Category: Strategy Sessions

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Rhetoric and reality: on the UNHRC and human rights

United Nations Human Rights Commission

1. The UNHRC was established in 2006, as part of the UN’s reform process, replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
2. Council members are elected by the General Assembly with three-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
3. The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland
4. The members of the General Assembly elect the members who occupy the UNHRC’s 47 seats. The term of each seat is three years, and no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms
5. The General Assembly can suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member that it decides has persistently committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during its term of membership
6. The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities

B2B #2: From news- India, South Korea agree on framework to improve trade

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

1. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a free trade agreement between India and South Korea
2. The agreement was signed on August 7, 2009
3. The agreement was aimed at easing restrictions on foreign direct investments and provide better access for the Indian service industry in South Korea

B2B #3: From news- [op-ed snap] Rhetoric and reality: on the UNHRC and human rights

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

1. It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
2. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
3. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
4. The FSSAI is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

B2B #4: From news- Rajya Sabha members can use all 22 scheduled languages

Eighth Schedule of the Constitution

1. The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages of the Republic of India
2. The Government of India is under an obligation to take measures for the development of these languages, such that “they grow rapidly in richness and become effective means of communicating modern knowledge”
3. In addition, a candidate appearing in an examination conducted for public service is entitled to use any of these languages as the medium in which he or she answers the paper
4. The 22 languages which are listed in the Eighth Schedule are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : Advance Area Defence (AAD) interceptor missile

Defence Forces : Army

Module Type : Missiles

Brief Intro : 1.Advanced Air Defence (AAD) is an anti-ballistic missile designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles in the endo-atmosphere at an altitude of 30 km (19 mi). 2.AAD is a single-stage, solid-fuelled missile. 3.Guidance is similar to that of Prithvi Air Defence (PAD): it has an inertial navigation system, midcourse updates from ground based radar and active radar homing in the terminal phase

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)

Objective : To encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world

Members : 186 of the UN member states as well as the Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue are members of WIPO

Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland

Year Founded : 1967

Name : Forest Carbon Partnership Facility(FCPF)

Objective : 4 objectives To assist countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance in building their capacity to benefit from possible future systems of positive incentives for REDD+. To pilot a performance-based payment system for REDD+ activities, with a view to ensuring equitable benefit sharing and promoting future large-scale positive incentives for REDD+. Within the approach to REDD+, to test ways to sustain or enhance livelihoods of local communities and to conserve biodiversity. To disseminate broadly the knowledge gained in the development of the Facility and the implementation of Readiness Preparation Proposals (RPPs) and Emission Reductions Programs (ERPs).

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- Fish samples in Chennai test positive for formalin

Formalin

1. Formalin is 30-45% aqueous solution of Formaldehyde with water.
2. Formaldehyde is a simple chemical compound made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
3. All life forms – bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans – naturally produce formaldehyde as part of cell metabolism.
4. Formaldehyde is perhaps best known for its preservative and anti-bacterial properties, but formaldehyde-based chemistry is used to make a wide range of value-added products.
5. Formalin causes irritation in the eyes, throat, skin and stomach. In the long run, continued exposure causes harm to the kidneys, liver and can even cause cancers.
6. In the fishing industry, formalin or formaldehyde is sprayed on the fish or injected into the fish or the fish is dipped into the solution. This helps keep the fish fresh for a longer time.

B2B #2: From news- National Testing Agency to conduct NET, NEET, JEE (Mains) exams

National Testing Agency

1. It is a agency which will conduct examinations for higher and secondary education
2. Its main purpose is to bring reforms in the education system
3. Establishment of NTA will free CBSE, AICTE and other agencies from conducting various exams and enable them to focus on their core areas and work on improving the quality of education
4. Initially, the CBSE staff will be deployed in this department and but later on the specialised people will be hired in the NTA

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Mission Madhumeha

Objectives : Effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.

Salient Features : 1. It was Launched on National Ayurvedic Day .

2.The Mission will be implemented throughout the country through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol.

3.The guidelines in the protocol will be sent to various state governments, which will further circulate them across various medical institutions.

4.The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy has also been developed for the self-assessment of the people with regards to possibilities of diabetes.

5. The government is set to launch a mobile app which will suggest Ayurvedic medicines for diabetic patients.

6.The app will be meant for use by both practitioners of Ayurveda as well patients.

7.It will help in identifying the type of diabetes a patient is suffering from as well as recommend which Ayurvedic medicines can be administered to a patient.

8.The app is based on a set of guidelines issued by AYUSH.

