Asian Waterbird Census commences in A.P

Asian Waterbird Census commences in A.P Two day Asian Waterbird Census 2020 commenced in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday under the aegis of experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), covering at least two dozen sites, including Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kolleru Lake and Krishna Sanctuary. This citizen science programme is the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC). The AWC is an integral part of the global waterbird monitoring programme, the International Waterbird Census (IWC), coordinated by Wetlands International. It runs in parallel with other regional programmes of the International Waterbird Census in Africa, Europe, West Asia, the Neotropics and the Caribbean. The AWC was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and since has grown rapidly to cover major region of Asia, from Afghanistan eastwards to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australasia. The census, thus covers the entire East Asian – Australasian Flyway and a large part of the Central Asian Flyway. The Asian Waterbird Census commences has the following objectives: To obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations at wetlands in the region during the non-breeding period of most species (January), as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst citizens Till date, more than 6,100 sites of 27 countries have been covered with active participation of thousands of volunteers. The information collected is available to a wide range of government agencies and non-government organizations and contributes to conservation activities from the local to global level, including: raising awareness of waterbirds and waterbird conservation issues; raising awareness of waterbirds and waterbird conservation issues; supporting local conservation activities at wetlands; the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, in identifying and monitoring wetlands of international importance; the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), by monitoring the status of migratory waterbirds and their habitats; the Convention on Biological Diversity‘s (CBD) goal in conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; implementation of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Initiative (EAAFP)  and Central Asian Flyway Action Plan through monitoring important and Flyway Network sites; BirdLife International’s Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme; IUCN/BirdLife International’s Global Species Programme (Red List); Wetlands International’s Waterbird Population Estimates programme. Key Findings: BNHS Assistant Director P. Sathiyaselvam, S. Siva Kumar and BNHS Andhra Pradesh coordinator K. Mrutyunjaya Rao trained amateur birdwatchers on Tuesday on technical aspects of the bird census and challenges, enabling them to conduct the task on their own. Dr. Sathiyaselvam, who had previously explored the avian diversity in the Godavari estuary, has presented a demonstration on the 90 species of birds sighted in the Godavari estuary and finalised 12 sites being covered in the census. “There is a need of more birdwatchers in the State, as their critical inputs on the wetlands and waterbirds will help design the conservation plans of the respective sites in future,” said Dr. Sathiyaselvam. On the endangered Indian Skimmer, Dr. Sathiyaselvam admitted that more study was still required to establish that the species breeds on the Kakinada coast, which supports a great number of Indian Skimmer. In Godavari estuary, the Kumbabhisekham mudflat, the wetland opposite the Coromandel industrial area and other Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are being covered. The birdwatchers from Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada have been roped into the census in the Godavari estuary. In Kolleru Lake and Krishna sanctuaries, the forest department employees are conducting the census. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): A pan-India wildlife research organization, has been promoting the cause of nature conservation since 1883. Conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action based on research, education and public awareness. Premier independent scientific organization with a broad based constituency, excelling in the conservation of threatened species and habitats. Summaries of all AWC counts are updated annually on our interactive and publicly accessible International Waterbird Census website. They are accessible as national/regional totals and species totals. All sites covered by AWC participants in the past three decades have been represented as an interactive AWC site network map. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl8Jjcb8Vwk&t=3s Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us

The Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2020

The Patents Rules (Amendment) 2020 The Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it under Section 159 of the Patents Act, 1970 (“The Act”) has passed the Patents Rules (Amendment) of 2020 (“The Rules”) on October 19, 2020.  The Rules modify Form 27 of the Act through which statements regarding the working of patented invention on a commercial scale in India have to be filed by Patentees or Licensees. According to the amendment to Rule 131(2), the statement regarding the workings of the Patent have to be filed once in every financial year, within six months from the expiry of such financial year, due to which the due date for filing the same would be September 31st of every financial year. Further, a single Form 27 can now be filed for multiple patents, provided all of them are related patents, and the approximate revenue/value accrued from a single patent cannot be derived separately from the approximate revenue/value accrued from its related patents, and all such patents are granted to the same patentee or licensee. The amendment has also done away with the requirement under Form 27 concerning declaration by the patentee or licensee to disclose whether the public requirement has been met. Further, the filing of the Priority document under Rule 21 of the Rules have also been amended so as to include compliance to the additional requirements of paragraphs (a), (b) or (b-bis) of Rule 17.1 of the Regulations under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.          Read Also Nirbhaya Act  Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us

