16 Apr 2019: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News

Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS1 Related SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Plea in SC seeks entry of women into mosques

B. GS2 Related POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. EC curbs campaigning by Yogi, Mayawati, Maneka and Azam

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. China is using AI to profile Uighur Muslims

2. China ready to wait for India’s BRI participation

HEALTH

1. Global measles cases up by 300%, says WHO

C. GS3 Related ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Tiger reserve status for Nandhaur sought

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ successfully test-fired

2. More GSLV launch vehicles in the offing

3. ‘First’ 3D printed heart has human tissues and vessels

D. GS4 Related

E. Editorials POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Weathervane of democracy

2. A lot to say, but little to offer

3. Why state financing is the only way to ensure fair and transparent poll funding

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. A mammoth election

ECONOMY

1. Slowing down fast

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. The road to Kashmir

F. Tidbits 1. Karbi tribe

2. Non-core assets

3. Cassowaries

G. Prelims Facts

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS1 Related

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Plea in SC seeks entry of women into mosques

Context:

A couple has moved the Supreme Court against the prohibition of entry of Muslim women into mosques,

terming the bar as illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of their dignity.

Issue:

Women are now allowed to offer prayers at mosques under the Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid

denominations.

Muslim women are barred from mosques under the predominant Sunni faction.

Even in mosques where women are allowed, there are separate entrances and enclosures for men and

women.

Details:

A Pune based couple in their petition said that there should not be any gender discrimination.

They sought that Muslim women must be allowed to pray in all mosques, cutting across

denominations. “There is no such gender discrimination to offer worship in Mecca, the holy city. The

faithful, both men and women, together circle the Kaaba”, they said.

The couple said they had approached several Islamic religious heads on the issue, but received no

positive response. In fact, the petition said, “The Imam of Jama Masjid, Bopodi, Pune had written

that since no permission can be granted, he is not sure about entry of women in mosque.”

The petitioners said the police did not also respond to their request to provide them protection for

entering mosques.

The petition comes several months after the court upheld the dignity of women worshippers aged

between 10 and 50 by lifting the bar on them to pray at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

The court concluded that the bar amounted to discrimination and even a practice of untouchability.

The Haji Ali Dargah Trust had also agreed in the Supreme Court to allow women to enter the

sanctum of the shrine.

Conclusion:

It is high time that a robust law be enacted so as to bring women on the great platform of true equality. The

enactment, as well as its implementation in letter and spirit, would provide the legitimate right and liberty in

religion to Indian women.

B. GS2 Related

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. EC curbs campaigning by Yogi, Mayawati, Maneka and Azam

Context:

The Election Commission imposed restrictions on the campaigning of four senior politicians for violating

the model code of conduct in Uttar Pradesh.

Details:

The EC put restrains on electioneering for 48-72 hours for violations of the model code.

The orders, in which the Election Commission censured the four politicians, also prevent them from

giving interviews or making any comment on the electronic, print or social media in connection with

the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Adityanath had said that if the Congress, the SP and the BSP had faith in “Ali,” “then we also have

faith in Bajrangbali.” He also made a reference to “haraa virus” [green virus].

While restraining him from campaigning, the EC noted that he was earlier cautioned to remain

careful after his “Modiji ki sena” [Modi’s Army] remark when speaking about the armed forces.

In a separate order against Ms. Gandhi, the EC said it had seen the video recording of her speech and

was convinced that it violated the provisions of the model code as laid down in Para 3 and 4 of Part-1

of the ‘General Conduct’ section, pertaining to bribing or intimidation of voters. The EC said she had

also violated Section 123 (corrupt practices) of the Representation of the People Act, reprimanding

her for the conduct.

At Turab Khani village, Ms. Gandhi had allegedly told Muslims that they should vote for her as they

would need her help in the future.

With regards to Azam Khan, the EC noted that his speech at a rally in Rampur— allegedly directed

at his rival BJP candidate Jayaprada — was not only indecent, but also derogatory and totally

uncalled for. Citing a 2013 advisory, it said all the political parties and candidates had been told to

refrain from any actions repugnant to the honour and dignity of women.

Model Code of Conduct:

MCC is a set of guidelines issued to regulate political parties and candidates before any elections.

The Code comes into play as soon as the EC announces an Assembly election in a state or the Lok

Sabha polls.

Article 324 of the Constitution gives the Election Commission the power to monitor Central and

state governments, all the candidates and political parties.

The Code remains in force till election results are declared.

What restrictions does the Model Code of Conduct impose on government and political parties?

The moment MCC is imposed, the party in power at the Centre and those in states have to ensure that

they do not use their position for campaigning. Thus, no project, scheme or policy can be announced

by the government.

Any campaign by the government cannot be done at the cost of the public exchequer. It cannot use

official mass media for publicity to give its party an edge over others in the elections.

Politicians who hold portfolios cannot combine official visits with campaigns.

They cannot use government transport for campaigning.

The issue of advertisement at the cost of public exchequer in newspapers and other media is also

considered an offence.

Holding public meetings during the 48-hour period before the hour fixed for the closing of the poll is

also prohibited to allow a voter a campaign-free environment before casting his vote.

In polling booths, apart from voters, only those individuals with a permit from the EC are allowed to

enter.

Political parties must not campaign for votes within a distance of 100 metres of polling booths on the

day of voting.

The Model Code of Conduct is also applied to places of worship like Mosques, Churches, Temples

and Gurudwaras. They cannot be used for election propaganda.

No caste and communal sentiments can be used to lure voters

No bribing of voters

No intimidation of voters

No carrying or burning effigies of the opponents

Political parties can criticise the other candidates based on policies and programmes and their work

record.

The government must ensure public place, facility like helipads are provided to Opposition parties on

which terms they use for their party.

When was Model Code of Conduct introduced?

MCC was first introduced at the time of the Kerala Assembly election 1960 and continued to be followed in

subsequent general elections. In October 1979, the EC added a section to regulate the ‘party in power’.

Does MCC have statutory backing?

The Election Commission simply uses moral sanction or censure for its enforcement.