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of AYUSH

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : Minmata Convention

Brief Intro : The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions

Objective : To protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

Type : Conventions

Category : E&B

Year : 2013

Importance (wr. Prelims) : High

Place : Minmata

Key Terms/ Institutions spinoffs : 1.Under the provisions of the Minamata Convention, developed under United Nations sponsorship, governments have agreed on a range of mercury-containing products whose production, import and export will be banned by 2020. 2.It also seeks to decrease the discharge of mercury into the air, water and land, to promote proper storage and disposal of mercury, as well as reduce the use and discharge of mercury in the process of gold mining in developing countries. 3.The pact, which is expected to take effect in 2016 at the earliest, also calls for a ban by 2018 on the use of mercury to produce acetaldehyde, which was the cause of Minamata disease. 4.It will also provide financial aid through a fund to developing countries to assist their efforts to cut mercury emissions, but does not refer to issues such as compensation for victims and who should be obliged to restore mercury-contaminated environments.

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Is India winning the battle against extreme poverty?

Definitions of Poverty

Read more about the Poverty Line in India in this blog

Poverty Lines in India: Estimations and Committees

B2B #2: From news- HEFA to allot ₹1 lakh crore for education

Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA)

1. It will be formed as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) within a PSU Bank or the Government-owned-NBFC (Promoter).
2. HEFA will have an authorized capital of 2,000 crore rupees and the government equity would be 1,000 crore rupees.
3. The HEFA will also mobilize CSR funds from Corporates/PSUs which will, in turn, be released for promoting research and innovation in these institutions on grant basis.
4. The principal portion of the loan will be repaid through the ‘internal accruals’ of the institutions earned through the fee receipts, research earnings etc.
5. All the Centrally Funded Higher Educational Institutions will be eligible to join as members of the HEFA.
6. For joining as members, the educational institution must agree to escrow a specific amount from their internal accruals for a period of 10 years to the HEFA.

B2B #3: From news- Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be ‘legal persons’

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

1. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted in 1960 to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals and to amend the laws relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
2. The Act further recognizes slaughter for food. Section 11 of the Act does not categorize slaughter of animals for food as cruelty.
3. It makes a specific exemption for “destruction of any animal as food for mankind unless such destruction or preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.
4. As per the provisions of the law, the government of India formed the Animal Welfare Board of India.

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Key words related to History : Rajukas

Dynasty/era : Mauryan period

Meaning : The pllar Edict IV refers to the rajukas as officers “set over many hundred thousand of people and charged with the duty of promoting the welfare of the janapadas.Rajukas performed judicial duties.

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [pib] Cabinet approves accession to WIPO Copyright Treaty, 1996 and WIPO Performance and Phonograms Treaty, 1996

Copyright Act, 1957

1. The Copyright Act 1957(wef 21 January 1958) (as amended by the Copyright Amendment Act 2012) governs the subject of copyright law in India.
2. The Copyright Act 1957 was the first post-independence copyright legislation in India and the law has been amended six times since 1957.
3. The most recent amendment was in the year 2012, through the Copyright (Amendment) Act 2012.
4. The history of copyright law in India can be traced back to its colonial era under the British Empire.
5. India is a member of most of the important international conventions governing the area of copyright law, including

• the Berne Convention of 1886 (as modified at Paris in 1971),
• the Universal Copyright Convention of 1951,
• the Rome Convention of 1961 and
• the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)

India accessed as a member of the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) in July, 2018.

WIPO Copyright Treaty

1. It is a Special agreement under Berne Convention (for protection of literary and artistic works).
2. It came in force on March 6, 2002 and has been adopted by 96 contracting parties till date.
3. It has provisions to extend the protection of copyrights contained therein to the digital environment.
4. Further it recognises the rights specific to digital environment, of making work available, to address “on-demand” and other interactive modes of access.

WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty

1. It came in force on May 20, 2002 and has 96 contracting parties as its members.
2. WPPT deals with rights of two kinds of beneficiaries, particularly in digital environment –

• Performers (actors, singers, musicians etc.)
• Producers of Phonograms (Sound recordings).

The treaty empowers right owners in the negotiations with new digital platforms and distributors.

It recognizes moral rights of the performers for the first time & provides exclusive economic rights to them.

B2B #2: From news- [pib] Cabinet approves DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018

DNA profiling technology

1. DNA fingerprinting or DNA profiling is a method of isolating and identifying variable elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA.
2. DNA fingerprinting technology is utilized by police all over the world for fool-proof identification of criminals who leave their traces at the crime scene while committing the crime.
3. The technology plays a crucial role in solving crimes as it has potential to link a series of crimes by placing the suspects by linking them with the crime scene.

