Goa hosts PM for the celebration of its 60th liberation day.
Goan Liberation
An important port for trade and military operations, Goa was ruled by the Portuguese for more than 450 years.
Historically, revolts against Portuguese rulers and their policies were recorded in the 18th and 19th century too.
On June 18, 1946, the movement of Goa’s liberation gathered momentum after socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia plunged himself into the freedom movement with many young Goans.
The day is now observed as Goa Revolution Day.
Freeing from Portuguese Rule
Even as India became independent on August 15, 1947, Goa continued to be under Portuguese rule 14 years after that.
After independence, the calls for Goa’s Liberation again gathered steam.
After multiple agitations by freedom fighters, India made peaceful attempts for Goa’s liberation through diplomatic channels.
However, as a last resort, the Indian government then led by PM Nehru, sent in its armed forces to the coastal state after which the Portuguese surrendered and Goa was liberated on December 19, 1961.
This moment also marked the exit of the Portuguese (the first-comers), the last of the European colonizers to leave India.
Contribution of T.B. Cunha
Cunha (1891-1958) was a prominent Indian nationalist and anti-colonial activist from Goa.
He is popularly known as the “Father of Goan nationalism”, and was the organiser of the first movement to end Portuguese rule in Goa
What was ‘Operation Vijay’?
Perhaps the first tri-service operation of the Indian armed forces, Operation Vijay was about the liberation of the Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman and Diu.
It was a 36-hour military operation that started on December 18, 1961 and concluded on December 19, 1961.
While the army advanced into Goa from the North and the East, the Indian Air Force bombed the Portuguese airbase at Dabolim.
The Indian Navy was tasked with preventing hostile action by Portuguese warships, securing access to the Mormugao harbour, and securing the Anjadip island off Karwar.
By the evening of December 19, 1961, Portuguese Governor General Vassalo De Silva had signed the document of surrender after Indian armed forces.
What happened after the liberation of Goa?
Goa was annexed into the Indian Union and was the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.
In 1967, however, the question of whether the state should merge with Maharashtra or not was answered through a plebiscite in which the majority of the Goan people voted against a merger.
It continued to remain a Union Territory until 1987 when it was accorded statehood.
Goa became India’s 25th state even as Daman and Diu continue to be UTs.
Researchers have identified and mapped 139 gigatonnes (Gt) of “irrecoverable carbon” in some of the world’s major forests and peatlands — including the Amazon and the Congo — to avoid catastrophic climate change.
What is Irrecoverable Carbon?
The concept of ‘irrecoverable carbon’ was introduced in 2020.
All kinds of ecosystems — lush rainforest, muddy peatland, shady mangroves — contain eons of stored carbon, captured by photosynthesis.
Per square kilometer, the forests are among the most effective carbon stores in the world; but they’re also some of the most difficult to restore.
If destroyed, these ecosystems could take decades or centuries to regenerate.
In other words, the 139 gigatons of carbon contained in these areas are effectively irrecoverable if released due to anthropogenic activities.
Once released in air, it can be recovered but would take centuries to fully recover or naturally reintegrate.
What is the new research?
In the new study, researchers have identified and mapped carbon reserves that are “manageable, are vulnerable to disturbance” and cannot be recovered by 2050.
They held study of peatlands of the Congo Basin and Northern Europe; and in North America, the mangrove swamps of the Everglades and old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest.
2050 has been set as the deadline for taking global carbon emissions to net zero in order for Earth to avoid warming at 1.5-2 degrees celsius above the pre-industrial levels.
To mitigate such a warming scenario, it is imperative to conserve the ecosystems with 139 Gt carbon.
Key findings
Amazon is the biggest carbon sink on earth, holding 31.5 Gt irrecoverable carbon.
Brazil has the second-largest irrecoverable carbon reserves, after Russia that holds 23 per cent of the total irrecoverable carbon outlay in the world.
The second-largest reserve of carbon, at 132 Gt, comprise the islands of Southeast Asia, with their equatorial rainforests.
The Congo basin is the third-largest hotspot of irrecoverable carbon with over 8 Gt of carbon reserves, according to the study.
