the only institution in this space that brings such high levels of clarity and purpose to the interview program.
All in all, ‘Transcend’ from Civilsdaily is the finest tool you can choose to uncover the shimmering light of your personality and to realize the simmering desire of your heart.
Take that final leap. You are in good hands now.
What to expect in the coming weeks?
#1. Once you submit your DAF 1 and other details on the link & email, we request you to send a video snippet (shot over a mobile selfie at pravin[at]civilsdaily.com) on the questions listed below. These are basic, time tested questions that do not need any preparation but helps us understand your default presentation styles:
Why do you want to join the civil services?
Why should you be selected over the other candidates?
Which in-service officer has inspired you the most and why?
One feedback that you received from a friend, peer or superior which fundamentally changed the way you operate in the world or look at the world?
We want you to be uninhibited, relaxed and natural when you make this video. All questions are compulsory (especially 2, 4 and 5).
#2. We will get back to you with the feedback on your DAF and this video exercise.
#3. Post that, your progress will be tracked in mock interviews and taken over the telephone, skype, and panel-driven mocks and you will be given access to interact with both our in-house mentors and industry experts to fine-tune your reasonings.
We will work on your innate tendencies and help you carve out the best version of yourself.
The Nepal Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, paid a long-awaited visit to India last week (April 1-3). Sworn in in July 2021, this was his first bilateral visit abroad, in keeping with tradition.
Positive outcomes of the visit
Among the highlights was the operationalisation of the 35 kilometre cross-border rail link from Jayanagar (Bihar) to Kurtha (Nepal).
The second project that was inaugurated was the 90 km long 132 kV double circuit transmission line connecting Tila (Solukhumbu) to Mirchaiya (Siraha) close to the Indian border.
In addition, agreements providing technical cooperation in the railway sector, Nepal’s induction into the International Solar Alliance, and between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation on ensuring regular supplies of petroleum products were also signed.
The Mahakali Treaty covers the Sarada and Tanakpur barrages as well as the 6,700 MW (approximately) Pancheshwar Multipurpose project.
Both sides have agreed to push for an early finalisation of the detailed project report.
The joint vision statement on power sector cooperation recognises the opportunities for joint development power generation projects together with cross border transmission linkages and coordination between the national grids; it can provide the momentum.
Issues in India-Nepal relations
Over the years, a number of differences have emerged between India and Nepal that need attention.
The relationship took a nosedive in 2015, with India first getting blamed for interfering in the Constitution drafting process and then for an “unofficial blockade” that generated widespread resentment against India.
Revision of Treaty of Peace and Friendship: As one of the oldest bonds, the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship was originally sought by the Nepali authorities in 1949 to continue the special links they had with British India.
It provides for an open border and for Nepali nationals to have the right to work in India.
But today, it is viewed as a sign of an unequal relationship, and an Indian imposition.
The idea of revising and updating it has found mention in Joint Statements since the mid-1990s.
Demonetisation is another irritant. In November 2016, India withdrew ₹15.44 trillion of high value (₹1,000 and ₹500) currency notes. Many Nepali nationals who were legally entitled to hold ₹25,000 of
Indian currency (given that the Nepali rupee is pegged to the Indian rupee) were left high and dry.
The Nepal Rashtra Bank, which is the central bank, holds ₹7 crore and estimates of public holdings are ₹500 crore.
After more than five years, it should certainly be possible to resolve this to mutual satisfaction.
Kalapani boundary issue: These boundaries had been fixed in 1816 by the British, and India inherited the areas over which the British had exercised territorial control in 1947.
While 98% of the India-Nepal boundary was demarcated, two areas, Susta and Kalapani remained in limbo.
In November 2019, India issued new maps following the division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir as Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Though the new Indian map did not affect the India-Nepal boundary in any material way, a new map of Nepal was endorsed by the legislature through a constitutional amendment.
While it did not alter the situation on the ground, it soured relations with India and added a new and emotive irritant.
Way forward
The political narrative has changed in both countries and these issues can no longer be swept under the carpet or subsumed by invoking a ‘special relationship’.
Part of the success of Mr. Deuba’s visit was that none of the differences was allowed to dominate the visit.
Yet, to build upon the positive mood, it is necessary these issues be discussed, behind closed doors and at Track 2 and Track 1.5 channels.
Conclusion
The need today is to avoid rhetoric on territorial nationalism and lay the groundwork for quiet dialogue where both sides display sensitivity as they explore what is feasible. India needs to be a sensitive and generous partner for the “neighbourhood first” policy to take root.
