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Civilsdaily Team
CIVILDAILY ANDROID APP
THE STORY SO FAR
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4/2/2015
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Enviro & Biodiversity
Kochi arachnologists discover rare spiders in

Western Ghats
1. The huntsman spider known for their speed and mode of
hunting. Sometimes they hide in the ambush and surprise the
prey.
2. The jumping spider theyprey like a grasshopper, as it
jumps from one place to another.
3. What is Arachnology? Arachnology is the scientific study of
spiders and related animals such as scorpions,
pseudoscorpions, and harvestmen, collectively called
arachnids.
Economics
Fin Min to cut its expenditure share from the CSS

1. Now that the states are slated to get 42% tax devolution, Fin
Min has proposed to reduce its share from a bunch
ofcentrally sponsored schemes.
2. About 13 schemes may take that hit, some of which include
big-ticket programmes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Smart
Cities, National Health Mission (NHM), Housing for All and
Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS).
3. Programmes under higher education and secondary
education heads also figure in the list.
Discuss: With states spending more on schemes, there would

inevitably be a higher proprietary stake in the schemes & center's
control would be under threat.
http://www.civilsdaily.com/?page_id=1750
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Science & Tech
China plans to build huge space solar power station

1. The power station would be a super spacecraft on a
geosynchronous orbit equipped with huge solar panels.
2. This is an attempt to battle smog, cut greenhouse gases
&solve energy crisis.
3. Electricity generated from the ground-based solar plants
fluctuates with time of the day, but a space generator collects
energy 99% of the time.
Economics
Workers may soon get to choose between social

security plans
1. Fresh amendments proposed to the EPF and Miscellaneous
Provisions Act, 1952, to facilitatethe switch from the EPF to
the NPS.
2. EPFOs apex body the Central Board of Trustees will be
consulted.
3. The labour ministry is also working toset up a voluntary
Unorganised Sector Social Security Scheme that would
provide retirement benefits to private citizens.
Discuss: EPF = Employees' Provident Fund | NPS = National

Pension System. NPS is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory
and Development Authority.
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Science & Tech
India, France to jointly develop naval missile

1. Navy has made it clear that the Akash missile is not suitable
for installation on warships.
2. The Army and the Air Force, however are okay with the
Akash missile.
3. Project Maitrifor the co-development of a Short Range
Surface-to-Air Missile (SR-SAM) byDRDO & France.
History
Haryana to start excavation in search of river

Saraswati
1. The mythical Saraswati river is said to have originated from
Adi Badri.
2. Forest Department has begun work to bring the river to the
surface by creating a stream at Saraswati Udgam Sthal, where
it is said to have originated.
3. Did you know?Sindhu, Ashikni, Parushni, Saraswati, Yamuna,
Ganga and Sarayu are called as the Saptha Sindhu rivers.
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Science & Tech
IMA says Patients with TB should be tested for

HIV
1. If a person has HIV and TB co-infection it means that they
have both HIV infection and either latent TB or active TB
disease.
2. HIV infection and infection with TB bacteria are though
completely different infections.
3. But people living with HIV are at greater risk of developing
TB owing to the weakenedimmunity.
4. Progression to TB disease is often rapid among people
infected with HIV and can be deadly.
Science & Tech
The issues with Naphtha-based fertilizer units

1. Center gives subsidy on Urea production but last year, they
asked the units toswitch over to natural gas as the cost of
naphtha(asfeedstock) was very high.
2. But, in recent times, naphtha prices have fallen.
3. Still 3 plants MFL, SPIC and Mangalore Chemicals and
Fertilizers Ltd. are not able to make use of the price fall
because their fate hangs in limbo.
4. Out of 33 plants in India, all but these 3 have switched to
natural gas as feedstock. These plants still do not have a
regular connectivity to gas.
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World
Yemen evacuation: Whats the issue about?

1. Violence has been spreading across Yemen since 2014, when
Houthi fighters seized the capital (Sanaa) & removed the
President Hadi.
2. As Saudi Arabia-led airstrikes pounded Iranian-allied Houthi
rebels, evacuation procedures have started.
3. General (Retd.) V.K. Singh has been sent over to oversee
operations from the nearest port of Djibouti city.
4. PM Modi speaks to Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz,
requests assistance.
NGT cant settle issues on climate change, says

MoEF
1. The NGT hasthe jurisdiction over all civil cases where a
substantial question relating to environment is involved.
2. These cases can arise out of The Water Act, The Water
Cess Act, The Forest (Conservation) Act, The Air Act, The
Environment Protection Act,The Public Liability Insurance
Act &The Biological Diversity Act.
3. When an environmentalist asked for the records of steps
taken by the Govt. on NAPCC, the center replied with this 4. India is a signatory to the UNFCC & is not under obligations
to NGT on that.
Discuss: UNFCC = United Nations framework Convention on

Climate Change
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Trivia
Will the GIFT city have a bar?

1. Considering Gujarat is analcohol free state and GIFT city
aspires to be an international finance centre, Business
Standards editorial raises this not so trivial question!
2. Will GIFT have bars? Will it have genuine connections to the
broader economy, socially and financially? Without that, it will
just be a location for regulatory and tax arbitrage.
Feed grade barley vs. Malt grade barley

1. Beer makers require barley with high carbohydrate & low
protien content. Why?
2. Because the ultimate purpose is to get more fermentable
sugars extract.
3. Interestingly, Beer makers are paying these farmers higher
prices than theSarkari Minimum Support Price.
4. Barley has become more of a cash crop for the farmers in
Rajasthan & some other northern states.
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From fodder to beer The story of barley in

Rajasthan
1. Jau (barley) wassomething you fed to cows, buffaloes or
camels. Not anymore!Its grains are now malted and used for
making beer.
2. Last year, the Indian subsidiaries ofFosters, Haywards
5000 and Royal Challenge procured ~41K tonnes of barley
majorly from Rajasthan.
3. What is Malting?Soaking barley in water for 25-26 hours to
allow germination. Activates certain amylase enzymes that
convert the raw starch in the grain into fermentable sugars.
4. Post germination,the resultant malt 80 tonnes out of every
100 tonnes of barley is what the breweries ferment into
alcohol by adding yeast.
Polity
Rajasthan becomes 1st state to pass bill on eligibility

for Panchayat polls
1. Passed a historic amendment to the Rajasthan Panchayat Raj
Act, 1994.
2. Contestant for Zila Parishad or Panchayat Samiti elections
should have the minimum qualification of secondary
education i.e. Class 10.
3. Contestant for the Sarpanch elections must have passed
Class 8from any school in case of general category.
4. The provision of mandatory functional toilet in the house of
a contestant also added.
Discuss: Previously in December 2014, state government had

promulgated Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Second Amendment)
Ordinance, 2014 specifying educational qualification for
contestants of Panchayati Raj elections.
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2015 Census Indian one-horned Rhinoceros

population rises in Kaziranga
1. The census was conducted by Assams forest department in
association with several wildlife NGOs.
2. Entire Park was divided into 81 blocks for the purpose of
census and the whole exercise involved about 200 people.
3. The census has counted 2,401 rhinos in the park in indicating
that their population has increased by 71 rhinos the past
2years.
4. It should be noted that Rhino census is conducted every
3years. The last census was carried out in 2012. It had
confirmed 2,290 rhinos in the park.
Trivia
Madan Mohan Malviya conferred with Bharat Ratna

(posthumously)
1. He was founder of Asias largest residential university
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded in 1916.
2. Malviya was 4 time President of Indian National Congress.
3. He was one of the initial leaders of the right-wing Hindu
Mahasabha.
4. He was Chairman of Hindustan Times from 1924 to 1946
and his efforts resulted in the launch of its Hindi edition
named Hindustan Dainik in 1936.
5. He is also credited for popularizing the slogan of Satyameva
Jayate which was later adopted as the national motto.
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World
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea

1. A powerful earthquake rattled the South Pacific nation of
Papua New Guinea.
2. The magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck at a depth of 65
kilometers (40 miles).
3. Earthquakes are common in Papua New Guinea. The country
lies on the Ring of Fire an arc of earthquake and volcanic
activity that stretches around the Pacific Rim.
Economics
PM Narendra Modi asks CBDT not to harass

taxpayers
1. PM Modihas directed taxmen to address all public grievances
on a priority.
2. Redressal of all public grievances is one of thepriority areas
in the interim Central Action Plan.
3. The move comes at a time when the government is trying to
create a tax friendly regime for investors while easing the
compliance burden for individual taxpayers.
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Polity
ESIC medical complex on PPP model

1. In Dec 2014,The Union Labour Ministry hadwritten to the
State government to take over the ESIC medical complex.
2. The ministry had decided to close down 11 Employees State
Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical colleges across the
country.
3. Because there was a clamour for funds by the states, Center
decided todevelopthe ESIC medical education complex
based on PPP model.
4. Some say that this would defeatthe purpose of establishing
the complex to help poor patients.
Discuss: For now, this idea was proposed for the ESIC medical
college at KALABURAGI, Karnataka.
Science & Tech
Upgraded interceptor missile to be test-fired on

April 6
1. Why?As a part of the 2-tier Ballistic Missile Defence system
to protect important cities and installations. Already
conducted 9 such tests.
2. Till date, thetests have beenconducted in the endoatmosphere (below 40 km altitude) &exo-atmosphere
(above 80 km).
3. New features to be tested capability to carry a bigger
warhead,minimise the mis-distance &reduce the reaction
time.
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World
The ASEAN Master Plan for Connectivity

1. AMPC calls for a system of roads and railways to link
contiguous SEAsian countries with one another.
2. Asystem of ports for RoRo (roll-on roll-off) vessels and short
sea shipping to link insular SE Asian countries.
3. In comparison,AMPC is apparently more mature than the
Maritime Silk Route by China. AMPC started in 2009, MSR in
2013.
4. Make a light note on the fact that China has since 2009 been
ASEANs biggest trading partner.
Discuss: What is India doing in its neighbourhood? Where do our

grand plans stand in these scheme of things?
World
What is Chinas One belt One Road initiative?

1. Itenvisages connecting the Pacific coast with Europe by an
extensive transport, cyber and energy network along the
Eurasian corridor.
2. Inter-linked with the land route, China wants to establish the
21st century Maritime Silk Road (MSR).
3. Russia, Australia and the Netherlands, announced its decision
to join the China-led AIIB.
4. The AIIB initiative by China has cause much pain to US plans
of a grandAtlantic Alliance.
Discuss: Do you know? The ASEAN Master Plan for Connectivity

(AMPC) & "One Belt, One Road initiative share striking
similarities and parallels.
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World
Deal reached on a number of Iran centrifuges

1. Iran and 6world powers have reached provisional agreement
on key parts of a deal sharply curtailing Tehrans nuclear
program.
2. Iran agreed toslash the number of its centrifuge machines by
2/3and to ship abroad most of its stockpile of nuclear
material.
3. Iranian diplomats however denied that any tentative
agreement!
4. The world powers, known as the P5+1 group the
5permanent members of the UN SC+Germany.
Discuss: Gas centrifuges are used for easy enrichment of the

Uranium fuel.
Economics
Rice sent via Bangladesh to reach Tripura

1. The 8NE states, including Sikkim, are largely dependent on
Punjab, Haryana for food grains and essential commodities.
2. The rice is being ferried via Bangladesh to avoid the long and
mountainous surface road up to Tripura via Assam and
Meghalaya.
3. Following diplomatic parleys, the Bangladesh government in
the first phase agreed to transport 10Ktonnes of foodgrains
for Tripura across its territory without charging any duty
under a special transit facility.
Discuss: This is another fodder point for the Indo-Bangladesh

relations.
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World conference for disaster risk reduction to be

held in Japan
1. About 7000 delegates from all parts of the world will
participateto evolve a strategy for disaster risk reduction.
2. Currently, we follow theHyogo Framework of
Action-Thiswas an outcome of the 2005 conference held in
Kobe, Japan.
3. HFA suggested5 specific priorities for action 4. Making disaster risk reduction a priority |Improving risk
information |Building a culture of safety and resilience |
Reducing the risks in key sectors |Strengthening
preparedness.
World
UN SC resolution-1325 on women and peace and

security
1. UNSCR 1325 is a landmark international legal framework
that addresses the inordinate impact of war on women +the
pivotal role women play in conflict management + sustainable
peace.
2. The experiences of men &women in war are different.
Women offer a vital perspectivein the analysis of conflict.
3. Resolution 1325 has 4pillars Participation, Protection,
Prevention, and Relief and Recovery.
4. How is it implemented?Through the development of National
Action Plans (NAP) or other national level strategies.
Discuss: What are the issues related to this resolution's practical

adoptability?
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Science & Tech
Kolkata becomes Indias first Wi-Fi-enabled metro

city
1. Kolkata has become Indias first Wi-Fi-enabled metro city as
the service was launched from Park Street in city.
2. Free Wi-fi service will be will be rolled out in phased manner
in all the wards under Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC)
as well as adjacent areas of Kolkata.
3. The whole city is expected to come under Wi-Fi coverage by
mid-April in 2015.
4. Private telecom operator, Reliance Jio is providing the 4G
enabled service Wi-fi s in the city.
Polity
What policy challenges exist in bringing labour

reforms in India? (2/2)
1. Reforms must be linked to worker benefits, while
simultaneously easing the compliance burden on small and
medium enterprises.
2. Women workers require legislation too Scheme based
workers (Indira Kranti Patham/ Anganwari) should have
social security as well.
3. For urbanisation and development to take place, labour must
be formalised in India.
Discuss: Read more answers at Insights to get a better handling of

such issues.
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Polity
What policy challenges exist in bringing labour

reforms in India? (1/2)
1. With an average age of 29, Indias population is in the middle
of a demographic boom.
2. In 2014,93% of Indiasworkforce was in the unorganised
sector.
3. Primary challenges Increase the employability +shift
labour from agricultural to non-agricultural jobs +social
security measures.
4. Low wages, limited security -Rurban jobs dont offer much
better +Women have difficulty participating in the industries.
5. Reforms at slow pace Indias labour law regime &the ease
of doing business have always been at loggerheads.
Science & Tech
NASA launches SMAP satellite to observe soil

moisture
1. SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) satellite is 3-year
mission which will measure the amount of moisture in soil.
2. The satellite is built to measure moisture in the top 2 inches
(5 centimeters) of soil.
3. It will help scientists to monitor droughts, improve flood
forecasts,assist crop productivity, weather forecasting
&linking water, Energy and Carbon Cycles.
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Science & Tech
Gurpreet Singh wins the National Science

Foundation CAREER award
1. An Indian-origin scientist Gurpreet Singh has won prestigious
$500KNational Science Foundation CAREER award.
2. His research on Scalable liquid exfoliation processing of
ultrathin two-dimensional metal dichalcogenides nanosheets
for energy storage devices.
3. Some of TMDs physical and chemical properties can address
energy-related concerns.
Science & Tech
First Assamese dictionary for Science and

Technology terms released
1. This dictionary is prepared by Asomiya Jatiya Abhidhan (AJA)
and consists of over 40,000 words compiled in total 160pages.
2. First of kind Science and Technology dictionary in Assamese
language is considered as a milestone in development of this
language.
3. It also seeks to make scientific terminology simple and easily
understandable by the people and particularly by students.
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Science & Tech
Rashtriya Vigyan Diwas celebrated on 28th

