India-Russia Relations
India-Russia Relations
UPSC Prelims Mock Test 4 – GS Paper 1
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice Test 5
Check All Mains Questions 1.. Keeping the recent developments in view, how can the energy crisis of India be circumvented by harnessing non-conventional energy resources? (10 Marks) 2. Make a critical appraisal of the factors affecting river water quality in India. (10 Marks) 3. Give a reasoned account on the increasing interstate migration in India. (10 Marks) 4. Discuss the role of inland water transport in the regional development of India. (10 Marks) 5. What are the factors affecting the sustainable development of North East India? Discuss the role of UDAN scheme in this regard. (10 Marks) 6. Defining agro forestry, examine its prospects and challenges in improving the livelihood of farmers in India. (15 Marks) 7. “Hidden and messy urbanisation in India often comes with socio-economic and ecological cost”. In the light of this statement, discuss measures for inclusive urbanisation in India. (15 Marks) 8. Ecological hotspots in India are not detrimental to development rather it opens up opportunities for sustainable development. Analyse the statement in light of Western Ghats and Kasturirangan report. (15 Marks) 9. Describe the salient features of the Sagar Mala Project highlight its role in port-led development of coastal regions in India. (15 Marks) 10. Discuss the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the economic development of backward regions in India. (15 Marks) Answer Key 1. Keeping the recent developments in view, how can the energy crisis of India be circumvented by harnessing non-conventional energy resources? (10 Marks) Answer: Non conventional energy resources are those which are non exhaustible in general and extracted using unconventional methods. They are a vital alternative to the non renewable sources of energy like coal, petroleum etc. to circumvent the energy crisis faced by India. India is dependent upon the coal for thermal energy production. About 60% of energy is sourced using coal as raw material. Even though India has started to produce surplus energy for its requirements, it faces high amount of AT&C losses in distribution and supply of power making it energy deficient. Energy crisis of India can be circumvented by harnessing non conventional energy resources through: Solar Energy: Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power production can be done through new technologies such as off grid solar production, grid connected solar technology etc. Wind Energy: Wind-Solar photovoltaic hybrid system, wind offshore turbines, reducing the tariffs associated with wind energy components etc. can enhance the production. Biomass Energy: The biological material derived from living can be harnessed through composting the municipal solid waste, manufacturing waste etc. and also through burning the timber. It is also necessary to develop technology for biorefineries that will convert biomass into a range of valuable fuels, chemicals, materials, and products Hydro Energy: Large and Small hydroelectric power plants produce electricity using turbines and generators, construction of dam across the rivers to harness its renewable energy potential. In addition to this, different technologies have been developed to harness the unconventional source of energy like Coal Bed Methane, shale gas etc. Nuclear energy is harnessed by recycling the already used fuel in a breeder reactor and it produces more fuel than it consumes while also producing additional energy for India. Indian Government has already initiated plans and policies to meet the renewed energy demands. As part of combating the energy crisis, India has enhanced its commitment to produce 450 giga watts of renewable energy. 2. Make a critical appraisal of the factors affecting river water quality in India. (10 Marks) Answer: With nearly 70% of water being contaminated, India is placed at 120th amongst 122 countries in the water quality index. Water pollution: It is a serious problem in India as almost 70 per cent of its surface water resources and a growing percentage of its groundwater reserves are contaminated by biological, toxic, organic, and inorganic pollutants. Overexploitation of groundwater through unsustainable irrigation practises like canal irrigation, borewell irrigation etc. cause arsenic, fluoride contamination. The hinterland regions, areas where net evaporation takes place etc. constitute areas of water salinity. The coastal regions of India are affected by the mean sea level rise and as a result, the saline water intrudes into the coastal regions as well. Industrial effluents are discharged into the river water without any water quality treatment. About 70 percent of the effluents are not treated and disposed off into the environmental media untreated.Eg: Kanpur leather industry into river Ganga, River Bellandur in Bengaluru. Agricultural fields use excess nutrients through chemical fertilisers which in turn cause nutrient runoff into the nearby river bodies causing eutrophication. Measures to improve water quality: Mobilize community participation: States should tap into the local knowledge base of problems and challenges surrounding water supply systems, while