Australia, which has become a hotspot for wildfires, is home to 2.5 per cent of the world’s carbon reserve along its coastal mangroves and forests in the southeast and southwest.
Why conserve these forests?
These regions are already being ravaged by wildfires and exploited for resources by mining and oil industries.
Since 2010, agriculture, logging and wildfire have caused emissions of at least 4 Gt of irrecoverable carbon.
Germany has warned about severe consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany if Moscow attacked Ukraine.
Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
It is a system of offshore natural gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
It includes two active pipelines running from Vyborg to Lubmin near Greifswald forming the original Nord Stream, and two further pipelines under construction running from Ust-Luga to Lubmin termed Nord Stream 2.
In Lubmin the lines connect to the OPAL line to Olbernhau on the Czech border and to the NEL line to Rehden near Bremen.
The first line Nord Stream-1 was laid and inaugurated in 2011 and the second line in 2012.
At 1,222 km in length, Nord Stream is the longest sub-sea pipeline in the world, surpassing the Langeled pipeline.
Why is the pipeline controversial?
The US believed that the project would increase Europe’s dependence on Russia for natural gas.
Currently, EU countries already rely on Russia for 40 percent of their gas needs.
The project also has opponents in eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, whose ties with Russia have seriously deteriorated in the aftermath of the Crimean conflict in 2014.
There is an existing land pipeline between Russia and Europe that runs through Ukraine.
The country feels that once Nord Storm 2 is completed, Russia could bypass the Ukrainian pipeline, and deprive it of lucrative transit fees of around $3 billion per year.
Ukraine also fears another invasion by Russia once the new pipeline is operational.
GS-1 Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
GS-2 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
GS-3 Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
GS-4 Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
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In the intro, mention the farmers’ demand for legal backing to the MSP.
In the body, mention the brief background of the provision and objectives of MSP. In the next part, mention challenges such as fiscal viability, procurement challenges, impact on farmers, WTO challenges etc.
In the way forward mention need for moving to an income support scheme, focusing on R&D in agriculture etc.
Conclude by mentioning the need to avoid such measures which could harm all the stakeholders in the long run.
In the intro, mention that the Act fulfills the obligations to the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory.
In the body mention various rights and entitlement under the Act such as reservations in higher education and government jobs, responsibilities of the government to ensure that persons with disability enjoy their rights equally with others, the Accessible India Campaign, inclusive education etc.
In the next part, mention recently released accessibility standards by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Conclude by mentioning that the Standards, when enacted into law, will mark a huge step forward in making our law enforcement apparatus more disabled-friendly.
Introduce by mentioning the proposal of the government and some of the previous laws regarding marriage which will need to be amended.
In the body, talk about ways in which the legislation will help women- women empowerment, improve the nutrition of mother and infants, reduce child marriages etc
Mention some drawbacks of the move- criminalize poor women marrying between 18 to 21, increase vulnerability of women marry against their parents’ will etc
In way forward mention about the Jaya Jaitley taskforce and some of its other recommendations.
Why has Civilsdaily Student and Aspiring UPSC 2022 Civil Servant, Ashish Renewed his Program for One More Year With Us?
“Unlike other students in my batch, Ashish has been a dedicated and hardworking UPSC aspirant even before joining us. Since he is unable to prepare for UPSC fulltime, he compensates by studying for 6-7 hours everyday after he completes his work as a bank officer. He is always able to complete the weekly targets assigned to him 2-3 days in advance.”, says Ashish’s Civilsdaily Mentor Pravin sir as he sets the tone of our interview. Pravin sir has been mentoring Ashish for more than a year. Satisfied with his guidance, Ashish has upgraded his program once again for 2022 prelims.
Ashish had started his UPSC-CSE preparation in March 2020. For 6 months, he prepared without comprehending what was written in the books. He followed random videos on Youtube for a topic he didn’t understand and read all the pages of many books recommended by different toppers. Ashish struggled to study a topic concisely. He did not know what was the relevant information he had to gather for a topic. Hence, though he studied hard he was unable to score well in test series. As a result of which, Ashish in his first Civilsdaily Mains Test was able to score only 50 marks out of 250 and 40 out of 200 marks in prelims.
