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Type: Prelims Only

  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Malabar Rebellion of 1921

    Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Moplah Revolt

    Mains level: Various tribal uprisings in India

    This August 20, marked the centenary of the Malabar rebellion, which is also known as the Moplah riots.

    Try this question from CSP 2020:

    Q. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following event?

    (a) The Revolt of 1857

    (b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921

    (c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60

    (d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900

     

    Sign-in to post your answers here.

    Malabar Rebellion

    • The Malabar Rebellion in 1921 started as resistance against the British colonial rule and the feudal system in southern Malabar but ended in communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
    • There were a series of clashes between Mappila peasantry and their landlords, supported by the British, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
    • It began as a reaction against a heavy-handed crackdown on the Khilafat Movement, a campaign in defence of the Ottoman Caliphate by the British authorities in the Eranad and Valluvanad taluks of Malabar.
    • The Mappilas attacked and took control of police stations, British government offices, courts and government treasuries.

    Who was Variyankunna Kunjahammed Haji?

    • He was one of the leaders of the Malabar Rebellion of 1921.
    • He raised 75000 natives, seized control of large territory from the British rule and set up a parallel government.
    • In January 1922, under the guise of a treaty, the British betrayed Haji through his close friend Unyan Musaliyar, arresting him from his hideout and producing him before a British judge.
    • He was sentenced to death along with his compatriots.

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    Also read

    Important Rebellion

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Melting of the Greenland’s Snow Cover

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Greenland

    Mains level: Not Much

    Recently the summit of Greenland received rain and not snow. This has sparked fear as scientists are pointing to it as evidence that Greenland is warming rapidly.

    About Greenland

    • Greenland is the world’s largest island located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
    • It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
    • Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe (specifically Norway and Denmark, the colonial powers).
    • The majority of its residents are Inuit, whose ancestors migrated from Alaska through Northern Canada, gradually settling across the island by the 13th century.
    • It has three-quarters of its surface covered with a permanent ice sheet, which is increasingly coming under threat because of climate change.

    Rain at Greenland: The rarest phenomenon

    • At the highest point on Greenland’s ice sheet, the US maintains a Summit Station, a research facility that observes changes occurring over the island as well as in Arctic weather.
    • Researchers observed rain at the normally frigid summit, with the precipitation extending up to Greenland’s southeast coast.
    • The rain, coupled with warm conditions, caused a major melting event at the summit.
    • This led to rapid ice melting running off into the ocean in volumes, thus accelerating global sea-level rise.

    A cause of worry

    • Greenland, which is two-thirds the size of India, already witnessed one of its most severe melting events.
    • It has lost 8.5 billion tons of surface mass in one day– the third such extreme event in the past decade.
    • The UN’s “code red” climate report released last week concluded that the burning of fossil fuels led to Greenland melting in the last 20 years.
    • The rapid melting is also threatening polar bears, which now have to make their way hundreds of kilometers towards Greenland’s interior from the coasts, where they usually find enough food.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Places in news: Panjshir Valley

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood – Relations

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Panjshir Valley

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Taliban has sent hundreds of its fighters to the Panjshir Valley, one of the few parts of Afghanistan not yet controlled by the group.

    Panjshir Valley

    • Located 150 km north of Kabul, the Valley is near the Hindu Kush Mountain range.
    • It’s divided by the Panjshir river and ringed by the Panjshir mountains in the north and the Kuhestan mountains in the south.
    • The mountain tops are covered by snow throughout the year.
    • This difficult terrain makes the Valley a nightmare for invaders.

    Why is it significant?

    • The Valley has repeatedly played a decisive role in Afghanistan’s military history, as its geographical position almost completely closes it off from the rest of the country.
    • The only access point to the region is through a narrow passage created by the Panjshir River, which can be easily defended militarily.
    • Famed for its natural defenses, the region tucked into the Hindu Kush mountains never fell to the Taliban during the civil war of the 1990s, nor was it conquered by the Soviets a decade earlier.
    • Panjshir Valley was among the safest regions in the country during the time of the NATO-backed government from 2001 to 2021.
    • The valley is also known for its emeralds, which were used in the past to finance the resistance movements against those in power.

