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Country of Origin Made Mandatory on GeM

Why in News Government e-Marketplace (GeM), a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has made it mandatory for sellers...

24 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Anti-dumping Duty on Steel Imports

Why in News Recently, India imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of certain types of steel products from China, Vietnam and South Korea. Key...

24 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Turant Customs

Why in News The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) unveiled a Secure QR coded Shipping Bill that would be electronically sent to...

24 Jun 2020 News Analysis
YUKTI 2.0: Platform for Higher Education Institutes

Why in News The Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched an initiative ‘YUKTI 2.0’ to help systematically assimilate...

24 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Decoupling India’s Manufacturing With China

This article is based on “Easier said” which was published in the Indian Express on 19/06/2020. It talks about the issues of banning...

23 Jun 2020 News Editorials
China to Join UN Arms Trade Treaty

Why in News Recently, China has decided to join the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (UN-ATT) to regulate its arms sales. Key Points China held...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Uttar Pradesh PCS Preliminary & Mains Syllabus

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION Paper-I General Studies-I Current events of national and international importance On Current Events of National and...

23 Jun 2020 State PCS
Smuggling of Exotic Macaws

Why in News Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a wildlife syndicate (smuggling group) which was involved in...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji

Why in News The year 2021 will mark the 100th year anniversary of the Malabar/Moplah uprising of 1921. The freedom fighter Variyamkunnath...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
The Paper Microscope: Foldscope

Why in News Recently, some doctors have explored and validated the clinical utility of foldscope in the diagnosis of diseases using various patient...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Senkaku Islands

Why in News Recently, a local council in southern Japan has approved a bill to change the name of an area containing Senkaku Islands from Tonoshiro...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Initial Public Offer: LIC

Why in News The Central government has started the process to launch the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). LIC is...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Mt. Merapi of Indonesia

Why in News Mount Merapi, an active volcano in Indonesia, erupted twice on 21st June, 2020. Key Points Mt Merapi: Merapi (Mountain of Fire)...

23 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Anti Defection Law

This article is based on Revolving door: On Manipur politics published in The Hindu on 20/06/2020. It talks about the politics of defection in...

22 Jun 2020 News Editorials
Types of Orbit

An orbit is a regular, repeating path that an object in space takes around another one. An object moving around a planet in an orbit is called a...

22 Jun 2020 Paper 3
Secrecy of Ballot

Why in News In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court has held that secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections. The choice of...

22 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Presena Glacier Covered with Tarps

Why in News Giant sheets of tarpaulin (tarps) are being used to cover Presena glacier in northern Italy to slow melting caused by global...

22 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Founder of Ahom Kingdom: Chaolung Sukapha

Why in News Recently, there has been a controversy in Assam regarding Chaolung Sukapha who founded the Ahom kingdom. Amidst the ongoing...

22 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Assessment of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Why in News Recently, a study by the Ministry of Rural Development has observed that the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) has not been able to...

22 Jun 2020 News Analysis
Gee’s Golden Langur

Why in News Primatologists have observed that the threat of electrocution and inbreeding is increasing among the Gee’s Golden Langur. Key...