Pangolin

Pangolin Scientists have, for the first time, radio-tagged the Indian pangolin an endangered animal, that is rarely sighted in forests here. The Indian pangolin, which resembles an ant-eater but dons a thick scaly skin, is hunted for meat and use in traditional Chinese medicine. Researchers say tagging the animal will help understand the habits of the reclusive, nocturnal animal. Radio-tagging involves attaching a transmitter to an animal to monitor its movements. Several wild animals — tigers, leopards and migratory birds — have been tagged over decades. Indian pangolin : “The Special Task Force of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has been actively working to curb wildlife poaching in the State. In recent years, we have successfully busted pangolin-smuggling syndicates that involved poachers and smugglers from more than nine States,” said Rajesh Shrivastav, Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh. Pangolins are among the most trafficked wildlife species in the world. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says these toothless animals have seen a rapid reduction in population. The projected population declines range from 50% to 80 % across the genus. Protection Status: Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin and the Chinese Pangolin are found in India. Both these species are listed under Schedule I Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.  “In anti-poaching operations, during which pangolin scales are recovered, those animals are already dead.  Where live pangolins are involved, globally there is about 50% death rate among released pangolins.  Given that several pangolins are rescued in the central Indian landscape, this new initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) is to ensure better survival rates of these released individuals in the wild, and thus have a positive impact on the population of this endangered species,” said Aditya Joshi, wildlife biologist with the WCT, who is overseeing this project. Chinese Pangolin: China accorded the pangolin the highest level of protection and removed the scales of the endangered mammal from its list of approved traditional medicines. While China banned pangolin meat in February amid links between wild meat and the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, they remain sceptical on how seriously the ban on its scales — which are believed to have various health benefits — will be imposed. A Chinese state-run publication, says that the State Forestry and Grassland Administration had issued a notice on June 5 upgrading its protection of pangolins and banning all commercial trade of the endangered mammal. The move came about after the 2020 edition of the “Chinese Pharmacopoeia” excluded traditional medicines made from four species, and also listed alternatives sourced from species which are not endangered. World Pangolin Day, celebrated on the third Saturday in February, is an international attempt to raise awareness of pangolins and bring together stakeholders to help protect these unique species from extinction. Read Also Mukurthi National Park Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. CONTACT US

New Anubhava Mantapa’ at Basavakalyan

New Anubhava Mantapa’ at Basavakalyan Basavakalyan, an important pilgrim centre for Lingayats, The New Anubhava Mantapa, as envisaged now, will be a six-floor structure in the midst of the 7.5-acre plot and represent various principles of Basaveshwara’s philosophy. It will showcase the 12th Century Anubhava Mantapa (often referred to as the “first Parliament of the world”) established by him in Basavakalyan where philosophers and social reformers held debates. The building will adopt the Kalyana Chalukya style of architecture. The grand structure supported by 770 pillars will have an auditorium with a seating capacity of 770 people. It is believed that 770 Sharanas (followers of Basaveshwara) led the Vachana reformist movement in the 12th Century.  The basement is designed for a Dasoha Bhavana (dining hall) where around 1,500 people eat together. On its top, the structure would have a Linga placed on a large pedestal. The project also envisages state-of-the-art robotic system, open-air theatre, modern water conservation system, terrace garden, library, research centre, prayer hall, yoga centre and so on. New Anubhava Mantapa : Lord Basaveshwara Lord Basaveshwara is a 12th Century Kannada social reformer, poet and philosopher, who is considered as one of the most revered saints by the Lingayat sect. Reports suggest he was born in 1131 AD in Bagevadi (now in Bijapur, Karnataka) to a Brahmin family. Lord Basaveshwara, or Basavanna, worked towards uplifting the underprivileged classes and women, and believed that all humans are equal, irrespective of class, caste, creed, and gender. It is said he denounced the sacred janeu thread- worn by upper-caste Hindus, particularly Brahmins- at a young age in hopes to transform himself and achieve spiritual bliss. Through his teachings, he revolutionized Indian society. Basaveshwara spread his teachings through poetry (Vachanaas). He denounced superstitions and rituals, introducing an Ishta linga necklace, bearing a shiva-linga image, to mark equality. He also introduced a hall of spiritual acceptance, Anubhava Mantapa, where people of all origins could ask spiritual and mundane questions of life. Basaveshwara popularized the principles of Kayakave Kailasa (work is worship) and Dasoha (giving back to society)