    Answer this PYQ:

    Consider the following pairs

    Towns: Country in news        

    1. Aleppo: Syria
    2. Kirkuk: Yemen
    3. Mosul: Palestine
    4. Mazar-i-sharif: Afghanistan

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (CSP 2018)

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 1 and 4

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) 3 and 4

     

    Post your answers here.

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  • RBI Notifications

    Government Securities Acquisition Programme (GSAP 2.0)

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Mobilization Of Resources

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: G-Secs

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will conduct an open market purchase of government securities of ₹25,000 crore under the G-sec Acquisition Programme (G-SAP 2.0).

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.Consider the following statements:

    1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services the Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
    2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
    3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 Only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Post your answers here:

    What are Government Securities?

    • These are debt instruments issued by the government to borrow money.
    • The two key categories are:
    1. Treasury bills (T-Bills) – short-term instruments which mature in 91 days, 182 days, or 364 days, and
    2. Dated securities – long-term instruments, which mature anywhere between 5 years and 40 years

    Note: T-Bills are issued only by the central government, and the interest on them is determined by market forces.

    Why G-Secs?

    • Like bank fixed deposits, g-secs are not tax-free.
    • They are generally considered the safest form of investment because they are backed by the government. So, the risk of default is almost nil.
    • However, they are not completely risk-free, since they are subject to fluctuations in interest rates.
    • Bank fixed deposits, on the other hand, are guaranteed only to the extent of Rs 5 lakh by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

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  • Nuclear Energy

    Nuclear Fusion and the recent breakthrough

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Nuclear Fusion Reaction

    Mains level: Cleaner energy resources

    California based researchers have announced that their experiment has made a breakthrough in nuclear fusion research.

    What exactly is Nuclear Fusion?

    • Nuclear fusion is defined as the combining of several small nuclei into one large nucleus with the subsequent release of huge amounts of energy.
    • The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manifested as either the release or the absorption of energy.
    • Nuclear fusion powers our sun and harnessing this fusion energy could provide an unlimited amount of renewable energy.
    • An example of nuclear fusion is the process of four hydrogens coming together to form helium.

    What was the experiment?

    • In the experiment, lasers were used to heat a small target or fuel pellets.
    • These pellets containing deuterium and tritium fused and produced more energy.
    • The team noted that they were able to achieve a yield of more than 1.3 megajoules of heat energy.
    • This megajoule of energy released in the experiment is indeed impressive in fusion terms.

    How was the new breakthrough achieved?

    • The team used new diagnostics, improved laser precision, and even made changes to the design.
    • They applied laser energy on fuel pellets to heat and pressurize them at conditions similar to that at the center of our Sun. This triggered the fusion reactions.
    • These reactions released positively charged particles called alpha particles, which in turn heated the surrounding plasma.
    • At high temperatures, electrons are ripped from an atom’s nuclei and become a plasma or an ionized state of matter. Plasma is also known as the fourth state of matter.
    • The heated plasma also released alpha particles and a self-sustaining reaction called ignition took place.

    Future prospects: Benefits

    • It is expected that fusion could meet humanity’s energy needs for millions of years.
    • Fusion fuel is plentiful and easily accessible: deuterium can be extracted inexpensively from seawater, and tritium can be produced from naturally abundant lithium.
    • Future fusion reactors will not produce high activity, long-lived nuclear waste, and a meltdown at a fusion reactor is practically impossible.
    • Importantly, nuclear fusion does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and so along with nuclear fission could play a future climate change mitigating role as a low carbon energy source.

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    What is RoDTEP Scheme?

    Prelims OnlySchemes | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: MEIS, RODTEP Scheme

    Mains level: Export promotion schemes in India

    The Centre has notified the rates and norms for the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme asserting that it would put ‘direct cash in the pockets of exporters’ soon.