22 Jun 2020 News Analysis

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		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Country of Origin Made Mandatory on GeM',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Government e-Marketplace (GeM),</strong> a Special Purpose Vehicle under<strong> the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> has made it mandatory for sellers to enter the <strong>Country of Origin</strong> while registering all new products on GeM.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GeM has taken this significant step to promote <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a> and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Atma Nirbhar Bharat</a></strong> initiatives.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indication of the Local Content:</strong> GeM has enabled a provision for indication of the percentage of local content in products.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Now, the<strong> Country of Origin</strong> as well as the <strong>local content percentage</strong> are visible in the marketplace for all items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Make in India Filter:</strong> This new filter has been enabled on the portal so that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gem-samvaad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>buyers</strong> </a>can choose to buy only those products that meet the minimum 50% local content criteria.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They can also switch on a new Make in India filter to see products that match their preferences on local content.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of GeM:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Promotion of the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; Initiative:</strong> Since its inception, GeM has continuously worked towards promotion of the <strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong> initiative.</li>
<li><strong>Entry of Small Local Sellers:</strong> The Marketplace has facilitated entry of small local sellers in Public Procurement, while implementing &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSME</strong></a> Purchase Preference Policies of the Government in the true sense.</li>
<li><strong>Transparent and Cost-effective Procurement:</strong> GeM is enabling quick, efficient, transparent and cost-effective procurement, especially when government organizations require products and services urgently to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of Atma Nirbhar Bharat:</strong> GeM has been promoting the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policy, introduced in the wake of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>, meant to encourage self-reliance and boost small Indian manufacturers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government e-Marketplace (GeM)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GeM is a <strong>one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to facilitate online procurement</strong> of common use Goods &amp; Services required by various Central and State Government Departments/Organizations/Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).</li>
<li>It was launched in <strong>2016 to bring transparency and efficiency</strong> in the government buying process.</li>
<li>It operates under the<strong> Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>The procurement of goods and services by Ministries and the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) is mandatory for goods and services available on GeM.</li>
<li>It also provides the<strong> tools of e-bidding and reverse e-auction to facilitate</strong> the government users achieve the best value for their money.</li>
<li>At present, GeM has more than 15 lakh products, around 20,000 services, and more than 40,000 Government buyer organizations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633511#:~:text=Government%20e%2DMarketplace%20(GeM),all%20new%20products%20on%20GeM." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/country-of-origin-made-mandatory-on-gem'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Anti-dumping Duty on Steel Imports',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of certain types of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-purvodaya-accelerated-development-of-steel-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>steel products</strong></a> from China, Vietnam and South Korea.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dumping:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In international trade practise, dumping happens when a country or a firm <strong>exports an item at a price lower than the price of that product in its domestic market.</strong></li>
<li>Dumping <strong>impacts the price of that product in the importing country,</strong> hitting margins and profits of local manufacturing firms.</li>
<li><strong>Anti-dumping duty is imposed to rectify the situation</strong> arising out of the dumping of goods and its trade distortive effect.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Imposition of Anti-dumping Duty:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The anti-dumping duty was imposed after the <strong>Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR),</strong> in its probe, found that the steel products imported in India from these three countries were below its associated normal value, which resulted in dumping.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The duty has been<strong> imposed for five years</strong> with a view to guard domestic manufacturers from cheap imports from these countries.</li>
<li>Earlier, a provisional duty was imposed in October 2019 on these products from these three countries, which expired in April 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to global trade norms, including the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a> regime, a country is allowed to impose tariffs on such dumped products <strong>to provide a level-playing field to domestic manufacturers.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The duty is imposed only after a thorough investigation by a quasi-judicial body, such as DGTR, in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Different from Countervailing Duty:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Anti-dumping duty is different from countervailing duty. The latter is imposed in order<strong> to counter the negative impact of import subsidies</strong> to protect domestic producers.</li>
<li>Countervailing Duties (CVDs) are tariffs levied on imported goods to offset subsidies made to producers of these goods in the exporting country.</li>
<li>CVDs are meant to level the playing field between domestic producers of a product and foreign producers of the same product who can afford to sell it at a lower price because of the subsidy they receive from their government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Directorate General of Trade Remedies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the<strong> apex national authority</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry</strong> for administering all trade remedial measures including anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures.</li>
<li>It provides trade defence support to the domestic industry and exporters in dealing with increasing instances of trade remedy investigations instituted against them by other countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/india-imposes-anti-dumping-duty-on-certain-steel-products-from-china-vietnam-korea/2001726/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-dumping-duty-on-steel-imports'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Turant Customs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)</strong> unveiled a Secure QR coded Shipping Bill that would be electronically sent to exporters.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will enable end to end paperless exports under &lsquo;Turant Customs&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This step has been taken by CBIC for fulfilling its commitment to a <strong>Faceless, Paperless, and Contactless Customs</strong> under the umbrella of its<strong> &ldquo;Turant Customs&rdquo;</strong> programme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The launch of paperless documentation on exports is a sequel to a similar initiative that was begun for imports w.e.f. 15<sup>th</sup> April 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green Customs:</strong> These initiatives will do away with the present requirement to take paper printout of these documents thereby <strong>promoting Green Customs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Business Friendly:</strong> Equally importantly exporters would not have to visit the Customs Houses for this purpose and can better utilize their time in promoting their business.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong> Turant Customs, which has as its main component Faceless Assessment, would be implemented in phases across the entire country by 1<sup>st</sup> January 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> These reforms are based on enhanced use of digital technology to reduce the time and costs for the importers, exporters and other stakeholders, thereby improving India&rsquo;s ranking in the <strong>World Bank&rsquo;s &ldquo;Trading Across Borders&rdquo; parameter of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India improved to rank 80 on &ldquo;Trading Across Borders&rdquo; parameter as compared with 146 in 2018.</li>
<li>This was possible due to reforms like<strong> Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade, e-Sanchit (e-Storage and computerised handling of indirect tax documents),</strong> and <strong>Direct Port Delivery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Initiatives:</strong> Ministry of Finance (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) also launched two Information Technology (IT) initiatives - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icedash-and-atithi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICEDASH and ATITHI.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>ICEDASH-</strong> For improved monitoring of customs clearance of imported goods.</li>
<li><strong>ATITHI-</strong> For facilitating arriving international passengers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CBIC is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.</li>
<li>The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) was <strong>renamed as the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2018</strong> after the roll out of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>CBIC deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods &amp; Services Tax and Integrated GST, prevention of smuggling.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A better rank in ease of doing business and greater awareness about opportunities in Indian business sector would attract foreign investors to invest in India and will also bring advanced technologies to the country.</li>
<li>However, it would be unwise to judge the state of the business activity by observing movements in the ease of doing business index as it is just the reflection of regulatory measures taken in two big cities of Delhi and Mumbai and that too on limited parameters.</li>
<li>Therefore, more comprehensive measures must be taken, which would not only improve ease of doing business ranking, but also lead to a better business environment and greater prosperity for all.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633525#:~:text=CBIC%20Enables%20End%20to%20End%20Paperless%20Exports%20under%20Turant%20Customs&amp;text=Shri%20Ajit%20Kumar%2C%20Chairman%2C%20Central,after%20the%20Customs%20allows%20export." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turant-customs'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'YUKTI 2.0: Platform for Higher Education Institutes',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development</strong> has launched an initiative<strong> &lsquo;YUKTI 2.0&rsquo;</strong> to help systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and information related to incubated startups in higher education institutions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>YUKTI 2.0 is<strong> an extension</strong> <strong>of</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bharat-padhe-online-and-yukti-portal-mhrd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;YUKTI (Young India combating Covid with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) Portal&rsquo;</strong></a> which was launched to identify ideas relevant in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Creation of Database:</strong> The Ministry has invited students, faculty members, startups and other stakeholders of higher education institutions to register on the YUKTI portal and share their technologies and innovations.</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Database:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Database shared will be showcased to the investor community such as businessmen, farmers and industrialists i.e. students will be able to sell their ideas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, preliminary innovations won&rsquo;t be showcased on YUKTI 2.0 but only those which have commercialisation potential.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will provide a clear picture of the state of the innovation ecosystem of our higher educational institutions.</li>
<li>It will help the government to identify bottlenecks and formulate appropriate policies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the country.</li>
<li>Further, it will offer solutions to the problems faced by the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In Line with Atmanirbhar Bharat:</strong> YUKTI 2.0 will also help in fostering the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in academic institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives to Boost Innovation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme</strong> </a>is a government's scheme to provide the regulatory architecture for setting up or upgrading of 20 Institutions (10 from public sector and 10 from the private sector) as world-class teaching and research institutions.</li>
<li>Various amendments have been made in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/modifications-in-pmrf-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellowship Scheme</strong></a> to boost research in the country.</li>
<li>Through the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-collabcad-in-atal-tinkering-labs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Atal Innovation Mission</strong></a>, the government has established Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across the country. The objective of this scheme is to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633700" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yukti-2-0-platform-for-higher-education-institutes'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Decoupling India’s Manufacturing With China',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/india-china-stanfoff-chinese-investment-telecom-sector-economic-retaliation-6465587/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Easier said&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in the Indian Express on 19/06/2020. It talks about the issues of banning Chinese imports by India in the wake of border clashes.</p>
</div>
<p>In the aftermath of the confrontation between India and China in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZMwufp-sAM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley</strong></a>, there has been a growing clamour for a boycott of Chinese products in India.</p>
<p>In this pursuit of using trade as a blunt instrument of retaliation against China, the government of India is actively considering nudging private players to reduce their dependence on China-made equipment.</p>
<p>However, given India&rsquo;s dependence on Chinese manufacturing, any trade war or a boycott of Chinese goods may have a more adverse impact on India rather than China.</p>
<h3>Need For Revisiting India&rsquo;s Trade Policy vis-a-vis China</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Huge Trade Deficit:</strong> India&rsquo;s imports from China in 2019-2020 reached $65 billion, out of $81 billion two-way trade.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging India&rsquo;s Raw Material:</strong> Along with importing a lot of finished products from China, India exports several kinds of raw materials and intermediate products. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By saving these raw materials India can expand its manufacturing base more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>De-industrialisation:</strong> Dumping of cheap goods by China into India, has rendered much of domestic manufacturing industries uncompetitive and thereby led to virtual deindustrialisation in many sectors.</li>
<li><strong>Relocation of Global Supply Chain:</strong> Amid Covid-19 pandemic, many multinational companies seek to move their businesses out of china. India should leverage this opportunity and attract these global supply chains.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dependence of India on Chinese Manufacturing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Made in China often helps Make in India:</strong> India is dependent on China regarding capital goods.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes a wide variety of machinery, including electrical machinery, semiconductor driven machinery sector, etc.</li>
<li>Thus, the ban on Chinese imports will affect the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing, and thus further erode the country&rsquo;s export competitiveness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minuscule Impact on China:</strong> India accounts for a minuscule share of China&rsquo;s export market, it will have a limited impact on China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If India and China stop trading then, China would lose only 3% of its exports and less than 1% of its imports, while India will lose 5% of its exports and 14% of its imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Indian Consumers:</strong> Any attempt to reduce imports from China, operationalised through tariffs or other non-tariff barriers, will raise prices for Indian consumers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The poorest consumers will be the worst-hit in a trade ban of this kind because they are the most price-sensitive.</li>
<li>Also, without any alternative in the short-term, it is costly to replace Chinese products with much costlier imports from Japan and Germany.</li>
<li>This will further increase India&rsquo;s total trade deficit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Investment In Indian Startups:</strong> There is also the issue of Chinese investment in the Indian start-up space to contend with. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Companies like Alibaba and Tencent have invested in Indian unicorns such as Zomato, Paytm, Byju&rsquo;s, Ola cabs and others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Centrality of China In Global Markets:</strong> It&rsquo;s important to note along with being an exporter of assembled final products, China has also over the years become a major consumer for final products. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, the shifting of supply chains out of China is not very lucrative for many Multinational companies.</li>
<li>Also, blocking trade with China, India will miss out on one of the biggest markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Boost Domestic Manufacturing:</strong> India&rsquo;s strategy should be to boost manufacturing competitiveness and increase its share in world trade.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this pursuit, there is a need to create an infrastructure that raises the competitiveness of India&rsquo;s exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removing Structural Bottlenecks:</strong> There is a need to push through long-pending legislation that aims to address the structural bottlenecks<strong> (in 4Ls: Land, Labour, Law, Liquidity)</strong> that continue to plague and hinder domestic competitiveness.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Service Sector:</strong> In spite of banning Chinese imports, India should tackle trade by trade.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India can lobby for a more liberalised service sector (India&rsquo;s comparative advantage) in China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responding to China Strategically:</strong> In spite of drawing border disputes into a trade dispute, India should reply to China strategically in such matters of strategic importance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, in this context, India must increase its engagement in the South China Sea, which is a key strategic issue for China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given India&rsquo;s dependence on Chinese manufacturing, there is a need to understand that turning a border dispute into a trade war is unlikely to solve the border dispute and this trade war may hurt India far more than China.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592911802_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592911802_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="435" height="348" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #feffe6;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India&rsquo;s trade policy response to border clashes with China, should flow from a careful cost-benefit analysis, not be driven by knee-jerk reactions. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/decoupling-india-s-manufacturing-with-china'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'China to Join UN Arms Trade Treaty',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>China</strong> has decided to join the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> <strong>Arms Trade Treaty</strong> (UN-ATT) to regulate its arms sales.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China held that it has always strictly controlled the export of military products and joining the treaty is an important step towards its <strong>efforts to enhance peace and stability </strong>in the world and<strong> support multilateralism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China said that it only exports military products to sovereign countries and not to non-state actors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China&rsquo;s move comes after the <strong>USA announced to pull out of the ATT in 2019.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The reason given was that the <strong>treaty amounts to international gun control, </strong>and is a <strong>threat to USA's second amendment right to bear arms.</strong></li>
<li>The USA also held that the<strong> treaty fails to truly address the problem of irresponsible arms transfers</strong> because other<strong> top arms exporters like Russia and China were not signatories</strong> to it that time (till now, Russia has neither signed it nor made any announcement to sign it).</li>
<li>In <strong>May 2020,</strong> USA announced to exit the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-skies-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Open Skies Treaty</strong></a> (OST).</li>
<li>In <strong>August 2019,</strong> the USA along with Russia withdrew from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-2nd-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, 1987.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fewer-but-newer-nuclear-arms-sipri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stockholm International Peace Research Institute</strong></a> (SIPRI) in its annual report<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-among-top-military-spenders-sipri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019&rsquo;</strong> </a>highlighted that <strong>China is the second-largest arms producer</strong> in the world after the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Arms Trade Treaty</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UN-ATT <strong>regulates the international trade in conventional arms,</strong> from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships, and<strong> controls the flow of weapons into conflict zones.</strong></li>
<li>It entered into force on<strong> 24<sup>th</sup> December 2014.</strong></li>
<li>The treaty <strong>requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons</strong> and to<strong> prohibit cross-border shipments</strong> that could be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians.</li>
<li><strong>State parties</strong> <strong>to the treaty may seek assistance</strong> in its implementation and the<strong> UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation</strong> (UNSCAR) was launched to help in that.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UNSCAR is a <strong>voluntary, flexible multi-donor trust fund</strong> to kick-start advocacy, universalisation and implementation of the ATT.</li>
<li><strong>It aims to:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mobilize resources to support the ratification/accession and implementation of relevant international instruments on arms regulations.</li>
<li>Improve the effectiveness of assistance through coordination, monitoring and matching of resources.</li>
<li>Promote increased sustainability through more predictable sources of funding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Stand on ATT</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>From the beginning</strong> of the ATT process, India has maintained that such a treaty would make a real <strong>impact on illicit trafficking in conventional arms and their illicit use</strong> especially by terrorists and other unauthorised and unlawful non-state actors.</li>
<li>India has been an<strong> active participant in the ATT negotiations</strong> and <strong>stressed</strong> consistently that the <strong>ATT should ensure a balance of obligations between exporting and importing states.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For India, the underlying principle is that member states have a legitimate right to self-defence and its own belief that there is no conflict between the pursuit of national security objectives and the aspiration of the ATT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>However, India has not signed the Treaty</strong> on the grounds that it is <strong>weak on terrorism and non-state actors</strong> and these <strong>concerns find no mention in the specific prohibitions</strong> of the Treaty.</li>
<li>Further, India <strong>cannot accept that the Treaty is used as an instrument in the hands of exporting states</strong> to take unilateral <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-force-majeure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>force majeure</strong></a> measures against importing states parties without consequences.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Civilian populations often in conditions of poverty, deprivation and extreme inequality suffer the most because they are on the receiving end of the misuse of arms by state armed and security forces, non-state armed groups and organized criminal groups.</li>
<li>Inadequate controls on arms transfers lead to the widespread availability and misuse of weapons disrupting the humanitarian and development operations of the UN.</li>
<li>In many areas of work, the UN faces serious setbacks that ultimately can be traced to the consequences of the poorly regulated arms trade so the adoption of the ATT is very important for the UN system as a whole.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-to-join-un-arms-trade-treaty'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Uttar Pradesh PCS Preliminary & Mains Syllabus',
			'catname' => 'State PCS',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/uppcs-prelims-test-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592914231_1100x110-01.jpg" /></a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION</h3>
<h2>Paper-I</h2>
<h3>General Studies-I</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Current events of national and international importance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On Current Events of National and International Importance, candidates will be expected to have knowledge about them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History of India and Indian National Movement</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In History emphasis should be on broad understanding social, economic and political aspects of Indian History. In the Indian National Movement, the candidates are expected to have a synoptic view of nature and character of the freedom movement, growth of nationalism and attainment of independence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and World geography-</strong> Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In World Geography only general understanding of the subject will be expected. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to Physical, Social &amp; Economic Geography of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Polity and governance-</strong> Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Indian Polity, Economic and Culture, questions will test knowledge of the country's political system including Panchayati Raj and Community Development, broad features of Economic policy in India and Indian culture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic and Social Development-</strong> Sustainable Development, Poverty Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The candidates will be tested with respect to problems and relationship between Population, Environment and Urbanisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>General Issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change-</strong> that do not require subject specialization.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>General awareness of the subject is expected from candidates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>General Science</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of Science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person, who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> Candidates are expected to have general awareness about the above subjects with special reference to Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<h2>Paper-II</h2>
<h3>General Studies-II</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Comprehension</li>
<li>Interpersonal skills including communication skills</li>
<li>Logical reasoning and analytical ability</li>
<li>Decision making and problem solving</li>
<li>General mental ability</li>
<li>Elementary Mathematics upto ClassX level-Arithmetic,Algebra,Geometry and Statistics</li>
<li>General English upto Class X level</li>
<li>General Hindi upto Class X level</li>
</ul>
<h3>Elementary Mathematics (Upto Class X Level)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Arithmetic:- (i) Number systems: Natural Numbers, Integers, Rational and Irrational numbers, Real numbers, Divisors of an Integer, prime Integers, L.C.M. and H.C.F. of integers and their Interrelationship. (ii) Average (iii) Ratio and proportion (iv) Percentage (v) Profit and Loss (vi) Simple and Compound Interests (vii) Work and Time (viii) Speed, Time and Distance</li>
<li>Algebra :- (i) Factors of polynomials, L.C.M. and H.C.F. of polynomials and their interrelationship, Remainder theorem, simultaneous linear equations, quadratic equations. (ii) Set Theory:- Set, null set, subsets and proper subsets of a set, operations (Union, Intersections, difference, symmetric difference) between sets, venn diagram.</li>
<li>Geometry:- (i) Constructions and theorems regarding triangle, rectangle, square, trapezium and circles, their perimeter and area. (ii) Volume and surface area of sphere, right circular cylinder, right circular Cone and Cube.</li>
<li>Statistics:- Collection of data, Classification of data, frequency, frequency distribution, tabulation, cumulative frequency. Representation of data - Bar diagram, Pie chart, histogram, frequency polygon, cumulative frequency curves (ogives), Measures of Central tendency:Arithmetic Mean, Median and Mode</li>
</ul>
<h3>General English Upto Class X Level</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Comprehension</li>
<li>Active Voice and Passive Voice</li>
<li>Parts of Speech</li>
<li>Transformation of Sentences</li>
<li>Direct and Indirect Speech</li>
<li>Punctuation and Spellings</li>
<li>Words meanings</li>
<li>Vocabulary &amp; Usage</li>
<li>Idioms and Phrases</li>
<li>Fill in the Blanks</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">सामान्य हिंदी (हाईस्कूल स्तर तक) के पाठ्यक्रम में सम्मिलित किये जाने वाले विषय</h3>
<ol class="numberlist">
<li>हिंदी वर्णमाला, विराम चिन्ह</li>
<li>शब्द रचना, वाक्य रचना, अर्थ</li>
<li>शब्द-रूप</li>
<li>संधि, समास</li>
<li>क्रियायें</li>
<li>अनेकार्थी शब्द</li>
<li>विलोम शब्द</li>
<li>पर्यायवाची शब्द</li>
<li>मुहावरे एवं लोकोक्तियाँ</li>
<li>तत्सम एवं तद्भव, देशज, विदेशी (शब्द भंडार)</li>
<li>वर्तनी</li>
<li>अर्थबोध</li>
<li>हिन्दी भाषा के प्रयोग में होने वाली अशुद्धियाँ</li>
<li>उ.प्र. की मुख्य बोलियाँ</li>
</ol>
<h2>MAINS EXAMINATION</h2>
<h3><em><a href="/estore/test-series-en/uppsc-mains-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drishti IAS UPPCS Mains Test Series</a></em></h3>
<h3>General Studies-I</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>History of Indian Culture&ndash; Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times</li>
<li>Modern Indian History (from A.D 1757 to A.D 1947)&ndash; Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.</li>