Pong Dam

Pong Dam The number of migratory birds dying at the Pong Dam wetland in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district on the rise for a week, the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Disease has confirmed H5N1 virus as the cause of the fatalities. More than, 2,400 birds of different species have been found dead at Pong Lake over the past week.  The Pong Dam Wetland: A reservoir has been constructed on the river Beas in the wet land of Shivalik hills of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, which has been named as Maharana Pratap Sagar.  It is also known as Pong reservoir or Pong Dam.This dam was built in 1975 named in honor of Maharana Pratap, this reservoir or lake is a famous wildlife sanctuary and one of the 25 international wetland sites declared by Ramsar Sammel in India. The reservoir stretches to an area of ​​24,529 hectares (60,610 acres), and part of the lakes is 15,662 hectares (38,700 acres).Pong reservoir is the most important fish reservoir in the foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. A water storage reservoir created in 1975 on the Beas River in the low foothills of the Himalaya on the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic plain.  The RIS notes that “at a time when wetlands in northern India are getting reduced due to extensive drainage and reclamation, the avian habitats formed by the creation of the Pong Dam assume a great significance” – given the site’s location on the trans-Himalayan flyway, more than 220 bird species have been identified, with 54 species of waterfowl.  Hydrological values include monsoon-season flood prevention, both in the surroundings and downstream due to water regulation, groundwater recharge, silt trapping and prevention of soil erosion; electricity is generated for this and neighboring states, and irrigation water is being channeled to fertile areas of the Punjab and Rajasthan deserts. Low-yield subsistence fishing existed prior to impoundment, but since, a lucrative fishery has grown up, with 27 fish species and a yield increasing markedly each year – some 1800 fishermen now have direct employment and 1000 families benefit indirectly.  A nature conservation education centre is found on the island of Ransar or Ramsar (sic). Recent management strategies have shifted away from law enforcement and use restrictions towards more participatory approaches and community awareness, and the site is well suited to “community-based ecotourism”. Ramsar site no. 1211. Most recent RIS information: 2002.  Bird flu: Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is a viral infection that can infect not only birds, but also humans and other animals. Most forms of the virus are restricted to birds. H5N1 is the most common form of bird flu. It’s deadly to birds and can easily affect humans and other animals that come in contact with a carrier.  According to the World Health Organization Trusted Source, H5N1 was first discovered in humans in 1997 and has killed nearly 60 percent Trusted Source of those infected. Currently, the virus isn’t known to spread via human-to-human contact. Still, some experts worry that H5N1 may pose a risk of becoming a pandemic threat to humans. Although there are several types of bird flu, H5N1 was the first avian influenza virus to infect humans. The first infection occurred in Hong Kong in 1997. The outbreak was linked to handling infected poultry. H5N1 occurs naturally in wild waterfowl, but it can spread easily to domestic poultry. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected bird feces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes. Consuming properly cooked poultry or eggs from infected birds doesn’t transmit the bird flu, but eggs should never be served runny. Meat is considered safe if it has been cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF (73.9ºC).        Read Also Keoladeo National Park Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. contact us

UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Paper

UPSC Mains 2020 ESSAY PAPER- UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS EXAM (CSE) 2020 SECTION A 1. Life is a long journey between human being and being humane. 2. Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self. 3. Ships don’t sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them. 4. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. SECTION B 1.Culture is what we are, civilisation is what we have. 2. There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless. 3. Patriarchy is the least notices yet the most significant structure of social inequality. 4. Technology as the silent factor in international relations. Download UPSC GS1 Syllabus Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. CONTACT US

Maritime domain awareness (MDA)

Maritime domain awareness (MDA) Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) is the effective understanding of anything associated with the global maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of the United States.  MDA is a key component of an active, layered maritime defense in depth. It will be achieved by improving our ability to collect, fuse, analyze, display, and disseminate actionable information and intelligence to operational commanders.  MDA is supported by the Global Maritime Intelligence Integration Plan and is the enabler for the Maritime Operational Threat Response Plan. KEY DEFINITIONS: Maritime Domain is all areas and things of, on, under, relating to, adjacent to, or bordering on a sea, ocean, or other navigable waterway, including all maritime related activities, infrastructure, people, cargo, and vessels and other conveyances. Maritime Domain Awareness is the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of the United States.  Global Maritime Community of Interest (GMCOI) includes, among other interests, the federal, state, and local departments and agencies with responsibilities in the maritime domain. Because certain risks and interests are common to government, business, and citizen alike, community membership also includes public, private and commercial stakeholders, as well as foreign governments and international stakeholders. MDA Goals : MDA supports core national defense and security priorities over the next decade. MDA serves to simplify today’s complex and ambiguous security environment by meeting the following strategic goals:  Enhance transparency in the maritime domain to detect, deter and defeat threats as early and distant from U.S. interests as possible;  Enable accurate, dynamic, and confident decisions and responses to the full spectrum of maritime threats; and Sustain the full application of the law to ensure freedom of navigation and the efficient flow of commerce. Maritime domain awareness MDA  Objectives: Achieving MDA depends on the ability to monitor activities in such a way that trends can be identified and anomalies differentiated. Data alone are insufficient. Data must becollected, fused, and analyzed, preferably with the assistance of computer data integration and analysis algorithms to assist in handling vast, disparate data streams, so that operational decision makers can anticipate threats and take the initiative to defeat them.  The following objectives constitute the MDA Essential Task List, which will guide the development of capabilities that the United States Government will pursue and when executed will provide the GMCOI an effective understanding of the maritime domain. Persistently monitor in the global maritime domain: o Vessels and craft o Cargo o Vessel crews and passengers o All identified areas of interest  Access and maintain data on vessels, facilities, and infrastructure  Collect, fuse, analyze, and disseminate information to decision makers to facilitate effective understanding.  Access, develop and maintain data on MDA-related mission performance.   Threats: Nation-State Threats: The prospect of major regional conflicts erupting, escalating, and drawing in major powers should not be discounted. Nonetheless, for the near-term, states represent a more significant challenge to global security. Terrorist Threats: The vastness of the maritime domain provides great opportunities for exploitation by terrorists. The use of smaller commercial and recreational vessels closer to our shores and areas of interest to transport WMD/E is of significant concern. Transnational Criminal and Piracy Threats: Modern-day pirates and other criminals are well organized and well equipped, often possessing advanced communications, weapons, and high-speed craft to conduct smuggling of people, drugs, weapons, and other contraband, as well as piracy.  Environmental and Social Threats: Catastrophic destruction of marine resources, conflict between nation-states over maritime resources, and mass migration flows have the potential to harm the maritime domain or destabilize regions of the world. The accompanying economic impacts are often significant. KEY ORGANIZATIONS: Governmental Organizations : The Maritime Security Policy Coordinating Committee (MSPCC), established by NSPD41/HSPD-13 and co-chaired by representatives from the NSC and HSC staffs, is the primary forum for coordinating and implementing policies, strategies, and initiatives of this plan. Both through the MSPCC and other organizational implementation efforts, theUnited States Government will work with relevant intergovernmental, state, and local agencies, as well as private sector and international partners, to execute this plan. International Organizations: MDA must be embedded into all maritime activities to enhance global maritime security. Close, continual cooperation with international organizations is required to achieve MDA. For example, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) took steps toward embedding security within the global maritime domain with the adoption of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. This provides a standardized, consistent framework for evaluating risk, enabling governments to offset changes in threat with changes in vulnerability for ships and port facilities.  To help facilitate global MDA, this plan will leverage the efforts of the NSMS International Outreach and Coordination Strategy, which provides a framework to coordinate all maritime security initiatives undertaken with foreign governments and international organizations, and solicits international support for enhanced maritime security. Private Sector Organizations: Private Sector Organizations Initiatives conducted with the support of the private sector are also necessary to ensure full information dominance in the maritime domain. Public-private sector partnership initiatives, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), provide models for enhancing awareness and incentives for private sector participation.  Such initiatives have helped enhance the visibility and security of the global supply chain, a key element of MDA. To this end, we must engage private sector organizations to include: Harbor Safety Committees, shipping companies, associations and consortia within the GMCOI, including the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) and other private sector advisory committees. Conclusion: To meet emerging threats, MDA may be required to support the entire spectrum of national security events – from the Global War on Terrorism and stability operations to disaster response and recovery. These requirements may call for a surge or sustained capability to provide MDA where strategically, operationally, or tactically most important.  In these cases, capabilities supporting MDA will be focused toward identified maritime areas of interest, such as military vessels or formations, the center of a maritime operating area or a geographic area of interest (e.g., choke point, special security