    RoDTEP Scheme

    • RoDTEP is a scheme for Exporters to make Indian products cost-competitive and create a level playing field for them in the Global Market.
    • It has been kicked in from January 2021, replacing the earlier Merchandise and Services Export Incentive Schemes (MEIS and SEIS) that were in violation of WTO norms.
    • The new RoDTEP Scheme is a fully WTO compliant scheme.
    • It will reimburse all the taxes/duties/levies being charged at the Central/State/Local level which are not currently refunded under any of the existing schemes but are incurred at the manufacturing and distribution process.

    Answer this PYQ:

    Q.With reference to the international trade of India at present, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. India’s merchandise exports are less than its merchandise imports.
    2.  India’s imports of iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers and machinery have decreased in recent years.
    3.  India’s exports of services ye more than its imports of services.
    4.  India suffers from an overall trade/current account deficit.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 and 4 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

     

    Post your answers here (You need to sign-in for that).

    Why need such a scheme?

    • The scheme was announced last year as a replacement for the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS), which was not found not to be compliant with the rules of the World Trade Organisation.
    • Following a complaint by the US, a dispute settlement panel had ruled against India’s use of MEIS as it had found the duty credit scrips awarded under the scheme to be inconsistent with WTO norms.

    Coverage of the scheme

    • It covers about 75% of traded items and 65% of India’s exports.
    • To enable zero-rating of exports by ensuring domestic taxes are not exported, all taxes, including those levied by States and even Gram Panchayats, will be refunded under the scheme.
    • Steel, pharma, and chemicals have not been included under the scheme because their exports have done well without incentives.

    Back2Basics: Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)

    • MEIS was launched with an objective to enhance the export of notified goods manufactured in a country.
    • This scheme came into effect on 1 April 2015 through the Foreign Trade Policy and was in existence till 2020.
    • It intended to incentivize exports of goods manufactured in India or produced in India.
    • The incentives were for goods widely exported from India, industries producing or manufacturing such goods with a view to making Indian exports competitive.
    • The MEIS covered almost 5000 goods notified for the purpose of the scheme.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Person in news: Maharaja Ranjit Singh

    Prelims Only | | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Maharaja Ranjit Singh

    Mains level: Not Much

    A bronze statue of the first ruler of the Sikh Empire, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was vandalized in Pakistan.

    Who was Maharaja Ranjit Singh?

    • Maharaja Ranjit Singh (13 November 1780 – 27 June 1839), popularly known as Sher-e-Punjab or “Lion of Punjab”, was the first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire.
    • He survived smallpox in infancy but lost sight in his left eye.
    • Prior to his rise, the Punjab region had numerous warring misls (confederacies), twelve of which were under Sikh rulers and one Muslim.
    • Ranjit Singh successfully absorbed and united the Sikh misls and took over other local kingdoms to create the Sikh Empire.
    • He repeatedly defeated invasions by outside armies, particularly those arriving from Afghanistan, and established friendly relations with the British.

    Empirical expansion

    • Ranjit Singh’s trans-regional empire spread over several states. His empire included the former Mughal provinces of Lahore and Multan besides part of Kabul and the entire Peshawar.
    • The boundaries of his state went up to Ladakh — Zorawar Singh, a general from Jammu, had conquered Ladakh in Ranjit Singh’s name — in the northeast.
    • His empire extended till Khyber pass in the northwest, and up to Panjnad in the south where the five rivers of Punjab fell into the Indus.
    • During his regime, Punjab was a land of six rivers, the sixth being the Indus.

    His legacy

    • Ranjit Singh’s reign introduced reforms, modernization, investment into infrastructure, and general prosperity.
    • His Khalsa army and government included Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, and Europeans.
    • His legacy includes a period of Sikh cultural and artistic renaissance, including the rebuilding of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar, and Hazur Sahib Nanded, Maharashtra under his sponsorship.

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  • RBI Notifications

    Positive Pay System for high-value cheques

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Positive Pay System

    Mains level: Not Much

    Banks have been informing customers about making mandatory, the positive pay system, a process of reconfirming the key details of high-value cheques.

    What is the Positive Pay System?