<li>Freedom Struggle&ndash; Its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country</li>
<li>History of the world&ndash; will include events from 18<sup>th</sup> century to middle of the 20<sup>th</sup> century such as French Revolution of 1789, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism, etc. their forms and effects on the society</li>
<li>Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965A.D.)</li>
<li>Salient features of Indian Society and culture</li>
<li>Role of Women in society and women&rsquo;s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies</li>
<li>Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on economy, polity and social structure</li>
<li>Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism &amp; secularism</li>
<li>Distribution of major natural resources of World- Water, Soils, Forests in reference to South and South-East Asia with special reference to India.</li>
<li>Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India)</li>
<li>Salient features of Physical Geography&ndash; Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds and glaciers</li>
<li>Oceanic resources of India and their potential</li>
<li>Human migration&ndash; refugee problem of the World with focus on India</li>
<li>Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent</li>
<li>Population and Settlements&ndash; Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages</li>
<li>Specific Knowledge of Uttar Pradesh&ndash; History, Culture, Art, Architecture, Festival, Folk dance, Literature, Regional languages, Heritage, Social Customs and Tourism</li>
<li>Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Geography- Human and Natural Resources, Climate, Soils, Forest, Wild-Life, Mines and Minerals, Sources of Irrigation</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Studies-II</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Constitution&ndash; Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure, Role of Supreme Court in evolution of basic provisions of Constitution</li>
<li>Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States&ndash; Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein</li>
<li>Role of Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations</li>
<li>Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions, Emergence and use of alternative dispute redressal mechanisms</li>
<li>Comparison of the Indian Constitutional scheme with that of other major democratic countries</li>
<li>Parliament and State Legislatures&ndash; Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and concerned issues</li>
<li>Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary&ndash; Ministries and Departments of the Government, Pressure Groups, and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity, Public Interest Litigation (PIL)</li>
<li>Salient features of the Representation of People's Act</li>
<li>Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and their responsibilities</li>
<li>Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog, their features and functioning</li>
<li>Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design, implementations and Information Communications Technology (ICT)</li>
<li>Important aspects of governance&ndash; Transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential, citizens, charters and institutional measures</li>
<li>Role of Civil Services in democracy in the context of emerging trends</li>
<li>Development processes&ndash; The role of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders</li>
<li>Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes, mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections</li>
<li>Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources</li>
<li>Issues relating to poverty and hunger, their implication on body politic</li>
<li>India and its relationship with neighbouring Countries;</li>
<li>Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and / or affecting India's interest</li>
<li>Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests- Indian diaspora</li>
<li>Important International Institutions, Agencies their structure, mandate and functioning</li>
<li>Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh regarding Political, Administrative, Revenue and Judicial System</li>
<li>Current affairs and events of Regional, State, National and International importance</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Studies-III</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Economic planning in India, objectives and achievements, Role of NITI Aayog, Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</li>
<li>Issues of Poverty, Unemployment, Social Justice and Inclusive growth</li>
<li>Components of Government Budgets and Financial System</li>
<li>Major Crops, Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce, e-technology in the aid of farmers</li>
<li>Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices, Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, Limitations, revamping, Issues of buffer stocks and food security, Technology missions in agriculture</li>
<li>Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management</li>
<li>Land reforms in India since independence</li>
<li>Effects of liberalization and globalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth</li>
<li>Infrastructure&ndash; Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.</li>
<li>Science and Technology&ndash; Developments and applications in everyday life and in National Security, India's Science and Technology policy</li>
<li>Achievements of Indians in science &amp; technology, indigenization of technology. Developments of New technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use of technologies</li>
<li>Technology&ndash; Awareness in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Space Technology, Computers, Energy resources, nano-technology, microbiology, biotechnology</li>
<li>Issues relating to intellectual property rights (IPR), and digital rights</li>
<li>Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of Wild life, Biodiversity, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment</li>
<li>Disaster as a Non-traditional security and safety challenge, disaster mitigation and management</li>
<li>Challenges of International Security&ndash; Issues of Nuclear proliferation, Causes and spread of extremism, Communication networks, role of media and social networking, Basics of</li>
<li>cyber security, money laundering and human trafficking</li>
<li>India's internal security challenges&ndash; Terrorism, corruption, insurgency and organized crimes</li>
<li>Role, kind and mandate of security forces, Higher defence organizations in India</li>
<li>Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Economy&ndash;State Budgets, Importance of Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure and physical resources, Human Resources and Skill Development, Government Programmes and Welfare Schemes.</li>
<li>Issues in State&rsquo;s Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry</li>
<li>Law and Order and Civil Defence with special reference to Uttar Pradesh</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Studies-IV</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ethics and Human Interface&ndash; Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human action, dimensions of ethics, Ethics in private and public relationship, Human Values</li>
<li>Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators, role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values</li>
<li>Attitude&ndash; Content, structure, function, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour, moral and political attitudes, social influence and persuasion</li>
<li>Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public services, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections</li>
<li>Emotional Intelligence&ndash; concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and governance</li>
<li>Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world</li>
<li>Public/Civil Service values and ethics in Public Administration&ndash; status and problems, ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions, laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance, accountability and ethical governance, strengthening of moral values in governance, ethical issues in international relations and funding, corporate governance</li>
<li>Probity in Governance&ndash; concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance and probity, information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct, citizen's charter, work culture, quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption</li>
<li>Case studies on above issues</li>
</ul>
<h3>Essay</h3>
<p>There will be three sections in the question paper of Essay, Candidates will have to select one topic from each section and they are required to write an essay in 700 words on each topic. In the three sections, topics of essay will be based on following sphere:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section A &ndash; (1) Literature and Culture (2) Social sphere (3) Political sphere</li>
<li>Section B &ndash; (1) Science, Environment and Technology (2) Economic Sphere (3) Agriculture, Industry and Trade</li>
<li>Section C &ndash; (1) National and International Events (2) Natural Calamities, Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought etc. (3) National Development programmes and projects</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">सामान्य हिंदी</h3>
<p>1. दिये गए गद्य खण्ड का अवबोध एवं प्रश्नोत्तर।</p>
<p>2. संक्षेपण।</p>
<p>3. सरकारी एवं अर्धसरकारी पत्र लेखन, तार लेखन, कार्यालय आदेश, अधिसूचना, परिपत्र।</p>
<p>4. शब्द ज्ञान एवं प्रयोग।</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(अ) उपसर्ग एवं प्रत्यय प्रयोग</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(ब) विलोम शब्द</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(स) वाक्यांश के लिए एकशब्द</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(द) वर्तनी एवं वाक्य शुद्धि</p>
<p>5. लोकोक्ति एवं मुहावरे।</p>
<p><a href="/estore/study-material/state-pcs-study-materials-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593777116_uppcs dlp1.jpg" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/state-pcs/uttar-pradesh-pcs-preliminary-mains-syllabus'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Smuggling of Exotic Macaws',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)</strong> has busted a wildlife syndicate (smuggling group) which was involved in smuggling of exotic macaws from Bangladesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The joint operation was carried out in coordination with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/not-all-animals-migrate-by-choice-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)</strong></a> and the Customs Department at the Kolkata airport.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Joint Operation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cargo containing 22 exotic birds which had been smuggled in through the Bongaon area of Indo-Bangla border, were seized at Kolkata airport.</li>
<li>The birds were identified as <strong>hyacinth macaw, pesquet&rsquo;s parrot, severe macaw and hahn&rsquo;s macaw.</strong></li>
<li>The seized macaws are <strong>protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),</strong> with <strong>hyacinth macaw</strong> being accorded the highest protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions Related to Illegal Wildlife Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Illegally imported birds are <strong>confiscated under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962</strong> which is read with the <strong>CITES provisions and the Foreign Trade Policy ( Import-Export Policy) of India.</strong></li>
<li>Also, Sections 48 and 49 of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act</strong> </a>prohibit trade or commerce in wild animals, animal articles or trophies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The possibility of spread of<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> zoonotic diseases</strong></a> on account of smuggling in such exotic species is increasingly becoming a global concern against the backdrop of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Illegal wildlife trade was ranked the <strong>fourth largest transnational organised crime globally,</strong> after the smuggling of narcotics, counterfeit goods and human trafficking.</li>
<li>West Bengal and northeast India are vulnerable to cross-border wildlife smuggling because of their proximity to the Bangladesh and Myanmar borders, and to Thailand.</li>
<li>Over the recent years, the DRI has seized a range of endangered species, including black-and-white ruffed lemur, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hoolock-gibbon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>hoolock gibbons</strong></a>, palm civets and Indian star tortoise etc.</li>
<li>Another major concern has been the smuggling of elephant tusks and ivory products.</li>
<li>Many international organisations involved in wildlife crime use the <strong>Indo-Bangladesh Border</strong> for various other illegal activities, such as<strong> smuggling of drugs, commercial goods, and even gun-running, apart from illegal movement of foreign currency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hyacinth Macaw<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592907459_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592907459_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="200" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus,</em></li>
<li>It is a parrot native to <strong>central and eastern South America.</strong></li>
<li>With a length of about one meter it is <strong>longer than any other species of parrot.</strong></li>
<li>It is the largest macaw and the <strong>largest flying parrot species.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Threat:</strong> Habitat loss and the trapping of wild birds for the pet trade have taken a heavy toll on their population in the wild.</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List</a>: Vulnerable</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)</a>: Appendix I</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> statutory multi-disciplinary body,</strong> established by the Government of India under the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change</strong>, to<strong> combat organized wildlife crime</strong> in the country.</li>
<li>The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Directorate of Revenue Intelligence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is India's <strong>chief anti-smuggling intelligence, investigations and operations</strong> agency.</li>
<li>It works under the <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),</strong> Ministry of Finance.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headed</strong> by a <strong>Director General of the rank of Special Secretary</strong> to the Government of India.</li>
<li>DRI works to secure <strong>India's national and economic security</strong> by preventing the outright smuggling of<strong> firearms, gold, narcotics, fake Indian Currency notes, antiques, wildlife and environmental products.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, it also works to prevent the proliferation of black money, commercial frauds and trade based money laundering.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/dri-busts-syndicate-smuggling-exotic-macaws-from-bangladesh/article31890379.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smuggling-of-exotic-macaws'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The year 2021 will mark the <strong>100<sup>th</sup> year anniversary</strong> of the<strong> Malabar/Moplah uprising of 1921.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The freedom fighter <strong>Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji</strong> led the Moplah uprising against the British in Kerala&rsquo;s Malabar region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji</strong> was born into an <strong>affluent Muslim family sometime in the 1870s</strong> (the exact date is not confirmed) and grew up hearing stories of the torture and injustice done by the British.</li>
<li>His father,<strong> Moideenkutty Haji,</strong> was <strong>deported and jailed in the Andaman Islands</strong> for his participation in a rebellion against the British.</li>
<li>Kunjahammed Haji was very much <strong>fascinated by the traditional music-based art forms</strong> like <strong>Daffumutt</strong> and <strong>poems</strong> like <strong>&lsquo;Malappuram Padappattu&rsquo;</strong> and<strong> &lsquo;Badr Padappattu&rsquo;</strong> and he used them as an instrument to rally the locals against the British.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These poems were on the<strong> exploitation of the peasants by feudal lords</strong> under the British so these were banned later on by the British.</li>
<li>Kunjahammed Haji <strong>simultaneously challenged the British and ignited sentiments against them</strong> among the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Haji was respected for his<strong> scholarship and knowledge in Urdu, Arabic and English.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Leaders of the Khilafat movement and the INC introduced him to the Khilafat cause</strong> and he promised to join them against the atrocities of the British and the landlords.</li>
<li>Haji decided to take arms against the British and<strong> took the leadership of the Khilafat</strong> and was mostly heard all over<strong> Calicut and south Malabar.</strong></li>
<li>Haji <strong>ensured that the movement had a secular character</strong> as he was aware of the strength of Hindu-Muslim unity and ensured people of other faiths were given adequate security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Britishers cast him as a religious fanatic to create divisions</strong> within the movement and there was a possibility of the movement losing direction and perhaps even resulting in a communal riot.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As the <strong>rebellion spread across the Ernad and Valluvanad taluks of erstwhile Malabar</strong> district, <strong>Britishers and their loyal escaped,</strong> leaving vast territory under the control of the local rebels.</li>
<li>The territory was declared an <strong>&lsquo;independent state&rsquo;</strong> in <strong>August 1921</strong> with<strong> Haji as its undisputed ruler.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For <strong>nearly six months,</strong> Haji ran a <strong>parallel Khilafat regime</strong> headquartered in <strong>Nilambur,</strong> with its own separate passport, currency and system of taxation.</li>
<li>An <strong>extensive army with the participation of Hindu men was built</strong> with the aim of thwarting any attempt by the British to overthrow the Khilafat rule.</li>
<li><strong>Tenants were granted the power over the lands</strong> they cultivated along with tax incentives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>January 1922,</strong> under the <strong>guise of a treaty,</strong> the <strong>British betrayed Haji through his close friend Unyan Musaliyar</strong> and<strong> arrested</strong> him. He was <strong>sentenced to death</strong> along with his compatriots.</li>
<li>The bodies were <strong>cremated fearing that the grave may become an inspiration</strong> for the rebels and <strong>all the records</strong> connected with the Khilafat raj were <strong>burnt</strong> in order to make the people forget the Mappila khilafat rule of six months.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malabar/Moplah Rebellion of 1921</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Malabar rebellion, also known as the Moplah rebellion, was an <strong>armed revolt</strong> staged by the <strong>Mappila Muslims of Kerala</strong> in<strong> 1921.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>August 1920,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gandhi-peace-prize#:~:text=The%20award%20carries%20an%20amount,%2C%20associations%2C%20institutions%20or%20organizations.&amp;text=It%20is%20open%20to%20all,%2C%20creed%2C%20race%20or%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Gandhi</a></strong> along with <strong>Shaukat Ali</strong> (the leader of the Khilafat movement in India)<strong> visited Calicut</strong> to spread the combined message of <strong><a href="/mains-practice-question/question-208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-cooperation</a> and Khilafat</strong> among the residents of Malabar.</li>
<li>In response to Gandhi&rsquo;s call, a<strong> Khilafat committee was formed in Malabar</strong> and the <strong>Mappilas,</strong> under their <strong>religious head Mahadum Tangal of Ponnani who pledged</strong> support to the non-cooperation movement.</li>
<li>During the same time, the<strong> agrarian situation in Malabar was worsening</strong> with the <strong>low-class tenants suffering under the oppressive measures</strong> of the landlords who were patronised by the British.</li>
<li>In this situation, the <strong>Indian National Congress (INC) reached out to the Mappila cultivators</strong> to actively support both the agrarian reforms and independence.</li>
<li>The Moplah tenants <strong>agitated against the Hindu landlords</strong> (locally referred to as <strong><em>janmi</em></strong>) and the <strong>British government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of their <strong>grievances</strong> were related to the <strong>security of tenure, high rents, renewal fees and other unfair exactions</strong> of the landlords.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The British government <strong>responded with much aggression,</strong> bringing in Gurkha regiments to suppress it and imposing martial law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Wagon Tragedy:</strong> A noteworthy event of the British suppression was the wagon tragedy when approximately 60 Mappila prisoners on their way to prison, were suffocated to death in a closed railway goods wagon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>six-month-long rebellion</strong> is often perceived to be <strong>one of the first cases of nationalist uprisings in Southern India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the <strong>real motive of the revolt still remains a highly debated topic</strong> among historians.</li>
<li>There are some who call it a case of <strong>religious fanaticism,</strong> there are others who look at it as an <strong>instance of struggle against British authority</strong> and then there are others who perceive the Malabar rebellion to be a <strong>peasant revolt against unfair practices of the landlords.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-variyamkunnath-kunjahammed-haji-the-khilafat-leader-6471224/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/variyamkunnath-kunjahammed-haji'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'The Paper Microscope: Foldscope',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, some doctors have explored and validated the clinical utility of<strong> foldscope</strong> in the diagnosis of diseases using various patient samples.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901404_Image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901404_Image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Foldscope:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an <strong>affordable microscope</strong> that can be made from simple components, including a<strong> sheet of paper and a lens.</strong> It cost less than a Rs. 100 to make a Foldscope.</li>
<li>Upon assembly, the device can hold a specimen slide for observation, and this <strong>specimen can be viewed via a mobile phone camera</strong> attached to it.</li>
<li>It is <strong>portable and durable</strong>, and performs on par with conventional microscopes.</li>
<li>It was<strong> developed by Manu Prakash</strong> and is part of the<strong> "frugal science"</strong> movement which aims to make cheap and easy tools available for scientific use in the developing world</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foldscope can be<strong> used to diagnose diseases</strong> like oral health, urinary tract infection (UTI), leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and monitor kidney stones.</li>
<li>It can be <strong>employed in public healthcare centres for primary diagnosis </strong>or as <strong>personal health monitoring devices.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from the medical field<strong> it can also be used in agriculture,</strong> to detect various types of microorganisms which affect the crops and animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633378" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-paper-microscope-foldscope'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Senkaku Islands',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>local council in southern Japan</strong> has approved a bill to <strong>change the name of an area containing Senkaku Islands</strong> from Tonoshiro to Tonoshiro Senkaku.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Senkaku Islands are known as the<strong> Diaoyus by China and Tiaoyutai by Taiwan.</strong></li>
<li>The islands are <strong>disputed with China and Taiwan.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901143_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901143_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Japan's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Resolving Administrative Confusion:</strong> The<strong> name change is aimed at resolving administrative confusion</strong> between a locale in downtown Ishigaki, which shares the name "Tonoshiro" similar to the island.</li>
<li><strong>Increased Chinese Presence:</strong> It is also done in response to the increased Chinese presence in the waters close to the Senkakus. In a move to protect territorial integrity, Japan has decided to change the name.</li>
<li><strong>Support of the USA:</strong> The United States has a mutual defense treaty with Japan. If Japanese territory is attacked by a foreign power, the United States is obligated to defend it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Territorial Sovereignty:</strong> Bill by Japan is a serious provocation to China&rsquo;s territorial sovereignty. The move is illegal.</li>
<li><strong>Four-Principle Consensus:</strong> Urged Japan to abide by the spirit of the four-principle consensus, avoid creating new incidents on the Diaoyu Islands issue, and take practical actions to maintain the stability of the East China Sea situation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A four-point principle on improving China-Japan ties was approved in 2014 to develop a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of a Crisis:</strong> Changing the administrative designation would only make the dispute more complicated and bring more risks of a crisis</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taiwan's Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also protested the move and claimed that the islands are part of its territory, and the <strong>sovereignty of Tiaoyutai islands belongs to the country</strong> and any move attempting to alter this fact is invalid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Overall Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Asia's next military flashpoint:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Japan is not the only territorial and maritime dispute that China has long had with many of its neighbours.</li>
<li>It has island and maritime border disputes with Taiwan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong></a> and its extension.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hence, <strong>Japan's move can strengthen the other countries territorial and maritime</strong> claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The development from Japan came just after the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops over the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong> </a>in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-chinese-transgression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ladakh&rsquo;s Galwan Valley</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Given the trade volume and economic dependency that is the most dominant feature of the bilateral relationship, it would be crucial for India to act wisely.</li>
<li>By supporting the <strong>Japanese move, India can diplomatically strengthen</strong> its position over Galwan Valley.</li>
<li>However, Taiwan's engagement in the dispute is significant as it has supported India over the galwan valley but opposes the move of Japan.</li>
<li>China has also augmented its naval power to strengthen its overall presence in the Indian Ocean. The move of Japan would give an opportunity to India to have a strategic edge over its presence in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Senkakus Island Chain Dispute</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Senkaku Islands dispute, or Diaoyu Islands dispute,</strong> concerns a <strong>territorial dispute</strong> over a group of <strong>uninhabited islands</strong> known as the <strong>Senkaku Islands in Japan, the Diaoyu Islands in China </strong>and<strong> Tiaoyutai Islands in Taiwan.</strong></li>
<li>Eight uninhabited islands lie in the East China Sea. They have a total area of about 7 sq km and lie northeast of Taiwan.</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong> Islands are close to strategically important shipping lanes, offer rich fishing grounds and are thought to contain oil deposits.</li>
<li>The Senkakus island chain has been administered by Japan since <strong>1972, but its legal status has remained disputed</strong> until now.</li>
<li>Both Japan and China claim ownership of these islands.</li>
<li><strong>Japan's Claim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-558" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II</strong></a>, Japan renounced claims to a number of territories and islands including Taiwan in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco.</li>
<li>But under the treaty the Nansei Shoto islands came under US trusteeship and were then returned to Japan in 1971.</li>
<li>Japan says that Senkaku islands are part of the Nansei Shoto islands and hence they also belong to Japan.</li>
<li>Besides, China raised no objections to the San Francisco deal. Only since the 1970s, when the issue of oil resources in the area emerged, that Chinese and Taiwanese authorities began pressing their claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China's Claim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These Islands have been part of its territory since ancient times, serving as important fishing grounds administered by the province of Taiwan.</li>
<li>When Taiwan was returned in the Treaty of San Francisco, China said the islands &ndash; as part of it &ndash; should also have been returned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/after-face-off-with-india-china-embroiled-in-maritime-dispute-with-japan/story-aPSWNmYndKkcpcuf4tYDGL.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/senkaku-islands'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'Initial Public Offer: LIC',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Central government has started the process to launch the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>LIC is<strong> fully owned by the government.</strong> It was set up in 1956.</li>
<li>It has the <strong>biggest share in India&rsquo;s insurance business.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Initial Public Offer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IPO is the selling of securities to the public in the <strong>primary market (a type of capital market).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primary market</strong> deals with new securities being issued for the first time. It is also known as the new issues market.</li>
<li>It is<strong> different from the secondary market</strong> where existing securities are bought and sold. It is also known as the stock market or stock exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under IPO, an unlisted company makes <strong>either a fresh issue of securities</strong> or an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-ipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>offer for sale</strong> </a><strong>of its existing securities</strong> or<strong> both for the first time to the public.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through an IPO, an unlisted company can get listed on the stock exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is generally used by new and medium-sized firms that are looking for funds to grow and expand their business.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>LIC IPO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IPO is <strong>expected to be the biggest in the Indian capital markets</strong> given the size and scale of LIC.</li>
<li>The LIC&rsquo;s total assets had touched an all-time high of Rs. 31.11 lakh crore in 2018-19.</li>
<li>The government is seeking some exemption related to the LIC IPO from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will help the government <strong>to meet its rising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/direct-monetisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fiscal deficit</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The rating agency S&amp;P has estimated India&rsquo;s government (centre and states) fiscal deficit to rise to 11% of GDP in FY21 from 7.8% in FY20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An IPO<strong> will bring transparency into affairs of LIC</strong> since it will be required to inform its value and other market-related developments on time to the stock exchanges.</li>