If a party violates Model Code of Conduct, EC can issue a notice to the party.

The offender must respond to EC in writing explaining its actions. The offender can tender an

unconditional apology, accept its mistake or rebut the allegations.

If the accused rebuts, the party or person can attract a written censure from the ECI.

However, the ECI cannot derecognise or disqualify the person for violation of the Model Code of

Conduct.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. China is using AI to profile Uighur Muslims

Context:

The Chinese authorities are using a vast, secret system of advanced facial recognition technology to track

and control the Uighurs. It is the first known example of a government intentionally using artificial

intelligence for racial profiling.

Background:

The Uighurs are mostly Muslims, and number about 11 million in western China's Xinjiang region.

They see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations, and their language is

similar to Turkish.

The tension and recent violence between the Uighurs and China is mainly caused by economic and

cultural factors. Priority given to Hans Chinese. There's been a mass migration of Han Chinese

(China's ethnic majority) to Xinjiang, and the Uighurs feel their culture and livelihoods are under

threat.

Uighurs also react vehemently to gradual curtailment of their commercial and cultural activities,

restrictions on Islam, strict control over religious schools in the region by China.

Details:

The Chinese government has drawn wide international condemnation for its harsh crackdown on

ethnic Muslims in its western region, including holding as many as 1 million of them in detention

camps.

The facial recognition technology, which is integrated into China’s rapidly expanding networks of

surveillance cameras, looks exclusively for Uighurs based on their appearance and keeps records of

their comings and goings for search and review.

The practice makes China a pioneer in applying next-generation technology to watch its people,

potentially ushering in a new era of automated racism.

The technology and its use to keep tabs on China’s 11 million Uighurs were described by five people

with direct knowledge of the systems.

The New York Times also reviewed databases used by the police, government procurement

documents and advertising materials distributed by the AI companies that make the systems.

Chinese authorities already maintain a vast surveillance net, including tracking people’s DNA, in the

western region of Xinjiang.

But the scope of the new systems extends that monitoring into many other corners of the country.

Police are now using facial recognition technology to target Uighurs in wealthy eastern cities like

Hangzhou and Wenzhou and across the coastal province of Fujian.

Law enforcement in the central Chinese city of Sanmenxia ran a system that over the course of a

month this year screened whether residents were Uighurs 5,00,000 times.

A new generation of start-ups catering to Beijing’s authoritarian needs are beginning to set the tone

for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. From a technology standpoint, using algorithms

to label people based on race or ethnicity has become relatively easy.

Breaking new ground:

China has broken new ground by identifying one ethnic group for law enforcement purposes.

It has devoted major resources toward tracking Uighurs, citing ethnic violence in Xinjiang and

Uighur terrorist attacks elsewhere.

Beijing has thrown hundreds of thousands of Uighurs and others in Xinjiang into reeducation camps.

It was found that, in practice, the systems are imperfect. Often, their accuracy depends on

environmental factors like lighting and the positioning of cameras. And while facial recognition

technology uses aspects like skin tone and face shapes to sort images in photos or videos, it must be

told by humans to categorise people based on social definitions of race or ethnicity. Chinese police,

with the help of the startups, have done that.

Critics have labeled China negatively for its gladiatorial show of tech-enabled authoritarianism and

power over Uighurs.

2. China ready to wait for India’s BRI participation

Context:

China recently signalled that it was ready to wait for India’s participation in President Xi Jinping’s signature

Belt and Road Initiative, but also pointed to possible downside to New Delhi’s delay in participating in the

giant connectivity project.

Background:

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the One Belt One Road (OBOR) or the Silk Road

Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road is a development strategy adopted by

the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and

international organizations in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Africa.

The paramount leader of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, originally announced the

strategy during official visits to Indonesia and Kazakhstan in 2013.

"Belt" refers to the overland routes for road and rail transportation, called "the Silk Road Economic

Belt"; whereas "road" refers to the sea routes, or the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Until 2016 the initiative was officially known in English as the One Belt and One Road initiative but

the official name was changed as the Chinese government considered the emphasis on the word

"one" as being prone to misinterpretation.

The Chinese government calls the initiative "a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a

brighter future". Some observers see it as a push for Chinese dominance in global affairs with a

China-centered trading network.

Why has India not joined BRI?

India has been severely critical of the BRI. India’s opposition to BRI is driven by two factors.

First being that the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of the BRI, passes

through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India says it cannot accept a project that ignores its core concern on sovereignty and territorial

integrity.

Secondly, India has expressed strong reservation on the funding pattern and objectives of the plan. It

opines that the initiative lacks of transparency and also that many of the projects are economically

unsustainable.

India has made no bones about the fact that big Chinese loans under BRI are pushing countries

towards a debt trap.

India was the only member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) not to endorse BRI at

the 18th SCO Summit held at Qingdao, China.

Details:

In the previous year, Zhang Jun, China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that India was

China’s “natural partner” in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

He pointed out that “historically India was an important country on the ancient Silk Road, and it is

fair to say that India was a natural partner on the ancient and (is one) in the Belt and Road Initiative”.

In response to a question on the likelihood of India’s non-participation in the upcoming Belt and

Road Forum (BRF) that will take place later this month, Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that

Beijing was ready to exercise patience.

He highlighted that “if the relevant side would like to wait and see, we do not oppose that”.

He also emphasised that India could be negatively impacted if it arrived as latecomer in the BRI

family.

Category: HEALTH

1. Global measles cases up by 300%, says WHO

Context:

Measles cases rose 300% worldwide through the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period last

year, the UN said, as concern grows over the impact of anti-vaccination stigma.

Measles:

Measles is a deadly disease and one of the important causes of death in children.

It is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected person.

It can make a child vulnerable to life-threatening complications such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and

brain infection.

Details:

Measles, which is highly contagious, can be entirely prevented through a two-dose vaccine, but the

World Health Organization (WHO) has in recent months sounded the alarm over slipping global

vaccination rates.

Preliminary global data shows that reported cases rose by 300% in the first three months of 2019,

compared to the same period in 2018. This follows consecutive increases over the past two years.