Challenges of Ashish When He Studied Without Mentorship
By July 2020, Ashish decided he cannot waste anymore time and wanted a personal mentor for his UPSC-CSE preparation. He knew he had no time to attend coaching classes so he was particular about the kind of mentor he preferred. Ashish wanted a mentor who could help him minimize his study materials, guide him on how he could judiciously utilize the available time for preparation and set weekly targets for him. “I wanted to do the studying by myself, it’s not classes that I wanted. I wanted someone with whom I can develop micro and macro study plans, someone who evaluates test series frequently and assesses my performance. Someone who motivates me to stay focused when I feel like taking long breaks.” This on surface, might appear as trivial requirements, but let’s not forget that on a daily basis many aspirants grapple with motivation, consistency and time-management issues.
Ashish was unable to find the right mentor till he approached Civilsdaily. ” I was a regular reader of the current affairs compilation at Civilsdaily. That’s when I thought of enrolling in its mentorship program as well.” Under it’s mentorship program, Pravin sir has analyzed the previous year questions from year 1994 onwards for every topic in the syllabus. He will then suggest which book or online source Ashish can read for a particular topic. This way, Ashish is able to read about 2-3 books per subject, but not waste time by reading every page of those books.
Pravin Sir, Civilsdaily Mentor and Two-Time UPSC CSE Interview Aspirant
“To give an example, I asked Ashish to read Ramesh Singh for Fundamentals of Economy but for certain key concepts I asked him to read only from Shankar Ganesh.”, Pravin sir says and continues, “If there is any current affairs in Samachar Manthan that corresponds to what Ashish is reading this week, I will bring it to his notice.” Pravin sir conducts weekly counselling session where Ashish is free to discuss anything that bothers him personally even if it’s not related to his studies. Every aspirant has had those days when it’s been hard to just study. It happens to the best of us sometimes and for some of us, it happens more frequently. And it is understandable, Civil Service preparation is a long and often lonely process. Every aspirant, from toppers to those who have quit have been overwhelmed by this process at some point in time. Working alone is monotonous and that’s why regular counselling is required. “I believe that during this tough preparation phase, an aspirant is vulnerable to the smallest of the negative distractions. Counselling helps them stay on track and not react to anything going around them in an impulsive manner.” Pravin sir has also included all his students in the Habitat Club where he posts inspirational quotes and invites everyone for a weekly zoom session to conduct live answer writing practice sessions. “I conduct this zoom session right before and after the weekly prelims and mains test series. I feel its important for everyone in a group to discuss and debate on how they can improve an answer for a question. Over here, I also show the answer writing copies of other UPSC toppers”
When Ashish first wrote the test series, he had a problem of writing vague points which were not backed by relevant factual data. He also did not give current affairs examples of the points he discussed in his answers.
By November 2020, Ashish learnt how to improve the presentation of his answers by writing shorter points and backing it up with examples wherever necessary. He also highlighted sub-headings as boxes to get the attention of the examiner. However, while concluding, he still made vague points and did not offer solutions to the issues.
In the recent test series conducted on December 9 2021, Ashish improved his answer writing in terms of presentation, valid specific points and solutions, examples and statistics. However, he missed on giving an introduction that could have fetched him 1-2 marks extra by mentioning about the recent cryptocurrency bill.
Right now, Ashish is able to score 105 in advanced prelims test series, 120 in basic prelims test series and 100 out of 250 in advanced mains test series. “I feel reassured when I get timely support from Pravin sir and always look forward to our weekly interactions when I can inform him I completed the modules of the week.” When asked about one particular instance of mentorship that he cherishes, Ashish says, “I did not understand parliamentary committee topic once. Pravin sir was on call with me for half an hour and explained the whole topic till I understood. I really appreciate that from his end.” Ashish told us that Pravin sir directs him to the right videos and sources when he is unable to get conceptual clarity. “This often happens to me when I am reading any topic in international relations. Because of Pravin sir’s support, I am able to understand a topic in lesser time.” Due to the weekly topic wise prelims and mains test series, Ashish has improved his speed and accuracy to a large extent. “While before, I used to take 15-20 minutes to write an answer, now I am able to do so within 10 minutes.”