<li>It also <strong>gives an opportunity for retail investors to participate</strong> in the wealth creation of LIC.</li>
<li>Listing of companies on stock exchanges <strong>disciplines the company</strong> since it comes under greater scrutiny. It also <strong>provides access to financial markets,</strong> thus raising the company&rsquo;s value.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>LIC is currently dealing with huge non-performing assets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the Budget 2020-21, the government had <strong>announced plans for IPO of LIC</strong> and a proposal to <strong>sell the government&rsquo;s equity in the stressed IDBI Bank</strong> to private, retail and institutional investors through the stock exchange. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>LIC is also a majority shareholder in IDBI Bank.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government expects to raise Rs. 90,000 crore through stake sale in LIC and IDBI Bank, and another Rs. 1.2 lakh crore through other <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/strategic-disinvestment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disinvestments</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Earlier, in 2017, the government had listed the shares of General Insurance Corporation and New India Assurance through IPOs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/lic-ipo-market-disinvestment-6470795/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-lic'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Mt. Merapi of Indonesia',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Mount Merapi, an<strong> active volcano in Indonesia,</strong> erupted twice on 21<sup>st</sup> June, 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mt Merapi:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Merapi (Mountain of Fire) is the most active of Indonesia&rsquo;s 130 active volcanoes.</li>
<li>It rises to <strong>2,911 metres</strong> and has steep slopes with dense vegetation on its lower sides.</li>
<li>It is located near the centre of the island of Java and Indonesia&rsquo;s cultural capital, Yogyakarta.</li>
<li>Mt Merapi&rsquo;s last significant eruption was in 2010. At that time, more than 300 people were killed and some 2,80,000 residents were forced to evacuate the surrounding areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Volcanoes in Indonesia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indonesia is <strong>located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.</strong></li>
<li>The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the <strong>Circum-Pacific Belt,</strong> is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.</li>
<li>Its length is approximately 40,000 kilometers. It traces boundaries between several tectonic plates&mdash;including the Pacific, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates.</li>
<li>75% of Earth&rsquo;s volcanoes i.e. more than 450 volcanoes are located along the Ring of Fire. 90% of Earth&rsquo;s earthquakes occur along its path, including the planet&rsquo;s most violent and dramatic seismic events.</li>
<li>The abundance of volcanoes and earthquakes along the Ring of Fire is caused by the <strong>amount of movement of tectonic plates</strong> in the area. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Along much of the Ring of Fire, plates overlap at convergent boundaries called <strong>subduction zones.</strong> That is, the plate that is underneath is pushed down, or subducted, by the plate above. As rock is subducted, it melts and becomes magma. The abundance of magma so near to Earth&rsquo;s surface gives rise to conditions ripe for volcanic activity.</li>
<li>A significant exception is the border between the Pacific and North American Plates. This stretch of the Ring of Fire is a <strong>transform boundary,</strong> where plates move sideways past one another. This type of boundary generates a large number of earthquakes as tension in Earth&rsquo;s crust builds up and is released.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592895823_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592895823_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="416" height="255" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/indonesias-mount-merapi-erupts-twice-6470597/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mt-merapi-of-indonesia'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Anti Defection Law',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/revolving-door-the-hindu-editorial-on-politics-in-manipur/article31873062.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Revolving door: On Manipur politics</strong></a> published in The Hindu on 20/06/2020. It talks about the politics of defection in India and related challenges in the Anti-defection laws.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, some of the sitting MLAs in the Manipur government defected to the opposition creating instability in the state's polity. This <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/politics-of-defection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>politics of defection</strong></a> in Manipur is not unique, there have been some other recent examples of defection in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.</p>
<p>For a very long time, the Indian political system was impacted by political defections by members of the legislature. This situation brought about greater instability and chaos in the political system.</p>
<p>Thus, in 1985, to curb the evil of political defections, the 52<sup>nd</sup> constitution amendment act on anti-defection was passed and the 10th Schedule was added in the Indian Constitution.</p>
<p>However, the recent examples of defection in the Indian polity show that the law needs a relook in order to plug the loopholes and achieve a balance between the rights of legislators and interests of legislative stability.</p>
<h3>Issues Associated With the Defection</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subversion of electoral mandates:</strong> Defection is the subversion of electoral mandates by legislators who get elected on the ticket of one party but then find it convenient to shift to another, due to the lure of ministerial berths or financial gains.</li>
<li><strong>Affects the normal functioning of government:</strong> The infamous <strong>&ldquo;Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram&rdquo;</strong> slogan was coined against the background of continuous defections by the legislators in the 1960s. The defection leads to instability in the government and affects the administration.</li>
<li><strong>Promote horse-trading:</strong> Defection also promotes horse-trading of legislators which clearly go against the mandate of a democratic setup.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>91<sup>st</sup> Constitution Amendment Act-2003</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aimed at limiting the size of the Council of Ministers to debar defectors from holding public offices, and to strengthen the anti-defection law.</li>
<li>Earlier, a defection by one-third of the elected members of a political party was considered a &lsquo;merger&rsquo;. The amendment changed it to at least two-thirds.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Kihota Hollohon vs. Zachilhu (1992)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the judgment, the Supreme Court clarified that the 10<sup>th</sup> schedule is constitutionally valid. It neither impinges upon the freedom of speech and expression nor subverts the democratic rights of elected members.</li>
<li>It also upheld the sweeping discretion available to the Speaker in deciding cases of disqualification of MLAs.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it also held that Presiding Officer&rsquo;s decisions of disqualification shall be open to judicial review.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Challenges of Anti-Defection Law</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Against the true spirit of representative democracy:</strong> The anti-defection law seeks to provide a stable government by ensuring the legislators do not switch sides.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this law also enforces a restriction on legislators from voting in line with their conscience, judgement and interests of his electorate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impedes legislative control on government:</strong> The anti-defection law impedes the oversight function of the legislature over the government, by ensuring that members vote based on the decisions taken by the party leadership.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In short, if legislators are not able to vote on laws independently, they would not act as an effective check on the government.</li>
<li>The Anti-Defection Law, in effect, dilutes the separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature &ndash; and centralises power in the hands of the executives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of presiding officer of the house:</strong> The law lays down that legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there are many instances when presiding officers play a part with the vested interests of a political party/government in power.</li>
<li>Also, the law does not specify a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea.</li>
<li>The decision thus is sometimes based on the whims and fancies of the presiding officer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affects the debate and discussion:</strong> The Anti-Defection Law has created a democracy of parties and numbers in India, rather than a democracy of debate and discussion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this way, it does not make a differentiation between dissent and defection and weaken the Parliamentary deliberations on any law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rational use of the anti-defection law:</strong> Several experts have suggested that the law should be valid only for those votes that determine the stability of the government. e.g. passage of the annual budget or no-confidence motions.</li>
<li><strong>Advice of Election Commission:</strong> Various commissions including <strong>National Commission to review the working of the constitution (NCRWC)</strong> have recommended that rather than the Presiding Officer, the decision to disqualify a member should be made by the President (in case of MPs) or the Governor (in case of MLAs) on the advice of the Election Commission.</li>
<li><strong>Independent authority to deal with disqualification:</strong> Justice Verma in <strong>Hollohan judgment</strong> said that tenure of the Speaker is dependent on the continuous support of the majority in the House and therefore, he does not satisfy the requirement of such independent adjudicatory authority.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, his choice as the sole arbiter in the matter violates an essential attribute of the basic feature.</li>
<li>Thus, the need for an independent authority to deal with the cases of defection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting the principle of intra-party democracy: 170<sup>th</sup> Law Commission report</strong> underscored the importance of intra-party democracy by arguing that a political party cannot be a dictatorship internally and democratic in its functioning outside.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the parties should listen to the opinions of the members and have discussions on the same. This would give the freedom of speech and expression to its members and promote inner-party democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Though due to anti-defection law, political instability caused by the frequent and unholy change of allegiance on the part of the legislators of our country has been contained to a very great extent, yet there is a need for a more rationalised version of anti-defection laws which will help establish a truly representative democracy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592825745_image.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592825745_image.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0fff0;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;52<sup>nd</sup> constitution amendment act has curbed the evil of political defection and made Indian polity more stable&rdquo;. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/agwyza7FVMs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/revolving-door-the-hindu-editorial-on-politics-in-manipur/article31873062.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Revolving door: On Manipur politics&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on June 20<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/anti-defection-law-1'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Types of Orbit',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<p>An orbit is a regular, repeating path that an object in space takes around another one. An object moving around a planet in an orbit is called a satellite. According to the height of satellites from the earth, the orbits can be classified as <strong>High Earth orbit, Medium Earth orbit, and Low Earth orbit.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>High Earth orbit begins about one-tenth of the way to the moon. Many kinds of weather and some communications satellites tend to have a high Earth orbit, furthest away from the surface.</li>
<li>Satellites that orbit in a medium (mid) Earth orbit include navigation satellites, designed to monitor a particular region.</li>
<li>Most scientific satellites, including NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observing System fleet, have a low Earth orbit.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824089_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824089_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="720" height="240" /></a></p>
<h3>Path of a Satellite in an Orbit</h3>
<p>Together, the satellite&rsquo;s height, eccentricity, and inclination determine the satellite&rsquo;s path in an orbit.</p>
<p><strong>Height of Satellite</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The height of the orbit, or distance between the satellite and Earth&rsquo;s surface, determines how quickly the satellite moves around the Earth.<strong> Higher a satellite&rsquo;s orbit, the slower it moves.</strong></li>
<li>An Earth-orbiting satellite&rsquo;s motion is mostly controlled by Earth&rsquo;s gravity. As satellites get closer to Earth, the pull of gravity gets stronger, and the satellite moves more quickly. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Example, NASA&rsquo;s Aqua satellite requires about 99 minutes to orbit the Earth at about 705 kilometres height from Earth&rsquo;s surface.</li>
<li>A communication satellite about 36,000 kilometres from Earth&rsquo;s surface takes 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds to complete an orbit.</li>
<li>At 384,403 kilometres from the centre of the Earth, the Moon completes a single orbit in 28 days.</li>
<li>Changing a satellite&rsquo;s height will also change its orbital speed, which <strong>represents a strange paradox.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If a satellite operator wants to increase the satellite&rsquo;s orbital speed, he can&rsquo;t simply fire the thrusters to accelerate the satellite. Doing so would boost the orbit (increase the altitude), which would slow the orbital speed.</li>
<li>Instead, he must fire the thrusters in a direction opposite to the satellite&rsquo;s forward motion. This change will push the satellite into a lower orbit, which will increase its forward velocity.</li>
<li>The same action that on the ground would slow a moving vehicle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Eccentricity of Orbit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eccentricity refers to the shape of the orbit. A satellite with a low eccentricity orbit moves in a near circle around the Earth.</li>
<li>An eccentric orbit is elliptical, with the satellite&rsquo;s distance from Earth changing depending on where it is in its orbit.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The eccentricity (e) of an orbit indicates the deviation of the orbit from a perfect circle.</li>
<li>A circular orbit has an eccentricity of 0, while a highly eccentric orbit is closer to (but always less than) 1.</li>
<li>A satellite in an eccentric orbit moves around one of the ellipse&rsquo;s focal points, not the centre.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Inclination of Orbit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The inclination is the angle of the orbit in relation to Earth&rsquo;s equator.</li>
<li>An orbital inclination of 0&deg; is directly above the equator, 90&deg; crosses right above the pole, and 180&deg; orbits above the equator in the opposite direction of Earth&rsquo;s spin.</li>
</ul>
<h3>High Earth Orbit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>High Earth Orbit is when a satellite reaches exactly 42,164 kilometres from the centre of the Earth (about 36,000 kilometres from Earth&rsquo;s surface).</li>
<li>At this altitude, the satellite enters a sort of &ldquo;sweet spot&rdquo; in which its orbit matches Earth&rsquo;s rotation. This special, high Earth orbit is called geosynchronous.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A satellite in a circular geosynchronous orbit directly over the equator (eccentricity and inclination at zero) will have a geostationary orbit that does not move at all relative to the ground.</li>
<li>This is because the satellite orbits at the same speed that the Earth is turning, it is always directly over the same place on the Earth&rsquo;s surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of a geostationary orbit is extremely valuable for weather monitoring and communication (phones, television, radio) because satellites in this orbit provide a constant view of the same surface. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Finally, many high Earth-orbiting satellites monitor solar activity, track magnetic and radiation levels in space around them.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Other orbital &ldquo;sweet spots,&rdquo; just beyond high Earth orbit, are the Lagrange points.</li>
<li>At the Lagrange points, the pull of gravity from the Earth cancels out the pull of gravity from the Sun.</li>
<li>Anything placed at these points will feel equally pulled toward the Earth and the Sun and will revolve with the Earth around the Sun.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824120_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824120_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="720" height="470" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lagrange Points</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first Lagrange point is located between the Earth and the Sun, giving satellites at this point a constant view of the Sun. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a NASA and European Space Agency satellite tasked to monitor the Sun, orbits the first Lagrange point, about 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The second Lagrange point is about the same distance from the Earth but is located behind the Earth. Earth is always between the second Lagrange point and the Sun. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the Sun and Earth are in a single line, satellites at this location only need one heat shield to block heat and light from the Sun and Earth.</li>
<li>It is a good location for space telescopes, including the future James Webb Space Telescope.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The third Lagrange point is opposite the Earth on the other side of the Sun so that the Sun is always between it and Earth. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A satellite in this position would not be able to communicate with Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The extremely stable fourth and fifth Lagrange points are in Earth&rsquo;s orbital path around the Sun, 60 degrees ahead of and behind Earth. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft will orbit at the fourth and fifth Lagrange points to provide a three-dimensional view of the Sun.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Medium Earth Orbit</h3>
<p>Closer to the Earth, satellites in a medium Earth orbit move more quickly. Two medium Earth orbits are notable: the semi-synchronous orbit and the Molniya orbit.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Semi-synchronous orbit</strong> is a near-circular orbit (low eccentricity) 26,560 kilometres from the centre of the Earth (about 20,200 kilometres above the surface). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A satellite at this height takes 12 hours to complete an orbit.</li>
<li>In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable.</li>
<li><strong>It is the orbit used by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Molniya orbit</strong> is the second common medium Earth orbit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was invented by the Russians, the Molniya orbit works well for observing high latitudes.</li>
<li>Molniya orbit offers a useful alternative to geostationary orbit, as satellites in a geostationary orbit are parked over the equator, so they don&rsquo;t work well for far northern or southern locations, which are always on the edge of view of geostationary satellites.</li>
<li>The Molniya orbit combines high inclination (63.4&deg;) with high eccentricity (0.722) to maximize viewing time over high latitudes.</li>
<li>Each orbit lasts 12 hours, so the slow, high-altitude portion of the orbit repeats over the same location every day and night. Russian communications satellites and the Sirius radio satellites currently use this type of orbit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824153_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824153_image4.png" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Molniya Orbit</strong></p>
<h3>Low Earth Orbit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Most scientific satellites and many weather satellites are in a nearly circular, low Earth orbit.</li>
<li>The satellite&rsquo;s inclination depends on what the satellite was launched to monitor. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite was launched to monitor rainfall in the tropics. Therefore, it has a relatively low inclination (35 degrees), staying near the equator.</li>
<li>Many of the satellites in NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observing System have a nearly polar orbit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this highly inclined orbit, the satellite moves around the Earth from pole to pole, taking about 99 minutes to complete an orbit.</li>
<li>In a 24-hour period, polar-orbiting satellites will view most of the Earth twice: once in daylight and once in darkness.</li>
<li>As the satellite completes one orbit, the Earth turns underneath, so by the time the satellite crosses back into daylight, it is over the region adjacent to the area seen in its last orbit.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824168_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Path of a Polar Orbit</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Just as the geosynchronous satellites have a sweet spot over the equator that lets them stay over one spot on Earth, the polar-orbiting satellites have a sweet spot that allows them to stay in one time.</li>
<li>This orbit is a Sun-synchronous orbit, which means that whenever and wherever the satellite crosses the equator, the local solar time on the ground is always the same. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, if a polar satellite at 10:30 in the morning crosses the equator in Brazil when the satellite comes around the Earth in its next overpass about 99 minutes later, it crosses over the equator in Ecuador or Colombia at about 10:30 local time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>For Mindmaps follow our Youtube Channel<span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-VeUW17m9Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Secrecy of Ballot',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a recent judgement, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> has held that <strong>secrecy of ballot</strong> is the cornerstone of free and fair elections.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The choice of a voter should be free which is ensured by the secret ballot system in a democracy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highlights of the Judgement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC held that the principle of secrecy of ballots is an important postulate of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/upholding-constitutional-democracy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>constitutional democracy</strong></a> and referred to <strong>Section 94 of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Representation of People Act (RPA) 1951</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The section upholds the<strong> privilege of the voters to maintain confidentiality</strong> about their choice of the vote.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The law must protect the right of voters to the secrecy of the ballot. Even a remote or distinct possibility that a voter can be forced to disclose for whom she/he has voted would act as a positive constraint and a check on the freedom to exercise the franchise.</li>
<li>However, a voter can also <strong>voluntarily waive the privilege of non-disclosure.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The privilege ends when the voter decides to waive it and decides voluntarily to disclose their vote.</li>
<li>The court held that voters can neither be prevented from disclosing nor can be subjected to a complaint by anyone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The judgment came on an appeal against the <strong>Allahabad High Court</strong> decision, setting aside the voting of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/floor-test-is-governor-s-discretion-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>no-confidence motion</strong></a> in a Zila panchayat in Uttar Pradesh in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>no-confidence motion</strong> or <strong>vote of no-confidence</strong> or a<strong> no-trust vote</strong> can be sought to express that there is no longer confidence in the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Allahabad HC found that some of the panchayat members had violated the rule of secrecy of the ballot.</li>
<li>The SC referred to <strong>Section 28(8) of the Uttar Pradesh Kshettra Panchayat and Zila Panchayat Adhiniyam, 1961</strong> and ordered a re-vote of the motion within the next two months, by the secret ballot system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This provision states that a motion of no confidence shall be put to vote in the prescribed manner by secret ballot.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Restoring Secrecy of Ballot:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Secrecy of ballot has become a <strong>notional concept</strong> after the introduction of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/electronic-voting-machine-and-voter-verifiable-paper-audit-trail" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electronic Voting Machines</strong> </a>(EVMs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since voters believe that only they themselves and their trusted ones know who they voted for which is not true actually because<strong> EVMs give a near accurate idea of voting patterns.</strong></li>
<li>Each EVM is used for about 1,400 electors and votes cast in the <strong>EVMs are individually counted and tallied booth-wise.</strong></li>
<li>Before the introduction of EVMs, <strong>ballot papers were often mixed</strong> to prevent intimidation of voters by disclosure of voting patterns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The idea of voting patterns gives an<strong> advantage to political parties</strong> which can be neutralised if <strong>totalisers</strong> are deployed to count votes in a constituency.</li>
<li><strong>Totaliser:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a mechanism which <strong>allows votes from 14 booths to be counted together.</strong></li>
<li>This result obtained is <strong>without disclosure of votes polled by candidates at particular voting booths/stations,</strong> which will allay the fears of voters against any pre-poll intimidation or post-poll victimisation by any candidate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Representation of the People Act 1951</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The holding of <strong>free and fair elections</strong> is the sine-qua-non of democracy. To ensure the conduct of elections in free, fair and in an impartial manner, the constitution-makers incorporated <strong>Part XV (Articles 324-329)</strong> in the constitution and empowered Parliament to make laws to regulate the electoral process.</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India</strong></a> (ECI) is the watchdog of free and fair elections in the country and <strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution provides for its establishment.</li>
<li>In this context, the Parliament has enacted the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/representation-of-people-s-act-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950</strong></a> and <strong>Representation of the People Act, 1951.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Key provisions of the RPA 1951:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It regulates the actual conduct of elections and by-elections.</li>
<li>It provides administrative machinery for conducting elections.</li>
<li>It deals with the registration of political parties.</li>
<li>It specifies the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of the Houses.</li>
<li>It provides provisions to curb corrupt practices and other offences.</li>
<li>It lays down the procedure for settling doubts and disputes arising out of elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a democracy, there is perhaps nothing more important than the credibility of the electoral process therefore elections should not only be fair but should be seen to be fair.</li>
<li>The Election Commission needs to bat for making democracy truly vibrant and for voters&rsquo; rights to free and fair elections as well as secrecy of their ballot. It cannot afford to allow parties the room to punish and reward voters on the basis of their voting patterns or indulge in what politicians euphemistically call booth management.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/secrecy-of-ballot-is-the-cornerstone-of-free-and-fair-elections-says-supreme-court/article31883015.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/secrecy-of-ballot'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Presena Glacier Covered with Tarps',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Giant sheets of tarpaulin (tarps) are being used to cover <strong>Presena glacier in northern Italy</strong> to slow <strong>melting caused by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-more-way-to-fight-global-warming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global warming.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a part of the conservation project (undertaken by<strong> Italian firm Carosello-Tonale)</strong> which was launched in 2008 &mdash; at that point only <strong>30,000 sq metres of the glacier</strong> was covered.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Covering of the Glacier:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tarpaulin sheets (tarps)</strong> are being laid over 1,00,000 sq metres of the Presena glacier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rs. 34,091 tarpaulin sheets will be sewn together once they are stretched over the snow to keep warm air out. Bags of sand are used to weigh them down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This six-week process is repeated every year once the ski season is over and summer begins in full force.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>ski season</strong> is a period when skiing, snowboarding and other alpine sports are viable in an alpine resort.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The process of removing the protective tarps will begin in September, and will take six months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tarpaulin Sheets:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tarpaulin</strong> is a large sheet of strong, flexible and water-resistant material, often coated and made of plastics such as polyethylene.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coir-geo-textile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geotextile</strong> </a><strong>tarpaulins</strong> reflect sunlight, maintain a temperature lower than the external one, and thus preserve as much snow as possible.</li>
<li>There are similar glacier cover systems on a few Austrian glaciers, but the surface covered by the tarpaulins is much smaller.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concern:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1993, the Presena glacier has lost more than one third of its volume.</li>
<li>The area is continuously shrinking, so the efforts are made towards covering the area as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Presena Glacier</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Situated between the regions of <strong>Trentino and Lombardy in Northern Italy,</strong> the glacier is part of the <strong>Presanella mountain</strong> (Alps) group.</li>