While this data is provisional and not yet complete, it indicates a clear trend.

Many countries are in the midst of sizeable measles outbreaks, with all regions of the world

experiencing sustained rises in cases,” WHO further said.

Growing concerns in India:

The UN vaccination campaign in India has been met with fierce resistance as parents and even some

schools opposed the idea of vaccinating children. The health officials believe rumors circulating on

social media are to blame.

Thousands of children in India have missed out on the necessary immunization, the United Nations

Children’s Fund (UNICEF) complained.

In the Indian capital of New Delhi, the UN-backed campaign to vaccinate students as schools was

met with opposition by parents, who were scared of potential adverse effects of inoculation.

One of the key underlying causes of such a surge of anti-vaccination sentiments in India is the fact

that people do not have enough relevant information on the issue while the rapid spread of internet

technologies does not really help to tackle this problem.

The health authorities should pay more attention to educating people about vaccination – particularly

though the very same social media channels that are now used to spread false information.

India’s efforts towards eradicating Measles:

India, along with ten other World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region member

countries, has resolved to eradicate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)

by 2020.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in this direction, has started measles-rubella (MR)

vaccination campaign for the children of age group of 9 months to less than 15 years in a phased

manner through the length and breadth of the country.

The campaign is targeted at covering around 41 crore children, the largest ever covered in any

campaign. Under the campaign, children will be given single shot of Measles and Rubella (MR)

campaign irrespective of their previous measles/rubella vaccination status or measles/rubella disease

status.

MR vaccine will be provided free- of- cost across the states from session sites at schools as well as

health facilities and in the sites of outreach session.

Read more about Measles-Rubella Campaign.

C. GS3 Related

Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Tiger reserve status for Nandhaur sought

Context:

With the number of tigers steadily on the rise at Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand, the authorities

feel upgrading it to a tiger reserve is necessary for the conservation of tigers at the facility.

Details:

The number of tigers at the sanctuary when it came into being in 2012 was nine which rose to 27 in

2018. The number is set to cross 32 this year,” Director of the sanctuary said.

Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary is situated close to the Nandhaur river in Kumaon region of the State.

Concerns:

The official said the steady rise in tiger population at the sanctuary over the years and the growing

trend indicates that the sanctuary with the limited resources at its disposal may not be able to

efficiently handle its responsibilities for long.

Though the Wildlife Institute of India and the Forest Department are working hard with financial

help from the Zoological Society of London to maintain the sanctuary as a safe habitat for tigers, the

task may get difficult in the long run.

He said the situation becomes rather delicate from the point of view of tiger conservation as the

sanctuary at present does not come formally under the ambit of the National Tiger Conservation

Authority.

How would a “Tiger Reserve” status help?

The State government can play a role in its elevation as a tiger reserve so that it gets central

government funds and the expertise of national level zoological scientists to conserve the growing

population of tigers at the sanctuary.

Advocating a tiger reserve status for the sanctuary, senior biologist at the Dehradun-based Wildlife

Institute of India, said the density of tiger population at the sanctuary is very healthy and every step

should be taken to boost its resources and maintain it as an ideal habitat for tigers.

A National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary that is considered significant for protecting tigers can be

additionally designated as a Tiger Reserve.

A Tiger Reserve consists of a ‘Core’ or ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’, which is to be managed as an

inviolate area, and a ‘Buffer’ or Peripheral area immediately abutting a Core area, which may be

accorded a lesser degree of habitat protection. This is the typical zonation of a Tiger Reserve.

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Sub-sonic cruise missile ‘Nirbhay’ successfully test-fired

Context:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired the

underdevelopment long range subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay from the Integrated Test Range (ITR),

Chandipur in Odisha.

Details:

It is India’s first indigenously designed and developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile.

It has blended missile and aeronautical technologies which allows it to take off vertically like missile

and cruise horizontally like an aircraft.

It has operational range of 1000 km and can carry warheads of up to 300 kg including nuclear

warheads.

Nirbhay can fly very low to the ground to avoid detection by enemy radar called terrain hugging

capability.

It can be launched from various kind of platforms.

It is the sixth development flight trial with objective to prove the repeatability of boost phase, cruise

phase using way point navigation at very low altitudes.

Of the six test trials, three were failed and three were successful. No other indigenous missile has

been tested at such altitude.

It was tested upto a range of 700 km.

The missile demonstrated its sea-skimming capability to cruise at very low altitudes.

The guidance, control and navigation system of missile is configured around indigenously designed

Ring Laser Gyroscope (RLG) and MEMS based Inertial Navigation System (INS) along with GPS

system

Once inducted, Nirbhay, similar to U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, will give Indian armed forces a

long range standoff capability to strike targets on land.

2. More GSLV launch vehicles in the offing

Context:

The Union Cabinet has approved five more GSLV satellite launch vehicles for the period 2021-24 under the

next phase 4 of the ongoing GSLV continuation programme.

GSLV continuation programme:

GSLV Continuation Programme was initially sanctioned in 2003, and two phases have been

completed and the third phase is in progress and expected to be completed by Q4 of 2020-21.

GSLV has enabled independent access to space for 2 tonne class of satellites to Geosynchronous

Transfer Orbit (GTO).

One of the very significant outcomes of the GSLV Continuation Programme is the mastering of the

highly complex cryogenic propulsion technology, which is an essential technological capability to

launch communication satellites to GTO.

This has also paved the way for the development of a high thrust Cryogenic engine & stage for the

next generation launch vehicle i.e. GSLV Mk-lll.

With the recent successful launch of GSLV-F11 on 19th December 2018, GSLV has successfully

orbited 10 national satellites.

GSLV with the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has established itself as a reliable launch vehicle

for communication, navigation and meteorological satellites and also to undertake future

interplanetary missions.

Details:

The GSLV Continuation Programme - Phase 4 will meet the launch requirement of satellites for

providing critical satellite navigation services, data relay communication for supporting the Indian

Human Spaceflight Programme and the next interplanetary mission to Mars.