Get Your First 30 Min Counselling session By a Mentor for Free
At the core of Samanvaya 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. Over 80% of students who claimed to have revised NCERTs twice were unable to answer basic questions. Many were not comfortable with at least 1 GS subject and Optional. Many struggled with ‘What went wrong’ after 2-3 years of hard work. Our mentors will provide free preliminary assignments so that we can assess your preparedness and suggest accurate strategies. We then help you to stick to one plan or strategy throughout your preparation.
Samanvaya Code of Conduct to be followed
However, before you fill the form and get your first 30 minute counselling with us for free, please keep in mind the following —
Be honest with your mentors about your preparation levels and stage.
Follow their advice and participate in tests and assignments that they set for you
Stay active in the telegram groups, ask doubts, don’t hold yourself back.
Don’t expect spoonfeeding. You have to drive the initiative.
According to Global E-waste Monitor 2020, the world generated a striking 53.6 Mt of e-waste in 2019 which is an average of 7.3 kg per capita.
The growing amount of e-waste is mainly fueled by higher consumption rates of Electronic equipments, short life cycles, and few repair options.
Since 2014, the number of countries that have adopted a national e-waste policy, legislation or regulation has increased from 61 to 78.
In India E-Waste (Management) Rules were notified in March 2016 for providing environmentally sound systems for disposal of e-waste.
E-Waste Generation in India
Electronic waste (e-waste) i.e., waste arising from end-of-life electronic products, such as computers and mobile phones, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world today.
Toxins present in E-Waste
They contains several toxic additives or hazardous substances such as mercury, brominated flame retardants (BFR), CFCs and HCFCs.
The increasing levels of e-waste, low collection rates, and non-environmentally sound disposal and treatment of this waste stream pose significant risks to the environment and to human health.
Improper management of e-waste also contributes to global warming.
Why is it generated at such a large scale?
Ubiquitous consumption: With the enhancement in the standard of living, modern societies have become resource-intensive in their consumption.
Invention: This has increased the demand for electronic items while considerably bringing down the life cycle of electronic products.
Upgradation: Coupled with planned obsolescence by the producers, inadequate repair options or awareness about deposit refund policies consumers tend to dispose of electronic goods along with other household waste, thus products entering the informal market.
What is E-waste Management?
E-waste management is a complicated process given the multitude of actors that are involved in the process.
The major stakeholders in the value chain include importers, producers/manufacturers, retailers (businesses/government/others), consumers (individual households, businesses, government and others), traders, scrap dealers, dissemblers/dismantlers and recyclers.
To critically assess each in the different stages of processing, it is important to understand the e-waste value chain.
The process involves four stages: generation, collection, segregation and treatment/disposal.
[1] Generation (discussed earlier)
[2] Collection
E-waste is collected by designated organizations, producers, Government retailer take-back, and producer take-back. This e-waste is then taken to a specialised treatment facility.
The disposer resorts to openly dumping the product in a waste bin along with other household wastes. E-waste ends up being incinerated or landfilled as other domestic waste.
[3] Segregation and Disposal
The e-waste collected may be sold to an informal dealer who may repair, refurbish, or sell again to a backyard recycler.
This recycler dismantles the product through burning, leaching, and melting, thus converting it into secondary raw materials.
India’s regulatory ecosystem
Indian electronics sector boomed in the last decade.
Increased production and penetration of imported electronics items led to an accelerated e-waste generation that necessitated regulatory control over the sector.
India has Electronic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 in place since . Its scope was expanded in 2016 and 2018 through amendments.
Provisions of the 2011 Rules
To streamline e-waste management, the Government introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) whereby producers were required to collect and recycle electronic items.
Since manufacturers were incurring the disposal cost, their designs would incorporate less toxic and easily recyclable materials, thereby reducing input material requirement.
