Easy to PICK1 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” NOVEMBER 2019 PT-MAINS Copyright ©Aspire IAS All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Aspire lAS.
Easy to PICK2 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Date Topic Page No. 1st Nov Gottiprolu 2019 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 04 Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) 05 2nd Nov National Health Profile 06 2019 Electoral Bond Scheme 08 Combating Tuberculosis (TB) 10 4th Nov 11 2019 East Asia Summit 12 5th Nov 14 2019 Inland Waterway 16 17 6th Nov Skills Build Platform 18 2019 Finance Minister Launches two new IT Initiatives -ICEDASH & ATITHI 21 7th Nov Minister of State for Shipping inaugurates the first ever ‘BIMSTEC Ports’ 2019 23 Conclave’ 25 8th Nov Cabinet approves protocol amending the Convention between India and 2019 Brazil 9th Nov Agriculture Ministry relaxes fumigation condition on imported onion 2019 Shala Darpan Portal 11th Nov 2019 Feni River Dispute 26 12th Nov PM inaugurates Integrated Check Post and flags off 1st batch of pilgrims 27 2019 at Kartarpur Sahib corridor 29 13th Nov Naval Ships and Aircraft Standby for Rescue and Relief Ops - Cyclone 2019 ‘Bulbul’ 31 32 14th Nov President’s Greetings on The Eve of Birthday of Guru Nanak 2019 Prime Minister to attend BRICS Summit at Brazil from 13th to 14th 35 15th Nov 36 2019 November 38 “Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan” 39 International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture 40 42 Jal Jeevan Mission 44 45 Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field Training exercise (FTX)-2019 Exercise 47 Dustlik-2019 Consumer Price Index Numbers for October month released BHIM UPI goes international Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attends ‘Maitree Diwas’ in Tawang, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Government clears misgivings of amendment in the Indian Forest Act, 1927
Easy to PICK3 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” 16th Nov National Mission ‘NISHTHA’ launched in J&K 48 2019 Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution releases 49 18th Nov Water Quality Report for State Capitals & Delhi as analysed by BIS 51 2019 Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully 52 19th Nov (SAANS) 2019 Rajya Sabha passed 3,817 Bills in the last 67 years; Held 5,466 sittings 54 55 20th Nov since 1952 58 2019 WCD Ministry launches Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh (BPKK) 60 62 21st Nov Inauguration of KPCS Plenary 2019 64 2019 Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) 66 Over 18 lakh farmers registered under PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana 22nd Nov Remembering the Queen of Jhansi on 191st Birth Anniversary 67 2019 Cabinet approves code to allow fixed-term employment Parliament passes Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill 69 23rd Nov 2019 2019 71 Cabinet approves establishment of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa 25th Nov 72 2019 (NISR) at Leh 74 26th Nov Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNS) 77 2019 79 India’s first largest biotechnology conference Global Bio-India Summit, 81 27th Nov 2019 concludes 2019 83 Khelo India Programme 85 28th Nov AYUSH Ministry hosting WHO Meetings on developing Standardized 87 2019 Terminologies and Benchmarks documents of Practice for Traditional 92 96 29th Nov Medicine 99 2019 Bill seeks national official language stature for those in Eighth Schedule 102 30th Nov GES 2019 to showcase India’s service sector 2019 PM congratulates ISRO team on successful launch of PSLV-C47 carrying indigenous Cartosat-3 satellite Center approves 3.31 lakh more houses under PMAY(U) Char Dham Programme Boosting Textile Industry Through Technology Upgradation Indo-Nepal joint military Exercise SURYA KIRAN – XIV Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY Cards DPIIT invites applications for First Ever National Startup Awards 2020 Vice President pays tribute to the bravehearts of Kunja Bahdurpur
Easy to PICK4 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Gottiprolu Syllabus sub topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. News: Excavation by Archaeological Survey of India in Gottiprolu, Andhra Pradesh indicate it as a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period. Prelims and Mains Focus: About the site, findings and significance. Location: Gottiprolu lies on the right bank of a distributary of river Swarnamukhi about eighty kilometers from Tirupati and Nellore. What has been unearthed? What do they indicate? 1. Among many other antiquities 1. The proximity of the site to the unearthed are one life size Vishnu seacoast suggests that the site could sculpture and a wide variety of have served as a strategic settlement pottery of the early centuries of involved in maritime trade. current era. 2. These settlements could have been an 2. The excavation revealed the presence important trade centre as indicated by of brick-built structures in different the presence of imitated amphorae sizes and forms. wares that were mostly used to 3. The available brick sizes are transport liquid commodities. comparable with the Satavahana / 3. The findings of assorted stone tools of Ikshvaku period structures in Krishna Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods from valley. secondary contexts suggest that 4. On the basis of the brick size and prehistoric people also occupied this associated findings they can be placed area. anywhere between 2nd – 1st century 4. A series of broken terracotta pipes BCE or little later (nearly 2000 years fitted into one another revealed about old). the civic amenities maintained by the 5. Other interesting antiquity retrieved occupants of this site. The drainage is the molded female terracotta system pattern is understood by the figurine with two hands lifted exposed remains of the drainage at the upwards. site. 6. Other major retrieved antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spear head, stone celts, terracotta beads, ear stud in semi precious stone and hopscotches.
Easy to PICK5 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Rashtriya Ekta Diwas Syllabus sub topic: The Freedom to pay taxes after the British insisted Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different on tax after the floods in Kaira. His effort to bring together the farmers of parts of the country. News: PM administers Rashtriya Ekta his area brought him the title of ‘Sardar’. pledge on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas at Kevadia 3. Supported the non-cooperation Movement launched by Gandhi and Prelims Focus: Role and contributions of Sardar Patel in India’s freedom struggle. Patel toured the nation with him. 4. 1928– When the lands of farmers were Mains Focus: Impact and outcomes of his actions during pre and post independence. seized after they refused to pay the extra tax to the government, Patel Background: The government, in 2014, decided to helped the farmers by striking a deal between the government and farmers’ observe Sardar Patel Jayanti Day as Ekta Diwas. This occasion provides an representatives. 5. 1930– Imprisoned for participating in opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of the nation to the famous Salt Satyagraha movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. withstand the threats to its unity, integrity and security. 6. 1931- Elected as the President of About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: Indian National Congress in its Sardar Patel is credited with uniting all Karachi session where the party deliberated its future path. 562 princely states in pre-independent India to build the Republic of India. 7. Patel was also compelled to use coercion by launching ‘Operation Role in the Indian National Movement: Polo’ to liberate and integrate 1. 1917– Elected as the Secretary of the Hyderabad after the Nizam of Gujarat Sabha, the Gujarat wing of Hyderabad entertained false hopes of the Indian National Congress. either joining Pakistan or remaining 2. 1918– Led a massive “No Tax Campaign” that urged the farmers not independent.
Easy to PICK6 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) Syllabus sub topic: Issues relating to The report recommended for development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, participation in test in 2018. Education, Human Resources. However, India missed the application deadline for the 2018 cycle. News: Union Human Resource Development Minister recently About PISA: reviewed preparations for PISA 2021. 1. It is an international assessment that measures 15-year-old students’ He instructed all the Deputy Commissioners to work hard to make reading, mathematics, and science India successful in this examination. literacy every three years. 2. First conducted in 2000, the major Prelims Focus: About PISA exam domain of study rotates between Mains Focus: India’s issues with PISA reading, mathematics, and science in each cycle. Background: 3. PISA also includes measures of Cabinet has already given ex-post facto general or cross-curricular approval to the Agreement between competencies, such as collaborative India and the Organization for problem solving. Economic Cooperation and 4. PISA is coordinated by the Development (OECD) for participating in Organization for Economic the Programme for International Students Cooperation and Development Assessment (PISA), which will be (OECD), an intergovernmental conducted by the OECD in 2021. The organization of industrialized Agreement was signed on 28th January countries, and is conducted in the 2019. United States by NCES. India’s participation in PISA: Top performers: India had taken part in Programme for In 2012 PISA test, schools of Shanghai in China topped reading, mathematics International Student Assessment and science test, followed closely by (PISA) in 2009 and bagged the 72nd Singapore. In 2015, Singapore, Japan and Estonia rank among 74 participating were ranked as top three countries, in that countries. order. Then UPA government had boycotted PISA, blaming “out of context” What makes PISA unique? questions for India’s dismal PISA is the only international education performance. survey to measure the knowledge and Later, the HRD Ministry, under the skills of 15-year-olds, an age at which NDA-II government, revisited this students in most countries are nearing the decision in 2016 and the Kendriya end of their compulsory time in school. Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) had set up PISA is also unique in the way it looks a committee to review the matter and at: submitted its report in December 2016.