February
1. For 2015, the theme of the day is Science for Nation
Building.
2. Rashtriya Vigyan Diwas This day marks the epoch-making
discovery of Raman Effect by Indian physicist.
3. Raman effect, change in the wavelength of light that occurs
when a light beam is deflected by molecules.
4. In 1930, for this discovery he was awarded with the Nobel
Prize in Physics.
Discuss: In 1986, National Council for Science and Technology

Communication (NCSTC) demanded the Union Government to
assign February 28 every year as the National Science Day for
India.
World
Earth Hour 2015 observed across the World

1. 9thedition of Earth Hour was observed on 28 March 2015
across the World.
2. Over 170 countries participated in the event and more than
1,200 landmarks along with 40 UNESCO world heritage sites
observed the Earth Hour.
3. Earth Hour is an annual global event organized by theWWF.
4. The initiative began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and later
became global event.
5. This day encourages citizens, communities, businesses and
organisations to switch the lights off from 8:30 pm local time
for an hour to highlight the plight of the planet.
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Economics
FM suggests use of cheques & plastic currency

1. The FM said thateventual target of the government would be
to disincentivise the use of currency and incentivise the use of
plastic currency.
2. Note that Cabinet has just cleared an important bill
Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of
New Tax) Bill, 2015.
3. TheBudget 2015-16, tookseveral steps to reduce the cash
transactions in real estate.
4. Having small denominations helps in discouraging hoarding
and use of unaccounted wealth, he said adding that.
Discuss: Due to financial inclusion, more households are now

connected to banks and RuPay cards have been issued to even
below-poverty line people to boost plastic currency.
Trivia
Get a sunshine fix

1. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium. It also
facilitates the absorption of iron, magnesium, zinc and
phosphates.
2. It is formed in the skin by exposure to the suns UV-B rays.
3. With Vitamin D, 70% of calcium in the diet may be absorbed.
Without it, it is only 20-30%.
4. More Vitamin D is made when sunlight hits the skin at 90,
say, around noon. When we start to feel the burn in the skin
is when the vitamin has been made.
5. Obesity is another cause because an individual with
increased muscle mass requires more Vitamin D.
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GoI merges Green India Mission merged with

MGNREGA to reclaim forest cover
1. By merging GIM with MGNREGA Scheme government seeks
to increase 10MMhectares of forest cover.
2. It also aims at improving ecosystems services, forest based
livelihood income of about 3MM households and to enhance
annual CO2 sequestration.
3. At present under MGNREGA Scheme green works such as
water harvesting.
4. Afforestation and farm forestry are undertaken which are
implemented by Union Ministry of Rural Development.
5. This step has been takenafter consulting both MoEF and
Rural Development Ministries.
Polity
The issue regarding the appointment of the CIC

1. The CICis appointed by president on the recommendation of
a committee consisting of PM, LoP, Unioncabinet ministers
nominated by PM.
2. The recent controversy regarding the selection process of
CIC by NDA govt. and non-revelation of information about
the selection process has piled up RTI appeals.
3. In 2014, giving up convention of appointing the seniormost Information Commissioner as the CIC, the Centre
hadadvertised the position inviting applications from the
general public.
Discuss: The position has been lying vacant after Rajiv Mathur,
former Chief of Intelligence Bureau, retired on August 22, 2014.
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Science & Tech
DRDO to develop indigenous AWACS

1. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikarapproved the development of an
indigenous Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS)
by DRDO.
2. AWACS are radars mounted on an aircraft to provide
seamless 360-degree coverage of the airspace.
3. The Air Force is currently operating three Israeli Phalcons
based on Russian Il-76 aircraft.
Science & Tech
Murty Kambhampati chosen for US Presidential

award
1. An Indian-American scientist and biology professor Murty
Kambhampatiis chosen for prestigious US Presidential
award.
2. PAESMEM =Presidential award for excellence in the field of
science, mathematics and engineering mentoring.
3. He is an active research mentor for high school and
undergraduate students in research and has successfully
boosted graduation rates.
4. Research interests include shape analysis of brain structures
in schizophrenia, Alzheimers, depression etc.
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Science & Tech
ISRO named for Gandhi Peace Prize 2014

1. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been
selected for the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2014.
2. ISROhas become one of the six largest space agencies of the
world.
3. Gandhi Prize Instituted in 1995 as a part of the 125th birth
anniversary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi.
4. Awarded annually to individuals and institutions for their
contributions towards social, economic and political
transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian
methods.
Discuss: Previous winners of award- Julius Nyerere (the first

President of Tanzania) was the first recipient of the prize (1995).
Science & Tech
ISRO navigation satellite in orbit

1. ISROs PSLV C-27 successfully launched Indian Regional
Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) 1-D satellite into the
intended orbit.
2. IRNSS is a navigation system that will cover India, and also
extend 1,500 kms from its boundaries.
3. Will provide 2kinds of services, Standard Positioning
Services, which is available to all users, and an encrypted
service that is provided only to authorized users.
Discuss: IRNSS is similar to other satellite navigation service

providers like USAs GPS (Global Positioning System), Russias
Glonass, Europes Galileo, Japans Quasi Zenith and Chinas
Beidou.
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Polity
Concerns about the PM Suraksha Bima Yojana and

Atal Pension Yojana
1. Under PMSBY, the accident cover is only foraccident
death.It does not cover commonplace accidents.
2. Also Atal Pension Yojana is voluntary is no where different
from Swavalambam and NPS.
3. Although, both the schemes have auto debit facility which is
good step with respect to people having unpredictable
incomes but bank literacy is still very low in India.
4. The returns from the Pension Schemes in India are still very
low, when adjusted to Inflation.
Discuss: One advantage of these schemes is the simplicity the

have in making people understand what is at all about and this
simplicity and said guarantee
Polity
The importance of Sagar Mala project for Indian

ports (2/2)
1. Each CER (under the Sagar Mala project)will hold an
integrated and comprehensive plan of the area.
2. The CER will also develop transport systems for land- and
water-borne evacuation of cargo.
3. CER will be developed through a special purpose vehicle
(SPV)havingparticipation from the state gov.and a national
company.
4. The states are likely to gain because of the funding &
institutional support from the centre.
Discuss: Good time to revise - What are SPVs?
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Polity
The importance of Sagar Mala project for Indian

ports (1/2)
1. 2 major issues with port dev.Presence of a dual institutional
structuremajor ports (by union gov) &non-major ports (by
state gov).
2. Involvement of multiple agencies for thedev.of
infrastructure to promote industrialization, trade, tourism.
3. Sagar Mala project allows the center to have a say in the nonmajor ports.
4. A key element of the project is the setting up of some 10
coastal economic regions (CERs).
Discuss: CERs will be the focal point for economic development

along Indias vast coastline of over 7,000km.
Science & Tech
GoI launches BIRAC AcE Fund to accelerate growth

in Biotechnology
1. BIRAC = Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Council (BIRAC) AcE Fund to accelerate growth of
entrepreneurs in Biotechnology.
2. This equity fund will be operated by BIRAC, a PSU under the
aegis Department of Biotechnology.
3. The theme for this years foundation day of BIRAC was
Accelerating Innovations: India the Next Biotech Global
Hub.
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World
Japan and China hold first security talks after 4

years
1. The ties had worsened over a row over islands in the East
China Sea.
2. The islets comprises group of 8uninhabited islands and rocks.
They have a total area of about 7 sq km in China Sea and are
controlled by Japan.
3. These islets are close to strategically important shipping lanes
in this region and also offer rich fishing grounds & oil deposits.
4. China claims that these islets have been part of its territory
since ancient times. While, Taiwan separately is also claiming
its right the islands.
Science & Tech
Astra successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI

fighter aircraft
1. Astra -Indias indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range
(BVR) air-to-air missile & all-weather missile.
2. Developed by DRDO it is a single stage solid fuelled
15kgconventional explosives.
3. The missile can reach up to 110 km.
4. The missile can be integrated with fighter aircraft including
Sukhoi-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and the Tejas
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
Discuss: Tejas is also an indigenously designed LCA.
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Science & Tech
NASAs Hubble telescope spots ocean on Jupiters

moon
1. Spotted massive saltwater ocean under the icy crust of
Jupiters largest moon Ganymede.
2. Scientists believe that this finding could potentially support
life.
3. Researchers analysed Ganymedes magnetic field and the
aurorae created and controlled by it and its interaction with
Jupiters magnetic field.
Discuss: Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system. It is

also the only moon with its own magnetic field.
Science & Tech
ISRO to collaborate with other space agencies

1. Thiswas announced by Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime
Ministers Office Jitendra Singh in the Lok Sabha.
2. ISRO is having talks with space agencies of the USA, Russia
and France to collaborate for inter-planetary explorations.
3. India will acquire the knowledge to minimize the cost of
launching complex missions and enhance the technological
capabilities in spacecraft design.
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World
Katherine Viner, Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian

newspaper
1. She will be 12th editor-in-chief and the first woman to run the
newspaper in its 194-year history.
2. The Guardianis a British national daily founded in 1821.Its
sister newspaper are The Observer and The Guardian
Weekly.
3. The newspaper has won Pulitzer Prize 2014 and is respected
for its independent voice and investigative strengths.
Create awareness to stop Ganga pollution: Modi

1. Chairing the 5thmeeting of the National Ganga River Basin
Authority here, Mr. Modi said that the task waschallenging
and requires an uncompromising mission-mode approach.
2. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is a financing,
planning, implementing, monitoring and coordinating
authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the water
resource ministry of India.
3. Chairperson= PM Modi & ViceChairperson = Uma Bharati.
Discuss: Other major steps for cleaning Ganga which central

government has envisaged includes a scheme for making all 1649
Gram Panchayats on Ganga banks open defection free.
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Economics
SC lifts stay, Govt. can finalise the spectrum auction

result
1. Although with a caveat that their right to allotment is subject
to the final order from the Supreme Court on a clutch of
petitions.
2. Auction of spectrum of bands was allowed for 800 MHz,
900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MZ.
3. One criticism Competitive bidding was not really
competitive but compulsive bidding for survival. The amount
to be collected from the auction was incorrect and the entire
design of NIT is gloriously faulty.
Discuss: The criticism came from P Chidambaram, who was

defending Reliance telecom.
History
Archaeologists discover Mayan melting pot

1. The findings challenge two common assumptions.
2. That mobile and sedentary groups maintained separate
communities.
3. That public buildings were constructed only after a society
had fully put down roots.
4. Thestudy presents the first relatively concrete evidence that
mobile and sedentary people came together to build a
ceremonial centre.
Discuss: The research basically unearthed new information about

the Maya civilisations transition from a mobile, hunter-gatherer
lifestyle to a sedentary way of life.
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World
Philippines standing upto China on the South China

Sea conflict
1. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve both island
and maritime claims among several sovereign states.
2. Countries conflictedBrunei, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the
Philippines, and Vietnam.
3. Bone of contention Chinese land reclamation projects that
have turned a number of previously submerged reefs in the
Spratlys archipelago into artificial islands with buildings,
runways and wharves.
4. Philippine has challenged China at the the ICJ.
Discuss: The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial

branch of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The
Hague, Netherlands.
World
ADB lends India $300 million to improve road

connectivity
1. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lend $300MMto
India for improving regional road connectivity.
2. Special emphasisalong the North Bengal North eastern
region (NER). This will also help inincreasing the domestic
and regional trade along the northeast.
3. This initiative is taken under ADBs South Asia Subregional
Economic Cooperation (SASEC) programme.
4. SASEC is an initiative to promote economic cooperation
between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.
Discuss: ADB = Asian Development Bank - Est. 1996 - HQ in

Manila, Philippines.
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World
Maritime Silk Road to reset Beijing-Colombo ties

1. In his visit last year, Xi won support from Sri Lanka and
neighbouringMaldives for a new maritime Silk Road.
2. China enjoyed close ties with Mahinda Rajapaksa
butSirisenas administration has ordered all China-funded
projects to be reviewed.
3. But as the news develops now, the two leaders discusseda
$1.5bn China-funded port city project Colombo and
affirmedlongstanding ties.
Science & Tech
Mithivirdi nuclear plant gets coastal regulatory zone

nod
1. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) had
been facing severe opposition from local farmers and social
activists for this project.
2. Proximity to coastal waters was neededfor constructing an
intake channelof sea water for cooling purpose at the
nuclear plant.
3. NPCIL askedto examine possibilities of deploying ultrasonic
devices to divert the aquatic life from entering into the sea
water intake.
4. National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will help in
that.
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World Water Day observed on March 22

1. Every year World Water Day is marked on 22 March. It is
observed to preserve and ration consumption of water.
2. Proposed in Agenda 21 of United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil (1992).
3. Later, the UN General Assembly accepted the
recommendation of UNCED and celebrated first World
Water Day on 22 March 1993.
Polity
Commerce Min. Nirmala Sitharaman invokes

Jawaharlal Nehru
1. Defending theLand Acquisition Bill, she said thatNehru had
called Bhakra Nangal Dam a temple of modern India. And for
that he got lands from the poor.
2. The Land Acquisition Bill, which was intended to replace
Ordinance, was passed by the Lok Sabha earlier this month
but it got stuck in the Rajya Sabha due to a united Opposition
against it.
Discuss: This comes a day after PM Modi had reached out to the
farmers through radio in his Mann Ki Baat programme.
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World
Why everyones joining the Asian Infrastructure

Investment Bank?
1. This month has seen a number of European countries apply to
be founding members, including the UK, France and
Germany.
2. China and 20 other Asian countries agreed to establish the
AIIB in October 2014.
3. While China is taking the lead in funding the bank it is going
a long wayto open up for others to join.
4. To this extent, China has reduced its proposed share from
50% to 20% and given up its veto power (which the US
retains in the World Bank).
5. China has the worlds 2ndlargest economy, the largest
population and foreign exchange reserves and huge
consumer purchasing power.
Discuss: The AIIB will help Chinas new development strategy of

One belt, one road, which aims to bring China to world power
status.
Polity
National policy for Upper Houses?

