1.

Indonesia India ties

50

Indonesia has played and continues to play an important part

But Muslims being in positions of power does not necessarily in our Look East policy. India-Indonesia relations have
ensure development outcomes for Muslims,

expanded significantly in recent years with several high level

government to submit a list of 627

visits and trade and economic exchanges. Indonesia has

names in a sealed cover to Supreme court

emerged critical for Indias coal imports and entrepreneurs

1.

2.

from India are making investments in Indonesias coal, oil

and gas and mining sectors. The level of overall bilateral

engagement is however still far below the potential for the

countries, which are two of Asias largest emerging

Aadhar

economies, long-time partners in their struggle for

The scheme is under challenge before the Supreme Court,

independence, champions of the philosophy of non-

and [ alignment and, above all, democracies with young

]
1.

populations poised to play a major role not only in Asia but

beyond. Sharing of mutual experiences in the democratic

governance of these vast nations can itself be a very useful

[ ]
2. (

)

exercise in cooperation and understanding. Through this, the

two largest countries in South and Southeast Asia can
become pillars of stability and security in Asia.

3. the government must always preserve alternative

means of identifying individuals and verifying their

Among a number of fields which can be identified for close

addresses so that a particular form of identification

interaction are defence, maritime security, counter-

does not become restrictive or mandatory.

terrorism, the environment, education, economic cooperation

Prepare answer
1.

Ebola/Polio/TB and Indias Preparedness

Unlike airborne diseases such as flu and

through investments on both sides, culture and arts,

technology including IT, space and nuclear power, etc. The
list can be a long and impressive one.

tuberculosis, people can get infected by the

virus only when they come in direct contact

During his inauguration speech, President Widodo

with the body fluids of an Ebola patient.

underlined the need for Indonesia to focus on its maritime

2. ultra-populism, [authoritarian state]

meaning

heritage. He reminded the people that the future of their

archipelagic nation lay with the seas, adding that the old

3. Status problem and solution of handloom industry

slogan At sea, we are triumphant (In Sanskrit, Jalaseva

4. Gold Prices and effects

Jayamahe) needed to be revived. In India, we should

5. trust deficit

welcome this new emphasis of Indonesia on the maritime

6. result of indias tough stand on border

dimension. For centuries the two countries were bound to

7. Essay on Indian Movies

each other by maritime trade and cultural contact across the

Society shole,

oceans. Hinduism, Buddhism and later Islam went from

Woman Lajja,

India to Indonesia by sea, as also textiles from Gujarat and

Personality Pan singh tomar, bhag milkha

bhag,
Massage: 3 Idiots, Tare Jameen Par,
Light movies Dilwale dhulaniya le jayenge,
Accidents and controvertial Haider,
Bombay,, Border,
humor

the Coromandel coast while spices travelled from Indonesia

by the maritime route.
Today, India and Indonesia can cooperate in a host of
maritime matters such as disaster relief, anti-piracy, coastal
security against human or drug trafficking, resource and
climate research, port construction and naval ship

production. Indonesia, as the next Chairman of the Indian

Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC),

2.

can play a very constructive role in this field along with India,

3.

Australia and other countries of Asia and Africa.

India -China
In November, President Widodo and Prime Minister Modi

-->

will be attending the G-20 summit in Australia and the East

@ ,

Asian Summit in Myanmar. Their personal rapport would no

doubt create a new stage for the revival of the ancient but

enduring relationship and to take it to a higher level.

Black Money return to India

There are at least 80 tax havens. Black wealth held in liquid

form is parked in the banks of these countries/location

[ 19%

1) PN notes
2) Luxary goods
3) invested in real estate and other businesses.
4) Money is also moved via layering. So, identifying who
the real beneficiary of an account is is difficult to
figure out
Few Facts Notes
1.

Chinas advances in technology and infrastructure

have moved it much beyond Indian reach

2.

7% ]

SN

Country

7.2

6.8

4.5

1.7

1997

1)

3. American discovered and developed the first

successful inactivated polio vaccine. Jonas Salk
1.

polio was completely eradicated in the US by

1979.

25

1.

60

EU

,

ke

2.

1.

, ( )

(2020 )

UP

1990

--__-Country

1981 ()

2013 ()

India

$19.7 $188

China

$19.4 $924

Japan
$120 $490

--__--

- (bitter/harsh/stern)

1.

2.

3.

[?????]

India America Relation (issues)

1.

2.
3.
Note:

,

()

()

8 10%

--__--

, ,

()

1.

2. ()

2,000

--__-[OIL/crude /petrolium]

1.

2.



3. 2010

' '

2012 131 2013 139

2014 189

142
(, ,
)

--__-' '

1.

 [ aaj bhi yahi dikhta hai ]

2.

3.

[/some doubts here]

4.

--__--

Solar energy 100,000 ( 100

100,000 ( 100 )
ex: ,

2019

2.6

2022

20

Point to note here

1.

2010 ,

2. 100

30

1.

2007
?

2.

--__--

3. : 20
19

(2000)

100

66

, '

4.

,
, ,
, ,

[just point not counclusion]

, ,

1.

Spectrum Crisis
22 18 1995

2.

3.

4.

(900 )

( 5 )

[some doubts here]

900
,

, 1800

1.

()

2.

200

A) |

0.3
5 [

:
1.

,
?

2.5
] ==

12 [

Other points:
1.

2007

2. 2007 2012

2.

[- ]

2007-08 2011-12
6.8
1.

3.
5

3. ?
1.

, , , ,

?

1.

2.

3.

?

,

--__- [ ]

/ / / / -->

?

--__--

Kashmir In News

1.

2. -

3.

1.

Islamic Cooperation]

25
- ( )

2.

, 1990
1.