Easy to PICK7 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” 1. Public policy issues. Each of the above represents an 2. Literacy. entrenched, yet solvable problem in the 3. Lifelong learning. Indian education system. India’s performance in 2009 Though there are no quick-fix India performed very poorly – ranking solutions, there are key levers available 73rd out of 74 countries that participated to create change: in that round, finishing ahead of only Kazakhstan. Changing the pattern of Board Exam 1. The result was so shocking that many questions – and teacher training starting with teachers from grade 5 or people assume that it must have been so are two strong levers in our control. an aberration. 2. Some feel that the students may not About OECD have been prepared for the test. Others It was formed in 1961, after the believe that the students may have been tested in English, which they signing of OECD convention by US, were not proficient in (actually, all Canada and members of Organisation students were tested in their medium of of European Economic Cooperation instruction.) (OEEC). 3. Still, others feel that the performance must have been poor because only India, China and Brazil are key government schools were tested – our partners of the organisation and private school students would have contribute to its work in a sustained done much better. and comprehensive manner. 4. But a well-publicized study by Education Initiatives (EI) in 2006 and Together with them, the OECD brings repeated in 2012 established that even around its table 39 countries that students of our top schools would account for 80% of world trade and perform well below the international investment, giving it a pivotal role in average in grade 4. addressing the challenges facing the world economy. Why assessments like the PISA turn out to be difficult for most Indian students? 1. The mentality that questions can be only from the textbook. 2. Very poor reading ability. 3. Process of answering questions – pattern-matching versus problem- solving. 4. When Indian students encounter PISA- type questions, many of them freeze at the first sign of the unfamiliar and decide that they have not ‘learnt this question type’ and cannot solve it. 5. Low understanding of processes or concepts and even comprehension skills. Way ahead:
Easy to PICK8 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” National Health Profile Syllabus sub topic: Issues relating to health status, health finance development and management of Social indicators, health infrastructure and Sector/Services relating to Health, health of human resources in the Education, Human Resources. country. News: National Health Profile, 2019 has Prepared by the Central Bureau of been released by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI). Health Intelligence (CBHI). This is the Objective: To create a versatile database 14th edition. of health information and making it Prelims Focus: Key findings and areas of available to all stakeholders in the improvement. healthcare sector. Mains Focus: Concerns raised, The NHP highlights substantial health challenges ahead and measures needed. information under major indicators: Key Findings: 1. Demographic indicators (population 1. Life expectancy in India has and vital statistics). 2. Socio-economic indicators (education, increased from 49.7 years in 1970-75 employment, housing and amenities, to 68.7 years in 2012-16. life drinking water and sanitation). expectancy for females is 70.2 years 3. Health status indicators (incidence and and 67.4 years for males. prevalence of common communicable 2. Diabetes and hypertension rate and non-communicable diseases and are high among Indians while dengue RCH), etc. and chikungunya are a cause of 4. The health finance indicators provides great concern to public health. an overview of health insurance and 3. Highest population density of 11,320 expenditure on health, both public and people per square kilometre was Out of Pocket Expenditure (OOP), etc. reported by the National Capital 5. Human resources provides an overview Territory of Delhi (NCT) of availability of manpower working in whereas Arunachal Pradesh reported the health sector. the lowest population density of 17. 6. Health infrastructure section provides 4. High incidence in the young and details of medical and dental colleges, economically active population AYUSH institutes, nursing courses and About NHP: paramedical courses, etc. Covers comprehensive information on demographic, socio-economic
Easy to PICK9 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Additional Information: There has been consistent decrease in the birth rate, death rate and natural growth rate in India since 1991 to 2017 As on 2017, India has registered birth rate of 20.2 per population of 1,000 and death rate of 6.3 while the natural growth rate was 13.9 per population of 1,000. The birth rate in rural areas was higher than in the urban. The death rate and natural growth rate were also higher in rural areas as compared to the urban. The population, however, continues to grow, as the decline in the birth rate is not as rapid as the decline in the death rate. The infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined considerably (33 per 1,000 live births in 2016), however differentials of rural (37) and urban (23) are still high. The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) for the country was 2.3 whereas in rural areas it was 2.5 and 1.8 in urban areas during 2016 as per the latest available information. About Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI) CBHI is the National Nodal agency for Health Intelligence in the Directorate General of Health Services (Dte.GHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Government of India. CBHI is committed to build an integrated health informatics platform which can provide reliable, accurate, and relevant national health information and enable evidence based policy formulation and decision making.
Easy to PICK10 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Electoral Bond Scheme Syllabus subtopic: Important aspects of A person being an individual can buy electoral bonds, either singly or governance, transparency and jointly with other individuals. accountability, e-governance- applications, Only the registered Political Parties which have secured not less than one models, successes, limitations, and per cent of the votes polled in the last Lok Sabha elections or the State potential; citizens charters, transparency & Legislative Assembly are eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds. accountability and institutional and other Need: measures. The electoral bonds are aimed at rooting out the current system of largely News: anonymous cash donations made to Electoral bonds worth ₹232 crore political parties which lead to the generation of black money in the were sold in October, taking the total economy. number of bonds sold from March How can Bonds help? Encourage political donations of clean 2018 till October 2019 to 12,313 and the total value to ₹6,128 crore, money from individuals, companies, HUF, religious groups, charities, etc. according to data shared by the After purchasing the bonds, these entities can hand them to political Association for Democratic Reforms parties of their choice, which must redeem them within the prescribed (ADR). time. Mumbai had the highest amount of What is the controversy? bonds at ₹1,880 crore, followed by The introduction of the electoral bond Kolkata at ₹1,440 crore, Delhi at ₹919 crore and Hyderabad at ₹838 crore, scheme is part of what appears to be a growing trend away from transparency while all other cities accounted for and accountability, two values which ₹1,051 crore from March 2018 till were already sparse in relation to Indian political parties. October 2019. Opponents to the scheme allege that since the identity of the donor of Prelims Focus: About Electoral bonds electoral bonds has been kept anonymous, it could lead to an influx Mains focus: Arguements for and against of black money. Others allege that the scheme was the issue of Electoral bonds designed to help big corporate houses donate money without their identity About Electoral bonds: being revealed. Electoral bonds are bonds that allow donors to pay political parties using banks as an intermediary. Key features: 1. Although called a bond, the banking instrument resembling promissory notes will not carry any interest. 2. It will be a bearer instrument. 3. It will not carry the name of the payee. 4. It can be bought for any value, in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh or Rs 1 crore. Eligibility: May be purchased by a citizen of India, or entities incorporated or established in India.