1. The desirability of a bicameral legislature at the State level
has been debated for long.
2. Pros Legislative Councilhelpsin widening the space for
representative democracy.
3. Cons Council is nothing but a body to accommodate various
political interests within a party.
4. Recently, aparliamentary committee suggested that there
should be a national policy on having a permanent second
chamber.
5. This will prevent stategovernments from abolish it at its
whim (eg Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh).
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Economics
How can the 14th Finance Commission advance

cooperative federalism?
1. The overall increase in the amount of financial resources will
make state financially strong. Financial stabilitylends to a
strong federation.
2. The state will have more autonomy as there will no
conditional transfers, states can decide expenditure on basis
of their own priorities.
3. Implementation of GST will also bring centre and state closer
to each other on economic platform.
4. Although, there is no clear direction on how to evaluate
performance of Panchayats which is going to affect their
financial stability.
Discuss: One criticism is that center will be left with very little
resource to manage its fiscal policy and it will affect the overall
health of economy.
Polity
Pragati: PM Modi interaction with senior

bureaucrats
1. Pragati = Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
Anew initiative of the Modi government to bring the Centre
and states together.
2. 6central government projects involving more than a dozen
Union ministries and 13States were discussed.
3. During the two-hour interaction, the states, in turn, raised
issues on which they needed attention from the Centre.
Discuss: This is a good step towards a proactive governance

model. One of the many points you can list in your mains answers.
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Economics
MUDRA Bank to be launched on April 8

1. The Rs 20,000 crore MUDRA Bank aims to provide
refinancing to small and medium enterprises, particularly
thosefrom SC & ST.
2. MUDRA Bank Micro Units Development and Refinance
Agency.
3. The idea is torefinance micro-finance institutions through
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
4. This bank would be responsible for regulating and refinancing
all MFIswhich are in the business of lending toMSME.
World
Bangladesh wins Women in Parliaments Award

1. Bangladesh is only country in the world where the PM,
Parliament speaker, Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Leader
of the house, and a major opposition leader are all women.
2. In the World Economic Forum report it has been placed
among the top 10 countries in the world in reducing gender
gap
3. WIP Award is based on the rankings of the World Economic
Forums Global Gender Gap Report.
4. The report assesses 135 countries that represent more than
93 %of the worlds population.
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Economics
RBI signs $400 million currency swap pact with Sri

Lanka
1. The agreement will allow central banks of both nations to
make withdrawals of US Dollar or Euro in multiple tranches.
Valid for 3 years.
2. In SAARC FINANCE Governors meeting held in Nepal in
2012, RBI had announced that it will offer currency swap
facilities aggregating USD 2 billion.
3. This facility will be offered in both foreign currency and
rupee to SAARC member countries.
Discuss: The swap arrangements also helpmeet any balance of

payments (BoP) and liquidity crises till long-term arrangements
are made.
Science & Tech
Modi Sarkar launches Twitter Samvad

1. The service aims to boost the nations e-governance plans
and facilitate direct communication between leaders,
government agencies and citizens.
2. Itis based on a digital platform provided by an Indian
company ZipDial which was recently acquired by Twitter.
3. Aset of curated Tweets from the Twitter handled accounts of
the government will be delivered to mobile-phone users
every day across the country as text messages.
Discuss: The service will also play important role during

emergencies by helping government agencies to share live
updates, even time-sensitive information on law and order or
rescue.
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Science & Tech
Three Immediate Support Vessels Commissioned in

Indian Navy
1. These ISVs were built under the joint collaboration project
between ONGC, Indian Navy and the Abu Dhabi Ship
Builders (ADSB) and Spains Rodman 78.
2. ISV is a lightly armed surface craft. It is capable of operating
at high seas as well as in coastal waters.
3. Armed with Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs).
4. Fitted with state-of-the-art radar and navigation equipment.
5. These vessels are capable of carrying out day and night
surveillance.
6. They also can be used for rapid insertions and extraction of
MARCOS (Marine Commandos) for military intervention.
History
What can we learn from the Indus Valley

architecture?
1. The Indus Valley Civilization or the Harappan culture
flourished about 5000 years ago in the 3rd millennium B.C.
2. Major remainsof Indian architecture found
atHarappa,Mohenjodaro, Ropar, Kalibangan, Lothal and
Rangpur.
3. Major features : excellent town planning, use of burnt bricks,
wide roads at right angles to one another and construction of
city drains, corbelled arches and baths with great skill.
4. However, the buildings have not survived as they were built
oforganic and perishable materials such as mud, bamboo,
timber, leaves, straw and thatch.
Discuss: In 2014, UPSC mains had a question on what can the

modern india learn from the Harappan town planning.
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Polity
What qualifies as CSR and what does not?

1. The 2013 companies law directs firms to spend at least 2% of
their average 3-year net profit on CSR activities every year.
2. But CSR activities should exclude activities undertaken in
normal course of business.
3. The government is not in favour of tax benefits for CSR
expenditure because that is akin to subsidizing.
4. Yet, contribution to the PMs relief fund receives 100% tax
rebate, and contribution to registered charities, foundations,
etc., gets 50% rebate.
Economics
Railways launches RuPay pre-paid debit card

1. RuPay is Indias own card payment gateway network like Visa
and Master Card, and provides an alternative system for
banks to provide a debit card service.
2. The service was launched by the IRCTC in collaboration with
Union Bank of India and the National Payment Corporation of
India.
3. One does not need to have a bank account in UBI to have the
card and you can avail it online also.
4. Both virtual as well as physical cards are being issued to
customers in two variants.
Discuss: Do note that it is a pre-paid card. One can have the card
with a loading limit of Rs.10K with partial KYC detail or Rs.50K
loading limit with full KYC.
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Science & Tech
Australian researchers discover new treatment for

prostrate cancer
1. Prostate cancer, also known as carcinoma of the prostate, is
the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland in the male
reproductive system.
2. Whats the breakthrough? Researchers found thatprostate
cancer cells increase one of the pumps that bring a nutrient
called glutamine into the cells.
3. Blockingglutamine canstarve the cancer cells and stop them
from growing.
World
US to fly surveillance flights over Islamic State-held

city in Iraq
1. U.S.-led force begun surveillance flights over the Islamic
State-held city of Tikrit, and offering intelligence to the Iraqi
forces trying to take it.
2. Iraqi security forces, backed by Iranian-supported Shiite
militias, launched a large-scale offensive to recapture Tikrit,
Saddam Husseins hometown, earlier this month.
Discuss: In 2014, UPSC asked us to match the place (of conflict)

with the country. Remember Tikrit for Iraq.
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Polity
Will it impact the Mehdi case?

1. Will the SC striking down Section 66 A of the IT Act weaken
the case against pro-IS tweeter Mehdi Masroor Biswas?
2. Mehdi has been booked under Section 66 F of the IT Act,
2000, for cyber terrorism and Section 66 A of the IT Act,
2000, for posting offensive messages, apart from a host of
other sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful
Activities Prevention Act, 2012.
3. If the investigators fail to prove the criminal intent, the only
section under which he could be convicted is under Section
66 A of the IT Act, which has now been struck down by the
Supreme Court.
Discuss: The investigators in the case are confident of securing a

conviction in the case under Section 66 F for cyber terrorism. A
senior official, who led the probe, said the city police would shortly
be filing the charge sheet.
Comment on the aeroponics technique of growing

plants? (2/2)
1. Adding onto the benefits ofaeroponics technique 2. Closed-loop system conserves water. ForIndia: declining
water table and water intensive crops.
3. Higher density crops optimize output, higher quality of crops.
India: productivity is suboptimal in most of the areas, can be
used to contain food inflation.
4. Can be used in inaccessible areas or where agriculture is
limited due to geographical conditions. ForIndia: north-east
and other areas.
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Comment on the aeroponics technique of growing

plants? (1/2)
1. Aeroponics is the process of growing plants or crops with
water and air, without typical medians like soil etc.
2. The exposed roots quickly absorb oxygen from the air,and
crops also tend to grow faster than those planted in soil,
resulting in quicker harvests.
3. For India: many crops needing longer periods like potato can
be grown better.
4. The water and air mixture helps create the humid
environment. ForIndia: dependence on monsoon can be
reduced.
5. Damage to plants from high fertilizer use and soil/water
pollution can be prevented.
Discuss: We have more advantages. Go to the 2nd installment of

this flashcard.
Economics
India becomes 3rd biggest steel producer, overtakes

US
1. Indias production in first two months of 2015 was 14.56
million tonnes (MT).
2. This production growth was the highest during this two
month period at 7.6% as compared to the global average of
just 0.6% at 127.6 MT.
3. While the US, which was the third-largest steel producer
since 2010 has produced 13.52 MT during this two month
period, giving away its position to India.
4. China tops in steel production and accounts for nearly half of
the global steel production.
5. Japan is the 2ndlargest steel producer.
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23 March observed as World Meteorological Day

1. Every year March 23 is observed as World Meteorological
Day (WMD). Theme for this year is Climate Knowledge for
Climate Action.
2. The idea isto take appropriate mitigation and adaptation
actions related to climate change.
3. On this day in 1950, the World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO) Convention came into force that aimed at creating
WMO.
4. Later in 1951, WMO became United Nations specialized
agency for meteorology, geophysical sciences and
operational hydrology.
Science & Tech
Facebook acquires shopping search engine

TheFind.com
1. Facebook has acquired the shopping search engine signaled
its future plans to move into the e-commerce.
2. The acquisition aims to improve Facebook ads experience and
lift its digital advertising business.
3. Since July 2014, the social networking giant was testing a buy
button to let its users purchase online goods directly.
4. Founded in 2006, TheFindwas co-founded by CEO Siva
Kumar and CTO Shashikant Khandelwal both are native
Indians.
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Trivia
Prez. Pranab Mukherjee gives away Chakra Awards

1. Pranab Mukherjee on 21 March 2015 conferred one Kirti
Chakra awards and 11 Shaurya Chakra awards on armed
forces personnel.
2. Kirti Chakra- It is the second highest peacetime gallantry
award. i.e. awarded for valour, courageous action or selfsacrifice away from the field of battle.
3. Shaurya Chakra- It is the third highest peacetime gallantry
award. i.e. awarded for valour, courageous action or selfsacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.
Discuss: What's the highest peacetime gallantry award? Ashok

Chakra Award.
Science & Tech
Solar Impulse 2- Worlds first solar-powered aircraft

1. It is a Swiss long-range solar-powered aircraft project and
claimed to be first aircraft to fly day and night without
consuming conventional fuel.
2. Solely propelled by the solar energy and emits zero CO2.
3. Structure: Single-seater aircraft made of carbon fibre. It has a
72 metre wingspan and weighs 2,300 kg.
4. Solar cells: 17,248 solar cells inbuilt into its wings.
5. These solar cells also recharge 4 lithium polymer batteries
mounted on aircraft which allows it fly at night.
Discuss: It should be noted that the Solar Impulse 2 is flying from

west to east on the selected route as per the direction of tailwinds
which is in same direction of aircraft to keep it afloat.
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Science & Tech
GoI releases digital gender atlas for advancing girls

education
1. The web based tool developed with the support of UNICEF
to identify low performing geographical pockets for girls.
2. These pockets particularly have been identified from
marginalised groups such asSC, ST & muslim communities.
3. The gender atlas has been developed as hands on
management tool that will enable to take critical decisions.
4. The atlas uses current available Government data such as
Unified District Information System for Education (2011-14),
Census 2011 and District Level Health Survey 2007-08.
World
A few words on Lee Kuan Yew founding father of

Singapore
1. Mr. Lee was a master of Asian values, a concept in which the
good of society took precedence over the rights of the
individual and citizens ceded some autonomy in return for
paternalistic rule.
2. He was famous for his national self-improvement
campaigns, which urged people to do such things as smile,
speak good English and flush the toilet, but never to spit,
chew gum or throw garbage off balconies.
3. His Singapore model, sometimes criticised as soft
authoritarianism, included centralized power, clean
government and economic liberalism along with suppression
of political opposition and strict limits on free speech and
public assembly.
4. He is known to be the only leader known to bring an entire
country from third-world to first-world status in a single
generation.
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Economics
What are the pitfalls of easing of capital controls?

1. We just read a news today that SEBI & RBI are drafting rules
that would makecapital a/c convertibility possible in the Fin.
SEZ (GIFT, Gujrat).
2. One of the main problems the prospects of outflow of what
is termed as speculative short-term flows.
3. Denomination of a substantial part of local assets in foreign
currencies poses the threat of outward flows and higher
interest rates.
4. The volatility in exchange and interest rates in the wake of
capital inflows can lead to unsound funding.
Discuss: This is a good time to revise the concept of Tobin tax

which we had mentioned sometime earlier. India needs to follow
prudent macro-economic policies now.
Economics
How does easing of capital controls benefit

economies?
1. Once a country eases capital controls, there is a surge of
capital flows. For countries where saving rates are low etc.
they can utilise the foreign capital flow.
2. Capital a/c convertibility norms when relaxed, help the
foreign investor trust the investment scenario in the country.
3. The inflow of capital can help augment domestic resources
and boost growth.
4. Local businesses are better insulated from the domestic
shocks in economy.
Discuss: Are there any pitfalls of this approach? Let's see later.
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Economics
Indias Financial SEZs: move for capital a/c

convertibility
1. India will allow greater capital account convertibility in
financial SEZs.Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT
City) will be the first one to benefit.
2. But what is this?In a countrys BoP, the capital account
features transactions that lead to changes in the overseas
financial assets and liabilities.
3. Capital account convertibility implies the freedom to
convert domestic financial assets into overseas financial
assets at market determined rates.
4. The proposal is based on the Percy Mistry Committee report
in 2007, which had recommended a slew of reforms to enable
India to set up financial districts on the lines of those in
London and New York.
Discuss: How does easing of capital controls benefit economies?

What are the pitfalls of easing of capital controls?
Trivia
Dadasaheb Phalke award for Shashi Kapoor

1. Shashi Kapoor, whose nuanced acts in memorable films
likeDeewar,Satyam Shivam Sundaram,TrishulandKabhi
Kabhiecaptivated Hindi film buffs, will be conferred the

Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2014.
2. The veteran actor-producer, 77, is the 46th winner of the
honour, conferred by the government for outstanding
contribution to the growth and development of Indian
cinema.
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Economics
Employment Elasticity ~0 despite High growth rate.

Why?
1. Employment elasticity a measure of how employment varies
with economic output. PC report says it wasclose to 0.01
during 2005-2010.
2. This means for 1% point inc. in GDP growth, Employment
inc.by just 0.01%
3. There has been a reduction in the agri.workerswhich is
good BUTemployment elasticity in the manufacturing sector
was -ive. Why?
4. Coz ofthesubstitution of labour by capital-intensive
technology. What else?
5. Most of the new jobs were created by the informal sector
employed in the construction industry.
Discuss: Side effects of low employability? Gov. resorts to Bigger

subsidies. This translates to a high fiscal deficit, inflation, higher
interest rates and lower growth.
Economics
How will SEBI-FMC merger help sustainability of

financial markets? (2/2)
1. Once the merger is done, this will allowavenues for various
types of products that were not allowed to be traded under
the outmoded Forward Contracts Regulation Act.
2. These include especially options and index based products.
3. We wontgo into depth for now. For now, note that this will
make it possibleto have trading in water futures and
options.
4. It might also create the opportunity for many derivative
products based on global commons (like CO2 emission) to
succeed.
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Economics
How will SEBI-FMC merger help sustainability of

financial markets? (1/2)
1. FMArun Jaitley announced Forward Markets Commissions
(FMC) merger with SEBI in his Budget speech of 2015.
2. FMC=Chief regulator of commodity futures markets in
India.Allows commodity trading in 22 exchanges in India, of
which 6 are national.
3. Since futures traded in India are traditionally on food
commodities, the agency was originally overseen by Ministry
of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
4. In Sept2013, the commission responsibility was moved to the
Ministry of Finance to reflect that futures trading was
becoming more and more a financial activity.
Discuss: The commission appeared in the news in March 2012 for

their ban on guar gum futures trading after it said the price
quadrupled due to its use in fracking causing food inflation.
Economics
SEBI clears municipal bonds, IFSC norms

1. SEBI announced a slew of measures including listing of
municipal bonds and setting up of a global financial hub
within India.
2. Also made it easier for banks to acquire control in distressed
listed companies, by converting their debt into equity.
3. SEBI said it would tap social media in a big way to reach out to
the investors and make it easier for them through measures
like e-IPO and Aadhar-based e-KYC initiatives.
4. The SEBI also pitched for allowing pension money into capital
markets and creating an enabling environment for REITs
(Real Estate Investment Trusts).
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Science & Tech
Scientists close to recreating woolly mammoth

1. They could successfully inserted 14 of the extinct animals
genes into the live DNA of an elephant.
2. DNA from mammoths preserved in Arctic permafrost was
analysed for this.
3. Mammoths largely died out in the last Ice Age, possibly
because of human hunting.
Discuss: The genome could one day become a template to

recreate real mammoths or something like them.
History
Impact of Leftists during the freedom struggle.