This will also ensure the continuity of production in Indian industry.

The GSLV Continuation Programme - Phase 4 will meet the demand for the launch of satellites at a

frequency up to two launches per year, with maximal participation by the Indian industry.

All the operational flights would be completed during the period 2021-24.

The operationalization of GSLV has made the country self-reliant in the launching capability of 2

tonne class of satellites for communication & meteorological satellites.

The GSLV Continuation Programme will sustain & strengthen the capability and self-reliance in the

launching of similar satellites for national requirements including next-generation navigation

satellites, data relay communication satellites and interplanetary missions.

3. ‘First’ 3D printed heart has human tissues and vessels

Context:

Scientists in Israel unveiled a 3D print of a heart with human tissue and vessels. The medical breakthrough

raises possibility for transplants into patients in future.

Details:

The heart marked “the first time anyone has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart

replete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers.

3D-print the structure of a heart have been made in the past, but not with cells or with blood vessels.

Researchers must now teach the printed hearts “to behave” like real ones. Then they plan to

transplant them into animal models.

Significance of 3D printed hearts:

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death, according to the World Health

Organization, and transplants are currently the only option available for patients in the worst cases.

But the number of donors is limited and many die while waiting.

When they do benefit, they can fall victim to their bodies rejecting the transplant — a problem the

researchers are seeking to overcome.

Using the patient’s own tissue could eliminate the risk of an implant provoking an immune response

and being rejected.

Challenges that remain include how to expand the cells to have enough tissue to recreate a human-

sized heart.

D. GS4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Weathervane of democracy

What’s in the news?

Some experts opine that the Election Commission’s weakening commitment to the Model Code of Conduct

is cause for concern.

Editorial Analysis:

Some experts take the view that for the first time since the general election of 1996, the reputation of

the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a beating.

Subsequent to the 1996 election, which marked a turning point in the reduction of electoral

malpractices, surveys showed that trust in the ECI was the highest among the major public

institutions in India.

However, there are now perceptions that the ECI has responded inadequately, or not at all, to

violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which is in effect from March 10 to May 23, 2019.

Some examples in this election include the Prime Minister’s announcement on national television of

India’s first anti-satellite weapon test, the Rajasthan Governor making statements in favour of the

ruling party, leaders of the ruling party invoking the Indian Army in their election campaign, and, in

a spate of dubious media initiatives, a continuous line of statements along communal lines.

The MCC, like the ECI itself, is a unique Indian innovation and encapsulates an important story

about democracy in India — the conduct of free and fair elections. Though just a brief set of

guidelines, not law, the MCC is a powerful instrument. It comes into force when the ECI announces

election dates and comprises directions to government functionaries, political parties and candidates

aimed at an impartial election process. Important provisions include barring governments from

making policy announcements to sway voters and restraining political actors from inciting hatred

against any group, or bribing or intimidating voters.

A Brief Look at the Past:

The origins of the MCC lie in the Assembly elections of Kerala in 1960, when the State

administration prepared a ‘Code of Conduct’ for political actors.

The leading political parties of the State voluntarily approved the code, which proved useful during

the elections.

Subsequently, in the Lok Sabha elections in 1962, the ECI circulated the code to all recognised

political parties and State governments; reports were that it was generally followed.

The emergence of the code and its voluntary acceptance by political parties showed the commitment

of the political elite to the holding of free and fair elections.

However, from 1967 till 1991, as political competition intensified, political actors began to resort to

corrupt electoral practices. Governments made populist announcements on the eve of elections, had

pliant officials in key positions while intimidation of voters and booth capturing increased.

The ECI’s appeals to observe the code of conduct were largely ignored. The ECI now resorted to a

familiar, but ineffective, strategy in Indian public life. It refined the code, making it more stringent

by including a section about the misuse of powers by ruling parties and renamed it the MCC.

Though it demanded that the MCC be incorporated in the law, no such law could be passed.

A turning point: Role Played by T.N. Seshan

After 1991, the ECI used new means to enforce the MCC. The then-Chief Election Commissioner,

T.N. Seshan rebuked prominent political actors publicly and even postponed elections, thereby re-

interpreting the ECI’s power to fix election dates. The burgeoning electronic media of the time

reported these initiatives with enthusiasm, while candidates were happy to capitalise on the mistakes

made by their rivals. Consequently, political actors began to take the MCC seriously, fearing it even

if they did not respect it.

The MCC now countered the lack of commitment of the political class to free and fair elections, the

ECI began to command a new respect and electoral malpractices declined dramatically.

New flashpoints: A Perspective

Today, the MCC is at a crossroads, as is the ECI. Two distinct trends are visible. One, electoral

malpractice has appeared in new forms.

Voter bribery and manipulation through the media have become the techniques of unethically

influencing voters in place of voter intimidation and booth capturing.

These malpractices are harder to stem. Booth-capturing is an identifiable event, taking place at a

particular time and place. Voter bribery is spread over time and space.

Voters resent being intimidated and are likely to cooperate with authorities in preventing it, but may

be willing to be bribed. The misuse of the media is difficult to trace to specific political parties and

candidates.

Critics opine that the ECI’s response to the new challenges has been inadequate. It has

appointed expenditure observers, evolved a code for social media, and, very recently, after a spate of

criticism, stopped the release of biographical pictures that could influence voters.

But there is little evidence that it has got to the core of the problem as it did after 1991. As in the pre-

1991 phase, its efforts have hardly borne fruit. At the same time, the misuse of money and media

power has intensified since the last two elections.

The second trend is that the ECI’s capacity to respond to the older types of violations of the MCC

has weakened. Its response to inappropriate statements by powerful political actors has been

weak, or delayed. As a consequence, political actors are regaining the confidence to flout the MCC without facing the

consequences. Further, as the ECI’s capacity to secure a level playing field has dipped, attacks on it

have increased. They now encompass its processes such as the use of electronic voting machines,

which had become acceptable when the ECI was stronger. A vicious cycle has been set in motion.