() [Organisation of

3.

Cease fire violation in 2014 and Modi response

, ,

Result may be

1) 2003, when the two sides used to exchange artillery fire

2. These kinda action increase the sense of alienation

daily, causing casualties among both uniformed personnel

in Kashmir
3. provide new opportunities for militant groups from

and civilians, and infiltration by militants into Jammu and

Kashmir was at its highest.

across the border

4.

5.

6. 2005

- :

?
1.

2011

2.
3.
()

--__--

Note:Complaints that e-commerce players are selling below

cost are not convincing enough to invoke legal action

--__--

90 ' '
(

[UREA POLICY]

--__-

( )

]
[refer notes for data]

But this is not true in

Land case

(1985-90)

1.

2.

, |
1.
. 100

11 (2008-12)

50 .

2008

()

: 1 , 2 ?
, 3

4 ,

Problems in digitalization of land record.

1.

2.

. ()

2.


3.

.
1 (1 )

--__--

. .

3.

20

The bank has 21 signatory- countries, with India being the

only major backer apart from China; the rest are the smaller

economies of Asia.

Australia, Indonesia and South Korea pulled out apparently

under pressure from the U.S.

The AIIB, along with the other new China-based institution,

the BRICS Bank, represents the first major challenge to the

4. , ,

U.S.-led global economic order and the 70-year uncontested

reign of the Bretton Woods twins. In a way, the IMF and the

World Bank have only themselves to blame if they find their

dominance under threat, because the seeds of the new bank

. ,

19 .
sprouted from either their inability or unwillingness, or both,
to meet the growing funding needs of Asia.

The AIIB, along with the other new China-based institution,

5. - .

the BRICS Bank, represents the first major challenge to the

U.S.-led global economic order and the 70-year uncontested

6.5

reign of the Bretton Woods twins. In a way, the IMF and the

World Bank have only themselves to blame if they find their

, , ,

dominance under threat, because the seeds of the new bank

sprouted from either their inability or unwillingness, or both,

to meet the growing funding needs of Asia.

India, which will be the second largest shareholder in the

bank, should work with China to ensure that best practices

are followed in projects for procurement and materials and in .

terms of labour and environmental standards.

6.

trade rules, a World Trade Organisation panel has ruled.

--___--

Delays in charging offenders in capital market related

offences expose investors to unnecessary and

unjustified risks

The Securities and Exchange Board of Indias decision to bar

7.

real estate giant DLF and its top management from

transacting in stocks and raising funds from the stock market

is significant for who it took on(DAMAD).

--__--

_____---_______

India may lose 38 million jobs and Rs. 21,000 crore

thehindubusiness

revenue [Tobacco contributes over Rs. 21,000 crore to the

Discovered a way to create an artificial atom qubit

economy]

due to non-ratification of the Framework Convention

launch of Indias navigation satellite IRNSS 1C, the third of

on Tobacco Control (FCTC),

seven satellites in the series to put in place Indias navigation

envisages curbing production, sale, distribution,

system on par with US Global Positioning System, on board

advertisement, and taxation of tobacco.

PSLV C 26 began today at the spaceport of Sriharikota.

The treaty is meant to end tobacco cultivation

lift-off mass of 1,425.4 kg would be shot into a sub

world-wide since it is seen as a major health

Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

hazard.

As part of its aspirations to build a regional navigational

~52% of Indias tobacco production && 45% area under

system equivalent to Global Positioning System of the US,

tobacco cultivation@ Andhra Pradesh [ it is largely

ISRO plans to send seven satellites to put in place the Indian

concentrated in East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna,

Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS).

Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore and Karimnagar districts.]

The first two satellites in the series, IRNSS 1A and IRNSS 1B

--__--

were launched from Sriharikota on July 1, 2013 and April 4

Currently there is only one gold mine that is operational

this year, respectively.

the Hutti gold mine in Karnataka. It produces about three

IRNSS is designed to provide accurate position information

tonnes of gold per annum.

service to users in the country as well as the region extending China is world largest producer of gold
up to 1,500 km from its boundary, which is its primary
--__--service area.
IRNSSs applications include terrestrial and marine

seperate Railway budget

navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking and fleet

on April 16, 1853

management.
IRNSS is similar to US Global Positioning System, Russias
Glonass and Europes Galileo. China and Japan also have
similar systems Beidou and Quasi Zenith.

Indias first passenger train

from Mumbais Bori Bunder to Thane

stretch of 21 miles
Since then, the Indian rail network has grown to
become

--__--

largest in Asia

boys will be boys Society need change Dont apologise,

second in the world,

change (woman empowerment)

spread over a route of 40,389 miles.

--__--

now it is presented by the rail minister in

Indias import restrictions on chicken legs and some other

parliament two days before the general budget,

farm products from the US on fears that low-intensity bird

which comes in the last week of February.

flu can affect public health are not in line with multilateral

has become more of a political exercise than a

financial necessity?

unprofitable.

railways is a politically sensitive subject in India,

At 1921 recommendation made sense then, since the running

carries 23 million people and an average of

of a commercial undertaking could not be tied to the colonial

two million tons of freight every day.

administrations general revenues and budgets. So the

The tradition of presenting a standalone railway budget was

colonial government wanted the railways to manage their

started in 1924 following the recommendation of the 10-

own finances and not become a burden on general revenues.

member

William Mackworth

Committee, 1920-21,

: "
"securing stability for general revenues and to strengthen the railways finances.
Points
1.

-, ,

Railways now have lost the people-and-goods carrier

crown to road transport decades ago.

2.

It also no longer dominates government spending,

In old time it used to constituted up to 85% of the

countrys general budget then. Now, it accounts for
just about 4%.