1. Left linked the economic demands of the workers and
peasants with the fight for independence.
2. Inspired by the success of Russian revolution M.N. Roy,
Abani Mukherji, Rajni Palme Dutt,Sanjay Seth were some
staunch leftist.
3. The Meerut Conspiracy Case of 1929 gave the communist
Party (CPI) great propaganda opportunity.
4. The Meerut Conspiracy case =issue of arrest warrants
against 31 Communists and other persons on 15th March
1929. Charges?These persons conspired to overthrow the
British Government of India through strikes and other
militant methods.
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History
The legacy of Bhagat Singh Few words.

1. Bhagat Singh, born and brought up in Punjab horrified at
Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, jumped into freedom struggle.
2. He formedNaujavan Sabha to promote unity and oppose
communalism.
3. Wasdisillusioned with Gandhian idea of Satyagraha and
sudden withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement.
4. To avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, he ploted and
killedSaunders.
5. Along withBatukeshwar Dutt threw harmless bombs in the
Central Legislative Assembly and with pamphlets shouted
anti-imperial slogans.
Discuss: Ultimately, on 23/03/1931 he was hanged in Lahore,

cremated at Hussainiwala. Today his image decorates our
Parliament.
World
Whats the fuss about the nuclear deal between the

West and Iran?
1. Nuclear deal between west and Iran is to regulate and
prevent possible nuke weapon productionby Iran.
2. Iran as a signatory of NPT is bound by non-proliferation and
regular IAEA scrutiny.
3. 3 to 5% enriched uranium is sufficient for power generation
by Pressurized water reactor.Enrichment is done by use of
bank of centrifuges.
4. Its enrichment beyond 10% which can be used as a bomb.
5. UNSC along with Germany, started negotiations with Iran to
limit its enrichment to peaceful uses.
Discuss: Iran has huge oil reserves which is important for India
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Polity
Section 66A of the IT Act Head-on collision with

Article 19(1)(a)
This section 66A has been criticized
1. Violates the FRs(freedom to speech and expression) given
byArticle19 (1)(A).
2. Vaguely defined terms Menacing, known to be false, etc.
which leave much space for misinterpretation.
3. It makes offences cognizable and so places too much
authority in hands of police.
4. It outlaws all political satire, cartoons, caricatures and spoof
writing.
5. All social media, private messages, emails, tweets and chats
fall under its ambit. So the government has huge snooping
power.
Discuss: Read the Hindu article from which this news has been
sourced. There is a good study of a few parallels drawn between
India & UK.
Polity
Efforts made by GoI towards skill development & its

critic.
1. Central Gov. ~20 ministriesare closely involved in skill
development.State Gov. Have set up State Skill
Development Missions as nodal bodies.
2. Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) &the Ministry of
Human Resource Development (MHRD) set up separate
councils to identify skill gaps.
3. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has been
setting upSector Skill Councils since 2011.
4. Interestingly,thegovernment today does not even have a
unified definition of skill This was pointed out byInstitute
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World
Border talks with China to resume today

1. Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China will sit down
on Monday for the 18th round of talks on the border dispute.
2. Modihad said Clarification of the LAC would greatly
contribute to our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity.
3. XI JinpingsIndias visitwas overshadowed by the intrusion of
Chinese troops at Chumar in Ladakh region both armies
withdrew after Xis visit.
Discuss: China says the border dispute is confined only to

2,000km mostly in Arunachal Pradesh. India says that dispute
covers the ~4,000km, especially the Aksai Chin area annexed by
China in 1962 war.
Polity
Everything about the National Disaster Response

Force (NDRF).
1. In 2005, GoIenacted Disaster Management Act.Under this
were created NDMA &NDRF(National Disaster Response
Force).
2. NDRF has 10 battalions out of which it 3 each from CRPF and
BSF, 2 each from CISF and ITBP.
3. Issues: Management comes under 2auth. Home ministry
controls funds and execution and NDMA has administrative
control. Hence, Decision problems!
4. Force doesnt have own air wing so in case of disaster it has to
call upon the Indian Air Force.
Discuss: See if you can find out what states have or have not done
to cooperate with the NDMA. Any gaps?
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Science & Tech
AC supply is far more efficient than a DC supply.

Why?
1. AC current can be transmitted over a long distance due to
ease of changing voltage with the help of transformer. Its
difficult to do this for DC.
2. AC transformers are cheap and far more technologically
simple than those in DC low maintenance.
3. Converting DC power from one voltage to another required a
large spinning rotary converter or motor-generator set.
4. AC the voltage can be changed with simple and efficient
transformers that have no moving parts and require little or
no maintenance.
Discuss: Is it possible to use DC supply to provide round the clock

power using solar source?
Economics
Eco Survey 14 Eliminate exemptions in the CVD &

SAD to help domestic manufacturing.
1. Countervailing duties (CVDs), are trade import duties
imposed under WTO rules to neutralize the negative effects
of subsidies.
2. CVD is ~equal to the taxes such as excise duty levied on
locally-produced goods. Its levied on all imported goods to
neutralize any disadvantage to domestic industry.
3. CVD exemptions lead to an unfair competition between
foreign and domestic products. Hence, Eco Survey (14-15)
asks to do away with it.
4. The Inverted duty structure followed in many cases like
solar panels, rubber etc under various FTAs should be looked
into and reviewed to protect the domestic industry.
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4/2/2015
World
Analyze how culture can be used as tool in foreign

policy of a country.
1. Cultural Diplomacy=course of actions, which are based on
the exchange of ideas, values, traditions.
2. With China, weshare religious and cultural historywhich
provides a foundation for strengthening peaceful ties.
3. With US & EU nations, we sharevalues of democracy,
pluralism and tolerance.
4. With Russia, India sharesvalues of a Faithful Friendship.
5. In essencecultural diplomacy reveals the soul of a nation,
which in turn creates influence.
Discuss: Do you remember a phrase called 'soft power' which was

used in our reference sometime back. Check if that still holds true.
World
Effects of a strong AIIB on Indias interests

1. Help in Maritime Silk policy.
2. Sufficient voting power.
3. Investments in Make in India and Infrastructure will become
easy.
4. African development through this bank will increase Indias
exports.
5. India is 2ndlargest shareholder at AIIB (Asian Infrastructure
Investment Bank).
Discuss: IMF chief Christine Lagarde has said the IMF would be
"delighted" to co-operate with AIIB. What should USA do now?
Should be interesting to see.
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4/2/2015
Polity
Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition

of New Tax) Bill
1. The bill, cleared by cabinet will give a short window to
individuals to disclose their hidden money abroad and be free
from prosecution.
2. Punishment upto 10 years if found guilty.Penalty~300% of
tax.
3. Offence will be made non-compoundable. Means no
compromise with the offender and no approach to settlement
commission are allowed.
4. Amendments to PMLA and FEMA to make concealment of
income punishable.
Discuss: Critically discuss among yourself if these steps are in the

right direction or not. It will be introduced in the parliament soon.
History
Sahitya Akademi completes 60 years on 12th March

1. The Sahitya Akademi (founded 1954), Indias National
Academy of Letters dedicated to the promotion of
literature in the languages of India.
2. Is registered as a society under the Indian Societies
Registration Act, 1860 & is run by 3 authorities 3. General Council 5 year term,appointsthe Akademis
President &VP, elects members of the Executive Board
|Executive Board & Finance Committee accounts audited
by theCAG.
4. It publishes 2literary journals Indian Literature and
Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya.
Discuss: The organisation is independent of any ministry although

is supported by the GoI.
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Science & Tech
Conservation goes hi-tech in Bandipur

1. Bandipur Tiger Reserve Use of a drone or unmanned aerial
vehicle to monitor any unauthorised entry into forests and to
detect any forest fire.
2. They also use an android app calledHejje (pugmark), for
coordinating foot patrolling of forest guards and tiger
tracking.
3. Apart from using drone, the authorities have installed sensorbased cameras in the forest.
Discuss:Bandipur was established in 1974 as a tiger reserve

under Project Tiger, is a national park located in the south
Indian state of Karnataka.
Science & Tech
Chinese airlines uses gutter oil mixture for fuel

1. The Boeing 737 plane used a 50:50 mix of conventional jet
fuel and bio-fuel made from waste cooking oil. Itis also
called Gutter Oil.
2. Chinese environmental regime had comeunder strict
criticism with the documentary Under the dome by one of
their independent journalist.
Discuss:The worlds first flight powered entirely by bio-fuel

took place in 2012 when a plane took off from the Canadian
capital Ottawa.
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4/2/2015
Trivia
3 other Indians who have won the Stockholm Water

Prize
1. Madhav Chitale (1993) played a major role in getting Indias
decision makers and strategic planners to think of water as a
resource in the 1980s, he introduced an annual, nationwide
Water Resources Day. He mainly worked in the field of
effective irrigation.
2. Sunita Narain (2005) CSEswork on rainwater harvesting
has shown the many ingenious ways in which people learnt to
live with water scarcity. She is the head at Center for Science
& Environment.
3. Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak (2009) founder of Sulabh Sanitation
Movement in India.
Discuss: Rajendra Singh (Water Man) wins the award in

2015.
Trivia
Water Man Rajendra Singh wins Stockholm Water

Prize
1. He was awarded this prize for his innovative water
restoration efforts.
2. Rajendra Singh worked with the NGO-Tarun Bharat Singh
(TBS) &started a movement to purify traditional rainwater
tanks.
3. He helpedin the rejuvenation ofArvari River &was awarded
International River Prize.
4. Wasalso member of National Ganga River Basin Authority
(NGRBA) from 2009-12.
5. He was awarded with Ramon Magsaysay Award for
Community Leadership in 2001.
Discuss: The Stockholm award wasfounded (1991) and

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History
Project Mausam Cultural ties deepen for the 39

countries
1. Project Mausam launched at theWorld Heritage
Committee meeting, held at Doha, Qatar in June, 2014 39
Indian Ocean countries targeted.
2. Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration organized a
National Conference on Project Mausam in Kochi in
November 2014.
3. Plan to win the World Heritage transnational nomination for
Indian Ocean Maritime Routes.
Discuss:Read about theUNESCO Cultural Conventions of

World Heritage and Intangible culture. The maritime routes
are intangibles. What else comes under it?
World
Project Mausam Indias answer to Chinas

Maritime Silk Road
1. It is a transnational program aimed to restore Indiasancient
maritime routes and cultural links with republics in the region.
2. Emphasizes on the natural wind phenomenon (monsoon
winds) used by Indian sailors in ancient times for maritime
trade.
3. India also faces the difficult job of matching Chinas stress on
building landmark infrastructure in the region, including ports
in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Discuss: Good time to remind yourself that Indiaagreed to

supportIranian Chabahar port project on the shores of the
Arabian Sea. Its closeto the PakistansGwadar port (built
with Chinese help).
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Science & Tech
Malaria: People with blood group A more

vulnerable
1. Malaria is transmitted by an infected female Anopheles
mosquito.
2. Mosquito bite introduces the parasites into a persons blood,
which reaches the liver, where they mature and reproduce.
3. Recently it was found that the protein (RIFIN) produced by
some strains of the malarial parasite can cause red blood cells
to form clumps.
4. These clumps increase the severity of the disease + Blood
Group A folks are highly susceptible.
Discuss: On the other hand, Blood Group O folks have it easy

in this case.
Trivia
There might not have been any Big Bang for that
matter, at all!
1. Per old theories, Big Bang appears as a singular point
(Hawking-Penrose singularity) in the mathematical equations
that define general theory of relativity.
2. Law of physics break down at this point & nothing can be
known about the pre-big bang.
3. 3scientists have come up with an alternative theory the
universe may have existed all along.
4. The trick is in seeing theRaychaudhuri equation (RE),which
is an important step in deriving the Hawking-Penrose
singularity theorems in a fresh light.
Discuss: Admittedly, it is impossible to do justice to this

article in a flash card. Hence, presented here as a trivia. Read
the original article from the source.
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Polity
Key provisions of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill,

2015
1. It brings e-carts and e-rickshaws under ambit of the parent
Act, so they can ply on roads across the country.
2. Defines E-carts and e-rickshaws as special purpose battery
powered vehicles with power up to 4000 watts and having 3
wheels.
3. Exempts drivers of e-rickshaw and e-cart from the
requirement of learners licence to drive.
4. Union Gov. will have the power to provide specifications for
manufacturing, maintenance for these e-rickshaws.
Polity
Warehousing Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2015

passed
1. Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) has been awarded
a Mini-Ratna Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) status by the
Department of Public Enterprises.
2. The bill put to end the Central Governments responsibility
of being a financial guarantor to the CWC in order to follow
the criteria to be a Mini-Ratna enterprise status.
3. The Central and state warehousing corp.are established
under the Warehousing Corporations Act, 1962 for the
purpose of warehousing agricultural produce and other
commodities.
Discuss: Good time to revisit theeligibility criteria for Grant

of Maharatna, Navratna and Miniratna Status to CPSEs.
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Science & Tech
Modi launches first indigenous rotavirus vaccine

1. Every year in India, diarrhoea caused by rotavirus results in
~10Lhospitalisations &~80k deaths(<5 yr old).
2. The three-dose ROTAVAC vaccine (Indo US developed) Bill
& Melinda Gates foundation was involved.
3. We will even supply this Vaccine to other low income
countries for $1 a dose. It will also promote Make in India.
Discuss:Rotavirus is a most common virus that contaminates

the bowels. It causes diarrhoea among infants and children
throughout the world. Symptoms-Vomiting,Low grade
Fever,Watery diarrhoea,Nausea.
Science & Tech
Natco to launch Hepatitis C drug in India soon

1. Sovaldimade by Gilead Sciencestreats chronic HepatitisC.Indias patent office rejected patent for the drug.
2. Reason minor changes in the molecule did not improve
efficacy of the drug.
3. Indian drug company NATCO claimed that the
drug,chemically called Sofosbuvir, is not inventive enough
compared with a previous formulation.
4. Hepatitis C, a disease affecting the liver. If untreated, it can
cause liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
5. Now NATCO entered into an agreement tomake and sell
generic versions of Sovaldi in 91 developing countries.
Discuss: Remember that Indiahad rejected the patent for

Novartiss cancer drug Glivec, leading to a legal battle that
attracted global attention.
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Why & How do oceans absorb CO2?