Concluding Remarks:

The MCC is, in many ways, the weathervane of our democracy. The initial idea of free and fair elections was embraced by the political elite voluntarily, and the

MCC emerged. Over time, the commitment of the political class to free and fair elections declined,

and it flouted the MCC.

During the early to mid-1990s, the ECI enforced the MCC on reluctant political actors, and MCC

began to be feared, if not voluntarily followed.

However, critics opine that today, the ECI’s own commitment to the MCC seems to have weakened,

which would be a bad omen for our democracy.

2. A lot to say, but little to offer

Note to Students:

Some of the points mentioned in this article can be absorbed and used while writing essays. We have

highlighted these points in bold.

Editorial Analysis:

Elections are an opportunity for people to express their will.

In healthy situations, electioneering is undertaken with sensitivity to a people’s welfare.

When public life becomes pathological, electioneering becomes indifferent to lived realities.

People allow themselves to be bewitched by rhetorical demagoguery. Instead of choosing what is

good for them, people punish persons and parties they are made to dislike.

The will of a people is that their real-life needs must be addressed. It is that governance should

become a medium through which welfare is enhanced. If this is the case, electioneering will focus on the issues that concern the people. Good governance is

its by-product.

Governance stands rooted in freedom and justice for all. Good governance is not a matter of

growth-related statistics or muscle flexing against political rivals.

The essence of freedom in a democracy is that citizens are able to exercise their right to choose

in an informed fashion. It is to this end that electioneering and exercising one’s franchise need to be ‘free and fair’.

Political parties which try to vitiate electioneering with extraneous factors so as to determine

how citizens exercise their franchise can have no interest in providing good governance. As a matter of fact, that they feel obliged to resort to such strategies is tantamount to a confession

that they have failed in providing good governance.

Nationalistic hysteria and Jingoistic Propaganda:

Further, when the failure of governance is being used to whip up nationalistic hysteria to prevent

factual and rational thinking, the capacity of citizens to make rational choices conducive to their

welfare gets undermined.

The purpose of jingoistic propaganda is to ensure that people do not express their will through

franchise, but vote according to the will of somebody else. Some sections believe that no election conducted amid mass hysteria can be ‘free or fair’.

The prescription that electioneering shall stop 48 hours before voting takes place is meant to

provide voters the serenity to think for themselves in a calm and collected fashion. However, thinking does not take place in a vacuum; it is substantially influenced by what a person

has been exposed to in the immediate past. It is naïve to assume that the potent effect of jingoistic

propaganda will wear off in two days.

Propaganda of this kind usually affords the party in power a huge advantage over its rivals.

Concluding Remarks:

Elections must be fought on real-life issues. To fight is to stay focused. The outcome of staying

focused is that the public are educated on the ground realities vis-à-vis the issues that concern them.

Only within such a framework can alternatives be identified.

Instead, the energy in the present electioneering has gone into generating waves of mutual acrimony.

The sole point on which the present electioneering is strategised is that people have no alternative

other than oneself. Parties vie with each other in proving that all are vile and unworthy. Neither

formation offers anything convincingly positive to decide rationally which way to turn.

3. Why state financing is the only way to ensure fair and transparent poll funding

Note to Students:

This article appeared in the print edition of the Indian Express on the 16th of April, 2019, under the

title ‘Level-playing field matters’.

The below analysis is taken from an article written by Ashok Khemka, who is a senior IAS officer.

Editorial Analysis:

It is important to note that the finance ministry’s electoral bond scheme has afforded a way to fund

political parties without disclosing the donor’s identity.

The anonymity provision is antagonistic to transparency — the bonds merely enable an “on-the-

books” secretive transfer.

The Problem of Unaccounted Money:

In just 28 days since the announcement of the general election, the Election Commission (EC) has

seized cash, drugs, alcohol, precious metals and other items worth Rs 1,800 crore.

Compare this to the legal upper limit of expenditure per candidate — Rs 70 lakh. Simple arithmetic

would show that the seized amount can fully finance up to five candidates from each of the 543

constituencies. The amount seized is just the tip of the iceberg. The expenditure in any election is

estimated to be several times the legal upper limit.

Fiscal constraints on electioneering give rise to the problem of unaccounted money. There have been a few solutions. However, all of them are premised on an adverse relationship

between accountability and transparency. Alternately, state funding of the recognised political parties

and outlawing of corporate funding could be instrumental in making the electoral process fairer and

more participatory.

A Look at Specifics:

In 1962, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee moved a Private Member’s Bill to prevent electoral donations

by corporates. It was argued that since all shareholders need not subscribe to the political

endorsement by a corporate, it was immoral to allow donations against their consent. Vajpayee had

propositioned that such funding would only serve corporate interests. While all political parties

welcomed the bill, the then ruling party did not vote in its favour. Never again was such a bill

introduced.

Under Section 29B of the Representation of the People Act 1951, political parties are free to

accept donations from any person, except from a foreign source. Two inferences can be drawn from

this — first, money wields the ability to disrupt political agenda; second, foreign money dilutes

electoral integrity. Both reasons would equally be valid for any person who is alien to the election

process — a non-voter. The concerns that arise from foreign-funding are equally applicable to

funding from corporates, with the distinction that while the former is a jurisdictional alien; the latter,

on account of being a non-participant, is an alien. However, party interests deter further expansion in

the law.

The finance ministry’s electoral bond scheme afforded a way to fund political parties without

disclosing the donor’s identity. Of the Rs 2,722 crore donated through the scheme in the last 15

months, almost 95 per cent has gone to the ruling party, which enjoys a 31.34 per cent vote share.

The remaining contestants with a 68.66 per cent vote share could only garner 5 per cent funding.

The anonymity provision under the scheme is antagonistic to transparency — the bonds merely

enable an “on-the-books” secretive transfer.

The State Bank as the facilitator would be privy to the details of the depositor and the political party

funded, therefore allowing the ruling party to monitor its rivals. As a consequence, what would be

unknown to others will be known by the ruling party.

A Look at the International Perspective:

Corporates have long defended their political donations on the grounds of freedom of speech.