Easy to PICK11 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Combating Tuberculosis (TB) Syllabus subtopic: Issues relating to In 1978, the Expanded Programme on development and management of Social Immunisation (EPI) began, giving BCG Sector/Services relating to Health, to all babies soon after birth and achieving Education, Human Resources. more than 90% coverage. However, the News: Inaugurating ‘The 50th Union NTP and the EPI had not reduced India’s World Conference on Lung Health’ in TB burden. Hyderabad, the Vice President of India has called for developing a new and long- In 1993, the Revised National TB lasting vaccine to combat TB. Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched, offering free diagnosis and Prelims focus: Key facts about TB treatment for patients rescuing them from Mains focus: India’s efforts in combating otherwise sure death. It brought down TB TB, challenges and achievements so far. incidence in India at an annual rate of 1.7%. Main concern: Inaugurating ‘The 50th Union World In 2018, India has pledged to eradicate Conference on Lung Health’ in TB by the year 2025, 5 years ahead of the Hyderabad, the Vice President of India has global deadline set for 2030. called for developing a new and long- lasting vaccine to combat TB. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a National Key Facts Prevalence Survey to estimate prevalence TB was one of the top 10 causes of death of tuberculosis at national and sub-national levels. worldwide in 2018. It is also the leading killer of people with HIV and a major cause of deaths related to antimicrobial resistance. India is among the eight countries that accounted for 66% of the new TB cases: China, Indonesia, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and South Africa are the other nations. During 2000-2018, TB mortality rate fell by 42%. Efforts of Indian Governent to eradicate TB In 1962, the National TB Programme (NTP) was launched in the form of District TB Centre model, with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination. Although BCG immunisation does prevent severe multi-organ TB disease in young children, it does not control TB.
Easy to PICK12 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” East Asia Summit Syllabus subtopic: India and its Potential: neighbourhood- relations. EAS, representing nearly 50 per cent News: The latest edition of the East Asia Summit (EAS) is being held in Bangkok. of the world’s population and Prelims and Mains focus: EAS- over 20 per cent of global trade,is a composition, objectives, significance for mega gathering and is a testimony to India and related issues. the rise of Asia. Context: The latest edition of the East EAS is a region of strong and fast Asia Summit (EAS) is being held growing economies. It is considered in Bangkok. the third pole of world economy after the US and About East Asia Summit: Europe. Its four major economic EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is players namely Japan, China, India and Korea are among the twelve largest based on the premise of the ranking global economies. centrality of ASEAN. Financial and monetary cooperation It is a forum held annually by between ASEAN+6 or EAS leaders of 18 countries in the East countries could be an area of fruitful Asian, Southeast Asian and South cooperation in view of the fact that Asian regions. their combined foreign exchange EAS meetings are held after reserves exceed $ 3 trillion. annual ASEAN leaders’ meetings. The first summit was held in Kuala Significance for India: Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December For India, EAS acts as an alternative 2005. There are six priority areas of to the APEC in which India doesn’t regional cooperation within the enjoy the membership. framework of the EAS. These are – India’s membership to the EAS is a Environment and Energy, Education, recognition of its fast growing Finance, Global Health Issues and economic and political clout. Pandemic Diseases, Natural Disaster Act East policy of India: In order to Management, and ASEAN build multi-faceted relations with Connectivity. India endorses regional ASEAN and other multilateral nations collaboration in all six priority areas. and strengthen bilateral relations India has emphasised upon its Act East Policies for which EAS will prove crucial. China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and the nature of its growing investments has led the ASEAN countries to view India as a potential power that could balance a rising China. India’s strength lies in service sector and information-technology and Japan has a sound capital base. Thus there are complementarities in trade and
Easy to PICK13 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” production structures of the EAS members. India’s deep cultural and civilizational links with the EAS countries are widely known. India can play a major role in cultural and people to people cooperation with the region, which can reinforce the economic momentum for community building.
Easy to PICK14 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Inland Waterway Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2 (river Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Brahmaputra). News: PM to greet first container vessel Container transportation routes: on inland waterways in Varanasi Prelims and Mains focus: about inland waterways , challenges and signficance in India’s logistics growth, IBP, IWAI What is it? A ship named MV RN Tagore is moving In line with Government’s focus on India’s first container on Inland Vessel post-independence from Kolkata to improving connectivity to the North Varanasi. Eastern Region (NER), a landmark Container Cargo consignment recently Ship will embark on 12-15 days voyage on sailed on inland waterways from National Waterway- l (river Ganga), NW- Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) to 97 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh Pandu, Guwahati. Protocol (IBP) route and NW-2(river Brahmaputra). Another ship named MV Inland Waterway Authority in India Maheshwari sailed in National (IWAI): The Inland Waterways Authority of India Waterway -2 (section of the (IWAI) came into existence in October 1986 for development and regulation of Brahmaputra River, near Dhubri and inland waterways for shipping and navigation. Sadiya in Assam). The Authority primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance The 12-15 days voyage will be an of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grant received from integrated IWT movement via National Ministry of Shipping. Waterway-1 (river Ganga), NW-97 National Highway 1: The government is developing NW-1 (Sunderbans), Indo-Bangladesh (River Ganga) under Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) from Haldia to Varanasi with the technical and financial assistance of the World Bank.
Easy to PICK15 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” It passes through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Two stretches of Bangladesh inland Jharkhand and West Bengal. waterways viz, Sirajganj-Daikhawa and Ashuganj-Zakiganj on the IBP National HIghway-2: route are being developed on 80:20 It is a section of the Brahmaputra River cost sharing basis (80% being borne by India). having a length of 891 km between the Bangladesh border near Dhubri and Sadiya In addition to the above, India and in Assam. Bangladesh have agreement on declaration of additional Ports of Call ABOUT PIWTT under PIWT&T at Kolaghat, Dhulian, The Protocol on Inland Water Transit Maia, Sonamura in India, and Chilmari, Rajshahi, Sultanganj, and Tracie (PIWTT) between India and Daukhandi in Bangladesh. Bangladesh allows mutually beneficial arrangements for the use of their Both countries have also agreed on the waterways for movement of goods following: – between the two countries by vessels of Badarpur as an extended port of call of both countries. Karimganj (Assam, India) and What is IBP route? Ghorasal of Ashuganj in Bangladesh. The Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route Tribeni as an extended port of call of extends from Kolkata (India) on NW-1 Kolkata and Muktarpur of Pangaon in to Silghat (Assam) on NW-2 (River Bangladesh. Brahmaputra) and Karimganj (Assam) on NW-16 (River Barak). Protocol route Rajshahi-Godagari- Dhulian to be extended upto Aricha (Bangladesh). Inclusion of Daudkhandi-Sonamura stretch on Gumti river as new route.
Easy to PICK16 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Skills Build Platform Syllabus subtopic: Development The platform will be extended to train processes and the development industry ITI & NSTI faculty on building skills the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups in Artificial Intelligence (AI). and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders Significance of the programme: News: Ministry of Skill Development & The digital platform will provide a Entrepreneurship launches Skills Build platform in Collaboration with IBM. personal assessment of the cognitive Prelims and mains focus: Key features capabilities and personality via and significance of the programmes. MyInnerGenius to the students. They will then learn foundational Key facts: knowledge about digital technologies, Launched by Directorate General of as well as professional skills such as resume-writing, problem solving and Training (DGT), under the aegis of communication. Ministry of Skill Development & Students will also receive Entrepreneurship (MSDE). recommendations on role-based As part of the programme, a two-year education for specific jobs that include advanced diploma in IT, networking technical and professional learning. and cloud computing, co-created and This initiative is part of IBM’s global designed by IBM, will be offered at the commitment to create a job-ready Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) & workforce and to build the next National Skill Training Institutes generation of skills needed for new (NSTIs). collar careers.
