v1.4.1.

a) Status of Kerala's Wetlands

1.4.1.b) Steps toward notifying Kerala Wetlands:

- Draft drawn up by an NGO on 1762 wetlands in the state
- List needs to be vetterd by state organ + paddy and man-made wetlands need to be
excluded
- Geographical boundaries of the wetland have to be identified for notification; to
be done by team drawn by SWAK from official teams drawn from Revenue and LSG Depts.
and wetland experts
- SWAK will look into the people's problems/rights in and around wetland aareas to
be notified
- Documentary films on three RAMSAR sites mooted in the absence of baseline data or
authentic documents

1.4.1.c) Steps undertaken toward protection/conservation:

- 52 signboards to be put up in and around three RAMSAR sites i naccordance with
Ramsar Convention specs.
- International org. to bring out books on management ation plans for sites
- Documentary films on three RAMSAR sites mooted in the absence of baseline data or
authentic documents

1.4.1.d) Threats to Kerala's wetlands:

- State is feacing increased pressure from human intervention and
development/urbaniation activity

1.4.2.a) PSU and public service issues:

- KL:
PSU:
- Aggregate loss of 1833.17 crore flagged by CAG and tabled before Assembly
in 2018
- 115 PSUS (inc. 111 companies, 4 statutory corps, 15 non-working PSUs) -
investment of 111.65 crore and 1.19 lakh employees
- 15 units non-functional over past 11 - 33 years = Investments in these
units did not contribute to economic growth (CRITICAL)
1.4.2.d) Why are loss-making PSUs an issue for a state?
1.4.2.e) Procurement process for a company
1.4.2.f) How does the CAG table its Audit?

PUBLIC FACILITY:
- Crematoria: 22 municipalities/475 panchayats did not have crematoria until
2018
- LSG Dept. has decided to set up one crematoria in each block and one each
in ll municipalities, with funds from Infa. Investment Board (KIIFB)
- LSG has provided Rs. 123 cr. to 120 grama panchayats to set up crematoria;
local bodies to mobilize resources for purchase of land from the Plan fund.

1.4.3.b) Why are crematoria state-provided services?

1.4.3.c) What do people do in the absence of cremtoria services (FR violation?)

1.8.1.a) Railway Recruitment Boards: Role and Mandate

- Intended to conduct recruitment to various subordinate posts in Railways
- Serve s examintion centres for the same

1.8.1.b) Reason and Issues behind the shifting of Trivandrum RRB

- Candidates from State will have to go to other states, due to limited centres for
examinations
- Move to shift Tvm to Chennai RRB
- Will affect the equity and limits the opportunity afforded by such eams to only
the privelegd, further restricting economic mobility

1.8.2.a) Implementation of a transgender policy, and its shortfalls:

KL:
- Implementation of State policy envisaged grant of sppecial certificates and
identity cards to transgenders - State has yet to take measures (2018)
- Govet's special sanction for using the third option of transgender in the SSLC
book is against the Supreme Court verdict, since the person who undergors a sex
reassignment surgery thereafter identifies with that sex
- Social welfare dept. does not allow transgenders to dclare themselves as
male/female in their identity cards (MISSING LINK between pts. 2 and 3)

1.8.2.b) Current policy failures in integrating LGBTQ into the mainstream

1.8.2.c) Social measures at integrating LGBTQ

1.9.1.a) NCD burden on States:

- 8 lakh adults between 34 - 70 yr survey has singled out KL - across sexes - were
most at risk (19.5%) - difference in mean risk b/w U+R areas negligible
- Followed by WB (19.12%) and HP (18.97%)
- Urban areas of D&D (12.6%), BH (13.63%) and ArP(14.71%) least mean risk
- Jharkhand least likely (13.2%)
- Gender break:
- Women in Goa at highest mean cardiovascular risk (16.73%)
- Men in HP and Nagaland (24.23%) at highest mean cardiovascular risk
- Rural areas showed higher mean values (18.92) than urban (18.79%)