<li>It has a high altitude natural environment.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/giant-sheets-of-tarpaulin-used-to-cover-glacier-in-northern-italy-to-slow-melting-caused-by-global-warming-6469781/#:~:text=A%20team%20of%20conservationists%20has,melting%20due%20to%20global%20warming.&amp;text=Since%201993%2C%20the%20Presena%20glacier,one%20third%20of%20its%20volume." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/presena-glacier-covered-with-tarps'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Founder of Ahom Kingdom: Chaolung Sukapha',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, there has been a controversy in <strong>Assam</strong> regarding <strong>Chaolung Sukapha</strong> who founded the<strong> Ahom kingdom.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Amidst the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-chinese-transgression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-China border tension</strong></a>, he has been repeatedly referred to as a Chinese invader.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chaolung Sukapha:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813986_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813986_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was a <strong>13<sup>th</sup> century ruler</strong> who <strong>founded the Ahom kingdom</strong> that ruled Assam for six centuries. The Ahoms ruled the land till the <strong>province was annexed to British India in 1826</strong> with the signing of the<strong> Treaty of Yandaboo.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sir Edward Gait,</strong> in his book <strong>&lsquo;A History of Assam&rsquo;,</strong> wrote that Sukapha is said to have left a place called <strong>Maulung</strong> (Burma which is now known as Myanmar) in <strong>1215 AD</strong> with eight nobles and some people.</li>
<li>He and his people reached Brahmaputra valley and in <strong>1235 AD, finally settled in Charaideo in upper Assam.</strong></li>
<li>Sukapha established his<strong> first small principality in Charaideo,</strong> sowing the seeds of further expansion of the Ahom kingdom.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ahoms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They <strong>created a new state by suppressing the older political</strong> <strong>system of the bhuiyans</strong> (landlords).</li>
<li>The Ahom state <strong>depended upon forced labour.</strong> Those forced to work for the state were called<em><strong> paiks.</strong></em></li>
<li>Ahom society was divided into <strong>clans or <em>khels</em>.</strong> A khel often controlled several villages.</li>
<li>Ahoms <strong>worshipped their own tribal gods</strong> but instead <strong>of imposing their own language, religion and rituals</strong> on communities living in Assam, they<strong> accepted the Hindu religion and the Assamese language.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>Ahom kings did not completely give up their traditional beliefs</strong> after adopting Hinduism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ahom society was very sophisticated. Poets and scholars were given land grants and theatre was encouraged. Important works of Sanskrit were translated into the local language.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Historical works,</strong> known as <strong><em>buranjis</em></strong>, were also written, first in the Ahom language and then in Assamese.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the Sukapha&rsquo;s people were men who later <strong>married women from communities living in Assam. Intermarriage also increased assimilation processes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sukapha successfully <strong>assimilated different communities and tribes.</strong> He developed very amiable relationships with the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tribes-in-assam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribal communities of Assam</a> especially the Sutias, the Morans and the Kacharis.</strong></li>
<li>He is widely referred to as the architect of <strong>&lsquo;Bor Asom&rsquo;</strong> or<strong> &lsquo;Greater Assam&rsquo;</strong> because he <strong>consolidated power, culture and religion in the region and managed to group a diverse mix of people</strong> in such a politically sensitive region crisscrossing South Asia and South-East Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Assam celebrates &lsquo;Asom Divas&rsquo;</strong> on<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> December every year</strong> to commemorate Sukapha and his rule.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chaolung Sukapha was the architect of greater Assam and he laid the foundation for a robust and vibrant Assam through his policy of amity, unity and harmony.</li>
<li>Offensive remarks on social media and misinterpretation of historical facts can lead to a rift between different communities in an ethnically diverse state like Assam and hurt the sentiments of people which should be avoided at any cost.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-legacy-of-sukapha-founder-of-ahom-kingdom-6468320/#:~:text=Sukapha%20was%20a%2013th%2Dcentury%20ruler%20who%20founded%20the%20Ahom,trace%20his%20roots%20to%20Burma.&amp;text=%E2%80%9CSukapha%20was%20a%20leader%20of%20the%20Ahoms." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/founder-of-ahom-kingdom-chaolung-sukapha'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Assessment of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, a study by the Ministry of Rural Development has observed that the<strong> Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)</strong> has not been able to achieve the desired objectives and failed to make a significant impact.</li>
<li>The study was conducted as part of the<strong> Fifth Common Review Mission (CRM)</strong> for <strong>&ldquo;independent assessment&rdquo;</strong> of the progress of various programmes and schemes of the Rural Development Ministry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Study/Assessment:</strong> The study was conducted by a team comprising retired bureaucrats, academics and research organisations etc. The team visited around 120 villages, in 21 districts across eights states</li>
<li><strong>Major Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Low selection of Panchayats:</strong> Since the launch of the scheme only 1,855 gram panchayats have been selected across five phases, with only seven in Phase 5.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Interest and Funds:</strong> Model villages under the scheme are hit by lack of interest and funds. In many of SAGY villages, the MPs did not give any significant fund from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mplad-scheme-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).</strong></a> <strong>Example:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In Arood village of Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh, out of 118 activities planned in 2014, only about 60 %have been achieved and the rest are pending for lack of funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Political Will:</strong> The concept of SAGY has not percolated down to field officials due to lack of accountability and political will.</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Declaration:</strong> Even villages declared as Adarsh Grams in some districts were found yet to be declared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/open-defecation-in-india#:~:text=In%20the%20past%20four%20years,task%20just%20some%20years%20ago." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Open Defecation Free</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Limited Impact:</strong> In some cases, where MPs have been proactive, some infrastructure development has taken place, but the scheme has not made any perceptible impact.</li>
<li><strong>Low Convergence of MGNREGA with MPLAD:</strong> Lesser convergence of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)</strong></a> with MPLAD was observed in few villages.</li>
<li><strong>Rural Roads:</strong> The study expressed concern over the quality of roads constructed under schemes of state governments and maintenance of rural roads under central <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coir-geo-textile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Positive Impact:</strong> Progress of work was better in the Gram Panchayats where the MP has taken keen interest and allocated substantial amounts from MPLAD. <strong>Example:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A village in Bhilwara Rajasthan was found to be very urbanised due the various development schemes taken up at the initiative of the Ex-MP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reccomendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Need to Enhance Impact:</strong> The report recommended that the Ministry of Rural Development may review the scheme for enhancing its impact.</li>
<li><strong>Uniform Norms:</strong> It has urged the Centre to frame a<strong> &ldquo;National Rural Road Policy&rdquo;</strong> to ensure uniform norms of construction and maintenance, irrespective of whether the road belongs to a state scheme or PMGSY.</li>
<li><strong>Additional Funds:</strong> The Centre should examine if the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Finance Commission</strong></a> can provide funds for maintenance of rural roads, as many states have requested that the Centre should share the cost of maintenance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAGY is a village development project which was launched on <strong>11<sup>th</sup> October, 2014</strong> on the birth anniversary of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saansad-adarsh-gram-yojana-sagy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Jai Prakash Narayan</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the Yojana, Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible for developing the socio-economic and physical infrastructure of<strong> three villages each by 2019,</strong> and a total of <strong>eight villages each by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To substantially<strong> improve the standard of living and quality of life</strong> of all sections of the population through Improved basic amenities, higher productivity and better livelihood opportunities.</li>
<li>To generate <strong>models of local level development</strong> and <strong>effective local governance</strong> which can motivate and inspire neighbouring Gram Panchayats to learn and adapt.</li>
<li>To nurture the identified Adarsh Grams as schools of local development to train other Gram Panchayats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gram Panchayat:</strong> The basic unit for development.</li>
<li><strong>Lok Sabha MP:</strong> Chooses a Gram Panchayat from within his/her constituency.</li>
<li><strong>Rajya Sabha MP:</strong> Chooses Gram Panchayat from the rural area of a district of his/her choice in the State from which he/she is elected.</li>
<li><strong>Nominated MPs:</strong> Choose a Gram Panchayat from the rural area of any district in the country.</li>
<li>The MPs engage with the community, facilitate the Village Development Plan and mobilise the necessary resources particularly from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/companies-amendment-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</strong></a> and philanthropies.</li>
<li>MPs also fill up critical gaps in the plan using the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs) funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813157_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813157_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Adarsh Gram: Model Village</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Model village is one which has <strong>adequate physical and institutional infrastructure (sustainable environment, sanitation, clean water and livelihood)</strong> in which minimum needs of all sections of the society are fully met so that they live in harmony with each other.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The vision behind the evolution of SAGY villages was to <strong>create model villages</strong> by <strong>ensuring convergence and dovetailing of schemes</strong> and its proper implementation on priority basis. However, the seriousness required to achieve the motto is lacking. There is a need for MPs to be more responsible towards the scheme.</li>
<li>SAGY gives focus to community participation and social mobilization of the village community can trigger a chain of other development activities in the village.</li>
<li>At the same time, the Ministry of Rural Development should ensure that the SAGY villages are dealt with the vision envisaged under the scheme and are not left behind.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sagy-model-village-scheme-narendra-modi-ministry-study-funds-6470195/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-saansad-adarsh-gram-yojana'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Gee’s Golden Langur',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Primatologists have observed that the threat of <strong>electrocution and inbreeding</strong> is increasing among the Gee&rsquo;s Golden Langur.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592809304_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592809304_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Trachypithecus geei</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong> Golden langurs can be most easily recognized by the color of their fur, after which they are named. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been noted that their fur changes colors according to the seasons as well as geography (region they live in).</li>
<li>The color of the young also differs from adults in that they are almost pure white.</li>
<li>They are highly dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of forests. They are also known as <strong>leaf monkeys.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> It is endemic to western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their habitat is restricted to the region surrounded by<strong> four geographical landmarks:</strong> the foothills of Bhutan (North), Manas river (East), Sankosh river (West), and Brahmaputra river (South).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Restricted Habitat:</strong> As mentioned above, their habitat is restricted by natural boundaries further increasing the threat of extinction.</li>
<li><strong>Habitat Fragmentation:</strong> Their habitat in Assam has fragmented drastically especially after a thrust on rural electrification and massive deforestation.</li>
<li><strong>Inbreeding:</strong> Obstructions such as wires, and gaps in the forest due to felling, have increased the threat of inbreeding among golden langurs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts/Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-30th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi</strong></a> entrusted the state zoo with the project for the conservation breeding of golden langur in Assam in 2011.</li>
<li>In 2019, Bhutan recorded a drop of 62% in the population of golden langurs over the 2009 census.</li>
<li>The recorded estimation in Assam in 2009 was 5,140. This year&rsquo;s census could not be completed due to the Covid-19 lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN List of Threatened Species:</strong></a> Endangered</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)</strong></a> : Appendix I</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</strong></a> : Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/even-golden-langurs-suffer-forced-abortion-infanticide/article31883455.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Country of Origin Made Mandatory on GeM',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Government e-Marketplace (GeM),</strong> a Special Purpose Vehicle under<strong> the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> has made it mandatory for sellers to enter the <strong>Country of Origin</strong> while registering all new products on GeM.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GeM has taken this significant step to promote <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a> and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Atma Nirbhar Bharat</a></strong> initiatives.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indication of the Local Content:</strong> GeM has enabled a provision for indication of the percentage of local content in products.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Now, the<strong> Country of Origin</strong> as well as the <strong>local content percentage</strong> are visible in the marketplace for all items.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Make in India Filter:</strong> This new filter has been enabled on the portal so that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gem-samvaad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>buyers</strong> </a>can choose to buy only those products that meet the minimum 50% local content criteria.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They can also switch on a new Make in India filter to see products that match their preferences on local content.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of GeM:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Promotion of the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; Initiative:</strong> Since its inception, GeM has continuously worked towards promotion of the <strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong> initiative.</li>
<li><strong>Entry of Small Local Sellers:</strong> The Marketplace has facilitated entry of small local sellers in Public Procurement, while implementing &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/support-and-outreach-initiative-for-msme-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MSME</strong></a> Purchase Preference Policies of the Government in the true sense.</li>
<li><strong>Transparent and Cost-effective Procurement:</strong> GeM is enabling quick, efficient, transparent and cost-effective procurement, especially when government organizations require products and services urgently to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of Atma Nirbhar Bharat:</strong> GeM has been promoting the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policy, introduced in the wake of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a>, meant to encourage self-reliance and boost small Indian manufacturers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government e-Marketplace (GeM)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GeM is a <strong>one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to facilitate online procurement</strong> of common use Goods &amp; Services required by various Central and State Government Departments/Organizations/Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).</li>
<li>It was launched in <strong>2016 to bring transparency and efficiency</strong> in the government buying process.</li>
<li>It operates under the<strong> Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>The procurement of goods and services by Ministries and the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) is mandatory for goods and services available on GeM.</li>
<li>It also provides the<strong> tools of e-bidding and reverse e-auction to facilitate</strong> the government users achieve the best value for their money.</li>
<li>At present, GeM has more than 15 lakh products, around 20,000 services, and more than 40,000 Government buyer organizations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633511#:~:text=Government%20e%2DMarketplace%20(GeM),all%20new%20products%20on%20GeM." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/country-of-origin-made-mandatory-on-gem'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Anti-dumping Duty on Steel Imports',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of certain types of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-purvodaya-accelerated-development-of-steel-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>steel products</strong></a> from China, Vietnam and South Korea.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dumping:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In international trade practise, dumping happens when a country or a firm <strong>exports an item at a price lower than the price of that product in its domestic market.</strong></li>
<li>Dumping <strong>impacts the price of that product in the importing country,</strong> hitting margins and profits of local manufacturing firms.</li>
<li><strong>Anti-dumping duty is imposed to rectify the situation</strong> arising out of the dumping of goods and its trade distortive effect.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Imposition of Anti-dumping Duty:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The anti-dumping duty was imposed after the <strong>Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR),</strong> in its probe, found that the steel products imported in India from these three countries were below its associated normal value, which resulted in dumping.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The duty has been<strong> imposed for five years</strong> with a view to guard domestic manufacturers from cheap imports from these countries.</li>
<li>Earlier, a provisional duty was imposed in October 2019 on these products from these three countries, which expired in April 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to global trade norms, including the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a> regime, a country is allowed to impose tariffs on such dumped products <strong>to provide a level-playing field to domestic manufacturers.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The duty is imposed only after a thorough investigation by a quasi-judicial body, such as DGTR, in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Different from Countervailing Duty:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Anti-dumping duty is different from countervailing duty. The latter is imposed in order<strong> to counter the negative impact of import subsidies</strong> to protect domestic producers.</li>
<li>Countervailing Duties (CVDs) are tariffs levied on imported goods to offset subsidies made to producers of these goods in the exporting country.</li>
<li>CVDs are meant to level the playing field between domestic producers of a product and foreign producers of the same product who can afford to sell it at a lower price because of the subsidy they receive from their government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Directorate General of Trade Remedies</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the<strong> apex national authority</strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry</strong> for administering all trade remedial measures including anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures.</li>
<li>It provides trade defence support to the domestic industry and exporters in dealing with increasing instances of trade remedy investigations instituted against them by other countries.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/india-imposes-anti-dumping-duty-on-certain-steel-products-from-china-vietnam-korea/2001726/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FE</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anti-dumping-duty-on-steel-imports'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Turant Customs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)</strong> unveiled a Secure QR coded Shipping Bill that would be electronically sent to exporters.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will enable end to end paperless exports under &lsquo;Turant Customs&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This step has been taken by CBIC for fulfilling its commitment to a <strong>Faceless, Paperless, and Contactless Customs</strong> under the umbrella of its<strong> &ldquo;Turant Customs&rdquo;</strong> programme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The launch of paperless documentation on exports is a sequel to a similar initiative that was begun for imports w.e.f. 15<sup>th</sup> April 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green Customs:</strong> These initiatives will do away with the present requirement to take paper printout of these documents thereby <strong>promoting Green Customs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Business Friendly:</strong> Equally importantly exporters would not have to visit the Customs Houses for this purpose and can better utilize their time in promoting their business.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong> Turant Customs, which has as its main component Faceless Assessment, would be implemented in phases across the entire country by 1<sup>st</sup> January 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> These reforms are based on enhanced use of digital technology to reduce the time and costs for the importers, exporters and other stakeholders, thereby improving India&rsquo;s ranking in the <strong>World Bank&rsquo;s &ldquo;Trading Across Borders&rdquo; parameter of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India improved to rank 80 on &ldquo;Trading Across Borders&rdquo; parameter as compared with 146 in 2018.</li>
<li>This was possible due to reforms like<strong> Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade, e-Sanchit (e-Storage and computerised handling of indirect tax documents),</strong> and <strong>Direct Port Delivery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Initiatives:</strong> Ministry of Finance (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) also launched two Information Technology (IT) initiatives - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icedash-and-atithi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ICEDASH and ATITHI.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>ICEDASH-</strong> For improved monitoring of customs clearance of imported goods.</li>
<li><strong>ATITHI-</strong> For facilitating arriving international passengers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CBIC is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance.</li>
<li>The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) was <strong>renamed as the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2018</strong> after the roll out of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gst-council-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>CBIC deals with the tasks of formulation of policy concerning levy and collection of Customs, Central Excise duties, Central Goods &amp; Services Tax and Integrated GST, prevention of smuggling.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A better rank in ease of doing business and greater awareness about opportunities in Indian business sector would attract foreign investors to invest in India and will also bring advanced technologies to the country.</li>
<li>However, it would be unwise to judge the state of the business activity by observing movements in the ease of doing business index as it is just the reflection of regulatory measures taken in two big cities of Delhi and Mumbai and that too on limited parameters.</li>
<li>Therefore, more comprehensive measures must be taken, which would not only improve ease of doing business ranking, but also lead to a better business environment and greater prosperity for all.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633525#:~:text=CBIC%20Enables%20End%20to%20End%20Paperless%20Exports%20under%20Turant%20Customs&amp;text=Shri%20Ajit%20Kumar%2C%20Chairman%2C%20Central,after%20the%20Customs%20allows%20export." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turant-customs'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'YUKTI 2.0: Platform for Higher Education Institutes',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Human Resource Development</strong> has launched an initiative<strong> &lsquo;YUKTI 2.0&rsquo;</strong> to help systematically assimilate technologies having commercial potential and information related to incubated startups in higher education institutions.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>YUKTI 2.0 is<strong> an extension</strong> <strong>of</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bharat-padhe-online-and-yukti-portal-mhrd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;YUKTI (Young India combating Covid with Knowledge, Technology and Innovation) Portal&rsquo;</strong></a> which was launched to identify ideas relevant in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid pandemic</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Creation of Database:</strong> The Ministry has invited students, faculty members, startups and other stakeholders of higher education institutions to register on the YUKTI portal and share their technologies and innovations.</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Database:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Database shared will be showcased to the investor community such as businessmen, farmers and industrialists i.e. students will be able to sell their ideas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, preliminary innovations won&rsquo;t be showcased on YUKTI 2.0 but only those which have commercialisation potential.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will provide a clear picture of the state of the innovation ecosystem of our higher educational institutions.</li>
<li>It will help the government to identify bottlenecks and formulate appropriate policies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem in the country.</li>
<li>Further, it will offer solutions to the problems faced by the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In Line with Atmanirbhar Bharat:</strong> YUKTI 2.0 will also help in fostering the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in academic institutions.</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives to Boost Innovation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/institutions-of-eminence-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Institutions of Eminence (IoE) Scheme</strong> </a>is a government's scheme to provide the regulatory architecture for setting up or upgrading of 20 Institutions (10 from public sector and 10 from the private sector) as world-class teaching and research institutions.</li>
<li>Various amendments have been made in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/modifications-in-pmrf-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister&rsquo;s Research Fellowship Scheme</strong></a> to boost research in the country.</li>
<li>Through the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-collabcad-in-atal-tinkering-labs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Atal Innovation Mission</strong></a>, the government has established Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across the country. The objective of this scheme is to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633700" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yukti-2-0-platform-for-higher-education-institutes'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Decoupling India’s Manufacturing With China',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/india-china-stanfoff-chinese-investment-telecom-sector-economic-retaliation-6465587/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Easier said&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in the Indian Express on 19/06/2020. It talks about the issues of banning Chinese imports by India in the wake of border clashes.</p>
</div>
<p>In the aftermath of the confrontation between India and China in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZMwufp-sAM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley</strong></a>, there has been a growing clamour for a boycott of Chinese products in India.</p>
<p>In this pursuit of using trade as a blunt instrument of retaliation against China, the government of India is actively considering nudging private players to reduce their dependence on China-made equipment.</p>
<p>However, given India&rsquo;s dependence on Chinese manufacturing, any trade war or a boycott of Chinese goods may have a more adverse impact on India rather than China.</p>
<h3>Need For Revisiting India&rsquo;s Trade Policy vis-a-vis China</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Huge Trade Deficit:</strong> India&rsquo;s imports from China in 2019-2020 reached $65 billion, out of $81 billion two-way trade.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging India&rsquo;s Raw Material:</strong> Along with importing a lot of finished products from China, India exports several kinds of raw materials and intermediate products. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By saving these raw materials India can expand its manufacturing base more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>De-industrialisation:</strong> Dumping of cheap goods by China into India, has rendered much of domestic manufacturing industries uncompetitive and thereby led to virtual deindustrialisation in many sectors.</li>
<li><strong>Relocation of Global Supply Chain:</strong> Amid Covid-19 pandemic, many multinational companies seek to move their businesses out of china. India should leverage this opportunity and attract these global supply chains.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dependence of India on Chinese Manufacturing</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Made in China often helps Make in India:</strong> India is dependent on China regarding capital goods.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes a wide variety of machinery, including electrical machinery, semiconductor driven machinery sector, etc.</li>
