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Officier’s IAS Academy under the aegis of R.A.Israel Jebasingh, IAS has launched a Prelims Test Series targeted at IAS 2016.
To know more about the test series, check the link – Prelims 2016 Online Test Batch Schedule. Use Promo Code CD500 to get 500 off on the test package.
#1. Which of the following statements are true?
i) Exchange rates are determined by open market economies which is open to a wide range of buyers and sellers where currency trading is continuous
ii) Forward exchange rate refers to an exchange rate that is quoted and traded today but for delivery and payment on a future date
a) i only b) ii only c) both i and ii d) neither i nor ii
Explanation- Exchange rates are determined by foreign exchange markets
Reason-Â The economic condition of the country , where our money was devalued many a times .Indian rupee plunges to 2-year low of 65.10.
#2. Consider the statements about Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB)
Which of the following are correct?
a. Only I | b. Only II | c. Both I and II | d. Neither I nor II
Explanation: The banksâ accept deposits from everyone but lends predominantly to women.
Reason: Government mulls merger of Bharatiya Mahila Bank into State Bank of India.
#3. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
i. The Central Statistical office publishes  consumer price index for all series.
ii. The wholesale price index is published by ministry of Finance.
a.i only | b.ii only | c.both I and ii | d.neither i nor ii
Explanation: CSO publishes CPI for Industrial workers, Agricultural Labourers, Rural Labours. CPI for Urban Non-manual employees published by Ministry of Labour and Employment. The Wholesale price Index is Published by the office of economic Advisor.
Reason: Last year Economy survey had spoken about CPI.
#4. The chairman of 7th central pay commission is
a. Shri Ashok Kumar Mathur
b. Shri Vivek Rae
c. Dr. Ratha Roy
d. Smt. Meena Agarvwal
Reason: Recently the most awaited 7th pay commission was announced.
#5. Match the following,
Problems faced by farming sector               possible measures
       1) Unirrigated land                  A) Setting up agro-based mills
       2) Low price for crops                             B) Banks to provide low interest credit
       3) Debt burden                      C) Procurement of food grains by govt
       4) No job in the off season            D) Construction of canals by the govt
   Select the correct code from below :
     a) 1-D;2-C;3-B;4-A
         b)1-D;2-A;3-B;4-C
         c)1-C;2-B;3-A;4-D
         d)1-C;2-D;3-A;4-B
Reason: Across India farmers are facing drought crisis.
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Officier’s IAS Academy under the aegis of R.A.Israel Jebasingh, IAS has launched a Prelims Test Series targeted at IAS 2016.
To know more about the test series, check the link – Prelims 2016 Online Test Batch Schedule. Use Promo Code CD500 to get 500 off on the test package.
#1. Assertion (A) : The Rajya Sabha does not have Committee on Private Members Bills and Resolutions.
Reason (R) : The business advisory committee of the house recommends allocation of time for discussion on stage of private members bills and resolutions.
a) both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b)both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c)A is true and R is false
d)A is false and R is true
Reason: Transgender bill was passed through private member , this bill was passed in rajya sabha . Such a bill was passed only once in 35 years.
#2. Essence of federalism, (Select the most appropriate)
a. A state cannot be divided or merged with another state without its prior consent.
b. Assigning the residuary power of legislation exclusively to the state.
c. No importance to any regional language at the centre.
d. having flexibility in the amenability of the constitution unilaterally by the centre.
Reason : Separation of Andhra without the consent of the state Government and this is against the concept of cooperative federalism proposed by the present government .
#3. Which of the following statements regarding nature of Indian polity is/are NOT correct?
i. Coalition government first came at centre and then at state level.
ii. India follows first-past-the post system in election of the President.
iii. President cannot revoke emergency without permission of Parliament.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a. i only
b. ii,iii
c. i,iii
d.i,ii,iii
Explanation: First past the post- election is one that is won by the candidate receiving more votes than any others. First formal coalition in centre is interim government of India formed in 1946. In state the coalition was present since Provincial elections 1937.Revocation of emergency does not require parliament’s approval.