In comparison, the government allocated $38.6

billion to defense and $14 billion to the oil sector.

Subsidies and ministries like defence taking a much

bigger chunk.
3. Budget has been reduced to the status of an income and
expenditure account of the ministry rather than being a
vision for future development.

Ex: there is going to be no increase in the freight

,


Additional problem 1political moral hazard. 2announcement
of new railway lines that may or may not be commercially
viable,
Ministerial Quirks
1.

2. Islamic countries usually have a ministry for

religious affairs,

important post, separate from that of rather

4. Became more and more political

ominously named minister of Islamic affairs,

5. Spending on railroad infrastructure and

of this multiplier effect would be greater, if this spending

endowments, call and guidance).

3. Secular Western countries don't have this,
though some did in the past France, for

is spread over a greater geographical area.

6. Rail budgets are increasingly seeing announcements
of un-remunerative projects, unviable schemes, crosssubsidies, while other key issues like safety, track
strengthening, safety, receive inadequate provisioning
The colonial administration, keen to exploit trade with India,
encouraged railway companies to begin operating in India,
but some of these railways (including some run in
autonomous princely states) could not be run efficiently.
A Railway Board came into being in 1905,

Operated directly under the political control of the

colonial administration. The various railways served
British Indias purposes, but after a brief period of
profitable existence, including and upto the end of
the First World War, they were simply becoming

charged with organising the Haj pilgrimage (in Saudi

Arabia which hosts the Haj, the minister of Haj is an

charges

operations has a multiplier effect, and the quantum

In india Yoga Minister / Railway ministry

example, had ministry of worship.

4. Sri Lanka has a ministry for Buddhasasana and
religious affairs (currently held by the PM).
--_-major obstacles for the airlines to grow and be profitable
1.

The need of the hour remains the growth and

development of airports.

While Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru

have shown the way on PPP models, the Airports
Authority of Indias (AAI) projects in Kolkata and
Chennai have been disasters. The Aviation
Ministry has to set this right and get a private
partner to redeem these airports, besides
strengthening and developing smaller airports for
the existing and new airlines to operate.

2. The cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (over 40% of Africa 56 (53), Brazil 57 (56); Indian 71 (60);
operations cost). Recent drop in global crude prices

--__--

and consequently of ATF provides some relief

Shale oil is essentially crude oil but an unconventional one

3. Need to rationalise taxes, basically VAT, to reduce the at that.

burden. The advent of GST may solve this problem
4.

While the conventional fuel is usually found in

work on the specifics and come up with a time-

porous rocks such as sandstone, shale oil is trapped

bound, implementable framework

in shale rock formations that are not easily permeable

--__--

and hence is tougher to tap. So though its existence

has been known for long, shale oil wasnt being

extracted in large quantities.

)|

1.

But technological advancements horizontal drilling and

--> -->

fracturing (fracking) introduced and honed since the

--> -->

early part of the century have enabled shale oil exploration

and production on an industrial scale.

2.

Environmentalists and local communities have been up in

3. grow tomatoes, green chillies and other vegetables

arms against the pollution caused to land and water bodies by

--__--

the chemicals used in the fracking process.

no-frills or zero-balance account holders

--__--

Who has shale oil?

Q. what is priority sector landing?

US; countries such as Russia, China and Argentina

--_--

are also believed to have vast stores of shale oil. India

Upcoming G-20 Summit

too is taking baby steps to find and explore its shale

dialogue on inter-governmental coordination for

assets potential.

global growth and development

--__--

20 major economies came together for closer

Make Voting compulsary: Gujrat made new law for local

partnerships. After 2008, the group was reshaped as

body election

the principal forum to discuss the global economic

crisis and to collectively suggest remedial measures.

Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment)

Bill, 2009 will impact on this fundamental right.

independent business associations from G20

Governor had declined to give her assent twice

countries formed a coalition named as Business

and returned the Bill to the Gujarat government

20 or B20. This coalition bridges governmental

observing that forcing voters to vote is

agenda with the interests of business

communities of G20 nations.

against the principles of individual liberty.

Problems

--__--

1) constitution will attract Judicial review freedom of

World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked India 71 in its

expression 19(1)(a)

Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). [ based on 12 points.]

1.

institutions,

2. infrastructure,
3. health and education,
4. labour market efficiency,
5. technological readiness,
innovation
6. business sophistication.
Ranks [14-15(13-14)]: China 28 (29), Russia 53 (64); South

--__-Karnataka has sizeable stretch of mangrove forests,

a vibrant saline-water ecosystem generally associated

with Indias east coast.

Positives of Mangroves
1.

a thriving aquatic life nurtured within their mesh

of stilt-roots.

2. serve a vital socio-economic function.

support livelihood, essentially aquaculture,

Earth.

3. Resource for medicinal plants, and fuel wood

--__--

and construction materials.

4. Nurseries for fish breeding

5. Filter heavy metals

()

6. They act as green shields buffering the

coastline against sea erosion,

7. the potentially devastating impacts of cyclones
and tsunami.
2004 and 1999 cylone

: ,


--__-Aedes aegypti , a mosquito that spreads diseases like dengue
and chikungunya,

Where else?
1.

> ()

At the confluence of four rivers

1.

2.

3.

4.

their primary pray to be Human

Aghanashini,
Gangavali,

--__--

Sharavati and

India Myanmar

Venkatapura

Ongoing democratic transition in Myanmar,

and the Arabian Sea

is a long stretch of dense and tall mangrove
vegetation with a high number of mangrove plant
species
They locally known as Kandla or Sundari

2. Two other estuaries

1.

paper published claming their change in behavior and

1.

2. a peaceful settlement with the ethnics.

Since 2011 after forming a new Governemnt
1.

showed a similar rejuvenation of mangrove

species.