Easy to PICK17 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Finance Minister Launches two new IT Initiatives -ICEDASH & ATITHI Syllabus subtopic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. News: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs unveiled two new IT initiatives – ICEDASH and ATITHI – for improved pace of Customs clearance of imported goods and facilitating arriving international passengers by electronic filing of Customs baggage and currency declarations. Prelims and Mains focus: About the initiatives and their significance ABOUT ICEDASH ABOUT ATITHI ICEDASH is an Ease of Doing Business ATITHI is a mobile app for international (EoDB) monitoring dashboard of travellers to file declaration of dutiable the Indian Customs. items and currency with the Indian Customs even before boarding the It provides daily Customs clearance flight to India. times of import cargo at various ports and airports which anyone can see. ATITHI would create a tech savvy image of India Customs and would encourage With ICEDASH, businesses can compare tourism and business travel to India. clearance times across ports and plan their [Ref: PIB] logistics accordingly. ICEDASH dashboard has been developed by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Easy to PICK18 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Minister of State for Shipping inaugurates the first ever ‘BIMSTEC Ports’ Conclave’ Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, It constitutes seven Member States: Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Five deriving from South Asia: [Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and News: The first ever ‘Bay of Bengal Sri Lanka] and Two from Southeast Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Asia: [Myanmar and Thailand]. Economic Cooperation’ (BIMSTEC) Conclave of Ports, held at Vishakhapatnam The main objective of BIMSTEC is on 7-8 November, 2019 was inaugurated technological and economic by Minister of State for Shipping(I/C). cooperation among South Asian and South East Asian countries along the Prelims and Mains focus: about coast of the Bay of Bengal. BIMSTEC, its member countries and significance The headquarters of BIMSTEC is in Dhaka. Highlight of the conclave Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) Unlike many other regional groupings, signed between Ranong Port (Port Authority of Thailand) and the Port BIMSTEC is a sector-driven Trusts of Chennai, Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata to enhance connectivity cooperative organization. Starting with between Thailand’s West Coast and Ports six sectors—including trade, on India’s East Coast. technology, energy, transport, tourism About BIMSTEC: and fisheries—for sectoral cooperation The Bay of Bengal Initiative for in the late 1997, it expanded to Multi-Sectoral Technical and embrace nine more sectors—including Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising agriculture, public health, poverty seven Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay alleviation, counter-terrorism, of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity. environment, culture, people to people It came into being in 1997 through the contact and climate change—in 2008. Bangkok Declaration. The whole region which constitutes the BIMSTEC is home to over 1.5 billion people. The population counts for around 22 percent of the total world population. These countries have a combined GDP of $2.7 trillion.
Easy to PICK19 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine”
Easy to PICK20 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” India’s shift from BRICS to BIMSTEC: BIMSTEC connects not only South A series of cross-border terror and Southeast Asia, but also the ecologies of the Great Himalayas and (Pathankot, Uri and Pulwama) the Bay of Bengal. attacks was the reason for the shift. This shift can be seen in the last oath One-quarter of India’s population live ceremony of India Prime Minister in the four coastal states adjacent to the where leaders of BIMSTEC countries Bay of Bengal (Andhra Pradesh, were present. In the 2014 oath Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal). ceremony, leaders of SAARC countries were present. People of Northeastern states can connect via the Bay of Bengal to At Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand and South Africa) summit in Goa for development. 2016, Indian Prime Minister also hosted an outreach summit with Bay of Bengal, which is a way to the BIMSTEC leaders in October 2016. Malacca straits, has emerged a key This was the first big push under the to place against China in maintaining its India- BIMSTEC relationship. access route to the Indian Ocean. Hence,through Bay of Bengal, it is in Moreover, when India refused to join India’s interest to consolidate its November 2016 SAARC summit in internal engagement among the Pakistan, almost all BIMSTEC BIMSTEC countries. countries supported India. The Summit was postponed resulting in India’s diplomatic victory on the issue of terrorism. In 2017 BIMSTEC summit, Indian PM announced that BIMSTEC is a natural platform to fulfill India’s key foreign policy priorities of Neighbourhood First and Act East. Importance of Bay Of Bengal Region The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world. Over one-fifth (22%) of the world’s population live in the seven countries around it. All these seven countries have been able to sustain average annual rates of economic growth The Bay also has vast untapped natural resources. One-fourth of the world’s traded goods cross the Bay every year.
Easy to PICK21 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Cabinet approves protocol amending the Convention between India and Brazil Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and The existing DTAC between India and politics of developed and developing Brazil was signed in 1988 countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. About Double Taxation Avoidance News: The Union Cabinet approved the Agreement (DTAA) signing of the Protocol amending the DTAA is a tax treaty signed between Convention between the Government of t India and the Government of Brazil for the countries (or any two/multiple avoidance of double taxation and the countries) so that taxpayers do not prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to pay double taxes on their income taxes on income. earned from source country as well as their residence country. Prelims and Mains focus: About DTAA, BEPS and Indo-Brazil relations The need for DTAA arises out of imbalance in tax collection on global Significance income of individuals. A person aims The Amending Protocol implements to do business in foreign country, may end up paying income taxes in both minimum standards and other countries i.e. in the country where recommendations of G-20 OECD Base income is earned and country where Erosion Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project. individual holds his citizenship or residence. DTAA helps to taxpayers to Facilitate elimination of double do away issues of paying double taxes. taxation. Base Erosion And Profit Shifting(BEPS) Clear allocation of taxing It refers to tax planning strategies used rights between Contracting States through Double Taxation Avoidance by multinational companies, that Convention (DTAC) will provide tax exploit gaps and mismatches in tax certainty to investors & businesses of rules to artificially shift profits to low both countries. or no-tax locations where there is little or no economic activity, resulting Augment the flow of in little or no overall corporate tax investment through lowering of tax being paid. rates Although some of the tax planning Need strategies used are illegal, most are not. To bring existing Double Taxation This undermines the fairness of tax systems because businesses that Avoidance Convention (DTAC) operate across borders can use between India and Brazil in line with BEPS to gain a competitive international developments and to advantage over enterprises that implement the recommendations operate at a domestic level. Moreover, contained in the G20 OECD Base when taxpayers see multinational Erosion and Profit Shifting Project corporations legally avoiding income (BEPS). tax, it also motivates them to avoid tax.
Easy to PICK22 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” BEPS is of major significance for A list of Covered Tax Agreements as developing countries due to their heavy well as a list of reservations and reliance on corporate income tax, options chosen by a country are particularly from multinational required to be made at the time of enterprises. signature or when depositing the instrument of ratification. About the Multilataeral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty related measures to BEPS OR ‘BEPS PROJECT’: It is an outcome of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) / G20 to tackle Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the BEPS Project). The BEPS Project identified 15 actions to address BEPS in a comprehensive manner. India was the founding member of this project. India signed this convention in 2016. There are over 125 members and 14 observer organisations of this project. The Convention enables all signatories to meet treaty-related minimum standards that were agreed as part of the Final BEPS package. The Convention operates to modify tax treaties between two or more Parties to the Convention. It does not function in the same way as an amending protocol to a single existing treaty, which would directly amend the text of the Tax Agreement. Instead, it is applied alongside existing tax treaties. The Convention provides flexibility to exclude a specific tax treaty and to opt out of provisions or parts of provisions through making of reservations.
Easy to PICK23 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Agriculture Ministry relaxes fumigation condition on imported onion Syllabus subtopic: Major crops cropping The Plant Quarantine (Regulation of patterns in various parts of the country, Import into India) Order, 2003 aims different types of irrigation and irrigation to prevent the introduction and spread of systems storage, transport and marketing exotic pests that are destructive, by of agricultural produce and issues and regulating the import of plants and plant related constraints; e-technology in the aid products through adequate policy and of farmers statutory measures News: In the light of public concern over to support India’s agricultural exports high prices of onions in the market the through credible export certification Ministry of Agriculture has decided to to facilitate safe global trade in agriculture allow relaxation from the condition of by assisting producers, exporters and fumigation and endorsement on PSC as importers and by providing technically per the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 for comprehensive and credible phytosanitary onion imports upto 30th November 2019 certification. Prelims and Mains focus: effect of this Salient features measure on onion farmers, about Sanitary It places a prohibition on the import of and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures commodities contaminated with weeds and/or alien species. Import of packaging What is fumigation? material of plant origin is restricted unless Fumigation is a method of pest control that the material has been treated. Mandatory permit requirement on imports completely fills an area with gaseous of seeds, including flower seeds, pesticides (known as fumigants) to propagating material and mushroom spawn suffocate or poison the pests within. cultures. It classifies Agricultural imports as: About Plant Quarantine 1. Prohibited plant species Plant quarantine is the restriction imposed 2. Restricted species where import is by authorities on the production, permitted only by authorized movement and existence of plants or plant institutions materials or animal products or any other 3. Restricted species permitted only with article or normal activity of persons to additional declarations of freedom control the introduction or spread of a pest. from quarantine pests and subject to specified treatment certifications Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 4. Plant material imported for consumption or industrial processing permitted with normal phytosanitary certification It includes provisions for regulating the import of: soil, peat and sphagnum moss germplasm, genetically modified organisms and transgenic material for research
Easy to PICK24 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” live insects, microbial cultures and Phytosanitary certificate procedures are biocontrol agents undertaken as per the guidelines timber and wooden logs. of National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) or equivalent Phytosanitary Certificate authorities in a country, certifying to meet Phytosanitary Certificate is import phytosanitary requirements. a certificate that certifies plant and plant Each country has designed certain products are free from regulated pests, and parameters to meet with the phytosanitary conforms with requirements of foreign countries, as per other phytosanitary requirements as the guidelines of WTO agreement. specified from the importing country.