#4. While appointing members to which of the following bodies the President of India need not consult any Panel?
(i) National Human Rights Commission
(ii) Election Commission of India
(iii) Finance Commission
(iv) Central Information Commission
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) i and iii only (b) ii and iii only
(c) ii and iv only (d) i and ii only
Reason: CIC post was not appointed for a long time and this came under huge scrutiny.
#5. Which among the following is / are correct statements with respect to the Fourteenth Finance Commission recommendations:
(i) It recommended to enhanced the share of the states in the central divisible pool of taxes from 32 percent to 42 per cent
(ii) It has used forest cover and fiscal discipline in the formula for distribution of funds among states
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
(a) i only (b) ii only
(c) Both i and ii (d) Neither i nor ii
Reason: In this in regards to the Finance Commission report and their recommendation.
#6. (i). Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) was launched in 2015 to improve the quality of life of rural people in India .
(ii). Rural sanitation is a subject in the concurrent list of Seventh schedule in the constitution of India.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
(a) I is true
(b) II is true
(c)Both I & II is true
(d) Both are false
Reason: Government launched Swachh Bharat Mission in order to increase awareness among the citizens for a clean environment , Moreover Sanitation is under State Subject , so when central government comes up with a scheme on state list then it comes under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
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After âCritical Evaluationâ, let us look at some of the other directives that are used by the UPSC examiners with their most commonly accepted definitions.
Break an issue into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against as well as how these interrelate to one another.
âInstances of Presidentâs delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time limit specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions. Analyse.â (2014)
Pick out the main points on a subject and give your opinion, reinforcing your point of view using logic and reference to relevant evidence, including any wider reading you have done.
âSufis and Medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu/Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.â (2014)
Pick out main points in the statement, present your views on it which rests on sound logic, reasoning and evidence. Do not forget to arrive at your conclusion.
âScientific research in India universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment.â (2014)
Seemingly innocuous, frequently used and probably the most tricky/sticky term whose meaning depends upon the question in which it has been used and how it has been used.
âDiscussâ basically entails a debate where we use our reasoning backed up with evidence to make a case for and against an argument arriving at a conclusion.
âHow difficult would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.â(2015)
When the examiner has chosen the words âHow difficult?â, then you are the one who have to arrive at a conclusion of âVery difficultâ,
âA little difficultâ or âNot at all difficultâ, or any other shade you believe in, depending upon the reasoning and evidence you chose.
âThe quality of higher education in India requires major improvement to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of technical and higher education in the country? Discuss.â(2015)
In the above question again, you have to arrive at a conclusion.
In the question that follows, they did not just put a full stop after âDiscussâ but went on to add what it means i.e. give logical arguments.
âSuccess of make in India program depends on the success of Skill India programme and radical labour reforms. Discuss with logical arguments.â
However, many a items, examiners ask you to discuss one particular facet of an issue and in such cases they specifically mention what they want you to discuss.
Elucidate means âto make clearâ. In several of the questions, where the examiners use this directive, they present us with a cause-effect linkage asking us to âelucidateâ. In such cases, we have to basically bring out the linkage more clearly citing evidence and examples.
âThe Self Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Program (SBLP), which is Indiaâs own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programme. Elucidate.â
Similar to critical evaluation. Even otherwise when we are asked to evaluate something, we arrive at a decision on how good or bad it is depending upon evidence and logic. That is exactly what you do in the questions where we are directed to evaluate a statement. We give our verdict as to what extent a statement or finding is true, or to what extent we agree with them. We give evidence which both agrees with and contradict it and then we arrive at a final conclusion, basing our decision on what we judge to be the most important factors.
âThe New Economic Policy â 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate.â (2014)
Look in close detail and establish the key facts and important issues surrounding a topic. This should be a critical examination and you should try and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as explain the different ways they could be construed.
âThe penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.â (2014)
Quite an easy directive per se.
It is basically a clarification. We have to clarify why and how something happens or why is something the way it is.