3. several reforms in the economic, social and

administrative spheres.
--__-

combination they can prevent the growth of the virus.

Rhizophora mucronata,

When the virus is slowed down, so is HIV disease.

Sonneratia caseolaris,

Avicennia officinalis,

Sonneratia alba ,

Kandelia candel representing both high salinity and

low salinity tolerant shrubs were assessed in these

estuaries. (sharavathi and venkatapura)
__---___
South Africa mulls legalising rhino horn trade
--_-Separating from the Rosetta mother craft, Philae made
history on Wednesday by becoming the first probe to carry
out a soft landing on a comet.
--__-In 1992, as it emerged from 16 years of civil war,
Mozambique had won the dubious distinction of being
along with Angola, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Hercegovina and
Cambodia one of the five most heavily mined nations on

ART are medications that treat HIV. The drugs do not

kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in

[Exammple of Mangroove Plants]

release of political prisoners,

2. greater media freedom

Sharavathi

2. Venkatapura

towards a more market-oriented economy,

Antiretroviral drugs are referred to as ARV.

--__-proper forum for a test of the strength of the
government was the floor of the house. But what neither
the Constitution nor courts prescribed was how the floor test
had to be conducted. Both methods (polling as well as voice
vote) have been widely used before. In that sense, the motion
passed by voice vote earlier this week may well be legal and
valid. But were the ends of natural justice and fair play
served?
--__-United Planters Association of Southern India (Upasi)
--__-Cancer Treatment: one of the challenges
1.

ensure that normal cells do not get damaged

2. but destroying malignant tumours.

For Solution: scientists trying Targeted therapy

Review (OCR) by the United States Trade

(using nano materials)

Representative (USTR)

Targeted photodynamic therapy

--__--

iron oxide nanoparticles and attached 2photo-

sensitiser and 3a peptide is used

Darwin in finance
link between evolution and financial crises.

On exposure to light, the photo-sensitiser releases

__--__

free radicals that kill the cancer cells.

Role of El Nino in heat build-up in Indian Ocean

peptide-bound nano particles retarded the tumour

Study result:

growth significantly when compared with controls or

1.

A warm Indian Ocean can regulate the Pacific

conditions including the El Nino events [i.e. is has

treatments with nano particles without peptide.

implecation on global climate].

--__-importance of Manufacturing sector

Presently, manufacturing accounts for 15% of Indias

Fact
1.

The Indian Ocean has been warming at a rate faster

than thought before

GDP (v/s service sector accounts for 60%)

If India has to accommodate over 10 million people

2. It is the largest consistent contributor to the global

ocean warming trends.

joining the workforce every year, it needs to grow at a

much faster pace.

3. The western Indian Ocean, traditionally thought

to have cooler sea surface temperatures (SSTs)

This can only happen if there is substantial

growth in manufacturing, the only sector

than the central and eastern Indian Ocean, is

capable of employing most of the new

surprisingly showing an even stronger

workforce joining from the rural areas.

summer warming trend over the whole of the 20th

century than the central and eastern Indian Ocean.

Current problems
1.

manufacturing competitiveness

This may alter

2. investments

1.

the monsoon circulation,

3. stringent labour laws,

2. monsoon rainfall,

4. poor infrastructure

3. marine food webs and fisheries (western Indian

Ocean is one of the most productive oceans)

5. a very poor supply chain.

6.

tax department takes an extremely aggressive

4. global climate including the El Nino.

position vis--vis manufacturing right from setting El Nino

weaken the summer westerly (blowing from west to east) winds

up the business to sourcing technology, hiring
over the Indian Ocean.

technical services and manufacturing and selling.

Winds have the effect of cooling the sea

7. WTO agreement and liberalization of economy: Trade

surface.

barrier reduced and market captured by cheap

foreign goods

of latent heat from the ocean leading to

8. MNC and their huge capital power

cooling.

___-------_________
Get the Answers
1.

Walker Circulation :represents the zonal (east-west)

MaddenJulian oscillationMaddenJulian oscillation circulation over the tropics.

2. Drug (anti dopping)

3.

Strong winds cause evaporation and loss

Walker Circulation

@ Pacific ocean and El nino

[^low pressure @ west && high pressure @east],

--__-China US bilateral accord on climate change and clean energy

In the Pacific, the trade winds blow from east to west.

During summer, the Pacific cell is linked to the

cooperation

monsoon westerlies in the Indian Ocean. During an

--__--

El Nino, the wind direction reverses and the whole

After Modi Visit initiation of the Out-of-Cycle

circulatory system shifts eastward leaving only weak

surface westerlies in the western Indian Ocean.

This results in ocean warming in the Western Indian Ocean.

Also radha krishna painting in this style

--__-

the Indian Ocean is land-locked on the north. This

Kulasai Kulasekarapattinam

means that the ocean circulation which carries the

tropical heat towards the poles is restricted in the

people dress up in a repertoire of costumes that

includes Gods, such as Kali, Yama, Hanuman and

Indian Ocean, withholding the piled up heat.

Earlier studies have shown that enhanced tropical Indian

Shiva, as well as in costumes of gypsies, policemen,

Ocean warming in recent decades favours stronger trade

doctors etc. The festival evolved because people here

winds in the western Pacific via the Walker circulation and

did not have access to metal foils of these Gods,

hence is likely to suppress the El Nino events.

which are traditionally given as offerings into temple

--__--

hundials.

Natural Sugar

1.
2.

Artificial sweeteners contain carbohydrates

Serendipity (noun) : good luck in making unexpected and

that can elevate your blood sugar levels and should

fortunate discoveries

not be thought of as healthier than other sweeteners

murals: a painting that is applied to a wall surface [wall

for people with diabetes

painting]

Agave Nectar: 1)90 per cent fructose therefore

__----___

it is sweeter than regular sugar, so less is needed.