    • The Positive Pay System, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India, is a process of reconfirming the key details of large value cheques.
    • Under this system, a person issuing the high-value cheque submits certain essential details of that cheque like date, name of the beneficiary/payee amount etc. to the drawee bank.
    • The details can be submitted through electronic means such as SMS, mobile app, internet banking, ATM etc.
    • The details are cross-checked while issuing the cheque and any discrepancy is flagged.

    Try answering this PYQ:

    Q.Which one of the following links all the ATMs in India? (CSP 2018)

    (a) Indian Banks’ Association

    (b) National Securities Depository Limited

    (c) National Payments Corporation of India

    (d) Reserve Bank of India

    (Note: You need to sign-in to answer this PYQ)

    Post your answers here.

    What is the limit on the amount for the system?

    • RBI has told banks to enable the facility for all account holders issuing cheques for amounts of ₹50,000 and above.
    • It has also been said that while availing of the facility is at the discretion of the account holder, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheque values of ₹5 lakh and above.

    Why is this system important for customers?

    • Some banks have been telling customers that if the details of large-value cheques are not pre-registered, the cheque will be returned.
    • On issuance of a high-value cheque, customers should ensure that details are provided within the timeframe prescribed by the banks for hassle-free clearance.
    • RBI has said only cheques that are registered in the Positive Pay System will be accepted under the dispute resolution mechanism.
    • Customers would get an SMS on whether the cheque is accepted or rejected for any reason.

    What are the details of the cheque that must be submitted?

    • Account number, cheque number, date of the cheque, amount, transaction code, beneficiary name, MICR CODE.

    How can these details be submitted?

    • These details can be submitted through the respective bank’s website, internet banking, or mobile banking.
    • In case a customer does not use electronic banking services, they can submit the details by visiting bank branches.

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Species in news: Slender Loris

    Prelims OnlySpecies | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Slender Loris

    Mains level: Various endemic species of India

    The Kadavur hills in central Tamil Nadu’s Karur district are home to the Kadavur Reserve Forest. These forests are home to the shy and reclusive slender loris, a species of primate.

    Slender Loris

    • Slender loris (Loris tardigradus) is secretive and has nocturnal habits. It usually travels from the canopy of one tree to another. But, at times, it also comes down to bushes at the ground level to feed.
    • It is also found in the adjoining forest areas on the eastern, southern and western slopes of the Kadavur hills.
    • It sleeps by day in the foliage or in a hole or crevice. It comes out at dusk in search of prey.
    • They are fond of lantana berries and also eat insects, lizards, small birds, tree frogs, tender leaves and buds.
    • They are usually solitary but sometimes found in pairs.

    Conservation

    • The slender loris has been listed as ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
    • It has been brought under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in order to provide the highest level of legal protection.

    Threats

    • As it is believed that these animals have some medicinal properties, they are captured and sold.
    • Since there is great demand for keeping these animals as pets, they are illegally smuggled.
    • Habitat loss, electrocution of live wires, and road accidents are other threats that have caused its populations to dwindle.

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  • Tribes in News

    Arunachal Pradesh ST List

    Prelims Only | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Diversity Of India

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Various Naga tribes

    Mains level: Tribal assertiveness in NE region

    The Parliament has passed a bill that seeks to amend the nomenclature of certain tribes from Arunachal Pradesh mentioned in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

    What does the Bill amend?

    • The Bill seeks to modify Part-XVIII of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
    • Part-XVIII lists 16 tribes of Arunachal, in order: Abor, Aka, Apatani, Nyishi, Galong, Khampti, Khowa, Mishmi [Idu, Taroon], Momba, Any Naga tribes, Sherdukpen, Singpho, Hrusso, Tagin, Khamba, and Adi.
    • The Bill corrects the names of tribes spelled incorrectly and adds names of a few tribes that were either named ambiguously or had their parent group named only.

    Why is it significant?

    • Self-identification: It is an essence for much-needed respect for small indigenous communities in the Northeast.
    • Indigenous nomenclature of tribes: This has been a long-standing demand in Arunachal Pradesh for two reasons: for the recognition of individual identity and to do away with the ambiguity as a result of errors in their names.
    • Identity assertion: For long, communities — whether civil society members or student leaders — have demanded that they must be known by their respective names.

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