Easy to PICK25 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Shala Darpan Portal Syllabus subtopic: Issues relating to Apart from this, it will also strengthen development and management of Social budget and finance management system. Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources, issues The portal has been designed from ‘Open relating to poverty and hunger. Source Technology’ and hence the cost incurred was very low News: Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development launched the Significance of the portal Shala Darpan Portal of Navodaya End to end info sharing, proper analytical Vidyalaya Samiti. Prelims and Mains Focus: About Shala details and better transparency in Darpan Portal and its significance evaluation of teachers and students. SHALA DARPAN PORTAL About Navodaya Vidyalayas This portal will integrate all Jawahar The Navodaya Vidyalayas are co- educational residential schools established Navodaya Vidyalayas with a common by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti which standard. is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Human Resource It will provide information relating to the Development to provide quality modern education. service record, transfer/posting, disciplinary action, ACR tracking and the portal will improve mess management and hostel conditions.
Easy to PICK26 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Feni River Dispute Syllabus subtopic: India and its About the dispute neighbourhood- relations. The dispute over the sharing of the Feni News: The Union Cabinet has given river water was taken up between India approval for the MoU between India and and Pakistan (before the independence of Bangladesh on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of Bangladesh) in 1958 during a meeting in water from Feni River by India for New Delhi. drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom Bangladesh accused India of drawing town Tripura, India. water from the Feni River through small pumps. Prelims and Mains focus: location of Recent developments Feni rive, the dispute regarding it and its In August 2019, India and Bangladesh impact on Indo-Bangladesh relations held a water secretary-level meeting of the Benefit Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) in Dhaka, The present supply of drinking water to where it was agreed to collect data and prepare water-sharing agreements for Sabroom town is inadequate as ground seven rivers — Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, water in this region has high iron Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Feni. content. Hence, Implementation of this The MoU stands to benefit Sabroom town scheme would benefit Sabroom town. on the southern tip of Tripura. The present supply of drinking water to Sabroom town About Feni River is inadequate. The groundwater in this The Feni River forms part of the India- region has high iron content. Implementation of this scheme would Bangladesh border. benefit over 7000 population of Sabroom It originates in the South Tripura town. district, passes through Sabroom Other projects on the Feni river town on the Indian side, and meets In Tripura, a 4-lane bridge across the Feni, the Bay of Bengal after it flows into Bangladesh. expected to be completed by March 2020, is being built between India and Bangladesh, where the Feni River forms the border between the two countries. Once ready, it would connect Tripura with Chittagong port in Bangladesh, playing an important role in the proposed Bangladesh, China, Indiaand Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM EC).
Easy to PICK27 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” PM inaugurates Integrated Check Post and flags off 1st batch of pilgrims at Kartarpur Sahib corridor Syllabus subtopic: India and its Gurdaspur Highway is constructed at a neighbourhood- relations. cost of Rs 120 Cr. News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi The state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal inaugurated Integrated Check Post and Building is on 15 acres land. The fully air flagged off first batch of pilgrims at conditioned building akin to an airport has Kartarpur Sahib corridor in Gurdaspur, over 50 immigration counters for Punjab today. facilitating about 5000 pilgrims a day. Prelims and Mains focus: About It has all the necessary public amenities Kartarpur Sahib, India’s confidence like kiosks, washrooms, child care, first building measures with Pakistan aid medical facilities, prayer room and snacks counters inside main building. Integrated Check Post, Kartarpur Robust security infrastructure is put in Corridor place with CCTV surveillance and public address systems. Integrated Check Post would facilitate, A 300 ft. National Monumental Flag is Indian Piligrims to visit to Gurudwara also being hoisted at the International Kartapur Sahib in Pakistan. Border. India has signed the Agreement with The Agreement signed with Pakistan on Pakistan on the 24th of October 2019 on the 24th of October provides a formal the modalities for operationalisation of the framework for operationalisation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. International Boundary, Dera Baba Nanak. It may be recalled, the Union Cabinet The highlights of the Agreement are: - passed a resolution on 22 November 2018 Indian pilgrims of all faiths and persons of to celebrate the historic occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Indian origin can use the corridor; Nanak Devji in a grand and befitting The travel will be Visa Free; manner, throughout the country and across Pilgrims need to carry only a valid the globe. The Union Cabinet also approved the passport; building and development of the Kartarpur Persons of Indian Origin need to carry OCI Sahib Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to the International Boundary, to facilitate card along with the passport of their pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara country; Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, round the year, in The Corridor is open from dawn to dusk. a smooth and easy manner. Pilgrims travelling in the morning will have to return on the same day; Provisions made for facilitation of The Corridor will be operational Pilgrims throughout the year, except on notified The 4.2 Km four lane highway connecting days, to be informed in advance; Dera Baba Nanak from Amritsar – Pilgrims will have a choice to visit as individuals or in groups, and also to travel on foot; India will send the list of pilgrims to Pakistan 10 days ahead of travel date.
Easy to PICK28 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Confirmation will be sent to pilgrims 4 will be informed by SMS and email of the days before the travel date; confirmation of registration 3 to 4 days in advance of the date of travel. An The Pakistan side has assured India on Electronic Travel Authorization will also sufficient provision for ‘Langar’ and be generated. The pilgrims need to carry distribution of ‘Prasad’; Electronic Travel Authorization, along with their passport, when they arrive at the Portal for Registration Passenger Terminal Building. The pilgrims may have to necessarily register themselves online on the portal prakashpurb550.mha.gov.inand exercise their choice to travel on any day. Pilgrims
Easy to PICK29 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Naval Ships and Aircraft Standby for Rescue and Relief Ops - Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ Syllabus subtopic: Important Geophysical Storm, ‘Bulbul’ which is about 100 km phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, East Southeast of Paradip and 275 km Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., South-Southwest of Kolkata, Eastern geographical features and their location- Naval Command(ENC) is closely changes in critical geographical features monitoring the movement of the Cyclonic (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and Storm which is presently moving in flora and fauna and the effects of such northwards. changes Prelims and Mains focus: About Cyclone News: As the Very Severe Cyclonic Bulbul, formation and effects How are cyclones formed? becomes warm and moist and rises, To form a cyclone, warm, moist air too. And the cycle continues. over the ocean rises upward from near As the warmed, moist air rises and the surface. As this air moves up and cools the water in the air forms clouds. away from the ocean surface, it leaves The whole system of clouds and wind is less air near the surface. So basically spins and grows, fed by the ocean’s as the warm air rises, it causes an area heat and water evaporating from the of lower air pressure below. ocean surface. Air from surrounding areas with higher As the storm system rotates faster and air pressure pushes in to the low faster, an eye forms in the centre. It is pressure area. Then this new “cool” air very calm and clear in the eye, with
Easy to PICK30 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” very low air pressure. Higher from the warm ocean waters. However, pressure air from above flows down they often move far inland, dumping into the eye. many centimetres of rain and causing lots of wind damage before they die Tropical cyclones usually weaken out completely. when they hit land, because they are no longer being “fed” by the energy Depending upon its location and strength, Hurricanes around North America a tropical cyclone is referred by different Taifu in Japan names: Cyclone in the Indian Ocean Typhoons in Western North Pacific Willy-willies in Australia Baguio in Philippine Islands
Easy to PICK31 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” President’s Greetings on The Eve of Birthday of Guru Nanak Syllabus subtopic: Indian culture will He set up rules for congregational cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to worship (sangat) involving collective modern times. recitation. News: The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has sent his greetings to He appointed one of his disciples, fellow citizens on the eve of birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Angad, to succeed him as the preceptor Prelims and Mains focus: Life and (guru), and this practice was followed teachings of Guru Nanak Dev for nearly 200 years. About Guru Nanak Dev Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is observed The fifth preceptor, Guru on the full-moon day in the month of Arjan, compiled Baba Guru Nanak’s Katak to celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539). hymns along with those of his four He advocated the 'Nirguna' form of bhakti. He rejected sacrifices, ritual successors and also other religious poets, baths, image worship, austerities and the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims. like Baba Farid, Ravidas (also known as Raidas) and Kabir, in the Adi Granth Sahib. These hymns, called 'Gurbani', are composed in many languages. Kartarpur gurudwara is the revered shrine about 4 km across the border where Guru Nanak Dev spent the last 18 years of his life.