<li>Thus, the ban on Chinese imports will affect the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing, and thus further erode the country&rsquo;s export competitiveness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Minuscule Impact on China:</strong> India accounts for a minuscule share of China&rsquo;s export market, it will have a limited impact on China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If India and China stop trading then, China would lose only 3% of its exports and less than 1% of its imports, while India will lose 5% of its exports and 14% of its imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on Indian Consumers:</strong> Any attempt to reduce imports from China, operationalised through tariffs or other non-tariff barriers, will raise prices for Indian consumers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The poorest consumers will be the worst-hit in a trade ban of this kind because they are the most price-sensitive.</li>
<li>Also, without any alternative in the short-term, it is costly to replace Chinese products with much costlier imports from Japan and Germany.</li>
<li>This will further increase India&rsquo;s total trade deficit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Investment In Indian Startups:</strong> There is also the issue of Chinese investment in the Indian start-up space to contend with. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Companies like Alibaba and Tencent have invested in Indian unicorns such as Zomato, Paytm, Byju&rsquo;s, Ola cabs and others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Centrality of China In Global Markets:</strong> It&rsquo;s important to note along with being an exporter of assembled final products, China has also over the years become a major consumer for final products. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to this, the shifting of supply chains out of China is not very lucrative for many Multinational companies.</li>
<li>Also, blocking trade with China, India will miss out on one of the biggest markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Boost Domestic Manufacturing:</strong> India&rsquo;s strategy should be to boost manufacturing competitiveness and increase its share in world trade.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this pursuit, there is a need to create an infrastructure that raises the competitiveness of India&rsquo;s exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Removing Structural Bottlenecks:</strong> There is a need to push through long-pending legislation that aims to address the structural bottlenecks<strong> (in 4Ls: Land, Labour, Law, Liquidity)</strong> that continue to plague and hinder domestic competitiveness.</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Service Sector:</strong> In spite of banning Chinese imports, India should tackle trade by trade.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India can lobby for a more liberalised service sector (India&rsquo;s comparative advantage) in China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responding to China Strategically:</strong> In spite of drawing border disputes into a trade dispute, India should reply to China strategically in such matters of strategic importance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, in this context, India must increase its engagement in the South China Sea, which is a key strategic issue for China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given India&rsquo;s dependence on Chinese manufacturing, there is a need to understand that turning a border dispute into a trade war is unlikely to solve the border dispute and this trade war may hurt India far more than China.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592911802_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592911802_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="435" height="348" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #feffe6;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India&rsquo;s trade policy response to border clashes with China, should flow from a careful cost-benefit analysis, not be driven by knee-jerk reactions. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/decoupling-india-s-manufacturing-with-china'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'China to Join UN Arms Trade Treaty',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>China</strong> has decided to join the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> <strong>Arms Trade Treaty</strong> (UN-ATT) to regulate its arms sales.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China held that it has always strictly controlled the export of military products and joining the treaty is an important step towards its <strong>efforts to enhance peace and stability </strong>in the world and<strong> support multilateralism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China said that it only exports military products to sovereign countries and not to non-state actors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China&rsquo;s move comes after the <strong>USA announced to pull out of the ATT in 2019.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The reason given was that the <strong>treaty amounts to international gun control, </strong>and is a <strong>threat to USA's second amendment right to bear arms.</strong></li>
<li>The USA also held that the<strong> treaty fails to truly address the problem of irresponsible arms transfers</strong> because other<strong> top arms exporters like Russia and China were not signatories</strong> to it that time (till now, Russia has neither signed it nor made any announcement to sign it).</li>
<li>In <strong>May 2020,</strong> USA announced to exit the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/open-skies-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Open Skies Treaty</strong></a> (OST).</li>
<li>In <strong>August 2019,</strong> the USA along with Russia withdrew from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-2nd-february-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, 1987.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fewer-but-newer-nuclear-arms-sipri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stockholm International Peace Research Institute</strong></a> (SIPRI) in its annual report<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-among-top-military-spenders-sipri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2019&rsquo;</strong> </a>highlighted that <strong>China is the second-largest arms producer</strong> in the world after the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Arms Trade Treaty</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UN-ATT <strong>regulates the international trade in conventional arms,</strong> from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships, and<strong> controls the flow of weapons into conflict zones.</strong></li>
<li>It entered into force on<strong> 24<sup>th</sup> December 2014.</strong></li>
<li>The treaty <strong>requires member countries to keep records of international transfers of weapons</strong> and to<strong> prohibit cross-border shipments</strong> that could be used in human rights violations or attacks on civilians.</li>
<li><strong>State parties</strong> <strong>to the treaty may seek assistance</strong> in its implementation and the<strong> UN Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation</strong> (UNSCAR) was launched to help in that.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UNSCAR is a <strong>voluntary, flexible multi-donor trust fund</strong> to kick-start advocacy, universalisation and implementation of the ATT.</li>
<li><strong>It aims to:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mobilize resources to support the ratification/accession and implementation of relevant international instruments on arms regulations.</li>
<li>Improve the effectiveness of assistance through coordination, monitoring and matching of resources.</li>
<li>Promote increased sustainability through more predictable sources of funding.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Stand on ATT</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>From the beginning</strong> of the ATT process, India has maintained that such a treaty would make a real <strong>impact on illicit trafficking in conventional arms and their illicit use</strong> especially by terrorists and other unauthorised and unlawful non-state actors.</li>
<li>India has been an<strong> active participant in the ATT negotiations</strong> and <strong>stressed</strong> consistently that the <strong>ATT should ensure a balance of obligations between exporting and importing states.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For India, the underlying principle is that member states have a legitimate right to self-defence and its own belief that there is no conflict between the pursuit of national security objectives and the aspiration of the ATT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>However, India has not signed the Treaty</strong> on the grounds that it is <strong>weak on terrorism and non-state actors</strong> and these <strong>concerns find no mention in the specific prohibitions</strong> of the Treaty.</li>
<li>Further, India <strong>cannot accept that the Treaty is used as an instrument in the hands of exporting states</strong> to take unilateral <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-and-force-majeure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>force majeure</strong></a> measures against importing states parties without consequences.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Civilian populations often in conditions of poverty, deprivation and extreme inequality suffer the most because they are on the receiving end of the misuse of arms by state armed and security forces, non-state armed groups and organized criminal groups.</li>
<li>Inadequate controls on arms transfers lead to the widespread availability and misuse of weapons disrupting the humanitarian and development operations of the UN.</li>
<li>In many areas of work, the UN faces serious setbacks that ultimately can be traced to the consequences of the poorly regulated arms trade so the adoption of the ATT is very important for the UN system as a whole.</li>
</ul>',
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	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Uttar Pradesh PCS Preliminary & Mains Syllabus',
		'catname' => 'State PCS',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/uppcs-prelims-test-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592914231_1100x110-01.jpg" /></a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION</h3>
<h2>Paper-I</h2>
<h3>General Studies-I</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Current events of national and international importance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On Current Events of National and International Importance, candidates will be expected to have knowledge about them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History of India and Indian National Movement</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In History emphasis should be on broad understanding social, economic and political aspects of Indian History. In the Indian National Movement, the candidates are expected to have a synoptic view of nature and character of the freedom movement, growth of nationalism and attainment of independence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and World geography-</strong> Physical, Social, Economic geography of India and the World<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In World Geography only general understanding of the subject will be expected. Questions on the Geography of India will relate to Physical, Social &amp; Economic Geography of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Polity and governance-</strong> Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Indian Polity, Economic and Culture, questions will test knowledge of the country's political system including Panchayati Raj and Community Development, broad features of Economic policy in India and Indian culture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic and Social Development-</strong> Sustainable Development, Poverty Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The candidates will be tested with respect to problems and relationship between Population, Environment and Urbanisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>General Issues on Environmental ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change-</strong> that do not require subject specialization.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>General awareness of the subject is expected from candidates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>General Science</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Questions on General Science will cover general appreciation and understanding of Science including matters of everyday observation and experience, as may be expected of a well educated person, who has not made a special study of any scientific discipline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> Candidates are expected to have general awareness about the above subjects with special reference to Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<h2>Paper-II</h2>
<h3>General Studies-II</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Comprehension</li>
<li>Interpersonal skills including communication skills</li>
<li>Logical reasoning and analytical ability</li>
<li>Decision making and problem solving</li>
<li>General mental ability</li>
<li>Elementary Mathematics upto ClassX level-Arithmetic,Algebra,Geometry and Statistics</li>
<li>General English upto Class X level</li>
<li>General Hindi upto Class X level</li>
</ul>
<h3>Elementary Mathematics (Upto Class X Level)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Arithmetic:- (i) Number systems: Natural Numbers, Integers, Rational and Irrational numbers, Real numbers, Divisors of an Integer, prime Integers, L.C.M. and H.C.F. of integers and their Interrelationship. (ii) Average (iii) Ratio and proportion (iv) Percentage (v) Profit and Loss (vi) Simple and Compound Interests (vii) Work and Time (viii) Speed, Time and Distance</li>
<li>Algebra :- (i) Factors of polynomials, L.C.M. and H.C.F. of polynomials and their interrelationship, Remainder theorem, simultaneous linear equations, quadratic equations. (ii) Set Theory:- Set, null set, subsets and proper subsets of a set, operations (Union, Intersections, difference, symmetric difference) between sets, venn diagram.</li>
<li>Geometry:- (i) Constructions and theorems regarding triangle, rectangle, square, trapezium and circles, their perimeter and area. (ii) Volume and surface area of sphere, right circular cylinder, right circular Cone and Cube.</li>
<li>Statistics:- Collection of data, Classification of data, frequency, frequency distribution, tabulation, cumulative frequency. Representation of data - Bar diagram, Pie chart, histogram, frequency polygon, cumulative frequency curves (ogives), Measures of Central tendency:Arithmetic Mean, Median and Mode</li>
</ul>
<h3>General English Upto Class X Level</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Comprehension</li>
<li>Active Voice and Passive Voice</li>
<li>Parts of Speech</li>
<li>Transformation of Sentences</li>
<li>Direct and Indirect Speech</li>
<li>Punctuation and Spellings</li>
<li>Words meanings</li>
<li>Vocabulary &amp; Usage</li>
<li>Idioms and Phrases</li>
<li>Fill in the Blanks</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">सामान्य हिंदी (हाईस्कूल स्तर तक) के पाठ्यक्रम में सम्मिलित किये जाने वाले विषय</h3>
<ol class="numberlist">
<li>हिंदी वर्णमाला, विराम चिन्ह</li>
<li>शब्द रचना, वाक्य रचना, अर्थ</li>
<li>शब्द-रूप</li>
<li>संधि, समास</li>
<li>क्रियायें</li>
<li>अनेकार्थी शब्द</li>
<li>विलोम शब्द</li>
<li>पर्यायवाची शब्द</li>
<li>मुहावरे एवं लोकोक्तियाँ</li>
<li>तत्सम एवं तद्भव, देशज, विदेशी (शब्द भंडार)</li>
<li>वर्तनी</li>
<li>अर्थबोध</li>
<li>हिन्दी भाषा के प्रयोग में होने वाली अशुद्धियाँ</li>
<li>उ.प्र. की मुख्य बोलियाँ</li>
</ol>
<h2>MAINS EXAMINATION</h2>
<h3><em><a href="/estore/test-series-en/uppsc-mains-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drishti IAS UPPCS Mains Test Series</a></em></h3>
<h3>General Studies-I</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>History of Indian Culture&ndash; Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times</li>
<li>Modern Indian History (from A.D 1757 to A.D 1947)&ndash; Significant events, personalities and issues, etc.</li>
<li>Freedom Struggle&ndash; Its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country</li>
<li>History of the world&ndash; will include events from 18<sup>th</sup> century to middle of the 20<sup>th</sup> century such as French Revolution of 1789, Industrial Revolution, World Wars, redraw of national boundaries, Socialism, Nazism, Fascism, etc. their forms and effects on the society</li>
<li>Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country (till 1965A.D.)</li>
<li>Salient features of Indian Society and culture</li>
<li>Role of Women in society and women&rsquo;s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies</li>
<li>Meaning of liberalization, privatization and globalization and their effects on economy, polity and social structure</li>
<li>Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism &amp; secularism</li>
<li>Distribution of major natural resources of World- Water, Soils, Forests in reference to South and South-East Asia with special reference to India.</li>
<li>Factors responsible for the location of industries (with special reference to India)</li>
<li>Salient features of Physical Geography&ndash; Earthquake, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, Cyclone, Ocean Currents, winds and glaciers</li>
<li>Oceanic resources of India and their potential</li>
<li>Human migration&ndash; refugee problem of the World with focus on India</li>
<li>Frontiers and boundaries with reference to Indian sub-continent</li>
<li>Population and Settlements&ndash; Types and Patterns, Urbanization, Smart Cities and Smart Villages</li>
<li>Specific Knowledge of Uttar Pradesh&ndash; History, Culture, Art, Architecture, Festival, Folk dance, Literature, Regional languages, Heritage, Social Customs and Tourism</li>
<li>Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Geography- Human and Natural Resources, Climate, Soils, Forest, Wild-Life, Mines and Minerals, Sources of Irrigation</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Studies-II</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Constitution&ndash; Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure, Role of Supreme Court in evolution of basic provisions of Constitution</li>
<li>Functions and responsibilities of the Union and States&ndash; Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein</li>
<li>Role of Finance Commission in Centre-State financial relations</li>
<li>Separation of powers, dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions, Emergence and use of alternative dispute redressal mechanisms</li>
<li>Comparison of the Indian Constitutional scheme with that of other major democratic countries</li>
<li>Parliament and State Legislatures&ndash; Structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers and privileges and concerned issues</li>
<li>Structure, organisation and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary&ndash; Ministries and Departments of the Government, Pressure Groups, and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity, Public Interest Litigation (PIL)</li>
<li>Salient features of the Representation of People's Act</li>
<li>Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and their responsibilities</li>
<li>Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies including NITI Aayog, their features and functioning</li>
<li>Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design, implementations and Information Communications Technology (ICT)</li>
<li>Important aspects of governance&ndash; Transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations and potential, citizens, charters and institutional measures</li>
<li>Role of Civil Services in democracy in the context of emerging trends</li>
<li>Development processes&ndash; The role of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders</li>
<li>Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes, mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections</li>
<li>Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources</li>
<li>Issues relating to poverty and hunger, their implication on body politic</li>
<li>India and its relationship with neighbouring Countries;</li>
<li>Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and / or affecting India's interest</li>
<li>Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests- Indian diaspora</li>
<li>Important International Institutions, Agencies their structure, mandate and functioning</li>
<li>Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh regarding Political, Administrative, Revenue and Judicial System</li>
<li>Current affairs and events of Regional, State, National and International importance</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Studies-III</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Economic planning in India, objectives and achievements, Role of NITI Aayog, Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</li>
<li>Issues of Poverty, Unemployment, Social Justice and Inclusive growth</li>
<li>Components of Government Budgets and Financial System</li>
<li>Major Crops, Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems, storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce, e-technology in the aid of farmers</li>
<li>Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices, Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, Limitations, revamping, Issues of buffer stocks and food security, Technology missions in agriculture</li>
<li>Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management</li>
<li>Land reforms in India since independence</li>
<li>Effects of liberalization and globalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth</li>
<li>Infrastructure&ndash; Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.</li>
<li>Science and Technology&ndash; Developments and applications in everyday life and in National Security, India's Science and Technology policy</li>
<li>Achievements of Indians in science &amp; technology, indigenization of technology. Developments of New technologies, transfer of technology, dual and critical use of technologies</li>
<li>Technology&ndash; Awareness in the fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Space Technology, Computers, Energy resources, nano-technology, microbiology, biotechnology</li>
<li>Issues relating to intellectual property rights (IPR), and digital rights</li>
<li>Environmental security and Ecosystems, Conservation of Wild life, Biodiversity, Environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment</li>
<li>Disaster as a Non-traditional security and safety challenge, disaster mitigation and management</li>
<li>Challenges of International Security&ndash; Issues of Nuclear proliferation, Causes and spread of extremism, Communication networks, role of media and social networking, Basics of</li>
<li>cyber security, money laundering and human trafficking</li>
<li>India's internal security challenges&ndash; Terrorism, corruption, insurgency and organized crimes</li>
<li>Role, kind and mandate of security forces, Higher defence organizations in India</li>
<li>Specific knowledge of Uttar Pradesh Economy&ndash;State Budgets, Importance of Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure and physical resources, Human Resources and Skill Development, Government Programmes and Welfare Schemes.</li>
<li>Issues in State&rsquo;s Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry and Animal Husbandry</li>
<li>Law and Order and Civil Defence with special reference to Uttar Pradesh</li>
</ul>
<h3>General Studies-IV</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ethics and Human Interface&ndash; Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human action, dimensions of ethics, Ethics in private and public relationship, Human Values</li>
<li>Lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators, role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values</li>
<li>Attitude&ndash; Content, structure, function, its influence and relation with thought and behaviour, moral and political attitudes, social influence and persuasion</li>
<li>Aptitude and Foundational Values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public services, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections</li>
<li>Emotional Intelligence&ndash; concept and dimensions, its utility and application in administration and governance</li>
<li>Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world</li>
<li>Public/Civil Service values and ethics in Public Administration&ndash; status and problems, ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions, laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance, accountability and ethical governance, strengthening of moral values in governance, ethical issues in international relations and funding, corporate governance</li>
<li>Probity in Governance&ndash; concept of public service, philosophical basis of governance and probity, information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, codes of ethics, codes of conduct, citizen's charter, work culture, quality of service delivery, utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption</li>
<li>Case studies on above issues</li>
</ul>
<h3>Essay</h3>
<p>There will be three sections in the question paper of Essay, Candidates will have to select one topic from each section and they are required to write an essay in 700 words on each topic. In the three sections, topics of essay will be based on following sphere:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Section A &ndash; (1) Literature and Culture (2) Social sphere (3) Political sphere</li>
<li>Section B &ndash; (1) Science, Environment and Technology (2) Economic Sphere (3) Agriculture, Industry and Trade</li>
<li>Section C &ndash; (1) National and International Events (2) Natural Calamities, Landslide, Earthquake, Deluge, Drought etc. (3) National Development programmes and projects</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">सामान्य हिंदी</h3>
<p>1. दिये गए गद्य खण्ड का अवबोध एवं प्रश्नोत्तर।</p>
<p>2. संक्षेपण।</p>
<p>3. सरकारी एवं अर्धसरकारी पत्र लेखन, तार लेखन, कार्यालय आदेश, अधिसूचना, परिपत्र।</p>
<p>4. शब्द ज्ञान एवं प्रयोग।</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(अ) उपसर्ग एवं प्रत्यय प्रयोग</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(ब) विलोम शब्द</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(स) वाक्यांश के लिए एकशब्द</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">(द) वर्तनी एवं वाक्य शुद्धि</p>
<p>5. लोकोक्ति एवं मुहावरे।</p>
<p><a href="/estore/study-material/state-pcs-study-materials-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593777116_uppcs dlp1.jpg" /></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/state-pcs/uttar-pradesh-pcs-preliminary-mains-syllabus'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Smuggling of Exotic Macaws',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)</strong> has busted a wildlife syndicate (smuggling group) which was involved in smuggling of exotic macaws from Bangladesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The joint operation was carried out in coordination with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/not-all-animals-migrate-by-choice-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)</strong></a> and the Customs Department at the Kolkata airport.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Joint Operation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cargo containing 22 exotic birds which had been smuggled in through the Bongaon area of Indo-Bangla border, were seized at Kolkata airport.</li>
<li>The birds were identified as <strong>hyacinth macaw, pesquet&rsquo;s parrot, severe macaw and hahn&rsquo;s macaw.</strong></li>
<li>The seized macaws are <strong>protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),</strong> with <strong>hyacinth macaw</strong> being accorded the highest protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions Related to Illegal Wildlife Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Illegally imported birds are <strong>confiscated under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962</strong> which is read with the <strong>CITES provisions and the Foreign Trade Policy ( Import-Export Policy) of India.</strong></li>
<li>Also, Sections 48 and 49 of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act</strong> </a>prohibit trade or commerce in wild animals, animal articles or trophies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The possibility of spread of<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> zoonotic diseases</strong></a> on account of smuggling in such exotic species is increasingly becoming a global concern against the backdrop of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Illegal wildlife trade was ranked the <strong>fourth largest transnational organised crime globally,</strong> after the smuggling of narcotics, counterfeit goods and human trafficking.</li>
<li>West Bengal and northeast India are vulnerable to cross-border wildlife smuggling because of their proximity to the Bangladesh and Myanmar borders, and to Thailand.</li>
<li>Over the recent years, the DRI has seized a range of endangered species, including black-and-white ruffed lemur, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hoolock-gibbon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>hoolock gibbons</strong></a>, palm civets and Indian star tortoise etc.</li>
<li>Another major concern has been the smuggling of elephant tusks and ivory products.</li>
<li>Many international organisations involved in wildlife crime use the <strong>Indo-Bangladesh Border</strong> for various other illegal activities, such as<strong> smuggling of drugs, commercial goods, and even gun-running, apart from illegal movement of foreign currency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hyacinth Macaw<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592907459_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592907459_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="200" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus,</em></li>
<li>It is a parrot native to <strong>central and eastern South America.</strong></li>
<li>With a length of about one meter it is <strong>longer than any other species of parrot.</strong></li>
<li>It is the largest macaw and the <strong>largest flying parrot species.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Threat:</strong> Habitat loss and the trapping of wild birds for the pet trade have taken a heavy toll on their population in the wild.</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List</a>: Vulnerable</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)</a>: Appendix I</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> statutory multi-disciplinary body,</strong> established by the Government of India under the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change</strong>, to<strong> combat organized wildlife crime</strong> in the country.</li>
<li>The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Directorate of Revenue Intelligence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is India's <strong>chief anti-smuggling intelligence, investigations and operations</strong> agency.</li>
<li>It works under the <strong>Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC),</strong> Ministry of Finance.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headed</strong> by a <strong>Director General of the rank of Special Secretary</strong> to the Government of India.</li>
<li>DRI works to secure <strong>India's national and economic security</strong> by preventing the outright smuggling of<strong> firearms, gold, narcotics, fake Indian Currency notes, antiques, wildlife and environmental products.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, it also works to prevent the proliferation of black money, commercial frauds and trade based money laundering.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> New Delhi</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/dri-busts-syndicate-smuggling-exotic-macaws-from-bangladesh/article31890379.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smuggling-of-exotic-macaws'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The year 2021 will mark the <strong>100<sup>th</sup> year anniversary</strong> of the<strong> Malabar/Moplah uprising of 1921.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The freedom fighter <strong>Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji</strong> led the Moplah uprising against the British in Kerala&rsquo;s Malabar region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji</strong> was born into an <strong>affluent Muslim family sometime in the 1870s</strong> (the exact date is not confirmed) and grew up hearing stories of the torture and injustice done by the British.</li>
<li>His father,<strong> Moideenkutty Haji,</strong> was <strong>deported and jailed in the Andaman Islands</strong> for his participation in a rebellion against the British.</li>
<li>Kunjahammed Haji was very much <strong>fascinated by the traditional music-based art forms</strong> like <strong>Daffumutt</strong> and <strong>poems</strong> like <strong>&lsquo;Malappuram Padappattu&rsquo;</strong> and<strong> &lsquo;Badr Padappattu&rsquo;</strong> and he used them as an instrument to rally the locals against the British.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These poems were on the<strong> exploitation of the peasants by feudal lords</strong> under the British so these were banned later on by the British.</li>