âExplain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation?â (2015)
âExplain the formation of thousands of islands in Indonesian and Philippines archipelagos.â (2014)
Here we not only have to give the factors that cause ocean currents but also clarify how they cause ocean currents.
Every once in awhile, it might serve you good to set the customary Lakshmikanths and the BipinChandras aside and slip into reading something less overwhelming (and more encouraging).
Catch up on these memoirs (of sorts) written by civil servants (IAS/IFS/IPS), both old and new and get a sneak peak on “life on the other side of the fence”. Click on the titles to buy them from Amazon.
In an interview to The Hindu, Robin Gupta reminisces
âBhaskar Ghosh once divided the civil servants into 3Â types: nuns, loyal wives and prostitutes, and I agree with him. Nuns are those who keep on doing what is right irrespective of who is in power; loyal wives are ones who pick one party and keep serving it and are ready to suffer for it as well. The prostitutes have no qualms about changing sides.â
Javid Chowdhury tries to give an earnest and evolved picture of his 40 years as a public servant and though he has a neat turn of phrase and some juicy stories, specially the one on three Parsi police officers controlling a riot, it is his integrity and values that come across strongly. Boy! If this was what civil servants were like once, the country was in good hands.
Ref: The Hindu
The book is a compilation of a bureaucratâs candid revelations about his various tasks, his close brush with politicians, thereby revealing their insecurities and egos and his zest for not toeing the line blindly despite all odds.
Kaw is a 1964-batch Himachal cadre IAS officer, who acquired a wide array of experience in several prestigious departments and retired in November 2001 after putting in 42 years of service.
K. Natwar Singh is a well-known author, diplomat and politician. He has been ambassador to Pakistan. He was attached to the office of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1971.
Shashi Tharoor reviews this book here,
Walking with Lions is his account of his encounters with those remarkable men and women. It is not a conventional memoir but rather a series of vignettes, each of which has previously appeared as a newspaper column. This makes for easily digestible reading.
Not just an accountant is an incisive, no-holds-barred account of Indiaâs eleventh comptroller and auditor general and a symbol of the anti-corruption movement, Vinod Rai.
Jagdish Khattar has had an astonishingly diverse career, a trained lawyer who became an IAS officer. He was an agent of change in Uttar Pradesh through his roles as district magistrate, and head of the cement and transport corporations. He also helmed Indiaâs Tea Board in London and played a key role in the steel ministry. Finally, at the age of sixty-five, Khattar turned entrepreneur with Carnation, Indiaâs first multi-brand car sales and servicing network.
This is an unusual entry to our list but it’s worth a good read because of the theme it explores. In this book, Sumita Dawra recounts her experiences as collector in the district of Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh.
The field notes recount a period between 2001 and 2004 when the author, a 1991-batch IAS officer, was collector in Andhra Pradesh’s Karimnagar district. But analytically, in terms of statistics and argument, the book is up to date.
Ref: India Today
After his successful stint in South Africa, it was time for Gandhiji to try his tactics in his homeland, India. He tries to experiment with Satyagraha at a smaller scale before he goes for a mass movement. All his experiments were a huge success and thus lay the foundation of the Non-Cooperation movement which shook the British Raj.
Gandhiji was persuaded by Raj Kumar Shukla to study the conditions of the Indigo Plantation workers in Champaran, a district in Bihar.
The system prevalent in the Indigo Plantations was the Tinkathia System*. In this system, the peasants were required to mandatorily cultivate indigo in 3/20th of their land holdings.
Gandhiji did his research. At the same time, the Govt. appointed a Commission of Inquiry to go into the whole issue and nominated Gandhiji as one of its members. Needless to say, it found the Planters guilty of exploitation. A compromise was reached and Planters were ordered to refund 25% of the amount they had illegally taken.