ensuring true representation through partnerships with NGOs and other relevant organizations. Decentralize O&M and pricing: Governments need to allow local bodies to implement, maintain, and price local drinking water supply. This ensures a strong incentive structure where the people most affected by the supply are the ones responsible for its maintenance and sustainability. Provide adequate capacity building and technical support: Community efforts should be supplemented by support in the form of investments, technical know-how, financial management skills, etc. 3. Give a reasoned account on the increasing interstate migration in India. (10 Marks) Answer: The Economic Survey of India 2017 estimates that the magnitude of inter-state migration in India was close to 9 million annually between 2011 and 2016. The reasons for the increasing inter state migration in India is: Pull factor: Urbanisation: Most common type of migration is movement towards other states due to urbanisation in nearby states. People move there for better employment, better standard of living etc. Ecological conditions of the destination are also a factor for migration. The soil fertility, prospects of agricultural productivity, water availability etc. cause influx of migrants. Push factor: Agricultural factors: The states like Punjab and Haryana are prosperous in agriculture due to the success of the Green Revolution. Migrants move to these states from UP, Bihar etc during harvest periods. Resource crunch: Many of the states face extreme resource
UPSC Prelims Mock Test 5 – CSAT
UPSC Prelims Mock Test 5 – CSAT Check All Prelims Mock Questions Download Full CSAT Questions (Recommended) Directions for the following 3 (three) items : In each of these questions, various terms of a series are given with one term missing as shown by (?). Choose the missing term : 1. 4, 9, 16, 25, ?(a)32(b)42(c)55(d)36 2. 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42, 56, ?(a)60(b)64(c)70(d)72 3. 79, 87, ? , 89, 83(a)80(b)81(c)82(d)88 Directions for the following 7 (seven) items : Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Passage 1 Education, without a doubt, has an important functional, instrumental and utilitarian dimension. This is revealed when one asks questions such as ‘what is the purpose of education?’. The answers, too often, are ‘to acquire qualifications for employment/ upward mobility’, ‘wider/higher (in terms of income) opportunities’, and ‘to meet the needs for trained human power in diverse fields for national development’. But in its deepest sense education is not instrumentalist. That is to say, it is not to be justified outside of itself because it leads to the acquisition of formal skills or of certain desired psychological – social attributes. It must be respected in itself. Education is thus not a commodity to be acquired or possessed and then used, but a process of inestimable importance to individuals and society, although it can and does have enormous use value. Education then, is a process of expansion and conversion, not in the sense of converting or turning students into doctors or engineers, but the widening and turning out of the mind—the creation, sustenance and development of self-critical awareness and independence of thought. It is an inner process of moral-intellectual development. 4.What do you understand by the ‘instrumentalist’ view of education?(a)Education is functional and utilitarian in its purposes.(b)Education is meant to fulfil human needs.(c)The purpose of education is to train the human intellect.(d)Education is meant to achieve moral development. 5.According to the passage, education must be respected in itself because(a)it helps to acquire qualifications for employment(b)it helps in upward mobility and acquiring social status(c)it is an inner process of moral and intellectual development(d)All the (a), (b) and (c) given above are correct in this context. 6.Education is a process in which(a)students are converted into trained professionals.(b)opportunities for higher income are generated.(c)individuals develop self-critical awareness and independence of thought.(d)qualifications for upward mobility are acquired. Passage 2 Now India’s children have a right to receive at least eight years of education, the gnawing question is whether it will remain on paper or become a reality. One hardly needs a reminder that this right is different from the others enshrined in the Constitution, that the beneficiary – a six year old child cannot demand it, nor can she or he fight a legal battle when the right is denied or violated. In all cases, it is the adult society which must act on behalf of the child. In another peculiarity, where a child’s right to education is denied, no compensation offered later can be adequate or relevant. This is so because childhood does not last. If a legal battle fought on behalf of a child is eventually won, it may be of little use to the boy or girl because the opportunity missed at school during childhood cannot serve the same purpose later in life. This may be painfully true for girls because our society permits them only a short childhood, if at all. The Right to Education (RTE) has become law at a point in India’s history when the ghastly practice of female infanticide has resurfaced in the form of foeticide. This is “symptomatic of a deeper turmoil” in society which is compounding the traditional obstacles to the education of girls. Tenacious prejudice against the intellectual potential of girls runs across our cultural diversity and the system of education has not been able to address it. 7.With reference to the passage, consider the following statements :1.When children are denied education, adult society does not act on behalf of them.2.Right to Education as a law cannot be enforced in the country.