<li>Kunjahammed Haji <strong>simultaneously challenged the British and ignited sentiments against them</strong> among the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Haji was respected for his<strong> scholarship and knowledge in Urdu, Arabic and English.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Leaders of the Khilafat movement and the INC introduced him to the Khilafat cause</strong> and he promised to join them against the atrocities of the British and the landlords.</li>
<li>Haji decided to take arms against the British and<strong> took the leadership of the Khilafat</strong> and was mostly heard all over<strong> Calicut and south Malabar.</strong></li>
<li>Haji <strong>ensured that the movement had a secular character</strong> as he was aware of the strength of Hindu-Muslim unity and ensured people of other faiths were given adequate security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Britishers cast him as a religious fanatic to create divisions</strong> within the movement and there was a possibility of the movement losing direction and perhaps even resulting in a communal riot.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As the <strong>rebellion spread across the Ernad and Valluvanad taluks of erstwhile Malabar</strong> district, <strong>Britishers and their loyal escaped,</strong> leaving vast territory under the control of the local rebels.</li>
<li>The territory was declared an <strong>&lsquo;independent state&rsquo;</strong> in <strong>August 1921</strong> with<strong> Haji as its undisputed ruler.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For <strong>nearly six months,</strong> Haji ran a <strong>parallel Khilafat regime</strong> headquartered in <strong>Nilambur,</strong> with its own separate passport, currency and system of taxation.</li>
<li>An <strong>extensive army with the participation of Hindu men was built</strong> with the aim of thwarting any attempt by the British to overthrow the Khilafat rule.</li>
<li><strong>Tenants were granted the power over the lands</strong> they cultivated along with tax incentives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>January 1922,</strong> under the <strong>guise of a treaty,</strong> the <strong>British betrayed Haji through his close friend Unyan Musaliyar</strong> and<strong> arrested</strong> him. He was <strong>sentenced to death</strong> along with his compatriots.</li>
<li>The bodies were <strong>cremated fearing that the grave may become an inspiration</strong> for the rebels and <strong>all the records</strong> connected with the Khilafat raj were <strong>burnt</strong> in order to make the people forget the Mappila khilafat rule of six months.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malabar/Moplah Rebellion of 1921</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Malabar rebellion, also known as the Moplah rebellion, was an <strong>armed revolt</strong> staged by the <strong>Mappila Muslims of Kerala</strong> in<strong> 1921.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>August 1920,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gandhi-peace-prize#:~:text=The%20award%20carries%20an%20amount,%2C%20associations%2C%20institutions%20or%20organizations.&amp;text=It%20is%20open%20to%20all,%2C%20creed%2C%20race%20or%20sex." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Gandhi</a></strong> along with <strong>Shaukat Ali</strong> (the leader of the Khilafat movement in India)<strong> visited Calicut</strong> to spread the combined message of <strong><a href="/mains-practice-question/question-208" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-cooperation</a> and Khilafat</strong> among the residents of Malabar.</li>
<li>In response to Gandhi&rsquo;s call, a<strong> Khilafat committee was formed in Malabar</strong> and the <strong>Mappilas,</strong> under their <strong>religious head Mahadum Tangal of Ponnani who pledged</strong> support to the non-cooperation movement.</li>
<li>During the same time, the<strong> agrarian situation in Malabar was worsening</strong> with the <strong>low-class tenants suffering under the oppressive measures</strong> of the landlords who were patronised by the British.</li>
<li>In this situation, the <strong>Indian National Congress (INC) reached out to the Mappila cultivators</strong> to actively support both the agrarian reforms and independence.</li>
<li>The Moplah tenants <strong>agitated against the Hindu landlords</strong> (locally referred to as <strong><em>janmi</em></strong>) and the <strong>British government.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of their <strong>grievances</strong> were related to the <strong>security of tenure, high rents, renewal fees and other unfair exactions</strong> of the landlords.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The British government <strong>responded with much aggression,</strong> bringing in Gurkha regiments to suppress it and imposing martial law.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Wagon Tragedy:</strong> A noteworthy event of the British suppression was the wagon tragedy when approximately 60 Mappila prisoners on their way to prison, were suffocated to death in a closed railway goods wagon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>six-month-long rebellion</strong> is often perceived to be <strong>one of the first cases of nationalist uprisings in Southern India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the <strong>real motive of the revolt still remains a highly debated topic</strong> among historians.</li>
<li>There are some who call it a case of <strong>religious fanaticism,</strong> there are others who look at it as an <strong>instance of struggle against British authority</strong> and then there are others who perceive the Malabar rebellion to be a <strong>peasant revolt against unfair practices of the landlords.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-variyamkunnath-kunjahammed-haji-the-khilafat-leader-6471224/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/variyamkunnath-kunjahammed-haji'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'The Paper Microscope: Foldscope',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, some doctors have explored and validated the clinical utility of<strong> foldscope</strong> in the diagnosis of diseases using various patient samples.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901404_Image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901404_Image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Foldscope:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an <strong>affordable microscope</strong> that can be made from simple components, including a<strong> sheet of paper and a lens.</strong> It cost less than a Rs. 100 to make a Foldscope.</li>
<li>Upon assembly, the device can hold a specimen slide for observation, and this <strong>specimen can be viewed via a mobile phone camera</strong> attached to it.</li>
<li>It is <strong>portable and durable</strong>, and performs on par with conventional microscopes.</li>
<li>It was<strong> developed by Manu Prakash</strong> and is part of the<strong> "frugal science"</strong> movement which aims to make cheap and easy tools available for scientific use in the developing world</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foldscope can be<strong> used to diagnose diseases</strong> like oral health, urinary tract infection (UTI), leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, and monitor kidney stones.</li>
<li>It can be <strong>employed in public healthcare centres for primary diagnosis </strong>or as <strong>personal health monitoring devices.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from the medical field<strong> it can also be used in agriculture,</strong> to detect various types of microorganisms which affect the crops and animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1633378" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-paper-microscope-foldscope'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Senkaku Islands',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>local council in southern Japan</strong> has approved a bill to <strong>change the name of an area containing Senkaku Islands</strong> from Tonoshiro to Tonoshiro Senkaku.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Senkaku Islands are known as the<strong> Diaoyus by China and Tiaoyutai by Taiwan.</strong></li>
<li>The islands are <strong>disputed with China and Taiwan.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901143_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592901143_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Japan's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Resolving Administrative Confusion:</strong> The<strong> name change is aimed at resolving administrative confusion</strong> between a locale in downtown Ishigaki, which shares the name "Tonoshiro" similar to the island.</li>
<li><strong>Increased Chinese Presence:</strong> It is also done in response to the increased Chinese presence in the waters close to the Senkakus. In a move to protect territorial integrity, Japan has decided to change the name.</li>
<li><strong>Support of the USA:</strong> The United States has a mutual defense treaty with Japan. If Japanese territory is attacked by a foreign power, the United States is obligated to defend it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Territorial Sovereignty:</strong> Bill by Japan is a serious provocation to China&rsquo;s territorial sovereignty. The move is illegal.</li>
<li><strong>Four-Principle Consensus:</strong> Urged Japan to abide by the spirit of the four-principle consensus, avoid creating new incidents on the Diaoyu Islands issue, and take practical actions to maintain the stability of the East China Sea situation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A four-point principle on improving China-Japan ties was approved in 2014 to develop a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Risk of a Crisis:</strong> Changing the administrative designation would only make the dispute more complicated and bring more risks of a crisis</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taiwan's Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also protested the move and claimed that the islands are part of its territory, and the <strong>sovereignty of Tiaoyutai islands belongs to the country</strong> and any move attempting to alter this fact is invalid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Overall Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Asia's next military flashpoint:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Japan is not the only territorial and maritime dispute that China has long had with many of its neighbours.</li>
<li>It has island and maritime border disputes with Taiwan, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong></a> and its extension.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hence, <strong>Japan's move can strengthen the other countries territorial and maritime</strong> claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The development from Japan came just after the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops over the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong> </a>in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-chinese-transgression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ladakh&rsquo;s Galwan Valley</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Given the trade volume and economic dependency that is the most dominant feature of the bilateral relationship, it would be crucial for India to act wisely.</li>
<li>By supporting the <strong>Japanese move, India can diplomatically strengthen</strong> its position over Galwan Valley.</li>
<li>However, Taiwan's engagement in the dispute is significant as it has supported India over the galwan valley but opposes the move of Japan.</li>
<li>China has also augmented its naval power to strengthen its overall presence in the Indian Ocean. The move of Japan would give an opportunity to India to have a strategic edge over its presence in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Senkakus Island Chain Dispute</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Senkaku Islands dispute, or Diaoyu Islands dispute,</strong> concerns a <strong>territorial dispute</strong> over a group of <strong>uninhabited islands</strong> known as the <strong>Senkaku Islands in Japan, the Diaoyu Islands in China </strong>and<strong> Tiaoyutai Islands in Taiwan.</strong></li>
<li>Eight uninhabited islands lie in the East China Sea. They have a total area of about 7 sq km and lie northeast of Taiwan.</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong> Islands are close to strategically important shipping lanes, offer rich fishing grounds and are thought to contain oil deposits.</li>
<li>The Senkakus island chain has been administered by Japan since <strong>1972, but its legal status has remained disputed</strong> until now.</li>
<li>Both Japan and China claim ownership of these islands.</li>
<li><strong>Japan's Claim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-558" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II</strong></a>, Japan renounced claims to a number of territories and islands including Taiwan in the 1951 Treaty of San Francisco.</li>
<li>But under the treaty the Nansei Shoto islands came under US trusteeship and were then returned to Japan in 1971.</li>
<li>Japan says that Senkaku islands are part of the Nansei Shoto islands and hence they also belong to Japan.</li>
<li>Besides, China raised no objections to the San Francisco deal. Only since the 1970s, when the issue of oil resources in the area emerged, that Chinese and Taiwanese authorities began pressing their claims.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China's Claim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These Islands have been part of its territory since ancient times, serving as important fishing grounds administered by the province of Taiwan.</li>
<li>When Taiwan was returned in the Treaty of San Francisco, China said the islands &ndash; as part of it &ndash; should also have been returned.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/after-face-off-with-india-china-embroiled-in-maritime-dispute-with-japan/story-aPSWNmYndKkcpcuf4tYDGL.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/senkaku-islands'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'Initial Public Offer: LIC',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Central government has started the process to launch the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>LIC is<strong> fully owned by the government.</strong> It was set up in 1956.</li>
<li>It has the <strong>biggest share in India&rsquo;s insurance business.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Initial Public Offer</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IPO is the selling of securities to the public in the <strong>primary market (a type of capital market).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Primary market</strong> deals with new securities being issued for the first time. It is also known as the new issues market.</li>
<li>It is<strong> different from the secondary market</strong> where existing securities are bought and sold. It is also known as the stock market or stock exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under IPO, an unlisted company makes <strong>either a fresh issue of securities</strong> or an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-ipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>offer for sale</strong> </a><strong>of its existing securities</strong> or<strong> both for the first time to the public.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through an IPO, an unlisted company can get listed on the stock exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is generally used by new and medium-sized firms that are looking for funds to grow and expand their business.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>LIC IPO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IPO is <strong>expected to be the biggest in the Indian capital markets</strong> given the size and scale of LIC.</li>
<li>The LIC&rsquo;s total assets had touched an all-time high of Rs. 31.11 lakh crore in 2018-19.</li>
<li>The government is seeking some exemption related to the LIC IPO from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will help the government <strong>to meet its rising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/direct-monetisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fiscal deficit</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The rating agency S&amp;P has estimated India&rsquo;s government (centre and states) fiscal deficit to rise to 11% of GDP in FY21 from 7.8% in FY20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An IPO<strong> will bring transparency into affairs of LIC</strong> since it will be required to inform its value and other market-related developments on time to the stock exchanges.</li>
<li>It also <strong>gives an opportunity for retail investors to participate</strong> in the wealth creation of LIC.</li>
<li>Listing of companies on stock exchanges <strong>disciplines the company</strong> since it comes under greater scrutiny. It also <strong>provides access to financial markets,</strong> thus raising the company&rsquo;s value.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>LIC is currently dealing with huge non-performing assets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the Budget 2020-21, the government had <strong>announced plans for IPO of LIC</strong> and a proposal to <strong>sell the government&rsquo;s equity in the stressed IDBI Bank</strong> to private, retail and institutional investors through the stock exchange. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>LIC is also a majority shareholder in IDBI Bank.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The government expects to raise Rs. 90,000 crore through stake sale in LIC and IDBI Bank, and another Rs. 1.2 lakh crore through other <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/strategic-disinvestment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disinvestments</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Earlier, in 2017, the government had listed the shares of General Insurance Corporation and New India Assurance through IPOs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/lic-ipo-market-disinvestment-6470795/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-lic'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Mt. Merapi of Indonesia',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Mount Merapi, an<strong> active volcano in Indonesia,</strong> erupted twice on 21<sup>st</sup> June, 2020.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mt Merapi:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Merapi (Mountain of Fire) is the most active of Indonesia&rsquo;s 130 active volcanoes.</li>
<li>It rises to <strong>2,911 metres</strong> and has steep slopes with dense vegetation on its lower sides.</li>
<li>It is located near the centre of the island of Java and Indonesia&rsquo;s cultural capital, Yogyakarta.</li>
<li>Mt Merapi&rsquo;s last significant eruption was in 2010. At that time, more than 300 people were killed and some 2,80,000 residents were forced to evacuate the surrounding areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Volcanoes in Indonesia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indonesia is <strong>located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.</strong></li>
<li>The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the <strong>Circum-Pacific Belt,</strong> is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.</li>
<li>Its length is approximately 40,000 kilometers. It traces boundaries between several tectonic plates&mdash;including the Pacific, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates.</li>
<li>75% of Earth&rsquo;s volcanoes i.e. more than 450 volcanoes are located along the Ring of Fire. 90% of Earth&rsquo;s earthquakes occur along its path, including the planet&rsquo;s most violent and dramatic seismic events.</li>
<li>The abundance of volcanoes and earthquakes along the Ring of Fire is caused by the <strong>amount of movement of tectonic plates</strong> in the area. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Along much of the Ring of Fire, plates overlap at convergent boundaries called <strong>subduction zones.</strong> That is, the plate that is underneath is pushed down, or subducted, by the plate above. As rock is subducted, it melts and becomes magma. The abundance of magma so near to Earth&rsquo;s surface gives rise to conditions ripe for volcanic activity.</li>
<li>A significant exception is the border between the Pacific and North American Plates. This stretch of the Ring of Fire is a <strong>transform boundary,</strong> where plates move sideways past one another. This type of boundary generates a large number of earthquakes as tension in Earth&rsquo;s crust builds up and is released.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592895823_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592895823_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="416" height="255" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/indonesias-mount-merapi-erupts-twice-6470597/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mt-merapi-of-indonesia'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Anti Defection Law',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/revolving-door-the-hindu-editorial-on-politics-in-manipur/article31873062.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Revolving door: On Manipur politics</strong></a> published in The Hindu on 20/06/2020. It talks about the politics of defection in India and related challenges in the Anti-defection laws.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, some of the sitting MLAs in the Manipur government defected to the opposition creating instability in the state's polity. This <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/politics-of-defection" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>politics of defection</strong></a> in Manipur is not unique, there have been some other recent examples of defection in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.</p>
<p>For a very long time, the Indian political system was impacted by political defections by members of the legislature. This situation brought about greater instability and chaos in the political system.</p>
<p>Thus, in 1985, to curb the evil of political defections, the 52<sup>nd</sup> constitution amendment act on anti-defection was passed and the 10th Schedule was added in the Indian Constitution.</p>
<p>However, the recent examples of defection in the Indian polity show that the law needs a relook in order to plug the loopholes and achieve a balance between the rights of legislators and interests of legislative stability.</p>
<h3>Issues Associated With the Defection</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subversion of electoral mandates:</strong> Defection is the subversion of electoral mandates by legislators who get elected on the ticket of one party but then find it convenient to shift to another, due to the lure of ministerial berths or financial gains.</li>
<li><strong>Affects the normal functioning of government:</strong> The infamous <strong>&ldquo;Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram&rdquo;</strong> slogan was coined against the background of continuous defections by the legislators in the 1960s. The defection leads to instability in the government and affects the administration.</li>
<li><strong>Promote horse-trading:</strong> Defection also promotes horse-trading of legislators which clearly go against the mandate of a democratic setup.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>91<sup>st</sup> Constitution Amendment Act-2003</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aimed at limiting the size of the Council of Ministers to debar defectors from holding public offices, and to strengthen the anti-defection law.</li>
<li>Earlier, a defection by one-third of the elected members of a political party was considered a &lsquo;merger&rsquo;. The amendment changed it to at least two-thirds.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Kihota Hollohon vs. Zachilhu (1992)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the judgment, the Supreme Court clarified that the 10<sup>th</sup> schedule is constitutionally valid. It neither impinges upon the freedom of speech and expression nor subverts the democratic rights of elected members.</li>
<li>It also upheld the sweeping discretion available to the Speaker in deciding cases of disqualification of MLAs.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, it also held that Presiding Officer&rsquo;s decisions of disqualification shall be open to judicial review.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Challenges of Anti-Defection Law</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Against the true spirit of representative democracy:</strong> The anti-defection law seeks to provide a stable government by ensuring the legislators do not switch sides.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this law also enforces a restriction on legislators from voting in line with their conscience, judgement and interests of his electorate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impedes legislative control on government:</strong> The anti-defection law impedes the oversight function of the legislature over the government, by ensuring that members vote based on the decisions taken by the party leadership.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In short, if legislators are not able to vote on laws independently, they would not act as an effective check on the government.</li>
<li>The Anti-Defection Law, in effect, dilutes the separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature &ndash; and centralises power in the hands of the executives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of presiding officer of the house:</strong> The law lays down that legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there are many instances when presiding officers play a part with the vested interests of a political party/government in power.</li>
<li>Also, the law does not specify a time period for the Presiding Officer to decide on a disqualification plea.</li>
<li>The decision thus is sometimes based on the whims and fancies of the presiding officer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Affects the debate and discussion:</strong> The Anti-Defection Law has created a democracy of parties and numbers in India, rather than a democracy of debate and discussion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this way, it does not make a differentiation between dissent and defection and weaken the Parliamentary deliberations on any law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rational use of the anti-defection law:</strong> Several experts have suggested that the law should be valid only for those votes that determine the stability of the government. e.g. passage of the annual budget or no-confidence motions.</li>
<li><strong>Advice of Election Commission:</strong> Various commissions including <strong>National Commission to review the working of the constitution (NCRWC)</strong> have recommended that rather than the Presiding Officer, the decision to disqualify a member should be made by the President (in case of MPs) or the Governor (in case of MLAs) on the advice of the Election Commission.</li>
<li><strong>Independent authority to deal with disqualification:</strong> Justice Verma in <strong>Hollohan judgment</strong> said that tenure of the Speaker is dependent on the continuous support of the majority in the House and therefore, he does not satisfy the requirement of such independent adjudicatory authority.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, his choice as the sole arbiter in the matter violates an essential attribute of the basic feature.</li>
<li>Thus, the need for an independent authority to deal with the cases of defection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting the principle of intra-party democracy: 170<sup>th</sup> Law Commission report</strong> underscored the importance of intra-party democracy by arguing that a political party cannot be a dictatorship internally and democratic in its functioning outside.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the parties should listen to the opinions of the members and have discussions on the same. This would give the freedom of speech and expression to its members and promote inner-party democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Though due to anti-defection law, political instability caused by the frequent and unholy change of allegiance on the part of the legislators of our country has been contained to a very great extent, yet there is a need for a more rationalised version of anti-defection laws which will help establish a truly representative democracy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592825745_image.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592825745_image.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0fff0;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;52<sup>nd</sup> constitution amendment act has curbed the evil of political defection and made Indian polity more stable&rdquo;. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/agwyza7FVMs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/revolving-door-the-hindu-editorial-on-politics-in-manipur/article31873062.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Revolving door: On Manipur politics&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on June 20<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/anti-defection-law-1'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Types of Orbit',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<p>An orbit is a regular, repeating path that an object in space takes around another one. An object moving around a planet in an orbit is called a satellite. According to the height of satellites from the earth, the orbits can be classified as <strong>High Earth orbit, Medium Earth orbit, and Low Earth orbit.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>High Earth orbit begins about one-tenth of the way to the moon. Many kinds of weather and some communications satellites tend to have a high Earth orbit, furthest away from the surface.</li>
<li>Satellites that orbit in a medium (mid) Earth orbit include navigation satellites, designed to monitor a particular region.</li>
<li>Most scientific satellites, including NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observing System fleet, have a low Earth orbit.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824089_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824089_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="720" height="240" /></a></p>
<h3>Path of a Satellite in an Orbit</h3>
<p>Together, the satellite&rsquo;s height, eccentricity, and inclination determine the satellite&rsquo;s path in an orbit.</p>
<p><strong>Height of Satellite</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The height of the orbit, or distance between the satellite and Earth&rsquo;s surface, determines how quickly the satellite moves around the Earth.<strong> Higher a satellite&rsquo;s orbit, the slower it moves.</strong></li>
<li>An Earth-orbiting satellite&rsquo;s motion is mostly controlled by Earth&rsquo;s gravity. As satellites get closer to Earth, the pull of gravity gets stronger, and the satellite moves more quickly. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Example, NASA&rsquo;s Aqua satellite requires about 99 minutes to orbit the Earth at about 705 kilometres height from Earth&rsquo;s surface.</li>
<li>A communication satellite about 36,000 kilometres from Earth&rsquo;s surface takes 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds to complete an orbit.</li>
<li>At 384,403 kilometres from the centre of the Earth, the Moon completes a single orbit in 28 days.</li>
<li>Changing a satellite&rsquo;s height will also change its orbital speed, which <strong>represents a strange paradox.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If a satellite operator wants to increase the satellite&rsquo;s orbital speed, he can&rsquo;t simply fire the thrusters to accelerate the satellite. Doing so would boost the orbit (increase the altitude), which would slow the orbital speed.</li>
<li>Instead, he must fire the thrusters in a direction opposite to the satellite&rsquo;s forward motion. This change will push the satellite into a lower orbit, which will increase its forward velocity.</li>
<li>The same action that on the ground would slow a moving vehicle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Eccentricity of Orbit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eccentricity refers to the shape of the orbit. A satellite with a low eccentricity orbit moves in a near circle around the Earth.</li>
<li>An eccentric orbit is elliptical, with the satellite&rsquo;s distance from Earth changing depending on where it is in its orbit.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The eccentricity (e) of an orbit indicates the deviation of the orbit from a perfect circle.</li>
<li>A circular orbit has an eccentricity of 0, while a highly eccentric orbit is closer to (but always less than) 1.</li>
<li>A satellite in an eccentric orbit moves around one of the ellipse&rsquo;s focal points, not the centre.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Inclination of Orbit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The inclination is the angle of the orbit in relation to Earth&rsquo;s equator.</li>