World History :

Coconut Nectar:
i)
ii)

1.

2. How the philosophies of French Revolution changed

the course of World History? (10 m)

It has neutral pH, which helps retain the bodys

iii)

alkaline state.

3. Emergence of USA as a super power. (10m)

Contains 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C & B.

4. Performance Evaluation of United Nations since its

inception. (10m)

Stevia:
i)
ii)

Extracted from the leaves of a plant called Stevia

5. Opium War (5m)

rebaudiana.

6. October Revolution (5m)

~ 300 times sweeter than sugar, Stevia is entirely

7. Colonization of Asia and Africa was not a smooth

journey. Discuss (10m)

diabetic-friendly, minus any calories or

carbohydrates.
4.

8. NAM lost its importance in the modern world.

Critically analyze. (10m).

Xylitol:
i)

is a naturally-occurring sugar alcohol extracted

from foods such as beets, corn and berries.

ii)

Xylitol is as sweet as sugar and has a lower

iii)
5.

Disintegration of USSR was inevitable. Discuss.

(10m)

low on the glycemic index, which makes it ideal

for those suffering from diabetes.

3.

--__--

9. Cremium war
--__-

as compared with road, rail consumes 75-90% less

glycemic index.

energy for freight traffic and 5-21% less for passenger

it is only partially absorbed by the body.

traffic. Unit cost of rail transport is lower than road

Blackstrap Molasses: are a special type extracted

transport by Rs.2 per net tonne-km and Rs.1.6 per

from triple-boiled sugar cane syrup. Very low on the

passenger-km. For passenger transport, road

glycemic index, it is safe for people with diabetes.

accident costs are 45 times higher than rail; for

freight, its eight times higher.

--__--

--__--

Pushkar Fair rajasthan : held during the month of Kartik,

There should be one transport minister who should be held

from Ekadashi to Poornima,

responsible overall for the transport systems contribution to

--__--

development goals articulated by the government. The

Krishna-Sudama theme in Pahari style.

existing ministries should become departments focused on

delivering effective transport infrastructure and services for

Government of India where the concept of PLB was

each mode.

introduced. The main consideration at that time was the

--__--

important role of the Railways as an infrastructural support

Essay topics

in the performance of the economy as a whole. In the overall

significance of Hindu philosophies in modern world

context of Railway working, it was considered desirable to

---___----

introduce the concept of PLB as against the concept of Bonus

PIB from 18 Oct

on the lines of the Payment of Bonus Act -1965. Even though

Note:

the Payment of Bonus Act does not apply to the Railways, yet

1.

17 2013

the broad principles contained in that Act were kept in view

for the purpose of determining the "Wage/Pay Ceiling",

()

definition of `Salary`/`Wage`, etc. The PLB Scheme for the

40

Railways came into force from the year 1979-80 onwards

50 ( / and was evolved in consultation with the two recognised

)

federations, the All India Railwaymen`s Federation and

2. ..

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and with the

approval of the Cabinet. The scheme envisages a review

every three years.

--_-

3. AvinashArun, the Director and Cinematographer of
Marathi feature film Killa has termed his film based

:
1.

75 %

on a realistic fiction.

The film is about an eleven-year child who moves

to small Konkan town from a big city where he

2.
80%

finds himself out of place and becomes introvert.

Grappling with the strugglein the new townhe

3. ,
3800

eventually finds solace in new company.

--_-Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employees

Govt approval for the payment of Productivity Linked

,
2014

Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days` wages for the financial

year 2013-14 to all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees.

, /

The financial implication of payment of 78 days` PLB to

railway employees has been estimated to be Rs. 1063.38

crores. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment

of PLB to eligible non-gazetted Railway employees is Rs.

4.

3500/- p.m. About 12.60 lakh non-gazetted Railway

employees are likely to benefit from the decision. The PLB

on Railway covers all non-gazetted Railway employees

5. 1 , 2014

(excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) throughout

, -

the country. This year also, PLB equivalent to 78 days`

wages has been paid as a special case to motivate employees.

6. /
40

Background
The Railways were the first departmental undertaking of the

--__- -

21

ICS and IAS Difference

, ,

50 ,

--__-

] 1893

--__--

(),

()
()
,

--__--

IAS officers

[Reason]

2.


Importance of

- . .

()
,

()

1.

- ,

- ,

--__-

()

--__-

-
( )

) , 2014 ()

--__-- FINISHED [remaining 1) PIB duration 27th OCT to

22nd Nov 2) News Papers 3rd Nov - ~10Nov]

- - 3) all opinion thehindu opend till nov 27

21 , 2014

--__-

navigation fleet dubbed the Indian GPS.

( --_-) , 2014 ()

The question whether a George Orwell museum or a

satyagraha park should be developed first has led to a divide

in Motihari in West Champaran district of Bihar.

- -

IRNSS-1C will be the third piece in the Indian

, ,

great writer of 20th Century, George Orwell, was

born at Motihari.

Like Gandhiji, George Orwell too attacked

totalitarianism, fascism and imperialism through his

writings.

--__-

21 , 2014

Greenhouse gases Emition

pt 1:

2011 (1)

(2)

1) US: to cut emissions by an extent of 26 to 28 per cent

below 2005 levels by 2025,

:1.

1.

Washington did not ratify the lone legally-binding

global pact to cut emissions the 1997 Kyoto

Protocol as it opposed the view that developed

and developing countries had differentiated

responsibilities on countering global warming

2. ,
, ,

2) China
U.S. and China account for around 15 per cent and

3.