1. Oceans arethe largest carbon sink on earth.
2. The difference in partial pressure of the CO2 between
seawater and air facilitates the gaseous exchange.This is a
physico-chemical process.
3. The diffusion takes place until the partial pressures across the
air-water interface are equilibrated.
4. The dissolved CO2helps in regulating the PH of seawater &
maintaining health of marine organisms |help Phytoplanktons
in Photosynthesis |helps marine organisms form calcareous
material.
Discuss:The carbonate system is the unique phenomenon of

marine ecosystem. Study a bit more about the same.
World
India should join the Mine Ban Treaty

1. In 1997 when the Mine Ban Treaty came into existence, India
chose to remain outside it, even though it was its vigorous
supporter in 1996.
2. 80% of the world has joined this treaty UN Secy Gen. calls it
anear universal convention.
3. The largest known use of anti-personnel mines by any
government = Operation Parakram @ Indias war with
Pakistan (2001). But it has resulted in heavy civilian casualties
inturn.
4. Now, with the construction of fence around the intl. border &
LOC mines are superfluous.
Discuss:Do you know the diff. between LOC,LAC &

International Border?
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Science & Tech
WHOs 5 keys for safe food

1. The 5 keys are Keep clean|Separate raw and cooked
food|Cook thoroughly|Keep food at safe temperature
&Use safe water and raw material.
2. WHO hasselected food safety as the theme for World
Health Day 2015 on Tuesday April 7.
3. Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe campaign emphasises the
full spectrum of food safety issues.
Discuss: In a similar news Delhi HC has directed the FSSAI

(Food Saftey & Standards Auth of India) to make guidelines
for supplying healthy food in schools. This is to curb the junk
food menace.
Trivia
TRAI asks Vodafone to stop using 111 service

1. Vodafones help # 111 violatesThe National Numbering Plan
(2003).
2. TRAI said that the Department of Telecom has not given
anyone the authority to usenumber 111 to 115 they have
been kept as spare.
Discuss: This is the classic case of TRAI rising from a deep

slumber!
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4/2/2015
Back from the brink of extinction: Corroboree frogs

1. At one point, only 4 were left, hence considered the rarest
frog in the world.
2. The frogs are colouredby flashes of bright yellow due to the
toxins developed from the gobbling up of ants.
3. A fungus Chytrid,has been blamed for causing the decline
or extinction of around 200 frog species since the 1970s.
4. Climate change, as well the chytrid fungus, poses a major
risk to amphibians.
MoEF focuses on Yamuna wetland

1. The Yamuna wetland is situated in Greater Noida and is home
to rare birds.
2. One of such rare birds is Sarus Crane, the state bird of UP.
3. NGT orders declaring Dhanauri and Parasol as wetland to
protect this species.
4. The main threat to the Sarus crane in India is habitat loss and
degradation due to drainage and conversion of land for
agriculture.
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100MM people tune in to Chinas inconvenient

truth
1. Investigative journalist Chai Jings documentary on Chinas
air pollution Under the Dome.
2. Even Chinese parliament expected to debate on it. Movies
impact is even compared to Rachel Carsons book Silent
Spring (1962) that started environment movement in USA.
3. Hopes to impose tough new regulations on Chinas coalburning polluters.
Discuss: The documentary is self funded by Chai Jing. It

expounds on the issue of smog. Do you know the difference
between the two types of smog?
Polity
CBI Vs CID what is the difference?

1. Since the issue of probe into DK Ravis case is on a boiler, lets
see whats the difference bet.a CBI vs. CID inquiry.
2. CID =specialised wing in many state police forces in
India.Personnel attached to this wing work in plain clothes
but all officers are chosen by the State.
3. CBI = governed under the central rules and reports to the
union home minister. CBI also has a larger jurisdiction can
probe in any state w/o spl. orders.
4. Who can order a CBI probe? power lies with the state or the
union government.SC or HCtoo can order a CBI probe if it is
felt thatstate is influencing the police.
Discuss: InSaradha chit fund scam the SC had ordered a CBI

probe coz it had doubts on states police efficacy. Union gov.
can also single handedly order a CBI probe but it practices
restraint.
68/151
4/2/2015
Trivia
Norways New banknotes are works of Art

1. This wont come up on UPSC but since the world has taken
notice, you should too
2. We know that Norway has not joined the Euro right? It has
re-designed its currency calledkrone.
3. The new one features a pixelated design willbe put into
circulation in 2017.
Discuss:Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, had asked

eight different designers to submit their proposals for the
redesigned currency. An architecture firm won the best design.
Polity
Make paid news a poll offence: Law panel (2/2)

1. Earlier Ban on broadcast of election matter 48 hours prior
to an election was restricted to the electronic media now it
should be for PRINT media as well.
2. Regulate opinion polls &makedisclosures about the
methodology mandatory.
3. Need collegium / selection Committee to pick Election
commissioners.
4. Amend the 10th schedule about anti-defection. The
disqualification decision should be made by President
/governor with help of ECI, instead of Speaker/chairman.
5. If candidate fails to give proper record of election
Expenditures, debar him for 5 years, instead of present 3
years.
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Polity
Make paid news a poll offence: Law panel (1/2)

1. Justice Shah in news again 255th Law Commission report
about electoral reforms.
2. Newspaper advertisements on the eve of elections be
banned.
3. Independent candidates to be barred from contesting
elections mostly theyre dummy candidates with no chances
of winning.
4. If any candidate indulges in paid news- disqualify him.
5. Make it compulsory for parties to declare all donations, even
if less than Rs.20,000, if total 20 crores or 20% of party
contribution comes from such small amounts.
Discuss: Read this report in detail 5 more points in the next

card.UPSCcan stump on questions on each points!
Polity
Justice A.P. Shah submits report on Electoral

Disqualifications (2/2)
1. To check on the validity/ evolution of currentdisqualification
stages 2. Disq. @ Conviction long delays in trials and rare convictions
are prevalent.
3. Disq. @ Report Filing filing of the police report, there is no
application of judicial mind. So, that cannot be a disq. stage.
4. Disq. @ Framing this isbased on adequate levels of judicial
scrutiny. Hence, put additional safeguards at this stage and go
for it!
Discuss: What can be the safeguards put into the disq. clause
so that no one abuses it? Entertain only major offences,
Charges filed >1 year before nomination should not be taken
up etc.
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Polity
Justice A.P. Shah submits report on Electoral

Disqualifications (1/2)
1. Report about electoral reforms (following the SC directive
issued in Dec 2013, in the PIL related to decriminalisation of
politics).
2. Examined issues related to Disqualification of candidates
with criminal background&Consequences of filing false
affidavits.
3. Commission examined the different stages at which
disqualification may be triggered, and decided upon the stage
of framing of charges.
4. Additionally, what should be the safeguards at the stages of
framing of charges?
Discuss: Lets discuss some of the important point in our next

card. Do read the PRSIndia brief on this issue.
Polity
Battling tribunals Madras HC has issues with the

IPAB
1. Madras HC struck down key provisions relating to the
Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB)established
under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, as unconstitutional.
2. Why? Issueswith regard to the qualification and selection of
Chairman, Judicial Member and Technical Member of the
IPAB.
3. HC objectedthat a member working with executive cannot
be made the judicial member as well.
4. Also held that recco.of the CJIfor the post of Chairman had
to be given due consideration by the Appointments
Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Discuss: What are the problems related to Tribunals? There

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Polity
99th Amendment Act 2014 replaces Collegium

System with NJAC (2/2)
1. The Attorney-General (Mukul Rohtagi) & Sr. Advocate (Fali
Nariman) have locked horns on the bill.
2. Interestingly, AG says that the courtcannot test
theconstitutional validity of the NJAC until the law was
notified. Prez. has given its assent to the bill but Gov. has not
yet notified.
3. Fali Nariman held a view that The moment an enactment
comes into operation, it becomes law and can be challenged
on any permissible grounds.
Discuss: Permissible grounds include thewant of legislative

competence, violation of fundamental rights and it not being
warranted by provisions of the Constitution.
Polity
99th Amendment Act 2014 replaces Collegium

System with NJAC (1/2)
1. What was?The Collegium system is one where the Chief
Justice of India and a forum of 4senior-most judges of the
SCrecommend appointments and transfers of judges.
2. The system was evolved through Supreme Court judgments
in the Three Judges Cases.However, it has no place in the
Indian Constitution.
3. The 99th amendment to the Constitution introduces NJAC,
replacing the Collegium system.
4. Under Article 124A, the NJAC has 6members the
CJI,2senior-most judges. The remaining 3are the Union Law
Minister and two eminent persons.
5. They are to be appointed by the PM, the Leader of the
Opposition and the CJI.
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Polity
Modis Motion of thanks to Prez. speech, defeated in

Rajya Sabha.
1. The united opposition in RSforced an amendment on the
issue of black money to the Motion of Thanks to the
Presidents address to Parliament.
2. This motion-thanks-defeat is fourth in the history of Indian
parliament.
3. The Presidents speech to the two Houses on the first day of
the session is approved by the union Cabinet, and is the
governments own account of itself.
Discuss: The past 3 instances were of Indira Gandhi (1980),

VP Singh (1989) & AB Vajpayee (2001).
World
Whats Bretton Woods and what is China doing

thats similar? (2/2)
1. Flush with a huge pile of cash, Beijing is on a bank-creation
spree. TheAIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank)&BRICS Bank.
2. IMF & WB service all countries with development problems
and the management of temporary BOP (balance of
payments) problems. It impinges on the sovereignty of the
nation states.
3. The voting rights in IMF are skewed. Italy > India & France >
China. This is contrary to the economic realities of today.
4. The Chinese initiatives arestraightforward lending banks and
specifically infrastructure lending institutions.
Discuss:AIIB is open to all countries, but 3key nations in the

Asia-Pacific have not signed up: Japan, South Korea and
Australia.
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World
Whats Bretton Woods and what is China doing

thats similar? (1/2)
1. The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank, and the
International Monetary Fund ( IMF ).
2. World Bank was erstwhile called IBRD (International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development).
3. They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton
Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944. (end of II WW).
4. The US, which controlled 2/3of the worlds gold, insisted that
the Bretton Woods system rest on both gold and the US
dollar.
Discuss: How has these institutions become redundant?

What is China doing to start a parallel banking economy?
Trivia
Argentina, Vulture funds & US Supreme Court

1. Would you believe us if we tell you that a PE firm in US seized
an Argentine national navy ship! Thats a sovereign country
we are talking about.
2. Why?Because Argentina is in a long legal battle with the
hedge fund Elliott Capital Management.
3. Argentina will be able to get this ship back if it pays an
unspecified amount in bond. What is this? This drama is
because of a new financial instrument called Vulture Funds.
4. Vulture Fund = A fund that buys distressed debt of
commercial companies or sovereign nations at a cheap price
and then often sues them for the entire value of the debt.
Discuss: The PE firm bought up Argentinas sovereign bills &

when the country lapsed into trouble, the PE firm refused to
take any hairline cut and asked for full payment!
74/151
4/2/2015
Trivia
Carl Djerassi, 91, a creator of the Birth Control Pill,

dies
1. 63 years ago, his team synthesized a hormone that changed
the world by creating the key ingredient for the oral
contraceptive known as the pill.
2. Birth control pills contain hormones that prevent ovulation.
3. If no egg is released, there is nothing to be fertilized by sperm,
and the woman cannot get pregnant.
4. Most birth control pills contain synthetic forms of two female
hormones: estrogen and progestin.
5. These synthetic hormones stabilize a womans natural
hormone levels, and prevent estrogen from peaking midcycle.
Discuss: Since the inventor dies this year,theprinciple

behind the pill becomes important for prelims!
Science & Tech
A compound in litchi behind mystery brain disease?

1. Muzaffarpur in Bihar is a major cultivation centre for
Litchi.
2. MCPG, a substance that exists in litchi seeds, could be
behind the yearly outbreaks of a mysterious brain
disease among young kids.
3. In undernourished children, who had little glucose
reserves in their body, MCPG could be blocking their
cells ability to utilise fatty acids.
4. As a result, the brain could then be deprived of the
glucose it needed.
Discuss: The results are not yet conclusive. But when has that
prevented UPSC to ask questions in prelims!
75/151
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Why are we shifting lions from Gir to Kuno?

1. The worlds last population of Asiatic lions in Gir, Gujarat may
see a part of it gettingintroduced to theKuno Wildlife
Sanctuary, MP.
2. Why?To avoid over-concentration in a single place + To
avoid a possible outbreakcanine distemper and an increased
probability of man-animal conflict.
3. Kuno currently acts as the buffer zone for the Tigers of
Ranthambore.Tigers and lions have co-existed before.
Discuss:Most instances of man-animal conflict involve

outsiders and not the tribals.In the case of Gir, the Maldhari
tribals who are primarily cattle-herders live in harmony
Economics
Whats the fuss about Plan vs. non-Plan? (2/2)

1. One concern -The Union Gov.may have to consult the
Comptroller and Auditor General on this matter that this
proposed change not beinconsistent with globally accepted
budgeting and accounting practices.
2. Pros The planning process will also be liberated from its
close association with the Budget. So what? Thiswill facilitate
greater attention to maintenance expenditure.
3. Pros - This will also get in more visibility tothe regulators,
private sector and financial markets. As of now Govt. used to
hog all limelight via the development narrative.
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Economics
Whats the fuss about Plan vs. non-Plan? (1/2)

1. Plan expenditures are estimated after discussions between
each of the ministries and the Planning Commission (which is
now dismantled and replaced by NITI Ayog).
2. Non-Plan expenditure comes in the form of interest
payments, subsidies (mainly food and fertilisers), and grants
to States, among others.
3. The 14thFinance Commission (FC) has done away with the
distinction between Plan and non-Plan.
4. The Plan mindset should be replaced with a development
mindset, said Dr. Y V Reddy (Chairman).
Discuss: What are the advantages? What are the concerns or

checklists that need to be taken care of?
Economics
More about govt. ID cards The PRAN

1. We know how SC directed that Aadhaar is not compulsory for
social benefits. Lets study one more card along with Aadhaar.
2. PRAN is Permanent Retirement Account Number. If you are a
subscriber of the NPS (New Pension Scheme), you are given a
unique account number.
3. PRAN can only be given to a citizen of India unlike Aadhaar
which can be given to a resident of India.
4. PRAN is only for 18-60 years bracket (coz its a pension
enrollment scheme) | Aadhaar is not limited by age.
Discuss: While we have introduced PRAN here, it would be

good to know more about the NPS. It has been in news lately
for its comparison with the EPFO wrt the kind of savings
portfolios.
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Polity
Dont insist on Aadhaar, comments SC

1. SCconfirmed that the card is not compulsory, and warned
that officials ignoring this would be taken to task.
2. Some other curious facts around Aadhaar The National
Identification Authority of India (NIAI) Bill, (for legal backing
+ use of biometrics)to create a unique identity for every
resident of India is still pending in the Parliament.
3. The UID (Unique Identification) and NPR (National
Population Register) are both government identity schemes
that aggregate personal data.
Discuss: Whats the difference?The NPR Scheme has been

created pursuant to the 2004 Amendment of the
Citizenship Act.The central gov. has the power to
compulsorily register citizens for an Identity Card.The
UIDAI was set up through an executive notification.
Trivia
Kolar didnt want to let him go A tribute