Inherent flaws in Implementation
Recycling: Less than five percent of the waste is treated through formal recycling facilities.
Informal sector: The rest is handled by the informal sector with very little enforcement of environmental and occupational safety norms.
Weak Regulations: A deeper analysis revealed that the EPR regulations in India were not quantified through collection or recycling targets as in other countries with better implementation framework and mechanisms.
Lack of incentivization: In the absence of targets, producers had little incentive to ensure the collection of their used products.
Current scenario and issues in e-waste recycling
Crude and Scrappage: As of today, some 95% of e-waste is managed by the informal sector which operates under inferior working conditions and relies on crude techniques for dismantling and recycling.
Infrastructure lacunae: Another important issue is the lack of sufficient metal processing infrastructure which is why recyclers have to export materials to global smelters.
Price competencies: As aggregators are mostly informal, they demand up-front cash payments.
Bloomed informal network: The informal network is well-established and rests on social capital ties that PROs have yet to establish and are hence insulated from reaching the viable number of aggregators.
Policy failure: Policy changes have tried repeatedly to formalize the sector, but issues of implementation persist on the ground.
Way forward
Effective design: Since India is highly deficient in precious mineral resources, there is a need for a well-designed, robust and regulated e-waste recovery regime that would generate jobs and wealth.
Consumer responsibility: The consumers must responsibly consume the product for its useful life and then weigh between the chances of repair or disposal with utmost consciousness towards the environment.
Recyclable products: On the supply side, e-waste can be reduced when producers design electronic products that are safer, and more durable, repairable and recyclable.
Reuse: Manufacturers must reuse the recyclable materials and not mine rare elements unnecessarily to meet new production.
Commercial recycling: Rather than hoping that informal recyclers become formal it would be more feasible for companies and the state to design programs ensure e-waste easily makes its way to proper recyclers.
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.
Open to All Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Shubham Jatte
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.
However, what’s the best way to prepare, if you aren’t a fan of making mistakes and figuring it out along the way? We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realize that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things.
Do you know an ideal preparation would be divided into five phases and spread across 18 months? This means each phase will be about three to four months long.
This is what Civilsdaily mentor and 6 time Mains, 2 Time Interview candidate Shubham Jatte sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar. Backed by years of experience and ongoing research & analysis of the civil services exam, Shubham sir has developed a refined strategy which will he will be sharing to all the newcomers.
This webinar is absolutely free for all to attend! All you have to do is confirm your attendance by filling the registration form below.
Key-Takeaways of the Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham Sir
1. The first phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page notes? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.
2. The second phase – Studying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
3. Discussing 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?
4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
5. Why is the third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?
6. About the fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?
5. The last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?
6. Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
7. Three readings per subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
Shubham Sir will also hold a Q&A Session where beginners and veterans can clarify their doubts.
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you! Just fill the form and let us know the question you want to ask Shubham sir in the one hour long session on Sunday.
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.
Open to All Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Shubham Jatte
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.
However, what’s the best way to prepare, if you aren’t a fan of making mistakes and figuring it out along the way? We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realize that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things.
Do you know an ideal preparation would be divided into five phases and spread across 18 months? This means each phase will be about three to four months long.
This is what Civilsdaily mentor and 6 time Mains, 2 Time Interview candidate Shubham Jatte sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar. Backed by years of experience and ongoing research & analysis of the civil services exam, Shubham sir has developed a refined strategy which will he will be sharing to all the newcomers.
This webinar is absolutely free for all to attend! All you have to do is confirm your attendance by filling the registration form below.
Key-Takeaways of the Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham Sir
1. The first phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page notes? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.
2. The second phase – Studying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
3. Discussing 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?
4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
5. Why is the third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?
6. About the fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?
5. The last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?
6. Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
7. Three readings per subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
Shubham Sir will also hold a Q&A Session where beginners and veterans can clarify their doubts.
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you! Just fill the form and let us know the question you want to ask Shubham sir in the one hour long session on Sunday.
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.
Open to All Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Shubham Jatte
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.