29 per cent respectively of global greenhouse gas

4.

emissions, making a total of about 44 per cent

5.

6.

3) EU:

( ),

4) India has committed itself to a 20-25 per cent

( ) ( )

reduction in intensity of carbon emissions by 2020,

but the international community will want more

1.

--_-- FINISHED till 26 oct [to do till 22nd Nov ]

Accounts for 6% of global greenhouse gas

emissions

7.

2. More than a billion population so less per capita

emision

8.

What it can do?

1.1** contribution of solar, wind and biomass to electricity

supply can realistically increase from the present 6 per cent

to 18 per cent by 2030

: ()

1.2** Increasing Use of Nuclear energy

i.

2.1**

ii. ()

iii.

Today, Two decades back distinction of industrial and

iv. ( ) ()

non industrial nation is not that relevant

v.

vi.

vii.

2015

viii.

ix.

x.

--__-Guru Tegh Bahadur (1 April 1621 11 November 1675,

alias Hind-di-Chaadar (Protector of India) for protecting

Hindus and Sikhs against forced conversion in the hands of

Muslims under Aurangzeb, became the 9th Guru of Sikhs

on 16 April 1664, a position earlier occupied by his grand-

nephew, Guru Har Krishan. Guru Tegh Bahadur was

, ,

executed on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in

Delhi for resisting the forced conversions of Hindus in

Kashmir.

1994 ()

--__--

, -,

A nesting site of the extremely rare white-bellied heron

[(Ardea insignis)] has been discovered in a remote part of

the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.

Before this only Bhutan was known for the nesting

--__-

site

Nuclear Energy Reactor

--__--

20 , 4780

2013 ,

--_--

1000

--__--

1)
:
1.

River cleaning : Ganga

'' ''

2. ,
3. ,
4. ,
5. ,
6. ,

2014-15 2037

()
'', ''
' '

7000

--__--

() In Nov 2014, a Supreme Court Bench described the

()

punishment for juveniles committing serious crimes as being

496.90

far too liberal and urged the Attorney General to suggest

that the government have a relook at the Juvenile Justice

(Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (JJ Act).

, 2 ,
, Law allows all children to receive the benefits of the

First

()

juvenile justice system irrespective of the gravity of the

4 offence.

The issue of amending the JJ Act at this

--__--

point is a purely policy or legislative issue,

()

not warranting judicial intervention.

, Section 7A(ii) of the JJ Act states that if the court finds a

Second

person to be a juvenile on the date of commission of the

offence, the case shall be immediately sent to the Juvenile

1.

( ) , 1974

Justice Board (JJB).

2.

because judicial delays are common in our system,

often the accused is much older by the time he/she is

()

presented before the JJB, leading to a peculiar

situation which no doubt needs to be resolved.

3.
4.

Third

, What is the rate of juvenile crimes in India.

have increased, this may not mean that instances of

5.

juvenile crime as a whole are in themselves

6. ,

7.

Although media reportage of juvenile crimes might

increasing.
----__-make solar a significant part of countrys energy
needs !!
Indian has an ambitious vision of building 100 GW of solar

/ power by 2020(vision is exactly the same as what China has

for solar industry by 2020).

Posisitves

8. -

1.

In solar, may be, we are 10 years behind China, but

no country that has the 1same capacity, 2availability of

labour and 3qualified workforce and a 4huge domestic

market.

------___----

2. Technology is there.

Is Consolidation in Indian banking field Possible?

3. Development of solar projects can be done in a

Amalgamate these two not-so-big but fairly

matter of couple of months. [Unlike nuclear (takes~

well-run private banks

10 years) or thermal projects (takes a few years), or

merger of ING Vysya Bank with Kotak Mahindra

even wind (takes about two years)

Bank
Limitation of small bank (work force, capital,
expension)

NOTE: Solar mission deals with 1large power plants, 2

smaller distributed generation.
In distributed generation, there are five segments.

, commercial roof-top

First

Second

(2)

( ) ] (4)

is industrial segment. It has large roof-tops

that make sense.

is the residential segment

Third

Fourth

Fifth

1.

irrigation pumping segment.

2.

--__--

3.

New class of molecules found that showed a high

level of potency against human malaria parasites in

new compounds, known as pyrazoleamides,
read next month (Jan) CCS
--__-Kabir Panthis with their invocation of multiple traditions
of worship and inherent iconoclasm pose a particular
problem for orthodox religious traditions. In particular, they
question both hierarchical dicta (caste, for example) as well
as the processes and rituals that maintain them.
--__-Groundnut Tikka
1.

[Brown]

/
, /
:
1.

( )

2.
30,000/-
3.
4. ,

5. -
6. ( 100
) 1000

:1.

2.

30000/-

3. ( 1 : 350 ) ( 1 : 500 )

4. 0.1% 0.2%

is the solar micro-grids.

animal trials.

() (3) [

--_---

other

1.

: (1) ,

,
(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv) (2013-14 )

--_--

Measures for effective implementation PPP projects

Include

1.

approval process of PPP projects,

2. provision of funding support under the Viability Gap

Funding (VGF) scheme and

,
,

3. formulation of standard/model documents for

bidding and

streamlining and simplifying the appraisal and

4. award of PPP concessions.

The Government has issued Guidelines for Monitoring of

750

()

--__-

all Ministries, Departments, statutory authorities and Public

Sector Undertakings. These Guidelines also apply to State
Governments for state projects that receive Viability Gap

Funding (VGF) from the Central Government. The

Guidelines have created an institutional framework to ensure

Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects to be followed by

The Garo Hills region of Meghalaya has faced

turmoil for years with multiple militant groups
fighting. Eyes primarily on the spoils from the

compliance of the concession agreements for PPP Projects

mainly with a view to safeguarding the interests of the public

exchequer and the consumers / users. The Guidelines inter
alia require the Project Authorities to create a two-tier
mechanism for monitoring the performance of PPP Projects
which should consist of:
1.

project authority level; and

2. PPP Performance Review Unit (PPP PRU) at the
Ministry or State Government level, as the case may

extortion of coal mine

--_-- [.
]
1.