This time Gandhiji was dealing with the workers. Due to plague, the mill owners had increased the pay to 75% to attract workers. However, once the plague conditions subsided, the mill owners wanted to bring down the pay to 20%. The workers didn’t agree with this reduction and wanted 50% of the pay to remain. The logic they sited was that WW1 had increased the prices. Gandhiji didn’t want the interest of the industrialist class to be hurt. He tried hard to persuade Ambalal Sarabhai who was his friend but failed. Left with no option, he asked workers to go on a strike. When Gandhiji saw the strike subsiding, he went on a fast. This put pressure on the mill owners who agreed for the 35% increment.
This is where Gandhiji teams up with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to help the cause of peasants. The peasants were in extreme distress as their crop produce had been 1/4th of the original. As per the revenue code, they were entitled for a full concession. However, the Govt. wasn’t willing to let go of their revenues and kept pressurizing the peasants.
Gandhiji urged all farmers to fight unto death against this injustice of the British. He appealed the rich farmers to support to the poor farmers by not paying revenues despite having the capability. Later the British came out with a policy asking the rich farmers to pay their due voluntarily. (which backfired as no rich farmer willingly wanted to pay revenue)
British, in the name of curbing terrorist violence, had introduced a Bill that severely curtailed the liberties of the Indians. It had provisions for arrest without warrant and detention for 2 years. Gandhiji called for a nation-wide hartal accompanied by fasting and praying. The Movement went in a different direction than what was expected. There were events of violent outbreaks which feared the Govt.
The Rowlatt Satyagraha was withdrawn on 18th April, 1919 because of the Jaliawala Bagh Massacre that happened on 13th April 1919.
Gandhiji called it a ‘Himalayan Blunder’. It should be noted that NCM was not the first Nationwide Movement, it was the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
*There were two main systems of indigo cultivation â nij and ryoti. A detailed explanation of the same is given in NCERT.
Ref : http://www.ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/hess103.pdf
What we know as the Parliament today had humble beginnings as the Governor General’s Council.
Regulating Act of 1773 : The Gov of Bengal was made Gov General of Bengal. He was assisted by 4 people. This 4+1 becomes became Supreme Council of Bengal (source), also known as the GG’s Exec Council.
Pitt’s India Act of 784 : We see a shrinking of the Council from 4 members to 3 members. Hence 3+1 is the renewed GG’s Executive Council. Can you tell us why?Â
Charter Act of 1833Â : Gov General of Bengal became the Gov General of India. The Supreme Council of Bengal became the Council of India. This Act. was the first law to distinguish between the executive and legislative powers of the Gov General. A 4th member was introduced who could only discuss and vote only on legislative matter.
Council of India = [(3+1) + Â 1(4th member also called the Law Member)]
The first such Law Member was Macaulay. This Council of India was, to a certain extent, the Legislature. Strength of the Executive remained 3+1 .
Charter Act of 1853 : From here on, we see a gradual increase in the membership of the Council and further separation of powers. The 4th member (Law Member)was included as a full-time Member in the GG’s Executive Council. His position was taken by 6 Members referred to as Legislative Councillors.
Council of India = [(4+1) + 6(Legislative Councillors) + 1 Commander-in-Chief]
6 Councillors were,
Q. Who was the Commander-in-Chief?
Indian Councils Act of 1861 : After 1861, the Council was called Imperial Legislative Council(ILC) or Indian Legislative Council(ILC). The Executive was further enhanced by 1 member. The Viceroy now had the power to Nominate 6 – 12 Non-Official members in the Legislature who would be holding the office for 2 years.
ILC = [(5+1) + (Additional Members -> Minimum 6, Maximum 12)]
The composition of Additional Members was as follows:
The Act thus sowed the seed for the future Legislative as an independent entity separate from the Executive Council.
Indian Councils Act of 1892 : Due to the excessive demand of the Congress, the Additional Members were increased. Additional Members -> Minimum 10, Maximum 12.
ILC = [(5+1) + (Additional Members -> Minimum 10, Maximum 16)]
The composition of Additional Members was as follows:
Indian Councils Act of 1909 : The Morley-Minto reforms. It introduced for the first time the method of election.
The additional members of the Governor-General Council were increased from 16 to a maximum of 60.