1.9.1.b) Moves to limit NCDs - policy environment

1.9.1.c) Chief reasons behind NCD worsening
- Those with higher household wealth to have greater risk
- Urban locations faced risks from high BMI, blood glucose and systolic blood
pressure
- Smoking in poorer households (U+R)
1.9.1.d) Way forward (International Response)

1.9.2.a)PROCESS: Database on unorganized sector:

- Though UWSSA mandated a registry, only now is work beginning on a portable ID
card integrated into a national database with Aadhar-seeded identification number
system to facilitate wefare delivery to 40 cr. workers in the sector
- Platform to be set up within 6 months of a contract to be signed with a service
provider (Centre to fund 402.7 Cr)
- Third of the workers to be registered in the first year
- Remaining 2/3rds to be registered in the second year
- States to identify and register workers

1.9.2.b) Challenges and drawbacks of the identification process

- States to IDENTIFY and register workers: Rules for identification (State/Central)
yet to be verified - drafting process yet to start - States need to be primed for
the same - must be made mandatory and legally binding
- A thid to be registered first/ Remaining 2/3 next : Basis for registration
(first-come-first-serve?); Area of test pilot? Benefits to those registered over
unregistered or vice versa?
- Terms of registration yet to be made clear

1.9.2.c) Unorganiaed Workers Social Security Act, 2008

1.9.2.d) What safety nets exist presently for the unorganized sector?
1.9.2.e) Drawbacks of an unregulated sector that makes an economic contribution

1.10.1.a) Changing nature of the SCO and its implications for member countries
- SCO modified from an org. focused on resolving bounday disputes between Russia,
China and erstwhile states of the USSR - agenda broadened to include pol. econ. and
sec. cooperation
- Widened member base admitting Uzb. in 2001, India and Pak in 2017
- Geo. Dem. and econ profile of SCO subsequently widened with the inclusion of
above - half of the world's popn. quarter of world GDP and boundaries extending
southward into IOR (larger stakeholder base = greater implications)
- Inclusion of SCO respected the etiquette of int. orgs. that countries join to
promote shared objectives and not air blateral grievance (China/Russia would do
well to remember same)
- has been respectful towards all members (excluding india from BRI; exclusing
INDOPak from NPT; general obsn on terror without offending anyone)
- Focused on shared objectives and downplaying divergence
- Platform for non-western idealsand eemergence of an asian century, in tune with
India's larger goal : opposition of selective advocacy change; interfering with
democratic solutions; intrusion into domestic poliyc; 'self-serving homilies on
human rights'\
- gives erstewhile USSR states room for manoeuvre under increasing pressure from US
to ensure logistical support for aAfghan ops and wean away from Russian influence
(netsec provider)

1.10.1.b) What are the challenges / benefits for India from the SCO?
- SIGNIFICANCE: Members occupy huge landmass adjacent to India's extended
neighbourhood - security econ and trade interests
- Narrow sliver of land separateds southern Tajikistan with POK (however huge
resources spent to surmount this obstacle in the absence of resolution of the Indo
pak problem)
- Pak already member; Iran and Afgh. knocking for membership = relevance for India
agrees (possibility of multilateral decision making which cannot see bilateral
agendas)
- India's access to c.asia constrained by lack of access oveland (Pak/Afgh/Iran) -
political or sec reasons - these probs gain legitimacy now and can be highlighted
in a multilateral forum
- Multimodal transport links envisaged thro Iran = reinvigorate trade and
investment links (in the absence of US sanctions) - more jobs - more revenue
generation, better bonhomie
- Nudge indopak collab in security and sensitive defence areas - pro and con
- CHALLENGES:
- India has to carve out niche from between Rus (net sec. provider) and Chin.
dominating econ presence
- Request for multilateral airing of IndoPak woes is against Indias bilateral
ppolicy and disimilar to RUS-CHI boundary issues in diff. historical circumstances
and geopolitical contexts
- RATS for enhanced sec. linkage and exchange between aarmed forces
- India and Pakistan perspectives on Afgh. reconciliation reqd.
- Increasing chinese dominance in case of wosening us-russia relations leadin to
greater dependence on china