14 2013

2.

--_-

PPP Projects Monitoring Unit (PPP PMU) at the

be.
key benefits of PPP projects in infrastructure are as
follows:
1.

Encourage private investment in the infrastructure

sector

2. Reducing public direct spending

3. Public budget could be used in other priority areas
4. Introduce innovation and increased efficiency from
the private sector
5. Development of local capital market
6. Right sizing of public institutions

 . .

7. Better services to users and early delivery

-__----__-- Mega draughts

29 2014

. .

.
.

--_---

(Bay of Bengal Gateway Submarine Cable System)

.
.

--_--

--__-

About Naming of cyclones

-

In the West, hurricanes and tropical cyclones have

(Bay of Bengal Gateway Submarine Cable

been given their own names since 1953. This was

System) (Coastal Regulation Zone)

done in accordance with a convention by Miamis

24 2014 . ,

National Hurricane Centre and is maintained and

, , .

updated by the World Meteorological Organization

[100 ]

(WMO). WMO is an agenct of the UN and based out

--_---

of Geneva.

( )

However, South Asia and the Middle East did not

, ,

adhere to this practice of naming storms till much

later. In an effort to name the cyclones without

, ,

offending any of the countries in the region, all the

countries came together in 2004 to evolve a

, ,

mechanism to name the tropical cyclones. According

, ,

, ,

to the agreed upon system, India, Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Sri Lanka
and Thailand meet every year and each country

--_---

submits its list of names. Each country gets a turn to

name the storm in alphabetical order. Till now, the

countries have decided on 64 names. Hudhud was a

. ()

suggestion of Oman, while Nilofar was Pakistans

. 2010
, 50 .

(Recent climate and air pollution impacts on

suggestion.
Canine distemper virus (CDV)

a significant driver in pushing the tigers towards

Indian agriculture,
) .
.

extinction.

It is most commonly associated with domestic

animals such as dogs and ferrets, but it can infect

--_--

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has the potential to be

wild animals.

() 20

About canine distemper virus (CDV)

a viral disease that affects animals.

highly contagious (via inhalation) and fatal 50% of the time,

substantially lead to climate change.

The virus infects the gastrointestinal tract,

respiratory tract, the brain, and spinal cord of
animals.

Ozono layer future

Common symptoms can include: 1) High fever, 2)

Watery discharge from the eyes and nose, 3) Vomiting and

growing influence on the ozone layer.

diarrhea, 4) Hardening of the footpads and nose, 5) Seizures

of any part of the body 6) Paralysis.

CO2, Nitrous Oxide and Methane will have an

the 3 key long-lived greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.

--_--

In general, CO2 and methane lead to increase global

ozone levels.

Wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy has

Nitrous oxide, a by-product of food production, is

installed the worlds first and tallest hybrid wind

both a strong greenhouse gas and an ozone depleting

generator turbine in Kutch, Gujarat.

gas, and is expected to become more significant in

Key features of Suzlons tallest hybrid wind generator turbine

future ozone depletion.

1.

The turbine will generate 12-15 percent more energy.

--_---

2. Hybrid wind turbine will be 120-metre in height. It is The bench observed that the Central Pollution Control Board
taller than conventional wind turbine towers by 40
(CPBC) is fostering the use of old tyres as fuel in cement,
metres.

power and steel industry, however several aspects such as the

3. With this new turbine, the installed wind energy

pollution latent, tyre generation data, technology choices,

capacity at the Kutch region of Gujarat has gone up to techno-economic feasibility and social consequences must be
1100 MW. It makes it the Asias biggest wind energy well thought-out.
park at one location.

4. This tower is ideal for low wind areas and the

Burning

tyres emit toxic

soup

of

pollutants

potential is huge. In the next three years, this region

that contains harmful gases and chemicals viz. carbon

will have 2000 MW of wind energy capacity.

dioxide, carbon monoxide, chromium, arsenic, zinc, barium,

--_--

cobalt,

[30 years after] the Montreal Protocol

1.

Why burning of tyres is harmful for environment?

copper,

iron,

aluminum,

manganese

and

vanadium, etc. which are hazardous to the human beings as

theres more proof that the international contract to

well as to the environment. Minuscule particles released

safeguard Earths ozone layer is effective, as per a

during the burning can settle deep in the lungs. Tyres contain

fresh by 300 scientists.

25 % extender oils derived from benzene, 25% styrene, a

2. Chloro-Fluoro-Carbons (CFCs) and Halons, used

derivative of benzene, and 25% 1,3 butadiene. both benzene

extensively in cooling and firefighting, could reach

and 1,3 butadiene are suspected human carcinogens. (A

the stratosphere and activate reactions that damages

carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide or radiation, that is

ozone.

an agent directly involved in causing cancer).

In 1985, scientists noticed that a seasonal Ozone About National Green Tribunal
Hole was establishing in the Antarctic spring,
A special fast-track court to handle the expeditious
NOAA researchers performed a key role in
disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.
showing that those same chemicals were

Established on October, 2010 under the National Green

triggering the hole.

Tribunal Act 2010.

3. Because of the Montreal Protocol, several

ozone-damaging chemicals have been
substituted by substances that dont destroy
ozone.
1.

But certain new chemicals, including the

1.