1. D.K. Ravi became popular for his people-friendly measures
during his one year tenure as Deputy Commissioner.
2. Thousands had stormed the Deputy Commissioners office on
November 5 demanding that Mr. Ravi continue at least for
some time.
3. He became popular for cracking down on the sand mafia and
evicting encroached government lands and tanks much to the
dislike of politicians.
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Economics
Union Govt. permits 5% ethanol blending with

petrol
1. Ethanol itself burns cleaner and burns more completely than
petrol it is blended into.
2. Government of India mandated blending of 5% ethanol with
petrol on all India basis by 2006. InUS, blending is allowed
upto 10%.
3. Genesis Brazils bio-fuel programme, which began in 1976
now the cars can handleethanol blends from 18% upwards.
4. Steps taken by Gov. Remunerative prices offered to sugar
mills to supply ethanol to oil marketing companies.
Discuss: What are the problems? States levy additional taxes

in pretext of import-export and even extra octroi.State
excise inspectors dont give NOC for Inter-state movement
of ethanol easily.
Trivia
The first National Tribal Festival Vanaj

1. Organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and was
inaugurated by the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual
Oram.
2. The aim was to bridge the gaps of social divide and promote
tribal culture in India.
3. More than 900 folk and tribal artists participated.
Discuss: In 2014, India held the biodiversity express and

somequestions in the Prelims were sitters from the brochure
itself. Check out the ministrys website to see more on this
event.
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Govt launches mobile app to check your citys air

quality
1. Citizens of Delhi, the city with the worlds most toxic air, &
Pune take notice.A mobile app launched by the Ministry of
Earth Sciences.
2. SAFAR-Air, will provide current data and a forecast for air
quality.
3. Particulate matter (PM) = (include sulfates, nitrates,
ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and
water) are the most dangerous.
4. Ozone in the air is a major factor in asthma morbidity and
mortality.
Discuss: The avg. air pollution this year was highest in winter
month (since 2010). Why? This year temperatures were low
boundary layer of atmosphere becomes low PM mixes
with fog leads to multiplying of aerosols.
Maharashtra approves field trials for four GM crops

1. No-objection certificates (NOC) have been given for trials of
brinjal, rice, chickpea (chana) and cotton.
2. To be able to conduct the GM trials, one needs 2 things
Approval from the GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee) &NOC from States.
3. Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh besides Maharashtra, are
among the key States to have allowed non-laboratory-based
GM trials.
4. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan & others have banned it.
Discuss: Top countries with largest areas under GMcultivation Argentina, Brazil, US, India.
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Junta protesting against Koteshwar dam

1. Seepage from the Koteshwar dam across the Bhagirathi in
Tehri district has intensified protests by the local people
against the 400-MW project.
2. The villages in the vicinity are already facing land sinking.
3. The dam, a project of the THDC (Tehri Hydro Development
Corporation) and part of the Tehri Power Complex.
4. Produces electricity and regulates water released from the
Tehri reservoir for irrigation.
Discuss:So enamoured was Indias first PM Jawaharlal

Nehru of this model of development that he is reported to
have described it as a New Temple of Resurgent India,
worthy of worship.
Nagaland Falcon capital of the World

1. Why?An international team of ornithologistsestimated that
about 1MM Amur Falcons roost in the State during the small
aerial predators annual migration on way to South Africa.
2. The birdflies around 22,000 km all the way across Asia, over
the Indian Ocean to wintering grounds in Southern Africa.
3. The Falcons spend about one month in the State every
autumn where they feast on insects to gain fitness for their
long onward journey to Africa.
4. On Nov6, 2014 3 Amur Falcons named Naga, Wokha
and Pangti were satellite tagged and released.
Discuss:With this, Nagaland has entered the international

map of global conservation. Do youknow any other such
interesting trivia?
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Economics
ICICI Bank launches Pockets

1. Indias first digital bank called Pockets it is a mobile app
cum e-wallet.
2. Even a non-ICICI Client can clean up this electronic wallet
from money from any other bank.
3. This wallet uses a virtual Visa card to help you transfer money
to any email id, mobile number, Facebook account, online
shopping site, retail mall, Paying utility bills etc.
Discuss:Pockets integrates a digital wallet, a physical

prepaid card and a basic savings bank account- all features of
an upcoming payment bank.
Economics
Lo and behold, Rupee 1 note arrives

1. After a gap of over 20 years, Re 1 note has been released in
the country and it bears the signature of Finance Secretary
Rajiv Mehrishi.
2. Other currency notes in India bear the signature of RBI
governor.
3. Under The Coinage Act 2011, RBI can issue all notes except
Rs.1 note.
4. Although Bankers feels this is mere publicity stunt, because
as such cost of printing Rs.1 note is more than the face-value
of Rs.1 note.
Discuss:In Nov1994, printing of Re 1 note was stopped

mainly due to higher cost and for freeing capacity to print
currency notes of higher denomination.
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Trivia
Missiles developed under the DRDOs programmes

1. Prithvi Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
2. Agni Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
3. Trishul Short-range LOW-level surface-to-AIR missile.
4. Akash Medium-range surface-to-air missile.
5. Nag Third generation anti-tank missile.
Discuss: These are the 5 missile sets developed under the

IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme).
Science & Tech
Prithvi-II proves its mettle

1. Full strike range of 350 km +capable of carrying 500 kg to
1,000 kg of NUCLEAR warheads.
2. The nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II, the
first missile to be developed under the Integrated Guided
Missile Development Programme of the DRDO.
3. The scientist said Prithvi-II could not be intercepted because
of its manoeuvring trajectory capability.
Discuss: What is this integrated guided missile dev. prog?

was conceived by renowned scientist Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam
to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile
technology.
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Science & Tech
Medication is the answer

1. First International Epilepsy Day on Feb9, 2015.
2. Epilepsy is not contagious and does not spread by touch.
3. Epilepsy is the disorder of brain function. So it should be
treated by a neurologist.
4. Wearing a metal ring, talisman or offering animal sacrifices
will NOT prevent seizures.
Hariana, Sahiwal and Gir What are we talking

about?
1. Centre has approved the Gosamvardhan and Gosanrakshan
projects for conservation and integrated development of the
above mentioned breeds ofindigenous cattle.
2. Project to look into expansion and improvement in the quality
of Artificial Insemination services.
3. The State government will implement the project in a phased
manner over five years.
Discuss: Some of theIndigenous buffalo breeds

Murrah,Surti,Jaffrabadi &Nili Ravi.
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Science & Tech
The sneak thief of sight

1. Glaucoma is the third leading cause of irreversible blindness
in India.
2. The disease involvesa rise in intraocular pressure leading to
optic nerve damage and subsequent visual loss.
3. Currently there is no treatment to restore vision once lost.
4. The best way to guard against this illness is to undergo
periodic eye evaluation.
Discuss: Cataract & River Blindness top the leading causes

list.River blindness is caused by aparasiticworm,
onchocerca volvulus. The worm larvae are spread by the
black simulium fly, which breed by the oxygen rich water of
fast flowing rivers.
Phasing out HFCs (2/2)

1. Kofi Annan has been quoted as saying that perhaps the
single most successful international agreement to date has
been the Montreal Protocol.
2. Montreal protocol as of now bans the ozone depleting gases.
HFCs are as of now included in the UNFCC.
3. Developing countries are fine with the Montreal protocol
inclusion but they have some pertinent questions.
4. What is the best technology to move to? Who will pay for the
transition if the costs are high?
Discuss: Politics of gases and patents US companies are

pushing for hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs); DuPont is promoting
HFOs as the 4th generation refrigerant.
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Phasing out HFCs (1/2)

1. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is a halogenated gas, which
replaced the CFCs & HCFCs.
2. CFCs & HCFCs were used widelydue to Low toxicity, low
reactivity, and low flammability. But they were found to be
destroying the Ozone.
3. Still, thisHFCs(ozone-savior replacement)has a very high
global warming potential.
4. Hence, therehas been a growing demand to put in place an
intl.mechanism to reduce the emissions of HFCs.
5. Many developing countries (incl. India) wants to discuss this
under UNFCC butdeveloping countries wants itunder the
Montreal Protocol.
Discuss: Whats the issue with UNFCC vs. Montreal

protocol?
The bane of methane

1. Methane is not only warming in itself it also contributes
towards formation of regional ozone (which adds to
warming).
2. Methane is emitted largely from coal mining, oil and gas
production, municipal solid waste and wet rice fields.
3. Uses Methane from waste is a resource and there is
significant scope of capturing this from municipal waste.
4. Liability Methane emissions from the wet rice cultivation is
linked with the livelihood of the poor.
Discuss: Methane is the2ndmost important greenhouse gas.

CH4 is more potent than CO2 because the radiative forcing
produced per molecule is greater.
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Polity
Mawana Sugars almost gives up

1. And we are speaking on the sugarcane crisis in UP where
sugar mills are raring to shut the operations!
2. In UP,Sugar cane and sugar prices are not linked which is
already been done in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
3. Banks are running away from giving loans to mills.Most of the
money that is coming from the sale of sugar is going to
farmers &mills are getting ~nothing.
4. The state fixes their own cane price, which is much higher
than the Centres cane price, known as Fair and
Remunerative Price (FRP).
Discuss: Mills cannot shut down when they want they can do so
only when the district magistrate allows them to do so.
History
This temple inspired the Angkor Wat of Cambodia

1. The grand Siva temple of Masrur, Kangra district, Himachal
Pradesh Rock Cut temple.
2. This is one of the grandest temples of North India and is the
only vast rock-cut temple of the region.
3. According to the art historian Michael Meister, the temple
was the conceptual model for the vast temple mountains of
Cambodia.
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History
Kashmiri Pandits wanted Haider banned for this

1. The song Bismil had portrayed the ancient Martand Temple
(Sun Temple) of Kashmir as the den of devil.
2. The Sun Temple, build in 370 AD,is one of the only two Sun
Temples in India, with the other one in Konark in Odisha.
3. Itis facing West which attains greater significance in the
Hindu scriptures.
4. The temple appears in the list of centrally protected
monuments as Kartanda.
Discuss:It can be said it was an excellent specimen of Kashmiri

architecture, which had blended the Gandharan, Gupta, Chinese,
Roman, Syrian-Byzantine and Greek forms of architecture.
Science & Tech
2015 Year of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

launched
1. Chemicals & Fertilizers Minister assures Pharmaceutical
Industry of reforms to make India self-sufficient in Bulk
Drugs.
2. The govt.had set up Katoch Committee to look into various
issues concerning the bulk drugs.
3. Bulk Drugs constitute the backbone of the Pharmaceutical
Industry and the sector needs to be incentivized so as to take
on the challenge from cheap imports.
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Trivia
Black rats exonerated from the Black plague

scourge
1. In 1347, Black plague killed 1/3rd of European population.
2. Till now scientists believed Black rats carried plague
bacterium, Yersinia pestis.
3. But new research says due climate change even other
mammals such as great gerbils and marmots also harbored
this bacteria.
Discuss: If you guys watch Last Week Tonight with John

Oliver which airs @ HBO, it has a nice take on this new
finding.
Science & Tech
Mission Indradhanush for 7 vaccine-preventable

diseases
1. Mission Indradhanush: for vaccination against 7 preventable
disease by 2020.
2. Thediseases are Diphtheria, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Polio,
Tuberculosis, Measles and Hepatitis B.
3. The aim is to cover all the children who have been left out or
missed out for immunization.
Discuss: You would be knowing thatour universal immunization

program is to include 3 more vaccines against rotavirus, rubella
and polio.
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History
At 85, she wins the Padma Shri for a Manipuri ballad

1. Khongjom Parba depicts the heroic battle the Manipuris
fought against the British in a place called Khongjom on the
India-Burma Road in 1891.
2. A war memorial in Khongjom and a remembrance day
observed every April 23 in the State.
3. Ibemni Devi- first woman khongjom balladeer, won Padma
Shri (2012).
Discuss: UPSC is going regional with its choice of questions

at least in the CSAT. 2014 saw questions on Manganiyars &
Panchayatan. Keep on a lookout for such newsbites.
History
Modi prays at the Tree temple in Anuradhapura

1. Legend says that the right branch of the Bodhi tree under
which the Buddha attained Enlightenment was brought to Sri
Lanka.
2. It was planted in Anuradhapura &this Bodhi tree became a
symbol of political power for the Sinhalese Kings for a long
time to come.
3. Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka is
considered very sacred by the Buddhists and is home to the
largest dagobas in Sri Lanka.
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A peacock butterfly
1. Malayan Green Banded Peacock, a beautiful specimen usually
found in South East Asia, spotted for the first time in India.
2. Spotted it at Chintamani Kar Bird Sanctuary in West Bengals
South 24 Parganas.
3. Referred to as the flagship species, butterflies are not only
pollinators of flowering plants, but also useful in monitoring
environmental changes.
Discuss: What are flagship species?The concept has its genesis in

the field of conservation biology. By raising the profile of a
particular species, it can successfully leverage more support for
biodiversity conservation at large in a particular context.
IIT roadmap for Ganga revival

1. Earlier this January, the SC bench had asked the Solicitor
General (representing the GoI)to provide concrete steps in a
report, which would in laymans words explain how the
national river would be cleaned.
2. The report has now been submitted. It says thatthe
wholesomeness of the river can be grasped in terms of
4defining concepts.
3. Aviral Dhara (Continuous Flow), Nirmal
Dhara(Unpolluted Flow), Geologic Entity, and Ecological
Entity.
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Science & Tech
The Luddites might have been right

1. The Luddite fallacy is a referenceto angry English textile
workers in the early 19th century who protested against
imminent job losses coz of the Industrial Revolution.
2. Interestingly, a research seems to be siding with theLuddites
prophecy.Technology research firm Gartner predicts
software, robots and smart machines will take over one out of
three jobs in another 10 years.
3. Automated Insights is disrupting Journalism.Narrative
Science is automating storytelling.
Discuss: This op-ed (Hindu Link) is an interesting one to read

on the possible concernsof tech-revolution for some good
juicypoints! Also, remember the Internet of Things initiative
taken up by modi sarkar. Read again on that.
Science & Tech
Indian Medical Association on TB & Swine Flu

1. Swine flu is a droplet infection, while TB is droplet nuclei
infection. Whats that?
2. Droplet infection =Infected particles of size > 5microns
&Droplet nuclei infection =< 5microns.
3. This essentially makes TB more easily transmittable
hospital can be a place where TB is transmitted to other
patients and healthcare staff.
4. While prevention of flu requires simple three layered mask,
the one for TB prevention requires N95 mask.
Discuss: An estimate In India, 2.1 MMnew TB cases occur

annually and 2,40,000 TB deaths occur every year. The
article speaks about an ethical liability with the patient to
disclose his/ her illness
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History
The personal worship center of Narsimha Varman II