1.10.1.c) An analysis of greater geopolitics and Chinese influence in the Eurasian

region
- Consolidated foothold in region with huge levels of investment in infrastructure
and ambitious connectivity projects (BRI,OBOR)
- resolution of peace in the korean peninsula gives rise to new politics in east
asia with china playing big brother to smaller sountries in the region and
providing security assurances in exchange for investment opportunity - is a problem
that intrudes into Indias strategic and geopolitical autonomy.
- Increasing chinese dominance in case of wosening us-russia relations leadin to
greater dependence on china
- retreat of US forces from korean peninsula tilts forces in china's favour

1.10.2.a) Urgent need for a refugee policy for India

- Refugees have no opp. to earn a living, rebuild life and become drain on
resources in teh absence of rights, empowerment and skill devlpmt
- India's approach to refugees on a case-by-case basis (recent Rohingya crises)
- Commitment has been reiterated but steps are yet to be taken; aso not binding in
nature, even though India is a signatory to the New York declaration for Refugees
and Migrants
- In large part due to the recognition that migrant burden is borne by develping
countries (80%) that are already taxed for resources; NY decl. hopes to make this
distribution more equitable (HOW?)
- As India faces a similar problem in other countries of Europe - esp .Uk - a
greater sensitivity towards such cases, the importance of an established procedure
and the recognition that greater geopoliticala strife in devlpng. countries of the
world or Eurasia is likely to see fallout in India
- India's adhoc procedure is detrimental in the long run - since the lack of
identification leads to a vicious cycle where they are not empowered to return -
causing protracted refugee situations
- urgent need to develop uniform MANAGEMENT rules, if not a stndrd refugee policy
at the very least; as refugees fall victim to traffickers, odd jobs that form
unsustinable livelihood options, eposure to exploitation
-
1.10.2.b) Global Compact on Refugees
- Recognizes that the share of refugee burden is inequitably borne (80%) by the
dvlpng nations
- Support from intnl community in resource form
- seeks to establish forums to enable expertise sharing to prom econ opps., decent
work creation for refuees and host community
- UNHCR has been engaging iwth other UN bodies, NGOs to develop a plan for
practical implementation
- policy must include host community in job creation to minimize resentment; enable
mapping skill, vocational training, guides and capacity-building
- Socially cohesive policy required that prevents domestic fallout

1.10.2.c) What are pros/cons of not having a refugee policy?

- As India faces a similar problem in other countries of Europe - esp .Uk - a
greater sensitivity towards such cases, the importance of an established procedure
and the recognition that greater geopoliticala strife in devlpng. countries of the
world or Eurasia is likely to see fallout in India
- India's adhoc procedure is detrimental in the long run - since the lack of
identification leads to a vicious cycle where they are not empowered to return -
causing protracted refugee situations
- urgent need to develop uniform MANAGEMENT rules, if not a stndrd refugee policy
at the very least; as refugees fall victim to traffickers, odd jobs that form
unsustinable livelihood options, eposure to exploitation
- Puts a question on indias role as a democratic force committed to humanitarian
principles and a rules-based order (Pres. Koving in the UK)
- Refugees have no opp. to earn a living, rebuild life and become drain on
resources in teh absence of rights, empowerment and skill devlpmt
- India's approach to refugees on a case-by-case basis (recent Rohingya crises)
creates geopolitical fallout and leaves it exposed to the mercy of populist
political agendas

1.10.2.d) Areas of refugee settlements (MAP)