However, what’s the best way to prepare, if you aren’t a fan of making mistakes and figuring it out along the way? We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realize that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things.
Do you know an ideal preparation would be divided into five phases and spread across 18 months? This means each phase will be about three to four months long.
This is what Civilsdaily mentor and 6 time Mains, 2 Time Interview candidate Shubham Jatte sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar. Backed by years of experience and ongoing research & analysis of the civil services exam, Shubham sir has developed a refined strategy which will he will be sharing to all the newcomers.
This webinar is absolutely free for all to attend! All you have to do is confirm your attendance by filling the registration form below.
Key-Takeaways of the Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham Sir
1. The first phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page notes? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.
2. The second phase – Studying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
3. Discussing 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?
4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
5. Why is the third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?
6. About the fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?
5. The last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?
6. Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
7. Three readings per subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
Shubham Sir will also hold a Q&A Session where beginners and veterans can clarify their doubts.
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you! Just fill the form and let us know the question you want to ask Shubham sir in the one hour long session on Sunday.
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.
Open to All Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Shubham Jatte
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.
However, what’s the best way to prepare, if you aren’t a fan of making mistakes and figuring it out along the way? We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realize that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things.
Do you know an ideal preparation would be divided into five phases and spread across 18 months? This means each phase will be about three to four months long.
This is what Civilsdaily mentor and 6 time Mains, 2 Time Interview candidate Shubham Jatte sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar. Backed by years of experience and ongoing research & analysis of the civil services exam, Shubham sir has developed a refined strategy which will he will be sharing to all the newcomers.
This webinar is absolutely free for all to attend! All you have to do is confirm your attendance by filling the registration form below.
Key-Takeaways of the Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham Sir
1. The first phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page notes? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.
2. The second phase – Studying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
3. Discussing 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?
4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
5. Why is the third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?
6. About the fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?
5. The last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?
6. Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
7. Three readings per subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
Shubham Sir will also hold a Q&A Session where beginners and veterans can clarify their doubts.
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you! Just fill the form and let us know the question you want to ask Shubham sir in the one hour long session on Sunday.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) released the second quarter gross value added (GVA) and gross domestic product (GDP) numbers on November 30, 2021, indicating the pace of economic recovery in India after the two COVID-19 waves.
Strong growth momentum required to exceed pre-COVID-19 levels
The real GVA for the first half of 2021-22 at ₹63.4 lakh crore has remained below the level in the first half of 2019-20 at ₹65.8 lakh crore by (-)3.7%.
This difference is even larger for GDP which at the end of first half of 2021-22 stood at ₹68.1 lakh crore, which is (-) 4.4% below the corresponding level of GDP at ₹71.3 lakh crore in 2019-20.
As the base effect weakens in the third and fourth quarters of 2021-22, a strong growth momentum would be needed to ensure that at the end of this fiscal year, in terms of magnitude, GVA and GDP in real terms exceed their corresponding pre-COVID-19 levels of 2019-20.
Domestic demand including private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) in the first half of 2021-22 remains below its corresponding level in 2019-20 by nearly ₹5.5 lakh crore.
This indicates that investment as well as consumption demand have to pick up strongly in the remaining two quarters to ensure that the economy emerges on the positive side at the end of 2021-22 as compared to its pre-COVID-19 level.
Annual growth prospects
Required rate in second half of 2021-22: To realise the projected annual growth at 9.5% for 2021-22 given both by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), we require a growth of 6.2% in the second half of 2021-22.
This will have to be achieved even as the base effect weakens in the third and fourth quarters since GDP growth rate in these quarters of 2020-21 was at 0.5% and 1.6%, respectively.
Thus, achieving the projected growth rate of 9.5% is going to be a big challenge.
What should be the policy to achieve higher growth rate
Fiscal support: The policy instrument for achieving a higher growth may have to be a strong fiscal support in the form of government capital expenditure.
The Centre’s gross tax revenues have shown an unprecedented growth rate of 64.2% and a buoyancy of 2.7 in the first half of 2021-22.