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : Cartosat-2 series

Details : The launch marks the roll out of the 100th satellite by ISRO. 30 other satellites – 28 foreign and 2 Indian. 2nd time that ISRO has been able to place satellites in 2 different orbits This was done through the “multiple burn technology” under which the rocket’s engine is switched off and then switched on to control its height.

Launch Vehicle : PSLV C40

Reading News for UPSC is utmost important and rising number of questions year on year in UPSC Prelims is a testimony of this

We are starting a daily series where we will analyze news covered in The Hindu, Indian Express and other newspapers which are important from exam perspective and which are not

Important news would have been covered in our daily news coverage in form of newscards.

Unimportant ones will be mentioned here and a short description regarding why it is not relevant for the exam

Click on news headlines to read the full news

High relevance news

Why Hasn’t India Endorsed the Broadcasters Treaty Yet?

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/why-hasnt-india-endorsed-the-broadcasters-treaty-yet/

An important treaty that can help curb piracy. Can be asked in Pre as well as Mains

[op-ed snap] Why rumours love WhatsApp

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-why-rumours-love-whatsapp/

Read about Metadata stripping and how it is helping anti-social elements in spreading false rumors on WhatsApp leading to mob lynchings.

Important for Mains.

[pib] Behdienkhlam Festival, Meghalaya

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-behdienkhlam-festival-meghalaya/

Regional festivals have been favorite of UPSC in Prelims. Make notes about places associated nd details about this festival.

[pib] NITI Aayog to organise India’s First Global Mobility Summit

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-niti-aayog-to-organise-indias-first-global-mobility-summit/

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with various ministries and industry partners, is organizing ‘MOVE: Global Mobility Summit’

This is in line with the Government’s goals for vehicle electrification, renewable energy integration and job growth.

Important for Pre as well as Mains

Low Relevance News

Take action to stop spread of fake news, govt. tells WhatsApp

The government has told WhatsApp to take immediate measures to ensure that the platform was not misused.

Nothing important in news from exam perspective

India seeks Nepal’s help to evacuate Kailash pilgrims

Delhi has sought Kathmandu’s assistance for the ongoing evacuation of hundreds of Indian pilgrims, en route to Kailash Mansarovar, stranded near Nepal’s border with China, amid heavy downpour and landslips

Nothing important in news from exam point of view.

Govt. Poster for easy recall

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [pib] KVIC launches e-marketing system

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

1. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body formed by the Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’.
2. It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India.
3. Its head office is based in Mumbai, with its six zonal offices in Delhi, Bhopal, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Guwahati.
4. The Commission has three main objectives which guide its functioning. These are –

• The Social Objective – Providing employment in rural areas
• The Economic Objective – Providing saleable articles
• The Wider Objective – Creating self-reliance amongst people and building up a strong rural community spirit.

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : Block-III version of Brahmos cruise missile

Defence Forces : Army

Module Type : Missiles

Brief Intro : Block III had advanced guidance and upgraded software, incorporating high manoeuvres at multiple points and steep dive from high altitude. The steep dive capability of the Block III enables it to hit targets hidden behind a mountain range. It will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh. It can engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 meters for surgical strikes with out any collateral damage. It is capable of being launched from multiple platforms like submarines, ships, aircraft and land based Mobile Autonomous Launchers (MAL). Range: 450 Km (to be upgraded to 600 Km)

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- India to provide tariff concessions on 3,142 items to APTA members

Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)

1. APTA is an initiative under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) for trade expansion through exchange of tariff concessions among developing country members of the Asia Pacific Region
2. It is a preferential trade agreement (PTA), under which the basket of items, as well as extent of tariff concessions, are enlarged during the trade negotiating rounds which are launched from time to time
3. The six member countries are Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Korea and Sri Lanka
4. It is in place since 1975

B2B #2: From news- A 216-foot-tall celebration of Ramanuja

Ramanuja (1017–1137 AD)

1. Rāmānuja’s philosophical foundation was qualified monism and is called Vishishtadvaita in the Hindu tradition.
2. His ideas are one of three subschools in Vedānta, the other two are known as Ādi Shankara’s Advaita (absolute monism) and Madhvāchārya’s Dvaita (dualism)
3. Important writings include:

• Vedārthasangraha (literally, “Summary of the Vedas meaning”),
• Sri Bhāshya (a review and commentary on the Brahma Sutras),
• Bhagavad Gita Bhāshya (a review and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita), and
• the minor works titled Vedāntapida, Vedāntasāra, Gadya Trayam (which is a compilation of three texts called the Saranāgati Gadyam, Sriranga Gadyam and the Srivaikunta Gadyam), and Nitya Grantham.