Easy to PICK32 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Prime Minister to attend BRICS Summit at Brazil from 13th to 14th November Syllabus subtopic: Bilateral, regional and world bank voting power and 14.91% global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's of IMF quota shares interests News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will Through BRICS, the countries can be in Brasilia, Brazil on 13th - 14th November 2019 to attend the 11th BRICS have multilateral relations in their local summit. The theme of the BRICS summit this year is \"Economic Growth for an currencies. This helps all of them Innovative Future.” Prelims focus: About BRICS and its directly as the Forex is not depleted member countries Mains focus: Significance of BRICS for and their own currencies are India and Indian concerns strengthened. About BRICS: BRICS brings together five major They promote South-South emerging economies( Brazil, Russia, cooperation and North-South dialogue. India, China, South Africa) (South represents developing countries comprising 42 percent of the world's population, having 23 percent of the and North represents Developed) global GDP and around 17 percent of the share and world trade. According to IMF estimate BRICS BRICS countries come from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America and countries generated 22.53% of worlds all are member of G-20 Together the nation account for GDP and they contributed more than 26.46% of world’s land area, 42.58% of world’s population, 13.24% of 50% of economic growth during the last 10 years. BRICS cooperation has two pillars including consultations on issues of mutual interest through meeting of leaders and ministers as well as cooperation through meeting of senior officials in a number of areas including trade, finance, health, education, science and technology, agriculture, communications IT etc.
Easy to PICK33 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Achievement of BRICS in 10 Years finance, urbanization and climate change There is a fair degree of cooperation on Institutionalization of the New issues such as trade, infrastructure Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingency Reserve Arrangement BRICS countries have become a has increased from 11 percent to 16 significant constructive force in percent of the world total promoting multilateral global order, People-to-people exchanges and propelling international economic education cooperation globalization and promoting cultural Issues/Challenges diversity Changing power equations within BRICS. China’s dominance is a BRICS nations adhere to the reality even as the grouping asserts principle of equality, negotiation, and the sovereign equality of all pragmatic cooperation. The principle members. of equality is the foremost one Bilateral issues, as for example, recent military standoff between BRICS nations have successfully India and China on the Doklam pushed for reforms to the Bretton plateau Woods system, the World Bank and There is only hollow promise by the IMF. Russia and China over the UN reform and admission of India and BRICS’s contribution to world’s GDP has increased from 12 percent to 23 percent and its trade volume
Easy to PICK34 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Brazil in UNSC as permanent members The economic structures and development trends of the BRICS countries are very similar which leads to economic competition and conflicts NDB failed to act as an alternative to IMF and WB till now. NDB has dispersed loans totalling $5.1 billion — all to its members only Delay to set up the BRICS credit rating agency that India favours Way Ahead Establish an arbitration mechanism to resolve economic conflicts that emerge among nation NDB should disperse more loan to other developing countries of Asia and Africa BRICS should also work towards creating a common currency and credit rating agency to reduce its dependence on dollar and western countries Develop a framework to fight against protectionist trade policy adopted by US Develop a mechanism to resolve bilateral issues Adopt proactive measures to resolve rising inequality among member countries The ultimate aim for the BRICS should be to take up a leadership role inreforming global financial and political institutions. This couldn’t be happen without enhanced engagement
Easy to PICK35 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” “Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan” Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, 2. Aim: To make beaches clean and environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment create awareness amongst citizens News: To strive to make our beaches about the importance of coastal ecosystems – in Beaches across 10 clean and create awareness amongst states / UTs. citizens about the importance of coastal ecosystems, the Ministry of 3. The campaign will be organized in the beaches after consultation with the Environment, Forest and Climate state governments. Change (MoEF&CC) are undertaking a 4. Environment Education mass cleanliness-cum-awareness drive in 50 identified beaches under the “Swachh – Division and Society of Integrated Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan”, from 11th - 17thNovember, 2019 Coastal Management (SICOM) under the Environment Ministry will be responsible for its Prelims and mains focus: Key features implementation. and significance of the campaign. The identified beaches are in 10 coastal 5. At end of the drive, the best three beaches will be suitably States/Union Territories (UTs) namely awarded along with a certificate of Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, appreciation for all the participating Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, eco-clubs. Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The beaches have been 6. The implementation of the drive will identified after the consultation with be monitored by the MoEF&CC the States/UTs. officials. About Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan: 1. Launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
Easy to PICK36 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Syllabus subtopic: Bilateral, regional and 2. establishing a global system to provide global groupings and agreements farmers, plant breeders and scientists involving India and/or affecting India’s with access to plant genetic materials; interests 3. ensuring that recipients share benefits News: The eighth session of the they derive from the use of these Governing Body of International Treaty genetic materials with the countries of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and where they have been originated. Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is being held in Rome, Italy. Key Provisions: During the session, informed the Multilateral system: The treaty puts 64 of delegates about the uniqueness of our most important crops – crops that Indian legislation “Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights together account for 80 percent of the food (PPV&FR) Act” to protect Farmers’ we derive from plants – into an easily Rights and breeder’s rights. accessible global pool of genetic Prelims and Mains focus: Key features and significance of the treaty. These resources that is freely available to sessions are held biennially, (PPV&FR) potential users in the Treaty’s ratifying Act- key features. nations for some uses. About the treaty: The International Treaty on Plant Access and benefit sharing: The Treaty Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was adopted by the Thirty- facilitates access to the genetic materials of First Session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 64 crops in the Multilateral System for the United Nations on 3 November 2001. research, breeding and training for food It is also known as Seed Treaty as it is a comprehensive international and agriculture. Those who access the agreement for ensuring food security materials must be from the Treaty’s through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world’s ratifying nations and they must agree to Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA). use the materials totally for research, Aim: breeding and training for food and 1. recognizing the enormous contribution agriculture. The Treaty prevents the of farmers to the diversity of crops that feed the world; recipients of genetic resources from claiming intellectual property rights over those resources in the form in which they received them. Farmers’ rights: The Treaty recognizes the enormous contribution farmers have made to the ongoing development of the world’s wealth of plant genetic resources. It calls for protecting the traditional knowledge of these farmers, increasing their participation in national decision- making processes and ensuring that they share in the benefits from the use of these resources
Easy to PICK37 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Sustainable use: Most of the world’s food This includes the use of a variety as an comes from four main crops – rice, wheat, initial source of variety for the purpose of maize and potatoes. However, local crops, developing another variety but repeated not among the main four, are a major food use needs prior permission of the source for hundreds of millions of people registered breeder. and have potential to provide nutrition to countless others. The Treaty helps Farmers’ Rights: maximize the use and breeding of all crops 1. A farmer who has evolved or and promotes development and maintenance of diverse farming systems. developed a new variety is entitled for registration and protection in like The Protection of Plant Varieties and manner as a breeder of a variety; Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001: 2. Farmers variety can also be registered as an extant variety; Enacted by India in 2001 adopting sui 3. A farmer can save, use, sow, re-sow, generis system. exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety It is in conformity with International protected under the PPV&FR Act, Union for the Protection of New 2001 in the same manner as he was Varieties of Plants (UPOV), 1978. entitled before the coming into force of this Act provided farmer shall not be The legislation recognizes the entitled to sell branded seed of a contributions of both commercial variety protected under the PPV&FR plant breeders and farmers in plant Act, 2001; breeding activity and also provides 4. Farmers are eligible for recognition to implement TRIPs in a way that and rewards for the conservation of supports the specific socio-economic Plant Genetic Resources of land races interests of all the stakeholders and wild relatives of economic plants; including private, public sectors and 5. There is also a provision for research institutions, as well as compensation to the farmers for non- resource-constrained farmers. performance of variety under Section 39 (2) of the Act, 2001 and Rights under the Act: 6. Farmer shall not be liable to pay any Breeders’ Rights: Breeders will have fee in any proceeding before the exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, Authority or Registrar or the Tribunal distribute, import or export the protected or the High Court under the Act. variety. Breeder can appoint agent/ licensee and may exercise for civil remedy in case of infringement of rights. Researchers’ Rights: Researcher can use any of the registered variety under the Act for conducting experiment or research.