The Centre’s incentivisation of state capital expenditure through additional borrowing limits would also help in this regard. According to available information, 11 States in the first quarter and seven States in the second quarter qualified for the release of the additional tranche under this window.
Even as Central and State capital expenditures gather momentum, high frequency indicators reflect an ongoing pick-up in private sector economic activities.
Robust growth in Centre’s gross tax revenue
The growth in the Centre’s GTR in the first half of 2019-20 was at 1.5% and there was a contraction of (-)3.4% for the year as a whole.
In the face of such weak revenues, the Central government could not mount a meaningful fiscal stimulus in 2019-20 even as real GDP growth fell to 4.0%.
In contrast, the government is in a significantly stronger position in 2021-22 since the growth in GTR in the first half is 64.2% and the full-year growth is expected to be quite robust.
Conclusion
Thus, the key to attaining a 9.5% real GDP annual growth in 2021-22 lies in the government’s ongoing emphasis on infrastructure spending as reflected in the government’s capital expenditure.
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.
Open to All Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Shubham Jatte
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.
However, what’s the best way to prepare, if you aren’t a fan of making mistakes and figuring it out along the way? We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realize that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things.
Do you know an ideal preparation would be divided into five phases and spread across 18 months? This means each phase will be about three to four months long.
This is what Civilsdaily mentor and 6 time Mains, 2 Time Interview candidate Shubham Jatte sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar. Backed by years of experience and ongoing research & analysis of the civil services exam, Shubham sir has developed a refined strategy which will he will be sharing to all the newcomers.
This webinar is absolutely free for all to attend! All you have to do is confirm your attendance by filling the registration form below.
Key-Takeaways of the Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham Sir
1. The first phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page notes? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.
2. The second phase – Studying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
3. Discussing 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?
4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
5. Why is the third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?
6. About the fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?
5. The last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?
6. Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
7. Three readings per subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
Shubham Sir will also hold a Q&A Session where beginners and veterans can clarify their doubts.
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you! Just fill the form and let us know the question you want to ask Shubham sir in the one hour long session on Sunday.
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.
Open to All Webinar by Civilsdaily Mentor Shubham Jatte
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.
However, what’s the best way to prepare, if you aren’t a fan of making mistakes and figuring it out along the way? We understand how annoying it might be for you if you were to study in a certain way for months together and then realize that it doesn’t align with the UPSC-CSE way of doing things.
Do you know an ideal preparation would be divided into five phases and spread across 18 months? This means each phase will be about three to four months long.
This is what Civilsdaily mentor and 6 time Mains, 2 Time Interview candidate Shubham Jatte sir would be discussing in the upcoming webinar. Backed by years of experience and ongoing research & analysis of the civil services exam, Shubham sir has developed a refined strategy which will he will be sharing to all the newcomers.
This webinar is absolutely free for all to attend! All you have to do is confirm your attendance by filling the registration form below.
Key-Takeaways of the Free Q&A Webinar with Shubham Sir
1. The first phase – Studying the Core Subjects. How to read every topic in the syllabus from 2-3 sources in the first reading and prepare a 1-2 page notes? And in your second reading, stick to only one source while using your notes as reference.
2. The second phase – Studying Mains Specific Subjects & Optional. How to follow the ritual of reading, writing summaries and answering topic-wise previous year questions?
3. Discussing 2-3 Revision Strategies which you can follow. Why should you not go more than 20 days without revision?
4. Live demonstration of making the perfect notes. How to not copy line-by-line of everything you read & only note down the 5 dimensions of a topic?
5. Why is the third phase of preparation the shortest of all? What should you ideally do after completing the Prelims and Mains subjects?
6. About the fourth phase. How to improve your accuracy 3 months before the Prelims exams?
5. The last phase. What must be done 3 months before the Mains exams?
6. Including statistics and relevant data. What are the subject-wise important committee reports you should read?
7. Three readings per subject. How do you study during each revision phase?
Shubham Sir will also hold a Q&A Session where beginners and veterans can clarify their doubts.
If you want to get the nuances of UPSC-CSE preparation right in the first go, then this free webinar is for you! Just fill the form and let us know the question you want to ask Shubham sir in the one hour long session on Sunday.