<li>An orbital inclination of 0&deg; is directly above the equator, 90&deg; crosses right above the pole, and 180&deg; orbits above the equator in the opposite direction of Earth&rsquo;s spin.</li>
</ul>
<h3>High Earth Orbit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>High Earth Orbit is when a satellite reaches exactly 42,164 kilometres from the centre of the Earth (about 36,000 kilometres from Earth&rsquo;s surface).</li>
<li>At this altitude, the satellite enters a sort of &ldquo;sweet spot&rdquo; in which its orbit matches Earth&rsquo;s rotation. This special, high Earth orbit is called geosynchronous.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A satellite in a circular geosynchronous orbit directly over the equator (eccentricity and inclination at zero) will have a geostationary orbit that does not move at all relative to the ground.</li>
<li>This is because the satellite orbits at the same speed that the Earth is turning, it is always directly over the same place on the Earth&rsquo;s surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of a geostationary orbit is extremely valuable for weather monitoring and communication (phones, television, radio) because satellites in this orbit provide a constant view of the same surface. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Finally, many high Earth-orbiting satellites monitor solar activity, track magnetic and radiation levels in space around them.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Other orbital &ldquo;sweet spots,&rdquo; just beyond high Earth orbit, are the Lagrange points.</li>
<li>At the Lagrange points, the pull of gravity from the Earth cancels out the pull of gravity from the Sun.</li>
<li>Anything placed at these points will feel equally pulled toward the Earth and the Sun and will revolve with the Earth around the Sun.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824120_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824120_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="720" height="470" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lagrange Points</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first Lagrange point is located between the Earth and the Sun, giving satellites at this point a constant view of the Sun. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a NASA and European Space Agency satellite tasked to monitor the Sun, orbits the first Lagrange point, about 1.5 million kilometres away from Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The second Lagrange point is about the same distance from the Earth but is located behind the Earth. Earth is always between the second Lagrange point and the Sun. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the Sun and Earth are in a single line, satellites at this location only need one heat shield to block heat and light from the Sun and Earth.</li>
<li>It is a good location for space telescopes, including the future James Webb Space Telescope.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The third Lagrange point is opposite the Earth on the other side of the Sun so that the Sun is always between it and Earth. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A satellite in this position would not be able to communicate with Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The extremely stable fourth and fifth Lagrange points are in Earth&rsquo;s orbital path around the Sun, 60 degrees ahead of and behind Earth. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The twin Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) spacecraft will orbit at the fourth and fifth Lagrange points to provide a three-dimensional view of the Sun.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Medium Earth Orbit</h3>
<p>Closer to the Earth, satellites in a medium Earth orbit move more quickly. Two medium Earth orbits are notable: the semi-synchronous orbit and the Molniya orbit.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Semi-synchronous orbit</strong> is a near-circular orbit (low eccentricity) 26,560 kilometres from the centre of the Earth (about 20,200 kilometres above the surface). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A satellite at this height takes 12 hours to complete an orbit.</li>
<li>In 24-hours, the satellite crosses over the same two spots on the equator every day. This orbit is consistent and highly predictable.</li>
<li><strong>It is the orbit used by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Molniya orbit</strong> is the second common medium Earth orbit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was invented by the Russians, the Molniya orbit works well for observing high latitudes.</li>
<li>Molniya orbit offers a useful alternative to geostationary orbit, as satellites in a geostationary orbit are parked over the equator, so they don&rsquo;t work well for far northern or southern locations, which are always on the edge of view of geostationary satellites.</li>
<li>The Molniya orbit combines high inclination (63.4&deg;) with high eccentricity (0.722) to maximize viewing time over high latitudes.</li>
<li>Each orbit lasts 12 hours, so the slow, high-altitude portion of the orbit repeats over the same location every day and night. Russian communications satellites and the Sirius radio satellites currently use this type of orbit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824153_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824153_image4.png" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Molniya Orbit</strong></p>
<h3>Low Earth Orbit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Most scientific satellites and many weather satellites are in a nearly circular, low Earth orbit.</li>
<li>The satellite&rsquo;s inclination depends on what the satellite was launched to monitor. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite was launched to monitor rainfall in the tropics. Therefore, it has a relatively low inclination (35 degrees), staying near the equator.</li>
<li>Many of the satellites in NASA&rsquo;s Earth Observing System have a nearly polar orbit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this highly inclined orbit, the satellite moves around the Earth from pole to pole, taking about 99 minutes to complete an orbit.</li>
<li>In a 24-hour period, polar-orbiting satellites will view most of the Earth twice: once in daylight and once in darkness.</li>
<li>As the satellite completes one orbit, the Earth turns underneath, so by the time the satellite crosses back into daylight, it is over the region adjacent to the area seen in its last orbit.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592824168_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Path of a Polar Orbit</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Just as the geosynchronous satellites have a sweet spot over the equator that lets them stay over one spot on Earth, the polar-orbiting satellites have a sweet spot that allows them to stay in one time.</li>
<li>This orbit is a Sun-synchronous orbit, which means that whenever and wherever the satellite crosses the equator, the local solar time on the ground is always the same. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, if a polar satellite at 10:30 in the morning crosses the equator in Brazil when the satellite comes around the Earth in its next overpass about 99 minutes later, it crosses over the equator in Ecuador or Colombia at about 10:30 local time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>For Mindmaps follow our Youtube Channel<span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-VeUW17m9Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/types-of-orbit'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Secrecy of Ballot',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a recent judgement, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> has held that <strong>secrecy of ballot</strong> is the cornerstone of free and fair elections.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The choice of a voter should be free which is ensured by the secret ballot system in a democracy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highlights of the Judgement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC held that the principle of secrecy of ballots is an important postulate of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/upholding-constitutional-democracy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>constitutional democracy</strong></a> and referred to <strong>Section 94 of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/the-representation-of-the-people-act-part-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Representation of People Act (RPA) 1951</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The section upholds the<strong> privilege of the voters to maintain confidentiality</strong> about their choice of the vote.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The law must protect the right of voters to the secrecy of the ballot. Even a remote or distinct possibility that a voter can be forced to disclose for whom she/he has voted would act as a positive constraint and a check on the freedom to exercise the franchise.</li>
<li>However, a voter can also <strong>voluntarily waive the privilege of non-disclosure.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The privilege ends when the voter decides to waive it and decides voluntarily to disclose their vote.</li>
<li>The court held that voters can neither be prevented from disclosing nor can be subjected to a complaint by anyone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The judgment came on an appeal against the <strong>Allahabad High Court</strong> decision, setting aside the voting of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/floor-test-is-governor-s-discretion-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>no-confidence motion</strong></a> in a Zila panchayat in Uttar Pradesh in 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>no-confidence motion</strong> or <strong>vote of no-confidence</strong> or a<strong> no-trust vote</strong> can be sought to express that there is no longer confidence in the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Allahabad HC found that some of the panchayat members had violated the rule of secrecy of the ballot.</li>
<li>The SC referred to <strong>Section 28(8) of the Uttar Pradesh Kshettra Panchayat and Zila Panchayat Adhiniyam, 1961</strong> and ordered a re-vote of the motion within the next two months, by the secret ballot system.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This provision states that a motion of no confidence shall be put to vote in the prescribed manner by secret ballot.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Restoring Secrecy of Ballot:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Secrecy of ballot has become a <strong>notional concept</strong> after the introduction of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/electronic-voting-machine-and-voter-verifiable-paper-audit-trail" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electronic Voting Machines</strong> </a>(EVMs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since voters believe that only they themselves and their trusted ones know who they voted for which is not true actually because<strong> EVMs give a near accurate idea of voting patterns.</strong></li>
<li>Each EVM is used for about 1,400 electors and votes cast in the <strong>EVMs are individually counted and tallied booth-wise.</strong></li>
<li>Before the introduction of EVMs, <strong>ballot papers were often mixed</strong> to prevent intimidation of voters by disclosure of voting patterns.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The idea of voting patterns gives an<strong> advantage to political parties</strong> which can be neutralised if <strong>totalisers</strong> are deployed to count votes in a constituency.</li>
<li><strong>Totaliser:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a mechanism which <strong>allows votes from 14 booths to be counted together.</strong></li>
<li>This result obtained is <strong>without disclosure of votes polled by candidates at particular voting booths/stations,</strong> which will allay the fears of voters against any pre-poll intimidation or post-poll victimisation by any candidate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Representation of the People Act 1951</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The holding of <strong>free and fair elections</strong> is the sine-qua-non of democracy. To ensure the conduct of elections in free, fair and in an impartial manner, the constitution-makers incorporated <strong>Part XV (Articles 324-329)</strong> in the constitution and empowered Parliament to make laws to regulate the electoral process.</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/election-commission-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Election Commission of India</strong></a> (ECI) is the watchdog of free and fair elections in the country and <strong>Article 324</strong> of the Constitution provides for its establishment.</li>
<li>In this context, the Parliament has enacted the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/representation-of-people-s-act-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950</strong></a> and <strong>Representation of the People Act, 1951.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Key provisions of the RPA 1951:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It regulates the actual conduct of elections and by-elections.</li>
<li>It provides administrative machinery for conducting elections.</li>
<li>It deals with the registration of political parties.</li>
<li>It specifies the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of the Houses.</li>
<li>It provides provisions to curb corrupt practices and other offences.</li>
<li>It lays down the procedure for settling doubts and disputes arising out of elections.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In a democracy, there is perhaps nothing more important than the credibility of the electoral process therefore elections should not only be fair but should be seen to be fair.</li>
<li>The Election Commission needs to bat for making democracy truly vibrant and for voters&rsquo; rights to free and fair elections as well as secrecy of their ballot. It cannot afford to allow parties the room to punish and reward voters on the basis of their voting patterns or indulge in what politicians euphemistically call booth management.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/secrecy-of-ballot-is-the-cornerstone-of-free-and-fair-elections-says-supreme-court/article31883015.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/secrecy-of-ballot'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Presena Glacier Covered with Tarps',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Giant sheets of tarpaulin (tarps) are being used to cover <strong>Presena glacier in northern Italy</strong> to slow <strong>melting caused by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-more-way-to-fight-global-warming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global warming.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a part of the conservation project (undertaken by<strong> Italian firm Carosello-Tonale)</strong> which was launched in 2008 &mdash; at that point only <strong>30,000 sq metres of the glacier</strong> was covered.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Covering of the Glacier:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tarpaulin sheets (tarps)</strong> are being laid over 1,00,000 sq metres of the Presena glacier.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rs. 34,091 tarpaulin sheets will be sewn together once they are stretched over the snow to keep warm air out. Bags of sand are used to weigh them down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This six-week process is repeated every year once the ski season is over and summer begins in full force.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>ski season</strong> is a period when skiing, snowboarding and other alpine sports are viable in an alpine resort.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The process of removing the protective tarps will begin in September, and will take six months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tarpaulin Sheets:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Tarpaulin</strong> is a large sheet of strong, flexible and water-resistant material, often coated and made of plastics such as polyethylene.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coir-geo-textile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geotextile</strong> </a><strong>tarpaulins</strong> reflect sunlight, maintain a temperature lower than the external one, and thus preserve as much snow as possible.</li>
<li>There are similar glacier cover systems on a few Austrian glaciers, but the surface covered by the tarpaulins is much smaller.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concern:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1993, the Presena glacier has lost more than one third of its volume.</li>
<li>The area is continuously shrinking, so the efforts are made towards covering the area as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Presena Glacier</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Situated between the regions of <strong>Trentino and Lombardy in Northern Italy,</strong> the glacier is part of the <strong>Presanella mountain</strong> (Alps) group.</li>
<li>It has a high altitude natural environment.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/giant-sheets-of-tarpaulin-used-to-cover-glacier-in-northern-italy-to-slow-melting-caused-by-global-warming-6469781/#:~:text=A%20team%20of%20conservationists%20has,melting%20due%20to%20global%20warming.&amp;text=Since%201993%2C%20the%20Presena%20glacier,one%20third%20of%20its%20volume." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/presena-glacier-covered-with-tarps'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Founder of Ahom Kingdom: Chaolung Sukapha',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, there has been a controversy in <strong>Assam</strong> regarding <strong>Chaolung Sukapha</strong> who founded the<strong> Ahom kingdom.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Amidst the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-chinese-transgression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-China border tension</strong></a>, he has been repeatedly referred to as a Chinese invader.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chaolung Sukapha:</strong> <a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813986_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813986_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="250" caption="false" /></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>He was a <strong>13<sup>th</sup> century ruler</strong> who <strong>founded the Ahom kingdom</strong> that ruled Assam for six centuries. The Ahoms ruled the land till the <strong>province was annexed to British India in 1826</strong> with the signing of the<strong> Treaty of Yandaboo.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sir Edward Gait,</strong> in his book <strong>&lsquo;A History of Assam&rsquo;,</strong> wrote that Sukapha is said to have left a place called <strong>Maulung</strong> (Burma which is now known as Myanmar) in <strong>1215 AD</strong> with eight nobles and some people.</li>
<li>He and his people reached Brahmaputra valley and in <strong>1235 AD, finally settled in Charaideo in upper Assam.</strong></li>
<li>Sukapha established his<strong> first small principality in Charaideo,</strong> sowing the seeds of further expansion of the Ahom kingdom.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ahoms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They <strong>created a new state by suppressing the older political</strong> <strong>system of the bhuiyans</strong> (landlords).</li>
<li>The Ahom state <strong>depended upon forced labour.</strong> Those forced to work for the state were called<em><strong> paiks.</strong></em></li>
<li>Ahom society was divided into <strong>clans or <em>khels</em>.</strong> A khel often controlled several villages.</li>
<li>Ahoms <strong>worshipped their own tribal gods</strong> but instead <strong>of imposing their own language, religion and rituals</strong> on communities living in Assam, they<strong> accepted the Hindu religion and the Assamese language.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>Ahom kings did not completely give up their traditional beliefs</strong> after adopting Hinduism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ahom society was very sophisticated. Poets and scholars were given land grants and theatre was encouraged. Important works of Sanskrit were translated into the local language.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Historical works,</strong> known as <strong><em>buranjis</em></strong>, were also written, first in the Ahom language and then in Assamese.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Most of the Sukapha&rsquo;s people were men who later <strong>married women from communities living in Assam. Intermarriage also increased assimilation processes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sukapha successfully <strong>assimilated different communities and tribes.</strong> He developed very amiable relationships with the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tribes-in-assam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribal communities of Assam</a> especially the Sutias, the Morans and the Kacharis.</strong></li>
<li>He is widely referred to as the architect of <strong>&lsquo;Bor Asom&rsquo;</strong> or<strong> &lsquo;Greater Assam&rsquo;</strong> because he <strong>consolidated power, culture and religion in the region and managed to group a diverse mix of people</strong> in such a politically sensitive region crisscrossing South Asia and South-East Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Assam celebrates &lsquo;Asom Divas&rsquo;</strong> on<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> December every year</strong> to commemorate Sukapha and his rule.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chaolung Sukapha was the architect of greater Assam and he laid the foundation for a robust and vibrant Assam through his policy of amity, unity and harmony.</li>
<li>Offensive remarks on social media and misinterpretation of historical facts can lead to a rift between different communities in an ethnically diverse state like Assam and hurt the sentiments of people which should be avoided at any cost.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-legacy-of-sukapha-founder-of-ahom-kingdom-6468320/#:~:text=Sukapha%20was%20a%2013th%2Dcentury%20ruler%20who%20founded%20the%20Ahom,trace%20his%20roots%20to%20Burma.&amp;text=%E2%80%9CSukapha%20was%20a%20leader%20of%20the%20Ahoms." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/founder-of-ahom-kingdom-chaolung-sukapha'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Assessment of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, a study by the Ministry of Rural Development has observed that the<strong> Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)</strong> has not been able to achieve the desired objectives and failed to make a significant impact.</li>
<li>The study was conducted as part of the<strong> Fifth Common Review Mission (CRM)</strong> for <strong>&ldquo;independent assessment&rdquo;</strong> of the progress of various programmes and schemes of the Rural Development Ministry.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Study/Assessment:</strong> The study was conducted by a team comprising retired bureaucrats, academics and research organisations etc. The team visited around 120 villages, in 21 districts across eights states</li>
<li><strong>Major Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Low selection of Panchayats:</strong> Since the launch of the scheme only 1,855 gram panchayats have been selected across five phases, with only seven in Phase 5.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Interest and Funds:</strong> Model villages under the scheme are hit by lack of interest and funds. In many of SAGY villages, the MPs did not give any significant fund from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mplad-scheme-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).</strong></a> <strong>Example:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In Arood village of Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh, out of 118 activities planned in 2014, only about 60 %have been achieved and the rest are pending for lack of funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Political Will:</strong> The concept of SAGY has not percolated down to field officials due to lack of accountability and political will.</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Declaration:</strong> Even villages declared as Adarsh Grams in some districts were found yet to be declared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/open-defecation-in-india#:~:text=In%20the%20past%20four%20years,task%20just%20some%20years%20ago." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Open Defecation Free</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Limited Impact:</strong> In some cases, where MPs have been proactive, some infrastructure development has taken place, but the scheme has not made any perceptible impact.</li>
<li><strong>Low Convergence of MGNREGA with MPLAD:</strong> Lesser convergence of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sub-group-of-chief-ministers-on-coordination-between-mgnrega-and-agriculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)</strong></a> with MPLAD was observed in few villages.</li>
<li><strong>Rural Roads:</strong> The study expressed concern over the quality of roads constructed under schemes of state governments and maintenance of rural roads under central <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coir-geo-textile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Positive Impact:</strong> Progress of work was better in the Gram Panchayats where the MP has taken keen interest and allocated substantial amounts from MPLAD. <strong>Example:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A village in Bhilwara Rajasthan was found to be very urbanised due the various development schemes taken up at the initiative of the Ex-MP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reccomendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Need to Enhance Impact:</strong> The report recommended that the Ministry of Rural Development may review the scheme for enhancing its impact.</li>
<li><strong>Uniform Norms:</strong> It has urged the Centre to frame a<strong> &ldquo;National Rural Road Policy&rdquo;</strong> to ensure uniform norms of construction and maintenance, irrespective of whether the road belongs to a state scheme or PMGSY.</li>
<li><strong>Additional Funds:</strong> The Centre should examine if the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Finance Commission</strong></a> can provide funds for maintenance of rural roads, as many states have requested that the Centre should share the cost of maintenance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAGY is a village development project which was launched on <strong>11<sup>th</sup> October, 2014</strong> on the birth anniversary of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saansad-adarsh-gram-yojana-sagy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Jai Prakash Narayan</strong></a>.</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the Yojana, Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible for developing the socio-economic and physical infrastructure of<strong> three villages each by 2019,</strong> and a total of <strong>eight villages each by 2024.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To substantially<strong> improve the standard of living and quality of life</strong> of all sections of the population through Improved basic amenities, higher productivity and better livelihood opportunities.</li>
<li>To generate <strong>models of local level development</strong> and <strong>effective local governance</strong> which can motivate and inspire neighbouring Gram Panchayats to learn and adapt.</li>
<li>To nurture the identified Adarsh Grams as schools of local development to train other Gram Panchayats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Gram Panchayat:</strong> The basic unit for development.</li>
<li><strong>Lok Sabha MP:</strong> Chooses a Gram Panchayat from within his/her constituency.</li>
<li><strong>Rajya Sabha MP:</strong> Chooses Gram Panchayat from the rural area of a district of his/her choice in the State from which he/she is elected.</li>
<li><strong>Nominated MPs:</strong> Choose a Gram Panchayat from the rural area of any district in the country.</li>
<li>The MPs engage with the community, facilitate the Village Development Plan and mobilise the necessary resources particularly from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/companies-amendment-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)</strong></a> and philanthropies.</li>
<li>MPs also fill up critical gaps in the plan using the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs) funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813157_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592813157_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Adarsh Gram: Model Village</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Model village is one which has <strong>adequate physical and institutional infrastructure (sustainable environment, sanitation, clean water and livelihood)</strong> in which minimum needs of all sections of the society are fully met so that they live in harmony with each other.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The vision behind the evolution of SAGY villages was to <strong>create model villages</strong> by <strong>ensuring convergence and dovetailing of schemes</strong> and its proper implementation on priority basis. However, the seriousness required to achieve the motto is lacking. There is a need for MPs to be more responsible towards the scheme.</li>
<li>SAGY gives focus to community participation and social mobilization of the village community can trigger a chain of other development activities in the village.</li>
<li>At the same time, the Ministry of Rural Development should ensure that the SAGY villages are dealt with the vision envisaged under the scheme and are not left behind.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sagy-model-village-scheme-narendra-modi-ministry-study-funds-6470195/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-saansad-adarsh-gram-yojana'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Gee’s Golden Langur',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Primatologists have observed that the threat of <strong>electrocution and inbreeding</strong> is increasing among the Gee&rsquo;s Golden Langur.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592809304_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1592809304_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Trachypithecus geei</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong> Golden langurs can be most easily recognized by the color of their fur, after which they are named. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been noted that their fur changes colors according to the seasons as well as geography (region they live in).</li>
<li>The color of the young also differs from adults in that they are almost pure white.</li>
<li>They are highly dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of forests. They are also known as <strong>leaf monkeys.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> It is endemic to western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Their habitat is restricted to the region surrounded by<strong> four geographical landmarks:</strong> the foothills of Bhutan (North), Manas river (East), Sankosh river (West), and Brahmaputra river (South).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Restricted Habitat:</strong> As mentioned above, their habitat is restricted by natural boundaries further increasing the threat of extinction.</li>
<li><strong>Habitat Fragmentation:</strong> Their habitat in Assam has fragmented drastically especially after a thrust on rural electrification and massive deforestation.</li>
<li><strong>Inbreeding:</strong> Obstructions such as wires, and gaps in the forest due to felling, have increased the threat of inbreeding among golden langurs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts/Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-30th-january-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi</strong></a> entrusted the state zoo with the project for the conservation breeding of golden langur in Assam in 2011.</li>
<li>In 2019, Bhutan recorded a drop of 62% in the population of golden langurs over the 2009 census.</li>
<li>The recorded estimation in Assam in 2009 was 5,140. This year&rsquo;s census could not be completed due to the Covid-19 lockdown.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN List of Threatened Species:</strong></a> Endangered</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)</strong></a> : Appendix I</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</strong></a> : Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/even-golden-langurs-suffer-forced-abortion-infanticide/article31883455.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 91
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 301
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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