Easy to PICK38 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Jal Jeevan Mission Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, its objectives of sustainable water environmental pollution and degradation, supply management across the country. environmental impact assessment. Need for and significance of the mission: News: The Union Minister for Water India has 16% of the world population, Resources recently reviewed the but only 4% of freshwater performance of Jal Jeevan Mission in resources. Depleting groundwater level, the southern states. overexploitation and deteriorating water quality, climate change, etc. are major Prelims focus: Key features of the challenges to provide potable drinking mission. water. It is an urgent requirement of water Mains focus: challenges and concerns in conservation in the country because of the water conservation, ways to address them. decreasing amount of groundwater level. Therefore, the Jal Jeevan Mission Context: The Union Minister for Water will focus on integrated demand and Resources recently reviewed the supply management of water at the local performance of Jal Jeevan Mission in level. the southern states. About Jal Jeevan Mission: The Mission was announced in August 2019. The chief objective of the Mission is to provide piped water supply (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural and urban households by 2024. It also aims to create local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household waste water for reuse in agriculture. The Jal Jeevan Mission is set to be based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge, desilting of minor irrigation tanks, use of greywater for agriculture and source sustainability. The Jal Jeevan Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve
Easy to PICK39 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field Training exercise (FTX)-2019 Exercise Dustlik-2019 Syllabus subtopic: India and its strengthening mutual trust and neighbourhood- relations. cooperation. News: The inaugural Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field Training Exercise (FTX)-2019, After intense military training, the joint Exercise DUSTLIK-2019 culminated on exercise concluded with both Armies 13 November 2019 after 10 days of joint exhibiting their combat power and training with Uzbekistan Army. dominance over the extremist groups. Prelims focus: About Dustlik-2019 The closing ceremony showcased the Mains focus: Indo-Uzbekistan relations immense talent with unique traditional and its significance touch of both nations. It was conducted at Chirchiq Training Area, Uzbekistan. About Dustlik 2019: The senior officials expressed great In the joint exercise which began on 04 satisfaction with high standards achieved in the exercise. November 2019 training was focused on counter insurgency and counter The bonhomie, spirit de corps and terrorism operations in urban scenario goodwill generated during the exercise as well as sharing of expertise on skills will go a long way in future at arms, both combat shooting and strengthening the bonds between our experiences in counter insurgency and armed forces enabling us in counter terrorism. The exercise also understanding each other’s provided an opportunity to armies of organisation and methodology of all nations for greater cultural conducting various operations. understanding, sharing experiences and
Easy to PICK40 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Consumer Price Index Numbers for October month released Syllabus subtopic: Indian Economy and The National Statistical Office (NSO), issues relating to planning, mobilization of Ministry of Statistics and Programme resources, growth, development and Implementation is releasing CPI employment. (Rural, Urban, Combined) on Base News: The National Statistical Office 2012=100 for the month of October (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and 2019 in this press note. Programme Implementation (MoS&PI) has released CPI (Rural, Urban, In addition to this, Consumer Food Combined) on Base 2012=100 for the Price Index (CFPI) for all India Rural, month of October 2019. Urban and Combined are also being released for October 2019. All India Prelims and Mains focus: about CPI, Inflation rates (on point to point basis WPI, differences between the two indices, i.e. current month over same month of and their significance last year, i.e., October 2019 over October 2018), based on Context: General Indices and CFPIs are given as follows:
Easy to PICK41 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Comparison between CPI and WPI Basis For Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Consumer Price Index (CPI) Comparison Meaning WPI, amounts to the average CPI, indicates the average change in change in prices of commodities the prices of commodities, at the retail at wholesale level level. Published by Office of Economic Advisor Central Statistics Office (Ministry of (Ministry of Commerce & Statistics and Programme Industry) Implementation) Measures prices Goods only Goods and Services both of Measurement of First stage of transaction Final stage of transaction Inflation Prices paid by Manufacturers and wholesalers Consumers How many items 697 (Primary, fuel & power and 448(Rural Basket) covered manufactured products) 460 (Urban Basket) What type of Manufacturing inputs and Education, communication, items covered intermediate goods like transportation, recreation, apparel, minerals, machinery basic foods and beverages, housing and metals etc. medical care Base year 2011-12 2012 Used by Only a few countries including 157 countries India Data released on Primary articles, fuel and Monthly basis power (Weekly basis) & overall (monthly basis since 2012)
Easy to PICK42 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” BHIM UPI goes international Syllabus subtopic: Awareness in the seamless fund routing & merchant fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, payments into one hood. nano-technology, bio-technology and It also caters to the “Peer to issues relating to intellectual property Peer” collect request which can be rights. scheduled and paid as per requirement and convenience. News: BHIM app has gone international Each Bank provides its own UPI App with a pilot demo of BHIM UPI QR- for Android, Windows and iOS based payments beginning at the mobile platform(s). ongoing Singapore FinTech Festival 2019. Why UPI is outperforming e- wallets? People are changing the way they Prelims focus: About UPI, BHIM and NPCI. transact, choosing bank-to-bank Mains focus: About Cashless economy- methods such as the Unified Payments need, significance, challenges and role of Interface (UPI) over other instruments BHIM in furthering this. such as e-wallets. This is because UPI is completely interoperable and as Context: such, it is unique in the world, where This QR code-based system you have an interoperable system on the ‘send’ and ‘receive’ side. would allow anyone with a BHIM The rapid growth of UPI is app to scan the SGQR at NETS accompanied by a reasonably strong terminals for payments in growth in the value of transactions Singapore. done using e-wallets, but the latter’s growth has not taken off much The project is being jointly developed following the fillip it received in the by NPCI and NETS of Singapore. It aftermath of demonetisation in is targeted to go live by Feb 2020. November 2016. About BHIM Money The BHIM apps has three levels of Bharat Interface for payment authentication: (BHIM) is a UPI based 1. For one, the app binds with a interface. device’s ID and mobile number. Developed by National Payments 2. Second a user needs to sync Corporation of India (NPCI). whichever bank account (UPI or non-UPI enabled) in order to the Allows real time fund transfer. conduct transaction. Launched in December, 2016. 3. Third, when a user sets up the app About UPI they are asked to create a pin which Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is is needed to log into the app. The UPI pin, which a user creates with a system that powers multiple bank their bank account is needed to go accounts into a single mobile through with the transaction. application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features,
Easy to PICK43 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” UPI – Benefits to the Ecosystem It has been incorporated as a not for participants: profit company. Benefits for banks: In 2016 the shareholding was broad- 1. Universal Application for transaction. based to 56 member banks to include 2. Leveraging existing infrastructure. more banks representing all sectors. 3. Safer, Secured and Innovative. 4. Payment basis Single/ Unique Identifier. 5. Enable seamless merchant transactions. Benefits for end Customers: Round the clock availability. Single Application for accessing different bank accounts. Use of Virtual ID is more secure, no credential sharing. Single click authentication. Raise Complaint from Mobile App directly. Benefits for Merchants: Seamless fund collection from customers – single identifiers. No risk of storing customer’s virtual address like in Cards. Tap customers not having credit/debit cards. Suitable for e-Com & m-Com transaction. Resolves the COD collection problem. Single click 2FA facility to the customer – seamless Pull. In-App Payments (IAP). About NPCI: NPCI is an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India. It is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, for creating a robust Payment and Settlement Infrastructure in India.