Within American jurisprudence, corporates claim free speech under the First Amendment.

Like citizens, they seek to endorse their economic and political views through contributions to

campaign finance. However, casting such a wide net of freedom of speech seems misplaced.

Corporates are associations that further economic interests of their members who enjoy a freedom of

trade. Therefore, their freedom of speech is based on their exercise of the freedom of trade, which is

essentially for a commercial purpose. Citizens, on the other hand, enjoy unfettered freedom of

speech which extends onto the political domain. Since corporates are not participants as voters, they

have no claim to freedom of “political” speech and expression. Therefore, while citizen-voters can

donate to a political party pursuant to free speech, corporates must refrain from donating to a

political party.

In 2015, the Brazilian Supreme Court declared corporate financing of elections to be

unconstitutional. The court understood that right to equality was essential to ensuring fairness

through the extrinsic (fair options between candidates) and intrinsic (fair options between ideologies)

conceptions.

Because 95 per cent of all campaign finance came from corporates, the courts felt that disclosure

norms could only address the extrinsic aspect.

Corporates would still be able to collectively suppress certain socio-economic ideologies (welfare

measures, controlled economy, wage-labour regulations) to their advantage, by inducing political

parties and candidates.

So, the electoral contest would not allow certain policies to flourish, irrespective of who won.

Outlawing corporate funding was important to ensure the right to equality.

Reforming the law as it stands:

In realpolitik terms, there is no incentive for any ruling political party to reform the law as it stands.

Even the main Opposition party lives in the hope that it would derive similar advantage when it

comes to power.

Thus, necessity would dictate that the task of electoral funding be given to the EC under Article 324.

A fair and transparent manner to finance the political parties would require a censure of

unaccounted money and direct donations by corporates and non-voters to political parties. State funding of recognised political parties is a viable alternative. A state funding scheme would

be viable through the levy of an election cess on the direct taxes. A National Election Fund could be maintained by the EC, into which the proceeds from this cess

may be deposited.

Further, at the current GDP-Direct Tax ratio and voter numbers, a 1 per cent election cess can fund

Rs 500 for each vote cast in elections to the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies. The cess being

progressive would spare the poorer candidates from the costs of funding elections.

Direct donations to political parties may be permitted only from persons who are entitled to vote.

Those not entitled to vote may contribute to the neutral National Election Fund.

Donations from corporates into this fund will not distort the election process, but would instead

improve the integrity of the peoples’ electoral choice.

Parties would be inclined to adopt a more inclusive agenda when in government since more votes

will translate into more state funding.

Parties will also vie for votes in absolute numbers than merely be the first past the post.

Democracy will then truly be of the people, for the people and by the people.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. A mammoth election

What’s in the news?

Experts opine that Indonesia’s single-day presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections on

April 17, 2019 will be a mammoth exercise. It will also test the popular mood on President Joko

Widodo’s moderation, which has been under attack from the religious right.

Editorial Analysis:

President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, is seeking a second and final term, as

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, approaches 75 years since gaining

independence from the Netherlands in 1945.

Jokowi, a former Jakarta governor, from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, faces

Prabowo Subianto, a former army general, of the Great Indonesia Movement Party; they had clashed

in the 2014 race too.

Winds in favour of Mr. Jokowi:

Opinion polls show Mr. Jokowi winning comfortably.

The roughly 5% rate of growth in GDP in the last few quarters is well below the President’s 7%

target, but is still an improvement over previous years.

Sentiment has also turned positive since the rupiah regained its value after the slide during the 2018

currency crises in emerging markets and the return of capital flows.

Some Causes for Concern:

Jakarta’s current account deficit, owing to a slump in exports, could cause concern unless the U.S.-

China trade dispute is settled amicably.

However, the liberal-leaning President’s challenges are linked to the poll-time rise in religious

tensions.

In the 2014 contest, Mr. Jokowi’s opponents played the identity card by claiming that he, a Javanese

Muslim, was a Christian and a communist.

In 2017, an ethnic Chinese and Christian successor of Mr. Jokowi as Jakarta governor was

convicted of blasphemy soon after re-election. The government’s subsequent ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist organisation wedded to the

establishment of an international caliphate, underscored the difficulties in balancing conflicting

political interests.

Rising religious militancy in some regions of Indonesia has also endangered the rights of the

LGBTQ community, denting the country’s record of respect for cultural pluralism and tolerance of

heterodox social behaviour.

Negotiating Potential Areas of Friction:

While the constitutional court in 2017 rejected a bid to ban same-sex marriages, human rights groups

are concerned over the lack of anti-discrimination protections for gay persons.

Jokowi’s choice of an orthodox Islamic cleric as running mate is being viewed as an attempt to boost

his religious credentials.

In a unique Indonesian electoral operation, votes for thousands of seats, fought by hundreds of

thousands of candidates at various levels, are tabulated manually in full public view during

daylight hours. Final results of the April 17 polls are expected after weeks.

The complex nature of the process and provision for quick counts based on a sample of the actual

votes cast have in the past led rival camps to trade accusations of manipulation and intimidation.

Concluding Remarks:

Jokowi, whose party narrowly won the 2014 legislative and presidential vote after spectacular poll

ratings, would be acutely aware of the high stakes involved.

A nascent democracy, Indonesia will hope to see through this transition with fortitude.

Category: ECONOMY

1. Slowing down fast

Editorial Analysis:

Experts point out that there are indicators which worryingly point to the Indian economy slowing

down fast.

A Look at Some Important Statistics:

Industrial growth was just 0.1% in February 2019, from the year-earlier period, the slowest pace in

20 months.

Industrial output had expanded by 6.9% in February 2018.

Industrial growth, as measured by the index of industrial production, has been slowing down

considerably in recent months, dropping to just 0.2% year-on-year in November 2018.

Manufacturing, which has a weight of almost 78% in the index, continues to be the biggest drag,

with output contracting by 0.3% as compared with an 8.4% jump in the year-earlier period.