B2B #3: From news- [pib] ECI to hold a National Consultation on Accessible Elections

Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)

1. SVEEP is a programme of multi interventions through different modes and media designed to educate citizens, electors and voters about the electoral process in order to increase their awareness and participation in the electoral processes
2. SVEEP is designed according to the socio-economic, cultural and demographic profile of the state as well as the history of electoral participation in previous rounds of elections and learning thereof
3. Now it includes enhanced interaction with the citizens through social media, online contests and voters’ festivals; awareness about new initiatives of linking EPIC with AADHAAR and National Voters’ Service Portal and a regularised yearly plan of activities
4. In addition to target groups of women, youth, urban voters and the marginalized sections, the inclusion of groups like service voters, NRIs, persons with disabilities, prospective voters/ students is of primary focus

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)

Recently in News because : ICAO had introduced a market based measure for international aviation to measure carbon emission called as CORSIA – Carbon Offsetting and Reporting Scheme for International Aviation

Objective : To set standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency as well as for aviation environmental protection

Members : 192 Member States (36 Member Governing Council)

Headquarters : Montreal, Canada

Year Founded : 1947

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [pib] Suresh Prabhu launches Mobile App ‘ReUnite’

Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA)

1. BBA is India’s largest movement for the protection of children and works along with law enforcement agencies and policymakers.
2. Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Laureate is the founder of this NGO.
3. BBA has played a very important role in the formulation of several laws for the protection of child’s rights.
4. It began from the Nithari case in 2006 which finally culminated with the Supreme Court passing the landmark judgment in 2013 ordering that FIR has to be lodged in all cases of missing children.

B2B #2: From news- [pib] India gets its 37th UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO

1. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris.
2. Its declared purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms etc.
3. UNESCO implements its activities through the five programme areas: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information.
4. It designates projects and places of cultural and scientific significance, such as:

• Global Geoparks Network
• Biosphere reserves (Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB), since 1971)
• City of Literature
• Endangered languages and linguistic diversity projects
• Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
• Memory of the World International Register, since 1997
• Water resources management (International Hydrological Programme (IHP), since 1965)
• World Heritage sites
• World Digital Library

UNESCO World Heritage Committee

1. The World Heritage Committee selects the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.
2. It monitors the state of conservation of the World Heritage properties, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
3. It is composed of 21 states parties that are elected by the General Assembly of States Parties for a four-year term.
4. India is NOT a member of this Committee.
5. Recently, its 42^nd meeting in 2018 was held in Manama Bahrain.

B2B #3: From news- [pib] PM reviews progress towards holistic development of islands

Island Development Agency

1. IDA was set up in June 2017 following Prime Minister’s review meeting for the holistic development of islands.
2. The meetings of the agency are chaired by the Union Home Minister.
3. Members of IDA include cabinet secretary, the home secretary, secretary (environment, forests and climate change), secretary (tourism) and secretary (tribal welfare)

First Meeting

• Its first meeting directions were given to identify and execute infrastructure and connectivity projects together with provisioning of water and electricity.
• 10 islands namely Smith, Ross, Aves, Long and Little Andaman in Andaman & Nicobar and Minicoy, Bangaram, Suheli, Cherium and Tinnakara in Lakshadweep have been identified for holistic development in the first phase.

Second Meeting

• It reviewed concept development plans and detailed master plans for holistic development of 9 islands.
• These 9 islands include four in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Smith, Ross, Long, Avis) and five in Lakshadweep (Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).

Third Meeting

• It reviewed the progress made towards the preparation of Development Plans for identified Islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis and five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).
• For these Islands, Final Site Suitability Reports have been prepared, Carrying Capacity determined and Environmental zoning carried out to ensure sustainable development.

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Himayat

Objectives : Aims to train youths from both rural and urban areas of J&K in various job-intensive vocational courses over the next three years

Salient Features : -Himayat is a placement linked skill development initiative for training and placement of 1 lakh youths from J&K in next 5 years.

-Youths enrolled for this scheme will be given training for six-months, nine

-months and one year job-oriented courses. -They will be trained in and outside the state.

-A provision has been also kept for foreign placements as well

-The scheme is part of the Skill Empowerment and Employment scheme of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Hello Students,

Test 02 Polity has gone live.
We’ve extensively dealt with all major themes – Panchayati Raj, Anti-Defection Law, Constitutional and Statutory Bodies, other important bodies repetitively in news and many others.

We have covered few questions from Parliamentary Committees. A couple of important themes from the topics for Test 01 would be there as they couldn’t be covered in Test 01. Please attempt these as these will only serve as a revision.

Finally, please be regular.