CFC-substitute Hydro-Fluoro-Carbons
(HFCs),
1.

are powerful greenhouse gases and could

Objective: For effective and expeditious disposal of

cases

relating

to

environmental

protection

and conservation of forests and other natural resources

including enforcement of any legal right relating to
environment and giving relief and compensation for
damages to persons and property and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by

Ashtamudi estuary is a Ramsar Wetland of

principles of natural justice.

international importance and second largest in

New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the

Kerala. Clam fishery in this estuary dates back to 1981

Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be

and supports livelihood of around 3,000 fishermen

the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal.

involved in collection, cleaning, processing and

Note: The National Green Tribunal ruling can only be

trading of clams.

challenged in the Supreme Court.

--_--

--_---

Former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to be

Chair of Future Earths Engagement Committee

n 1: ( 18 )

Future Earth Engagement Committee

2: ( ) , (
) [syn: () ()]

The Committee is a global research platform panel

on sustainable development.

was instituted by an alliance of organisations

--__--

including the 1UNEP (UN Environment Programme),

The SC has asked the National Green Tribunal (NGT)

to actively involve itself in the cleaning up of the

Organisation (WMO).

Ganges river

However, the Committee is the flagship initiative

UNESCO and the 3World Meteorological

Inactivity of other bodies

of the Science and Technology Alliance for

The SC asked the NGT to step in and take up the task

Global Sustainability.

of closing down industries polluting Ganga and take

--_--

action against industries failing to install adequate

anti-pollution measures to treat industrial effluents

by March 2015.

This responsibility had been entrusted to the

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and

, (before this standard there were only 3

state pollution control boards (SPCBs).

indicators)

However, these agencies have failed to even

implement SC orders which have been passed

, , ,

over the last 30 years to reduce pollutants in the

Ganga.

--_-

--_--

Guru Ghasidas National Park in Chhattisgarh to be

Keralas Ashtamudi clam fishery to first in India to

declared as Tiger Reserve.

receive MSC certification

At present, Chhattisgarh has three tiger reserves- Indravati,

1.

first in India to receive Marine Stewardship Council

Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar.

(MSC) certification.

--_---

2. MSC certification is basically ecolabel used to

monitor the health of the worlds oceans by

2015 to be celebrated as Year of Water Conservation

in India

recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing

--_--

practices, influencing the choices people make when

Government reconstitutes Prime Ministers Council

buying seafood, and working with partners to

(Head of Council)) on Climate Change

transform the seafood market to a sustainable basis.

3. This certification implies the implementation of
measures that will ensure that the resource is not
overfished at the cost of the eco-system.
About Ashtamudi estuary

1.

It will formulate and coordinate the National Action

Plan for Assessment, Adaptation and Mitigation of
Climate Change.

2. This advisory body had not met in the last three

years.

3. The council will have 18 members, which includes

they never ploughed the Earth, because it would be

13 government representatives and 5 non-

like scratching the breast of their Mother, and how

government members. Among 13 government

could they possibly ask Mother to produce food from

representatives, 8 will be ministers.

the same patch of earth time and time again she

---___---

would have become weakened. Thats why Baigas

Coral Triangle, which encompasses the territorial waters of

used to lived a semi-nomadic life, and practiced

Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the

Bewar cultivation (slash & burn) out of respect, not

Solomon Islands and Timor Leste

aggression.

-__--

The Baigas are of Dravidian stock and are one of eight

prime tribes of M.P

R-22 gas (Chloro-di-fluoro-methane) is permitted to

be imported in India but is licensed.

the Ojha, Badni and Dewar tribes of M.P., and are

Smuggling of ozone-depleting materials R-22 gas, is

used in refrigerants and air-conditioners (ACs).

called Godharins.
--__-

R-22 has been predominantly phased out in new

equipment in the US under the Montreal Protocol,

290), Pentafluoroethane, R-134a (1,1,1,2-

()

such as R-409A, R-410A, R-438A, and R-507A.

, (Colonialism)

Better known as HCFC-22, or R-22

Other names: Di-fluoro-mono-chloro-methane,

, ; :

tetrafluoroethane), and blended mixtures of HFCs

()

and has been substituted by other refrigerants with

lower ozone depletion ability such as Propane (R-

The women who work as tattooing artists belong to

Mono-chloro-di-fluoro-methane, HCFC-22, R-22,

Genetron 22, Freon 22, Arcton 4, Arcton 22

A Hydro-Chloro-Fluoro-Carbon (HCFC)

Colorless gas

Mostly used as a propellant and refrigerant

Has Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and

High Global Warming Potential (GWP) a powerful

greenhouse gas with a GWP of 1810 (i.e. 1810 times
as powerful as carbon dioxide).

Despite ODP and GWP, the worldwide use of R-22

History Colonization

continues to rise for its high demand in developing

1.

nations.

Baiga Tribe

2.
1870

renowned for their gift and depth of medical

knowledge, which includes their ancient tradition of

3.

healing with substances derived from the plant world.

Found in Madhya Pradesh (population 250,000),

Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand

1500 , , ,

--_--

 1 , 2 , 3 ,
4

, 5 6

(Neocolonialism)

( )

1945

1947 1980

, , ,

dominant in Europe from the 16th to the 18th

century

1949 --_-

critically endangered Forest Owlet,

1974-75 Found at Satpura mountain ranges and Western Ghats

1954 - 1962

-

The New Imperialism (= Neoimperialism = Neoimperialism) [period of colonial expansion during the late
19th and early 20th centuries].

its accompanying ideologiesby the European

powers, the United States of America and the Empire
of Japan

it began in 1830 and lasted until the WWII.

The period is distinguished by an unprecedented
pursuit of overseas territorial acquisitions.

At the time, countries focused on building their

empire with new technological advances and
developments, making their country bigger
through conquest, and exploiting their resources.

--_--