1.11.1.a) India's Education Policy

1.11.1.b) Educational outcomes in India
- Increase in educational spending over last 5 years but outcomes poor and middling
- declining
1.11.1.c) Chief solutions to improving educational outcomes
- Clear examples of good quality education required - investment in certain models
that work
- Focus on classroom practie - teacher training - efefctive coachinng and
differentiation methods that teach at the standard of the children - practical
teacher training and feedback on the job
- Accountability from teachers
- Parent involvement; recognition that parents are stakeholders in the provess;
methods other than PTAs
- Scale progs that demo impact, and not just keep funding innovations - expansion
of proven model in 1000 schools is better for accountability and data generation
than 1000 models in 1000 schools that try to redefine edn; impact evaluation before
scaling is must
- Partnerships with NGOs across states, across LSGs and state govt knowledge
sharing and transparency.
- Cross cutting linkages important to ensure that students receive awareness and
the implications of various bits of knowledge are obvious to them
1.11.1.d) Problems created by a less than robust education system

1.14.1.a) India's issues with the 15-day clause on the MoU for illegal immigrants
with UK
- Contests figures stating 100k refugees overstaying visas when 300k visas have
been issues and 97% have returned to India
- Called for policies based on statistics
- UK says Indian demand for easier norms is part and parcel over the larger
constant conversation and could not be issued w/o considering overstayers - creates
a roadblock in teh way of having a special relationshoip
- Local pressure groups say that this is counterproductive and discriminatory
(increasing protectionism sign) - Indian students have not been included in
liberalised tier-4 visas

1.14.1.b) Chief issues between India-UK on immigration

- Direct link drawn between exclusion of Indian students from relaxation of visa
rules to pull-out from an MoU related to illegal immigrants (relaxation extended
instead to 10 countries, incl. China, and Maldives)
- British denial that sanctions would affect UK-India oop on larger bilateral
issues (Perception on treatment of Indian diaspora is not favourable in India)
- Removal of a cap on non-EU doctors/nurses - This move has been welcomes by India
but larger worries on student visa cap continues
- High Commissioner, Sinha: 'Mutually reinforcing' 'mutually beneficial'
relationships have to be 'win-win situations for both sides'; 'International
students are UK's best soft power'

1.14.1.c) Soft power assets

1.14.2.a) How do tensions in India affect diaspora?

1.14.2.b) India's persecution of minorities as a cause for asylum in the US
- Majority of S.Asians found in US as illegal immigrants and lodges in Sheridan
prison are from India-China and Nepal
- Identified themselves as Sikhs or Christians fleeing religious persecution (???);
Men planning to request asylum due to perecution

1.14.2.c) US Response to illegal immigration

- Trump's zero tolerance policy has resulted in sweeping measures incl.
incarceration, separation of children from parents
- Protestors have highlighted the right to legl representation and counsel, fair
treatment, transparency about children's whereabouts and humane detention
conditions

1.14.3.a) How does US' quitting of UN bodies affect the world?

- US has quit from the UNHCR, UNESCO, cut UN funding ad announced plans to quit the
UN-backed Paris climate agreement
- Announced withdrawal blaming UNHRC for bias against Israel and refusing to eject
members who are violators of human rights
- Specifically mentioned Egypt, China, Cuba and Russia for thwarting US moves to
reform Council (but ignored Saudi being a US ally)
- Mainly due to the criticism issued by the body foll Israeli killings of
protesters at Gaa strip, which it termed as a disproportional use of force (unequal
war tactic)
- UNHCR also crtted Trump policy of separating children from parents (detainees and
illegal immigrants)
1.14.3.b) Undermining an international order - lessons after the First World War
1.14.4.c) US Role in N. Korea - Asian geopolitics
1.14.4.d) Mandate, role and process at the UNHCR