In the run-up to the repeal of the three farm laws, the potential cost of MSP to the taxpayers became a matter of debate.
Issue of MSP
Large variation: Experts and agricultural economists quoted numbers about the cost of MPS.
There is a large variation in the quoted numbers.
The enormity of the variance in estimates is astounding.
No consensus on the number of beneficiaries of MSP: There is also a dissonance between the NSSO data and the administrative data on the number of farmers who enjoy MSP.
No consensus on a formula to calculate MSP: Further, there is no consensus on the formulae for the calculation of MSP.
Suggestions on land reforms
[1] Reduce high domestic prices
That India is an agri-surplus country.
That domestic prices of agri-commodities are often higher than in the international market and therefore, there is a need to bring them down.
How to achieve cost reduction: Cost reduction can happen either by creating efficiencies by plugging leakages or, by cost-cutting — including reducing farmers’ margins.
In the recently-reached understanding with the farmers, the government has agreed to constitute a committee on MSP.
Hopefully, a formula can be arrived at by which costs of domestic agricultural produce can be reduced while ensuring a “remunerative price” for the farmers.
[2] Protecting landholdings
There is also a need to protect landholdings.
Farmers’ fears in this regard are not exaggerated.
Under the erstwhile laws, orders of payment made by an SDM/Collector could be recovered as “arrears of land revenue”.
While agricultural lands were protected from such recovery, non-agricultural (immovable and movable) assets appeared to be fair game.
Further, circumstances such as sustenance and payment of debts could force a farmer to sell their agricultural landholdings.
Large-scale loss of landholdings could lead to their consolidation in the hands of a few.
This could have the impact of turning the clock back, reminiscent of the Zamindari system.
[3] Need to reconsider the dispute resolution mechanism
The government should also reconsider the dispute resolution mechanism provided in the erstwhile laws.
In an MSP driven regime, the government is likely to be a party in any potential dispute.
Conflict of interest: There will be a direct conflict of interest since the SDM/Collector is an arm of the government.
Land records are within the jurisdiction of the patwari and tehsildar, who report to the SDM/Collector.
Fast track courts: It would be advisable to think in terms of fast-track courts, and remove the provision of recovery through arrears of land revenue.
It would also be advisable to have only one dispute resolution mechanism for all farm laws.
[4] Avoid over-corporatisation without the creation of the requisite efficiencies
We should not ask our farmers to brave corporatisation without levelling the playing field and enough jobs in the non-agricultural sector.
Over-corporatisation without the creation of the requisite efficiencies could lead us to become heavily import-dependent, killing the benefits of the Green Revolution.
Conclusion
Perfunctory reforms and those that don’t work for all constituents — corporates as well as farmers — could have long-term deleterious effects for not only the agricultural sector, but the economy as a whole.
The Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners were summoned by the PMO to attend a meeting with the Principal Secretary to the PM.
Why the meeting raises questions?
The PMO summoning or “inviting” not just the CEC but the full bench is in violation of the Constitution, irrespective of how important or urgent the issue.
Violation of the principle of distancing from executive: When a person is appointed as CEC or EC, that person has to resign from his executive post in order to adhere to important constitutional principle of distancing from the executive/government.
The executive could appoint a person to these posts but could not order them, or remove me because of the constitutional scheme of things.
Violation of independence: An independent ECI is a gift of the Constitution to the nation. Free and fair and credible elections are sine qua non of the EC.
The Supreme Court has repeatedly stressed this point, calling it part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
Violation of warrant of precedence: The CEC is very high in the warrant of precedence — ninth, while the PS to PM is 23rd.
How can such a high constitutional functionary be summoned to attend a meeting with an officer, howsoever high and mighty?
It raises suspicions: A meeting of the PS to the PM, formal or informal, online or in the PMO or ECI, just before elections raises unnecessary suspicions.
Conclusion
This incident is a transgression that should not happen again. The distance of an arm’s length in interactions between institutions envisaged in the Constitution is sacrosanct. It should not only be maintained but also “seen” to be maintained.