Water, Sanitation And Women’s Rights

Water, Sanitation And Women’s Rights The right to water and sanitation is recognized as fundamental to attaining all other human rights. Globally, however, 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water at home, 2.3 billion do not have basic sanitation and 1 billion practice open defecation.  Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, due to their needs during periods of increased vulnerability to infection around menstruation and reproduction Interconnection: Water, Sanitation & Hygiene With Women’s Rights: Women and girls also have a larger role relative to men in water, sanitation and hygiene activities, including in agriculture and domestic labour. This situation has implications for gender equality and empowerment. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) make an important initial step in connecting water, sanitation and hygiene (SDG 6) and gender equality and empowerment (SDG 5) through target 6.2, which emphasizes access to equitable sanitation and hygiene, and the needs of women and girls. However, indicators to measure the specific needs of women and girls are still emerging. Inequalities in access to water, sanitation and hygiene services have been measured between rural and urban areas and across country wealth quintiles, as well as by sex. However, measurement of the burden placed on women and girls, the opportunity costs of these burdens, and female empowerment related to water, sanitation and hygiene decision-making and autonomy are limited. Based on a process of expert input and literature review, here we offer a compilation of current water, sanitation and hygiene indicators that measure gender equality and empowerment in four interrelated priority areas. Within each priority area, we describe and critique the status of these measures and identify where further research is needed to better measure gendered aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene at programme, national and global levels. The first priority area is that of women’s water-fetching responsibility and time-use burden, and the implications for health and economic well-being.  Currently, as part of SDG monitoring, indicators are collected on access to water on premises (SDG 6) and proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work by sex and age (SDG 5) The second area is sanitation access and its relationship with gender-based violence and psychosocial stress. The third area is women’s water, sanitation and hygiene needs during menstruation, pregnancy and caregiving, and effects on health, education and psychosocial stress. Read Also National Nutrition Mission Challenges: The lack of basic water, sanitation and hygiene services in households and extra-household settings, such as schools and health-care facilities, has implications for girls’ menstrual hygiene management, safety and emotional and physical well-being.  The presence of these services in health-care facilities is critical to reducing the risk of infections among patients and providers, especially during childbirth. Women’s participation in water, sanitation and hygiene decision-making and governance, leading to their social and political empowerment.  Conclusion: Women are largely responsible for household water, sanitation and hygiene management; they bear a disproportionate burden when these basic services are lacking, and face health, security and psychological vulnerabilities due to inadequate access and decision-making control. To emphasize the need for measurement at the intersection of gender equality and water, sanitation and hygiene to guide SDG monitoring and achievement.    