1. This Pallava ruler had built many temples including this one
solely dedicated to the Gangadhar Shiva (Ganga bearing
Shiva).
2. The name is Kailasanatha temple was built
atKancheepuram The pallava capital city.
3. The temple has a circumambulatory passage. It is believed
that making the circumambulation round the various deities
would usher the same blessings as visiting paradise.
History
The grandeur of Pallavas Shore temple

1. Shore Temple comprises three shrines, mainly dedicated to
Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu resting on the
Sheshnaga.
2. Shore Temple is also acknowledged for being the first stone
structure made by Pallavas.
3. The Shore Temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal
(Mamallapuram was the port city of Kanchipuram, the Pallava
capital).
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History
The Monolothic temples of Mahabalipuram

1. The name is Pancha Ratha (but thats more like a misnomer).
2. The naming of these ratha, after Pandavas and their wife, the
heroes of epic Mahabharata, is simply a local tradition.
3. They are the unique contribution of the Pallavas to Indian Art.
4. Most of the temples found in Mahabalipuramwere built by
Rajasimha (Pallava king).
Discuss:On the basis of their architecture, temples can be

classified into three broad types cave temples, monolithic
temples carved out of a single rock, and structural stone temples.
History
Kashmir chalo! To the Shiva temple

1. There is a famous Shiva temple atPandrethan (ancient
Srinagari, a place established by King Asoka) while he was still
a HINDU.
2. The temple architecture is an amalgamation of Gandhara
(triangular arches) &Byzantine & Syrian buildings (triangular
gables).
3. There is a statue of Lakulisa with a Lakuda (Shaft) in hand.
This tells that its a Shiva temple.
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Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles begins in Odisha

1. Starting point at mouth of river Rushikulya in Ganjam
district of Odisha.
2. They are also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle.
3. Generally found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the
Pacific and Indian Oceans.
4. They are listed as vulnerable species in IUCN Red Data Book.
5. The mouth of Devi River in Odisha is also famous for mass
nesting.
Discuss: What is the difference between a turtle and a

tortoise?
The helpless Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

1. Indian Ocean faces anunregulated overexploitation of its
fishery resources.
2. The UNs Food and Agriculture Organization
hadlaunchedthe Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.
3. 24 nations including countries outside the region China,
Japan, and theUK.
4. Findings 75% fisheries exhausted to the limit + 25%
harvested beyond ecological sustainment.
5. Over fishing by countries outside the region is disastrous
forlittoral states. They depend heavily on maritime
resources(for food & exports).
Discuss: India needs to step up in some way given that both

China and India are in a tussle for power and engaging
initiatives in this area.
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World
The future of Indian Ocean for India

1. In 2008, India promoted the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium.
Today, it brings together 35 navies of the region.
2. India has maritime security cooperation with the Maldives
and Sri Lanka. Hope that Mauritius, Seychelles & Madagascar
join in as listening posts.
3. More than 80 %of the worlds seaborne trade in oil transits
through Indian Ocean choke points (Strait of Hormuz, Strait
of Malacca & Bab el-Mandab Strait).
Discuss: A pressing issue for this region isthe largely

unregulated overexploitation of its fishery resources. Read
aboutIndian Ocean Tuna Commission and its failures.
History
What is Adarsh Smarak Yojana?

1. The Ministry of Culture has chosen Hampi and 24 other
monuments in the country to be granted Adarsha Smaraks
tag.
2. This tag is awardedto the monuments which have highest
number of tourists visiting. ASI will provide amenities of
international standards.
3. Virupaksha Temple @Pattadkal in Karnataka is a temple of
Lord Shiva which will be covered in the scheme.
4. Krishnadevaraya, one of the famous kings of the Vijayanagara
Empire was a major patron of this temple.
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History
Sanchi the oldest extant Buddhist sanctuary

1. The Great Stupa that is located at Sanchi Town in MP It is
the oldest STONE structure in India commissioned by
Ashoka.
2. After Ashoka came the Sunga,Satavahanas & Kushanas to
contribute to the growing heritage.
3. The Gupta kings built along some temples Sanchi has both
Hindu and Buddhist faith.
4. Interestingly, Sanchi had lain abandoned for ~600 years
before it was discovered.
Discuss: The ASI which stepped up for the excavation was set
up under Lord Canning withAlexander Cunningham as
itsfirst Director-General.
History
Why is Kushinagar a famous Buddhist place?

1. Kushinagar has agilded statue of Buddha. That signifies
hisParinirvana.
2. It is the completion of nirvana, usually understood to be
within reach only upon the death of the body of someone who
has attained complete awakening (bodhi).
3. Kushinagar also finds a mention in epic Ramayan as the city of
Kusha the son of Ram, the famous king of Ayodhya.
4. The parinirvana of the Buddha is described in the
Mahaparinibbana Sutta.
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History
The site where Buddha gained enlightenment

1. Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya Biharis the oldeststanding
GRAND structure in India.
2. The Chinese pilgrim Fa-hien recorded that the site contained
several statues and monuments.
3. In 2002, UNESCO declared the Mahabodhi Temple a World
Heritage Site.
4. This is one of the fourholiest places for Buddhists in India.
Discuss:The other 3 are Lumbini : Nepal |Sarnath : Uttar

Pradesh &Kushinagar : Uttar Pradesh
Trivia
Whats in a name? Ask Dettol

1. The then-Reckitt & Sons (now RB, and earlier known as
Reckitt Benckiser) had almost decided to call the best-known
antiseptic liquid PCMX
2. PCMX isparachlorometaxylenol, the aromatic compound
that gives Dettol its germ-fighting ability.
3. The management was initially hell bent on using PCMX to
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Trivia
6 fun facts about Seychelles

1. Pirates used to seek the islands of Seychelles as a
hideout.This beautiful country island was home to none until
the latter part of the 18th century.
2. Victoria, the capital city of Seychelles, is the smallest capital in
the whole world.
3. Almost half of the limited landmass in the country is occupied
by national parks and reserves.
4. Seychelles is the right place to visit if you want to see unique
endemic species.
5. The country is home to the heaviest land tortoise that is living
in the wild.
6. Round Island used to be a leper colony. A stone prison still
remains up to this day.
Discuss: We will tell you some more sombre facts as well. Ah!
also, quite recently Kunal Kapoor took nuptial vows with
Naina Bachchan atSeychelles.
World
Kind words from IMF on India

1. India will grow 7.5 per cent in 2015-16, up from 7.2 per cent
in the current year.
2. The Indian economy is the bright spot in the global landscape.
3. The report stressed the urgency of certain key reforms,
including the bottlenecks in the energy, mining and power
sectors; infrastructure gaps, land acquisition processes and
environmental clearances.
4. The IMF report also said that Indias economic profile
recently got a lift as the country improved the way it
measures economic output.
Discuss: Most of this is bol-bachhan, but the 4th point is

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Economics
Former RBI Governor YV Reddy goes candid on the

14th FC (2/2)
1. The discretion available to the Centre to distribute funds to
states at its will and pleasure has been questioned by
states.The existing system of transfer of funds from the
Centre to states under other transfers will have to be
reviewed.
2. The Union is providing money to states to finance activities
which are under Constitution in the domain of the states. FC
has no prerogative tojudge how states are utilising the funds
transferred to it.
3. The Finance Commission cannot discriminate based on its
view of the capacity of states. The financial markets may do,
but not a constitutional body like the Commission.
Discuss: Are we advocating competitive federalism? We

would urge you to go through the article on your own. Share
over WhatsApp and form opinions.
Economics
Former RBI Governor YV Reddy goes candid on the

14th FC (1/2)
1. There is no big shift in aggregate transfers to States.The total
transfers from the Union to the state put together works out
roughly to 63 per cent of the divisible pool.
2. The real difference has been in terms of the freedom available
to states. So it is not a quantitative shift but a qualitative shift.
3. There has been no reduction in the fiscal space available to
the Central government. It has to reduce the other
transfers to states wherein it used to award transfers
outside FC recommendations.
Discuss: What does he has to sayon the evolution of Center

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World
Time to replace 13th Amendment & devolve power

1. (13A) to the Constitution of Sri Lanka is the amendment
which created Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka.
2. This also made Sinhala and Tamil as the official language of
the country and English as link language.
3. On 29 July 1987, Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed between
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President
J.R. Jayewardene which stated the devolution powers to the
provinces.
Discuss:It was the quantum of devolution prevalent under

the Indian Constitution that made possible Mr. Modis
excellent leadership and people-centred approach that
transformed Gujarat.
Trivia
Dalda was earlier just Dada

1. Dalda was earlier Dada and Lever Brothers just inserted an L
in the middle to leave its mark.
2. Dada was actually the name of the Dutch company that
imported vanaspati ghee into India in the 1930s as a cheap
substitute for desi ghee or clarified butter.
3. There was a huge demand for desi ghee but people could not
afford it.
4. The Indian public was far from convinced there could be any
substitute for ghee.
5. Jawaharlal Nehru, called for a nationwide opinion poll to
check if people felt it was harmful or not but it proved
inconclusive.
Discuss: Of course, much later,Dalda had competition from

clear oils or refined vegetable oils such as groundnut
(Postman), mustard, safflower (Saffola), sunflower (Sundrop)
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Trivia
Quotable Quotes
1. One can get a great many things done, or one can strive to
look like the smartest person in the room and the two goals
are pretty much mutually exclusive.
Discuss: This is byDr. M Vidyasagar, ex-DRDO/TCS and

presently teaching in US.This fits the status of Indias political
and particularly economic policymakers really well. We have
clearly moved from times when people took a backseat and
let teams/institutions/companies develop.
Polity
Zero tolerance policy on flouting KYC norms

1. RBI is likely to adopt a zero tolerance policy on Know Your
Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) norms.
2. In 2013, the Banking Regulation Act was amended and gave
powers to RBI to impose a penalty of Rs 1 crore for a single
violation.
3. Proposal to put operational curbs on banks; restrictions on
branch expansion likely to be imposed.
4. This will help inincorporating the FATF (Financial Action Task
Force).
Discuss: What is FATF? It isan intergovernmental

organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to
combat money laundering and terrorism financing. The FATF
Secretariat is housed at the headquarters of the OECD in
Paris.
102/151
4/2/2015
Saumitra Chaudhuri Committee for Auto fuel vision

policy 2025 (2/2)
1. Saumitras report touched on Bharat norms (next stage
implementation), Taxation issues &Alternative fuels. Lets
study a few of the fuels.
2. Methanol is readily biodegradable, can be used directly or
by blending with petrol, is already used in racing cars of
China.
3. Ethanol burns cleaner and burns more completely than
petrol, is an organic solvent,can be derived from Sugar cane
juice and molasses.
4. Hydrogen Fuel Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(MNRE)s Green Initiatives for Future Transport (GIFT).It
has vision-2020 for Hydrogen.
Discuss: Ethanol as a fuel is an interesting case study in

Brazil. Also, while we are at it do revise the 4 categories of
bio-fuels and their differences.
Saumitra Chaudhuri Committee for Auto fuel vision

policy 2025 (1/2)
1. In the last two flashcards, we talked about carbon tax. Lets
take a step forward to the recommendations given by a
former Planning Commission member.
2. In India, we follow Euro norms under the label Bharat stage
norms. Thisdefines the maximum limit of pollutant that a
vehicle can emit.
3. Recommended nationwide fuel standards to be BS4.Upgrading refineries to produce Euro-V equivalent petrol
and diesel will need ~Rs.80,000 crore.
4. Cost can be met by aSpecial Fuel Upgradation Cess of 75
103/151
4/2/2015
India tries to change the game on climate change

(2/2)
1. Pro Carbon tax willenable india to come out with a
blueprint of intended nationally determined contributions
(INDCs) towards fighting global warming.
2. Pro Push forward the need for adhering to the concept of
CBDR (Common but Differentiated Responsibility) in
mitigating climate change.
3. Cons Prices of these fuels are lower today & unless the
public infrastructure is robust, behavioural change wont
happen.
Discuss: Revise what is CBDR. Additionally, the govt said

nothing abouthowthe excise duty collected on dirty fuel will
be used to upgrade refinery technology.
India tries to change the game on climate change

(1/2)
1. India plans tomove from a carbon-subsidisation regime to the
one where carbon spewing is taxed. What does it mean?
2. Carbon tax has been implemented viadecontrol of diesel
prices, imposition of higher excise duty, and cess on petrol
and diesel.
3. A steep increase in the clean energy cess on coal could be
another step in this direction.
4. The shift to carbon taxation combined with Indias ambitious
solar power program is a good step forward.
Discuss: What are the pros and cons of it? Read that in the
2nd instalment of this card.
104/151
4/2/2015
Economics
Post Offices to double up as Payment Banks

1. Dept. of Post to launch an independent (of it) entity for the
proposed payment bank venture.Existing post office infra.
will be used.
2. Whats the post office stats? 650 main branches + 25,000
spoke branches + 130,000 bankingcorrespondents!
3. DoP is in the process of revamping itself task force set up
under former cabinet secy.T S R Subramanian.
4. Plans to create a holding company which will have 5
independent entities banking, insurance & e-commerce.
Discuss: What are payment banks? How are they different

from normal banks?
Economics
The New Pension Scheme goes for higher equity

exposure
1. The PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority) which regulatesthe NPS has decided to gofor an
uplift including a choice to deploy 50%of theusers
contribution into equities.
2. As of now, the fund is managed by SBI, UTI and LIC in a
predetermined fashion. The money is deployed in a set
pattern 55% (Govt. Securities), 40% (debt securities), ~15%
(equities) & 5% (money market instruments).
3. NPS allows investors to pick from 1of the 3options
predominantly equities (E), fixed income instruments other
than government securities (C) and into government
securities (G).
Discuss: Good time to revisit the pension schemes in India

and their FAQs.
105/151
4/2/2015
Trivia
The Indian Yogi at UNESCO

1. A statue of the great Indian philosopher, savant, spiritual guru
Sri Aurobindo was installed at the prestigious Japanese
garden of UNESCO House Paris, in July 2014.
2. He was jailed for his involvement in the freedom struggle.
Post his jail stay, he moved to Pondicherry, leaving politics for
spiritual work.
3. Aurobindo developed a method of spiritual practice he called
Integral Yoga.
4. With the help of his spiritual collaborator, Mirra Alfassa (The
Mother), he founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
5. His main literary works are The Life Divine, which deals with
theoretical aspects of Integral Yoga
Discuss: UPSC is known totake a quick scoop at the people in

news and present a related question. Aurobindo appeared in
2014 and automatically becomes a contender for 2015 exam.
Science & Tech
Worlds oldest primitive animal fossil found in China

1. The fossilised animal displays many characteristics of modern
adult sponges.Sponges are the most primitive living animals.
2. They have only differentiated cells, but no real organs or
tissues.
3. The previous oldest known primitive sponge fossil was dated
to 530 million years ago, in the early Cambrian period.
Discuss:The Cambrian Period is the first geological time

period of the Paleozoic Era (the time of ancient life). This
period lasted about 53 million years and marked a dramatic
burst of evolutionary changes in life on Earth.
106/151
4/2/2015
World
Of orthodox tea and pesticide levels