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a)1 only(b)2 only(c)Both 1 and 2(d)Neither 1 nor 2 Passage 3 Modern economic theory does not differentiate between renewable and non-renewable materials, as its approach is to measure everything by means of a money price. Thus, taking various alternative fuels like coal, oil, wood and water-power; the only difference between them recognised by modern economics is relative cost per equivalent unit. The cheapest is automatically the one to be preferred, as to do otherwise would be irrational and uneconomic. From a Buddhist point of view, of course, this will not do since the essential difference between non- renewable fuels like coal and oil on the one hand and renewable sources like wind power and water-power on the other cannot be simply overlooked. Non- renewable goods must be used only if their use is indispensable, and then only with the greatest care and highest concern for conservation. To use them carelessly or extravagantly is an act of violence, and while complete non- violence may not be possible on this earth, it is nonetheless a duty of man to aim at the ideal of non-violence in all he does. 8.Which of the following statements is/are correct on the basis of information in the above passage?1.Buddhist economists totally prohibit the use of nonrenewable source2.The attitude of modern economists towards natural resources is uneconomic.3.Complete non-violence is not possible.Select the correct answer using the code given below:(a)1 only(b)2 only(c)3 only(d)1 and 3 9.The Buddhist viewpoint implies:(a)conservation should be given the highest consideration(b)hydel projects are highly capital intensive(c)oil is to be preferred since it does not produce ash(d)money economics should govern the choice of energy sources 10.Buddhist economists are not in favour of:(a)economic development(b)world economy being governed by oil prices(c)using non-renewable sources indiscriminately(d)harnessing wind energy Directions for the following 2 (two) items :In each of the two following questions, four alternatives
India US Relations
India – US Relations India-U.S. bilateral relations have developed into a “global strategic partnership”, based on shared democratic values, and growing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional, and global issues. Regular exchange of high-level political visits, vibrant people-to-people interaction, and support across the political spectrum in both countries have nurtured and provided with sustained momentum in this bilateral relationship. India-USA Relation – Background During the cold war, India got tilted towards the Soviet Union after the 1971 Friendship Treaty, which was a response to the continuing U.S. tilt towards Pakistan and the beginnings of convergence between US and China But in the post-cold war era, there has been a convergence in the interests of India and USA which can be attributed to several factors like – shift in global geopolitics in the post-Cold War era, India’s economic ascent, the rise of an assertive China, and India’s place on the global high table. Thus, the relation between India and the US transformed from being Estranged democracies (during the cold war) to Strategic partners (in the post-cold war era). Over the years, India-US relations have become increasingly multi-faceted, covering cooperation in areas such as trade, defense and security, education, science and technology, civil nuclear energy, space technology and applications, environment, and health. Areas of Cooperation Shared ideals – The U.S-India partnership has its foundation in common values, including the rule of law and democratic principles, interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity. Economic relations – US is India’s largest trading partner and inbound FDI from the US is more than $50 billion. In 2019, overall U.S.-India bilateral trade in goods and services reached $146.1 billion. Energy cooperation – US India launched a bilateral Strategic Energy Partnership in 2018 to enhance energy security, bolster strategic alignment, etc India has started importing Crude and LNG from US recently. Investment by Indian companies like Reliance, Essar and GAIL in the U.S. natural gas market is ushering in a new era of India-U.S. energy partnership. Nuclear Cooperation – India US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2008. Signing of commercial agreement for Westinghouse (US Company) to build six nuclear reactors in Andhra Pradesh. High-Level Dialogue Mechanisms – India and the U.S. have more than 50 bilateral inter-governmental dialogue mechanisms for exchange of views on issues of mutual interest. 