The largest contributor to the slowdown in February, 2019 was the capital goods sector, which

shrank by close to 9%, with the contraction widening from the preceding month’s 3.4%.

The fact that the revision in this closely watched proxy for business spending plans has widened,

from the 3.2% contraction reported last month (March, 2019), is striking.

GDP grew by just 6.6% in the quarter ended December 2018, the slowest pace in six quarters.

Various institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India and the International Monetary Fund have

been lowering their expectations for India’s growth in the coming quarters.

With other economic indicators such as the purchasing managers’ index and high-frequency data like

automobile sales also signalling weakening momentum, the overall scenario, when viewed along

with the slowdown in industrial output, suggests that a turnaround in economic growth is not

in sight. Retail inflation as measured by the consumer price index reached a five-month high of 2.86% in

March 2019 due to the rise in food and fuel prices.

Further, while price gains still remain below the RBI’s stated inflation threshold of 4%, the trajectory

is hardly bound to be reassuring.

The RBI, which has cut interest rates at two successive policy meetings to help bolster economic

growth, is likely to be tempted to opt for more rate reductions.

Concluding Remarks:

While monetary easing could be an easy solution to the growth problem, policymakers may also

need to look into structural issues behind the slowdown.

The high levels of troubled debt in not just the banking sector but the wider non-banking financial

companies are hurting credit markets, and unless these issues can be resolved, no amount of rate cuts

would serve as an effective stimulus.

To a large extent, the slowdown is due to investments in sectors that turned sour as the credit cycle

tightened.

In the fiscal year ended March 2019, new investment proposals fell to a 14-year low, says the Centre

for Monitoring Indian Economy.

Lastly, it is important to note that easing interest rates without reforms may only help hide

investment mistakes instead of fostering a genuine economic recovery.

Category: INTERNAL SECURITY

1. The road to Kashmir

Note to Students:

The issue concerning the ban on civilian traffic for two days a week on the 271-km stretch of National

Highway 44 between Udhampur in Jammu and Baramulla in Kashmir has been in the news for some time

now. In this analysis, we present the points reflected in two articles featured by the Hindu, namely, “Closed

Road” which was published on the 12th of April, 2019, and “The road to Kashmir”, published on the 16th of

April, 2019.

What’s in the news?

Recently, the Government has placed a ban on civilian traffic for two days a week on the 271-km stretch of

National Highway 44 between Udhampur in Jammu and Baramulla in Kashmir. This ban came into force on

April 7, 2019.

A Look into the Issue:

Experts have opined that the ban on civilian traffic for two days a week on the 271-km stretch of

National Highway 44 between Udhampur in Jammu and Baramulla in Kashmir, which came into

force on April 7, 2019, is an ill-advised move.

The ban, which is to last till May 31, 2019 is supposedly to enable the orderly conduct of the Lok

Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, in the light of the tragic February 14, 2019 suicide attack on

a CRPF convoy on NH 44 at Pulwama, that killed 40 personnel.

On Sundays and Wednesdays, between 4 a.m. and 5 p.m., only pre-determined categories of civilian

traffic will be allowed on the highway with clearance from the authorities.

For the rest of the time, the highway will be given over to the movement of troops.

Some experts have opined that as a measure to prevent another Pulwama-type attack, this is

draconian.

A Note on NH 44:

NH 44 is the lifeline of the State — it is vital to move goods (including perishable agricultural

produce), and along it lie many educational and medical institutions.

In many cases, avoiding the stretch would greatly multiply the time and distance between two points.

The government is at pains to emphasise that exceptions are in place for those in medical

emergencies, lawyers, doctors, tourists, government employees, students, and so on.

But such a system of permits and bans militates against the freedom of movement at the heart

of a democratic society. To be sure, even before the ban, civilian traffic has not moved on the

highway unfettered by checks. Such is the security challenge in J&K.

But to officially segregate civilian traffic is to put people’s lives at the mercy of a calendar, and to

invite confusion about the organising principles of Indian troop deployment.

The Pulwama attack was a wake-up call about the security drills in place to prevent terrorist strikes.

It demanded an appraisal, so that the lives of soldiers and civilians alike can be secured.

However, to throw civilians out of gear — as they were on the first day of the highway ban, on April

7, 2019 — defies logic. It also positions the administration against the people, as has become clear

from the political and legal challenges to the traffic restrictions.

Editorial Analysis:

After authorities declared that the highway linking Udhampur in Jammu to Baramulla in Kashmir

will be closed to civilians for two days every week until May 31, Jammu and Kashmir residents

reported extreme hardship in transporting products and getting services, including critical health

care.

As a matter of fact, in a letter to the Home Minister, 26 members of civil society and retired public

officials, many of whom have been associated with Jammu and Kashmir, warned that the decision

“undercuts our democratic credentials and attracts the charge of military rule”.

A Look at the situation on the ground:

There are allegations that security forces use excessive force to quell protests, causing serious

injuries including permanent blindness. Hundreds have been held under the draconian Jammu and

Kashmir Public Safety Act, which permits up to two years in preventive detention.

Kashmiris also complain about rude treatment by security forces during search operations.

The “muscular” approach may also have encouraged a culture of collective punishment against

Kashmir’s Muslim citizens.

Further, in a regrettable development, one has witnessed Kashmiri students, traders and street

vendors in various cities across India have been threatened in mob attacks.

Kashmiris have expressed concern that the restrictions on civilian use of the highway is another form

of collective punishment because of the attack in Pulwama in February, 2019.

The State Human Rights Commission noted that “schoolchildren, medical patients, government and

private employees, as well as other civilians, will not be able to reach their destinations well in time.”

Under international law, measures such as closing a crucial highway that undermine

fundamental rights to movement, food and health must be narrowly tailored and proportionate

to a legitimate governmental aim. Critics point out that while the authorities have a responsibility to provide security, they need to

recognise that respecting human rights is not at odds with providing security, but an essential

component of it. What should occur is a muscular approach to minimise the hardships Kashmiris

face and ensure that protecting their fundamental rights is a priority.