1. Orthodox teas are made in the same way as crush tear and
curl CTC teas, but with most of the leaf remaining intact.
2. India and Iran will together review the issue of maximum
residue levels (MRL) of pesticides in teas.
3. Iran is an estimated 100 million kg market which is mostly
serviced by Sri Lanka.Indias presence was muted in view of
the earlier U.S. sanctions on Iran.
4. India ranks 2ndin world production of tea and fourth in the
world market as tea exporting country.
Discuss: TheU.S. sanctions on Iran led to payment

problems.It wascircumvented by setting off Indian
exporters payments through the city-based UCO Bank
against oil imports.
History
What Mahabharata says about pollution

1. Jayadratha was the principal culprit who prevented help from
reaching Abhimanyu while he was battling in the Chakravyuh.
2. Arjuna took two vows to avenge his son and in case he fails,
he willed to condemn himself not only in this life (by self
immolation) but also after life itself.
3. Note his words when he says, There are worlds attained by
those who touch brahmanas, cattle and fire with their feet
and those who release phlegm, excreta and urine in water. If I
do not kill Jayadratha, let those terrible ends be mine.
Discuss:The worst kind of hell and after-life that Arjuna

could imagine was meant for people who polluted rivers and
water bodies by releasing phlegm, excreta and urine in
them.
107/151
4/2/2015
Economics
Modi sarkar approves the 2014-BRICS papers

1. In 2014, BRICS nations had their 6th summit @ Fortaleza,
Brazil.
2. In 2001, investment bank Goldman Sachs coined the term
BRIC to describe 4of the worlds fastest growing economies.
South Africa joined in soon.
3. Together they represent 40% of the world population, 25% of
its land mass, and combined GDP of 24 Trillion dollars.
4. The 2014 summit chalked outchalked out the plans for
setting up BRICS Bank/ New Development Bank (NDB) and
its 100 BNContingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), to help
member countries for Development loans and balance of
payment crisis.
Discuss:The 7th summit would be held in Russia. What is the

current status of NDB?
World
China to collaborate with India and Lanka

1. The Sri Lankan foreign minister said that Lankascentrist and
pragmatic foreign policy, liberated from any specific ideology,
was grounded in the principle of non-alignment.
2. China proposed trilateral cooperation involving India and Sri
Lanka for regional stability.
3. India has been invited to talks on multi-billion dollar ancient
Maritime Silk Road aproject involving a maze of roads and
ports connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.
Discuss: Earlier this year, Sushma Swaraj had conveyed that

India would not give a blanket support to the MSR. What will
India do here.
108/151
4/2/2015
World
Kerry quizzed on child abductions to India

1. President Barack Obama signed the Sean and David Goldman
International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act.
2. The law authorises America to take action against a country
which does not facilitates the return of an abducted American
child held there.
3. Cases where anIndian parent returns back with his/her child
(leaving the american counterpart) is termed as abduction.
4. But India is not party to the 1983 Hague Convention on the
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Discuss: These are classic cases wherein one country firmly

ratified a convention but the other did not give a single
thought! The former then makes laws etc. while the later is
blissfully chilling.
Economics
5 things the 30 prominent economists said to the PM

on MNREGS
1. Social Benefits at a low cost.
2. Corruption has declined, can be curbed.
3. Bring back compensation for delayed payments.
4. Dont dilute Labour: Material ratio to 51:49.
5. Dont restrict to 200 districts, keep it All India.
Discuss:Good time to revisit what Govt. has actually done.

Even more, oldpolicies are getting an uplift. Will keep
updating you on those.
109/151
4/2/2015
History
What can you guess by the word Panchayatana?

1. It is very less likely that one would be able to guess
thatPanchayatana is a style of temple construction.
2. Unless, of course you actually know that it is a form of
architecture wherethecentral shrine is surrounded by four
other shrines.
3. Some of the temples at Khajuraho are a cluster of five shrines
the main temple surrounded by four others at each corner.
Discuss: Most of us who rely on intuitive guessing might have

gone for Panchayatna = an assembly of elders and get it
completely wrong in the exam!
History
What do we know about the Sattriya dance?

1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs
composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.
Discuss: CCRT has become a good source of information for

the art and architecture part of the Indian History syllabus.
Question on Sattriya came in UPSC2014.
110/151
4/2/2015
Science & Tech
Agni-4 missile keypoints

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. Has two stages of solid fuel propulsion.
3. Can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 4,000km
away.
4. The payload, with a re-entry heat shield can withstand
temperature of more than 3000 degree Celsius.
Discuss: UPSC 2014 had given twisted statements on Agni-4

& one had to pick and chose thecorrect ensemble.
World
Tunisia ends state of emergency after 3 years

1. After the end of the dictatorship that touched off the Arab
Spring uprisings across the region, Tunisians brought a
moderate Islamist party into power.
2. Despite a lot of issues,its fractious elected assembly finally
wrote and passed a progressive constitution.
Discuss: UPSC had not asked questions on IR for the last 3

years, but in 2014 they asked a question on Arab Spring.
111/151
4/2/2015
Science & Tech
Diphtheria deaths exposes issues in immunisation

The death of a 10-year-old girl, following the complications of
diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, once again raised
concerns about the fall in routine immunisation rates.
Discuss: Straight question in UPSC 2014 Which of these

diseases have been eradicated in India? Diphtheria | Chickenpox |
Smallpox. A common sense question but still, had its reference in
the news.
What all comes under Sustainable Sugarcane

Initiative ?
1. Seed cost is very low in this compared to the conventional
method of cultivation.
2. Drip irrigation can be practiced very effectively in this.
3. The scope for intercropping is more in this compared to the
conventional methods.
4. The opportunities for the sugar sector in ethanol need tobe
explored further.
Discuss: UPSC 2014 had a factual question on thisinitiative.
112/151
4/2/2015
Major benefits of the Integrated Watershed Dev.

Prog.
1. Prevention of soil runoff
2. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
3. Regeneration of natural vegetation
4. In a bid to condense the Centrally-sponsored schemes, GoI
integrated DPAP (Drought Prone Areas Prog.) + DDP
(Desert Dev. Prog.) + IWDP into one single scheme.
5. The new scheme would be called IWMP (management being
the replaced word).
Discuss:UPSC asked straight factual question on IWDP. One

could have answered by either reading the Year Book or
diligently making notes from The Hindu.
MP to purchase 107 tonnes neem seeds

1. Forest Department topurchase neem seeds from tribals
through Village Forest Committees.
2. Neem de-oiled cake will be used as organic manure.
3. Neem cakes are much in demand as insecticide.
4. Demand of neem oil in pharmaceutical and cosmetics is
increasing.
Discuss: UPSC-2014 asked straight question on uses of

neem tree. Needless to say, a daily news reader would have a
higher probability to solve the same.
113/151
4/2/2015
The Maize utility

1. As a cereal, maize is used as ingredient in food preparation; it
is feed for poultry and livestock.
2. It is feedstock for biofuel (ethanol).
3. It is used as raw material in distilleries.
4. It is also used forstarch production because of its high starch
content (60%).
Discuss: These 4 points are picked up from a Hindu

Businessline article. And in 2014, UPSCtested on 3 of these
4 statements.
What should I know about Arecanut and why?

1. A tropical plant found all over South East Asia fruit of this
tree is known as betel nut or supari, forms a part of ritual
offerings in Hindu religion.
2. India leads the global production &withinIndia 72% of it is
grown inKarnataka, Kerala.
3. Historical significance Mentioned in the works of ayurveda
and Marco Polo.
4. Intercropping Arecanut has a gestation period of 5 years&
so it isintermixed withbanana, mango etc.
Discuss: UPSC-2014 hada question on matching regions

&its famous produce. Daily news factsmake it a little bit easy
to solve such ques. by elimination method.
114/151
4/2/2015
Polity
Can one house dictate the other?

1. BJP is in a bit of a fix regd. withdrawing the 3 ordinances from
RS and starting a discussion in LS (where it has the majority).
2. Dep. Chairman of the RS,P.J. Kurien says This is a complex
issueit cant be known that the LS discussion is same as that
of RS.
3. Opposition says Bills that were the property of the
House can either be accepted or rejected but cannot be
withdrawn.
Discuss: You might want to give a cursory read to the rule

book of parliament. Not compulsory for CSAT but a good to
know thing.
World
President Xi Jinpings Chinese dream in danger

1. Documentary by Chai Jing, a former anchor of CCTV
enunciated the hazards of smogin China.
2. Presidents dream of environment-friendly China under
threat hence, social media app launched on WeChat to
report excess pollution cases.
3. Shares in 18 environmental protection-related companies
surged coz of people frenzy to safeguard against smog.
Discuss:What are the two types of smog? Classical Smog &

Petrochemical Smog. Classical =Smoke + fog + SO2
||Photochemical =Sunlight + hydrocarbons+ NOX.
115/151
4/2/2015
Economics
Assam, Bihar & TN set to lose coz of the 14th FC

(1/2)
1. The Finance Commission constitutional body (Art. 280)
convened by the Prez. every 5 years.
2. Makes recco. regd. devolution of taxes between center and
state from the divisible pool.
3. Divisible pool = All central taxes (surcharge + cess tax + tax
collection charges)
4. The 14th FC was appointed in 2013, headed by Dr. YV
Reddy.
5. It proposed a change in the criteria for horizontal devolution.
Discuss: What is this horizontal devolution and how does it affect

the fate of states? Move to the next card.
Economics
Assam, Bihar & TN set to lose coz of the 14th FC

(2/2)
1. Horizontal devolution =dist. of taxes across states on the
basis of variables which are assigned weights according to
their relative significance.
2. 14th FC added two new variables Population-2011 (10%) &
Forest Cover (7.5%) and got rid of a variable calledFiscal
Discipline(17.5%).
3. As a result, states with forest cover Arunachal Pradesh,
Jharkhand, MP, Chattisgarh are set to gain.
4. TN, Bihar and Assam are going to lose out coz of that.
Discuss: However, in absolute terms all states are getting

more autonomy in decision making because the 42% tax
devolution suggestion has been accepted.
116/151
4/2/2015
Economics
Approach the budget commentary like a pro

1. Think beyond budget estimates They tell us about govt.
outlays & priorities but are revised with time. Look back at
2014 (revised estimates) & 2013 (actuals).
2. Compare like with like To see a policy allocation jump,
compare estimates with estimates and not with revised or
actuals.
3. Think beyond nominal increases in allocations factor in
inflation.
4. Think beyond outlays Outputs and outcomes are never
tracked in budgets but they are important.
Discuss:Whats the difference between outlays and output?

Google it up!
Polity
A Nehru-Malvankar debate
1. While the first Speaker (GV Malvankar) felt ordinances were
undemocratic, Nehru saw them as the last resort.
2. Malvankar said, Whether an ordinance is justifiable or not,
the issue of a large number of ordinances has psychologically,
a bad effect.
Discuss: Remember1986 Supreme Court judgment in D.C.

Wadhwa versus State of Bihar case, when it said that Ordinance
Raj cannot be permitted.
117/151
4/2/2015
History
What is Mission Kakatiya?

1. Telangana govts tribute to the Kakatiya dynasty rulers who
had built a large number of irrigation tanks.
2. Deccan plateau is located in the rain shadow region
conservation of water is a necessity.Hence interconnected
rain tanks water flow depends on gravity.
3. In Telangana 85% of cultivated area is rainfed water
dependence isat its best.
4. Revival of tanks will boost agriculture, help control floods,
alleviate farmers concerns.
Discuss: Just the other day we read about the famous Kakatiya
ruler Rudramma. And this is strike two. Kakatiya might become
important this year!
Trivia
Swine Flu preventives in public interest

1. Always wear a mask in crowded areas.
2. Frequent hand washing.
3. Hands-off-the-face approach to avoid the entrance of virus
through the nose
4. Gargle twice a day with warm water. It has the same effect of
cleaning a healthy persons throat, as Tamiflu will have against
an infected one.
5. Clean your nostrils everyday at least once, with warm salt
water cleans thenasal cavity.
6. Consume citrus fruits.
Discuss: Prevention is better than cure. Spread this flash card

among your friends.
118/151
4/2/2015
Economics
What do we know about informal employment?

1. Activities and income that are partially or fully outside
government regulation, taxation, and observation.
2. Neither taxed, nor monitored, it is also called grey economy.
3. The financialcontribution to economy not included in GDP
and GNP.
4. In India 75% of employment in rural area and 69% in urban
area are under informal sector.
Discuss:NSSO surveys are used to identify these Informal

Sectors. What more do we know about NSSOs methodology?
Science & Tech
What is net neutrality?

1. Net neutrality is the idea that all websites or videos load at
about the same speed.
2. The goal is to prevent providers from striking deals with
content providers like Google, Netflix or Twitter to move
their data faster.
3. Around 2005, when YouTube and Netflix came online and
started picking up on-demand video traffic, internet providers
started manipulating traffic and bandwidth.
4. The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) finally ruled
in favor of net neutrality.
Discuss:What are the other issues troubling the internet space?

Discuss inyour study groups.
119/151
4/2/2015
Polity
Beyond medication care for elderly

1. Current elderly population 125 MMslated to grow to 176
MMby 2026 30% of these willhave chronic medical
conditions.
2. Need tointegratemedical therapies as a rehabilitation model
along with modern medicines to ensure both quality and
longevity of life.
3. Good time to recall theDept. of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga &
Naturopathy, Unani , Siddha, Homoeopathy & alternative
systems).
Discuss: Sowa-Rigpa, also known as Amchi system was also

added to AYUSH. It isa popular practice in the himalayan region.
History
New telegu movie Rudramma Devi

1. How is it related to UPSC prep? It gives you a pretext to
remember her Shewas a ruler of Kakatiya dynasty on the
Deccan Plateau.
2. GoI has instituted an award in her Stree Shakti Puruskar.
3. Rani Rudramma Devi Award (for both men & women)
forpersonal courage and integrity.
Discuss: What are the other awards under Stree Shakti? Revisit
those brave women. Also,Anushka Shetty is acting the part of Rani
in the movie.
120/151
4/2/2015
Economics
US puts India under Priority Watch List

1. America tagsIndia unfavourable as far as its IPR regime is
concerned.In the Special 301 report, India has been put
under the priority watch list.
2. Office of US Trade Representativeproduces this report.The
categories are-Priority Foreign Country (only
Ukraine),Priority Watch List (India, China, Russia), Watch
List, N/A.
Discuss: Ukraine is like the worst country on economic issues. Just

the other day we saw how it has entered into hyper inflation.
World
India and BRICS comparison within

1. India ranks lower in capacity for innovation, quality of
scientific research, patents granted per million etc. etc.
among the other BRICS nations.
2. We have read such news time and again, over and over so
what is the counter?
3. One counter on patents granted could be that we are strict in
our IPR regime Remember the Pharmaceuticalpatents
controversy? Our IPR regime is seen to be benefitting the
generic industries.
Discuss:India is in the priority watch list category of US Special

301 Report. What does it mean?
121/151

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Kochi arachnologists discover rare spiders in

Fin Min to cut its expenditure share from the CSS

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NASA launches SMAP satellite to observe soil

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