2+2 Annual Ministerial Dialogue is led by the Foreign and the Defence Ministers of India and then U.S. counterparts. Global Partnership – both are part of Quad grouping, and collaborate on forums like East Asia Summit, G-20 U.S has expressed strong support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat/role in an expanded UN Security Council and for India’s early entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group also, US expressed interest to India’s integration to G-7 Defence Cooperation – Defence relationship has emerged as a major pillar of India-U.S. strategic partnership with the signing of ‘New Framework for India-U.S. Defence Relations’ in 2005. In 2014 US emerged as the top arms supplier to India by overtaking Russia. The U.S. categorized India as “a Major Defence Partner” in 2016 US moved India up into Tier-I of “Strategic Trade Authorization” for unlicensed export of sensitive Defence items to India. India conducts more exercises with US forces than with any other country – Yudh Abhyas, Vajra Prahar, etc. India US has signed the 4 Defence Foundational agreements. Strategic Convergence – Balancing China’s rise in the international system, and more particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, is a clear strategic convergence between India and the United States. The recently unveiled US Security Strategy recognizes India as a “leading global power” and “stronger strategic and defence partner” and seeks to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India. Development of Indo-pacific – The US under its Pivot to Asia policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy views India as an ideal balancer to check the aggressive rise of China. Diaspora & people-to-people ties – Strength of Indian diaspora in US is around 4.5 million which is around 1% of its population. Indian Diaspora is acting as a catalyst to forge closer and stronger ties between India and the US. Collaboration in Science & Technology – a joint mission of ISRO and NASA is set to be launched in 2022, the world’s 1st dual-frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite. A bilateral Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation provides a forum for discussion on joint activities in space. Counter-Terrorism – India-U.S. Counter-Terrorism Cooperation Initiative was signed in 2010 to expand collaboration on counterterrorism, information sharing and capacity building US helped India in designating Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist under UN Security Council Resolution 1267, and in placing Pakistan on grey-list of the Financial Action Task Force Cooperation in combating Covid-19 pandemic – India and the U.S have enhanced collaboration in R&D, especially in pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, and vaccine development Indian vaccine companies are collaborating with US based agencies to develop and produce a vaccine against COVID-19 on a rapid platform Challenges in India-US Relationship Challenges in balancing India’s multi-faceted relationships with Iran and Russia India has been forced to stop concessional oil imports from Iran and Russia, and these heavy-handed American tactics have led to sharp rise in India’s oil import bill India-US interests clashed when India decided to the Russian made S-400 Triumph missile defense system despite threats of American sanctions US-Pakistan Relationship – Despite Washington’s claims to having de-hyphenated its relations with India and Pakistan, the US has not been able to extricate itself from the liabilities of its complex alliance with Pakistan. Trade Disputes – US recently removed India from its Generalized System of Preference (GSP) program, of which India was a huge beneficiary US levied tariffs on steel and aluminium products impacting Indian exports India has been referred by the US, as “tariff king” that imposes “tremendously high” import duties. WTO disputes – India USA are involved in WTO disputes on issues like, Capping prices of medical devices by India, greater Indian market access for American agriculture and dairy products etc. IPR conflicts – India is also on U.S.’s “Priority Watch List” which identifies countries posing challenges to American intellectual property rights. Currency manipulator tag for India – Recently, the United States added India to the ‘monitoring list’ of currency manipulating countries. Internal Issues in India – criticism from the US Congress and some parts of US civil society is pushing the US administration to tell India
AntiMicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development threat. It requires urgent multisectoral action in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). WHO has declared that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the main drivers in the development of drug-resistant pathogens. Lack of clean water and sanitation and inadequate infection prevention and control promotes the spread of microbes, some of which can be resistant to antimicrobial treatment. The cost of AMR to the economy is significant. In addition to death and disability, prolonged illness results in longer hospital stays, the need for more expensive medicines and financial challenges for those impacted. Without effective antimicrobials, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during major surgery and cancer chemotherapy, would be at increased risk.