Impact of the Ban: Causing Difficulty for the Common Man

Facing criticism from both the political class and the civil society, the State government’s ban on

civilian traffic twice a week on the 270-km-long national highway in Kashmir is bound to dent the

Valley’s horticulture industry and tourism, according to the stakeholders.

Planters have stored apple stock in cold storages, which require urgent transportation to various

destinations in the country.

These planters opine that apple crop will be hit badly by the ban. Besides, it will delay the chemical

treatment of orchards.

They take the view that the ban is unjustified and will make small-time farmers suffer.

According to an estimation, around ₹300 crore worth of fruit is in cold storages in south Kashmir.

However, the ban order issued by the Governor’s administration has barred the movement of civilian

vehicles, including trucks, from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. twice every week.

The ban will also have serious implications for the upcoming tourist season. Some sections believe

that it will only add to the woes of tourists and pilgrims.

It will result in shortage of essentials.

Doctors believe that there would be an increase in morbidity and mortality in patients due to delays

in patient care.

Concluding Remarks- The Way Forward:

Some experts opine that in a State that is already under President’s Rule, the recent ban has pushed

the political class and the administration farther apart.

The State’s parties such as the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party have led the

voices of protest.

Petitions have been filed in the J&K High Court arguing that the restrictions violate Articles

14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

Lastly, the effect of any response to the Pulwama attack ought not to be an increased alienation

that places troops and local people in an us-versus-them timetable.

It must, instead, be a doubling up of the security protocol to make life more secure and hassle-

free for civilians and soldiers alike.

F. Tidbits

1. Karbi tribe

The Karbis mentioned as the Mikir in the Constitution Order of the Government of India, are one of

the major ethnic tribe in [Not Indigenous] Northeast India and especially in the hill areas of Assam.

Karbi Anglong district of Assam is a district administered as per the provisions of the Sixth Schedule

of the Constitution of India.

They prefer to call themselves Karbi, and sometimes Arleng(literally "man" in the Karbi language).

The term Mikiris now considered derogatory.

The Karbi's mainly speak their native language, i.e. The Karbi language and the Assamese language.

The Karbis are a Patrilineal society. They are composed of five major clans or Kur.

The Chomangkan also known as "thi-karhi" is a festival unique to the Karbis. It is actually a

ceremony performed by a family for the peace and the safe passage of the soul of family members

who died recently or long ago and never to celebrate them again.

2. Non-core assets

Assets that are no longer required for the operation of a business are known as Non-core assets.

They are usually sold off when the need for income arises for a specific venture the company wants

to embark or to pay their debt.

Although non-core assets no longer play a key role in the running of the business, it becomes useful

to the company when the need for funds to run the company arises.

Deciding what asset is non-core is subjective, in order words, it differs for different companies

depending on the business nature of the company.

Why in news?

State-run companies will have 12 months to monetise non-core assets identified by a ministerial

panel headed by the finance minister, failing which the finance ministry may restrict budgetary

allocations to the CPSEs.

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) issued guidelines for

monetisation of non-core assets of CPSEs and immovable enemy properties, following a Cabinet

decision in February.

3. Cassowaries

Cassowaries are ratites (flightless birds without a keel on their sternum bone).

They are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea (Papua New Guinea and Indonesia), East Nusa

Tenggara, the Maluku Islands, and northeastern Australia.

The most common of these, the southern cassowary.

Cassowaries are the third-tallest and second-heaviest living birds, smaller only than

the ostrich and emu.

Cassowaries feed mainly on fruit, although all species are truly omnivorous and will take a range of

other plant food, including shoots and grass seeds, in addition to fungi, invertebrates, and

small vertebrates.

Cassowaries are very wary of humans, but if provoked they are capable of inflicting serious injuries,

occasionally fatal, to dogs and people.

It is often called "the world's most dangerous bird".

IUCN Red List status: Least Concerned.

G. Prelims Facts

Nothing here for today!!!

H. Practice Questions for UPSC Prelims Exam

Q1) Consider the following Statements:

1. GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle.

2. It was developed by ISRO.

Which of the following statement/s is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

GSLV Mk III is a three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO. The vehicle has two solid strap-

ons, a core liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage. GSLV Mk III is designed to carry 4 ton class of

satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) or about 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), which is

about twice the capability of GSLV Mk II.

Know more about: GSLV Mk II

Q2) Consider the following statements:

1. Nirbhay Cruise Missile is the first indigenously designed and developed Long Range Sub-Sonic

Cruise Missile.

2. It has the operational range of 700 kms.

Which of the following statement/s is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a

Explanation:

It is India’s first indigenously designed and developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile.

It has blended missile and aeronautical technologies which allows it to take off vertically like missile

and cruise horizontally like an aircraft.

It has operational range of 1000 km and can carry warheads of up to 300 kg including nuclear

warheads.

Nirbhay can fly very low to the ground to avoid detection by enemy radar called terrain hugging

capability.

It can be launched from various kind of platforms.

It is the sixth development flight trial with objective to prove the repeatability of boost phase, cruise

phase using way point navigation at very low altitudes.

Of the six test trials, three were failed and three were successful. No other indigenous missile has

been tested at such altitude.

It was tested upto a range of 700 km.

Q3) Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in

a. Andhra Pradesh

b. Kerala

c. Tamil Nadu

d. Karnataka

Answer: a

Explanation:

Self-explanatory

Q4) Consider the following statements:

1. General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) is the highest international body of the world

for accurate and precise measurements.

2. India is a signatory to CGPM.

Which of the following statement/s is/are correct?

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) is the highest international body of the world for

accurate and precise measurements. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the main

executive body of CGPM has the responsibility of defining the International System of Units (SI). India

became a signatory to CGPM in 1957.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. Women are considered second class citizens in almost all religious practices, rituals, and

customs. There is an underlying need to dismantle gender stereotypes within a religious framework

and discuss various issues that affect the life of women. Comment in the light of issue concerning

entry of women into places of worship such as temples, mosques, etc. (15 Marks)

2. Explain conflict of interest. Elaborate with respect to lateral entry into Civil Services. (10 Marks)