The composition of Additional Members was as follows:
Indian Councils Act of 1919 : The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. Central Legislature thereafter called the Indian Legislature was reconstituted on enlarged and more representative character. It consisted of the Council of State consisted of 60 members of whom 34 members were elected and the Legislative Assembly consisted of about 145 members, of whom about 104 were elected and the rest nominated. Of the nominated members about 26 were officials. The powers of both the Chambers of the Indian Legislature were identical except that the power to vote supply was granted only to the Legislative Assembly.
The Government of India Act 1935: It marked the next great stride in the evolution of the Legislatures.  The Federal Legislature was to consist of two Houses, the House of Assembly called the Federal Assembly and the Council of States. The Federal Assembly was to consist of 375 members, 250 to represent Provinces and 125 to represent the Indian States, nominated by the Rulers.  The representatives of the Provinces were to be elected not directly but indirectly by the Provincial Assemblies. The term of the Assembly was fixed as five years. The Council of State was to be a permanent body not subject to dissolution, but one-third of the members should  retire  every  three  years. It was to consist of 260 members. 104 representatives of Indian States, six to be nominated by the Governor-General, 128 to be directly elected by territorial communal constituencies and 22 to be set apart for smaller minorities, women and depressed classes. The two Houses had in general equal powers but demands for supply votes and financial Bills were to originate in the Assembly.
Shah Jahan constructed the Taj Mahal at Agra. Sumitra Mahajan wants a new Sansad Mahal at New Delhi. If the former was an ode to love, justification for the latter is as techno-legal as it gets, ranging from the stiffly legal references of Article 81 to creating technological capacities. Such Parliamentary fervour after such amazing sessions! Really, they quite deceive us, our Sansad members.
Why a new building?
Top reason is Arvind Subramaniam. Itâs he who has created this Shah Jahan-minus-the-love aka Keynesian furore in our to-hell-with-growth Parliamentarians. The man claims that the growth forecast stands revised downwards from 8.1% to 7.3%. So letâs make it in India and get the growth rate moving. After visiting nearly all countries that make anything at all, weâve realized that no one wants to really make much to begin with (itâs a global slowdown, stupid!) and if at all they do, they certainly wonât make it in India.
So let the Government spend some more. On what, is the golden question. Spend too much, and those firangi buggers at Moodyâs will give us a downgrade. Spend too little, and Arvind threatens to release a new document with 7.0% growth. Do nothing and the Opposition will disrupt the Budget session. Itâs quite a tricky little question.
Hmmm. So hereâs the answer. Spend on a project that gets the multipliers working, so that Arvind is happy. Spend on a project that has the capacity to raise its own revenue source, and Moodyâs will be happy. Spend on a project that will be used by the Opposition as well, and keep them at bay.
Hurrah! Itâs the Parliament! Getting that going will create huge demand for steel and cement and construction material. Welcome, employment. This will push private investments as well, creating the impetus for growth. That takes care of the CEA. Next, impose a Sansad Bachao, Sansad Banao cess. What we really need is Sansad Padhao, but thatâs another matter altogether. Surely Moodyâs cannot get upset about such a deficit neutral project. Whatâs more, voters absolutely cannot resist Hindi-named taxes. Hehehe!
As far as the Opposition is concerned, this project takes the cake. Theyâll not only support it, but positively beam and urge the Government to spend more. The only condition is that we use Italian marble in the construction. Why, they may even behave themselves in the Budget session and finally pass the GST. Yeah, that the Government may have to re-name it the Great Sansad Tax is another matter altogether.
Apart from the terrific economic benefits of the move, there are also those other, rather important issues that justify the new building. Ms. Mahajan claims that the current building is under âstressâ. Being a mute witness to such high-on-adrenalin chair-upturning and yelling sessions does that to the strongest of stones.
Making the new premises technologically capable will make the Parliament a paperless organization. That is truly a masterstroke and will end all possibilities of the Opposition flinging paper balls to disrupt the session. Wish they would make it pepper-free as well. Letâs put nation building on hold. First, the Parliament building, please.