General Studies Paper 1 GS1 2020

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 1 (GS1) – UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS EXAM (CSE) 2020 Q.1)  The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) Q.2) Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 words) Q.3) Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement. (Answer in 150 words) Q.4) Discuss the geophysical characteristics of the Circum-Pacific zone. (Answer in 150 words) Q.5) The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples. (Answer in 150 words) Q.6) How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (Answer in 150 words) Q.7) Account for the present location of Iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples. (Answer in 150 words) Q.8) Has caste lost its relevance in understanding the multi-cultural Indian society? Elaborate your answer with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words) Q.9) COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment (Answer in 150 words) Q.10) Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. (Answer in 150 words) Q.11) Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and art in India.Discuss (Answer in 250 words) Q.12) Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment? (Answer in 250 words) Q.13) Since the decade of 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) Q.14) The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multidimensional interrelated problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation. Critically examine (Answer in 250 words) Q.15) Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (Answer in 250 words) Q.16) India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its development. ELaborate (Answer in 250 words) Q.17) Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (Answer in 250 words) Q.18) Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation? Justify your answer. (Answer in 250 words) Q.19) Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree? (Answer in 250 words) Q.20) How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (Answer in 250 words)

General Studies Paper 2 GS 2 UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam 2020

General Studies Paper 2 (Gs2) – UPSC Civil Services (Cse) Mains Examination 2020 Q.1) “There is a need for simplification of Procedure for disqualification of persons found guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of Peoples Act”. Comment (Answer in 150 words)   Q.2) “Recent amendments to the Right to Information Act will have profound impact on the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission”. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)   Q.3) How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India ? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer. (Answer in 150 words)   Q.4) The judicial system in India and UK seem to be converging as well as diverging in recent times. Highlight the key points of convergence and divergence between the two nations in terms of their judicial practices. (Answer in 150 words)   Q.5) ‘Once a Speaker, Always a speaker’! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be it’s implication for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India? ( (Answer in 150 words)   Q.6) In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss (Answer in 150 words)   Q.7) “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context, suggest reforms in Civil Service for Strengthening Democracy. (Answer in 150 words)   Q.8) “The emergence of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of the government”. Discuss (Answer in 150 words)   Q.9) Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Answer in 150 words)   Q.10) “Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries”. Comment with examples. (Answer in 150 words)   Read UPSC 2021 Mains Complete Questions Q.11) Indian Constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.12) Judicial legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.13) The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of ‘functions , functionaries and funds’ to the contemporary stage of’ functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.14) Rajyasabha has been transformed from a ‘useless Stepney tire’ to the most useful supportive organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as areas in which this transformation could be visible. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.15) Which steps are required for constitutionalisation of a commission? Do you think imparting constitutionality to the national commission for woman would ensure greater gender justice and empowerment in India? Give reasons. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.16) “Incidence and intensity of poverty are most important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyze the latest United Nations Multi Poverty Index report.   Q.17) “Microfinance as an anti-poverty vaccine is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of Self Help Groups in achieving twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.18) National Electronic Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goals-4 (2030). It intended to restructure and re-orient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (Answer in 250 words)   Q.19) Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is transforming itself into a trade block from the military alliance, in present times. Discuss (Answer in 250 words)   Q.20) What is the significance of Indo-US deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region (Answer in 250 words)