Easy to PICK44 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attends ‘Maitree Diwas’ in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh; says Govt planning to set up North East Industrial Corridor Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, Forces and give a boost to tourism. He Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.. also lauded the Five-Year Road Plan of Chief Minister of Arunachal News: Government is planning to set up Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu under North East Industrial Corridor that will which all the existing inter-state and create numerous job opportunities for the inter-district roads will be upgraded to people of the region. This was stated by State highway specifications by 2024. Defence Minister during his address at the 11th Maitree Diwas Celebrations in About Maitree Diwas: Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh today. The two-day socio-military cultural He said, the Arunachal Corridor will extravaganza is jointly organised by act as a land bridge between India the Indian Army, Tawang Civil and South East Asia that will Administration and volunteers at the provide employment opportunities High-Altitude Stadium, which stands and give fillip to trade and tourism. as a testimony to the spirit of solidarity and patriotic fervour that runs deep Prelims and Mains focus: about North amongst the locals of Tawang district. East Industrial Corridor Significance of ‘Know Your Army’ is the theme of the North Eastern region in India’s foreign event that is enlightening the youth Policy, about the Armed Forces and motivating them to adorn the uniform Context: The Defence Minister underlined one day and serve the motherland. The the special emphasis of the Government inaugural event commenced with on the development of the North East vibrant cultural programmes region under the Act East Policy, He culminating in a scintillating said, “Road to ‘New India’ runs through performance by military pipe bands. ‘New North-East India’.” Key highlights: Approval to construct a tunnel at Sela Pass to Tawang, operationalisation of Pasighat Airport, nod to set up Hollongi Airport near Itanagarand work to establish three strategic Railway lines in the region are some of the decisions taken. The projects will provide all-weather connectivity to the local population, facilitate the movement of the Armed
Easy to PICK45 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” .Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) Syllabus subtopic: Disaster and its About CDRI: management. Launched by PM Modi in September 2019 at the UN Secretary-General’s News: At the Leaders’ Dialogue with Climate Action Summit in New York, BRICS Business Council and New US. Development Bank (NDB), Prime A platform where knowledge is Minister Modi requested the BRICS countries and the NDB to join the generated and exchanged on different Coalition for Disaster Resilient aspects of disaster and climate Infrastructure. resilience of infrastructure. It will create a mechanism to assist Prelims focus: composition, objectives countries to upgrade their capacities and significance of CDRI. and practices, with regard to infrastructure development in Mains focus : Disaster preparedness and accordance with their risk context and the need for information sharing and economic needs. collaboration between various agencies.
Easy to PICK46 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Benefits and significance: Why do we need a global coalition? This initiative will benefit all sections Many countries, including India, have over the years developed robust disaster of society. management practices that have helped in Economically weaker sections of sharply reducing human casualties in a disaster. However, the economic costs of society, women and children, are the a disaster remain huge, mainly due to most vulnerable to the impacts of the damage caused to big infrastructure. disasters and hence, will be benefitted A global coalition for disaster resilient from the improvement of knowledge infrastructure would address concerns and practice in creating disaster that are common to developing and resilient infrastructure. developed countries, small and large It will also benefit all areas with high economies, countries at early and disaster risk. advanced stages of infrastructure In India, the north-eastern and development, and countries that have Himalayan regions are prone to moderate or high disaster risk. earthquakes, coastal areas to cyclones and tsunamis and central peninsular region to droughts.
Easy to PICK47 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Government clears misgivings of amendment in the Indian Forest Act, 1927 Syllabus subtopic: Welfare schemes for Climate Change (MoEF&CC), vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance categorically stated that the Central of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the Government for past 5 years have always protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections worked in the interests of tribals and forest News: The Government of India (GoI)has cleared misgivings over the zerodraftwhich dwellers and as such will not give space to sought a techno-legal suggestions in the misgivings, “We are completely Indian Forest Act, 1927. Prelims and Mains focus: About Forest withdrawing the draft amendment to the Rights Act and its significance, challenges in implementation; Concerns of Forest Indian Forests Act to remove any dwellers Context: misgivings,the tribal rights will be Speaking to media persons at a Press Briefing in New Delhi today, the Union protected fully and they will continue to be Minister of Environment, Forest and the important stakeholder in forest development”, said Shri Javadekar. He also further clarified that it was a techno-legal exercise by officials to carry out an assessment which sought suggestions from various states and the document was circulated to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of each states.
Easy to PICK48 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” National Mission ‘NISHTHA’ launched in J&K Syllabus subtopic: Issues relating to of Educational Planning and development and management of Social Administration (NIEPA), Kendriya Sector/Services relating to Health, Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Navodaya Education, Human Resources. Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), Central Board of News: National Initiative for School Secondary Education (CBSE) and NGOs. Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Objective: Advancement (NISHTHA) was launched To build the capacities of around 42 in Jammu and Kashmir. lakh participantscovering all teachers and Prelims and Mains focus: About the Heads of Schools at the elementary level mission and its significance in all Government schools, faculty About NISHTHA mission: members of State Councils of Educational It is an initiative of Ministry of Human Research and Training (SCERTs), District Resource Development. Institutes of Education and Training It is the largest teachers’ training (DIETs) as well as Block Resource programme of its kind in the world. Coordinators and Cluster Resource The features of this programme are activity Coordinators. based modules including educational To develop teacher’s skillson various games, Social-emotional learning, aspects related to Learning Outcomes, motivational interactions, team building, Competency Based Learning, School preparation for school based assessment, Leadership qualities Pre-vocational in-built continuous feedback mechanism Education, eco club, youth club, kitchen etc. garden etc. Under this programme, standardized Need training modules will be developed at It was observed that the expectation from national level for all States and UTs. teachers in the present day is different and The training will be conducted directly includes many new attributes. by key resource persons (KRPs) and Teachers today are also expected to be state resource persons (SRPs) , who will aware of the provisions regarding gender, in turn be trained by persons from the the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act National Council of Educational Research and the Protection of Children from Sexual and Training (NCERT), National Institute Offences (POCSO) Act.
Easy to PICK49 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution releases Water Quality Report for State Capitals & Delhi as analysed by BIS Syllabus subtopic: Conservation, It is among 13 cities, including environmental pollution and degradation, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Jaipur environmental impact assessment and Lucknow, where all tested samples failed to meet the BIS norms for piped News: In order to ensure that clean and drinking water. In fact, Mumbai is the safe drinking water is provided to all, only city where all samples of tap Department of Consumer Affairs decided water met all the tested parameters to undertake a study through the Bureau of under the Indian Standard 10500:2012 India Standards (BIS) on the quality of (specification for drinking water) so piped drinking water being supplied in the far. country and also rank the States, Smart Cities and even Districts based on the Under its flagship Jal Jeevan Mission, quality of tap water. the Centre aims to provide safe piped water to all households by 2024, with Prelims and Mains focus: Key features of Prime Minister promising to spend the report and its significance over ₹3.5 lakh crore on the scheme in his last Independence Day speech. Key highlights of the report: Its is released by Bureau of Indian However, the study, conducted by the BIS for the Union Food and Consumer Standards (BIS) Affairs Ministry, showed that even in urban areas, which are connected to The BIS standard involves 48 the piped water network, there is no different parameters. Samples are guarantee that the water is safe for being tested under 28 parameters so consumption. While it is mandatory far, leaving out parameters related to for bottled water manufacturers to radioactive substances and free meet quality standards, the BIS residual chlorine. standard is voluntary for the public agencies which supply and distribute The national capital is at the very piped water. bottom of the list, in a ranking based on tap water quality
Easy to PICK50 - “UPSC Monthly Magazine” Way ahead The Centre plans to expand the scope of the study, bringing the capitals of the northeastern States and all 100 Smart Cities under the testing regime by January 15, 2020, while all district headquarters are expected to be tested by August 15, 2020.
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