1.14.4.d) US-China relations and implication for Korean peninsula and Asia
- China:
- Willing to keep playing positive role in promoting peace process
- Congratulated Kim on imp. consensus on denuclearization and lasting peace
mechanism
- Lauded N.K's efforts at promoting econ. reforms
- NK wvowed to work with China to foster true peace and in the process open a
new future on the peninsula
- Meanwhile accused Trump of blackmail after threat of 10% tariffs on
targeted imports of $200 bn worth; threat to further identify $200bn if China
increases tariffs (Total imports worth only $450bn)
- US:
- S.K-US announced halt of annual Freedom Guardin Military drills scheduled
for Auguts - decision could be reconsidered based on future developments with NK
- Meeting of Secs.Def and State as well as US NSA later on the issue ...
- Pyongyang agreement discsn included handing over of remains of troops
missing from 1950-53 korean war

1.16.1.a) India's GSP - issues with the USTR and American companies - What does
India stand to lose?
- Complaints on India's implementation of a wide array of trade barriers that
create serious negative effects on US commerce
- Exports worth $5bn annually (1937 products) from India under risk as India comes
under USTR scrutiny reviewing Indian eligibility

1.16.1.b) Dairy and medicinal device conflicts with US companies

- Complaints on India's implementation of a wide array of trade barriers that
create serious negative effects on US commerce
- Indias rebuttal:
- Requires that derived animal products be from animals that hve not ingested
blood meal, internal organs or tissues of ruminant origin - religious cultural and
moral grounds - committed to respect religious beliefs of people
- Imports dairy from Swiss and Aus. without issues; not a question of market
access but of certification
- Price control on medical devices in tune with prov. equitable and
affordable access to essentil medicines and medical devices
1.16.1.c) Why is the WTO silent?

1.16.2.a) Usage of Biofuel : a case stuy of Cathay Pacific

- Cathay 334-seater flight from Toulouse to HK partly powered by a sugarcane-based
biofuel (10% blend along with traditional avtur) developed by Fulcrum
- Biofuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissionsby upto 80%
- Aims to make alternative fuel from municipal waste for use on a commercial scale
- 'will continue to support the devl. of biofuel to reach mainstream commercial
viability'
1.16.2.b) National Biofuels policy

1.20.1.a) WHO's updated disease classification

1.20.1.b) The pro-LGBTQ slant of WHO's ICD report and its advantages for the
community
- Transgender re-categorized from mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental
disorder to conditions related to sexual health
- Redefinition aimed at reducing stigma and persecution
- Document to be presented at the Geneva World Health Assembly nex tMay and to be
adopted in 2022 if approved

1.1.1.a) AI privatization called off: reasons for failure

- Shelved foll a year after UC's approval of the divestment process, due to failure
of inviting any bids + inopportune financial environment and rising fuel prices
- Weakening of the rupee
1.1.1.b) Way ahead and current problems
- Looking at improving efficiencies by creating private-top brass synergies
- Cutting down costs
- Monetizing AI assets
- To revisit plan at a later 'favourable' financial stage
- Continuing govt. ownership and lack of a clear management plan and road map could
create frther issues
- Focus on restructuring airline under sp. admin to scale down loss
- Short term loans of 1000 crore already sought after it was unable to pay salaries
of employees

1.1.1.c) Chief issues in the divestment plan

- Govt offered to sell 76% of stake along with low-cost subsidiary Air India
Express and Divest 50% share in ground handling arm AISATS (SINGLE ENTITY)
- Buyer has to take on debt and current liabilities - Rs. 33392 cr.
- Govt's refusal to exit completely from the irline
- Lack of clarity in obligations to more than 15k permanent and contractual
employees

1.1.1.d) What are liabilities?

1.1.2.a) Kannur airport woes

- Traffic rights not issue for commencing flight ops to W.Asia but other clearances
yet to be received - same issue as Mangalru airport whose flights are ltd to AI and
JA
- CM highlighted need for allowing each interested airline to operate 2 flights
dialy from KIA asa special dispensation (Karipur model)
- Restricting flight ops in Kannur is prt of diverting traffic to MXB, CHN, KKA,
BLR, HYD as major international hubs and main access points to and from India
- Attempt to follow hub and spoke model to facilitate dvlpmt. of regional networks
and air connectivity