International Counter Terrorism Conference 2022
International Counter Terrorism Conference 2022 The International Counter Terrorism Conference 2022 was organised by the Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC). Emergence of new “religiophobia”, especially against Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, is a matter of serious concern and needs to be recognised, just like Christianophobia, Islamophobia and anti-semitism, to bring a balance in discussions on such issues. In the past two years, several Member States have been trying to label terrorism into categories such as racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right wing extremism, etc. Calling it a “dangerous” tendency, India said this goes against some of the accepted principles agreed to by all UN Member States in the recently adopted Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Read Also India and Terrorism India’s annual resolution on the issue of counter-terrorism was adopted by consensus in the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). India, a victim of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, has been at the forefront in highlighting the serious threat to international peace and security emanating from acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups. India is a member of FATF whose objective is to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. Amid growing fears that terrorists will again nest in Afghanistan and increase attacks in Africa, India’s foreign minister has recently urged for the adoption of the convention. Read Also Bioterrorism
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice Test 6 – Essay
Write any one of the following essays in 1000-1200 words (125 marks) Check All Mains Questions 1. “Indian democracy : A beacon of hope”2. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”3. “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”4. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continuethat counts.
Vikas Engine
Vikas Engine The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently conducted a successful qualification test of its High Thrust VIKAS Engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Tamil Nadu’s Mahendragiri. The Vikas engine will power the ambitious Gaganyaan mission into space. It is a family of liquid fuelled rocket engines. It is used in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) series of expendable launch vehicles for space launch use. With this launch, India will become the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission after the USA, Russia and China. The objective of the Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate the capability to send humans to low earth orbit on board an Indian launch vehicle and bring them back to earth safely.
Environment Management Plan for Najafgarh Jheel
Environment Management Plan for Najafgarh Jheel The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Delhi and Haryana to enforce the Environment Management Plan (EMP) that the two governments have prepared for the rejuvenation and protection of the Najafgarh Jheel, a transboundary wetland. The implementation of these action plans is to be monitored by the National Wetland Authority through the respective State Wetland Authorities. Earlier, the Union Environment Ministry had set up a three-member committee to prepare an integrated EMP. The top priority would be to notify the Najafgarh jheel and its area of influence under The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. It lists immediate measures to be taken including demarcating the boundary of the wetland using geo-tagged pillars, and commissioning a hydrological assessment and species inventory. Medium-term measures to be implemented in two to three years include in-situ treatment of major drains meeting the Najafgarh jheel, regular monitoring of the waterbird population, and relocating flow obstructions such as power sub-stations. It also proposes a detailed estimation of sewage generation in the area considering 15 years of projected population, and identification of all drains contributing to pollution in the jheel. It is located in a natural depression in southwest Delhi, close to the Gurugram-Rajokri border on National Highway-48. The lake is largely filled with sewage from Gurugram and surrounding villages of Delhi. A portion of the lake falls in Haryana. The presence of 281 bird species, including several threatened ones such as Egyptian vulture, Sarus Crane, Steppe Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle and those migrating along the Central Asian Flyway has been reported at the lake. Read Also Deepor Beel Najafgarh Jheel The Najafgarh Jheel is a critical natural infrastructure for the region, buffering floods, treating wastewater, recharging groundwater (with high potential for water supply to significant population) and providing habitat to numerous plant, animal and bird species. It can regulate the microclimate by virtue of being a heat and carbon sink. In fact, if the EMPs are properly and fully implemented, the jheel can become central to the National Capital Region’s ability to mitigate the local effects of climate change.