1.1.2.b) Civil Aviation Policy, 2016

1.1.2.c) Benefits/Cons of centralized international airport hubs

1.1.3.a) 'Releasing RG assassins bad idea'

- Cntre: 'Very dangerous precedent' and lead to 'international ramifications'
- rejected request for concurrence to its remission proposal
- Diabolical conspiracy, Use of a female human bomb, number of lives lost in the
incident, it justified award of death penalty

1.1.3.b) Details of assassination plot

1.1.3.c) Proc. for and reason behinf TN's remission request

1.1.4.a) India's aspirations as a global power

- KOVIND:
- India wants to be a rule-framer and rule custodian in a multi-polar world
- Rules based world order that doesnt differentiate between good and bad
terrorism
- Committed to robust rules-based multilateral institutions
- Investment in connectivity projects that are vible, sustainable
- Keen to maintain non-aligned attitude toward major power blocs
- Highlighted that interconnections marked during era of globalization are
under stress
- India as a 'responsible power'
- Highlighted syncretic connections between Eur/Ind traditions of art,
politics and state formation
- MODI:
- Strategic autonomy is key for India
1.1.4.b) Non-Aligned Movement
1.1.4.c) History of India's internationally individualistic stand to promote
strategic autonomy
1.1.4.d) Parallels with Singapore
1.1.4.e) Way ahead

1.12.1.a) Process of election of the Dep. Chairman to the RS

1.12.1.b) Mandate and powers of the Dep. Chairman

1.12.2.a) Visa row with Maldives: chief issues

- 2000+ applicants for work vsas are tranded without job assurnce since February;
employers in IT and hospitality have taken to revoking job offers
- Formal stmt from Imm.Au denied visa delays were discriminatory
-
1.12.2.b) Indo-Maldives relation
- Bilateral ties under strain post Yameen's imposition of a state of emergency and
suspending principles of democracy to stifle dissent
- India's vote for UNSC non-permanent set went to Mal over Indon. and expressly
committed support in letter to Mal. Embassy

1.12.2.c) How does the visa row affect Indian diaspora?

- 2000+ applicants for work vsas are tranded without job assurnce since February;
employers in IT and hospitality have taken to revoking job offers

1.12.2.d) What is the process for recommendations to a non-permanent set of the

UNSC/

1.12.3.a) The chief purpose of social media bub - pros/cons

- Monitor social media handles at local level in multiple languges to carry out
sentiment analysis
- Track down influence making social media users
- Categorise convos into positive, negative and neutral sections
- Requires tools to listen to email
- Assist govt in tailoring campigns to promote positive opinion and neutralie
negative sentiment on schemes
- Aimed at realtime tracking of the way social media receives news on govt. schemes
and announcements + politicl events
- PROCESS: Media persons to be employed on contractual basis as eyes and ears of
govt
- subverts DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

1.13.1.a) J&K crises may be military's intelligence gain

- Massive sec arrangements for Yatra after killing of 8 pilgrims last year will
find internal polic support
- Resumption of full-fledged anti-terror mechanisms minimized scope for
consolidtion for terror grps under a limited window of ceasefire
- Greater impetus to target-specific ops as military relies on police for
intelligence and terrorist movmt (earlier under SG now under GR)
- Target-pecific military ops likely to go up under GR, due to closer coordination
among forces (State Police + Army) more intelligence flow = more ops
- Governor called for COHESIVE action to enforce constant vigil on the IB and LOC
to maintain internal security, people-sensitive establishment-installation safety

1.13.1.b) Chief issues that require resolution in J&k

- Growing antiI-India protests
- Separatist factions
- Rising indigenous recruitment at local level via funerals
- Local militants

1.13.1.c) Religion and politics in J&k

1.13.1.d) Economic budget in J&k
1.13.1.e) Reasons for failure of prty rule and reasons for repetitive imposition of
Governor's rule in J&K
- State has come under GR on 7 occassions in the past 4 decades - 4th time Mr.
Vohra takes up mantle